ORIGINAL FILING ON FORM S-1
Subject to completion, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 2, 2006.
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Alltel Holding Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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4813 |
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20-3767946 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
One Allied Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
(501) 905-8000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
John P. Fletcher, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Alltel Holding Corp.
One Allied Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Tel. (501) 905-8000
Fax (501) 905-0707
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Richard N. Massey, Esq.
Executive Vice President And Secretary
Alltel Corporation
One Allied Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202
Tel. (501) 905-8000
Fax (501) 905-0962 |
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Daniel L. Heard, Esq.
Kutak Rock LLP
425 W. Capitol Avenue
Suite 1100
Little Rock, AR 72201
Tel. (501) 975-3000
Fax (501) 975-3001 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to
public: As soon as practicable following the effective date
of this Registration Statement and the date on which all other
conditions to the merger of Alltel Holding Corp. with and into
Valor Communications Group, Inc. pursuant to the merger
agreement described in the enclosed document have been satisfied
or waived.
If any of the
securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box. o
If this form is
filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the
same
offering. o
If this form is
a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this form is
a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Title of Each Class of |
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Amount to be |
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Offering Price |
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Aggregate |
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Amount of |
Securities to be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Per Unit |
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Offering Price(2) |
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Registration Fee(3) |
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Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
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388,857,700 shares |
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N/A |
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$3,593,045,148 |
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$384,455.83 |
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(1) |
This Registration Statement relates to shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of Alltel Holding Corp.
(Spinco) which will be distributed pursuant to a
spin-off transaction to a third-party exchange agent for the
benefit of holders of common stock, par value $1 per share,
of Alltel Corporation (Alltel) and which will be
immediately converted into that number of shares of common stock
, par value $0.0001, of Valor Communications Group, Inc.
(Valor) that Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
receive pursuant to the proposed merger of Spinco with and into
Valor. The amount of Spinco common stock to be registered
represents the maximum number of shares of Spinco common stock
that will be distributed to the third party exchange agent for
the benefit of holders of Alltel common stock upon consummation
of the spin-off. One share of Spinco common stock will be
distributed to the exchange agent for each share of Alltel
common stock outstanding on
[ l
], 2006, the record
date of the spin-off. Because it is not possible to accurately
state the number of shares of Alltel common stock that will be
outstanding as of the record date of the spin-off, this
calculation is based on 388,857,700 shares of Alltel common
stock outstanding as of April 1, 2006. |
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(2) |
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration
fee pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2) of the Securities Act, based
on the book value (computed as of April 1, 2006, the most
recent date for which such information is available) of the
common stock of Spinco. |
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(3) |
Computed in accordance with Rule 457(f) and
Section 6(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 by
multiplying (A) the proposed maximum aggregate offering
price for all securities to be registered by (B) 0.000107.
A total of $400,070.83 was previously paid by the Valor in
connection with the filing of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 on
February 28, 2006 (File
No. 333-132073)
and Amendment 1 thereto filed on April 12, 2006 (File
No. 333-132073).
Thus, the aggregate registration fees payable in connection with
the transaction have previously been paid. Accordingly, no
filing fee is paid herewith. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities
and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
The
information in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement is not complete and may be changed. Valor
Communications Group, Inc. may not distribute or issue the
shares of Valor common stock being registered pursuant to this
registration statement until the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is not an
offer to distribute these securities and Valor Communications
Group, Inc. is not soliciting offers to receive these securities
in any state where such offer or distribution is not
permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED MAY 2,
2006
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200
Irving, Texas 75062
[ ], 2006
To the Stockholders of Valor Communications Group, Inc.:
As previously announced, the Board of Directors of Valor
Communications Group, Inc. has unanimously approved a strategic
merger that will combine Valor and the wireline
telecommunications business of Alltel Corporation. Pursuant to
the Agreement and Plan of Merger Valor entered into on
December 8, 2005 with Alltel Corporation and Alltel Holding
Corp. (which we refer to as Spinco), Spinco will
merge with and into Valor and Valor will survive as a
stand-alone company and will hold and conduct the combined
business operations of Valor and Spinco. Following completion of
the merger, the separate existence of Spinco will cease. The
merger will take place immediately after Alltel contributes the
assets making up its wireline telecommunications business to
Spinco and distributes the common stock of Spinco to a
third-party exchange
agent for the benefit of its stockholders. As a result of the
transactions, Alltel will receive approximately
$4.2 billion of combined cash proceeds and debt reduction
(on a consolidated basis). Immediately following the merger,
Valor will change its name to Windstream Corporation
and its common stock will be quoted on the New York Stock
Exchange and will be traded under the ticker symbol
WIN.
Valor will issue an aggregate number of shares of common stock
to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger such that when the
merger is completed, Alltel stockholders will collectively own
approximately 85%, and Valors stockholders will
collectively own approximately 15%, of the shares of common
stock of Windstream Corporation on a fully diluted basis. To
achieve this result, the aggregate number of shares of Valor
common stock that will be issued in the merger will be equal to
5.667 multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of Valor
common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis immediately
prior to the effective time. Therefore, this number and the
value of the per share merger consideration Alltel Stockholders
will receive will not be known until the effective time of the
merger. Although, based on its current shares outstanding,
Valor expects to issue approximately 405,000,000 shares of
common stock to Alltel stockholders in the aggregate, or
approximately 1.04 shares of common stock per each share of
Alltel common stock held by Alltel stockholders, pursuant to the
merger, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of
Valor common stock outstanding that occurs for any reason prior
to the effective time of the merger would cause these numbers to
change. Therefore, we cannot provide a minimum or maximum number
of shares that will be issued in the merger. In all cases,
however, the amount of shares to be issued will yield the 85/15
relative post-merger ownership percentage described above. Based
on the closing price of Valor common stock on April 28,
2006 of $13.05, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, the
approximate value Alltel stockholders will receive in the merger
will equal $13.57 per each share of Alltel common stock they own
on [ ], 2006 (the record date for the
spin-off). However, any
change in the market value of Valor common stock prior to the
effective time of the merger would cause the estimated per share
value Alltel stockholders will receive to also change. The
number of shares of Valor common stock to be issued to Alltel
stockholders in the merger will not be adjusted as a result of
fluctuations in the market price of Valor common stock. For a
more complete discussion of the calculation of the number of
shares of Valor common stock to be issued pursuant to the
merger, see the section titled The
Transactions Calculation of Merger
Consideration on page [ ] of the
accompanying proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement.
Before Valor may issue these shares the Valor certificate of
incorporation must be amended to increase the authorized shares
of Valor common stock from 200,000,000 to 2,000,000,000.
Existing shares of Valor common stock will remain outstanding.
We cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting of Valor
stockholders to be held on [ ], 2006 at
[ ], at [ ], local time. At
the annual meeting, we will ask you to consider and vote on
proposals to adopt and approve the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby. You will also be asked to
elect directors and act on other matters normally considered at
Valors annual meeting. The Board of Directors of Valor
has unanimously approved the merger agreement and unanimously
recommends that the Valor stockholders vote FOR the
proposals to (i) adopt the merger agreement,
(ii) approve the amendment of the organizational documents
of Valor Communications Group, Inc. in their entirety pursuant
to the merger, and (iii) approve the issuance of Valor
common stock pursuant to the merger, each of which is necessary
to effect the merger, as well as FOR the adoption of the
2006 Equity Incentive Plan (which is conditioned upon
stockholder approval of the merger proposals), the Boards
nominees for director and the ratification of Valors
independent auditors.
Your vote is very important. We cannot complete the
merger unless the proposals relating to the adoption of the
merger agreement, the amendment to Valors certificate of
incorporation and bylaws pursuant to the merger and the issuance
of Valor stock pursuant to the merger are adopted by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the outstanding shares of Valor common stock entitled
to vote at the annual meeting. Only stockholders who owned
shares of Valor common stock at the close of business on
[ ], 2006 will be entitled to vote at the
annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to be present at the
annual meeting, please complete, sign, date and return your
proxy card in the enclosed envelope, or authorize the
individuals named on your proxy card to vote shares by calling
the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as
described in the instructions included with your proxy card.
If you hold your shares in street name, you should
instruct your broker how to vote in accordance with your voting
instruction form. If you do not submit your proxy, instruct your
broker how to vote your shares, or vote in person at the annual
meeting, it will have the same effect as a vote against adoption
of the merger agreement.
You should be aware that certain stockholders have already
agreed with Alltel to vote or cause to be voted all of the Valor
shares they own in favor of the adoption of the merger
agreement, the amendment of the Valor organizational documents
in their entirety pursuant to the merger increasing the
authorized shares of Valor common stock and implementing a
classified board of directors and the issuance of Valor common
stock pursuant to the merger. Further, you should also be aware
that our directors and executive officers have either entered
into this agreement with Alltel or otherwise indicated that they
intend to vote their Valor common shares FOR the merger
proposals. These stockholders and our executive officers and
directors together hold an aggregate of approximately 42% of the
aggregate number of votes entitled to be cast.
The accompanying proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement explains the merger, the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and provides specific
information concerning the annual meeting. Please review this
document carefully. You should consider the matters discussed
under the heading Risk Factors Risks Relating
to the Spin-Off and the Merger on page 21 of the
accompanying proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
before voting.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I thank you for your
support and appreciate your consideration of this matter.
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Sincerely, |
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John J. Mueller |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Member of the Board of Directors |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities regulator has approved or disapproved the merger
described in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement or the Valor Communications Group, Inc. common stock
to be issued in connection with the spin-off and merger, or
determined if this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is dated
[ ], 2006,
and is first being mailed to stockholders on or about
[ ], 2006.
ALLTEL CORPORATION
One Allied Drive Little Rock,
Arkansas 72202
Telephone (501) 905-8000
www.alltel.com
[ ], 2006
To the Stockholders of Alltel Corporation:
On December 9, 2005, we announced that we would spin-off
for the benefit of our stockholders shares of Alltel Holding
Corp. (which we refer to as Spinco), a subsidiary of
Alltel Corporation into which we will contribute our wireline
telecommunications business, and that Spinco would then merge
with Valor Communications Group, Inc. After the spin-off and
merger, Valor, which will be renamed Windstream
Corporation, will be a separately traded public company
that will own and operate the combined businesses of Spinco and
Valor. The new companys common stock will be listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol WIN.
It is presently estimated that approximately 1.04 shares of
Valor common stock will be issued to Alltel stockholders for
each share of Spinco common stock they are entitled to receive
on the distribution date. However, this amount will be
calculated based on the fully diluted number of shares of Valor
common stock. Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
effective time of the merger and Alltel common stock outstanding
on [l], 2006, the record date for
the spin-off, and
therefore will not be finally determined until the effective
time. As a result, the estimated ratio of 1.04 shares of Valor
common stock for each share of Alltel common stock would change
to the extent the number of shares of Alltel common stock or
Valor common stock outstanding changes for any reason prior to
these times. In all cases, however, when the merger is
completed, Alltels stockholders will collectively own
approximately 85%, and Valors stockholders will
collectively own approximately 15%, of the shares of common
stock of Windstream Corporation on a diluted basis. Based on the
closing price of Valor common stock on April 28, 2006 of
$13.05, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, the
approximate value Alltel stockholders will receive in the merger
will equal $13.57 per each share of Alltel common stock they own
on the record date for the spin-off. However, any change in the
market value of Valor common stock prior to the effective time
of the merger would cause the estimated per share value Alltel
stockholders will receive in the merger to also change. A more
complete discussion of the calculation of the number of shares
of Valor common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger is
contained in the accompanying proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. You and all other holders of
Alltel common stock will not be required to pay for the shares
of Valor common stock you receive and you will also retain all
of your shares of Alltel common stock.
This transaction represents a significant strategic step that
will sharpen Alltels focus on its higher growth wireless
telecommunications business. The spin-off will also allow Alltel
stockholders to benefit from the success and upside potential of
the new company.
Alltel Corporations Board of Directors has determined that
the spin-off of the wireline business and the combination with
Valor is advisable and in the best interests of Alltel and its
stockholders, and has approved the proposed transaction. You
need not take any action to participate in the spin-off or the
merger. No vote of Alltel Corporation stockholders is
required in connection with this transaction.
The following document contains important information describing
the terms of the spin-off and the merger. We encourage you to
read it carefully.
We look forward to completing the spin-off and merger and to the
exciting opportunities it presents for our stockholders.
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Sincerely, |
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Scott T. Ford |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200,
Irving, Texas 75062
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD [ ], 2006
To the Stockholders of Valor Communications Group, Inc.:
The annual meeting of stockholders of Valor Communications
Group, Inc. will be held on [ ], 2006 at
[ ], at [ ], local time. The
annual meeting is being held for the following purposes:
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1. to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
December 8, 2005, as such may be amended from time to time
(the Merger Agreement), by and among Alltel
Corporation, Alltel Holding Corp. (Spinco) and Valor
Communications Group, Inc., pursuant to which (i) Spinco
will merge with and into Valor, after which Valor will survive
as a stand-alone company and will hold and conduct the combined
business operations of Valor and Spinco and (ii) Valor will
issue an aggregate number of shares in the merger equal to 5.667
multiplied by Valors total number of shares of common
stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis immediately prior to
the merger, which we expect to equal approximately 405,000,000
shares; |
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2. To approve the amendment of the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Valor, to read in their entirety in
the forms attached to this document as Annex E and
Annex F, respectively, with the following
sub-proposals: |
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2A a proposal to approve the increase of the
authorized number of shares of Valor common stock from
200,000,000 to 2,000,000,000; and |
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2B a proposal to divide the board of directors into
three classes with each class consisting, as nearly as possible,
of one-third of the
total number of directors constituting the entire board of
directors. |
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3. to approve the issuance of up to 405,000,000 shares
of Valor common stock to Alltel stockholders in accordance with
the terms of the Merger Agreement; |
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4. to adopt and approve the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, a
copy of which is attached as Annex G to this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement; |
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5. to elect eleven (11) directors to serve until the
2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors
are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier removal,
resignation or death; |
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6. to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as Valors independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 or until
their earlier removal or termination; |
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7. to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to solicit
additional proxies for the adoption of the merger agreement,
approval of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws of Valor pursuant to the merger or approval of the
issuance of shares of Valor common stock pursuant to the
merger; and |
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8. to transact any and all other business that may properly
come before the annual meeting or any adjourned session of the
annual meeting. |
THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH IN ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE ABOVE
(INCLUDING EACH SUB-PROPOSAL) ARE CONDITIONED ON THE OTHER TWO
AND APPROVAL OF EACH IS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION OF THE MERGER.
The proposal set forth in item four is conditioned upon the
approval of the first three items. Furthermore, you should be
aware that if the merger is completed, then by virtue of the
merger the persons elected at the annual meeting to serve as
directors shall be replaced by the persons who serve as
directors of Spinco immediately prior to the merger. It is
currently anticipated that Valors post-merger Board of
Directors will consist of the following nine persons: Jeffery R.
Gardner (who most recently served as Alltels Executive
Vice President Chief Financial Officer), Francis X.
Frantz (who most recently served as Alltels Executive Vice
President External Affairs, General Counsel and
Secretary), six directors designated by Alltel (one of whom will
be Dennis E. Foster, a current director of Alltel) and Anthony
J. de Nicola (the current Chairman of Valors Board of
Directors). You should also be aware that if the merger is
completed, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will
become Valors post-merger independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006.
Only stockholders who owned shares of Valor common stock at the
close of business on [ ], 2006, the record
date for the annual meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the annual meeting and any adjournment or postponement
of it. A stockholders list will be available for
inspection by any stockholder entitled to vote at the annual
meeting during ordinary business hours at Valors principal
offices for ten days prior to the annual meeting as well as at
the location of the annual meeting for the entire time of the
annual meeting.
The merger agreement and the merger, along with the other
transactions which would be effected in connection with the
merger, are described more fully in the attached proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement, and we urge you to
read it carefully. Valor stockholders have no appraisal rights
under Delaware law in connection with the merger.
THE VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AND
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VALOR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
PROPOSALS TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT, TO APPROVE THE
AMENDMENT OF VALORS ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS IN THEIR
ENTIRETY PURSUANT TO THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE SUB-PROPOSALS TO
INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF VALOR COMMON STOCK AND TO
IMPLEMENT A CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND TO APPROVE THE
ISSUANCE OF VALOR COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE MERGER, EACH OF
WHICH IS NECESSARY TO EFFECT THE MERGER, AS WELL AS FOR
THE ADOPTION OF THE 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN (WHICH IS
CONDITIONED UPON STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE MERGER PROPOSALS),
THE BOARDS NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF VALORS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND, IF NECESSARY, THE
ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES
FOR THE MERGER PROPOSALS.
To ensure that your shares of Valor common stock are represented
at the annual meeting, please complete, date and sign the
enclosed proxy card and mail it promptly in the envelope
provided. Any executed but unmarked proxy cards will be voted in
accordance with the recommendations of the Valor Board of
Directors, including FOR adoption of the merger agreement
and FOR the election of Board of Directors nominees
for director. Valor stockholders may revoke their proxy in the
manner described in the accompanying proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement before it has been voted at the
annual meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Irving, Texas
[ ], 2006
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to be present at the annual meeting,
please promptly complete, sign, date and return your proxy card
in the enclosed envelope, or authorize the individuals named on
your proxy card to vote shares by calling the toll-free
telephone number or by submitting a proxy via the Internet as
described in the instructions included with your proxy card or
voting information form.
REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
incorporates important business and financial information about
Valor Communications Group, Inc. from documents previously filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are not
included in or delivered with this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. This information is available
to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can
obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement by requesting them
in writing, by telephone or by
e-mail from Valor with
the following contact information or on Valors website at
www.valortelecom.com:
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200
Irving, Texas 75062
Attn: Investor Relations
Tel: (866) 779-1296
Email: investorrelations@valortelecom.com
If you would like to request any documents, please do so by
[ ], 2006 in order to receive them before the
annual meeting.
See Where You Can Find Additional Information for
more information about the documents referred to in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement.
In addition, if you have questions about the merger you may
contact:
17 State Street,
10th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Call toll free: (888) 206-1124
ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/
PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ALLTEL OR
SPINCO AND THEIR SUBSIDIARIES HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY ALLTEL. ALL
INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO
VALOR (INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL ADVISORS TO VALOR) AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY VALOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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No Appraisal Rights
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Sub-Proposal 2AIncrease of Authorized Shares of Valor
Common Stock From 200,000,000 to 2,000,000,000
|
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Sub-Proposal 2BImplementation of Classified Board of
Directors
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F-1 |
|
v
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What are Valor Communications Group, Inc. stockholders being
asked to vote on at the annual meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Valor Communications Group, Inc. (also referred to herein as
Valor) stockholders are being asked to consider and
vote upon proposals to adopt the merger agreement entered into
among Valor, Alltel Corporation (also referred to herein as
Alltel) and Alltel Holding Corp. (also referred to
herein as Spinco), to approve the amendment of
Valors organizational documents in their entirety pursuant
to the merger, including sub-proposals to increase the
authorized shares of Valor common stock and to implement a
classified board of directors, to approve the issuance of Valor
common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger and
to adopt the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Other matters to be
considered and voted upon at the annual meeting are the election
of directors, ratification of Valors independent auditors
and such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
What will happen in the spin-off? |
|
A: |
|
First, Alltel will contribute its wireline telecommunications
business to Spinco in exchange for, among other things, a
special dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately
$2.4 billion and the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of
certain Spinco debt securities, which Alltel intends to exchange
for outstanding Alltel debt securities or otherwise transfer to
Alltels creditors representing approximately $1.538
billion in debt reduction to Alltel. As the sole stockholder of
Spinco, Alltel will receive 100% of the special dividend. After
the contribution and immediately prior to the merger, Alltel
will spin-off Spinco by distributing all of the shares of Spinco
common stock to a third-party exchange agent to be held for the
benefit of Alltel stockholders on a pro rata basis. Such shares
will be immediately converted into that number of shares of
Valor common stock Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
receive in the merger. As a result, Alltel stockholders will
never hold Spinco securities. |
|
Q: |
|
What will happen in the merger? |
|
A: |
|
In the merger, Spinco will merge with and into Valor in
accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. Valor will
survive the merger as a stand-alone company holding and
conducting the combined business operations of Valor and Spinco.
Immediately following the merger, Valor will change its name to
Windstream Corporation and its common stock will be quoted on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN.
For ease of reference, throughout this proxy statement/
prospectus information statement we will refer to Windstream
Corporation, the new company formed by the merger of Valor and
Spinco as Windstream. |
|
Q: |
|
What will Alltel Corporation stockholders be entitled to
receive pursuant to the transactions? |
|
A: |
|
As a result of the merger, it is currently estimated that Alltel
stockholders will be entitled to receive approximately 1.04
shares of Valor common stock for each share of Alltel common
stock that they own as of [ ], 2006, the
record date for the spin-off. However, this amount will be
finally determined at the effective time of the merger based on
Valor shares outstanding immediately prior to the effective time
and Alltel shares outstanding on the record date for the
spin-off, and therefore will change to the extent that Valor or
Alltels shares outstanding at such times are not the same
as our estimates due to increases or decreases in share amounts
for any reason. Based on the closing price of Valor common stock
on April 28, 2006 of $13.05, as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange, the approximate value Alltel stockholders will
receive in the merger will equal $13.57 per each share of Alltel
common stock they own on the record date for the spin-off.
However, any change in the market value of Valor common stock
prior to the effective time of the merger would cause the
estimated per share value Alltel stockholders will receive in
the merger to also change. No fractional shares of Valor common
stock will be issued to Alltel stockholders in the merger.
Alltel stockholders that otherwise would be entitled to a
fraction of a Valor common share will be entitled to receive a
cash payment in lieu of issuance of that fractional share. See
The Merger Agreement Merger
Consideration on page [ ]. Following the
merger, approximately 85% of the outstanding common shares of
Windstream will be held by Alltel stockholders collectively. |
vi
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What should Alltel stockholders do now? |
|
A: |
|
Alltel common stockholders should carefully read this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement, which contains
important information about the spin-off, the merger, Spinco and
Valor. Alltel stockholders are not required to take any action
to approve the spin-off, the merger or any of the transactions
contemplated thereby. After the merger, Windstream will mail to
holders of Alltel common stock who are entitled to receive
shares of Valor common stock book-entry statements evidencing
their ownership of Valor common stock and other information
regarding their receipt of Valor common stock. |
|
|
|
ALLTEL STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER THEIR
EXISTING ALLTEL CORPORATION COMMON SHARES IN THE SPIN-OFF
TRANSACTION OR THE MERGER AND THEY SHOULD NOT RETURN THEIR
ALLTEL STOCK CERTIFICATES. |
|
Q: |
|
How will the market price of Alltel common stock be affected
by the merger? |
|
A: |
|
The market value of Alltel common stock following the merger
will decrease in order to give effect to the distribution. Some
or all of this decrease in value realized by Alltel stockholders
will be offset by the value of the Windstream common stock they
will receive in the merger. However, there can be no assurances
that the combined trading prices of shares of Alltel common
stock and Windstream common stock after the merger will be equal
to or greater than the trading price of shares of Alltel common
stock prior to the merger. Until the market has fully evaluated
the business of Alltel without the business of Windstream, the
price at which shares of Alltel common stock trade may fluctuate
significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated
the combined businesses of Valor and Spinco on a stand-alone
basis, the price at which shares of Windstream common stock
trade may fluctuate significantly. |
|
Q: |
|
What will be the indebtedness of Windstream following
completion of the spin-off and merger? |
|
A: |
|
By virtue of the merger, Windstream will assume
$261.0 million in Alltel debt on a consolidated basis and
$400.0 million in outstanding Valor debt securities.
Windstream will also borrow approximately $781.0 million
under its new senior secured credit facility in order to prepay
the amounts outstanding under Valors existing credit
facility. These amounts, together with the $3.965 billion
in financings consummated by Spinco prior to the merger and
certain expenses related to the transaction, will result in
Windstream having approximately $5.5 billion in total debt
immediately following completion of the merger. It is expected
that Windstream will use proceeds from its new senior secured
credit facilities to refinance approximately $81.0 million
of Alltels outstanding bonds (plus an additional
approximately $9.5 million in related make-whole premiums)
and to purchase any of Valors outstanding bonds that may
be tendered pursuant to the terms thereof as a result of the
merger. However, no Valor bonds are expected to be tendered as a
result of the merger as their current trading price exceeds the
put price. The trading price of the bonds was $106.05 as of
April 3, 2006 versus a put price of $101. |
|
Q: |
|
Does Valors Board support the merger? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. The Valor Board of Directors has unanimously approved the
merger agreement and the merger and unanimously recommends that
Valor stockholders vote FOR the proposals to adopt the
merger agreement, to approve the amendment of Valors
organizational documents in their entirety pursuant to the
merger, including the sub-proposals to increase the authorized
shares of Valor common stock and to implement a classified board
of directors, to approve the issuance of Valor common stock to
Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger and to adopt the 2006
Equity Incentive Plan. |
|
Q: |
|
How will my rights as a Windstream stockholder after the
merger differ from my current rights as a Valor stockholder? |
|
A: |
|
After the merger, your rights as a stockholder will be governed
by the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the
restated bylaws, attached to this document as Annex E and
Annex F, respectively, rather than the current certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Valor. A comparison of the
differences of your rights as a stockholder under these two
governing documents is discussed in the section titled
Comparison of the Rights of Valor Stockholders Before and
After the Spin-Off and Merger starting on
page [ ] of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. |
vii
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What will happen to Valors dividend policy as a result
of the merger? |
|
A: |
|
The merger agreement provides that the initial dividend policy
of Windstream (which may be changed at any time by
Windstreams Board of Directors) will provide for the
payment, subject to applicable law, of regular quarterly
dividends on each issued and outstanding share of common stock
of $0.25 per share. See The Transactions
Dividend Policy. |
|
Q: |
|
What are the material tax consequences to Valor stockholders
and Alltel stockholders resulting from the spin-off and the
merger? |
|
A: |
|
The merger will be tax-free to Valor stockholders. Alltel
stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the
spin-off or the merger, except for any gain or loss attributable
to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Valor
common stock. The material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the
spin-off and the merger
are described in more detail under Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off and the
Merger on page [ ]. |
|
Q: |
|
Are there risks associated with the merger? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. We may not achieve the expected benefits of the merger
because of the risks and uncertainties discussed in the section
titled Risk Factors starting on
page [ ] and the section titled
Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements starting on page [ ].
Those risks include, among other things, risks relating to the
uncertainty that we will be able to integrate the existing Valor
business with the Spinco business successfully and uncertainties
relating to the performance of the businesses following the
completion of the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
What should Valor stockholders do now? |
|
A: |
|
After carefully reading and considering the information
contained in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement, Valor stockholders should vote their shares as soon
as possible so that their shares will be represented and voted
at the Valor annual meeting. Please follow the instructions set
forth on the enclosed proxy card or on the voting instruction
form provided by the record holder if your shares are held in
the name of your broker or other nominee. |
|
Q. |
|
Have any stockholders already agreed to vote for the
merger? |
|
A. |
|
Yes. Holders of approximately 41% of Valor common stock have
agreed to vote for the adoption of the merger agreement and have
signed a Voting Agreement with Spinco to that effect. |
|
Q: |
|
How do Valor stockholders vote? |
|
A: |
|
Valor stockholders may vote before the annual meeting in one of
the following ways: |
|
|
|
use the toll-free number, if any, shown on your
proxy card; |
|
|
|
visit the website, if any, shown on your proxy card
to submit a proxy via the Internet; or |
|
|
|
complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy
card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
|
Q: |
|
What if a Valor stockholder does not vote on the matters
relating to the merger? |
|
A: |
|
If you are a Valor stockholder and you fail to respond with a
vote or fail to instruct your broker or other nominee how to
vote on the proposals to adopt the merger agreement, to approve
the amendment of Valors organizational documents in their
entirety pursuant to the merger, including the sub-proposals to
increase the authorized shares of Valor common stock and to
implement a classified board of directors, and to approve the
issuance of Valor common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant
to the merger, it will have the same effect as a vote against
these proposals, each of which (including the sub-proposals)
must be approved for the merger to occur. If you respond and
abstain from voting, your proxy will have the same effect as a
vote against these proposals. If you respond but do not indicate
how you want to vote on the proposals, your proxy will be
counted as a vote in favor of these proposals. |
viii
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What stockholder approvals are needed in connection with the
merger? |
|
A: |
|
The merger cannot be completed unless the merger agreement is
adopted, the amendment of Valors organizational documents
in their entirety pursuant to the merger, including the
sub-proposals to increase the authorized shares of Valor common
stock and to implement a classified board of directors, is
approved and the issuance of Valor common stock to Alltel
stockholders pursuant to the merger is approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the outstanding shares of Valor common stock entitled
to vote at the annual meeting. No vote of Alltel stockholders is
required or being sought in connection with the spin-off
transaction or the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
Why are Valor stockholders being asked to approve the 2006
Equity Incentive Plan? |
|
A: |
|
Valor stockholders are being asked to approve the 2006 Equity
Incentive Plan to ensure that upon completion of the merger,
Windstream has in place an equity incentive plan that will
enable it to address equity incentives for the management of
Windstream in a timely manner. |
|
|
|
As of April 1, 2006, a total of 307,997 shares of our
common stock remain available for awards under our 2005
Long-Term Equity
Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan), adopted in February
2005. Windstream will be a considerably larger company than
Valor was at the time of the adoption of the 2005 Plan and will
correspondingly have more key employees. As a result, to ensure
that Windstream has adequate means to provide equity incentive
compensation for its employees thereafter, the Board of
Directors deems it to be in the best interests of Valor for its
stockholders to approve the adoption of the 2006 Equity
Incentive Plan. |
|
Q: |
|
Who can vote at the Valor annual meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Holders of Valor common stock can vote their shares at the
annual meeting if they are holders of record of those shares at
the close of business on [ ], 2006, the record
date for the annual meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
When and where is the annual meeting of Valor
stockholders? |
|
A: |
|
The annual meeting of Valor stockholders will be held at
[ ] on [ ], 2006 at
[ ], at [ ], local time. |
|
Q: |
|
If I am not going to attend the annual meeting, should I
return my proxy card(s)? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. Returning your proxy card(s) ensures that your shares will
be represented at the annual meeting, even if you are unable to
or do not attend. |
|
Q: |
|
Can Valor stockholders change their vote after they mail
their proxy card? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. If you are a holder of record of Valor common stock and
have properly completed and submitted your proxy card, you can
change your vote in any of the following ways: |
|
|
|
by sending a written notice to the corporate
secretary of Valor that is received prior to the annual meeting
stating that you revoke your proxy; |
|
|
|
by properly completing a new proxy card bearing a
later date and properly submitting it so that it is received
prior to the annual meeting; |
|
|
|
by logging onto the Internet website specified on
your proxy card in the same manner you would to submit your
proxy electronically or by calling the telephone number
specified on your proxy card prior to the annual meeting, in
each case if you are eligible to do so and following the
instructions on the proxy card; or |
|
|
|
by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. |
|
|
|
Simply attending the annual meeting will not revoke a proxy. |
|
|
|
If you are a Valor stockholder whose shares are held in
street name by your broker and you have directed
such person to vote your shares, you should instruct such person
to change your vote. |
ix
|
|
|
Q: |
|
If my Valor shares are held in street name by my
broker, will my broker vote my shares for me? |
|
A: |
|
Your broker will vote your Valor shares only if you provide
instructions on how to vote. You should follow the directions
provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to
vote your shares. Without instructions, your shares will not be
voted, which will have the effect of a vote against the adoption
of the merger agreement, the approval of the amendment and
restatement of Valors organizational documents pursuant to
the merger, including the sub-proposals to increase the
authorized shares of Valor common stock and to implement a
classified board of directors and the approval of the issuance
of Valor common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the
merger. |
|
Q: |
|
Can Alltel or Valor stockholders demand appraisal of their
shares? |
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A: |
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No. Neither Alltel nor Valor stockholders have appraisal
rights under Delaware law in connection with the spin-off, the
merger or the transactions contemplated thereby. |
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Q: |
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When will the merger be completed? |
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A: |
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We are working to complete the merger as quickly as possible. If
approved by the Valor stockholders, we hope to complete the
merger as early as the third quarter of 2006. However, it is
possible that factors outside our control could require us to
complete the merger at a later time or not complete it at all.
For a discussion of the conditions to the merger see
Merger Agreement Conditions to Merger
beginning on page [ ]. |
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Q: |
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Who can answer my questions? |
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A: |
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If you are a Valor stockholder and you have any questions about
the merger, the annual meeting, or if you need assistance in
voting your shares, please contact: |
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Investor Relations Department |
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
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201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200 |
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Irving, Texas 75062 |
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Attn: Investor Relations |
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Tel: (866) 779-1296 |
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Email address: investorrelations@valortelecom.com |
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If you are an Alltel stockholder and you have any questions
regarding the distribution of Spinco shares, the merger or any
matter described in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement, please direct your questions to: |
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Investor Relations Department |
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Alltel Corporation |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 |
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Tel: (877) 446-3682 |
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Email address: alltel.investor.relations@alltel.com |
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In addition, if you have questions about the merger or if you
need additional copies of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement you may also contact: |
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Georgeson Shareholder |
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17 State Street,
10th Floor |
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New York, NY 10004 |
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Call toll free: (888) 206-1124 |
x
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement and may not contain
all of the information that is important to you. To understand
the transactions fully and for a more complete description of
the legal terms of the spin-off and the merger, you should
carefully read this entire proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and the other documents to
which we refer you, including in particular the copies of the
merger agreement, the distribution agreement and the voting
agreement, and the opinions of Wachovia Securities and Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc. that are attached to this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement as Annexes A, B, C,
D-1 and D-2, respectively. See also Where You Can Find
Additional Information on page [ ].
We have included page references parenthetically to direct you
to a more complete description of the topics presented in this
summary.
This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is:
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a prospectus of Valor Communications Group, Inc. relating to the
issuance of shares of Valor Communications Group, Inc. common
stock in connection with the merger; |
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a prospectus of Alltel Holding Corp. relating to the
distribution of shares of its common stock to a third-party
exchange agent for the benefit of Alltel stockholders in the
spin-off; |
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a proxy statement of Valor Communications Group, Inc. for use in
the solicitation of proxies for Valors annual
meeting; and |
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an information statement of Alltel Corporation relating to the
spin-off of the shares of Spinco common stock to Alltel
stockholders. |
The Companies (page [ ])
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
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201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200 |
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Irving, Texas 75062 |
Valor Communications Group, Inc. (also referred to herein as
Valor) is one of the largest providers of
telecommunications services in rural communities in the
southwestern United States and, based on the number of telephone
lines it has in service, the seventh largest independent
telephone company in the country. As of December 31, 2005,
Valor operated 518,456 telephone access lines in primarily rural
areas of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas. Valor
believes that in many of its markets it is the only service
provider that offers customers an integrated package of local
and long distance voice, high-speed data and Internet access as
well as a variety of enhanced services such as voicemail and
caller identification. Valor generated revenues of
$505.9 million and net income of $35.3 million in the
year ended December 31, 2005.
Valor was formed in connection with the acquisition in 2000 of
select telephone assets from GTE Southwest Corporation, which is
now part of Verizon. Valors formation was orchestrated by
its equity sponsors Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, or
WCAS, Vestar Capital Partners, Citicorp Venture Capital and a
group of founding individuals. Valor completed its initial
public offering of shares of common stock on February 9,
2005 and its shares began trading on the NYSE under the symbol
VCG.
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Alltel Holding Corp. |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, AR 72202 |
Alltel Holding Corp. (also referred to herein as
Spinco) is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Alltel Corporation (also referred to herein as
Alltel) and was incorporated in its current form as
a Delaware corporation on November 2, 2005 to hold
Alltels wireline telecommunications business.
Alltels wireline telecommunications business is currently
operated by certain of its subsidiaries, each of which will be
1
transferred to Spinco prior to the closing of the spin-off and
the merger. These subsidiaries provide wireline local,
long-distance, network access and Internet services. These
subsidiaries also sell and warehouse telecommunications
products, publish telephone directories for affiliates and other
independent telephone companies. This proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement describes Spinco as if it held
the subsidiaries and other assets that will be transferred to it
prior to closing for all historical periods presented.
Spinco generated revenues and sales of $2,923.5 million and
net income of $374.3 million in the year ended
December 31, 2005.
The Annual Meeting (page [ ])
The annual meeting of Valor stockholders will take place on
[ ], 2006 at [ ], at
[ ], local time. At the annual meeting, Valor
stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on proposals to
adopt the merger agreement, to approve the amendment of
Valors organizational documents in their entirety pursuant
to the merger, including sub-proposals to increase the
authorized shares of Valor common stock and to implement a
classified board of directors, to approve the issuance of Valor
common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger and
to adopt the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Other matters to be
acted on at the annual meeting are the election of directors,
ratification of Valors independent auditors and such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.
Annual Meeting Record Date; Voting Information
(page [ ])
Valor stockholders are entitled to vote at the annual meeting if
they owned shares of Valor common stock at the close of business
on [ ], 2006, the annual meeting record date.
As of the annual meeting record date, approximately
[ ] shares of Valor common stock were
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual
meeting and there were [ ] holders of
record of Valor common stock. Each share of Valor common stock
entitles the holder to one vote at the annual meeting.
Required Vote (page [ ])
The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the
outstanding shares of Valor common stock entitled to vote on the
proposals voting together as a single class is required to adopt
the merger agreement, to approve the amendment of Valors
organizational documents in their entirety pursuant to the
merger, including the sub-proposals to increase the authorized
shares of Valor common stock and to implement a classified board
of directors, and to approve the issuance of Valor common stock
to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger. The adoption of
the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the ratification of the
appointment of Valors independent auditors requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes represented and
entitled to vote on each such matter, and directors shall be
elected by a plurality of the votes represented and entitled to
vote on the matter.
Voting by Valor Management
(page [ ])
Certain stockholders of Valor have entered into a Voting
Agreement with Alltel whereby they have agreed to vote or cause
to be voted all of the Valor shares they own in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement. For more information regarding
the Voting Agreement see The Voting Agreement
beginning herein at page [ ]. In
addition, Valors directors and executive officers have
either entered into this agreement with Alltel in their capacity
as a stockholder of Valor or have otherwise indicated they
intend to vote their Valor common shares in favor of the merger
proposals. These stockholders and Valors executive
officers and directors together hold an aggregate of
approximately 42% of the aggregate number of votes entitled to
be cast at the annual meeting.
The Transactions (page [l])
On December 9, 2005, Alltel and Valor announced they
entered into a transaction providing for the spin-off of
Alltels wireline telecommunications business and the
merger of such business with and into Valor.
2
Below is a step-by-step list illustrating the sequence of
material events relating to the spin-off of Spinco and merger of
Spinco and Valor. Each of these events are discussed in more
detail throughout this proxy statement/prospectus-information
statement. Each of following events will occur contemporaneously
on the closing date of the merger except for Step 1, which will
occur approximately four to six weeks prior to closing of the
merger, and Steps 9 and 10, which will occur promptly following
the closing of the merger.
Step 1 Alltel will engage in a series of
restructuring transactions to effect the transfer to
Spincos subsidiaries of all of the assets relating to
Alltels wireline telecommunications business and the
transfer to Alltel of all assets not relating to such business.
Step 2 Alltel will contribute all of the capital
stock of the Spinco subsidiaries to Spinco in exchange for
(i) that number of shares of Spinco common stock to be
distributed to a third party exchange agent for the benefit of
Alltel shareholders in the spin-off, and (ii) the issuance
of the exchange notes by Spinco to Alltel.
Step 3 Spinco will enter into a new senior secured
credit facility providing commitments for borrowings in an
amount up to $4.2 billion.
Step 4 Spinco will pay a special dividend to Alltel
in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco
(which equals approximately $2.4 billion as of
June 30, 2005).
Step 5 Alltel will spin-off Spinco by distributing
all of the shares of Spinco common stock to a third-party
exchange agent to be held for the benefit of Alltel stockholders
on a pro rata basis.
Step 6 Alltel exchanges the exchange notes received
from Spinco for outstanding Alltel debt securities or otherwise
transfers such exchange notes to Alltels creditors
representing approximately $1.538 billion in debt reduction
to Alltel.
Step 7 Shares of Spinco common stock held by the
exchange agent will be converted into that number of shares of
Valor common stock that Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
receive in the merger.
Step 8 Spinco will merge with and into Valor and the
exchange agent will issue shares of Valor common stock to Alltel
stockholders in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement.
Step 9 Valor will change its name to Windstream
Corporation and its common stock will be quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN.
Step 10 Windstream may issue up to an additional
$800 million in debt securities in a private placement
pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, which
will reduce dollar-for-dollar the commitments under its senior
secured credit facility.
The Spin-Off (page [ ])
In the spin-off, Alltel will contribute its wireline
telecommunications business to Spinco in exchange for:
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the issuance to Alltel of Spinco common stock to be distributed
in the spin-off, |
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the payment of a special dividend to Alltel in an amount not to
exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco (which equals
approximately $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2005), which
Alltel will use to repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock
buyback program authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in
connection with the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness,
or both, within one year following the spin-off, and |
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the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of certain Spinco debt
securities (which we will refer to as the exchange
notes), which Alltel intends to exchange for outstanding
Alltel debt securities or otherwise transfer to Alltels
creditors, representing approximately $1.538 billion in
debt reduction to Alltel. |
As a result of the transactions, Alltel will receive
approximately $4.2 billion of combined cash proceeds and
debt reduction through the special dividend, the distribution of
the exchange notes and the assumption by Windstream on a
consolidated basis of approximately $261 million in
existing Spinco debt securities.
After the contribution and immediately prior to the merger,
Alltel will spin-off Spinco by distributing all of the shares of
Spinco common stock to a third-party exchange agent to be held
for the benefit of Alltel
3
stockholders on a pro rata basis. Such shares will be
immediately converted into that number of shares of Valor common
stock Alltel stockholders will be entitled to receive in the
merger. As a result, Alltel stockholders will never hold shares
of Spinco common stock.
The Merger (page [ ])
In the merger, Spinco will merge with and into Valor in
accordance with the merger agreement. Valor will survive the
merger as a stand-alone company that will hold and conduct the
combined business operations of Valor and Spinco. Immediately
following the merger, Valor will change its name to Windstream
Corporation, and its common stock will be quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WIN. For ease
of reference, throughout this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement we will refer to
Windstream Corporation, the new company formed by the merger of
Valor and Spinco as Windstream.
It is presently estimated that Alltel stockholders will receive
approximately 1.04 shares of Windstream common stock for each
share of Alltel common stock they own on [ ],
2006, the record date for the spin-off. However, this amount is
subject to change based on the number of shares of Alltel common
stock outstanding on such date and Valor common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger. In any event, upon consummation of the merger, on a
diluted basis, 85% of Windstream will collectively be held by
Alltel common stockholders and 15% will collectively be held by
the stockholders of Valor. Based on the closing price of Valor
common stock on April 28, 2006 of $13.05, as reported by
the New York Stock Exchange, the approximate value Alltel
stockholders will receive in the merger will equal $13.57 per
each share of Alltel common stock they own on the record date
for the spin-off. However, any change in the market value of
Valor common stock prior to the effective time of the merger
would cause the estimated per share value Alltel stockholders
will receive in the merger to also change. For a more complete
discussion of the calculation of the number of shares of Valor
common stock to be issued in the merger, see the section titled
The Transactions Calculation of Merger
Consideration on page [ ] of this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement. Holders of Alltel
common stock will not be required to pay for the shares of Valor
common stock they receive and will also retain all of their
shares of Alltel Corporation. Existing shares of Valor common
stock will remain outstanding.
Valor Board of Directors Recommendation to Valor
Stockholders (page [ ])
The Valor Board of Directors has unanimously determined that the
merger is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of,
Valor and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that Valor
stockholders vote FOR the proposals to adopt the
merger agreement, to approve the amendment of Valors
organizational documents in their entirety pursuant to the
merger, including the sub-proposals to increase the authorized
shares of Valor common stock and to implement a classified board
of directors, to approve the issuance of Valor common stock to
Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger and to adopt the 2006
Equity Incentive Plan and, if necessary, to adjourn the annual
meeting to solicit additional proxies for the merger proposals.
Valors Reasons for the Merger
(page [ ])
In recommending the merger to Valor stockholders, the Valor
Board of Directors considered Valors current and
historical financial condition and results of operations as well
as its future prospects and strategic objectives. The Board of
Directors examined the potential impact of industry trends and
risks facing Valor and the industry as a whole on such prospects
and objectives. The Board of Directors reviewed the strategic
options available to Valor, both potential transaction
opportunities and remaining as a separate public company and the
risk associated with each option. The Board of Directors
authorized management to explore potential transactions and
Valors senior management subsequently began discussions
with Alltel.
In the course of their discussions, both Valor and Alltel
recognized that a merger of Alltels wireline business with
Valor could potentially have substantial strategic and financial
benefits. The Board considered issues such as the amount of debt
that the merged company would assume and the agreements between
Spinco and Alltel. The pro forma capital structure of Windstream
will produce lower debt leverage, lower cost of capital and a
lower dividend payout ratio than Valor, all of which should
reduce the overall financial risk of the combined company. With
respect to the agreements between Alltel and Spinco, the Valor
Board examined
4
those arrangements in total, and determined that the overall
financial impact of those arrangements was not disadvantageous
to Spinco. Upon completion of the merger, we expect that
Windstream stock will trade at a modest premium over
Valors current share price. Furthermore, Valors
current stockholders may have an opportunity to improve their
long-term returns by holding shares of Windstream which we
expect will be a leading rural wireline telephone company and
one of the largest local telecommunications carriers in the
United States.
Opinion of Financial Advisors
(page [ ])
In deciding to approve the merger, the Valor Board of Directors
considered separate opinions delivered to it by its financial
advisors Wachovia Securities and Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc.
Each of Wachovia Securities and Bear Stearns delivered its
opinion to the Valor Board of Directors, which opinions were
subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of December 8,
2005, and based upon and subject to the factors, qualifications,
judgments and assumptions set forth therein, the aggregate
consideration to be issued by Valor in the merger is fair, from
a financial point of view, to Valor and its stockholders.
The full text of the written opinions of each of Wachovia
Securities and Bear Stearns, which set forth assumptions made,
procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and
limitations on the review undertaken in connection with its
opinion, is attached to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement as Annexes D-1 and D-2,
respectively. Each of Wachovia Securities and Bear Stearns
provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the
Valor Board of Directors in connection with their consideration
of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the
distribution agreement. Neither opinion is a recommendation as
to how any holder of Valor common stock should vote with respect
to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. As is
customary, both Wachovia Securities and Bear Stearns will
receive a fee for their services. Wachovia Securities will
receive a fee of $6,000,000 for its services, $750,000 of which
was payable upon delivery of its fairness opinion and $5,250,000
of which is payable upon consummation of the merger. For
investment banking and other financial advisory services
rendered to Valor over the past two years (other than fees in
connection with the merger), Valor has paid Wachovia Securities
$4.75 million. For investment banking and other financial
advisory services rendered to Alltel over the past two years,
Alltel has paid Wachovia Securities $6.4 million. Bear
Stearns received a fee of $1 million for its services, none
of which was contingent upon the successful completion of the
merger. Bear Stearns had been previously engaged by Valor to
provide certain investment banking and other services. In
connection with such services Bear Stearns has received
compensation of approximately $1.1 million during the past
two years. Valor encourages its stockholders to read these
opinions in their entirety. Alltel has not engaged Bear Stearns
for investment banking or other financial advisory services over
the past two years.
Alltels Reasons for the Spin-Off and the Merger
(page [ ])
In reaching its decision to approve the spin-off and merger, the
Alltel board of directors consulted with its financial and legal
advisors and considered a wide variety of factors, including the
following:
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the creation of skilled management teams at both Alltel and
Windstream having proven track records of delivering financial
results, a great breadth of experience in the communications
industry, and a deep commitment to providing quality
communications services to customers; |
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the expectation that Alltel will receive cash proceeds and debt
reduction totaling about $4.2 billion resulting from the
spin-off, which will result in Alltel having net debt of about
$1.2 billion and having leverage of about 0.5 times net
debt (or consolidated indebtedness less cash and cash
equivalents) to operating income before depreciation and
amortization; |
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the potential value, as determined by evaluating pre and post
transaction discounted cash flows, EBITDA, yield, and other
measures of the pre and post transaction wireline businesses,
created for Alltel stockholders who collectively, in the
aggregate, will hold approximately 85% of the outstanding shares
of Windstream immediately following the merger and the perceived
strong investor demand for both a pure-play wireless company and
a pure-play rural wireline company; |
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Alltels and Valors wireline businesses have
complementary geographic footprints with favorable rural
characteristics, and their integration will benefit from
Alltels existing billing system outsourcing |
5
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relationship with Valor providing the potential to create a
market leader in the rural wireline telecommunications industry; |
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the potential positive financial impact resulting from such a
combination (including, without limitation, an expected gain of
$40 million in net annual synergies from the combination)
the benefit of which would be passed on to Alltel stockholders
through the spin-off and merger; |
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the tax-efficient structure for Alltel and Alltels
stockholders of the proposed spin-off and immediate merger of
Spinco with and into Valor; and |
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the expectation that Windstream will pay an annual dividend of
$1 per share of common stock, which equals $1.04 per equivalent
Alltel share. |
The Alltel board of directors also considered certain
countervailing factors in its deliberations concerning the
spin-off and merger, including the possibility that the
anticipated benefits expected to result for Windstream from the
merger would fail to materialize and the potential impact that
would have on Alltel stockholders receiving Windstream common
shares in the transaction.
As a result of the consideration of the foregoing and other
relevant considerations, the Alltel board of directors
determined that the spin-off and merger, including the terms of
the merger agreement, distribution agreement and the other
agreements relating to the merger, are fair to, and in the best
interests of, Alltel and Alltel stockholders.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
(page [ ])
In considering the Valor Board of Directors determination
to approve the merger agreement and to recommend that Valor
stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement, to approve the
amendment of the Valor organizational documents in their
entirety pursuant to the merger increasing the authorized shares
of Valor common stock and implementing a classified board of
directors to approve the issuance of Valor common stock to
Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger and to adopt the 2006
Equity Incentive Plan, Valor stockholders should be aware of
potential conflicts of interest of, and the benefits available
to, certain Valor stockholders, directors and officers. These
stockholders, directors and officers may have interests in the
merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the
interests of Valor stockholders as a result of, among other
things:
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the appointment of Valors current Chairman of the Board of
Directors to the board of Windstream; |
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the acceptance of employment offers or consulting agreements
with Windstream by certain of Valors executive officers; |
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the acceleration of vesting of a portion of each executive
officers cash awards, if any, resulting in accelerated
payments of $760,000 in the aggregate; |
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amendments to Mr. Muellers and Mr. Ojiles
employment agreements that will increase severance payable
thereunder from 18 months of base salary to 24 months
resulting in aggregate severance payments of $1,500,000; |
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amendments to Mr. Muellers and Mr. Ojiles
employment agreements that will increase bonus payments upon
termination of employment to two times annual target bonus
resulting in aggregate bonus payments of $1,250,000; |
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severance payable to Mr. Vaughn of 18 months salary
and one-years bonus resulting in an aggregate severance
payment of $812,500; |
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the acceleration of vesting of restricted stock grants made to
Valors executive officers and directors scheduled to vest
in 2007 and for those executive officers who will not remain
employed by Windstream, the acceleration of vesting of
restricted stock grants scheduled to vest in 2008 and beyond,
resulting in the accelerated vesting of 973,696 shares of
Valor common stock in the aggregate; and |
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the filing of a shelf registration statement for the benefit of
persons affiliated with WCAS, and Vestar Capital Partners, who
currently hold in the aggregate approximately 41% of
Valors outstanding common stock, and the grant of certain
other registration rights to WCAS and Vestar. |
6
In addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, Alltel and
Valor agreed that all rights to indemnification as provided in
Valors Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws in favor of
persons who are or were directors, officers or employees of
Valor will survive for a period of six years following the
merger. The parties also agreed that for a period of six years
following the merger, Windstream will indemnify the current and
former directors, officers or employees of Valor to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law. The merger agreement further
requires that, for six years following the effective time of the
merger and subject to certain limitations, Windstream will
maintain coverage under a director and officer liability
insurance policy, with respect to claims arising from facts or
events that occurred on or before the effective time of the
merger, at a level at least equal to that which Alltel is
maintaining prior to the merger, except that Windstream will not
be required to pay an annual premium for such insurance in
excess of $2,000,000.
Regulatory Approval (page [ ])
The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will
require the approval of the public service or public utilities
commissions of the following states in their capacities as
regulators of competitive local exchange carriers
(CLEC) and incumbent local exchange carriers
(ILEC) operations of Alltel and Valor: Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. On April 12, 2006,
Alltel obtained an amendment to the commitment letter for the
senior secured credit facilities to remove certain guaranties
and liens, and such amendment eliminated the need for approval
of the transaction by certain state regulatory agencies. The
parties must also obtain state commission approval of the
transfer to Spinco of the long distance customers and
certificates of authority of Alltel, or the issuance to Spinco
of new certificates of authority, in all states except Alaska.
Valor and Spinco completed the filing of all of the foregoing
applications that were required to be filed prior to completion
of the merger for the authority and approval with respect to the
ILEC operation in January 2006 and will complete the remaining
filings in May 2006. The public service or public utilities
commission in each of the states of Georgia, Missouri,
Mississippi and South Carolina has granted its approval. The
parties expect that the remaining applicable state commissions
will make a determination on these applications no later than
the second quarter of 2006.
In addition, under the Communications Act of 1934, before the
completion of the merger, the FCC must approve the transfer to
Valor of control of Spinco and those subsidiaries of Spinco that
hold FCC licenses and authorizations. Valor and Spinco filed
transfer of control applications with the FCC on
December 21, 2005 and received the FCCs approval of
the merger on February 1, 2006.
Each partys obligations to complete the merger are subject
to receipt of the consents of the above referenced state
regulators (other than Texas, which is a post-closing procedural
approval) and FCC authorization that, if not obtained, would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Valor, Alltel or Spinco.
In addition, completion of the spin-off and the merger requires
that we submit filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 to the Department of
Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and satisfy certain
waiting period requirements. Valor and Spinco submitted the
required filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act on
December 21, 2005 and early termination of the waiting
period requirements was granted on January 3, 2006.
The merger agreement provides that each of Valor, Alltel and
Spinco, subject to customary limitations, will use their
respective reasonable best efforts to take promptly all actions
and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate the merger and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. Alltel, Spinco and Valor
also agreed to use all reasonable efforts to resolve any
objections or challenges from a regulatory authority.
For a more complete discussion of regulatory matters relating to
the merger, see The Transactions Regulatory
Approvals beginning on page [ ].
7
Merger Consideration (page [ ])
The merger agreement provides that Valor will issue in the
aggregate to holders of Alltel common stock a number of shares
of Valor common stock equal to (a) the number of shares of
Valor common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as the
effective time of the merger multiplied by (b) 5.667, we
refer to the product of this formula as the aggregate
merger consideration. Each share of Spinco common stock
distributed for the benefit of Alltel stockholders in the
spin-off will be converted into the right to receive a number of
shares of Valor common stock equal to the aggregate merger
consideration, divided by the number of Alltel shares
outstanding as of [ ], 2006, the record date
for the spin-off.
It is presently estimated that Valor will issue in the aggregate
approximately 405 million shares of common stock to Alltel
stockholders pursuant to the merger, or approximately 1.04
shares of Valor common stock (subject to variation as a result
of compensatory equity grants and other issuances) for each
share of Alltel common stock outstanding as of the record date
for the spin-off. Given that these amounts are calculated based
on the number of shares of Alltel common stock outstanding as of
the record date for the spin-off and Valor common stock
outstanding at the effective time of the merger, the actual
number of shares of Valor common stock to be issued will not be
determined until the effective time, and there is no maximum or
minimum number of shares that will be issued. However, the
calculation of the merger consideration set forth in the merger
agreement is structured so that, regardless of the number of
Valor shares and Spinco shares outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger, when the merger is completed,
Alltel stockholders will collectively own approximately 85%, and
Valors stockholders will collectively own approximately
15%, of the shares of common stock of Windstream on a fully
diluted basis. Based on the closing price of Valor common stock
on April 28, 2006 of $13.05, as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange, the approximate value Alltel stockholders will
receive in the merger will equal $13.57 per each share of Alltel
common stock they own on the record date for the spin-off.
However, any change in the market value of Valor common stock
prior to the effective time of the merger would cause the
estimated per share value Alltel stockholders will receive to
also change.
Alltel stockholders that otherwise would be entitled to a
fraction of a Valor common share will be entitled to receive a
cash payment in lieu of issuance of that fractional share.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger
(page [ ])
Consummation of the merger is subject to the satisfaction of
certain conditions, including, among others:
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the obtaining of the requisite approval by the stockholders of
Valor; |
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the receipt of required regulatory approvals, including the
approval of the Federal Communications Commission (which Valor
received on February 1, 2006), the relevant state public
service or public utilities commissions and the expiration of
the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (which Valor
received on January 3, 2006); |
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the SEC declaring effective the registration statement, of which
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is a part; |
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consummation of the contribution transaction, the distribution
transaction and the debt exchange transaction, each of which are
described elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement; |
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consummation of the financing of Spinco; |
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receipt of surplus, solvency and certain other opinions; |
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each partys compliance in all material respects with its
obligations under the merger agreement; |
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that no event or circumstance shall have occurred that has or
would have a Material Adverse Effect on Valor or
Spinco; and |
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receipt of certain rulings from the Internal Revenue Service and
certain tax opinions. |
8
To the extent that either the board of directors of Valor or
Alltel waives the satisfaction of a condition to closing that
the board of directors of Valor deems material, Valors
board of directors shall resolicit stockholder approval of the
merger.
Termination (page [ ])
The merger agreement may be terminated:
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by mutual consent of the parties, |
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by any of the parties if the merger has not been completed by
December 8, 2006, the so-called termination
date, |
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by any of the parties if the merger is enjoined, |
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by Alltel and Spinco, on the one hand, or Valor, on the other
hand, upon an incurable material breach of the merger agreement
by the other party or parties, |
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by any party if the requisite approval of Valors
stockholders is not obtained, |
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by Alltel or Spinco if Valor withdraws its recommendation of the
merger or fails to hold its stockholder meeting within
60 days after effectiveness of the registration statement
to which this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
is attached, or |
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by Valor to accept a superior acquisition proposal, provided
that Valor gives Alltel prior notice and attempts to renegotiate
the transaction, and upon termination Valor enters into a
competing transaction. |
Termination Fee Payable in Certain Circumstances
(page [ ])
In the event that (i) Valor terminates the merger agreement
to accept a superior acquisition proposal, (ii) Alltel and
Spinco terminate the merger agreement because Valor has
withdrawn its recommendation of the merger, (iii) any of
the parties terminates the merger agreement because the
termination date has passed or Alltel and Spinco terminate the
merger agreement because Valor fails to hold its stockholder
meeting, or (iv) any of the parties terminates the merger
agreement because the requisite approval of Valors
stockholders is not obtained, and in the case of
clauses (iii) and (iv) prior to such termination, a
third party makes a company acquisition proposal, and Valor
agrees to or consummates a business combination transaction
within one year after termination with a third party, then Valor
must pay Alltel a $35 million termination fee.
If any party terminates the merger agreement because the
termination date has passed or Valor terminates the merger
agreement because of a material breach by Alltel or Spinco and,
in either case, at the time of termination substantially all
other conditions to the merger have been satisfied but the
required IRS rulings or tax opinions for the transaction have
not been received, then Alltel must pay Valor a $20 million
termination fee and, if Spincos financing condition has
not been satisfied at the time of termination, then Alltel must
pay Valor an increased termination fee of $35 million.
Name Change; Listing (page [ ])
Immediately following completion of the merger, the Board of
Directors will merge a wholly-owned subsidiary of the surviving
company into the company and, in connection with such merger,
change the name of the company from Valor Communications
Group, Inc. to Windstream Corporation Promptly
thereafter, the company will file a restated certificate of
incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State reflecting
the name change. Shares of Windstream Corporation will be traded
on the NYSE under the new trading symbol WIN.
Distribution Agreement (page [ ])
The distribution agreement between Alltel and Spinco provides
for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions
required to effect the proposed distribution of Spinco common
stock for the benefit of
9
Alltel stockholders in the spin-off. The distribution agreement
also contains certain other terms governing the relationship
between Alltel and Spinco with respect to or in consequence of
the spin-off transaction.
Pursuant to the distribution agreement, Alltel will transfer to
Spincos subsidiaries all of the assets relating to
Alltels wireline telecommunications business, including
Alltels ILEC, CLEC and internet access operations, related
marketing and sales operations, and other operations comprising
Alltels wireline telecommunications business, as well as
all of Alltels directory publishing operations,
telecommunication information services operations, product
distribution operations (other than any such operations
supporting Alltels wireless telecommunications business),
network management services operations, and wireline
long-distance services operations (other than the fiber backbone
supporting those operations and the revenues attributable to
Alltels wireless telecommunications business as a result
of its use of the fiber backbone). The distribution agreement
also provides for the transfer to Alltels subsidiaries of
all assets not relating to such businesses.
Following these transactions, and immediately prior to the
effective time of the merger, Alltel will contribute all of the
stock of the Spinco subsidiaries to Spinco in exchange for the
issuance to Alltel of Spinco common stock to be distributed to
the exchange agent for the benefit of Alltels stockholders
pro rata in the spin-off, the special dividend (which Alltel
will use to repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock buyback
program authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in
connection with the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness,
or both, within one year following the spin-off) and the Spinco
debt securities to be transferred to Alltels creditors.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Spin-Off and the Merger (page [ ])
The spin-off is conditioned upon Alltels receipt of a
private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the
IRS) (which Alltel received on April 7, 2006)
to the effect that the spin-off will qualify as tax-free to
Alltel, Spinco and the Alltel stockholders for United States
federal income tax purposes under Sections 355, 368 and
related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). The spin-off is also conditioned
upon the receipt by Alltel of an opinion of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to Alltel, to the
effect that the spin-off will be tax-free to Alltel, Spinco and
the stockholders of Alltel under Section 355 and related
provisions of the Code. As set forth in the IRS letter ruling
and the tax opinion:
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no gain or loss will be recognized by (and no amount will be
included in the income of) Alltel common stockholders upon the
receipt by the exchange agent on their behalf of shares of
Spinco common stock in the spin-off; |
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the aggregate tax basis of the Alltel common stock and the
Spinco common stock in the hands of each Alltel common
stockholder after the spin-off will equal the aggregate tax
basis of the Alltel common stock held by the stockholder
immediately before the spin-off, allocated between the Alltel
common stock and the Spinco common stock in proportion to the
relative fair market value of each on the date of the
spin-off; and |
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the holding period of the Spinco common stock received by an
Alltel common stockholder will include the holding period at the
time of the spin-off of the Alltel common stock on which the
distribution is made. |
It is a condition to the obligations of Alltel, Spinco and Valor
to consummate the merger that Alltel and Spinco receive the
opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
and that Valor receives the opinion of Kirkland & Ellis
LLP, both to the effect that the merger will be treated as a
tax-free reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. As set forth in the tax
opinions:
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Alltel common stockholders will not recognize gain or loss on
the exchange of their Spinco common stock (received by the
exchange agent on their behalf in the spin-off) for shares of
Valor common stock in the merger, except to the extent of any
cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Valor common
stock; |
10
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an Alltel stockholders tax basis in the Valor common stock
received in the merger (including any fractional share interest
deemed to be received and exchanged for cash) will equal the
stockholders tax basis in the Spinco common stock
surrendered in exchange therefor; |
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an Alltel stockholders holding period for the Valor common
stock received pursuant to the merger will include the holding
period for the shares of Spinco common stock surrendered in
exchange therefor; |
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neither Spinco nor Valor will recognize any gain or loss in the
merger; and |
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Valor stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss in the
merger. |
Please see Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Spin-Off and the Merger on
page [ ] for more information.
The Voting Agreement (page [ ])
In connection with the execution of the distribution agreement
and the merger agreement, Spinco entered in a voting agreement
with persons affiliated with Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe and Vestar Capital Partners who collectively owned
approximately 41% of Valors outstanding common shares as
of December 8, 2005. Pursuant to the voting agreement,
these stockholders have agreed to vote all of their shares of
Valor common stock (i) in favor of the approval of the
merger and the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
(ii) except with the written consent of Spinco, against
certain alternative proposals that may be submitted to a vote of
the stockholders of Valor regarding an acquisition of Valor. In
the event that the merger agreement terminates for any reason,
the voting agreement will automatically terminate.
Financing of Windstream (page [ ])
On December 8, 2005, Alltel and J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Capital
Corporation entered into a commitment letter and a related
engagement and fee letter (which we collectively refer to as the
financing letters) with respect to the financing of
Windstream following the spin-off and the merger. The commitment
letter is subject to customary conditions to consummation,
including the absence of any event or circumstance that,
individually or in the aggregate, is materially adverse to the
business, assets, properties, liabilities or condition
(financial or otherwise), of Spinco and its subsidiaries or
Valor and its subsidiaries since September 30, 2005. Alltel
has agreed to pay JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch certain fees in
connection with the commitment letter and has agreed to
indemnify JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch against certain
liabilities. On April 12, 2006, Alltel obtained an
amendment to the commitment letter to remove certain guaranties
and related liens. No other changes to the terms of the
commitment letter, including the interest rates and fees, were
made by such amendment.
These financing letters provide for a commitment of an aggregate
amount of up to $4.2 billion in financing, consisting of a
senior secured five-year revolving credit facility in the
principal amount of $500.0 million and senior secured term
loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to
$3.7 billion. A portion of the financing of Windstream may
also be financed with the proceeds from a Rule 144A
offering of up to $800.0 million of senior unsecured notes,
in which case the term loan facilities, or a portion thereof,
will be reduced dollar for dollar.
The proceeds of the term loan facilities will be used
(i) to finance the approximately $2.4 billion special
dividend payment to Alltel, which Alltel will use to repurchase
stock pursuant to a special stock buyback program authorized by
the Alltel Board of Directors in connection with the spin-off,
to repay outstanding indebtedness, or both, within one year
following the spin-off, (ii) to refinance Valors
existing bank facility in the amount of approximately
$781.0 million and approximately $81.0 million of
Alltels outstanding bonds (plus an additional
approximately $9.5 million in related make-whole premiums),
and (iii) to purchase any of Valors outstanding bonds
that are tendered pursuant to the terms thereof as a result of
the merger. The $3.3 billion of the $3.7 billion term
loan facilities will be available in a single draw down on the
date of closing to consummate the spin-off and merger
transactions. The revolving credit facility may be used by
Windstream for general corporate purposes, and a portion will be
available for letters of credit. The actual amount initially
11
drawn under the revolving credit facility on the date of closing
is not expected to exceed $90.0 million. The term loan
facilities and the revolving credit facility are referred to
herein as the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
Windstreams direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries will
serve as guarantors of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and
hedge agreements entered into in connection therewith, except
that no guarantee is required of a subsidiary to the extent that
the transactions require, or the granting of such guarantee
would require, the approval of any state regulatory agency. The
Senior Secured Credit Facilities, guaranties thereof and hedge
agreements entered into in connection therewith will be secured
by substantially all of the property and assets of Windstream
and its subsidiaries who are guarantors.
It is expected that following completion of the merger
Windstream will have approximately $5.5 billion in total
debt. For a discussion of the debt to be assumed or incurred by
Windstream in the merger see the section titled The
Transactions in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement beginning on
page [ ].
Management of Windstream following the Merger
(page [ ])
The merger agreement provides that the Board of Directors of
Spinco at the effective time of the merger will become the Board
of Directors of Windstream, and will consist of nine
individuals: Francis X. Frantz, who most recently served as the
Executive Vice President External Affairs, General
Counsel and Secretary of Alltel, Jeffery R. Gardner, who most
recently served as Executive Vice President Chief
Financial Officer of Alltel, six other persons to be named by
Alltel and one person to be named by Valor. Additionally, the
merger agreement provides that, as of the completion of the
merger, Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman of the Board.
Valor has designated Anthony J. de Nicola as its board member
and Alltel has selected Dennis E. Foster as one of its designees
to the Windstream board. Alltel will select its remaining
designees to the Windstream board prior to mailing of this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement to Valors
stockholders.
The merger agreement also provides that the officers of Spinco
at the effective time of the merger will become the officers of
Windstream and that Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman,
Mr. Gardner will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer and Brent K. Whittington, who most recently served as
senior vice president of operations support for Alltel, will
serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The other initial officers of Windstream will consist of
individuals selected by Alltel. Alltel has already named Keith
D. Paglusch Chief Operating Officer, John P. Fletcher as
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Michael D. Rhoda,
who most recently served as vice president wireline
regulatory & wholesale services for Alltel, as Senior
Vice President Governmental Affairs, Robert G.
Clancy, Jr., who most recently served as vice president of
investor relations for Alltel, as Senior Vice President and
Treasurer and Susan Bradley, who most recently served as vice
president of human resources for Alltel, as Senior Vice
President Human Resources.
Comparison of the Rights of Stockholders Before and After the
Spin-Off and Merger (page [ ])
Upon completion of the spin-off and merger, the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Windstream will be in the forms
attached as Annex E and F, respectively, to this document
and incorporated by reference herein. Although there are
substantial similarities between the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Valor prior to the spin-off and
merger and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
Windstream after the spin-off and merger, some differences do
exist. A summary of the material differences between the rights
of Valor stockholders before and after the spin-off and merger
is set forth under the heading Comparison of the Rights of
Stockholders Before and After the Spin-off and Merger.
12
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF SPINCO
Spinco is a newly formed holding company organized for the sole
purpose of holding the wireline telecommunications business of
Alltel. This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
describes Spinco as if it held the subsidiaries that will be
transferred to it prior to closing of the spin-off and the
merger for all periods and dates presented. The following
selected historical financial information of Spinco for each of
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003 and
2002 has been derived from the financial statements of Alltel,
principally representing Alltels historical wireline and
communications support segments, which were audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm. The financial data as of December 31, 2001
and for the year then ended, has been derived from Alltels
unaudited financial statements which include, in
managements opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the
results of operations and financial position of Spinco for the
periods and dates presented. This information is only a summary
and should be read in conjunction with managements
discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial
condition of Spinco and the financial statements and notes
thereto of Spinco included in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement beginning on page F-1.
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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| |
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|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
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|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) | |
Revenues and sales
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|
$ |
2,923.5 |
|
|
$ |
2,933.5 |
|
|
$ |
3,003.3 |
|
|
$ |
2,835.7 |
|
|
$ |
2,607.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
1,779.8 |
|
|
|
1,745.6 |
|
|
|
1,827.8 |
|
|
|
1,740.1 |
|
|
|
1,573.6 |
|
Depreciation expense
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
508.5 |
|
|
|
519.4 |
|
|
|
469.8 |
|
|
|
425.1 |
|
Restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
37.9 |
|
|
|
18.7 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total costs and expenses
|
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|
2,289.7 |
|
|
|
2,265.9 |
|
|
|
2,359.4 |
|
|
|
2,247.8 |
|
|
|
2,017.4 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
633.8 |
|
|
|
667.6 |
|
|
|
643.9 |
|
|
|
587.9 |
|
|
|
590.4 |
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
Intercompany interest income (expense), net
|
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
|
|
(21.6 |
) |
|
|
(26.8 |
) |
|
|
(19.3 |
) |
Interest expense
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
|
|
(39.6 |
) |
|
|
(44.2 |
) |
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets and other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.9 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
649.6 |
|
|
|
645.7 |
|
|
|
624.3 |
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|
|
523.5 |
|
|
|
522.9 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
267.9 |
|
|
|
259.4 |
|
|
|
247.1 |
|
|
|
202.5 |
|
|
|
201.8 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
381.7 |
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
|
|
377.2 |
|
|
|
321.0 |
|
|
|
321.1 |
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
(7.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.9 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.3 |
|
|
$ |
392.8 |
|
|
$ |
321.0 |
|
|
$ |
338.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Balance sheet data:
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Total assets
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
5,079.2 |
|
|
$ |
5,276.9 |
|
|
$ |
5,519.8 |
|
|
$ |
3,833.6 |
|
Total equity
|
|
$ |
3,489.2 |
|
|
$ |
3,706.8 |
|
|
$ |
3,925.6 |
|
|
$ |
4,039.0 |
|
|
$ |
2,362.7 |
|
Total long-term debt (including current maturities)
|
|
$ |
260.8 |
|
|
$ |
282.9 |
|
|
$ |
304.8 |
|
|
$ |
587.3 |
|
|
$ |
625.9 |
|
Cash flows provided by (used in):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
$ |
953.9 |
|
|
$ |
962.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,135.0 |
|
|
$ |
822.4 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Investing activities
|
|
$ |
(352.7 |
) |
|
$ |
(329.7 |
) |
|
$ |
(356.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,164.3 |
) |
|
|
N/A |
|
Financing activities
|
|
$ |
(602.4 |
) |
|
$ |
(627.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(784.2 |
) |
|
$ |
1,340.1 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Statistical Data (at year-end):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireline access lines
|
|
|
2,885,673 |
|
|
|
3,009,388 |
|
|
|
3,095,635 |
|
|
|
3,167,275 |
|
|
|
2,612,325 |
|
Long-distance customers
|
|
|
1,750,762 |
|
|
|
1,770,852 |
|
|
|
1,680,181 |
|
|
|
1,542,210 |
|
|
|
1,265,710 |
|
Broadband (DSL) customers
|
|
|
397,696 |
|
|
|
243,325 |
|
|
|
153,028 |
|
|
|
70,182 |
|
|
|
26,816 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
352.9 |
|
|
$ |
333.3 |
|
|
$ |
383.2 |
|
|
$ |
405.0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
13
Notes to Selected Financial Information:
|
|
A. |
During 2005, Spinco incurred $4.4 million of severance and
employee benefit costs related to a workforce reduction in its
wireline operations. Spinco also incurred $31.3 million of
incremental costs, principally consisting of investment banker,
audit and legal fees, related to the pending spin off of its
wireline business to Alltel stockholders. These transactions
decreased net income $34.1 million. During 2005, Spinco
prospectively reduced depreciation rates for its ILEC operations
in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to
reflect the results of studies of depreciable lives completed by
Spinco in the second quarter of 2005. The depreciable lives were
lengthened to reflect the estimated remaining useful lives of
the wireline plant based on Spincos expected future
network utilization and capital expenditure levels required to
provide service to its customers. The effects of this change
during the year ended December 31, 2005 resulted in a
decrease in depreciation expense of $21.8 million and
increase in net income of $12.8 million. Effective
December 31, 2005, Spinco adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. The cumulative
effect of this accounting change resulted in a one-time non-cash
charge of $7.4 million, net of income tax benefit of
$4.6 million. |
|
|
B. |
During 2004, Spinco reorganized its operations and support teams
and also announced its plans to exit its Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier operations in the Jacksonville, Florida market
due to the continued unprofitability of these operations. In
connection with these activities, Spinco recorded a
restructuring charge of $13.6 million consisting of
$11.6 million in severance and employee benefit costs
related to a planned workforce reduction, $1.3 million of
employee relocation expenses and $0.7 million of other exit
costs. During 2004, Spinco also recorded a $1.8 million
reduction in the liabilities associated with various
restructuring activities initiated prior to 2003, consisting of
lease and contract termination costs. The reduction primarily
reflected differences between estimated and actual costs paid in
completing the previous planned lease and contract terminations.
These transactions decreased net income $7.3 million.
Effective April 1, 2004, Spinco prospectively reduced
depreciation rates for its ILEC operations in Nebraska,
reflecting the results of a triennial study of depreciable lives
completed by Spinco in the second quarter of 2004, as required
by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. The effects of this
change during the year ended December 31, 2004 resulted in
a decrease in depreciation expense of $19.1 million and
increase in net income of $11.4 million. |
|
|
C. |
During 2003, Spinco recorded a restructuring charge of
$7.0 million consisting of severance and employee benefit
costs related to a planned workforce reduction, primarily
resulting from the closing of certain call center locations.
Spinco also recorded a $0.4 million reduction in the
liabilities associated with various restructuring activities
initiated prior to 2003, consisting of lease termination costs.
The reduction primarily reflected differences between estimated
and actual costs paid in completing previously planned lease
terminations. During 2003, Spinco also wrote off certain
capitalized software development costs of $5.6 million that
had no alternative future use or functionality. These
transactions decreased net income by $7.4 million. In 2003,
Spinco sold certain assets and related liabilities, including
selected customer contracts and capitalized software development
costs, associated with Spincos telecommunications
information services operations to Convergys Information
Management Group, Inc. In connection with this sale, Spinco
recorded a pretax gain of $31.0 million. In addition,
Spinco retired, prior to stated maturity dates,
$249.1 million of long-term debt, representing all of the
long-term debt outstanding under the Rural Utilities Services,
Rural Telephone Bank and Federal Financing Bank programs during
2003. In connection with the early retirement of the debt,
Spinco incurred pretax termination fees of $7.1 million.
These transactions increased net income by $10.7 million.
Effective January 1, 2003, Spinco adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations. The cumulative effect of
this accounting change resulted in a one-time non-cash credit of
$15.6 million and net of income tax expense of
$10.3 million. |
|
D. |
During 2002, Spinco announced its plans to exit its CLEC
operations in seven states representing less than 20% of its
CLEC access lines. Spinco also consolidated its call center and
product distribution operations. In connection with these
activities, Spinco recorded restructuring charges totaling
$10.9 million consisting of $8.2 million in severance
and employee benefit costs related to planned workforce
reductions and |
14
|
|
|
$2.7 million of costs associated with terminating certain
CLEC transport agreements and lease termination fees incurred
with the closing of certain call center and product distribution
locations. In exiting the CLEC operations, Spinco also incurred
$2.2 million of costs to disconnect and remove switching
and other transmission equipment from central office facilities
and expenses to notify and migrate customers to other service
providers. Spinco also wrote off certain capitalized software
development costs totaling $4.1 million that had no
alternative future use or functionality. In connection with the
purchase of local telephone properties in Kentucky, Spinco
incurred $17.0 million of computer system conversion costs
and $3.7 million of branding and signage costs. These
transactions decreased net income $23.2 million. |
|
|
E. |
During 2001, Spinco recorded pretax charges of
$18.7 million incurred in connection with the restructuring
of its wireline and product distribution operations. During
2001, Spinco prepaid $73.5 million of long-term debt prior
to its stated maturity date and incurred pretax termination fees
of $2.9 million in connection with the early retirement of
that debt. These charges decreased net income by
$12.9 million. Effective January 1, 2001, Spinco
changed its method of accounting for a subsidiarys pension
plan to conform to Alltels primary pension plan. The
cumulative effect of this accounting change resulted in a
non-cash credit of $16.9 million, net of income tax expense
of $11.2 million. |
15
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF VALOR
Valor is a holding company and has no direct operations. Valor
was formed for the sole purpose of reorganizing the
companys corporate structure and consummating its initial
public offering in 2005. Valors principal assets are the
direct and indirect equity interests of its subsidiaries. As a
result, separate historical financial results for Valor for the
periods prior to its formation have not been presented. Only the
historical consolidated financial results of Valor
Telecommunications, LLC have been presented for those periods.
The selected financial data presented below at December 31,
2005 and 2004 and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2005 was derived from Valors
audited consolidated financial statements included in
Valors Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The selected financial data
presented below for the years ended December 31, 2002 and
2001 and at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was derived
from Valors audited consolidated financial statements for
those periods. The information in the following table should be
read together with Valors audited consolidated financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003 and the related notes and Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, all included in Valors Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002(1) | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per owners unit/per share data) | |
Statement of Operations data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
$ |
505.9 |
|
|
$ |
507.3 |
|
|
$ |
497.3 |
|
|
$ |
479.9 |
|
|
$ |
424.9 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
338.9 |
|
|
|
330.2 |
|
|
|
315.1 |
|
|
|
320.6 |
|
|
|
321.6 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
167.0 |
|
|
|
177.1 |
|
|
|
182.3 |
|
|
|
159.3 |
|
|
|
103.3 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
35.3 |
|
|
|
(27.8 |
) |
|
|
58.1 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
(44.9 |
) |
Per owners unit/ per common share data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A and B common interests
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
0.73 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
(0.58 |
) |
|
Class C interests
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Share basic(3)
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Share diluted(3)
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net (loss) income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A and B common interests
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
0.73 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
(0.77 |
) |
|
Class C interests
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Share basic(3)
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Share diluted(3)
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends declared per common share:
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow data from continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
191.1 |
|
|
$ |
143.7 |
|
|
$ |
166.1 |
|
|
$ |
150.4 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
$ |
(32.7 |
) |
|
$ |
(34.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(66.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(216.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(106.6 |
) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
$ |
(111.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(93.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(99.5 |
) |
|
$ |
71.0 |
|
|
$ |
8.1 |
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1.5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
128.1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization(2)
|
|
$ |
89.9 |
|
|
$ |
86.5 |
|
|
$ |
81.6 |
|
|
$ |
73.3 |
|
|
$ |
110.8 |
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002(1) | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per owners unit/per share data) | |
Balance Sheet data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
1,962.8 |
|
|
$ |
1,971.2 |
|
|
$ |
2,039.0 |
|
|
$ |
2,062.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,913.1 |
|
Long-term debt (including current maturities)
|
|
$ |
1,180.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,601.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,464.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,544.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,469.4 |
|
Notes payable
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1.9 |
|
|
$ |
6.7 |
|
|
$ |
1.2 |
|
|
$ |
10.2 |
|
Redeemable preferred interests
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
236.1 |
|
|
$ |
370.2 |
|
|
$ |
370.2 |
|
|
$ |
370.2 |
|
Redeemable preferred interests of subsidiary
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
15.8 |
|
|
$ |
24.5 |
|
|
$ |
21.2 |
|
|
$ |
20.6 |
|
Statistical Data (at year-end):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireline access lines
|
|
|
518,456 |
|
|
|
540,337 |
|
|
|
556,745 |
|
|
|
571,308 |
|
|
|
551,599 |
|
Long-distance customers
|
|
|
232,031 |
|
|
|
216,437 |
|
|
|
188,526 |
|
|
|
130,622 |
|
|
|
62,234 |
|
Broadband (DSL) customers
|
|
|
52,759 |
|
|
|
22,884 |
|
|
|
8,779 |
|
|
|
3,510 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
57.4 |
|
|
$ |
65.5 |
|
|
$ |
69.9 |
|
|
$ |
89.5 |
|
|
$ |
107.9 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Valor acquired all of the outstanding common stock, preferred
stock and common stock equivalents of Kerrville Communications
Corporation on January 31, 2002 and such assets,
liabilities and results of operations have been included from
that date. |
|
(2) |
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,
effective January 1, 2002, Valor discontinued the
amortization of goodwill. Amortization expense associated with
goodwill was $53.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001. |
|
(3) |
Represents the period following February 9, 2005, the
closing date of our initial public offering. |
17
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL
DATA
The summary below sets forth selected unaudited historical pro
forma financial data for Valor after giving effect to the merger
for the period indicated. The following table should be read
together with the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes of Spinco included in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and of Valor included in the
documents described under Where You Can Find Additional
Information and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements and accompanying discussion and notes set
forth under the heading Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Condensed Financial Information included herein. The pro
forma amounts in the table below are presented for illustrative
purposes only and do not indicate what the financial position or
the results of operations of Valor would have been had the
merger occurred as of the date or for the period presented. The
pro forma amounts also do not indicate what the financial
position or future results of operations of Valor will be. No
adjustment has been included in the pro forma amounts for any
anticipated cost savings or other synergies. See Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information on
page [ ].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
or as of | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
except per share data) | |
Revenue and sales
|
|
$ |
3,413.50 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
$ |
593.30 |
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
1,071.70 |
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
680.6 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
$ |
275.4 |
|
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
474.20 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
474.50 |
|
Dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
7,744.6 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
491.9 |
|
Total long-term debt (including current maturities and
short-term debt)
|
|
$ |
5,526.00 |
|
Book value per common share
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
18
COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA
The summary below sets forth certain unaudited historical per
share information for Valor and unaudited pro forma information
of Valor as if Spinco and Valor had been combined for the period
shown (pro forma combined). The unaudited pro forma
combined per share data presented below for the year ended
December 31, 2005 combines certain per share financial data
of Spinco and Valor. The following table should be read together
with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying
notes of Spinco included elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and of Valor included in the
documents described under Where You Can Find Additional
Information. The pro forma amounts in the table below are
presented for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate
what the financial position or the results of operations of
Valor would have been had the merger occurred as of the date or
for the period presented. The pro forma amounts also do not
indicate what the financial position or future results of
operations of Valor will be. No adjustment has been included in
the pro forma amounts for any anticipated cost savings or other
synergies as a result of the merger of for any potential
inefficiencies or loss of synergies that may result from
Spincos separation from Alltel. Because Valor stockholders
will own one share of Windstream for each share of Valor they
owned prior to the merger, the Valor unaudited pro forma
equivalent data will be the same as the corresponding unaudited
pro forma combined data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
or as of | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Valor Historical
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
Basic earnings per owners unit, Class A and B common
interests
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
Basic earnings per owners unit, Class C common
interests
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
Diluted earnings per owners unit, Class A and B
common interests
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
Diluted earnings per owners unit, Class C common
interests
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Book value per share
|
|
$ |
8.04 |
|
Cash dividends per share
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
Windstream Pro Forma Combined
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Book value per share
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
Cash dividends per share
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
Valor Pro Forma Equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Book value per share
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
Cash dividends per share
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
19
VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Valor common stock currently trades on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol VCG. On
December 8, 2005, the last trading day before the
announcement of the signing of the merger agreement, the last
sale price of Valor common stock reported by the NYSE was
$12.24. On [ ], 2006, the last practicable
trading day prior to the date of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, the last sale price of Valor
common stock reported by the NYSE was [ ].
Valor completed its initial public offering on February 9,
2005 and registered 29,375,000 shares of common stock which
began trading on the NYSE under the symbol VCG.
Prior to February 9, 2005, Valors common stock was
not publicly traded. The following table sets forth the high and
low closing sales prices of Valor common stock for the periods
indicated. The quotations are as reported in published financial
sources. For current price information, Valor stockholders are
urged to consult publicly available sources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valor Communications | |
|
|
Group, Inc. | |
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
| |
|
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Calendar Year Ended Dec. 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter(1)
|
|
$ |
16.00 |
|
|
$ |
14.47 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$ |
14.67 |
|
|
$ |
12.84 |
|
Third Quarter
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$ |
14.19 |
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|
$ |
13.53 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
13.62 |
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$ |
11.40 |
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Calendar Year Ended Dec. 31, 2006
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|
|
|
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|
First Quarter
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|
$ |
13.42 |
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|
$ |
11.41 |
|
Second Quarter (through April 28, 2006)
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|
$ |
13.47 |
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|
$ |
12.96 |
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|
(1) |
Represents the high and low closing prices for Valor common
stock for the period of February 9, 2005 through
March 31, 2005. |
Market price data for Spinco has not been presented as Spinco
common shares do not trade separately from Alltel Corporation
common shares. Valors dividend policy is to pay quarterly
dividends at a rate of $1.44 per share, per annum, to the
extent such dividends are permitted by applicable law and by the
terms of Valors credit facility. For information on
Windstreams dividend policy following the merger, see
The Transactions Dividend Policy of
Windstream.
20
THE MERGER
Introduction
Stockholders of Valor Communications Group, Inc. are being asked
to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
December 8, 2005, by and among Alltel Corporation, Alltel
Holding Corp. and Valor. Under the merger agreement, Alltel
Holding Corp. (which we refer to as Spinco) will
merge with and into Valor, and Valor will survive as a
stand-alone company and will hold and conduct the combined
business operations of Valor and Spinco. Following completion of
the merger, the separate existence of Spinco will cease. The
merger will take place immediately after Alltel contributes the
assets making up its wireline telecommunications business to
Spinco and distributes the common stock of Spinco to a
third-party exchange agent for the benefit of its stockholders.
Immediately following the merger, Valor will change its name to
Windstream Corporation, and its common stock will be
quoted on the NYSE and will be traded under the ticker symbol
WIN. For ease of reference, throughout this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement we will refer to Windstream
Corporation, the new company formed by the merger of Valor and
Spinco as Windstream. When the merger is completed,
Alltel stockholders will collectively own approximately 85%, and
Valors stockholders will collectively own approximately
15%, of the shares of common stock of Windstream on a diluted
basis.
In the merger, each share of Spinco common stock will be
converted into the right to receive shares of Valor common
stock. Existing shares of Valor common stock will remain
outstanding. Valor expects to issue up to approximately
405,000,000 shares of common stock to Alltel stockholders
pursuant to the merger. However, since the number of shares to
be issued will be calculated based on the number of shares of
Valor common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, and our
estimate is based on Valors current shares outstanding,
the actual number of shares issued may be less than or greater
than 405,000,000. Before Valor may issue these shares, the Valor
certificate of incorporation must be amended to increase the
authorized shares of Valor common stock from 200,000,000 to
2,000,000,000. Accordingly, Valor stockholders are also being
asked to approve an amendment to Valors certificate of
incorporation pursuant to the merger increasing the authorized
number of shares of Valor common stock and to approve the
issuance of Valor common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant
to the merger.
For a more complete discussion of the merger and the
transactions to be consummated in connection therewith, see the
section titled The Transactions on
page [ ] of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement.
The Companies
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
Valor is one of the largest providers of telecommunications
services in rural communities in the southwestern United States
and, based on its number of access lines, the seventh largest
independent telephone company in the country. As of
December 31, 2005, Valor operated 518,456 telephone access
lines in primarily rural areas of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico
and Arkansas. Valor believes that in many of its markets it is
the only service provider that offers customers an integrated
package of local and long distance voice, high-speed data and
Internet access as well as a variety of enhanced services such
as voicemail and caller identification. Valor generated revenues
of $505.9 million and net income of $35.3 million in
the year ended December 31, 2005.
Valor was formed in connection with the acquisition in 2000 of
select telephone assets from GTE Southwest Corporation, which is
now part of Verizon. Valors formation was orchestrated by
its equity sponsors WCAS, Vestar Capital Partners, Citicorp
Venture Capital and a group of founding individuals. Valor
completed its initial public offering of shares of common stock
on February 9, 2005, and its shares began trading on the
NYSE under the symbol VCG.
21
Alltel Holding Corp. (also referred to herein as
Spinco) is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Alltel Corporation and was incorporated in its current form as a
Delaware corporation on November 21, 2005 for the purpose
of holding Alltel Corporations wireline business to be
transferred to it in connection with the spin-off. Alltel
Corporations wireline business is currently operated by
certain of its subsidiaries, each of which will be transferred
to Spinco prior to the closing of the spin-off and the merger.
These subsidiaries provide wireline local, long-distance,
network access and Internet services. These subsidiaries also
sell and warehouse telecommunications products and publish
telephone directories for affiliates and other independent
telephone companies. This proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement describes Spinco as if it held
the subsidiaries that will be transferred to it prior to closing
of the spin-off and the merger for all historical periods
presented.
Spinco operates its communications businesses as a single
operation capable of delivering to customers one-stop shopping
for a full range of communications products and services. As of
December 31, 2005, including customers of its wireline and
long-distance services, Spinco served approximately
2.9 million communications customers in rural areas in 15
states. Spinco generated revenues and sales of
$2,923.5 million and net income of $374.3 million in
the year ended December 31, 2005.
Spinco is organized based on the products and services that it
offers. Under this organizational structure, Spincos
operations consist of its wireline and communications support
services segments. Spincos wireline segment consists of
Spincos incumbent local exchange carrier
(ILEC), competitive local exchange carrier
(CLEC) and Internet access operations.
Communications support services consist of Spincos
long-distance and network management services, communications
products, directory publishing operations and the
telecommunications information services operations. As of
December 31, 2005, Spincos wireline subsidiaries
provide local telephone service to approximately
2.9 million customers primarily located in rural areas in
15 states. The wireline subsidiaries also offer facilities
for private line, data transmission and other communications
services. Wireline revenues, which consist of local service,
network access and long-distance and miscellaneous revenues,
comprised 81.1 percent of Spincos total operating
revenues from business segments in 2005. Communications support
services consist of Spincos long-distance and network
management services, product distribution, directory publishing
and telecommunications information services operations. Spinco
provides long-distance service in all of the states in which
Spinco provides local exchange service. In addition, Spinco
offers long-distance service outside its ILEC service areas. As
of December 31, 2005, Spinco provided long-distance service
to approximately 1.75 million customers. Network management
services are currently marketed to business customers in select
areas. These services are ancillary service offerings and are
not significant components of Spincos communications
operations. Revenues and sales from Spincos other
operations comprised 22.6 percent of Spincos total
operating revenues from business segments in 2005.
22
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors,
together with the other information contained in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement and the annexes
hereto and documents incorporated by reference herein. Any of
these risks could materially and adversely affect the price of
Windstreams common stock following completion of the
merger.
Risks Relating to the Spin-Off and the Merger
The calculation of the merger consideration will not be
adjusted in the event the value of the business or assets of
Spinco decline before the merger is completed. As a result, at
the time you vote on the merger you will not know what the value
of Windstream common stock will be following completion of the
merger.
The calculation of the number of shares of Valor common stock to
be issued pursuant to the merger will not be adjusted in the
event the value of the Alltel wireline telecommunications
business that is being contributed to Spinco declines. If the
value of this business declines after Valor stockholders approve
the merger proposals, the market price of the common stock of
the combined company following completion of the merger will be
less than Valor stockholders anticipated when they voted to
approve the merger proposals. While Valor will not be required
to consummate the merger upon the occurrence of any event or
circumstances that has, or could reasonably be expected to have,
a material adverse effect on Spinco, neither Alltel nor Valor
will be permitted to terminate the merger agreement or resolicit
the vote of Valor stockholders because of any changes in the
value of the Spinco business or the market prices of their
respective common stocks that do not rise to the level of a
material adverse effect on Spinco (as defined in the merger
agreement).
Spinco and Valor may not realize the anticipated
synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from the
merger.
The success of the merger will depend, in part, on the ability
of Spinco and Valor to realize the anticipated synergies, cost
savings and growth opportunities from integrating the businesses
of Valor with those of Spinco. The companies success in
realizing these synergies, cost savings and growth
opportunities, and the timing of this realization, depends on
the successful integration of Spincos and Valors
business and operations. Even if the companies are able to
integrate their business operations successfully, there can be
no assurance that this integration will result in the
realization of the full benefits of synergies, cost savings and
growth opportunities that Spinco and Valor currently expect from
this integration or that these benefits will be achieved within
the anticipated time frame. For example, the elimination of
duplicative costs may not be possible or may take longer than
anticipated, the benefits from the merger may be offset by costs
incurred in integrating the companies and regulatory authorities
may impose adverse conditions on the combined business in
connection with granting approval for the merger.
The integration of Spinco and Valor following the merger
may present significant challenges to Windstream management
which could cause management to fail to respond effectively to
the increasing forms of competition facing Windstreams
business and accelerate Windstreams rate of access line
loss.
There is a significant degree of difficulty and management
distraction inherent in the process of integrating the Spinco
and Valor businesses. These difficulties include:
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the necessity of consolidating an organization with its
corporate headquarters located in Irving, Texas with an
organization with its corporate headquarters located in Little
Rock, Arkansas; |
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the challenge of integrating the business cultures of Valor with
the new management team principally comprised of former Alltel
employees, which may prove to be incompatible; and |
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the need to retain key officers and personnel of Spinco and
Valor. |
23
The process of integrating operations could cause an
interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one
or more of Spinco and Valors businesses. Following
completion of the merger, Windstreams new senior
management team, which will be put into place by virtue of the
merger, may be required to devote considerable amounts of time
to this integration process, which will decrease the time they
will have to manage the business of Windstream, service existing
customers, attract new customers and develop new products or
strategies. One potential consequence of such distractions could
be the failure of management to realize opportunities to respond
to the increasing forms of competition that Windstreams
business is facing, which could increase the rate of access line
loss that Windstreams business has experienced in recent
years. If Windstreams senior management is not able to
effectively manage the integration process, or if any
significant business activities are interrupted as a result of
the integration process, Windstreams business could suffer.
Spinco and Valor cannot assure you that they will successfully
or cost-effectively integrate the Valor businesses and the
existing businesses of Spinco. The failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on Windstreams business, financial
condition and results of operations following completion of the
merger.
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After the close of the transaction, sales of Windstream
common stock may negatively affect its market price. |
The market price of Windstream common stock could decline as a
result of sales of a large number of shares of Windstream common
stock in the market after the completion of the merger or the
perception that these sales could occur. These sales, or the
possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more
difficult for Windstream to obtain additional capital by selling
equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that
Windstream deems appropriate.
Immediately after the merger, Alltel stockholders will
collectively hold, in the aggregate, approximately 85% of
Windstream common stock on a fully diluted basis. Currently,
Alltel stock is included in index funds tied to the
Standard & Poors 500 Index or other stock indices
and institutional investors subject to various investing
guidelines. Because Windstream may not be included in these
indices at the time of the merger or may not meet the investing
guidelines of some of these institutional investors, these index
funds and institutional investors may be required to sell
Windstream common stock that they receive in the spin-off. These
sales may negatively affect Windstreams common stock price.
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Regulatory agencies may delay or impose conditions on
approval of the spin-off and the merger, which may diminish the
anticipated benefits of the merger. |
Completion of the spin-off and merger is conditioned upon the
receipt of required government consents, approvals, orders and
authorizations. While Valor and Spinco intend to pursue
vigorously all required governmental approvals and do not know
of any reason why they would not be able to obtain the necessary
approvals in a timely manner, the requirement to receive these
approvals before the spin-off and merger could delay the
completion of the spin-off and merger, possibly for a
significant period of time after Valor stockholders have
approved the merger proposals at the annual meeting. In
addition, these governmental agencies may attempt to condition
their approval of the merger on the imposition of conditions
that could have an adverse effect on Windstreams operating
results or the value of Windstreams common stock after the
spin-off and merger are completed. Any delay in the completion
of the spin-off and merger could diminish anticipated benefits
of the spin-off and merger or result in additional transaction
costs, loss of revenue or other effects associated with
uncertainty about the transaction. Any uncertainty over the
ability of the companies to complete the spin-off and merger
could make it more difficult for Spinco and Valor to retain key
employees or to pursue business strategies. In addition, until
the spin-off and merger are completed, the attention of Spinco
and Valor management may be diverted from ongoing business
concerns and regular business responsibilities to the extent
management is focused on matters relating to the transaction,
such as obtaining regulatory approvals.
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Some of the directors, officers and stockholders of Valor
have interests that may be different from, or in addition to,
the interests of Valor stockholders. |
In considering the Valor Board of Directors determination
to approve the merger agreement and to recommend that Valor
stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and to take the
other recommended
24
actions, Valor stockholders should be aware of potential
conflicts of interest of, and the benefits available to, certain
Valor stockholders, directors and officers. These stockholders,
directors and officers may have interests in the merger that may
be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Valor
stockholders as a result of, among other things:
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arrangements regarding the appointment of directors and officers
of Valor; |
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restrictions upon certain restricted shares under Valor stock
plans issued prior to the date of the merger agreement,
including those held by executive officers and directors, will
lapse; and |
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modifications to employment and severance arrangements
maintained for Valor executive officers that may result in
increased benefits to such officers. |
You should read The Transactions Interests of
Certain Persons in the Merger on
page [ ] for a more complete description
of the interests and benefits listed above.
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The merger agreement contains provisions that may
discourage other companies from trying to acquire Valor. |
The merger agreement contains provisions that may discourage a
third party from submitting a business combination proposal to
Valor that might result in greater value to Valor stockholders
than the merger. The merger agreement generally prohibits Valor
from soliciting any acquisition proposal. In addition, if the
merger agreement is terminated by Valor or Alltel in
circumstances that obligate Valor to pay a termination fee and
to reimburse transaction expenses to Alltel, Valors
financial condition may be adversely affected as a result of the
payment of the termination fee and transaction expenses, which
might deter third parties from proposing alternative business
combination proposals.
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If the spin-off does not constitute a tax-free spin-off
under section 355 of the Code or the merger does not
constitute a tax-free reorganization under section 368(a)
of the Code, either as a result of actions taken in connection
with the spin-off or the merger or as a result of subsequent
acquisitions of stock of Alltel or stock of Windstream, then
Alltel, Windstream and/or Alltel stockholders may be responsible
for payment of United States federal income taxes. |
The spin-off and merger are conditioned upon Alltels
receipt of a private letter ruling from the IRS (which Alltel
received on April 7, 2006) to the effect that the spin-off,
including (i) the contribution of the wireline business to
Spinco, (ii) the receipt by Alltel of Spinco debt
securities and the special dividend and (iii) the exchange
by Alltel of Spinco debt securities for Alltel debt, will
qualify as tax-free to Alltel, Spinco and the Alltel
stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes under
Sections 355 and 368 and related provisions of the Code.
Although a private letter ruling from the IRS generally is
binding on the IRS, if the factual representations or
assumptions made in the letter ruling request are untrue or
incomplete in any material respect, then Alltel and Windstream
will not be able to rely on the ruling.
The spin-off and merger are also conditioned upon the receipt by
Alltel of an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP, counsel to Alltel, to the effect that the spin-off
will be tax-free to Alltel, Spinco and the stockholders of
Alltel under Section 355 and other related provisions of
the Code. The opinion will rely on the IRS letter ruling as to
matters covered by the ruling. Lastly, the spin-off and the
merger are conditioned on Alltels receipt of an opinion of
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and
Valors receipt of an opinion of Kirkland & Ellis
LLP, counsel to Valor, each to the effect that the merger will
be treated as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. All of these opinions will be
based on, among other things, current law and certain
representations and assumptions as to factual matters made by
Alltel, Spinco and Valor. Any change in currently applicable
law, which may or may not be retroactive, or the failure of any
factual representation or assumption to be true, correct and
complete in all material respects, could adversely affect the
conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinions will
not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the
courts may not agree with the opinions.
The spin-off would become taxable to Alltel pursuant to
Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more of the shares of
either Alltel common stock or Spinco common stock (including
common stock of Windstream,
25
as a successor to Spinco) were acquired, directly or indirectly,
as part of a plan or series of related transactions that
included the spin-off. Because the Alltel stockholders will own
more than 50% of the Windstream common stock following the
merger, the merger, standing alone, will not cause the spin-off
to be taxable to Alltel under Section 355(e). However, if
the IRS were to determine that other acquisitions of Alltel
common stock or Windstream common stock, either before or after
the spin-off and the merger, were part of a plan or series of
related transactions that included the spin-off, such
determination could result in the recognition of gain by Alltel
under Section 355(e). In any such case, the gain recognized
by Alltel likely would include the entire fair market value of
the stock of Spinco, and thus would be very substantial. In
connection with the request for the IRS private letter rulings
and the opinion of Alltels counsel, Alltel has represented
that the spin-off is not part of any such plan or series of
related transactions.
In certain circumstances, under the merger agreement, Windstream
would be required to indemnify Alltel against tax-related losses
to Alltel that arise as a result of a disqualifying action taken
by Windstream or its subsidiaries after the distribution. See
Risk Factors Risks Relating to
Windstreams Business After the Merger
Windstream may be affected by significant restrictions after the
merger and The Merger Agreement Tax
Matters. If Alltel should recognize gain on the spin-off
for reasons not related to a disqualifying action by Windstream,
Alltel would not be entitled to be indemnified under the merger
agreement. Even if Section 355(e) were to cause the
spin-off to be taxable to Alltel, the spin-off would remain
tax-free to Alltels stockholders.
See Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
of the Spin-Off and the Merger beginning on
page [ ].
Failure to complete the merger could adversely impact the
market price of Valor common stock as well as Valors
business and operating results.
If the merger is not completed for any reason, the price of
Valor common stock may decline to the extent that the market
price of Valor common stock reflects positive market assumptions
that the spin-off and the merger will be completed and the
related benefits will be realized. Valor may also be subject to
additional risks if the merger is not completed, including:
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depending on the reasons for termination of the merger
agreement, the requirement that Valor pay Alltel a termination
fee of $35 million; |
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substantial costs related to the merger, such as legal,
accounting, filing, financial advisory and financial printing
fees, must be paid regardless of whether the merger is
completed; and |
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potential disruption to the businesses of Valor and distraction
of its workforce and management team. |
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Valor Stockholders will have a reduced ownership and
voting interest after the merger and will exercise less
influence over management. |
After the mergers completion, Valor stockholders will own
a significantly smaller percentage of Windstream than they
currently own of Valor. Following completion of the merger,
Valors stockholders will own approximately 15% of
Windstream on a fully-diluted basis. Consequently, Valor
stockholders, as a group, will be able to exercise less
influence over the management and policies of Windstream than
they currently exercise over the management and policies of
Valor.
Risks Relating to Windstreams Business After the
Merger
Following completion of the merger, Windstream will face
intense competition in its businesses from many sources that
could reduce its market share or adversely affect its financial
performance.
Substantial and increasing competition exists in the wireline
communications industry. Some of Windstreams incumbent
local exchange carrier (ILEC) operations have experienced,
and will continue to experience, competition in their local
service areas. Sources of competition to Windstreams local
service
26
business will include, but are not limited to, wireless
communications providers, resellers of local exchange services,
interexchange carriers, satellite transmission service
providers, cable television companies, competitive access
service providers, including, without limitation, those
utilizing Unbundled Network Elements-Platform or UNE-P, and
voice-over-Internet-protocol, or VoIP, and providers using other
emerging technologies.
Competition could adversely impact Windstream in several ways,
including (i) the loss of customers and market share,
(ii) the possibility of customers reducing their usage of
our services or shifting to less profitable services,
(iii) our need to lower prices or increase marketing
expenses to remain competitive and (iv) our inability to
diversify by successfully offering new products or services.
Competition from wireless carriers, such as Alltel, is
likely to continue to cause access line losses for Windstream
which could adversely affect Windstreams operating results
and financial performance.
Competition, mainly from wireless and broadband substitution,
has caused in recent years a reduction in the number of Valor
and Spincos access lines and generally has caused pricing
pressure in the industry. As wireless carriers, such as Alltel,
continue to expand and improve their network coverage while
lowering their prices, some customers choose to stop using
traditional wireline phone service and instead rely solely on
wireless service. We anticipate that this trend toward solely
using wireless services will continue, particularly if wireless
service rates continue to decline and the quality of wireless
services improves. While Alltels wireless services already
compete with Windstreams communications services in many
of Windstreams exchange areas, it is likely that
competition from Alltel wireless will increase and be more
directed at Windstreams communication services as a result
of Alltels increased wireless focus following the
transactions. Like Alltel, many wireless carriers are
substantially larger and will have greater financial resources
and superior brand recognition than Windstream. In the future,
it is expected that the number of access lines served by
Windstream will continue to be adversely affected by wireless
and broadband substitution and that industry-wide pricing
pressure will continue. There can be no assurances that
Windstream will be able to compete successfully with Alltel or
other wireless carriers.
Windstream may not be able to compete successfully with
cable operators which are subject to less stringent industry
regulations.
Cable television companies deploying a cable modem service will
represent Windstreams principal competitors for broadband
Internet access. As of December 31, 2005 cable modem
competition existed in exchanges representing 45 percent of
Valors access lines and in exchanges representing
85 percent of Spincos access lines, representing
79 percent of the total combined access lines. Broadband
offerings by cable television companies are mostly unregulated
by state public service commissions who regulate Windstream and
are not subject to tariffs, therefore providing such companies
much greater pricing flexibility. In contrast, Windstreams
broadband DSL offering is federally regulated and will be
required to comply with federal tariffs.
Windstream will also face competition from cable television
companies providing voice service offerings. Voice offerings of
cable operators are offered mainly under Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier certificates obtained in states where they
offer services and therefore are subject to fewer service
quality or service reporting requirements. In addition, the
rates or prices of the voice service offerings of cable
companies are not subject to regulation. In contrast, the voice
service rates or prices of Windstream, in its capacity as an
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier, will be subject to regulation
by various state public service commissions and, unlike cable
operators, will also be subject to carrier of last
resort obligations which will generally obligate
Windstream to provide basic voice services to any person
regardless of the profitability of such customer. There can be
no assurances that Windstream will be able to compete
successfully with cable companies in either the offering of
broadband or voice services.
27
Windstream may not be able to compete successfully against
companies offering integrated communication services.
Through mergers, joint ventures and various service expansion
strategies, providers of competing communications services are
increasingly able to provide integrated services in many of the
markets Windstream will serve. If Windstream is unable to offer
integrated service offerings, it may not be able to compete
successfully against competitors that offer more integrated
service packages.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, Spinco began offering DISH
Network satellite television service to Spincos
residential customers as part of a bundled service offering.
Following the merger, Windstream is expected to continue the
relationship with DISH Network and to offer additional bundled
services such as DSL, Internet access, long distance and second
lines with its basic voice service to create more appealing
product offerings at more attractive prices to its customers.
However, it may be difficult for Windstream to provide customers
a single, clear invoice and integrated customer care for bundled
services. There can be no assurance that Windstream will be able
to successfully provide bundled service offerings to its
customers or that Windstream will be able to compete
successfully against competitors offering such services.
If Windstream is unable to keep pace with rapid
technological advances following completion of the merger,
Windstreams results of operation could be adversely
impacted by the loss of revenue to competing technologies and
products or from increased expenditures by Windstream that are
not recovered by the retention of or an increase in
revenue.
The communications industry is experiencing significant
technological changes, particularly in the areas of VoIP, data
transmission and wireless communications. Some of
Windstreams competitors may enjoy network advantages that
will enable them to provide services more efficiently or at
lower cost. Rapid technological developments in cellular
telephone, personal communications services, digital microwave,
satellite, broadband radio services, local multipoint
distribution services, meshed wireless fidelity, or WiFi, and
other wireless technologies could result in the development of
products or services that compete with or displace those offered
by traditional local exchange carriers. Windstream may not be
able to obtain timely access to new technology on satisfactory
terms or incorporate new technology into its systems in a cost
effective manner, or at all. If Windstream cannot develop new
products to keep pace with technological advances, or if such
products are not widely embraced by its customers, Windstream
could be adversely impacted by the loss of revenue to competing
technologies and products or from increased expenditures by
Windstream that are not recovered by the retention of or an
increase in revenue.
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Windstream will provide services to its customers over
access lines, and if it loses access lines like Spinco and Valor
historically have, its revenues, earnings and cash flow from
operations could be adversely affected. |
Windstreams business will generate revenue by delivering
voice and data services over access lines. Spinco and Valor have
each experienced net access line loss over the past few years,
and during the year ended December 31, 2005, the number of
access lines they served collectively declined by 4 percent
due to a number of factors, including increased competition and
wireless and broadband substitution. Following the merger,
Windstream is expected to continue to experience net access line
loss in its markets for an unforeseen period of time.
Windstreams inability to retain access lines could
adversely affect its revenues, earnings and cash flow from
operations.
Windstream will be subject to various forms of regulation
from the Federal Communications Commission and the regulatory
commissions in the 16 states in which it will operate which
limits Windstreams pricing flexibility for regulated voice
and broadband DSL products, subjects Windstream to service
quality, service reporting and other obligations, and exposes
Windstream to the reduction of revenue from changes to the
universal service fund or the intercarrier compensation
system.
As a provider of wireline communication services, Valor and
Spinco will have been granted operating authority by each of the
16 states in which they conduct ILEC and CLEC operations.
Following completion of the merger, Windstream will be subject
to various forms of regulation from the regulatory commissions
in each of these 16 states as well as from the FCC. State
regulatory commissions have primary jurisdiction over
28
local and intrastate services including to some extent, the
rates that Windstream will charge customers, including, without
limitation, other telecommunications companies, and service
quality standards. The FCC has primary jurisdiction over
interstate services including the rates that Windstream will
charge other telecommunications companies that will use its
network and other issues related to interstate service. These
regulations will restrict Windstreams ability to adjust
rates to reflect market conditions and will impact its ability
to compete and respond to changing industry conditions.
Future revenues, costs, and capital investment in
Windstreams wireline business could be adversely affected
by material changes to these regulations, including, but not
limited to, changes in inter-carrier compensation, state and
federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support, UNE
and UNE-P pricing and requirements, and VoIP regulation. Federal
and state communications laws may be amended in the future, and
other laws may affect Windstreams business. In addition,
certain laws and regulations applicable to Windstream and its
competitors may be, and have been, challenged in the courts and
could be changed at any time. We cannot predict future
developments or changes to the regulatory environment, or the
impact such developments or changes would have.
In addition, these regulations could create significant
compliance costs for Windstream. Delays in obtaining
certifications and regulatory approvals could cause it to incur
substantial legal and administrative expenses, and conditions
imposed in connection with such approvals could adversely affect
the rates that Windstream is able to charge its customers.
Windstreams business also may be impacted by legislation
and regulation imposing new or greater obligations related to
assisting law enforcement, bolstering homeland security,
minimizing environmental impacts, or addressing other issues
that impact Windstreams business. For example, existing
provisions of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement
Act require communications carriers to ensure that their
equipment, facilities, and services are able to facilitate
authorized electronic surveillance. Windstreams compliance
costs will increase if future legislation, regulations or orders
continue to increase its obligations.
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In 2005, Valor and Spinco received 22.8% and 5.8% of their
respective revenues from state and federal Universal Service
Funds, and any adverse regulatory developments with respect to
these funds could adversely affect Windstreams
profitability following completion of the merger. |
Valor and Spinco receive state and federal USF revenues to
support the high cost of providing affordable telecommunications
services in rural markets. Such support payments constituted
22.8% and 5.8% of Valor and Spincos revenues,
respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Following completion of the merger, Windstream will be required
to make contributions to state and federal USFs each year.
Current state and federal regulations allow Windstream to
recover these contributions by including a surcharge on its
customers bills. If state and/or federal regulations
change, and Windstream becomes ineligible to receive support,
such support is reduced, or Windstream becomes unable to recover
the amounts it contributes to the state and federal USFs from
its customers, its earnings and cash flow from operations would
be directly and adversely affected.
You may not receive the level of dividends provided for
in the dividend policy Windstreams Board of Directors will
adopt upon the closing of the merger or any dividends at
all.
The Board of Directors of Windstream will adopt a dividend
policy, effective upon the closing of the merger, which reflects
an intention to distribute a substantial portion of the cash
generated by Windstreams business in excess of operating
needs, interest and principal payments on Windstreams
indebtedness, capital expenditures, taxes and future reserves,
if any, as regular quarterly dividends to Windstream
stockholders. See The Transactions Dividend
Policy of Windstream. The Board of Directors of Windstream
may, in its discretion, amend or repeal this dividend policy.
Windstreams initial dividend policy is based upon Alltel
and Valors current assessment of Windstreams
business and the environment in which it will operate, and that
assessment could change based on competitive or technological
developments (which could, for example, increase its need for
capital expenditures) or new growth opportunities. In addition,
future dividends with respect to shares of Windstream common
stock, if any, will depend on, among other things,
Windstreams cash flows, cash requirements, financial
condition, contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable
law and
29
other factors that Windstreams Board of Directors may deem
relevant. The Windstream Board of Directors may decrease the
level of dividends provided for in the dividend policy or
discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. Windstreams
senior secured credit facility and notes are expected to contain
significant restrictions on its ability to make dividend
payments. We cannot assure you that Windstream will generate
sufficient cash from continuing operations in the future, or
have sufficient surplus or net profits, as the case may be,
under Delaware law, to pay dividends on its common stock in
accordance with the dividend policy adopted by the Windstream
Board of Directors. The reduction or elimination of dividends
may negatively affect the market price of Windstreams
common stock.
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Windstreams substantial indebtedness could adversely
affect its operations and financial condition. |
Although Windstreams leverage ratio of debt to operating
income before depreciation and amortization will be
substantially lower after the merger than Valors current
leverage ratio, Windstream will have substantial indebtedness
following completion of the merger. As currently contemplated
and as described in Financing of Windstream
beginning on page [ ], it is expected
that Windstream will have approximately $5.5 billion in
consolidated debt after the closing of the transaction. This
indebtedness could have important consequences to Windstream,
such as:
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limiting its operational flexibility due to the covenants
contained in its debt agreements; |
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limiting its ability to invest operating cash flow in its
business due to debt service requirements; |
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limiting its ability to compete with companies that are not as
highly leveraged and that may be better positioned to withstand
economic downturns; |
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increasing its vulnerability to economic downturns and changing
market conditions; and |
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to the extent that Windstreams debt is subject to floating
interest rates, increasing its vulnerability to fluctuations in
market interest rates. |
Windstream expects to generate sufficient funds to pay its
expenses and to pay the principal and interest on its
outstanding debt from its operations. Windstreams ability
to meet its expenses and debt service obligations will depend on
its future performance, which will be affected by financial,
business, economic and other factors, including potential
changes in customer preferences, the success of product and
marketing innovation and pressure from competitors. If
Windstream does not have enough money to meet its debt service
obligations, it may be required to refinance all or part of its
existing debt, sell assets or borrow more money. Windstream may
not be able to, at any given time, refinance its debt, sell
assets or borrow more money on terms acceptable to it.
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Windstream will be subject to restrictive debt covenants,
which may restrict its operational flexibility. |
After the merger, Windstreams credit facilities and senior
unsecured notes will contain covenants that restrict its ability
with respect to the incurrence of additional indebtedness,
liens, capital expenditures, loans and investments and will
limit its ability to take certain action with respect to
dividends and payments in respect of capital stock, and will
limit its ability to enter into mergers, consolidations,
acquisitions, asset dispositions and will place restrictions on
other matters generally restricted in senior secured loan
agreements. After the merger, the new credit facilities will
also require the company to maintain specified financial ratios
and satisfy financial condition tests. Windstreams ability
to meet those financial ratios and tests may be affected by
events beyond its control, and we cannot assure you that it will
meet those ratios and tests. A breach of any of these covenants,
ratios, tests or restrictions could result in an event of
default under the new credit facilities and the notes, in which
case, the lenders and/or holders of the notes could elect to
declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and
payable and the lenders could terminate its commitments to
extend additional loans. If the lenders under the new credit
facilities and/or the holders of the notes accelerate the
payment of the indebtedness, we cannot assure you that
Windstreams assets would be sufficient to repay in full
the indebtedness and any other indebtedness that would become
due as a result of any acceleration.
30
Windstream will likely incur a significant one-time
charge relating to the integration of the operations of Valor
with Spinco that could materially and adversely affect the
future results of operations of Windstream following the
merger.
We are developing a plan to integrate the operations of Valor
with Spinco after the merger. We anticipate that Windstream will
incur a one-time charge to earnings of approximately $30 million
to $50 million in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the spin-off and the merger. We will not be able to quantify
the exact amount of this charge or the time at which it will be
incurred until after the merger is completed. The amount of the
charge may be significantly different than the current estimate,
and the charge may have a material and adverse effect on the
results of operations of Windstream in the period in which it is
recorded.
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Windstream may be affected by significant restrictions
following the merger with respect to certain actions that could
jeopardize the tax-free status of the spin-off or the
merger. |
Even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies as a spin-off under
Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code, the distribution
of Valor common stock to the exchange agent for the benefit of
Alltel stockholders in connection with the spin-off and the
merger may not qualify as tax-free to Alltel under
Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code if 50% or more
of the stock of Alltel or Spinco (including Windstream as a
successor to Spinco) is acquired as part of a plan or series of
related transactions that includes the spin-off.
The merger agreement restricts Windstream from taking certain
actions that could cause the spin-off to be taxable to Alltel
under Section 355(e) or otherwise jeopardize the tax-free
status of the spin-off or the merger (which the merger agreement
refers to as disqualifying actions), including:
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generally, for two years after the spin-off, taking, or
permitting any of its subsidiaries to take, an action that might
be a disqualifying action without receiving the prior consent of
Alltel; |
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for two years after the spin-off, entering into any agreement,
understanding or arrangement or engaging in any substantial
negotiations with respect to any transaction involving the
acquisition of Windstream stock or the issuance of shares of
Windstreams stock, or options to acquire or other rights
in respect of such stock, in excess of a permitted basket of
71,130,989 shares (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, recapitalizations, reclassifications and similar
transactions), unless, generally, the shares are issued to
qualifying Windstream employees or retirement plans, each in
accordance with safe harbors under regulations
issued by the IRS; |
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for two years after the spin-off, repurchasing Windstreams
shares, except to the extent consistent with guidance issued by
the IRS; |
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for two years after the spin-off, permitting certain
wholly-owned subsidiaries that were wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Spinco at the time of the spin-off to cease the active conduct
of the Spinco business to the extent so conducted by those
subsidiaries immediately prior to the spin-off; and |
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for two years after the spin-off, voluntarily dissolving,
liquidating, merging or consolidating with any other person,
unless (i) Windstream is the survivor of the merger or
consolidation or (ii) prior to undertaking such action,
Windstream receives the prior consent of Alltel. |
Nevertheless, Windstream will be permitted to take any of the
actions described above in the event that the IRS has granted a
favorable ruling to Alltel or Valor as to the effect of such
action on the tax-free status of the transactions described in
this document. To the extent that the tax-free status of the
transactions is lost because of a disqualifying action taken by
Windstream or any of its subsidiaries after the distribution
date (except to the extent that Alltel has delivered a previous
determination to Windstream permitting such action), Windstream
generally will be required to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Alltel and its subsidiaries (or any successor to any of
them) from and against any and all resulting tax-related losses
incurred by Alltel.
Because of these restrictions, Windstream may be limited in the
amount of stock that it can issue to make acquisitions or raise
additional capital in the two years subsequent to the spin-off
and merger. Also, Windstreams indemnity obligation to
Alltel might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control
during this
31
two-year period that stockholders of Windstream may consider
favorable. See The Merger Agreement on
page [ ]; The Tax Sharing
Agreement on page [ ] and
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of
the Spin-Off and the Merger beginning on
page [ ].
Rapid and significant changes in technology could require
Windstream to significantly increase capital investment or could
result in reduced demand for its services.
New communication technologies may impact Windstreams
wireline business. For example, Windstream may be unable to
retain existing customers who decide to replace their wireline
telephone service with wireless telephone service. Furthermore,
the development and deployment of cable and DSL broadband
technology will likely result in additional local telephone line
losses for Windstream as its customers shift from
dial-up data services
to high-speed data services. In addition, VoIP technology, which
operates on broadband technology, now provides Windstreams
competitors with a low-cost alternative to access the home and
provide local telephone voice services to Windstreams
wireline customers. The proliferation of replacement
technologies impacting its wireline business could require
Windstream to make significant additional capital investment or
could result in reduced demand for its services, both of which
could adversely impact its financial performance and results of
operations.
Disruption in Windstreams networks and
infrastructure may cause it to lose customers and incur
additional expenses.
To be successful, Windstream will need to continue to provide
its customers with reliable service over its networks. Some of
the risks to Windstreams networks and infrastructure
include: physical damage to access lines, breaches of security,
capacity limitations, power surges or outages, software defects
and disruptions beyond Windstreams control, such as
natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, Windstream
will experience short disruptions in its service due to factors
such as cable damage, inclement weather and service failures of
its third party service providers. We cannot assure you that
Windstream will not experience more significant disruptions in
the future. Disruptions may cause interruptions in service or
reduced capacity for customers, either of which could cause
Windstream to lose customers and incur expenses, and thereby
adversely affect Windstreams business, revenue and cash
flow.
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Weak economic conditions may decrease demand for
Windstreams services. |
Windstream will be sensitive to economic conditions and
downturns in the economy. Downturns in the economies and vendor
concentration in the markets Windstream serves could cause its
existing customers to reduce their purchases of
Windstreams basic and enhanced services and make it
difficult for Windstream to obtain new customers.
32
THE TRANSACTIONS
On December 9, 2005, Alltel and Valor announced that they
entered into a transaction providing for the spin-off of
Alltels wireline telecommunications business and the
merger of such business with and into Valor. In order to effect
the spin-off and merger, Alltel, Spinco and Valor entered into a
number of agreements, including a Distribution Agreement between
Alltel and Spinco and an Agreement and Plan of Merger among
Alltel, Spinco and Valor. These agreements, which are described
in greater detail in this proxy statement/prospectus-information
statement, provide for (i) the separation of Alltels
wireline telecommunications business and certain related
business operations, (ii) the contribution of such assets
to Spinco, (iii) the distribution of all of the shares of
capital stock of Spinco to a third-party exchange agent to be
held for the benefit of Alltel stockholders on a pro rata basis,
(iv) the merger of Spinco with and into Valor, with Valor
continuing as the surviving corporation and (v) the
conversion of Spinco shares into shares of Valor common stock.
Transaction Timeline
Below is a step-by-step list illustrating the sequence of
material events relating to the spin-off of Spinco and merger of
Spinco and Valor. Each of these events are discussed in more
detail throughout this proxy statement/prospectus-information
statement. Each of following events will occur contemporaneously
on the closing date of the merger except for Step 1, which will
occur approximately four to six weeks prior to closing of the
merger, and Steps 9 and 10, which will occur promptly following
the closing of the merger.
Step 1 Alltel will engage in a series of
restructuring transactions to effect the transfer to
Spincos subsidiaries of all of the assets relating to
Alltels wireline telecommunications business and the
transfer to Alltel of all assets not relating to such business.
Step 2 Alltel will contribute all of the capital
stock of the Spinco subsidiaries to Spinco in exchange for
(i) that number of shares of Spinco common stock to be
distributed to a third party exchange agent for the benefit of
Alltel shareholders in the spin-off, and (ii) the issuance
of the exchange notes by Spinco to Alltel.
Step 3 Spinco will enter into a new senior secured
credit facility providing commitments for borrowings in an
amount up to $4.2 billion.
Step 4 Spinco will pay a special dividend to Alltel
in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco
(which equals approximately $2.4 billion as of
June 30, 2005).
Step 5 Alltel will spin-off Spinco by distributing
all of the shares of Spinco common stock to a third-party
exchange agent to be held for the benefit of Alltel stockholders
on a pro rata basis.
Step 6 Alltel exchanges the exchange notes received
from Spinco for outstanding Alltel debt securities or otherwise
transfers such exchange notes to Alltels creditors
representing approximately $1.538 billion in debt reduction
to Alltel.
Step 7 Shares of Spinco common stock held by the
exchange agent will be converted into that number of shares of
Valor common stock that Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
receive in the merger.
Step 8 Spinco will merge with and into Valor and the
exchange agent will issue shares of Valor common stock to Alltel
stockholders in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement.
Step 9 Valor will change its name to Windstream
Corporation and its common stock will be quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN.
Step 10 Windstream may issue up to an additional
$800 million in debt securities in a private placement
pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, which
will reduce dollar-for-dollar the commitments under its senior
secured credit facility.
The Spin-Off
As part of the spin-off, Alltel will engage in a series of
preliminary restructuring transactions to effect the transfer to
Spincos subsidiaries of all of the assets relating to
Alltels wireline telecommunications business and the
transfer to Alltel of all assets not relating to such business.
Following these preliminary restructuring
33
transactions, and immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, Alltel will contribute all of the stock of the Spinco
subsidiaries to Spinco (which we will refer to as the
contribution) in exchange for:
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the issuance to Alltel of Spinco common stock to be distributed
in the spin-off (which we will refer to as the
distribution), |
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the payment of a special dividend to Alltel in an amount not to
exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco (which equals
approximately $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2005), which
Alltel will use to repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock
buyback program authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in
connection with the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness,
or both, within one year following the spin-off, and |
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the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of certain Spinco debt
securities (which we will refer to as the exchange
notes), which Alltel intends to exchange for outstanding
Alltel debt securities or otherwise transfer to Alltels
creditors representing approximately $1.538 billion in debt
reduction to Alltel. Such exchange is not required by the terms
of Alltels outstanding debt securities. |
As a result of the transactions, Alltel will receive
approximately $4.2 billion of combined cash proceeds and
debt reduction through the special dividend, the distribution of
the exchange notes and the assumption by Windstream on a
consolidated basis of approximately $261 million in
existing Spinco debt securities. The $4.2 billion amount of
total cash proceeds and debt reduction realized by Alltel in the
transaction was determined in the negotiations between Alltel
and Valor regarding the overall valuation of the transaction.
The approximate $1.538 billion in debt reduction which
Alltel will receive in connection with the exchange notes
represents the difference between (x) the total cash
proceeds and debt reduction to Alltel ($4.2 billion), and
(y) the approximate amount of the special dividend (which
equals approximately $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2005)
plus the approximate amount in existing Spinco debt securities
to be assumed by Windstream ($261 million).
Prior to the distribution, Spinco will consummate certain
financing transactions pursuant to which it will incur
approximately $3.965 billion in indebtedness through
(1) borrowings under a new senior secured credit agreement
or the issuance of senior unsecured debt securities in an
offering under Rule 144A, promulgated under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and (2) the distribution of the
exchange notes to Alltel. All proceeds of the financing will be
used to pay the consideration to be received by Alltel for the
contribution (through payment of the special dividend and
distribution of the exchange notes) and to pay related fees and
expenses. For a more complete discussion of the financing of
Windstream see Financing of Windstream beginning on
page [ ].
After the contribution and immediately prior to the merger,
Alltel will spin-off Spinco by distributing all of the shares of
Spinco common stock to a third-party exchange agent to be held
for the benefit of Alltel stockholders on a pro rata basis. Such
shares will be immediately converted into that number of shares
of Valor common stock Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
receive in the merger. As a result, Alltel stockholders will
never hold shares of Spinco common stock.
The Merger
In the merger, Spinco will merge with and into Valor in
accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. Valor will
survive the merger as a stand-alone company holding and
conducting the combined business operations of Valor and Spinco.
Immediately following the merger, Valor will change its name to
Windstream Corporation and its common stock will be quoted on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN.
For ease of reference, throughout this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement we will refer to
Windstream Corporation, the new company formed by the merger of
Valor and Spinco, as Windstream.
Alltel stockholders will be entitled to receive a number of
shares of Valor common stock to be determined based on the
calculation set forth below in the section titled
Calculation of Merger Consideration. Holders of
Alltel common stock will not be required to pay for the shares
of Valor common stock they receive and will also retain all of
their shares of Alltel common stock. Existing shares of Valor
common stock will remain outstanding.
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By virtue of the merger, Windstream will assume
$261.0 million in Alltel debt and $400.0 million in
outstanding Valor debt securities. Windstream will also borrow
approximately $781.0 million under its new senior secured
credit facility in order to prepay the amounts outstanding under
Valors existing credit facility. These amounts, together
with the $3.965 billion in financings consummated by Spinco
prior to the merger and certain expenses related to the
transaction, will result in Windstream having approximately
$5.5 billion in total debt immediately following completion
of the merger. It is expected that Windstream will use proceeds
from its new senior secured credit facilities to refinance
approximately $81.0 million of Alltels outstanding
bonds (plus an additional approximately $9.5 million in
related make-whole premiums) and to purchase any of Valors
outstanding bonds that may be tendered pursuant to the terms
thereof as a result of the merger. However, no Valor bonds are
expected to be tendered as a result of the merger as their
current trading price exceeds the put price. The trading price
of the bonds was $106.05 as of April 3, 2006 versus a put
price of $101.
Calculation of Merger Consideration
The merger agreement provides that Valor will issue in the
aggregate to holders of Alltel common stock a number of Valor
shares equal to (a) the number of shares of Valor common
stock outstanding as of the effective time of the merger
multiplied by (b) 5.667. For ease of reference, we will
refer to the product of this equation as the aggregate
merger consideration. Pursuant to the distribution
agreement, Alltel and Spinco have elected to distribute one
share of Spinco common stock to the exchange agent for the
benefit of Alltel stockholders for each share of Alltel common
stock outstanding on [ ], 2006, the record
date for the spinoff. Each share of Spinco common stock held by
the exchange agent will be converted into the right to receive a
number of Valor shares equal to the aggregate merger
consideration, divided by the number of Alltel shares
outstanding as of the record date for the spin-off. For ease of
reference, we will refer to the product of this equation as the
per share merger consideration.
Neither the aggregate merger consideration nor the per share
merger consideration will be adjusted in the event of a decline
in the value of the Alltel wireline telecommunications business
that is being contributed to Spinco. If the value of this
business declines after Valor stockholders approve the merger
proposals, the market price of Windstream common stock following
completion of the merger will be less than Valor stockholders
anticipated when they voted to approve the merger proposals. In
this event, there will also be no adjustment of the aggregate
merger consideration, or the per share merger consideration.
It is presently estimated that Valor will issue in the aggregate
approximately 405 million shares of common stock to Alltel
stockholders pursuant to the merger, or approximately
1.04 shares of Valor common stock (subject to variation as
a result of compensatory equity grants and other issuances) for
each share of Alltel common stock outstanding as of the record
date for the spin-off. Given that these amounts are calculated
based on the number of shares of Alltel common stock outstanding
as of the record date for the spin-off and Valor common stock
outstanding at the effective time of the merger, the actual
number of shares of Valor common stock to be issued will not be
determined until the effective time, and there is no maximum or
minimum number of shares that will be issued. However, the
calculation of the merger consideration set forth in the merger
agreement is structured so that, regardless of the number of
Valor shares and Spinco shares outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger, when the merger is completed,
Alltel stockholders will collectively own approximately 85%, and
Valors stockholders will collectively own approximately
15%, of the shares of common stock of Windstream on a fully
diluted basis. Based on the closing price of Valor common stock
on April 28, 2006 of $13.05, as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange, the approximate value Alltel stockholders will
receive in the merger will equal $13.57 per each share of Alltel
common stock they own on the record date for the spin-off.
However, any change in the market value of Valor common stock
prior to the effective time of the merger would cause the
estimated per share value Alltel stockholders will receive in
the merger to also change. The following illustration sets forth
the manner in which these estimated amounts were calculated:
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For purposes of this calculation only it is assumed that the
effective time of the merger occurred on April 1, 2006. On
April 1, 2006 there were 388,857,700 shares of Alltel
common stock outstanding and 71,096,887 fully-diluted
shares of Valor common stock outstanding. |
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Step 1: Calculate the aggregate merger
consideration. The merger agreement provides that
Valor will issue to holders of Alltel common stock a number of
Valor shares equal to the number of fully-diluted shares of
Valor common stock outstanding as of the effective time of the
merger multiplied by 5.667. As of April 1, 2006 there were
71,096,887 shares of Valor common stock outstanding.
Therefore to determine the aggregate merger consideration we
must multiply 71,096,887 by 5.667, which equals
402,906,058.63 shares. |
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Step 2: Determine number of Spinco shares outstanding.
Pursuant to the distribution agreement Alltel and Spinco have
determined that one share of Spinco common stock will be issued
for each share of Alltel common stock outstanding on
[ ], 2006, the record date for the spin-off.
Assuming for purposes of this illustration only that
388,857,700 shares of Alltel common stock will be
outstanding as of such date, there will be
388,857,700 shares of Spinco common stock outstanding as of
the effective time of the merger. |
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Step 3: Calculate the per share merger
consideration. The merger agreement provides that each
share of Spinco common stock will be converted into the right to
receive a number of Valor shares equal to the aggregate merger
consideration, divided by the number of Spinco shares
outstanding as the effective time of the merger. In this
illustration the aggregate merger consideration equals
402,906,058.63 shares and the number of Spinco shares
outstanding as of the effective time is 388,857,700. Hence, to
determine the per share merger consideration we must divide
402,906,058.63 by 388,857,700, which equals approximately 1.04. |
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Based on the foregoing, it is currently estimated that Alltel
stockholders will receive approximately 1.04 shares of
Valor common stock in exchange for each Alltel share such
stockholder owns on the record date for the spin-off and that
Valor will be obligated to issue in the aggregate
402,906,058.63 shares of Valor common stock to Alltel
stockholders. This issuance would result in Alltel stockholders
collectively owning approximately 85%, and Valors
stockholders will collectively own approximately 15%, of the
shares of common stock of Windstream on a fully diluted basis
following completion of the merger. |
The following table set forth the values used in the above
calculation:
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Valor Common |
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Approximate per |
Stock Outstanding |
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Spinco Common |
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Aggregate Merger |
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Share Merger |
(fully-diluted) |
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Stock Outstanding |
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Consideration |
|
Consideration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,096,887
|
|
388,857,700 |
|
402,906,058.63 |
|
1.04 |
The actual number of shares of Valor common stock outstanding as
of the effective time of the merger will likely be different
than the number of shares outstanding as of April 1, 2006
(as set forth in the above illustration) as a result of
compensatory equity grants and other issuances of Valor common
stock. Any change in the number of shares outstanding will cause
the aggregate merger consideration to be different from that set
forth in the above illustration. In addition, the actual number
of shares of Spinco common stock distributed to Alltel
stockholders may be different than as set forth in the above
illustration as a result of compensation equity grants and other
issuances of Alltel common stock. Any change in the number of
shares of Spinco common stock distributed will cause the per
merger consideration to change. However, the calculation of the
merger consideration is structured so that following completion
of the merger Alltel stockholders will collectively own
approximately 85%, and Valors stockholders will
collectively own approximately 15%, of the shares of common
stock of Windstream on a fully diluted basis notwithstanding
such issuances.
We encourage you to carefully read the merger agreement and the
distribution agreement which are attached as Annexes A and B to
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement and
incorporated herein by reference, respectively, because they set
forth the terms of the merger and the distribution of shares of
Spinco common stock to Alltels common stockholders.
Background of the Merger
In pursuing strategies to enhance stockholder value, Valor
regularly considered opportunities for strategic business
combinations. Valor received and responded to requests for
potential transaction proposals from third
36
parties operating rural local exchange carriers and actively
pursued possible business combination transactions with those
third parties. In addition, from time to time, Valors
senior management engaged in informal discussions regarding
possible business combination transactions with their
counterparts at other telecommunications companies. Generally in
these informal discussions, Valor and the other company would
sign a non-disclosure agreement and then share financial
information. However, after analysis of the financial
information and other factors, and after discussions with the
Valor Board of Directors, none of these informal discussions
progressed beyond this initial analysis, and no formal
negotiations on prices, terms and conditions occurred between
Valor and the other parties.
Valor previously chose not to pursue other possible transactions
for a variety of reasons such as: 1) the potential transaction
was not viewed as accretive to Valor; 2) the potential
transaction did not make operational sense for Valor because
target company lacked sufficiently concentrated operations, or
operated in regions distant from Valors current operating
territory; 3) concerns over the business fundamentals of the
potential target company, including the level of competition it
faced; and 4) failure to agree on prices, terms or
conditions.
Valors Board of Directors received regular updates from
management concerning Valors transaction opportunities,
and the topic of potential strategic transactions was a
recurring agenda item at most board meetings. At various times,
and most recently in August 2005, senior management invited
Valors financial advisors (other than the financial
advisors that rendered opinions to the Board of Directors of
Valor in connection with the merger) to provide the Board of
Directors with a comprehensive overview of the potential
financial and stockholder benefits of various transactional
opportunities between Valor and other rural local exchange
carriers.
Alltel announced in January 2005 that it would undertake a
thorough review of the strategic alternatives available to its
wireline business. Since the inception of Valors business
operations in July 2000, Valor has had a relationship with
Alltel, which provides Valor with outsourced operational support
services, including billing and customer care systems. Following
the Alltel announcement, and in the context of this
long-standing business relationship, at various times members of
Valors Board of Directors and senior management contacted
members of Alltels senior management team to express
interest in Alltels strategic review process, and to
inquire about potential opportunities for a business combination
between Valor and Alltels wireline business. Valors
financial advisors kept the company informed regarding the
Alltel process and its potential implications to Valor.
As the Alltel review process progressed, Valors financial
advisors recommended that the timing was appropriate for Valor
to initiate a preliminary meeting with representatives of Alltel
to further discuss a possible transaction. In August 2005,
Anthony J. de Nicola, Valors Chairman of the Board,
contacted Scott Ford, Alltels President and Chief
Executive Officer, to schedule a meeting between the companies.
On September 13, 2005, Mr. de Nicola and John J.
Mueller, Valors Chief Executive Officer, met in Little
Rock, Arkansas with Mr. Ford and Jeffrey H. Fox,
Alltels Group President Shared Services. At
that meeting, Mr. Mueller presented information prepared by
Valor management on Valors operations and the potential
operational and financial benefits of a strategic transaction
between Valor and Alltel. Mr. Ford stated that Alltel was
considering initiating an active process to explore strategic
options for repositioning its wireline assets and invited Valor
to consider participating in such a process were it to occur. At
a September 14, 2005 meeting of Valors Board of
Directors, Mr. Mueller advised the Board on the meeting
between Alltel and Valor senior management, and described the
process that Alltel planned to undertake and the potential for a
strategic combination between Valor and the Alltel wireline
business. The Board of Directors authorized Valor management to
participate in a potential Alltel process.
On September 22, 2005, Alltel announced its intention to
begin a formal process to assess the market environment for a
strategic repositioning of its wireline business. On that date,
Valor and Alltel executed a non-disclosure agreement.
Thereafter, on September 28, 2005, Valor received an
information book, which provided detailed financial and
operational information on Alltels wireline business and
other related operating units it proposed to separate. Under
separate cover, Valor received correspondence from Alltels
financial advisors on September 30, 2005 inviting Valor to
participate in a review of a potential merger with
37
Alltels wireline business units and related ancillary
operations in conjunction with the separation of those
operations from Alltels wireless operations. The
correspondence indicated that Alltel would consider merger
proposals that met certain principal objectives, including
ensuring tax-free treatment of the transaction, maximizing
Alltel stockholder value, establishing an appropriate capital
structure, implementing a sustainable dividend policy and
consummating an acceptable transaction expeditiously with the
least disruption to the wireline business and its employees,
suppliers and customers. Alltel requested the submission of
detailed proposals no later than October 17, 2005.
In preparation for Valors participation in the Alltel
process, on September 15, 2005 Mr. de Nicola contacted
Wachovia Securities to explore the possibility of Wachovia
Securities serving as Valors financial advisor in
connection with Valors evaluation of the Alltel
opportunity. On September 28, 2005, Wachovia Securities met
with Valors senior management and several members of its
Board to discuss a proposed framework for developing a proposal
for Alltels wireline business. Wachovia Securities
presented issues for Valor to consider in developing its
proposal that included financial analyses of comparable public
companies, projections of operating statistics and valuations
for a stand-alone Alltel wireline entity and preliminary
valuation analyses for a combination of Alltel and Valor under
various scenarios. On October 15, 2005, Valor and Wachovia
Securities executed an engagement letter and non-disclosure
agreement.
On October 10, 2005, the Valor Board of Directors held a
special meeting, the purpose of which was for management to
update the Board on the Alltel process and the potential
participation of Valor in that process. At this meeting, the
Board adopted a resolution authorizing Valor to evaluate the
Alltel materials and to prepare and submit a proposal to Alltel.
The Board also approved and ratified Valors engagement of
legal, financial, tax and accounting experts to aid in the
evaluation of the Alltel opportunity and to assist Valor in the
preparation of its proposal. Finally, the Board approved the
creation of the Special Finance Committee, the purpose of which
was to assist management with respect to the Alltel opportunity
and to provide information on the Alltel process to the
remainder of the Board. The members of the Special Finance
Committee were Mr. de Nicola, and Board members Norman
Alpert and Edward Heffernan.
On October 14, 2005, the Special Finance Committee met with
members of Valor senior management and Wachovia Securities
representatives to discuss the status of the preparation of
Valors response to Alltel. Wachovia Securities met with
the Special Finance Committee to address the various financial
issues raised by Valors proposed response to Alltel,
including issues of valuation of Valor and benefits to
stockholders of Alltel and Valor. Valors management also
updated the Special Finance Committee on its analysis of
potential synergies that might result from a merger of Valor and
Alltels wireline business.
On October 17, 2005, Valor submitted to Alltel a
preliminary proposal containing the terms of a potential merger
between Valor and Alltels wireline business and its
related ancillary operations. The Valor offer contained the
following key terms:
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stock for stock merger; |
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82/18 relative post-merger ownership percentage between Alltel
and Valor shareholders; |
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$5.3 billion in debt (3 times leverage); |
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Alltel to receive $4.1 billion in cash and debt relief; |
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post-merger dividend of $1 per share; |
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65% dividend payout; and |
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flexibility on governance and management arrangements. |
Alltels information book contained certain terms that
Alltel expected in the proposals, and the Valor offer reflected
the fact that Alltel was soliciting competing bids from several
entities.
Beginning on October 25 and continuing through October 26,
2005, representatives of Valor and Alltel and their respective
financial advisors met in Little Rock, Arkansas. During these
meetings, Valor and Alltel made management presentations, began
preliminary due diligence relating to the others
businesses and
38
explored the possible synergies of a potential merger of Valor
and Alltels wireline business. Thereafter, Valor and
Alltel provided each other with access to documents for the
purpose of continued due diligence.
On November 3, 2005 the Valor Board of Directors held a
regularly scheduled meeting. During this meeting, Wachovia
Securities provided the Board with an update on the Alltel
process and updated the Board with respect to the terms and
benefits of a potential merger.
On November 11, 2005, Alltels financial advisors
scheduled a meeting with Mr. de Nicola and Wachovia
Securities representatives, and provided them with a
preliminary term sheet in response to Valors
October 17, 2005 submission. The Alltel term sheet outlined
the material terms upon which Alltel would be willing to merge
the Alltel wireline business with Valor including:
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spin-off of the Alltel wireline business and its merger with
Valor on a tax-free basis to Alltel, Valor and their respective
shareholders; |
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Alltel to receive a cash dividend up to its tax basis in Spinco
of approximately $2.4 billion; |
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Alltel to exchange approximately $1.5 billion of its
parent-level debt for Spinco debt securities, and the merged
company assumes $0.3 billion of Spinco debt; |
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86/14 post-merger ownership percentage between Alltel and Valor
shareholders; |
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post-merger dividend of $1.00 per Alltel equivalent share; |
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Valor designates one Board seat; |
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Alltel designates the post-merger management team; and |
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Valors largest shareholders (Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe, Vestar Capital Partners and Citicorp Venture Capital)
agree to an irrevocable voting agreement to support the
transaction and agree to a six month lock-up agreement. |
At various times following the November 11, 2005 meeting,
Mr. Ford and Mr. de Nicola discussed the differences
between each companys proposal. In these discussions, and
in other communications between the parties financial
advisors during the period of November 11-14, 2005, certain
fundamental economic terms were negotiated, including, among
other terms, the percentage of ownership that Valor and Alltel
stockholders would have in the surviving corporation following
the merger, the dividend pay-out ratio, the appropriate debt
capitalization of the company, the amount of the annual
dividend, and the number of Windstream board of director
positions that would be allocated to pre-merger Valor directors
in Windstream.
On November 16, 2005, the Special Finance Committee of the
Valor Board of Directors met with members of Valors senior
management and representatives of Wachovia Securities in order
to review the current status of the potential Alltel
transaction. Representatives of Wachovia Securities highlighted
the differences between the terms proposed by Valor and those
proposed by Alltel. Mr. de Nicola then updated the
Committee on the status of the discussions on merger terms
between him and Mr. Ford, as well as other discussions
between the parties financial advisors where they
attempted to resolve differences between the parties
economic terms. The Committee discussed with Wachovia Securities
the terms on which Valor and Alltel could potentially reach
agreement, and discussed whether those terms would be fair to
Valors stockholders. The Committee also considered, in
light of current and expected future market conditions and
risks, whether other potential transactional opportunities would
produce superior benefits to Valors stockholders. After
substantial discussion, the Committee members recommended that
management attempt to complete a merger agreement with Alltel.
Wachovia Securities preliminarily advised the Committee that it
believed, subject to further review and analysis, it would be
able to render an opinion to Valors Board of Directors
that a merger on the discussed terms was fair from a financial
point of view to Valor and its stockholders. The Committee also
determined that it was a best practice of sound corporate
governance for the Committee to recommend that the Board of
Directors engage another advisor to provide the Board with a
second fairness opinion.
39
Following the meeting of the Valor Special Finance Committee,
Mr. de Nicola communicated Valors merger terms to
Mr. Ford. Valor accepted the terms proposed by Alltel on
November 11, 2005, with the following exceptions:
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85/15 post-merger ownership percentage between Alltel and Valor
shareholders; |
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Post-merger dividend of $1 per share; |
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Only Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Vestar Capital
Partners agree to a voting agreement to support the transaction,
and Welsh Carson agrees to a three month lock-up, subject to an
agreement for the orderly sale of their stock following
expiration of the lock-up; and, |
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Spinco to pay the transaction fees of Alltel and Spinco, and
Valor to assume responsibility for payment of its transaction
fees. |
Thereafter, Mr. Ford communicated to Mr. de Nicola
Alltels preliminary acceptance of Valors proposed
modifications to the merger terms presented on November 11,
2005, subject to completion of definitive agreements and final
approval by Alltels board of directors.
On November 18, 2005, the Valor Board of Directors held a
special meeting to discuss the potential Alltel transaction.
Wachovia Securities provided the Board with an overview of the
proposed transaction, including the principal economic terms
upon which Valor and Alltel had reached a preliminary agreement.
Wachovia Securities made a presentation to the Board showing the
estimated valuation and the potential stockholder value of the
proposed merger. Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Valors
legal advisor, discussed the Boards obligations under
Delaware law. Thereafter, the Board adopted a resolution
authorizing management to take all necessary and appropriate
steps required to complete a merger agreement with Alltel,
including the completion of due diligence and the retention of
any necessary advisors.
On November 18, 2005, Alltels financial advisors
provided Valors management and financial advisors with the
draft of a merger agreement and distribution agreement and on
December 3, 2005, with a draft of a tax sharing agreement.
From November 21 through December 8, 2005, management,
legal and financial representatives for Valor and Alltel met
numerous times, engaged in numerous conference calls and
exchanged drafts to negotiate the merger agreement, various
other ancillary agreements and other legal, tax and regulatory
issues. In addition, Valor finalized its due diligence with
respect to the Alltel wireline business, including submission of
follow-up due diligence
requests and meeting with members of the Alltel management team
with respect to various legal, business and financial issues.
On November 29, 2005, members of the Valor and Alltel
management teams met in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the
meeting was to allow various members of Alltels management
team to meet with their Valor counterparts to discuss specific
issues related to discrete operational and administrative
aspects of Valors business. On November 30 through
December 1, 2005, Valor and Alltel continued their
discussions in Little Rock, Arkansas. Members of Valors
management team, and its legal, financial and accounting
advisors, continued Valors legal, business, tax and
accounting due diligence. In addition, Alltel management
provided Valor management and its legal and financial advisors
with an overview of prospective, post-merger inter-company
agreements between Alltels wireline and wireless
businesses, as well as discussing other potential operational
details regarding a combined Valor Alltel wireline
entity.
On November 30 and December 2, 2005, the Special
Finance Committee of the Valor Board met. During both meetings,
counsel from Kirkland & Ellis LLP reviewed the status
of the negotiations on the merger agreement and ancillary
agreements, and addressed material open issues in those
negotiations, including:
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Certainty of closing; |
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Dividend and cash issues; |
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Termination fees; |
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Tax indemnification issues; |
40
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Spinco employee benefits issues; and, |
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Valor participation in decisions regarding the separation of the
Alltel wireline business. |
Also, members of Valor management and the companys various
advisors updated the Committee on the status of Valors
business, legal, tax and accounting due diligence on Alltel.
Valor engaged Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. on
December 5, 2005 to provide an independent opinion on the
fairness of the potential merger. Bear Stearns met with members
of Alltels management, and it conducted an independent
review of financial information regarding Valor and the Alltel
wireline business and the merger documentation.
On December 6, 2005, the Valor Board met again to review
the possible merger with the Alltel wireline business. Members
of Valors senior management team, and its legal, tax,
accounting and financial advisors, made preliminary
presentations to the Board regarding the results of their
business, legal, tax and accounting due diligence of the Alltel
wireline business, valuation analyses, the strategic rationale
for the potential merger and the terms and conditions of the
merger, including a detailed review of significant open and
resolved legal issues. Following the presentation of this
information, the Board authorized Valor management to continue
to pursue the proposed merger.
Valor and Alltel completed their negotiations of the merger
agreement and ancillary documents on December 8, 2005.
The material open issues between the parties were ultimately
resolved in the following fashion:
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Valor proposed that it have the right to change its
recommendation accepting the merger without receiving a superior
proposal. Alltel agreed subject to Valors payment of a
$35 million break-up fee under certain circumstances; |
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Valor proposed that it have the right to terminate the merger
agreement to accept a superior proposal. Alltel agreed subject
to Valors agreement to pay a $35 million break-up fee; |
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Valor proposed a term that would extend the termination date on
the merger agreement in order for the parties to obtain
financing or required approvals. Valor later withdrew this
proposal; |
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Dividend and cash issues: |
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Valor proposed that it pay its dividend, including a partial
quarter dividend, if applicable, through closing, and Alltel
agreed; |
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Valor proposed that Alltel pay its transaction fees and
expenses. Alltel disagreed, and the parties agreed that Spinco
would bear all transaction fees and expenses of both Alltel and
Spinco, subject to a cap of $115 million; |
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After significant negotiation on the amount of and circumstances
under which a break-up fee would be payable, Valor agreed to pay
a $35 million break-up fee if: 1) it terminates the merger
agreement to accept a superior offer; 2) it changes its
recommendation on this merger or recommends another acquisition
proposal; or 3) if another party makes an acquisition proposal
and either party terminates due to a failure of the shareholder
vote or failure to complete the merger within one year, and
Valor completes an acquisition or signs a definitive agreement
within 12 months thereafter; |
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Alltel agreed to pay a $35 million break-up fee if: 1)
either party terminates the agreement because of failure to
complete the merger within one year and the financing condition
is not met; or 2) Valor terminates due to a breach by Alltel
that results in the financing condition not being met; |
41
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Alltel agreed to pay a $20 million break-up fee if: 1)
either party terminates the agreement because of failure to
complete the merger within one year and the tax ruling is not
met; or 2) Valor terminates due to a breach by Alltel that
results in the tax ruling not being obtained; |
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Gross-up of indemnity payments for taxes due- Valor took the
position that no gross-up should occur. The parties ultimately
agreed to the gross-up for payments other than those related to
universal service fund issues; |
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Indemnity for pre-closing universal service fund related
payments- Valor proposed no indemnification. The parties
ultimately agreed to require indemnity, but net of any tax
refunds and benefits, and not subject to gross-up; |
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Indemnity for all other pre-closing income tax liabilities
Valor proposed no indemnity and Alltel agreed; |
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Indemnity for pre-closing other tax liabilities- Valor proposed
no indemnification for such payments. The parties ultimately
agreed to require indemnification, but Valor will control the
decision to contest such taxing decisions and will receive the
benefit of any favorable ruling in such proceedings; |
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Stock issuance by surviving company in the first two years after
closing- Valor proposed a basket with no requirement of Alltel
to consent and no indemnity attached. The parties agreed to a
10% basket, without consent or indemnity attached; |
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Spinco employee benefits issues: |
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Valor proposed specific identification of all active and retired
employees allocated to Spinco. Alltel agreed, subject to the
ability of the Steering Committee to evaluate additions or
changes, and to Valor consent; |
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In negotiations on pensions and benefits plans, Valor was able
to confirm that the plans were fully funded and that
Spincos financial statements and projections incorporated
the liabilities associated with the Spinco employees. Also,
Valor confirmed the intention of Spinco to replicate existing
Alltel plans, and Valor ensured the protection of its employees
under such plans; |
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New Spinco equity grants will dilute Valor and Spinco
shareholders in a proportionate manner; |
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Shares tendered to Valor by its employees to satisfy tax
obligations on stock grants vesting on January 1, 2006 were
excluded from the calculation of fully diluted shares for
purposes of calculating the merger exchange ratio; |
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Valors proposed retention and severance plan was accepted
by Alltel without modifications; and, |
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Valor participation in decisions regarding the separation of the
Alltel wireline business: |
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Valor proposed that a Steering Committee be formed, and that the
Steering Committee have access to and involvement in all
material aspects of the separation of assets, subject to Valor
consent if any decision individually or in the aggregate would
have a material and adverse impact on Valor. Alltel accepted
this proposal. |
Later that day, the Valor Board of Directors met to review the
final terms and conditions of the merger agreement and received
final reports regarding the business, legal, tax and accounting
due diligence from Valors senior management team, and its
legal, tax, accounting and financial advisors. The Board
discussed other potential strategic alternatives that Valor had
reviewed prior to exploring the Alltel opportunity and that
might be available to Valor, including remaining as a separate
independent entity and considered such potential alternatives
and the proposed Alltel transaction. At the meeting, Wachovia
Securities made a presentation to the Board regarding the
estimated valuation and potential stockholder value of the
proposed merger. The substance of the presentation did not
materially differ from preliminary presentations Wachovia
Securities had previously made to the Board in November and
December 2005. At this meeting, the Board
42
also received oral and written opinions of Wachovia Securities
and Bear Stearns, that as of December 8, 2005, and based
upon and subject to the factors, qualifications, judgments and
assumptions set forth in the written opinions, the aggregate
consideration to be issued by Valor in the merger was fair from
a financial point of view to Valor and its stockholders.
Following further discussion, the Valor Board unanimously
determined that the merger was in the best interests of Valor
and its stockholders, approved the merger and the merger
agreement, the distribution agreement, the tax sharing agreement
and related ancillary agreements, authorized the filing of all
necessary regulatory applications and consents on behalf of
Valor, authorized the preparation and filing of a Registration
Statement on
Form S-4, and
directed Valors management to take all other actions
necessary to effectuate the completion of the merger. It also
approved the issuance of shares of Valors common stock in
connection with the merger. In addition, Valors
Compensation Committee approved certain retention and severance
benefits that are being provided to retain employees in
connection with the merger.
The parties signed the merger agreement on December 8,
2005. Before the opening of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on December 9, 2005, the parties issued press
releases announcing the execution of the merger agreement.
Valors Reasons for the Merger
The following discussion of the information and factors
discussed by the Valor Board of Directors is not meant to be
exhaustive but is believed to include all material factors
considered by it in reaching its determination that the
Valor Spinco merger is fair to and in the best
interests of Valor and its stockholders. The Board of Directors
did not quantify or attach any particular weight to the various
factors that it considered in reaching its determination that
the terms of the merger are fair to, and in the best interests
of, Valor and Valor stockholders. Rather, the Board of Directors
viewed its position as being based on the totality of the
information presented to and considered by it. As a result of
the consideration of the foregoing and other relevant
considerations, the Board of Directors determined that the
merger, including the terms of the merger agreement,
distribution agreement and the other agreements relating to the
merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, Valor and its
stockholders.
In reaching its recommendation, the Board considered the future
prospects of Valor on a standalone basis, and whether the
proposed merger would provide potentially greater benefit to
Valor and its shareholders. It analyzed the current and
historical financial condition and results of operations of
Valor and other rural wireline telecommunications carriers, and
specifically the fact that Valor, consistent with the rest of
the wireline telecommunications industry, had experienced
declining access lines and flat to declining total revenues, and
that these trends did not appear likely to reverse in the
future. The Board also considered the increased competitive
activity experienced by Valor from cable television providers,
wireless carriers and other competitive local exchange carriers,
and the fact this competitive activity may increase in the
future with the advent of new technologies and applications,
such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). In analyzing the
benefits of the proposed merger, the Board considered the
prospects and strategic objectives of Valor, namely to: 1)
increase penetration of our DSL, Long Distance and Bundles,
leading to higher revenue per access line; 2) control expenses;
3) effectively deploy capital; and 4) pursue strategic
transactions.
Given the Valor-specific and industry risks identified above,
and trends in the industry in which Valor operates, the Board
determined Valor would have a better opportunity to achieve its
objectives through a transaction with Alltel given, among other
factors: the increased scale and scope of the combined company,
their complementary rural markets, their common billing and
customer care platform and the better diversification of
customers, revenues and earnings across a broader geographic
area that would result from the merger. The Board believed that
because of its size, the combined company would have greater
viability in the investment community and that the size and
financial metrics of the new company would open up opportunities
with investment funds that today do not consider Valor on a
standalone basis. Also, the Board considered where the combined
companys stock would trade, and it was the opinion of the
Board and its financial advisors that the combined company would
trade at a much lower yield than Valor. Moreover, the merger
positions the combined company as an industry consolidator.
43
The Board of Directors also considered the strategic options
available to Valor, including other potential transactional
opportunities, and the risks and uncertainties associated with
such alternatives. The Board felt that it had considered
numerous potential business combinations with companies
comparable in size to or smaller than Valor, and that none of
those potential combinations made financial sense for Valor.
Moreover, it did not believe that there were actionable and
available transactions that would produce similar or better
results for Valor shareholders in the same timeframe as the
proposed merger. Also, the Board discussed whether an auction of
Valor would produce a better outcome for shareholders, and it
was the consensus of the Board that an auction would not produce
a better offer. The Board took comfort in the fact that it could
terminate the merger agreement and pay a termination fee should
Valor receive an offer that its board of directors determines in
good faith is superior to Alltels while the merger was
pending.
In the course of their discussions, both Valor and Alltel
recognized that there were substantial potential strategic and
financial benefits of the proposed merger. The completed merger
should provide Valor stockholders with a modest premium over
current share price, and Valors current stockholders may
have an opportunity to improve their long-term returns by
creating a leading rural-focused wireline company and one of the
largest local telecommunications carriers in the United States.
The footprint of Alltels rural markets and the states in
which it operates are highly complementary to Valors rural
market footprint, and Alltel will bring high quality rural
assets to the combined company. With over 3.4 million
access lines in sixteen states as of December 31, 2005
Windstream will have significantly greater size and scale than
what Valor enjoys today and, as illustrated in the following
table, will be one of the largest local telecommunications
carriers in the United States and the largest local
telecommunications carrier primarily focused on rural markets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Switched | |
|
Percent of | |
|
|
Access Lines | |
|
Total Access | |
Company |
|
12/31/05(1) | |
|
Lines(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
AT&T
|
|
|
49,413,000 |
|
|
|
27.73 |
% |
Verizon
|
|
|
48,803,000 |
|
|
|
27.39 |
% |
BellSouth
|
|
|
20,037,000 |
|
|
|
12.07 |
% |
Qwest
|
|
|
14,739,000 |
|
|
|
7.95 |
% |
Embarq
|
|
|
7,350,000 |
|
|
|
4.13 |
% |
|
Windstream (Pro Forma)
|
|
|
3,404,000 |
|
|
|
1.91 |
% |
Citizens
|
|
|
2,219,000 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
% |
CenturyTel
|
|
|
2,214,000 |
|
|
|
1.24 |
% |
Commonwealth
|
|
|
461,000 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
% |
Alaska Com
|
|
|
271,000 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
% |
Iowa Telcom
|
|
|
259,000 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
% |
Fairpoint
|
|
|
245,000 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
% |
Consolidated
|
|
|
242,000 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Industry(2)
|
|
|
178,179,552 |
|
|
|
84.49 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Source: Company Filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for all amounts other than Windstream. All access
line totals represent approximate amounts. |
|
|
(2) |
FCCs Trend Report Table 1, End User Switched Access Lines
Reported, June 2005 |
With respect to rural markets, Windstream will be the largest
carrier that satisfies the designation of a
2% carrier under federal law, which designation
exempts rural carriers from certain interconnection
requirements. As illustrated by the foregoing table, none of the
local exchange carriers who are larger than Windstream satisfy
this statutory designation of a rural carrier.
44
Since the inception of Valors business operations in July
2000, Valor has had a relationship with Alltel, which provides
Valor with outsourced operational support services, including a
billing and customer care platform. The fact that the companies
share a common billing and customer care platform may ease the
business integration of Valor and Spinco, and may reduce the
costs and risks associated with the integration.
Because of increased size and economies of scale, Windstream
should have greater financial flexibility to develop and deploy
products, expand the capacity of its network, respond to
competitive pressures and implement future transactions.
Windstreams increased size, economies of scale and total
capabilities are also expected to enable it to improve the cost
structure for its products and services, enhancing its ability
to offer services and compete profitably. The post-merger
company will have better diversification of customers, revenues
and earnings across a broader geographic area. It also should
have the ability to better leverage existing infrastructure,
creating cost savings opportunities, financial flexibility and
potential for further value creation.
The Board considered issues such as the amount of debt that the
merged company would assume and the agreements between Spinco
and Alltel. The pro forma capital structure of Windstream
results in lower debt leverage and lower cost of capital, which
should reduce the overall financial risk of the combined
company. Also, the combined company will have a lower dividend
payout ratio than Valor. With respect to the agreements between
Alltel and Spinco, the Valor Board examined those arrangements
in total, and determined that the overall financial impact of
those arrangements was not disadvantageous to Spinco.
Valor believes that Windstream will benefit substantially from
capital investment, cost and revenue synergies. Valor and Alltel
estimate the annual value of these synergies at approximately
$40.0 million. Approximately $30 million of these
synergies are the result of reduced employee and related costs
associated with eliminating duplicative functions and
consolidating back-office functions, which will result in
reduced combined sales and marketing costs and general and
administrative costs. The remaining $10 million of expected
synergies will result from anticipated volume discounts and the
benefits of increased purchasing capacity expected to result
from Windstreams increased size and scale and a reduction
in the costs associated with office space, real estate and
facilities as duplicative facilities are consolidated.
The foregoing estimates were developed by the senior managements
of Valor and Alltel during their due diligence reviews and were
based primarily on anticipated employee reductions and the
associated reduction in operating costs, including overhead and
facilities costs. The expected terms for realizing potential
sources of synergies and cost savings vary because of the
variety of sources within each category, such that some are
estimated to affect results of operations in the short term and
others over the long term.
The actual synergistic benefits from the merger and costs of
integration could be different from the foregoing estimates, and
these differences could be material. Accordingly, there can be
no assurance that any of the potential benefits described above
or included in the factors considered by the Valor Board of
Directors will be realized. See Risk Factors
Risks Relating to the Spin-Off and the Merger.
Valor Board of Directors Recommendation to Valor
Stockholders
The Valor Communications Group, Inc. Board of Directors has
unanimously approved the merger agreement and unanimously
recommends that the Valor stockholders vote FOR the
proposals to adopt the merger agreement, approve the amendment
and restatement of Valors organizational documents
pursuant to the merger, including the sub-proposals to increase
the authorized shares of Valor common stock and to implement a
classified board of directors, and approve the issuance of Valor
common stock pursuant to the merger, each of which is necessary
to effect the merger, as well as FOR the adoption of the
2006 Equity Incentive Plan (which is conditioned on stockholder
approval of the merger proposals).
Opinion of Valors Financial Advisor
Wachovia Securities
Valors Board of Directors retained Wachovia Securities on
October 15, 2005 to act as its financial advisor and to
provide a fairness opinion in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. Valors Board of
Directors selected Wachovia Securities to act as its financial
advisor based on
45
Wachovia Securities qualifications, expertise and
reputation. At the meeting of Valors Board of Directors on
December 8, 2005, Wachovia Securities rendered its oral
opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing on December 8,
that as of December 8, 2005, and subject to and based on
the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered
and limitations of the review undertaken in such opinion, the
aggregate merger consideration to be paid by Valor pursuant to
the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view,
to Valor and its stockholders. Wachovia Securities presented to
the Board its financial analyses performed in rendering its
fairness opinion. This presentation did not materially differ
from the preliminary presentations made to the Board in November
and December.
The full text of the written opinion of Wachovia Securities
which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the opinion and on the review undertaken in
connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex D-1. The
opinion of Wachovia Securities is for the information and use of
the Board of Directors of Valor in connection with its
consideration of the merger and relates only to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the aggregate merger
consideration to Valor and its stockholders. This opinion does
not and shall not constitute a recommendation to any holder of
Valor common stock as to how such holder should vote in
connection with the merger agreement or any other matter related
thereto. You should carefully read the opinion in its entirety.
In arriving at its opinion, Wachovia Securities, among other
things:
|
|
|
|
|
Reviewed the merger agreement, including the financial terms of
the merger, and the agreements contemplated thereby; |
|
|
|
Reviewed Annual Reports on
Form 10-K of
Alltel for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2004;
Annual Reports on
Form 10-K of Valor
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004; certain
interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q of
Alltel and Valor; and certain business, financial, and other
information regarding each of Alltel and Valor that was publicly
available; |
|
|
|
Reviewed certain business, financial, and other information
regarding Valor and its prospects that was furnished to Wachovia
Securities by, and discussed with, the management of Valor,
including projections for Valor for the four years ended
December 31, 2008; |
|
|
|
Reviewed certain business, financial, and other information
regarding Alltel and Spinco and their prospects that were
furnished to Wachovia Securities by, and discussed with, the
management of Alltel and Spinco, including projections for
Alltel and Spinco for the three years ended December 31, 2007; |
|
|
|
Reviewed the stock price and trading history of Valor common
stock; |
|
|
|
Compared the available business, financial, and other
information regarding each of Valor and Spinco with similar
information regarding certain publicly traded companies that
Wachovia Securities deemed relevant; |
|
|
|
Compared the proposed financial terms of the merger agreement
with the financial terms of certain other business combinations
and transactions that Wachovia Securities deemed relevant; |
|
|
|
Developed discounted cash flow models for each of Valor and
Spinco based upon estimates provided by the management of each
of Valor and Spinco, as to each of Valor and Spinco
respectively, and certain estimates discussed with the
management of Valor; |
|
|
|
Reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the merger on
Valors financial statements; |
|
|
|
Considered other information such as financial, economic and
market criteria that Wachovia Securities deemed
relevant; and |
|
|
|
Participated in the discussions and negotiations among
representatives of Valor and Alltel and their respective
financial and legal advisors that resulted in the merger
agreement. |
In connection with its review, Wachovia Securities assumed and
relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing
financial and other information and did not and does not assume
any responsibility for, nor did it conduct, any independent
verification of such information. Wachovia Securities
46
relied upon the assurances of the management of Valor and Alltel
that they were not aware of any facts or circumstances that
would make such information about Valor or Alltel inaccurate or
misleading.
Wachovia Securities has been provided with prospective financial
information, including post-merger synergies, for Valor and
Spinco by each of their managements, respectively. Wachovia
Securities was also provided with prospective financial
information of Spinco by Alltel, including cost allocations by
Alltel to Spinco. Wachovia Securities discussed such prospective
financial information, as well as the assumptions upon which
they are based, with the management of each of Valor, Alltel and
Spinco. Wachovia Securities assumed that the forecasts,
estimates, judgments, and all assumptions expressed by the
management of each of Valor, Alltel and Spinco in such
projections have been reasonably formulated and that they were
the best available forecasts, estimates, judgments, allocations
and assumptions of each of the respective managements of Valor,
Alltel and Spinco regarding such projections. Wachovia
Securities also assumed that the cost allocations by Alltel to
Spinco provided to Wachovia Securities by Alltel reflect the
true standalone costs that Spinco will experience following the
merger. Wachovia Securities discussed certain estimates for
Valor and for Spinco, and the reasonableness of the assumptions
upon which they are based, with the management of Valor. The
Board of Directors of Valor did not place any limitations on
Wachovia Securities in conducting its analysis of the merger in
connection with rendering its fairness opinion. The Board of
Directors of Valor did not ask Wachovia Securities to, nor did
Wachovia Securities, explore or conduct a review of strategic
alternatives for Valor. Wachovia Securities has not conducted
any physical inspection or assessment of the facilities or
assets of Valor, Alltel or Spinco. In addition, Wachovia
Securities has not made an independent evaluation or appraisal
of the assets and liabilities (including any contingent,
derivative or off-balance sheet assets and liabilities) of
Valor, Alltel or Spinco or any of their respective subsidiaries
and has not been furnished with any such evaluations or
appraisals.
In rendering its opinion, Wachovia Securities assumed that the
merger will be consummated on the terms described in the merger
agreement and the agreements contemplated thereby without waiver
of any material terms or conditions, and that each party to the
merger agreement and the agreements contemplated thereby will
perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be
performed by it thereunder without any consents or waivers of
the other parties thereto. Wachovia Securities also assumed that
in the course of obtaining any necessary legal, regulatory or
third party consents and/or approvals, no restrictions will be
imposed or delay will be suffered that will have a material
adverse effect on Valor, or on the merger or on other actions
contemplated by the merger agreement in any way meaningful to
Wachovia Securities analysis. Wachovia Securities further
assumed that the merger agreement and the agreements
contemplated thereby will not differ in any material respect
from the drafts furnished to and reviewed by Wachovia
Securities. In addition, Wachovia Securities has assumed that
the merger and the distribution to Spinco will be tax-free, for
United States federal income tax purposes.
The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete
description of the analyses performed by Wachovia Securities,
but describes, in summary form, the material elements of the
presentation that Wachovia Securities made to Valors Board
of Directors on December 8, 2005, in connection with
Wachovia Securities fairness opinion. The preparation of a
fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily
susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. In
arriving at its opinion, Wachovia Securities considered the
results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute
any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by
it. The analyses described below must be considered as a whole,
and considering portions of these analyses, without considering
all of them, would create an incomplete view of the process
underlying Wachovia Securities analyses and opinion.
Wachovia Securities reached a single conclusion as to fairness
based on its experience and professional judgment and its
analysis as a whole. This fairness conclusion was communicated
to the Valor Board of Directors. Wachovia Securities does not,
as part of its process, isolate various analyses and reach
separate conclusions with respect to their relative significance
and relevance.
Wachovia Securities chose to perform the financial analyses that
it performed in connection with the transaction based on its
experience and professional judgment. These analyses were
performed solely as a part of Wachovia Securities analysis
of the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Valor and
its stockholders, as of the date of the opinion, of the
aggregate merger consideration paid by Valor pursuant to the
terms of the
47
merger agreement and were conducted in connection with the
delivery by Wachovia Securities of its fairness opinion to the
Valor Board of Directors.
Valuation of Valor on a Stand-Alone Basis
In conducting its analysis, Wachovia Securities used five
methodologies to determine the valuation of Valor as a
stand-alone entity. The five methodologies used to determine the
value of Valor on a stand-alone basis included: historic stock
trading analysis; comparable companies analysis; selected
transactions analysis; premiums paid analysis and discounted
cash flow and were developed and applied collectively.
Consequently, each individual methodology was not given a
specific weight, nor can it be viewed individually. Wachovia
Securities used these analyses to determine the impact of
various operating metrics on the implied equity value of Valor
on a stand-alone basis. Each of these analyses yielded a range
of implied equity values, and therefore, such implied equity
value ranges developed from these analyses must be viewed
collectively and not individually.
Historical Stock Trading Analysis. Wachovia Securities
reviewed publicly available historical trading prices for shares
of Valor common stock for the period beginning on the date of
Valors initial public offering (February 9, 2005) and
ending on December 6, 2005. The purpose of this analysis
was to understand the market valuation of Valor since its
initial public offering. The trading range of shares of Valor
common stock in this period was $11.28 $16.17.
Comparable Companies Analysis. Wachovia Securities
compared financial, operating and stock market data of Valor to
the following publicly traded companies that participate
predominantly, or in part, in the regional telecommunications
industry: CenturyTel, Cincinnati Bell, Commonwealth Telephone,
Iowa Telecommunications, Citizens Communications, Fairpoint
Communications, and Consolidated Communications. The multiples
and ratios of each of the selected publicly traded companies
were based upon the most recent publicly available information.
Specifically, Wachovia Securities focused on three multiples,
including enterprise value (defined as a companys market
capitalization plus debt, less cash) to the estimated earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA);
equity value (defined as a companys market capitalization)
to the estimated free cash flow (defined as net income plus
depreciation and amortization, plus non-cash charges, minus
capital expenditures), and enterprise value per access line.
After eliminating the high and low data points across each of
the three trading multiples for the group of comparable
companies, Wachovia Securities applied the reference multiple
range to Valors operating metrics of 2005(E) EBITDA, free
cash flow and access lines to determine Valors implied
equity value per share.
The following table presents the most relevant analyses of the
selected publicly traded companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Valor | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reference | |
|
Equity Value per | |
|
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Median | |
|
Mean | |
|
Multiple Range | |
|
Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Enterprise Value to 2005(E) EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
5.5x |
|
|
|
8.3x |
|
|
|
6.9x |
|
|
|
6.9x |
|
|
|
6.1x - 7.8x |
|
|
|
$7.64 - $14.29 |
|
Equity Value to 2005(E) Free Cash Flow
|
|
|
6.3x |
|
|
|
9.5x |
|
|
|
8.0x |
|
|
|
8.0x |
|
|
|
7.0 - 9.3x |
|
|
|
$12.75 - $16.97 |
|
Enterprise Value per Access Line
|
|
|
$3,158.4 |
|
|
|
$4,509.1 |
|
|
|
$3,675.0 |
|
|
|
$3,678.8 |
|
|
|
$3,175 - 4,153 |
|
|
|
$7.32 - $14.46 |
|
With regard to the comparable companies analysis summarized
above, Wachovia Securities selected comparable publicly traded
companies on the basis of various factors, including the size of
the public company and the similarity of the lines of business.
No public company used as a comparison, however, is identical to
Valor. Accordingly, these analyses are not purely mathematical,
but also involve complex considerations and judgments concerning
the differences in financial and operating characteristics of
the comparable companies and other factors. These factors could
affect the public trading value of the comparable companies to
which Valor is being compared.
48
Selected Transactions Analysis. Using publicly available
information and analysis prepared by Wachovia Securities,
Wachovia Securities examined selected transactions involving
companies with similar types of operations as Valor announced
from December 1999 to November 2004. The selected transactions
were:
|
|
|
Target |
|
Acquiror |
|
|
|
NTELOS
|
|
Quadrangle/CVC |
Verizon Communications Hawaii
|
|
The Carlyle Group |
TXU Communications
|
|
Consolidated Communications |
Illinois Consolidated Telephone Co.
|
|
Homebase Acquisition Corp. |
Conestoga Enterprises
|
|
D&E Communications |
Verizon KY
|
|
ALLTEL |
Verizon AL, MO
|
|
CenturyTel |
Kerrville Communications
|
|
VALOR Telecom |
Global Crossing ILEC
|
|
Citizens Communications |
GTE Corp. (Illinois)
|
|
Citizens Communications |
In performing this analysis, Wachovia Securities determined the
multiples of enterprise value (defined as equity value plus net
debt) to the last twelve months (LTM) of EBITDA and
enterprise value per access line for each of the selected
transactions. From this data, Wachovia Securities developed a
reference multiple range, which it applied to each of
Valors LTM EBITDA and access lines to calculate an implied
equity value per share. The following table presents the most
relevant analyses of these transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reference | |
|
Implied Equity | |
|
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Median | |
|
Multiple Range | |
|
Value per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Enterprise Value to LTM (last twelve months) EBITDA
|
|
|
6.0x |
|
|
|
9.4x |
|
|
|
7.4x |
|
|
|
6.5x - 7.5x |
|
|
|
$9.15 - $13.01 |
|
Enterprise Value per Access Line
|
|
|
$2,334 |
|
|
|
$4,370 |
|
|
|
$3,137 |
|
|
|
$3,250 - $4,000 |
|
|
|
$7.86 - $13.34 |
|
Because the market conditions, rationale and circumstances
surrounding each of the transactions analyzed were specific to
each transaction and because of the inherent differences between
Valors businesses, operations and prospects and those of
the comparable acquired companies, Wachovia Securities believed
that it was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely
on the quantitative results of the analysis. Accordingly,
Wachovia Securities also made qualitative judgments concerning
differences between the characteristics of these transactions
(including market conditions, rationale and circumstances
surrounding each of the transactions, and the timing, type and
size of each of the transactions) and the merger that could
affect Valors acquisition value.
49
Premiums Paid Analysis. Based on publicly available
information, Wachovia Securities analyzed the premiums paid in
selected comparable transactions involving publicly traded
companies as of thirty (30) days prior to the announcement
date of each transaction. The selected comparable transactions
are as follows:
|
|
|
Target |
|
Acquiror |
|
|
|
First National Bankshares FL
|
|
Fifth Third Bancorp |
Varco International Inc.
|
|
National-Oilwell Inc. |
Artesyn Technologies Inc.
|
|
Bel Fuse Inc. |
Cornerstone Realty Income Trust
|
|
Colonial Properties Trust |
Veritas Software Corp.
|
|
Symantec Corp. |
Public Svc Enterprise Group Inc.
|
|
Exelon Corp. |
Gillette Co.
|
|
Procter & Gamble Co. |
AT&T Co.
|
|
SBC Communications Inc. |
Great Lakes Chemical Corp.
|
|
Crompton Corp. |
Ask Jeeves Inc.
|
|
IAC/ InterActive Corp. |
Mykrolis Corp.
|
|
Entegris Inc. |
Macromedia Inc.
|
|
Adobe Systems Inc. |
SpectraSite Inc.
|
|
American Tower Corp. |
Cinergy Corp.
|
|
Duke Energy Corp. |
Shurgard Storage Centers Inc.
|
|
Public Storage Inc. |
WFS Financial Inc.
|
|
Wachovia Corporation |
Westcorp
|
|
Wachovia Corporation |
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.
|
|
Mentor Corp. |
Wachovia Securities examined change of control, stock-for-stock
transactions with equity values greater than $500 million
to determine a range of premiums paid in previous transactions
of similar size and structure and used this analysis to
determine an implied equity value per share of Valor.
The following table presents the results of this analysis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Valor | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reference Multiple | |
|
Equity Value | |
|
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Median | |
|
Mean | |
|
Range | |
|
per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
30-Day Premium
|
|
|
(3.4)% |
|
|
|
35.8% |
|
|
|
16.8% |
|
|
|
17.3% |
|
|
|
(3.4)% - 35.8% |
|
|
|
$12.07 - $16.97 |
|
No company utilized in the premiums paid analysis is identical
to Valor, nor is any transaction identical to the merger.
Therefore, a purely quantitative premiums paid analysis would
not be dispositive in the context of the merger, and an
appropriate use of such analysis involves qualitative judgments
concerning the differences between the characteristics of these
transactions and the merger that would affect the value of the
selected companies and Valor.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis of Valor. Wachovia
Securities performed a discounted cash flow analysis for Valor
on a stand-alone basis based on financial estimates for
2006-2010 provided by the management of Valor and estimates
discussed with the management of Valor. Wachovia Securities
assumed terminal value multiples ranging from 6.0x to 7.0x
EBITDA in calendar year 2010. Wachovia Securities selected this
terminal value multiple range based on (i) Wachovia
Securities review of trading data for comparable public
companies, (ii) the implied perpetual growth rates of free
cash flow derived from such multiples and the corresponding
range of implied perpetual growth rates of free cash flow that
Wachovia Securities deemed to be reasonable, and
(iii) Wachovia Securities overall professional
experience valuing wireline businesses. Wachovia Securities used
discount rates ranging from 7.5% to 8.5% after performing a
weighted average cost of capital calculation that included
reviewing the median risk factor for comparable public companies
and was based on a debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 45%.
The implied Valor equity value per share ranged from
$9.62 $13.15.
50
Additionally, Wachovia Securities performed a discounted cash
flow analysis for Valor on a stand-alone basis based on modified
financial estimates for 2006-2010 provided by and discussed with
the management of Valor. The modified estimates assumed that
Valors access line loss increased to 4% annually in
2006-2010. Wachovia Securities assumed terminal value multiples
ranging from 6.0x to 7.0x EBITDA in calendar year 2010 and
discount rates ranging from 7.5% to 8.5%. The implied Valor
equity value per share ranged from $8.01 to $11.25.
Implied Percentage Ownership Analysis
Based in part on the valuation of Valor as a stand-alone entity,
Wachovia Securities then performed financial analyses to
determine the ranges of implied percentage ownership by holders
of Valor common stock in the combined company. Wachovia
Securities then compared these ranges of implied percentage
ownership to the actual post-merger ownership of 15.0% of the
combined company by current holders of Valor common stock
pursuant to the merger agreement. Specifically, Wachovia
Securities took the reference multiple range for each of
enterprise value to estimated 2005 access lines; enterprise
value to 2005 estimated EBITDA; and equity value to estimated
free cash flow, all determined as part of the comparable company
analysis described above, and applied those ranges to each of
Valors and Spincos respective operating metrics to
calculate an implied equity value for both Valor and Spinco.
Wachovia Securities then calculated Valors implied equity
ownership based on its relative percentage share of equity value
to total (Valor plus Spinco) equity value.
Implied Percentage Ownership Analysis based on Comparable
Public Companies. Wachovia Securities analyzed the implied
equity value of Valor and Spinco using the same comparable
companies as in the Valor stand-alone analysis of comparable
publicly traded companies.
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Valor Implied Percentage | |
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Ownership of Combined | |
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Company | |
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Reference | |
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Valor Implied | |
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Spinco Implied Equity | |
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Low End of | |
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High End of | |
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Multiple Range | |
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Equity Value | |
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Value 2005(E) | |
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Ranges | |
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Ranges | |
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Enterprise Value per 2005(E) Access Lines
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$3,175 - $4,153 |
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$520 - $1,029 |
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$5,024 - $7,841 |
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9.4% |
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11.6% |
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Enterprise Value to 2005(E) EBITDA
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6.1x - 7.8x |
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$544 - $1,017 |
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$4,487 - $6,922 |
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10.8% |
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12.8% |
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Equity Value to 2005(E) Free Cash Flow
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7.0x - 9.3x |
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$907 - $1,207 |
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$3,558 - $4,734 |
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20.3% |
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20.3% |
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Contribution Analysis. Wachovia Securities reviewed Valor
and Spincos respective financial contribution to the
combined company with respect to the relative contributions to
access lines, EBITDA and free cash flow on an estimated basis
for 2005 and on a projected basis for 2006 based on information
provided by the managements of Valor, Alltel and Spinco. The
results of this analysis indicated the following implied equity
contribution by holders of Valor common stock to the combined
company:
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Implied Valor % | |
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Access Lines 2005(E)-2006(P)
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15.3% - 15.5% |
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EBITDA 2005(E)-2006(P)
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16.3% - 16.3% |
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Free Cash Flow 2005(E)-2006(P)
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20.3% - 21.2% |
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Debt-Adjusted Contribution Analysis. Wachovia Securities
also reviewed Valor and Spincos respective financial
contribution to the combined company with respect to the
relative contributions to access lines and EBITDA on a
debt-adjusted basis for 2006 based on information provided by
the managements of Valor, Alltel and Spinco and based on a range
of values of the combined company reflected by dividend yields
of 7%-8%. In this
analysis, the enterprise value of the combined company (as
implied by a particular dividend yield) was allocated to each of
Valor and Alltel based on their relative contributions to access
lines and EBITDA and then adjusted by the debt contributed by
each company to arrive at an implied equity contribution. The
results of this analysis indicated an implied equity
contribution by holders of Valor common stock to the combined
company of 9.9%-11.0% based on access lines and 11.7%-12.4%
based on EBITDA.
51
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis of Valor and Spinco.
Wachovia Securities performed a discounted cash flow analysis
for each of Valor and Spinco on a stand-alone basis based on
financial estimates for 2006-2010 provided by the managements of
each of Valor and Spinco and estimates discussed with the
management of Valor.
With respect to Spinco on a stand-alone basis, Wachovia
Securities assumed terminal value multiples ranging from 6.0x to
7.0x EBITDA in calendar year 2010 and discount rates ranging
from 6.75% to 7.75%. The implied Spinco equity values ranged
from $3,923 million to $5,183 million.
With respect to Valor on a stand-alone basis, Wachovia
Securities assumed terminal value multiples ranging from 6.0x to
7.0x EBITDA in calendar year 2010 and discount rates ranging
from 7.5% to 8.5%. The implied Valor equity values ranged from
$684 million to $935 million. Wachovia Securities
selected this terminal value multiple range based on
(i) Wachovia Securities review of trading data for
comparable public companies, (ii) the implied perpetual
growth rates of free cash flow derived from such multiples and
the corresponding range of implied perpetual growth rates of
free cash flow that Wachovia Securities deemed to be reasonable,
and (iii) Wachovia Securities overall professional
experience valuing wireline businesses. Wachovia Securities
calculated the discount ranges applied to the respective cash
flows of Spinco and Valor based on a weighed average cost of
capital calculation that included reviewing the median risk
factor for comparable public companies and was based on a
debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 45%.
Using the relevant values from the ranges of the implied equity
values resulting from the discounted cash flow analysis for each
of Valor and Spinco on a stand-alone basis, Wachovia Securities
calculated the following implied percentages of ownership of the
combined company by holders of Valor common stock after the
merger:
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Low End of Range | |
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High End of Range | |
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Valor
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Implied |
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Ownership |
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% of Combined Company
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14.8% |
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15.3% |
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Additionally, Wachovia Securities performed a discounted cash
flow analysis for Valor on a stand-alone basis based on modified
financial estimates for 2006-2010 provided by and discussed with
the management of Valor. The modified estimates assumed that
Valors access line loss increased to 4% annually in
2006-2010. Wachovia Securities assumed terminal value multiples
ranging from 6.0x to 7.0x EBITDA in calendar year 2010 and
discount rates ranging from 7.5% to 8.5%. The implied Valor
equity value per share ranged from $570 million to
$800 million.
Using the relevant values from the ranges of the implied equity
values resulting from the modified discounted cash flow analysis
for Valor and the discounted cash flow analysis of Spinco, each
on a stand-alone basis, Wachovia Securities calculated the
following implied percentages of ownership of the combined
company by holders of Valor common stock after the merger:
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Low End of Range | |
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High End of Range | |
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Valor Implied Ownership % of Combined Company
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12.7% |
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13.4% |
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Pro Forma Merger Analysis
Wachovia Securities analyzed the pro forma financial impact of
the merger on the combined companys share price and
discounted cash flow value. This analysis was based on the
projected financial performance of each of Valor and the
combined company for 2005-2010 based on information provided by
the management of each of Valor, Alltel and Spinco to Wachovia
Securities and on an estimated 474.2 million outstanding
shares. This analysis assumed, among other things, performance
by the combined company with the synergies preliminarily
estimated jointly by the managements of each of Alltel, Valor
and Spinco in the amount of $50 million in 2005 on a pro
forma basis and on an actual basis of $21 million in 2006,
$48 million in 2007 and $50 million in each of 2008,
2009 and 2010.
52
Based on the foregoing, Wachovia Securities determined the
effects of the merger, including synergies, on the share price
of the combined company based on EBITDA, dividend yield and free
cash flow as follows:
Share Price Accretion/ Dilution
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EBITDA Multiple
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6.5x - 7.5 |
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23.4% - 35.4% |
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18.5% - 28.8% |
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20.2% - 30.7% |
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20.2% - 30.4% |
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Dividend Yield
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7.0% - 8.0% |
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8.5% - 14.1% |
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8.5% - 14.1% |
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8.5% - 14.1% |
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8.5% - 14.1% |
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Free Cash Flow Multiple
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6.5x - 9.5 |
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(21.1)% |
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(26.6)% |
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(22.5)% |
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(23.9%) |
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In addition, Wachovia Securities determined that the merger,
including synergies, would be approximately 1.0%-3.7% accretive
to the discounted cash flow equity value of the combined company
compared to the discounted equity value of Valor on a
stand-alone basis.
Implied Post-Merger Price Per Share Analysis. Wachovia
Securities performed an analysis to estimate a range of implied
post-merger price per share of Valor common stock based on a
range of dividend yields. In conducting its analysis, Wachovia
Securities compared certain metrics of the combined company with
similar metrics of Commonwealth Telephone, Citizens
Communications and CenturyTel. Although none of the selected
companies is directly comparable to Valor, Spinco or the
combined company, the companies included were chosen because
they are publicly traded companies with operations that for
purposes of analysis may be considered similar to certain
operations of Valor, Spinco and the combined company. Based on
this analysis, Wachovia Securities then estimated the implied
post-merger price per share of the combined company with respect
to a range of dividend yields of 7%-8% resulting in an implied
range of share prices of $12.50-$14.29.
In performing its analyses, Wachovia Securities made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, general
business and economic conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond Valors control. No company, transaction
or business used in the analyses described above is identical to
Valor or the proposed merger. Any estimates contained in
Wachovia Securities analyses are not necessarily
indicative of future results or actual values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by
these estimates. The analyses performed were prepared solely as
a part of Wachovia Securities analysis of the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to Valor and its stockholders,
of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by Valor as of
the date of the opinion, and subject to and based on the
assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
limitations of the review undertaken in such opinion, of the
aggregate merger consideration to be paid by Valor pursuant to
the terms of the merger agreement and were conducted in
connection with the delivery by Wachovia Securities of its oral
opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, dated
December 8, 2005, to the Valor Board of Directors. Wachovia
Securities analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to
reflect the prices at which Valor common stock might actually
trade. The consideration to be paid by Valor pursuant to the
merger agreement was determined through negotiations between
Valor, Alltel and members of their respective senior management
teams and their respective advisors, and was unanimously
approved by the Valor Board of Directors. Wachovia Securities
did not recommend any specific consideration to the Valor board
or that any given consideration constituted the only appropriate
consideration for the merger.
Wachovia Securities opinion is necessarily based on
economic, market, financial and other conditions as they exist
on, and can be evaluated as of, the date thereof. Although
subsequent developments may affect its opinion, Wachovia
Securities does not have any obligation to update, revise or
reaffirm its opinion. Wachovia Securities opinion does not
address the merits of the underlying decision by Valor to enter
into the merger agreement, including the relative merits of the
merger compared with other business strategies or transactions
that may have been considered by Valors management, its
Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Wachovia Securities
did not express any opinion with respect to the prices at which
Valor common stock will trade following the announcement of the
merger or the prices at which Valor common stock will trade
following the consummation of the merger.
53
Wachovia Securities is a trade name of Wachovia Capital Markets,
LLC, an investment banking subsidiary and affiliate of Wachovia
Corporation. Wachovia Securities has been engaged to render
certain financial advisory services to the Board of Directors of
Valor in connection with the merger, and will receive a fee for
such services, $750,000 of which was payable upon delivery of
the fairness opinion, and $5,250,000 of which is payable upon
consummation of the merger. In addition, Valor has agreed to
reimburse Wachovia Securities reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses
and indemnify it against certain liabilities that may arise out
of its engagement, including liability under the federal
securities laws. Wachovia Securities and its affiliates provide
a full range of financial advisory, securities and lending
services in the ordinary course of business for which it
receives customary fees. In connection with unrelated matters,
Wachovia Securities and its affiliates (including Wachovia
Corporation and its affiliates) in the past have provided
financing services to Valor, certain of its affiliates and
Alltel and may provide similar or other such services to, and
maintain relationships with, Valor, certain of its affiliates
and Alltel in the future. Wachovia Securities served as a
co-Lead Arranger, Joint Book-Running Manager and Syndication
Agent in Valors $1.67 billion refinancing in October
2004, as a Senior co-Manager for Valors $440 million
initial public offering in February 2005 and as a co-Manager on
Valors $400 million senior unsecured notes offering
in February 2005. Wachovia Securities and its affiliates
maintain banking, finance and investment relationships with
certain affiliates of Valor, including Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe, in certain of whose funds an
affiliate of Wachovia Securities invests, and Vestar Capital
Partners and certain of their respective portfolio companies.
For investment banking and other financial advisory services
rendered to Valor over the past two years, Wachovia Securities
received compensation of $5.5 million, which amount
includes $750,000 related to the issuance of the fairness
opinion discussed herein. In addition, Wachovia Securities and
its affiliates received $643,000 in interest income from Valor
indebtedness over the past two years. Wachovia Securities or one
of its affiliates is currently a senior unsecured lender to
Alltel. For investment banking and other financial advisory
services rendered to Alltel over the past two years, Wachovia
Securities received compensation of $6.4 million.
Additionally, in the ordinary course of its business, Wachovia
Securities currently, and in the future may, trade in the debt
and equity securities (or related derivative securities) of
Valor and Alltel for its own account and for the accounts of its
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities. Wachovia Securities maintains
research coverage of the equity securities of Valor and the
equity and debt securities of Alltel.
Wachovia Securities fairness opinion is for the
information and use of the Board of Directors of Valor in
connection with its consideration of the merger. Its fairness
opinion does not and shall not constitute a recommendation to
any holder of shares of Valor common stock as to how such holder
should vote in connection with the Merger Agreement or any other
matter related thereto.
Opinion of Valors Financial Advisor Bear
Stearns
Pursuant to an engagement letter, dated December 5, 2005,
Valor engaged Bear Stearns to render a fairness opinion in
connection with the merger with Spinco. At a meeting of
Valors Board of Directors held on December 8, 2005,
at which the Valor Board of Directors considered and approved
the merger agreement and the merger, Bear Stearns rendered its
oral opinion (which was subsequently confirmed in a written
opinion, dated December 8, 2005) that, as of such date and
based upon and subject to the matters reviewed with Valors
Board of Directors and the assumptions and limitations contained
in the written Bear Stearns opinion, the aggregate consideration
to be issued by Valor in the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to Valor and the stockholders of Valor.
The full text of the Bear Stearns opinion is attached hereto as
Annex D-2. The description of the Bear Stearns opinion set
forth herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Bear Stearns opinion. Valors stockholders
are urged to read the Bear Stearns opinion in its entirety for a
description of the assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the
review undertaken by Bear Stearns. The Valor Board of Directors
did not impose any limitations on the review undertaken by Bear
Stearns. The Bear Stearns opinion is subject to the assumptions
and conditions contained therein and is necessarily based on
economic, market and other conditions and the information made
available
54
to Bear Stearns as of the date of its opinion. Bear Stearns
assumes no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion
based on circumstances or events occurring after the date of the
Bear Stearns opinion. The Bear Stearns opinion is intended for
the benefit and use of the Board of Directors of Valor and does
not constitute a recommendation to the Board of Directors of
Valor or any holders of Valor common stock as to how to vote or
take any other action in connection with the merger. The Bear
Stearns opinion did not address Valors underlying business
decision to pursue the merger, the relative merits of the merger
as compared to any alternative business strategies that might
have existed for Valor or the effects of any other transaction
in which Valor might engage.
In the course of performing its review and analyses for
rendering its opinion, Bear Stearns:
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reviewed the merger agreement and the distribution agreement; |
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reviewed the voting agreement, dated as of December 8,
2005, among Alltel, Spinco and the stockholders of Valor named
therein; |
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reviewed Valors Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004, its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005 and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
since January 1, 2005; |
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reviewed Spincos Draft Audited Financial Statements for
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, its
unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet as of
September 30, 2005, and the related unaudited interim
consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005; |
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reviewed Alltels Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, its Quarterly
Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005 and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
since January 1, 2005; |
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reviewed certain operating and financial information relating to
Valor and Spincos businesses and prospects (as prepared
and furnished to Bear Stearns by Valor and Alltels senior
managements, respectively), including projections for Valor for
the six years ended December 31, 2010 as prepared by
Valors senior management and projections for Spinco for
the three years ended December 31, 2007 as prepared by
Alltels management as well as certain publicly available
research analyst projections for Alltel/ Spinco for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (which research
analyst projections were reviewed by and discussed with the
senior management of Valor); |
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reviewed certain estimates of cost savings and other synergies
estimates expected to result from the merger, as prepared and
provided to Bear Stearns by Valors senior management and
discussed with Alltels senior management, including
persons who will become members of Windstreams senior
management; |
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met with certain members of Valor and Alltels senior
management, including persons who will become members of
Windstreams senior management, to discuss Valor and
Spincos respective businesses, operations, historical and
projected financial results and future prospects; |
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reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading
volume of the common shares of Valor; |
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reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market
performance data and trading multiples of companies which Bear
Stearns deemed generally comparable to Valor and Spinco, as
appropriate; |
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reviewed the terms of recent mergers and acquisitions involving
companies which Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to
Valor; |
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performed discounted cash flow analyses based on the projections
for Valor and Spinco and the synergy estimates for the combined
company, including certain tax attributes available to Valor and
Spinco; |
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reviewed the pro forma financial results, financial condition
and capitalization of the combined company giving effect to the
merger; and |
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conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and
investigations as Bear Stearns deemed appropriate. |
55
Bear Stearns relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and
other information provided to or discussed with Bear Stearns by
Valor, Alltel and Spinco or obtained by Bear Stearns from public
sources, including, without limitation, the projections and
synergy estimates referred to above. With respect to the
projections and synergy estimates, Bear Stearns relied on
representations that they have been reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments
of the senior management of each of Valor and Alltel, including
persons who will become members of Windstreams senior
management, respectively, as to the expected future performance
of Valor, Spinco and the combined company. Bear Stearns did not
assume any responsibility for the independent verification of
any such information, including, without limitation, the
projections and synergy estimates, and Bear Stearns further
relied upon the assurances of the senior management of each of
Valor and Alltel, including persons who will become members of
Windstreams senior management, that they were unaware of
any facts that would make the information, projections and
synergy estimates incomplete or misleading.
In arriving at its opinion, Bear Stearns did not perform or
obtain any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of Valor and Spinco, including assets
and liabilities that will be contributed to or assumed by Spinco
or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the distribution
agreement, nor has Bear Stearns been furnished with any such
appraisals. Bear Stearns assumed that the distribution will
qualify as a tax-free distribution pursuant to Section 355
of the Code and the merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Bear Stearns assumed that the
contribution, the distribution and all of the transactions
described in the distribution agreement would be consummated in
a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the
distribution agreement, without any limitations, restrictions,
conditions, amendments or modifications, regulatory or otherwise
that collectively would have a material adverse effect on Valor
or Spinco. Bear Stearns further assumed that the merger would be
consummated in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms
of the merger agreement, without any limitations, restrictions,
conditions, amendments or modifications, regulatory or otherwise
that collectively would have a material adverse effect on Valor
or Spinco.
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Summary of Financial Analyses |
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
performed by Bear Stearns in connection with the rendering of
its fairness opinion to the Valor Board of Directors. Some of
the financial analyses summarized below include information
presented in tabular format. In order to understand fully Bear
Stearns financial analyses, the tables must be read
together with the text of the summary. The tables alone are not
a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering
the tables alone could create a misleading or incomplete view of
Bear Stearns financial analyses.
The financial analyses summarized below include
(i) comparable company public market trading valuation
comparisons, (ii) precedent merger and acquisition
transactions valuation comparisons, (iii) discounted cash
flow analyses, and (iv) transaction combination analyses.
These types of analyses are some of the methodologies
traditionally used when rendering a fairness opinion in
transactions of this type. In particular, Bear Stearns
determined to use these types of analyses in order to attempt to
analyze the aggregate consideration being issued by Valor in the
merger and to compare the estimated equity value of Valor on a
stand alone basis, assuming no merger, with the estimated equity
value of Valors ownership in the pro forma combined
company, assuming completion of the merger. A variety of
analyses were employed in order to analyze the potential
transaction using a number of valuation techniques and to avoid
any one particular analysis presenting an incomplete or
misleading view of the potential transaction.
In preparing its comparable company public market trading
valuation comparisons and precedent merger and acquisition
transactions valuation comparisons, Bear Stearns attempted to
determine implied equity values (the value of a company
attributable to its stockholders based on the companys
public market trading level or acquisition price, as applicable)
and/or enterprise values (calculated as a companys equity
value plus its debt less its cash) as a multiple of selected
financial and operating metrics for a company.
In preparing its discounted cash flow analyses, Bear Stearns
used the projected cash flows for Valor and Spinco plus the
respective terminal values (values for each of the companies at
the end of the projection period, calculated as multiples of
2010 projected EBITDA (defined as earnings before
interest, income
56
taxes, depreciation and amortization)), and
discounted these cash flows to a present value using
a range of rates that corresponds to the respective
companys estimated cost of capital during that period.
Cash flows for the projection period beginning January 1,
2006 and ending December 31, 2010 were calculated as EBITDA
less changes in working capital, capital expenditures and cash
taxes.
In preparing its transaction combination analyses, Bear Stearns
attempted to compare the projected financial performance of
Valor on a stand alone basis, assuming no merger, with the
projected financial performance of the pro forma combined
company, assuming completion of the merger.
Bear Stearns analyzed the value of Spinco using the implied
trading multiples of selected public companies and a discounted
cash flow analysis. For purposes of Bear Stearns review,
Bear Stearns utilized, among other things, projections of the
future financial performance of Spinco through 2010. The Spinco
projections for 2005, 2006 and 2007 were prepared by the
management of Alltel and the Spinco projections for 2008, 2009
and 2010 were based on publicly available research analyst
projections and were reviewed by the management of Valor.
Selected Comparable Public Companies Analysis. Bear
Stearns reviewed and analyzed selected public companies in the
wireline communications business that it viewed as reasonably
comparable to Spinco based on Bear Stearns knowledge of
the wireline communications industry. In performing these
analyses, Bear Stearns reviewed and analyzed certain financial
information (including equity value, enterprise value, EBITDA,
access lines, Actual Levered Free Cash Flow (Actual
LFCF) (defined as EBITDA less capital expenditures less
net interest expense less cash taxes assuming utilization of net
operating losses and amortization of tax deductible goodwill),
Normalized Levered Free Cash Flow (Normalized LFCF)
(defined as defined as EBITDA less capital expenditures less net
interest expense less cash taxes assuming no utilization of net
operating losses and no amortization of tax deductible
goodwill)) and valuation multiples and compared such information
to the corresponding information of the comparable companies.
Specifically, Bear Stearns compared Spinco to six publicly
traded high-dividend paying wireline companies and two publicly
traded non-high dividend paying wireline companies. To the
extent publicly available, for each of these companies, Bear
Stearns reviewed the enterprise value as of December 6,
2005 as a multiple of 2005 and 2006 estimated EBITDA and 2005
and 2006 estimated access lines. Also, to the extent publicly
available, for each of these companies, Bear Stearns reviewed
the equity values as of December 6, 2005 as a multiple of
2005 and 2006 Actual LFCF and 2005 and 2006 estimated Normalized
LFCF. Lastly, to the extent publicly available, for each of
these companies, Bear Stearns reviewed Dividend
Yield (defined as current annual dividend per share as a
percentage of the per share stock price) as of December 6,
2005.
The wireline communications companies were:
|
|
|
|
|
Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.; |
|
|
|
Citizens Communications Company (Citizens); |
|
|
|
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.; |
|
|
|
FairPoint Communications, Inc.; |
|
|
|
Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc.; |
|
|
|
Valor Communications Group, Inc.; |
|
|
|
CenturyTel, Inc. (CenturyTel); and |
|
|
|
Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. |
57
In particular, of the companies listed above, Bear Stearns
viewed Citizens and CenturyTel as most comparable to Spinco
based on Bear Stearns knowledge of the wireline
communications industry. The table below summarizes the
comparable company trading multiples that were reviewed and
analyzed by Bear Stearns:
Selected Comparable Public Companies Trading Multiples
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Comparable | |
|
|
Citizens | |
|
CenturyTel | |
|
Companies | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Enterprise Value as a Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E EBITDA
|
|
|
7.2 |
x |
|
|
5.4 |
x |
|
|
5.4x - 8.0x |
|
|
2006E EBITDA
|
|
|
7.5 |
x |
|
|
5.6 |
x |
|
|
5.6x - 8.0x |
|
|
2005E Access Lines
|
|
$ |
3,601 |
|
|
$ |
3,098 |
|
|
|
$2,191 - $4,009 |
|
|
2006E Access Lines
|
|
$ |
3,754 |
|
|
$ |
3,255 |
|
|
|
$2,204 - $4,115 |
|
Equity Value as a Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E Actual LFCF
|
|
|
7.7 |
x |
|
|
8.5 |
x |
|
|
6.1x - 9.7x |
|
|
2006E Actual LFCF
|
|
|
8.0 |
x |
|
|
8.8 |
x |
|
|
6.2x - 9.3x |
|
|
2005E Normalized LFCF
|
|
|
9.2 |
x |
|
|
9.3 |
x |
|
|
7.3x - 11.0x |
|
|
2006E Normalized LFCF
|
|
|
9.7 |
x |
|
|
9.4 |
x |
|
|
7.1x - 10.9x |
|
Dividend Yield
|
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
0.7% - 13.7% |
|
Based on the foregoing, Bear Stearns determined a reference
range for each the above valuation parameters for Spinco:
Spinco Valuation Parameters Reference Range
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Enterprise Value as a Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E EBITDA
|
|
|
6.7 |
x |
|
|
7.5 |
x |
|
2006E EBITDA
|
|
|
6.9 |
x |
|
|
7.6 |
x |
|
2005E Access Lines
|
|
$ |
3,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,600 |
|
|
2006E Access Lines
|
|
$ |
3,200 |
|
|
$ |
3,800 |
|
Equity Value as a Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E Actual LFCF
|
|
|
7.75 |
x |
|
|
9.0 |
x |
|
2006E Actual LFCF
|
|
|
8.0 |
x |
|
|
9.0 |
x |
|
2005E Normalized LFCF
|
|
|
8.7 |
x |
|
|
10.0 |
x |
|
2006E Normalized LFCF
|
|
|
8.7 |
x |
|
|
10.0 |
x |
Dividend Yield
|
|
|
7.25 |
% |
|
|
8.25 |
% |
Bear Stearns applied each valuation parameter range to the
corresponding financial estimate for Spinco to calculate
Spincos implied enterprise value based on these trading
multiples. The resulting implied enterprise values ranged from
approximately $8,645 million to $10,575 million, which
implied per share equity values of $10.95 to $15.74 for Spinco,
assuming Spinco has 403.1 million shares outstanding based
on the aggregate consideration to be received by stockholders of
Spinco in the merger.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Bear Stearns performed an
analysis of the present value of the cash flows available to
equity holders that Spinco could generate over fiscal years 2006
through 2010.
For Spincos business, Bear Stearns applied terminal value
multiples ranging from 6.5x to 7.5x to Spincos projected
2010 EBITDA. Bear Stearns chose these terminal value multiples
based on (i) the implied perpetual growth rates of free
cash flow derived from such multiples that Bear Stearns
determined to be reasonable, (ii) Bear Stearns review
of trading data for comparable public companies and
(iii) Bear Stearns overall experience in valuing
wireline communications companies. The cash flows were then
discounted to present value using a weighted average cost of
capital, or WACC, of 7.00% to 8.00% (determined by observing the
betas (a measure of the trading volatility of a particular
companys stock relative to the broader market) of Valor
and other publicly traded wireline companies and based on
debt-to-total capitalization ratios between
58
40.0% and 50.0%). The resulting implied equity values based on
the discounting of these cash flows and the terminal value were
$4,641 million to $5,911 million, which implied per
share equity values of $11.51 to $14.66 for Spinco.
Spinco Valuation Reference Range. The average of the
above analyses indicated a range of per share equity values of
$11.79 to $14.18 for Spinco. Bear Stearns determined the
appropriate equity value per share reference range for Spinco to
be $12.00 to $14.00 based on (i) the range of per share
values for Spinco using the selected comparable public companies
analyses and discounted cash flow analysis and (ii) Bear
Stearns overall experience in valuing wireline companies.
Since Spinco will contribute a vast majority of the financial
performance of the pro forma combined company, Bear Stearns
analyzed the value of Valor by assuming the Spinco equity value
per share reference range was given as consideration to the
common stockholders of Valor. Bear Stearns also analyzed the
value of Valor using implied multiples from selected precedent
merger and acquisition transactions and a discounted cash flow
analysis. For purposes of Bear Stearns review, Bear
Stearns utilized, among other things, projections of the future
financial performance of Valor through 2010, as prepared by the
management of Valor.
Market Value Analysis. Based on the Spinco equity value
per share reference range of $12.00 to $14.00, Bear Stearns
assessed the implied premium/(discount) to Valors stock
price as of December 6, 2005, Valors average stock
price for the 20-trading days prior to and including
December 6, 2005, Valors stock price as of
November 23, 2005 and Valors average stock price for
the 20-trading days prior to and including November 23,
2005. Bear Stearns considered Valors stock price as of
November 23, 2005 to be relevant because November 23,
2005 was the last trading day prior to a press release published
on November 24, 2005 regarding a potential upcoming
transaction between Spinco and Valor, Citizens or CenturyTel.
Implied Premium/(Discount) to Market Value
Per Share Valuation Reference Range
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$12.00 | |
|
$14.00 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
As of December 6, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Price
|
|
|
(1.4 |
)% |
|
|
15.0 |
% |
|
20-Day Average Price
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
17.0 |
% |
As of November 23, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Price
|
|
|
3.2 |
% |
|
|
20.4 |
% |
|
20-Day Average Price
|
|
|
(1.9 |
)% |
|
|
14.5 |
% |
Selected Precedent Merger and Acquisition Transactions.
Bear Stearns reviewed and analyzed selected precedent merger and
acquisition transactions involving recent wireline
communications transactions based on Bear Stearns
determination that the transactions were reasonably comparable
to the merger. In performing these analyses, Bear Stearns
reviewed and analyzed certain financial information (including
transaction value) and transaction multiples relating to Valor
and compared such information to the corresponding information
of the companies involved in such precedent transactions.
Specifically, Bear Stearns reviewed 37 access line purchase
transactions since January 3, 2000. Bear Stearns divided
the transactions universe into two groups: (a) Most
Comparable Transactions (listed by the acquirer followed
by the acquired company/assets and the date these transactions
closed) and (b) Other Transactions. To the
extent publicly available, Bear Stearns reviewed the transaction
enterprise values as a multiple of EBITDA for the last twelve
months, or LTM, and as a multiple of access lines.
The precedent transactions in the Most Comparable
Transactions group were:
|
|
|
|
|
The Carlyle Group/ Verizon Hawaii Inc. May 2,
2005; |
|
|
|
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc./ TXU
Corp. April 14, 2004; |
|
|
|
Alltel Corporation/ Verizon Communications Inc.
(Kentucky) August 1, 2002; |
59
|
|
|
|
|
Homebase Acquisition Texas Corp./ Illinois Consolidated
Telephone Co. December 31, 2002; and |
|
|
|
CenturyTel, Inc./ Verizon Communications Inc. (Alabama and
Missouri) July 1, 2002 and August 31, 2002. |
Bear Stearns calculated the following multiples for the recent
wireline transactions used in its analysis:
Recent Wireline Transaction Multiples
Transaction Value as Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LTM EBITDA | |
|
Access Lines | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Most Comparable Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
7.8 |
x |
|
$ |
3,199 |
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
7.2 |
x |
|
$ |
2,894 |
|
|
Low
|
|
|
6.7 |
x |
|
$ |
2,263 |
|
Other Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
12.0 |
x |
|
$ |
5,698 |
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
8.6 |
x |
|
$ |
3,371 |
|
|
Low
|
|
|
6.2 |
x |
|
$ |
2,235 |
|
All Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
12.0 |
x |
|
$ |
5,698 |
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
8.2 |
x |
|
$ |
3,292 |
|
|
Low
|
|
|
6.2 |
x |
|
$ |
2,235 |
|
Based on the foregoing, Bear Stearns determined an LTM EBITDA
multiple reference range of 6.7x to 7.8x and access lines
multiple reference range of $2,900 to $3,200 for the
transactions and applied the ranges to the projected 2005 EBITDA
and 2005 access lines, respectively, for Valor. The resulting
implied equity value per share for Valor was calculated to be
$9.91 to $14.15, based on the EBITDA multiple reference range,
and $5.30 to $7.49, based on the access line multiple reference
range. This compared favorably to the Spinco equity value per
share reference range that Bear Stearns assumed was given as
consideration to the common stockholders of Valor.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Bear Stearns performed an
analysis of the present value of the cash flows available to
equity holders that Valor could generate over fiscal years 2006
through 2010. For Valors business, Bear Stearns applied
terminal value multiples ranging from 6.00x to 7.00x to
Valors projected 2010 EBITDA, as provided by the
management of Valor. Bear Stearns chose these terminal value
multiples based on (i) the implied perpetual growth rates
of free cash flow derived from such multiples and the
corresponding range of implied perpetual growth rates of free
cash flow that Bear Stearns determined to be reasonable,
(ii) Bear Stearns review of trading data for
comparable public companies and (iii) Bear Stearns
overall experience in valuing wireline companies. The cash flows
were then discounted to present value using a WACC of 7.25% to
8.25% (determined by observing the betas of Valor and other
publicly traded wireline companies and based on
debt-to-total
capitalization ratios between 52.5% and 62.5%). Valors
various tax attributes were valued separately in this analysis.
The resulting implied equity values based on the discounting of
these cash flows and the terminal value ranged from
approximately $806 million to $1,067 million, which
implied equity per share values of $11.33 to $15.01 for Valor.
This compared favorably to the Spinco equity value per share
reference range that Bear Stearns assumed was given as
consideration to the common stockholders of Valor.
|
|
|
Transaction Combination Analysis |
Synergies. Based on information provided by the
management of Valor, Bear Stearns assumed potential operating
expense synergies ranging from $19.7 million in 2006 to
$52.0 million in 2010. Bear Stearns estimated that these
potential operating expense synergies have a net capitalized
value of approximately $422.0 million to
$533.9 million.
60
Relative Contribution Analysis. Bear Stearns performed a
contribution analysis, assuming no synergies, showing the
percentages of access lines for fiscal year 2005 and projected
EBITDA, Normalized LFCF and Actual LFCF for fiscal years 2005
through 2007 that are projected to be contributed by Valor and
Spinco to the pro forma results for the combined company. The
following tables set forth the results of such analysis:
Access Lines
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Valor
|
|
|
15.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spinco
|
|
|
84.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E | |
|
2006E | |
|
2007E | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Valor
|
|
|
16.3 |
% |
|
|
16.3 |
% |
|
|
16.5 |
% |
Spinco
|
|
|
83.7 |
% |
|
|
83.7 |
% |
|
|
83.5 |
% |
Normalized LFCF Contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E | |
|
2006E | |
|
2007E | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Valor
|
|
|
17.2 |
% |
|
|
16.7 |
% |
|
|
16.0 |
% |
Spinco
|
|
|
82.8 |
% |
|
|
83.3 |
% |
|
|
84.0 |
% |
Actual LFCF Contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005E | |
|
2006E | |
|
2007E | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Valor
|
|
|
18.7 |
% |
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
|
19.7 |
% |
Spinco
|
|
|
81.3 |
% |
|
|
80.0 |
% |
|
|
80.3 |
% |
The percentages of access lines and EBITDA set forth in the
tables above that are projected to be contributed to the pro
forma combined company by Valor were compared to the 17.8%
interest that Valors common stockholders will have in the
combined companys enterprise value (assuming that the
combined companys per share stock is valued at the
mid-point of the Bear Stearns reference range for Spincos
equity value per share, or $13.00 per share). Further, the
percentage of Normalized LFCF and Actual LFCF, set forth in the
above table, that is projected to be contributed to the pro
forma combined company by Valor was then compared to the 15.0%
interest that Valors common stockholders will have in the
combined company. While the results of this analysis were
considered by Bear Stearns, they were not necessarily
determinative in assessing that the aggregate consideration to
be issued by Valor in the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to Valor and the stockholders of Valor.
Bear Stearns also performed a contribution analysis, assuming
operating expense synergies, showing the percentages of
projected access lines for fiscal year 2005 and EBITDA,
Normalized LFCF and Actual LFCF for fiscal years 2005 through
2007 that are projected to be contributed by Valor and Spinco to
the pro forma results for the combined company. The results of
this analysis did not materially differ from the results of the
contribution analysis, assuming no synergies, shown above.
Discounted Cash Flow Accretion/(Dilution) Analysis. Bear
Stearns prepared a discounted cash flow valuation
accretion/(dilution) analysis by comparing the stand-alone
discounted cash flow equity values of Valor and Spinco to the
implied value of each companys respective ownership in the
pro forma combined company. For the purpose of preparing the pro
forma combined company discounted cash flow accretion/(dilution)
analysis, both with and without the impact of potential
operating synergies, Bear Stearns assumed the terminal EBITDA
multiple range used in the Spinco stand-alone discounted cash
flow analysis and a WACC range of 6.75% to 7.75% (determined by
observing the betas of Valor and other publicly traded wireline
companies and based on debt-to-total capitalization ratios
between 45.0% and 55.0%). The table below summarizes the results
of Bear Stearns discounted cash flow accretion/(dilution)
analysis.
61
Discounted Cash Flow Equity Value Accretion/(Dilution)
Analysis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With Potential | |
|
|
No Synergies | |
|
Synergies | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Valor
|
|
|
0.9% - 3.3% |
|
|
|
7.8% - 11.6% |
|
Spinco
|
|
|
2.4% - 2.7% |
|
|
|
9.8% - 10.7% |
|
Pro Forma Financial Analysis. Bear Stearns analyzed the
potential pro forma impact of the merger on Valors
projected credit profile, Dividend Payout Ratio
(defined as total annual dividend as a percentage of Actual
LFCF), net income per share, EBITDA and Actual LFCF growth
rates, and Actual LFCF per share. Bear Stearns observed that
without synergies the pro forma combined company is expected to
have a net debt to EBITDA leverage ratio that is approximately
0.8x to 0.9x lower for 2005 through 2010 than Valor is expected
to have on a stand-alone basis. In addition, Bear Stearns noted
that without synergies the pro forma combined company is
expected to have a Dividend Payout Ratio that is approximately
5.3% to 12.9% lower for 2005 through 2010 than Valor is expected
to have on a stand-alone basis. If potential synergies had been
included in these analyses, the pro forma combined
companys expected net debt to EBITDA leverage ratio and
Dividend Payout Ratio would be even lower.
With potential synergies, the pro forma combined company is
expected to have higher net income per share for 2005 through
2007 and without potential synergies the pro forma combined
company is expected to have higher net income per share for 2005
and 2006 and lower net income per share for 2007 than Valor is
expected to have on a stand-alone basis. Bear Stearns observed
that without potential synergies the pro forma combined company
is expected to have a lower EBITDA cumulative average growth
rate from 2005 to 2007 than Valor is expected to have on a
stand-alone basis and that with potential synergies the pro
forma combined company is expected to have a higher EBITDA
cumulative average growth rate from 2005 to 2007 than Valor is
expected to have on a stand-alone basis. Bear Stearns also noted
that both with and without potential synergies the pro forma
combined company is expected to have a lower Actual LFCF
cumulative average growth rate and lower Actual LFCF per share
from 2005 to 2007 than Valor is expected to have on a
stand-alone basis. While the results of this analysis were
considered by Bear Stearns, they were not necessarily
determinative in assessing that the aggregate consideration to
be issued by Valor in the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to Valor and the stockholders of Valor.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Bear Stearns performed
a variety of financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness
opinion involves various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the
application of these methods to the particular circumstances
and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to a
partial analysis or summary description. Bear Stearns arrived at
its ultimate opinion based on the results of all analyses
undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and believes that the
totality of the factors considered and analyses performed by
Bear Stearns in connection with its opinion operated
collectively to support its determination as to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the aggregate consideration
to be issued by Valor in the merger to Valor and the
stockholders of Valor. Accordingly, notwithstanding the analyses
summarized above, Bear Stearns believes that its analyses must
be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the
analyses and factors considered by it, without considering all
such analyses and factors, or attempting to ascribe relative
weights to some or all such analyses and factors, could create
an incomplete or misleading view of the evaluation process
underlying the Bear Stearns opinion. Bear Stearns did not assign
any specific weight to any of the analyses described above and
did not draw any specific conclusions from or with regard to any
one method of analysis.
In performing its analyses, Bear Stearns considered industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of Valor, Alltel
and Bear Stearns. The analyses performed by Bear Stearns are not
necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
suggested by such analyses. Accordingly, such analyses are
inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.
None of the public companies used in the comparable company
analysis described above are identical to Valor or Spinco, and
none of the precedent transactions used in the precedent
transactions analysis described above are identical to the
merger. Accordingly, an analysis of publicly traded comparable
companies and comparable precedent transactions is not
mathematical; rather it involves complex considerations and
62
judgments concerning the differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the companies and precedent transactions and
other factors that could affect the value of Valor or Spinco and
the public trading values of the companies and precedent
transactions to which they were compared. The analyses do not
purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which any
securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the
future.
The type and amount of consideration payable in the merger were
determined through negotiations between Valor and Alltel and
approved by the Valor Board of Directors. Bear Stearns did not
express any opinion as to the price or range of prices at which
the shares of common stock of Valor may trade subsequent to the
announcement or consummation of the merger. The decision to
enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the Valor
Board of Directors. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals
or to reflect the prices at which any securities may trade at
the present time or at any time in the future. In addition, the
Bear Stearns opinion was just one of the many factors taken into
consideration by the Valor Board of Directors. Consequently,
Bear Stearns analysis should not be viewed as
determinative of the decision of the Valor Board of Directors or
Valors management with respect to the fairness of the
aggregate consideration to be issued by Valor in the merger.
Bear Stearns is an internationally recognized investment banking
firm and is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses
and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions
of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, leveraged
buyouts and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.
Bear Stearns was selected by the Valor Board of Directors to
render a fairness opinion because of its expertise and
reputation in investment banking and mergers and acquisitions
and its familiarity with Valor, Alltel and the wireline
industry. Bear Stearns received an aggregate fee for such
services of approximately $1 million, none of which was
contingent on successful consummation of the merger. Valor also
agreed to reimburse Bear Stearns for certain
out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with the engagement, including the
reasonable fees of and disbursements to its legal counsel. In
addition, Valor agreed to indemnify Bear Stearns against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities
laws, relating to or arising out of its engagement.
Bear Stearns had been previously engaged by Valor to provide
certain investment banking and other services. In connection
with such services Bear Stearns has received compensation of
approximately $1.1 million during the past two years.
During the past two years, Bear Stearns has not provided
investment banking or financial advisory services to Alltel.
Bear Stearns may be currently engaged, and in the past has been
engaged, by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Vestar
Capital Partners or their affiliates (collectively, the
Financial Sponsors) to provide certain investment
banking and other services in matters unrelated to the merger.
In addition, various individuals and entities affiliated with
Bear Stearns may have passive minority investments in the
Financial Sponsors. In the ordinary course of business, Bear
Stearns and its affiliates may actively trade the equity and
debt securities and/or bank debt of Valor and Alltel for its own
account and for the account of its customers and, accordingly,
may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities
or bank debt.
Alltels Reasons for the Spin-Off and the Merger
Alltel announced in January 2005 that it would undertake a
thorough review of the strategic alternatives related to its
wireline business. Alltel decided to explore these strategic
alternatives because of its belief that the separation of the
wireless and wireline segments would better position each to
take advantage of emerging strategic, operational and financial
opportunities, thereby enhancing stockholder value. During the
ensuing months, Alltel reviewed various capital structures and
strategic alternatives that could be value enhancing to its
stockholders. Based on Alltel managements review and
findings, the Alltel board of directors determined that a formal
process, utilizing the expertise of Alltels financial
advisors, to assess the market environment for strategic
repositioning options related to its wireline business was
appropriate. In September 2005, Alltel announced its intention
to begin such a process. That process, which included the
execution of non-disclosure agreements and the sharing of
information books for use in preparing preliminary proposals,
resulted in several parties expressing significant interest in
Alltels wireline business. Alltel then evaluated financing
considera-
63
tions for potential combinations, performed due diligence, and
received management presentations from potential partners
addressing issues such as ensuring tax-free treatment of the
transaction, maximizing Alltel stockholder value, establishing
an appropriate capital structure and implementing a sustainable
dividend policy.
In reaching its decision to approve the spin-off and merger with
Valor, the Alltel Board of Directors consulted with its
financial and legal advisors and considered a wide variety of
factors, including the following:
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the creation of skilled management teams at both Alltel and
Windstream having proven track records of delivering financial
results, a great breadth of experience in the communications
industry, and a deep commitment to providing quality
communications services to customers; |
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the expectation that Alltel will receive cash proceeds and debt
reduction totaling approximately $4.2 billion resulting
from the spin-off, which will result in Alltel having net debt
of approximately $1.2 billion and being levered at about
0.5 times net debt to operating income before depreciation and
amortization; |
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the potential value, as determined by evaluating pre and post
transaction discounted cash flows, EBITDA (or earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), yield, and
other measures of the pre and post transaction wireline
businesses, created for Alltel stockholders who, in the
aggregate, will collectively hold 85% of the outstanding shares
of Windstream immediately following the merger and the
expectation of strong investor demand for both a pure-play
wireless company and a pure-play rural wireline company; |
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Alltels and Valors wireline businesses have
complementary geographic footprints with favorable rural
characteristics, and their integration will benefit from
Alltels existing billing system outsourcing relationship
with Valor, providing the potential to create a market leader in
the rural wireline telecommunications industry; |
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the potential positive financial impact resulting from such a
combination (including, without limitation, the expected
achievement of $40 million in net annual synergies from the
combination) which would benefit Alltel stockholders through the
spin-off and merger; |
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the tax-efficient structure for Alltel and Alltels
stockholders of the proposed spin-off and immediate merger of
Spinco with and into Valor; and |
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the expectation that Windstream will pay an annual dividend of
$1 per share of common stock, which equals $1.04 per equivalent
Alltel share. |
The Alltel Board of Directors also considered certain
countervailing factors in its deliberations concerning the
spin-off and merger, including the possibility that the
anticipated benefits expected to result from the merger would
fail to materialize and the potential impact that would have on
Alltel stockholders receiving Windstream common shares in the
transaction.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors
discussed by the Alltel Board of Directors is not meant to be
exhaustive but is believed to include all material factors
considered by it. The Alltel Board of Directors did not quantify
or attach any particular weight to the various factors that it
considered in reaching its determination that the terms of the
spin-off and merger are fair to, and in the best interests of,
Alltel and Alltel stockholders. Rather, the Alltel Board of
Directors viewed its position as being based on the totality of
the information presented to and considered by it. The Alltel
Board of Directors, after considering the information available
to it, also considered relevant Delaware law, the opinions of
experts, and its fiduciary duties to Alltels stockholders.
As a result of the consideration of the foregoing and other
relevant considerations, the Alltel Board of Directors
unanimously determined that the spin-off and merger, including
the terms of the merger agreement, distribution agreement and
the other agreements relating to the merger, are fair to, and in
the best interests of, Alltel and Alltel stockholders.
64
Board of Directors and Management of Windstream After the
Merger
The merger agreement provides that the Board of Directors of
Spinco at the effective time of the merger will become the Board
of Directors of Windstream, and will consist of nine
individuals: Francis X. Frantz, who most recently served as the
Executive Vice President External Affairs, General
Counsel and Secretary of Alltel, Jeffery R. Gardner, who most
recently served as Executive Vice President Chief
Financial Officer of Alltel, six other persons to be named by
Alltel and one person to be named by Valor. Additionally, the
merger agreement provides that, as of the completion of the
merger, Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman of the Board of
Windstream. Valor has designated Anthony J. de Nicola as its
board member and Alltel has selected Dennis E. Foster as one of
its designees to the Windstream board. Alltel will select its
remaining designees to the Windstream board prior to mailing of
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement to
Valors stockholders.
The merger agreement also provides that the officers of Spinco
at the effective time of the merger will become the officers of
Windstream and that Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman,
Mr. Gardner will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer and Brent K. Whittington, who most recently served as
senior vice president of operations support for Alltel, will
serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The other initial officers of Windstream will consist of
individuals selected by Alltel. Alltel has already named
Keith D. Paglush as Chief Operating Officer, John P.
Fletcher as Executive Vice President and General Counsel,
Michael D. Rhoda, who most recently served as vice
president wireline regulatory & wholesale
services for Alltel, as Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs, Robert G. Clancy, Jr., who most
recently served as vice president of investor relations for
Alltel, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer and Susan
Bradley, who most recently served as vice president of human
resources for Alltel, as Senior Vice President Human
Resources.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
In considering the Valor Board of Directors determination
to approve the merger agreement and to recommend that Valor
stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement, to approve the
amendment of the Valor organizational documents in their
entirety pursuant to the merger increasing the authorized shares
of Valor common stock and implementing a classified board of
directors and to approve the issuance of Valor common stock to
Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger, Valor stockholders
should be aware of potential conflicts of interest of, and the
benefits available to, certain Valor stockholders, directors and
officers. These stockholders, directors and officers may have
interests in the merger that may be different from, or in
addition to, the interests of Valor stockholders as a result of,
among other things:
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Anthony J. de Nicola, Valors current Chairman of the Board
of Directors, is expected to be appointed to the board of
Windstream; |
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John J. Mueller, Valors current chief executive officer,
has entered into a consulting agreement with Windstream which is
described below under the heading Consulting Agreement
with Mr. Mueller; |
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W. Grant Raney and Cynthia B. Nash, current executive officers
of Valor, have accepted offers of employment with Windstream (to
be effective only upon the closing of the transactions) which
are described below under the heading Employment
Arrangements with Mr. Raney and Ms. Nash; |
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a portion of certain executive officers cash awards and
shares of restricted stock that were scheduled to vest
January 1, 2007, shall vest upon the consummation of the
merger, as set forth below; |
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the severance benefits payable to Messrs. Mueller, Raney
and Ojile and Ms. Nash for termination of employment by
Valor without Cause or by the executive officer for
Good Reason, as each such term is defined in their
employment agreements with Valor, were increased from
18 months of base salary to 24 months. Also, the bonus
payment prescribed in the executive officers employment
agreements were increased to two times annual target bonus; |
65
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the acceleration of vesting of restricted stock grants scheduled
to vest in 2008 and beyond for Messrs. Mueller, Ojile and
Vaughn, Valor executive officers who will not remain employed by
Windstream; and |
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prior to the completion of the merger, Valor
Securityholders Agreement with certain of its stockholders
will be amended so that persons affiliated with Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe, or WCAS and Vestar Capital Partners,
who collectively own approximately 41% of Valors
outstanding common stock, will receive the following benefits: |
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Windstream will file and use
reasonable best efforts to have declared effective an
evergreen Shelf Registration Statement permitting
sales of securities of Windstream by WCAS and Vestar as soon as
practicable after consummation of the merger;
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if requested by the holders of
at least 50% of the outstanding securities initially held by
WCAS, Vestar and their respective affiliates, Windstream will
conduct one underwritten offering, including management
participation in road shows and similar customary obligations;
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WCAS and Vestar will have
customary piggyback registration rights in connection with any
registration by Windstream of sales of its equity securities
(other than on
Forms S-4 or S-8),
whether for Windstreams own account or for the benefit of
one or more stockholders exercising demand registration
rights; and |
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Windstream will pay customary
fees and expenses of registrations.
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The following table sets forth the payments to be made to
certain executive officers of Valor and the restricted stock
grants held by certain executive officers and directors of Valor
that will be subject to accelerated vesting upon completion of
the merger.
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Number of Shares | |
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Amount of Cash | |
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Restricted Stock | |
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Windstream | |
Name of Executive |
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Award to be | |
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Subject to | |
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Severance | |
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Annual Base | |
Officer or Director |
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Accelerated | |
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Accelerated Vesting | |
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Benefits | |
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Salary | |
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John J. Mueller(1)
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$ |
400,000 |
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331,002 |
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$ |
2,000,000 |
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Jerry E. Vaughn
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$ |
0 |
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338,937 |
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$ |
812,500 |
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W. Grant Raney
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$ |
200,000 |
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73,556 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
257,000 |
(2) |
William M. Ojile, Jr.(1)
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$ |
100,000 |
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125,045 |
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$ |
750,000 |
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Cynthia B. Nash
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$ |
60,000 |
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40,456 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
220,000 |
(3) |
Anthony J. de Nicola
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6,470 |
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Sanjay Swani
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6,470 |
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Norman W. Alpert
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6,470 |
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Kenneth R. Cole
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6,470 |
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Federico F. Peña
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6,470 |
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Edward J. Heffernan
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6,470 |
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Stephen B. Brodeur
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6,470 |
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Michael E. Donovan
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6,470 |
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M. Ann Padilla
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6,470 |
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Edward L. Lujan
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6,470 |
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(1) |
Severance benefits represent twenty-four months of base salary
and two times each executives target bonus amount. |
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(2) |
Mr. Raney will also receive a retention bonus in the amount
of $250,000 if employed by Windstream at the effective time of
the merger and an additional $250,000 if employed by Windstream
on the six month anniversary of the effective time of the
merger. In addition, Mr. Raney will be eligible to receive
annual incentive bonuses up to 50% of his base salary based on
the achievement of specified goals established by Windstream. |
66
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(3) |
Ms. Nash will also receive a retention bonus in the amount
of $150,000 if employed by Windstream at the effective time of
the merger and an additional $150,000 if employed by Windstream
on the six month anniversary of the effective time of the
merger. In addition, Ms. Nash will be eligible to receive
annual incentive bonuses up to 40% of her base salary based on
the achievement of specified goals established by Windstream. |
Consulting Agreement with Mr. Mueller. In connection
with the merger, John J. Mueller entered into a consulting
agreement with Spinco to be effective only upon closing of the
transactions. Under the terms of the consulting agreement,
Mr. Mueller agrees to furnish advice and counsel regarding
business issues and strategies to the Chairman and to the
President and CEO of Windstream. The term of the agreement will
be for one year commencing on the effective date of the merger.
For his services, Mr. Mueller will be paid an annual
consulting fee of $500,000 plus $1500 per month for ongoing
expenses incurred in the performance of the consulting services.
The termination of Mr. Muellers employment and change
of control resulting from the merger will also trigger the
payment of severance benefits and accelerate vesting of
Mr. Muellers existing unvested equity awards under
his Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated as of
February 14, 2005. Those payments will be in addition to
payments made by Windstream for services provided under the
agreement.
Employment offers to Mr. Raney and Ms. Nash. In
connection with the merger, Grant Raney has accepted an
employment offer with Spinco. Under the offer, Mr. Raney
agrees to serve as Area President of Wireline Services for
Windstream. The term of Mr. Raneys employment will
commence on the effective date of the merger. For his services,
Mr. Raney will be paid an annual salary of approximately
$257,000 plus he will be eligible to receive an annual bonus
targeted at 50% of his annual salary. Mr. Raney will also
receive a $250,000 retention bonus to be paid within
30 days after the effective time of the merger and an
additional retention bonus of $250,000 to be paid six months
after the effective time of the merger if he remains
continuously employed with Windstream. Windstream will also
furnish Mr. Raney with an automobile and pay all related
expenses for gasoline, insurance, maintenance and repairs. In
addition, Windstream will pay the initiation fee (estimated not
to exceed $35,000), the annual dues, assessments and other
membership charges (estimated not to exceed $500 per year) for
membership in a country club selected by Mr. Raney.
Cindy Nash also has accepted an employment offer with Spinco in
connection with the merger. Under her offer, Ms. Nash
agreed to serve as Senior Vice President of Customer Service for
Windstream. The term of Ms. Nashs employment will
commence on the effective date of the merger. For her services,
Ms. Nash will be paid an annual salary of approximately
$220,000 plus she will be eligible to receive an annual bonus
targeted at 40% of her annual salary. Ms. Nash will also
receive a $150,000 retention bonus to be paid within
30 days after the effective time of the merger and an
additional retention bonus of $150,000 to be paid six months
after the effective time of the merger if she remains
continuously employed with Windstream. In addition, Windstream
will pay the initiation fee (estimated not to exceed $35,000),
annual dues, assessments and other membership charges (estimated
not to exceed $500 per year) for membership in a country club
selected by Ms. Nash and will reimburse expenses related to
Ms. Nashs MBA program (estimated at approximately
$20,000).
Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance. In
addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, Alltel and
Valor agreed that all rights to indemnification as provided in
Valors Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws in favor of
persons who are or were directors, officers or employees of
Valor will survive for a period of six years following the
merger. The parties also agreed that for a period of six years
following the merger, Windstream will indemnify the current and
former directors, officers or employees of Valor to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law. The merger agreement further
requires that, for six years following the effective time of the
merger, subject to certain limitations, Windstream will maintain
coverage under a director and officer liability insurance
policy, with respect to claims arising from facts or events that
occurred on or before the effective time of the merger, at a
level at least equal to that which Alltel is maintaining prior
to the merger, except that Windstream will not be required to
pay an annual premium for such insurance in excess of $2,000,000.
67
Regulatory Approvals
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Telecommunications Regulatory Approvals |
The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will
require the approval of the public service or public utilities
commissions of the following states in their capacities as
regulators of CLEC and ILEC operations of Alltel and Valor:
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. On April 12,
2006, Alltel obtained an amendment to the commitment letter for
the senior secured credit facilities to remove certain
guaranties and liens, and such amendment eliminated the need for
approval of the transaction by certain state regulatory
agencies. Although the scope of matters that must be approved
varies by state, the foregoing approvals are generally required
for (i) the change of control of Alltels CLEC and
ILEC subsidiaries, which will be deemed to occur in connection
with the contribution and distribution transactions described
elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement, and (ii) the guarantee of indebtedness or the
grant of security interests by Spinco and Valors CLEC and
ILEC subsidiaries in connection with the financing of Valor
following completion of the merger. The parties must also obtain
state commission approval of the transfer to Spinco of the long
distance customers and certificates of authority of Alltel, or
the issuance to Spinco of new certificates of authority, in all
states except Alaska.
Valor and Spinco completed the filing of all of the applicable
applications that were required to be filed prior to completion
of the merger for the authority and approval with respect to the
ILEC operations in January 2006 and will complete the remaining
filings in May 2006. The public service or public utilities
commission in each of the states of Georgia, Missouri,
Mississippi and South Carolina has granted its approval. The
parties expect that the remaining applicable state commissions
will make a determination on these applications no later than
the second quarter of 2006. Following the filing of such
applications in certain states, other parties such as consumer
groups, labor unions representing employees of Alltel or Valor,
competitors and consumer advocates have filed protest
applications raising concerns or objecting to the transactions.
After the filing of the applications and any protests, state law
or administrative rule allows regulators in certain states
discretion on whether to conduct hearings on the matters. The
parties are conducting discovery, preparing and filing testimony
and briefs to further support the applications, and attending
hearings on the matters. Following the conclusion of the
applicable state procedures, each state commission will make a
determination on the application for its state. These state
approvals generally require the parties to demonstrate that the
transactions are for a proper purpose and are consistent with
the public interest, convenience and necessity, and that Spinco
or its applicable subsidiary will have the financial, technical
and managerial abilities to provide reasonable service to the
public in such state. Following completion of the merger
Windstream will be required to file an application seeking
approval of the transactions from the Texas Public Utilities
Commission. It is anticipated that Windstream will file this
application promptly upon completion of the merger.
The parties believe that the transactions will produce benefits
for the states in which Windstream will conduct its operations,
the citizens of such states and the customers of the
telecommunications businesses of Windstream. While the parties
believe that the transactions satisfy the applicable regulatory
standards for the foregoing approvals, there can be no
assurances that the state regulators will grant such approvals
or will not attempt to impose conditions to such approval.
In addition, under the Communications Act of 1934, before the
completion of the merger, the FCC must approve the transfer to
Valor of control of Spinco and those subsidiaries of Spinco that
hold FCC licenses and authorizations. Valor and Spinco filed
transfer of control applications with the FCC on
December 21, 2005 and received the FCCs approval of
the merger on February 1, 2006.
Each partys obligations to complete the merger are subject
to receipt of the consents of the above referenced state
commissions that, if not obtained, would reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on Valor, Alltel or Spinco.
The merger agreement provides that each party to the merger
agreement, subject to customary limitations, will use its
reasonable best efforts to take promptly all actions and to
assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate the merger and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement.
68
Alltel, Spinco and Valor also agreed to use all reasonable
efforts to resolve any objections or challenges from a
regulatory authority.
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United States Antitrust Laws |
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, or HSR Act, and the rules promulgated under
that act by the FTC, the spin-off and the merger may not be
completed until notifications have been given and information
furnished to the FTC and to the Antitrust Division and the
specified waiting period has been terminated or has expired.
Valor and Spinco each filed notification and report forms under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with the FTC and the Antitrust
Division on December 21, 2005. On January 3, 2006, the
FTC notified the parties that early termination of the specified
waiting period had been granted. At any time before or after
completion of the spin-off and the merger, the FTC or the
Antitrust Division could take any action under the antitrust
laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest,
including seeking to enjoin completion of the spin-off and the
merger or seeking divestiture of substantial assets of Valor or
Spinco. The spin-off and the merger also are subject to review
under state antitrust laws and could be the subject of
challenges by private parties under the antitrust laws.
Accounting Treatment
SFAS 141 Business Combinations requires the use of
the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. In
applying the purchase method, it is necessary to identify both
the accounting acquiree and the accounting acquiror. In a
business combination effected through an exchange of equity
interests, such as the merger transaction between Valor and
Spinco, the entity that issues the interests (Valor in this
case) is generally the acquiring entity. In identifying the
acquiring entity in a combination effected through an exchange
of equity interests, however, all pertinent facts and
circumstances must be considered, including the following:
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The relative voting interests in the combined entity after the
combination. In this case shareholders of Alltel, the sole
shareholder of Spinco, will receive approximately 85% of the
equity ownership and associated voting rights in the combined
entity. |
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The composition of the governing body of the combined entity. In
this case the merger agreement provides that the composition of
the Board of Directors of the surviving company will be largely
determined by Alltel and/or Spinco. |
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The composition of the senior management of the combined entity.
In this case the merger agreement provides that the senior
management of the combined entity was to be exclusively
determined by Alltel and/or Spinco. |
While Valor is the legal acquiror and surviving registrant in
this merger, Spinco is determined to be the accounting acquiror
in this combination based on the facts and circumstances
outlined above. Spinco will apply purchase accounting to the
assets and liabilities of Valor upon consummation of the merger.
Upon completion of the merger, the historical financial
statements of the combined company will be those of Spinco.
Federal Securities Law Consequences; Resale Restrictions
Valor common stock issued pursuant to the merger will not be
subject to any restrictions on transfer arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, except for shares issued to any Valor
stockholder who may be deemed to be an affiliate of
Valor for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. It
is expected that each affiliate will agree not to transfer any
Valor common stock received pursuant to the merger except in
compliance with the resale provisions of Rule 144 or 145
under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the
Securities Act. The merger agreement requires Valor to use its
reasonable best efforts to cause its affiliates to enter into
such agreements.
However, under the terms of the merger agreement, Windstream is
obligated to file and will use reasonable best efforts to have
declared effective an evergreen shelf registration
statement permitting sales of securities of Windstream by WCAS
and Vestar as soon as practicable after consummation of the
merger (provided that WCAS will not be able to sell shares of
Windstream prior to the expiration of the
lock-up referred to
above in the
69
section titled Amendment of Company Securityholders
Agreement) which will remain effective until each of WCAS
and Vestar can sell all of its Valor securities under Securities
Act Rule 144 without volume limitations.
No Appraisal Rights
Neither Valor nor Alltel stockholders will be entitled to
exercise appraisal rights or to demand payment for their shares
in connection with the merger.
Name Change; Listing
Before the completion of the merger, Valor has agreed to use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Valor common
stock to be issued pursuant to the merger to be authorized for
listing on the NYSE. Immediately following completion of the
merger, the Board of Directors will merge a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the surviving company into the company and, in
connection with such merger, change the name of the company from
Valor Communications Group, Inc. to Windstream
Corporation. Promptly thereafter, the company will file a
restated certificate of incorporation with the Delaware
Secretary of State reflecting the name change. Shares of
Windstream Corporation will be traded on the NYSE under the new
trading symbol WIN.
Dividend Policy of Windstream
The merger agreement provides that the initial dividend policy
of Windstream (which may be changed at any time by
Windstreams Board of Directors) will provide for the
payment, subject to applicable law, of regular quarterly
dividends on each issued and outstanding share of common stock
of $0.25 per share. In determining the initial dividend
level, Windstreams management reviewed and analyzed, among
other things:
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|
operating and financial results of both Valor and Spinco in
recent years, including in particular the fact that pro forma
combined operating income before depreciation and amortization
(pro forma OIBDA), excluding the royalty expense that Spinco has
historically paid to Alltel which will cease upon the
consummation of this transaction, was $1,633.7 million in
2005; |
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the anticipated capital expenditure requirements of Windstream; |
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|
Windstreams expected other cash needs, primarily related
to working capital requirements; and |
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|
the terms of Windstreams expected indebtedness. |
However, Windstream stockholders may not receive any dividends
following completion of the merger as a result of the following
factors:
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|
|
while the merger agreement contemplates the payment of a
$0.25 per share quarterly dividend, this policy could be
modified or revoked by Windstreams Board of Directors at
any time in its sole discretion; |
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|
the amount of dividends distributed will be subject to covenant
restrictions under Windstreams new senior secured credit
facility which will restrict its ability to take certain action
with respect to dividends and payments in respect of capital
stock, with the exception of dividends up to the sum of excess
free cash flow and net cash equity issuance proceeds so long as
the pro forma leverage ratio does not exceed
4.50 to 1.0. Subject to the assumptions,
considerations and limitations set forth in the following
discussion under the heading Minimum Operating Income
Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA),
Windstreams pro forma leverage ratio during the year
following the closing of the merger is estimated to be no
greater than 3.70 to 1.0. |
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|
the amount of dividends distributed will be subject to
restrictions under Delaware law pursuant to which the Windstream
Board of Directors will be permitted to declare dividends only
to the extent of a surplus (which is defined as
total assets at fair market value minus total liabilities, minus
statutory capital) or, if there is no surplus, out of
Windstreams net profits for the then current and/or
immediately preceding fiscal year; |
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|
Windstreams stockholders have no contractual or other
legal right to receive dividends; and |
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|
Windstream may not have enough cash to pay dividends due to
changes in Windstreams cash from operations, working
capital requirements and/or anticipated cash needs. |
70
Dividends on Windstreams common stock will not be
cumulative. Consequently, if dividends on Windstreams
common stock are not declared and/or paid at the targeted level,
Windstreams stockholders will not be entitled to receive
such payments in the future.
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Minimum Operating Income Before Depreciation and
Amortization (OIBDA) |
Windstreams management has prepared the financial
information set forth below to present the estimated cash
available to pay dividends based on estimated minimum OIBDA.
OIBDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is computed as
operating income plus depreciation and amortization. Windstream
believes that OIBDA assists investors in understanding
Windstreams ability to generate sufficient positive cash
flows to fund its ongoing cash operating requirements including
capital expenditures, payment of dividends and debt service
obligations. OIBDA should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for cash flow from operations prepared in accordance
with GAAP.
The accompanying estimated financial information was not
prepared with a view toward complying with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board guidelines with respect to
prospective financial information, but, in the view of
Windstreams management, was prepared on a reasonable
basis, reflects the best currently available estimates and
judgments, and presents, to the best of managements
knowledge and belief, Windstreams expected course of
action and expected future financial performance. However, this
information is not fact and should not be relied upon as being
necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on the estimated financial
information.
The prospective financial information included in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement has been prepared by,
and is the responsibility of, Windstreams management.
Neither PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Deloitte & Touche
LLP, nor any other independent registered public accounting firm
has either examined or compiled the accompanying prospective
financial information and, accordingly, does not express an
opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or
its achievability, and assume no responsibility for the
estimated financial information with respect thereto. The
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP
reports included in this document relate to the historical
financial information of Spinco and Valor, respectively. They do
not extend to the prospective financial information and should
not be read to do so.
The assumptions and estimates underlying the estimated financial
information below are inherently uncertain and, though
considered reasonable by Windstreams management as of the
date of its preparation, are subject to a wide variety of
significant business, economic, and competitive risks and
uncertainties, including those described under Risk
Factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
estimated financial information is indicative of future
performance or that the actual results will not differ
materially from the estimated financial information presented
below.
Windstream believes that, in order to fund dividends on its
common stock during the 12 months following the effective
time of the merger at the level described above solely from cash
generated by its business, its OIBDA for such 12 months
following the merger would need to be at least
$1,481.8 million. As described under Assumptions and
Considerations below, Windstreams management
believes that its OIBDA for the year following the closing of
this offering will be at least $1,481.8 million and has
determined that its assumptions as to capital expenditures, cash
interest expense, income taxes, working capital and availability
of funds under its revolving credit facility are reasonable.
Windstream has also determined that if its OIBDA for such period
is at or above this level, it would be permitted to pay
dividends at the level described above under the leverage ratio
covenant that will be contained in the senior secured credit
facilities. Windstream expects that the exchange notes and any
other notes to be issued in conjunction with the closing of the
merger will contain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends
that are no more restrictive than those contained in the senior
secured credit facilities.
The following table sets forth Windstreams calculation
illustrating that $1,481.8 million of OIBDA would be
sufficient to fund dividends at the above level for the
12 months following the closing of the merger and to permit
it to pay dividends at the anticipated level under all relevant
covenants and restrictions that will be contained in the senior
secured credit facilities and any other agreement that governs
any other indebtedness incurred by Windstream. OIBDA excludes
certain income and expenses that are settled in cash.
71
In the judgment of Windstreams management, the effect of
these items is not material. The minimum OIBDA presented in this
discussion is calculated as the sum of estimated capital
expenditures, estimated cash interest expense and principal
repayments on outstanding indebtedness, estimated cash income
taxes, and estimated cash dividends on Windstream common stock.
These amounts are based on pro forma results for the year ended
December 31, 2005, which Windstreams management
believes reasonably approximate the cash requirements of
Windstream for the 12 months following the closing of the
merger. Income and expense items settled in cash but excluded
from OIBDA were $8.2 million in income in 2005.
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Amount | |
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| |
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(Dollars in | |
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|
millions) | |
Estimated Minimum OIBDA Required to Pay Dividends on Common
Stock
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|
Estimated cash required to pay dividends on outstanding common
stock(1)
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$ |
474.0 |
|
Add:
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|
|
|
|
Estimated capital expenditures(2)
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|
400.0 |
|
|
Estimated cash interest expense(3)
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|
|
367.4 |
|
|
Estimated cash income taxes(4)
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|
230.4 |
|
|
Estimated principal repayments on outstanding indebtedness(5)
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|
10.0 |
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|
|
Minimum OIBDA
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$ |
1,481.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated total leverage ratio derived from the above minimum
OIBDA(6)
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|
3.7x |
|
Estimated interest coverage ratio derived from the above minimum
OIBDA(7)
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|
4.0x |
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|
(1) |
The table below sets forth the assumed number of outstanding
shares of common stock upon the closing of the merger and the
estimated per share and aggregate dividend amounts payable on
such shares during the year following the closing of this
offering: |
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|
Estimated Shares Outstanding(i)
|
|
|
474,002,946 |
|
Per Share Dividend
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
Aggregate Dividend
|
|
$ |
474,002,946 |
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|
(i) |
comprised of the outstanding shares of Valor common stock as of
April 1, 2006 plus the shares expected to be issued in
conjunction with the merger. (see Calculation of Merger
Consideration page 32) |
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(2) |
The majority of Windstreams capital expenditures will
relate to its telecommunications network. Historical capital
expenditures of Valor, Spinco and on a combined basis for the
year ended December 31, 2005 were $57.4 million,
$356.9 million and $414.3 million respectively. |
|
(3) |
Reflects Windstreams anticipated cash interest expense
under its revolving credit facility, senior secured term loan
facilities and the senior notes. See Note (p) in
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information on page 166 for further discussion of
interest expense anticipated to be incurred by Windstream, the
interest rate assumptions included in such calculation and the
sensitivity of such calculations to fluctuations of interest
rates. |
|
(4) |
Determined by calculating pro forma income tax expense on a
combined basis for 2005 in the amount of $275.4 million,
less $45.0 million representing current year impact of tax
deductible amortization of intangible assets and the use of net
operating loss carryforwards held by Valor. The foregoing
calculation is not based on an estimation of the anticipated
taxable income for 2006, which is subject to many factors beyond
the control of Windstreams management or its determination
at this time. Actual payments of income taxes may be materially
different from the amounts presented. |
|
(5) |
Reflects anticipated principal repayments due during 2006 on
Windstreams outstanding indebtedness. See Note (p) in
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information on page 166 for further discussion of
anticipated future repayments of long-term debt obligations. |
72
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|
(6) |
The estimated total leverage ratio is calculated as total pro
forma debt of $5,526.0 million (see Note (f) in
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information on page 161), divided by minimum OIBDA. |
|
(7) |
The estimated interest coverage ratio is calculated as minimum
OIBDA divided by estimated cash interest expense. |
The following table reconciles Net Cash Provided from
Operations, a GAAP measure, to pro forma OIBDA, a non-GAAP
measure. The following table also illustrates, for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005, the amount of cash that would
have been available for distribution to Windstreams common
stockholders based on the pro forma combined financial results
of Valor and Spinco. It is assumed that the merger occurred at
the beginning of the period presented, subject to the
accompanying assumptions described in the table.
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Year Ended December 31, 2005 | |
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| |
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|
Pro Forma | |
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Pro Forma | |
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Spinco | |
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Valor(1) | |
|
Adjustment(2) | |
|
Combined | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Pro Forma Cash Available to Pay Dividends (GAAP)(Dollars in
Millions)
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|
Net cash provided from operations
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$ |
953.9 |
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|
$ |
191.1 |
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$ |
268.8 |
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$ |
1,413.8 |
|
Other income, net
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(11.6 |
) |
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1.9 |
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(9.7 |
) |
Intercompany interest income
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|
(23.3 |
) |
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(23.3 |
) |
Interest expense
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|
19.1 |
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|
79.5 |
|
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|
98.6 |
|
Income tax expense
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|
|
267.9 |
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|
14.3 |
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|
282.2 |
|
Deferred income taxes
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|
|
(4.9 |
) |
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|
(14.2 |
) |
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|
(19.1 |
) |
Provision for doubtful accounts
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|
(29.2 |
) |
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|
(6.1 |
) |
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|
(35.3 |
) |
Non cash asset impairments
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|
(1.7 |
) |
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|
|
(1.7 |
) |
Non cash stock compensation
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|
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|
(12.7 |
) |
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|
|
|
|
(12.7 |
) |
Changes in working capital
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|
(66.3 |
) |
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|
(3.0 |
) |
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|
(69.3 |
) |
Other, net
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|
2.4 |
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|
7.8 |
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|
10.2 |
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Pro Forma OIBDA (Non-GAAP)
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$ |
1,108.0 |
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$ |
256.9 |
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$ |
268.8 |
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$ |
1,633.7 |
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Less:
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|
Capital Expenditures(3)
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|
356.9 |
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|
57.4 |
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|
414.3 |
|
Estimated cash interest expense(4)
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|
|
17.9 |
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|
|
83.3 |
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|
|
266.2 |
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|
|
367.4 |
|
Cash income taxes(5)
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|
|
230.4 |
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
230.4 |
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Cash Available to Pay Dividends
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|
$ |
502.8 |
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$ |
116.2 |
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$ |
2.6 |
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|
$ |
621.6 |
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|
(1) |
Valor has historically calculated Cash Available to Pay
Dividends as Adjusted EBITDA minus capital expenditures, cash
interest, cash income taxes and any other charges excluded from
adjusted EBITDA that have been or will be settled in cash.
Windstream does not currently anticipate utilizing adjusted
EBITDA as a non-GAAP measure and as such, the presentation of
Valors historical Cash Available to Pay Dividends has been
modified to conform to the presentation expected to be presented
by Windstream, which substitutes operating income before
depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) in the place of
adjusted EBITDA . The most significant difference between these
two measures for Valor is that adjusted EBITDA excludes the
impact of non-cash stock compensation ($12.7 million in
2005) and other non-cash items defined in Valors existing
credit facility while OIBDA does not. |
|
(2) |
Reflects the elimination of the royalty expense that Spinco has
historically paid to Alltel, which will cease upon the
consummation of the spin-off and the merger. |
|
(3) |
Consists of capital expenditures of both Spinco and Valor for
the year ended December 31, 2005. |
|
(4) |
Reflects Windstreams anticipated cash interest expense
under its revolving credit facility, senior secured term loan
facilities and senior notes. See Note (p) in
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information on page 166 for further discussion of
interest expense anticipated to be incurred |
73
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|
by Windstream, the interest rate assumptions included in such
calculation and the sensitivity of such calculations to
fluctuations of interest rates. |
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|
(5) |
Calculated as pro forma income tax expense of
$275.4 million, less $45.0 million representing the
use of net operating loss carryforwards held by Valor. The
foregoing calculation is not based on an estimation of the
anticipated taxable income for 2006, which is subject to many
factors beyond the control of Windstreams management or
its determination at this time. Actual payments of income taxes
may be materially different. |
Assumptions and Considerations
Based on a review and analysis conducted by Windstreams
management, it believes that the minimum OIBDA for the
12 month period following the closing of the merger will be
at least $1,481.8 million, and Windstreams management
has determined that the assumptions in the above tables as to
capital expenditures, cash interest expense, income taxes,
working capital and availability of funds under the revolving
credit facility are reasonable. Windstream considered numerous
factors in establishing its belief concerning the minimum OIBDA
required to support the dividend policy and its belief that
minimum OIBDA for the first 12 months following the merger
will be at least $1,481.8 million, including the following
factors:
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|
For fiscal year 2005, pro forma combined OIBDA including both
Valor and Spinco, excluding the royalty expense that Spinco has
historically paid to Alltel which will cease upon the
consummation of this transaction, was $1,633.7 million. |
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|
For fiscal year 2005, the combined capital expenditures of Valor
and Spinco were $414.3 million. Windstreams
management expects capital expenditures for the twelve month
period following the close of the merger to be approximately
$400.0 million. |
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|
Absent the significant increase in Valors working capital
that resulted from the change in its capital structure in 2005,
neither Valor nor Spinco has experienced significant adverse
changes in working capital requirements in the last 2 years. |
|
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|
Windstreams management has analyzed the impact of its
intention to pay dividends at the level described above on its
operations and performance in prior years and has determined
that the revolving credit facility would have had sufficient
capacity to finance any fluctuations in working capital and
other cash needs, including the payment of dividends at the
levels described above. Windstream currently does not intend to
borrow under its revolving credit facility to pay dividends. |
Windstream has also assumed:
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|
That the general business climate, including such factors as
consumer demand for services, the level of competition
experienced and the regulatory environment, will remain
consistent with previous periods; and |
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The absence of extraordinary business events, such as new
industry-altering technological developments or adverse
regulatory developments, that may adversely affect
Windstreams business, results of operations or anticipated
capital expenditures. |
If OIBDA for the first 12 months following the closing of
the merger were to fall below the $1,481.8 million level
(or Windstreams assumptions as to capital expenditures,
cash taxes or cash interest expense are too low, or if
Windstreams assumptions as to the sufficiency of its new
revolving credit facility to finance its expected working
capital needs prove incorrect, or if other assumptions stated
above were to prove incorrect), Windstream would either reduce
or eliminate dividends. Windstream cannot assure you that its
OIBDA will in fact equal or exceed the minimum level set forth
above, and its belief that it will equal or exceed such level is
subject to all of the risks, considerations and factors
identified in other sections of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, including those identified in
the section entitled Risk Factors. Furthermore, even
if OIBDA for the first 12 months following the closing of
the merger were to equal or exceed the $1,481.8 million
level, the Windstream board of directors retains the absolute
discretion to reduce or eliminate the amount of the initial
dividend policy if it determines such action is appropriate in
light of its assessment of Windstreams business and the
environment in which it will operate.
As noted above, Windstream has estimated its initial dividend
level and the minimum OIBDA required to pay dividends at that
level only for the first 12 months following the closing of
the merger. Moreover,
74
Windstream cannot assure you that it will pay dividends during
or following such period at the level estimated above, or at
all. Dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of the
board of directors and will be dependent upon many factors and
future developments that could differ materially from the
current expectations. Over time, Windstreams capital and
other cash needs will invariably be subject to uncertainties,
which could affect the level of any dividends paid in the future.
In accordance with its dividend policy, Windstream intends to
distribute, as dividends to its stockholders, a substantial
portion of the cash generated by its business in excess of
operating needs, interest and principal payments on indebtedness
and capital expenditures. If Windstream continues paying
dividends at the level currently anticipated under the dividend
policy, it is expected that it would need additional financing
to fund significant acquisitions. Such additional financing
could include, among other transactions, the issuance of
additional shares of common stock. However, Windstream intends
to retain sufficient cash after the distribution of dividends to
permit the pursuit of growth opportunities that do not require
material capital investments. Management currently has no
specific plans to increase capital spending to expand
Windstreams business materially. However, management will
evaluate potential growth opportunities as they arise and, if
the board of directors determines that it is in
Windstreams best interest to use cash that would otherwise
be available for distribution as dividends to pursue an
acquisition opportunity, to increase capital spending materially
or for some other purpose, the board would be free to depart
from or change the dividend policy at any time.
The intended policy to distribute rather than retain a
significant portion of the cash generated by the business as
regular quarterly dividends is based upon the assessment of
Windstreams management of its financial performance, its
cash needs and its investment opportunities. If these factors
were to change based on, for example, regulatory, competitive or
technological developments (which could increase the need for
capital expenditures) or new investment opportunities,
Windstream would need to reassess that policy.
|
|
|
Restrictions on Payment of Dividends |
Under Delaware law, Windstreams board of directors may
declare and pay dividends either out of surplus or, if there is
no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the
dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Surplus
is defined as the excess, if any, at any given time, of the
total assets of a corporation over its total liabilities and
statutory capital. The value of a corporations assets can
be measured in a number of ways and may not necessarily equal
their book value. The board of directors may base this
determination on its financial statements, a fair valuation of
assets or another reasonable method. Subject to certain
limitations, the value of Windstreams capital may be
adjusted from time to time by the board of directors. Although
Windstream intends to pay dividends at the anticipated levels
during the 12 months following the merger in compliance
with Delaware law, the board of directors will periodically seek
to assure itself that the statutory requirements will be met
before actually declaring dividends. In future years, the board
may seek opinions from outside valuation firms to the effect
that its net profits or surplus is sufficient to allow payment
of dividends, and such opinions may not be forthcoming. If
Windstream sought and was not able to obtain such an opinion, it
likely would not be able to pay dividends.
|
|
|
Senior Secured Credit Facilities |
Under the senior secured credit facilities, Windstream will be
limited in its ability to take certain action with respect to
dividends, with an exception for dividends up to the sum of
excess free cash flow so long as the pro forma leverage ratio
does not exceed 4.50 to 1.0. Excess free cash flow is expected
to be defined as the sum of quarterly dividends per
Windstreams dividend policy; cash on hand up to the amount
of consolidated earnings before depreciation and amortization,
interest and taxes, adjusted for non-recurring transaction and
other charges (not to exceed $10 million in any four consecutive
fiscal quarters beginning after December 31, 2006), less cash
interest and taxes paid, debt repayments and capital
expenditures for the period; and net proceeds from the issuance
of equity securities, less certain identified uses of those
funds.
75
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE SPIN-OFF AND THE MERGER
The following summarizes certain United States federal income
tax consequences of the spin-off and the merger. This summary is
based on the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated under
the Code, and interpretations of the Code and the Treasury
regulations by the courts and the IRS, all as they exist as of
the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly
with retroactive effect. This summary is limited to stockholders
of Valor or Alltel that are United States holders, as defined
immediately below. A United States holder is a beneficial
owner of Valor stock or Alltel stock that is, for United States
federal income tax purposes:
|
|
|
|
|
an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United
States; |
|
|
|
a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized
under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; |
|
|
|
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
|
|
|
a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all of
its substantial decisions, or (ii) in the case of a trust
that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect
before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable
Treasury regulations. |
Further, this summary does not discuss all of the tax
considerations that may be relevant to Valor stockholders or
Alltel stockholders in light of their particular circumstances,
nor does it address the consequences to stockholders subject to
special treatment under the United States federal income tax
laws, such as:
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insurance companies, |
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dealers or traders in securities or currencies, |
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tax-exempt organizations, |
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financial institutions, |
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mutual funds, |
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partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for
United States federal income tax purpose and investors in such
entities, |
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holders who hold their shares as a hedge or as part of a
hedging, straddle, conversion, synthetic security, integrated
investment or other risk-reduction transaction, |
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holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax, or |
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holders who acquired their shares upon the exercise of employee
stock options or otherwise as compensation. |
In addition, this summary is limited to stockholders that hold
their Valor common stock or Alltel common stock as a capital
asset. Finally, this summary does not address any estate, gift
or other non-income tax consequences or any state, local or
foreign tax consequences.
VALOR AND ALLTEL STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS CONCERNING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
AND
NON-UNITED STATES
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF AND THE MERGER TO THEM IN LIGHT
OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
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The spin-off is conditioned upon Alltels receipt of a
private letter ruling from the IRS (which Alltel received on
April 7, 2006) to the effect that the spin-off, including
(i) the contribution of the wireline business to Spinco,
(ii) the receipt by Alltel of Spinco debt securities and
the special dividend, (iii) the exchange of Spinco debt
securities for Alltel debt, and (iv) the distribution of
Spinco stock to the Exchange Agent on behalf of Alltel
stockholders, will qualify as tax-free to Alltel, Spinco and the
Alltel stockholders for United States federal income tax
purposes under Sections 355, 368 and related provisions of
the Code. The spin-off is also conditioned upon the receipt by
Alltel of an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP, counsel to Alltel, to the effect that the spin-off
will be tax-free to Alltel, Spinco and the stockholders of
Alltel under Section 355 and related provisions of the
Code. The opinion will rely on the IRS letter ruling as to
matters covered by the ruling. The opinion will be based on,
among other things, certain assumptions and representations as
to factual matters made by Alltel, Spinco and Valor, which, if
incorrect or inaccurate in any material respect, would
jeopardize the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion.
The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and
the IRS or the courts may not agree with the opinion.
As set forth in the IRS letter ruling and the tax opinion
attached as an exhibit to this registration statement:
(i) no gain or loss will be recognized by (and no amount
will be included in the income of) Alltel common stockholders
upon the receipt by the exchange agent on their behalf of shares
of Spinco common stock in the spin-off; (ii) the aggregate
tax basis of the Alltel common stock and the Spinco common stock
in the hands of each Alltel common stockholder after the
spin-off will equal the aggregate tax basis of the Alltel common
stock held by the stockholder immediately before the spin-off,
allocated between the Alltel common stock and the Spinco common
stock in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on
the date of the spin-off; and (iii) the holding period of
the Spinco common stock received by an Alltel common stockholder
will include the holding period at the time of the spin-off of
the Alltel common stock on which the distribution is made.
Although a private letter ruling from the IRS generally is
binding on the IRS, if the factual representations or
assumptions made in the letter ruling request are untrue or
incomplete in any material respect, then Alltel will not be able
to rely on the ruling. Furthermore, the IRS will not rule on
whether a distribution satisfies certain requirements necessary
to obtain tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.
Rather, the private letter ruling is based upon representations
by Alltel that these conditions have been satisfied, and any
inaccuracy in such representations could invalidate the ruling.
The spin-off would become taxable to Alltel pursuant to
Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more of the shares of
either Alltel common stock or Spinco common stock (including
common stock of Windstream, as a successor to Spinco) were
acquired, directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of
related transactions that included the spin-off. Because the
Alltel stockholders will own more than 50% of the Windstream
common stock following the merger, the merger, standing alone,
will not cause the spin-off to be taxable to Alltel under
Section 355(e). However, if the IRS were to determine that
other acquisitions of Alltel common stock or Valor common stock,
either before or after the spin-off and the merger, were part of
a plan or series of related transactions that included the
spin-off, such determination could result in the recognition of
gain by Alltel under Section 355(e). In any such case, the
gain recognized by Alltel likely would include the entire fair
market value of the stock of Spinco, and thus would be very
substantial. In connection with the request for the IRS private
letter rulings and the opinion of Alltels counsel, Alltel
has represented that the spin-off is not part of any such plan
or series of related transactions. In certain circumstances,
under the merger agreement, Windstream would be required to
indemnify Alltel against tax-related losses to Alltel that arise
as a result of disqualifying actions taken by
Windstream or its subsidiaries after the distribution and the
merger. See The Merger Agreement-Tax Matters
beginning on page [ ]. If Alltel should
recognize gain on the spin-off for reasons not related to a
disqualifying action by Windstream, Alltel would not be entitled
to be indemnified under the merger agreement. Even if
Section 355(e) were to cause the spin-off to be taxable to
Alltel, the spin-off would remain tax-free to Alltels
stockholders.
United States Treasury regulations require each Alltel
stockholder that receives stock in a spin-off to attach to the
stockholders United States federal income tax return for
the year in which the spin-off occurs a
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detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to
the tax-free nature of the spin-off. Shortly after the spin-off,
Alltel will provide stockholders who will receive Windstream
common stock in the spin-off with the information necessary to
comply with that requirement.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to
Alltel, has delivered to Alltel its legal opinion, and
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to Valor, has delivered
to Valor its legal opinion, each attached as an exhibit to this
registration statement and each to the effect that, on the basis
of the facts, assumptions and representations set forth in such
opinion and the representations and covenants set forth in
certificates obtained from officers of Alltel, Spinco and Valor,
the merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Any change in
currently applicable law, which may or may not be retroactive,
or the failure of any factual representation or assumption to be
true, correct and complete in all material respects, could
affect the validity of the Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP opinion and/or the
Kirkland & Ellis LLP opinion. An opinion of counsel
represents counsels best legal judgment and is not binding
on the Internal Revenue Service or on any court.
It is a condition to the obligations of Alltel, Spinco and Valor
to consummate the merger that Alltel and Spinco receive a
private letter ruling from the IRS and the opinion of Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, described above, to
the effect that the spin-off will qualify as tax-free to Alltel,
Spinco and the Alltel stockholders for United States federal
income tax purposes under Sections 355, 368 and related
provisions of the Code. It is a further condition to the merger
that Alltel and Spinco receive the opinion of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and that Valor receive the
opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, both to the effect
that the merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, which
opinions will be based on private letter rulings of the IRS and
on the facts, assumptions and representations set forth in each
of such opinions and the representations and covenants set forth
in updated officers certificates to be provided by Alltel,
Spinco and Valor at the time of closing.
As set forth in the tax opinions attached as exhibits to this
registration statement: (i) Alltel common stockholders will
not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of their Spinco
common stock (received by the exchange agent on their behalf in
the spin-off) for shares of Valor common stock pursuant to the
merger, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a
fractional share of Valor common stock; (ii) an Alltel
stockholders tax basis in the Valor common stock received
pursuant to the merger (including any fractional share interest
deemed to be received and exchanged for cash) will equal the
stockholders tax basis in the Spinco common stock
surrendered in exchange therefor; (iii) an Alltel
stockholders holding period for the Valor common stock
received pursuant to the merger will include the holding period
for the shares of Spinco common stock surrendered in exchange
therefor; (iv) neither Spinco nor Valor will recognize any
gain or loss in the merger; and (v) Valor stockholders will
not recognize gain or loss in the merger.
Alltel stockholders will not be entitled to receive any
fractional shares of Valor common stock in the merger. Alltel
stockholders otherwise entitled to receive fractional shares
will instead be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to
(x) the closing sale price per share of Valor common stock
on the NYSE on the business day preceding the merger, multiplied
by (y) the fraction of a share of Valor common stock to
which such stockholder would otherwise have been entitled. An
Alltel stockholder generally will recognize capital gain or loss
on any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Valor
common stock equal to the difference between the amount of cash
received and the tax basis allocated to such fractional share.
Such gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss
if the holding period in the Spinco common stock surrendered in
the merger (which, as described above, will include the holding
period for the Alltel common stock on which such Spinco stock is
distributed in the spin-off) exceeds 12 months as of the
date of the merger. The deductibility of capital losses is
limited.
Non-corporate holders of Alltel common stock may be subject to
information reporting and backup withholding tax on any cash
payments received in lieu of a fractional share interest in
Valor common stock. Any such holder will not be subject to
backup withholding tax, however, if such holder furnishes a
correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that such
holder is not subject to backup withholding tax, on the
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substitute
Form W-9 or
successor form included in the letter of transmittal to be
delivered to the holder following the completion of the merger
or is otherwise exempt from backup withholding tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding tax rules will be allowed
as a refund or credit against a holders United States
federal income tax liability, provided that the holder furnishes
the required information to the Internal Revenue Service.
Holders who receive Valor common stock as a result of the merger
will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger and
will be required to file with their United States federal income
tax return for the year in which the merger takes place a
statement setting forth certain facts relating to the merger.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of selected material provisions of
the merger agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the merger agreement, which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety and attached to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement as Annex A. We urge you to
read the merger agreement in its entirety. The merger agreement
has been included to provide you with information regarding its
terms and has been publicly filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. It is not intended to provide any other
factual information about Alltel, Spinco, Valor or the combined
company following completion of the merger. Such information can
be found elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement.
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties
Alltel, Spinco and Valor made to each other. The assertions
embodied in those representations and warranties are qualified
by information in confidential disclosure schedules that Alltel,
Spinco and Valor have exchanged in connection with signing the
merger agreement. The disclosure schedules contain information
that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the
representations and warranties set forth in the attached merger
agreement. Accordingly, you should not rely on the
representations and warranties as characterizations of the
actual state of facts, since they are modified in important part
by the underlying disclosure schedules. These disclosure
schedules contain information that has been included in Alltel
and Valors general prior public disclosures, as well as
potential additional non-public information. Moreover,
information concerning the subject matter of the representations
and warranties may have changed since the date of the agreement,
which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected
in the companies public disclosures. We do not believe
that the disclosure schedules contain information securities
laws require us to publicly disclose other than information that
has already been so disclosed.
The Merger
Under the merger agreement and in accordance with Delaware law,
Spinco will merge with and into Valor. As a result of the
merger, the separate corporate existence of Spinco will
terminate and Valor will continue as the surviving corporation.
For ease of reference, throughout this proxy statement/
prospectus information statement we will refer to Windstream
Corporation, the new company formed by the merger of Valor and
Spinco as Windstream.
Effective Time
The merger will become effective at the time of filing of a
certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware or at such later time as Alltel, Spinco and Valor
may agree. The closing date of the merger will be a date to be
specified by the parties which will be not later than two
business days after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
precedent to the merger.
Merger Consideration
The merger agreement provides that Valor will issue in the
aggregate to holders of Alltel common stock a number of Valor
shares equal to (a) the number of Valor shares outstanding
as the effective time of the merger multiplied by
(b) 5.667, which we refer as the aggregate merger
consideration. Each share of Spinco common stock which
Alltel stockholders will be entitled to receive in the
distribution will be converted
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into the right to receive a number of Valor shares equal to
(x) the aggregate merger consideration, divided by
(y) the number of Spinco shares outstanding as the
effective time of the merger. The calculation of the merger
consideration as set forth in the merger agreement will result
in Alltels stockholders collectively holding approximately
85% of the outstanding equity interests of Windstream
immediately after the merger and the stockholders of Valor
collectively holding the remaining approximately 15% of such
equity interests.
Distribution of Per Share Merger Consideration
Prior to the effective time of the merger, Valor will deposit
with the distribution agent certificates or book-entry
authorizations representing the shares of Valor common stock for
the benefit of the Alltel stockholders entitled to receive
shares of Spinco common stock in the distribution. Each such
Alltel stockholder will be entitled to receive the number of
whole shares of Valor common stock (in lieu of the shares of
Spinco common stock otherwise distributable to such stockholder)
that such stockholder has the right to receive pursuant to the
merger agreement. Immediately following the merger, the
distribution agent will distribute these shares of Valor common
stock to such persons.
Treatment of Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of Valor common stock will be issued
pursuant to the merger. Alltel stockholders otherwise entitled
to receive fractional shares will instead be entitled to receive
an amount in cash equal to (x) the closing sale price per
share of Valor common stock on the NYSE on the business day
preceding the merger, multiplied by (y) the fraction of a
share of Valor common stock to which such stockholder would
otherwise have been entitled. Alternatively, Valor has the
option of instructing the distribution agent to aggregate all
fractional shares of Valor common stock, sell such shares in the
public market and distribute to holders of Alltel common stock,
who otherwise would have been entitled to such fractional
shares, a pro rata portion of the proceeds of such sale.
Officers and Directors of Windstream
The parties to the merger agreement have agreed that, following
the merger, Jeffery R. Gardner, who recently served as Executive
Vice President Chief Financial Officer of Alltel,
will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Windstream, and
Francis X. Frantz, who recently served as the Executive Vice
President External Affairs, General Counsel and
Secretary of Alltel will serve as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Windstream.
The merger agreement also provides that following the merger,
the Board of Directors of Windstream will consist of the
following nine members: Messrs. Frantz and Gardner, six
directors to be designated by Alltel and one director to be
designated by Valor, with a majority of the board being
independent within the meaning of the NYSEs
rules.
Stockholders Meeting
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Valor agreed to call a
special meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of voting
upon the adoption of the merger agreement, the amendment of
Valors organizational documents in their entirety pursuant
to the merger, including sub-proposals to increase the
authorized shares of Valors common stock and to implement
a classified board of directors, and the issuance of shares
pursuant to the merger and any related matters. Valor will
satisfy this merger agreement requirement by asking its
stockholders to vote on these matters at its annual stockholder
meeting that will take place on [ ], 2006.
Valor also agreed to deliver this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement to its stockholders in
accordance with applicable law and its organizational documents.
In addition, subject to certain exceptions as described herein
(see The Merger Agreement No
Solicitation on page [ ]) the Board
of Directors of Valor is obligated to recommend that
Valors stockholders adopt the merger agreement and include
such recommendation in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement.
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Related Transactions
The merger agreement provides that Alltel and Spinco must take,
or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable that are required to
consummate and make effective the contribution transaction and
the distribution transaction in accordance with the terms of the
distribution agreement. Also, under the terms of the merger
agreement, Alltel and Spinco agreed to each execute at or prior
to the merger the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Transition Services
Agreement and the Employee Benefits Agreement, as well as the
Distribution Agreement and all other agreements, if any,
required in connection with the contribution transaction and the
distribution transaction.
Financing
The merger agreement provides that Alltel and Spinco (and if
requested, Valor) will use their respective reasonable best
efforts to arrange financing as described in the merger
agreement. See Financing of Windstream beginning on
page [ ].
Corporate Offices
After the merger, the location of the headquarters and principal
executive offices of Windstream will be the executive offices of
Spinco in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties
between Alltel and Spinco, on the one hand, and Valor, on the
other. These representations and warranties, which are
substantially reciprocal, relate to, among other things:
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due organization, good standing and qualification; |
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capital structure; |
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authority to enter into the merger agreement (and the other
agreements executed in connection therewith) and no conflicts
with or violations of governance documents or laws; |
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documents filed with the SEC and financial statements; |
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absence of certain changes or events; |
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no material investigations or litigation; |
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compliance with applicable laws and possession of required
licenses and regulatory approvals; |
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accuracy of information supplied for use in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement; |
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compliance with environmental laws; |
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tax matters; |
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employee benefit plan matters; |
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labor matters; |
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intellectual property matters; |
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communications regulatory matters; |
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material contracts; |
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title to real properties; |
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opinion of company financial advisors; |
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payment of fees to finders or brokers in connection with the
merger; |
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approval by the Board of Directors; and |
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affiliate transactions. |
Valor has also made representations and warranties to Alltel and
Spinco relating to the required vote of Valor stockholders to
adopt the merger agreement, compensation payable to financial
advisors, the inapplicability to the merger of state
anti-takeover laws and filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Alltel has also made representations to Valor regarding
Alltels capacity as a party to the merger agreement.
Many of the representations and warranties contained in the
merger agreement are subject to materiality qualifications,
knowledge qualifications, or both, and none of the
representations and warranties survive the effective time of the
merger.
Conduct of Business Pending Closing
Each of the parties has undertaken to perform certain covenants
in the merger agreement and agreed to restrictions on its
activities until the effective time of the merger. In general,
Spinco and Valor are required to conduct their business in the
ordinary course, to use all reasonable efforts to preserve their
business organizations, to keep available the services of the
current officers and other key employees and preserve their
relationships with customers and suppliers with the intention
that the ongoing businesses shall not be materially impaired.
Each of Spinco and Valor have agreed to specific restrictions
relating to the following:
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declaring or paying dividends in respect of its capital stock;
provided, Valor may, and intends to, continue paying quarterly
dividends at an annual rate of $1.44 per share in
accordance with its existing dividend policy until the
transaction closes; |
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splitting, combining or reclassifying its capital stock or
issuing securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for its capital stock; |
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repurchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring its capital stock; |
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issuing, delivering, or selling any shares of its capital stock
or any securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any
right to acquire, capital stock; |
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making acquisitions of a substantial equity interest or material
assets of another entity or selling, leasing, disposing of or
otherwise encumber assets, other than inventory in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice; |
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incurring debt, other than under existing agreements or in the
ordinary course of business which is not material; |
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incurring any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice; |
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changing its accounting methods other than in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States; |
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making or rescinding any material tax elections or settling or
compromising any material income tax liabilities, amending any
material tax returns and changing any method of reporting income
or deductions; |
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paying, discharging or satisfying any material claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or
unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice; and |
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taking or agreeing or committing to take any action that would
result in any of such partys representations and
warranties set forth in the merger agreement or the other
transaction agreements being or becoming untrue or in any of the
conditions set forth in merger agreement not being satisfied at
the effective time of the merger. |
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In addition, Valor agreed to additional restrictions relating to
the following:
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amending its organizational documents in any manner that would
prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
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compensation and benefit matters with respect to directors,
officers and employees; |
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establishing, adopting, entering into, terminating or amending
any collective bargaining agreement; |
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complete or partial liquidation or dissolution of Valor or any
of its subsidiaries; |
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entering into or amending agreements or arrangements with
related parties; and |
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modifying, amending, terminating, renewing or failing to use
reasonable best efforts to renew any material contract or
waiving, releasing or assigning any material rights or claims
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. |
Alltel has also agreed to cause Spinco to adhere to the
covenants listed above.
Each party has also agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the spin-off or merger to qualify as generally tax-free
transactions.
Proxy Materials
The parties agreed to prepare this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 of
which it is a part, and to file them with the SEC and use all
reasonable efforts to have the proxy statement cleared by the
SEC and the registration statement declared effective by the
SEC. Valor is required under the terms of the merger agreement
to mail this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
to its stockholders as promptly as practicable after the
registration statement was declared effective.
Valor has agreed to make application to the NYSE for the listing
of the shares of its common stock to be issued in connection
with the merger and use all reasonable best efforts to cause
such shares to be approved for listing.
Reasonable Best Efforts
The merger agreement provides that each party to the merger
agreement, subject to customary limitations, will use its
reasonable best efforts to take promptly all actions and to
assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate the merger and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. Such actions include,
without limitation:
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the obtaining of all necessary actions or non-actions, waivers,
consents, and approvals; |
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the making of all necessary registrations and filings pursuant
to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended; |
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the filing of all applications necessary to obtain state public
service, or public utility commissions, and FCC consent to the
transfer of control of certain licenses held by Spinco; |
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the taking of all steps as may be necessary to obtain an
approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by,
any governmental authority; and |
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the defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings. |
Alltel, Spinco and Valor also agreed to use all reasonable
efforts to resolve any objections or challenges from a
regulatory authority.
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Employee Matters
The merger agreement provides that, as of the closing of the
merger, Windstream will continue to employ all of the employees
of Spinco, except that the merger agreement does not require
Windstream to retain such employees for any specific length of
time. Subject to certain exceptions, Windstream is obligated to
cause such employees to receive substantially the same level of
benefits, in the aggregate, as provided under Spincos
employee benefit plans for a period of one year after the merger
and to cause each such employee to be credited with service
under the applicable benefit plans for all service earned with
Spinco or Alltel, so long as such recognition will not result in
duplicative benefits.
In addition, Windstream is obligated to assume, honor and
discharge when due all liabilities of Spinco associated with
such employees and to issue to such employees restricted shares
of common stock of Windstream in such amounts, and on such terms
and conditions as set forth in the Employee Benefits Agreement
(see Additional Agreements Related To The Spin-Off And The
Merger Employee Benefits Agreement), at or as
soon as practicable after the effective time of the merger. The
merger agreement authorizes up to 2.8 million restricted
shares of Valor common stock to be awarded. The restrictions on
such shares will lapse on a date to be determined by the Board
of Directors of Windstream.
No Solicitation
The merger agreement contains detailed provisions restricting
Valors ability to seek an alternative transaction. Under
these provisions, Valor agrees that it and its subsidiaries will
not, and will use reasonable best efforts to ensure that its and
its subsidiaries officers, directors, employees and agents
do not, directly or indirectly:
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knowingly solicit, initiate or encourage any inquiry or proposal
that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to an
acquisition proposal; |
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provide any non-public information or data to any person
relating to or in connection with an acquisition proposal,
engage in any discussions or negotiations concerning an
acquisition proposal, or otherwise knowingly facilitate any
effort or attempt to make or implement an acquisition proposal; |
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approve, recommend, agree to or accept, or propose publicly to
approve, recommend, agree to or accept, any acquisition
proposal; or |
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approve, recommend, agree to or accept, or propose to approve,
recommend, agree to or accept, or execute or enter into, any
letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement,
acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar
agreement related to any acquisition proposal. |
Valor also agreed to cease and cause to be terminated any
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any
persons conducted heretofore with respect to any acquisition
proposal.
The merger agreement provides that the term acquisition
proposal means any proposal regarding:
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any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination,
recapitalization or other similar transaction or series of
related transactions involving Valor or any of its significant
subsidiaries; |
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any direct or indirect purchase or sale, lease, exchange,
transfer or other disposition of the consolidated assets
(including stock of Valors subsidiaries) of Valor and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, constituting 15% or more of the
total consolidated assets of Valor and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or accounting for 15% or more of the total
consolidated revenues of Valor and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, in any one transaction or in a series of transactions; |
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any direct or indirect purchase or sale of or tender offer,
exchange offer or any similar transaction or series of related
transactions engaged in by any person involving 15% or more of
the outstanding shares of Valor common stock; or |
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any other substantially similar transaction or series of related
transactions that would reasonably be expected to prevent or
materially impair or delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement or the other agreements
executed in connection therewith. |
The merger agreement does not prevent Valor or its Board of
Directors from engaging in any discussions or negotiations with,
or providing any non-public information to, any person in
response to an unsolicited bona fide superior proposal or
acquisition proposal that the Valor board concludes in good
faith could lead to a superior proposal. However, Valor or its
Board of Directors may take such actions only if and to the
extent that:
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Valor stockholders have not yet adopted and approved the merger
agreement; |
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the Valor board, after consulting with its legal advisors,
determines in good faith, that failure to take such action would
be a breach of its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
applicable laws; |
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before approving or recommending a proposal or terminating the
merger agreement, the Valor board has provided Alltel with at
least three business days notice of such action; |
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before providing any information or data to any person in
connection with an acquisition proposal by that person,
Valors Board of Directors receives from that person an
executed confidentiality agreement with terms substantially the
same as those contained in the confidentiality agreement between
Alltel and Valor; and |
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before providing any non-public information or data to any
person or entering into discussions with any person,
Valors Board of Directors promptly notifies Alltel of any
such inquiry, proposal or offer received from, any information
requested by, or any discussions or negotiations sought to be
initiated or continued with, that person and identifies the
material terms and conditions of the acquisition proposal and
the identity of the person making such acquisition proposal. |
The merger agreement provides that the term superior
proposal means any proposal or offer made by a third party
to acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, for consideration consisting of cash and/or
securities, at least a majority of the shares of Valors
common stock then outstanding or all or substantially all of the
assets of Valor and its subsidiaries and otherwise on terms
which the Valor Board of Directors (after consultation with its
legal and financial advisors) determines in its good faith
judgment to be more favorable to its stockholders than the
merger.
The Board of Directors of Valor may withdraw its recommendation
that Valor stockholders adopt the merger agreement and approve
the merger upon three business days written notice to
Alltel if, after consulting with its legal advisors, it
concludes in good faith that failure to take such action would
be a breach of its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
applicable laws.
In addition, the merger agreement does not prevent Valor or its
Board of Directors from disclosing to its stockholders a
position with respect to a tender offer as required by law.
However, neither Valor nor its Board of Directors is permitted
to approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or
recommend, an acquisition proposal unless it has first
terminated the merger agreement and has otherwise complied with
the provisions thereof (including, without limitation, payment
to Alltel of the termination fee).
Insurance and Indemnification
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the parties agreed that
all rights to indemnification as provided in Spinco and
Valors respective certificate of incorporation or bylaws
in favor of persons who are or were directors, officers or
employees of such companies will survive for a period of six
years following the merger. The parties also agreed that for a
period of six years following the merger, Windstream will
indemnify the current and former directors, officers or
employees of Spinco and Valor to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law. The merger agreement further requires that, for
six years following the effective time of the merger, subject to
certain limitations, Windstream will maintain coverage under a
director and officer liability insurance policy, with respect to
claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before
the effective
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time of the merger, at a level at least equal to that which
Alltel is maintaining prior to the merger, except that
Windstream will not be required to pay an annual premium for
such insurance in excess of $2,000,000.
Amendment of Company Securityholders Agreement
Valor has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Securityholders Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2005,
by and among Valor and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
and certain individuals affiliated therewith (which we
collectively refer to as WCAS), Vestar Capital
Partners and certain individuals affiliated therewith (which we
collectively refer to as Vestar), and certain of
other stockholders of Valor, to be amended effective as of the
effective time of the merger, which will provide that, among
other things, following the merger:
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WCAS will agree not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
Valor shares for a period of 90 days after consummation of
the merger; |
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Windstream will file and use reasonable best efforts to have
declared effective an evergreen shelf registration
statement permitting sales of securities of Windstream by WCAS
and Vestar as soon as practicable after consummation of the
merger (provided that WCAS will not be able to sell shares of
Windstream prior to the expiration of the
lock-up referred to
above) which will remain effective until each of WCAS and Vestar
can sell all of its Windstream securities under Securities Act
Rule 144 without volume limitations; |
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if requested by the holders of at least 50% of the outstanding
registrable securities (initially held by WCAS, Vestar and their
respective affiliates), Valor will conduct one underwritten
offering, including management participation in road shows and
similar customary obligations (underwriters to be selected by
Valor); and |
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WCAS and Vestar will have customary piggyback registration
rights in connection with any registration by Valor of sales of
its equity securities (other than on
Forms S-4 or S-8),
whether for Valors own account or for the benefit of one
or more stockholders exercising demand registration rights. |
Dividend Policy of Windstream
The merger agreement provides that the initial dividend policy
of Windstream (which may be changed at any time by
Windstreams Board of Directors) will provide for the
payment, subject to applicable law, of regular quarterly
dividends on each issued and outstanding share of common stock
of $0.25 per share. See The Transactions
Dividend Policy.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger
The respective obligations of Valor, Alltel and Spinco to
complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
various conditions, including:
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the completion of the spin-off transaction in accordance with
the terms of the merger agreement and the distribution agreement; |
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the termination or expiration of the applicable waiting period
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of certain other
approvals as set forth in the merger agreement; |
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receipt of the requisite consents of regulators in the
telecommunications industry; |
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the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is a part; |
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the approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the
Valor common stock to be issued pursuant to the spin-off and the
merger; |
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the approval of the holders of a majority in voting power of all
outstanding shares of Valor common stock at the annual meeting,
in accordance with applicable law and the rules, and regulations
of the New York Stock Exchange; |
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the completion of the financing of the transaction; |
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receipt by Alltel and Spinco (and, to the extent applicable,
Valor) of the requisite IRS rulings regarding the spin-off and
the merger; |
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receipt by Alltel of a legal opinion from Alltels counsel
to the effect that the spin-off will qualify as tax-free to
Alltel, Spinco and the stockholders of Alltel under
Section 355 and related provisions of the Code, which
opinion will rely on the IRS rulings as to matters covered by
the rulings; |
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receipt by each of Alltel and Spinco, on the one hand, and
Valor, on the other hand, of a legal opinion stating that the
merger will constitute a reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code; |
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receipt by the boards of directors of Alltel, Spinco and Valor
of customary solvency and surplus
opinions of a nationally recognized investment banking or
appraisal firm in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
such boards and, to the extent relating to Spinco, reasonably
satisfactory to Valor; and |
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the absence of any statute, rule, regulation, order or
injunction having the effect of restraining, enjoining or
prohibiting the contribution transaction, the distribution
transaction or the merger or imposing any restrictions or
requirements thereon or on Alltel, Spinco or Valor that would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Alltel or Windstream following the merger. |
Alltel and Spincos obligations to complete the merger are
also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following
additional conditions:
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performance by Valor, in all material respects, of all its
obligations and compliance by Valor, in all material respects,
with all covenants required by the merger agreement, as
certified in writing by a senior officer of Valor; |
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the accuracy of Valors representations and warranties set
forth in the merger agreement (subject to certain exceptions),
without any qualification as to materiality or material adverse
effect set forth therein, except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be true and correct would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on Valor and its subsidiaries, as
certified in writing by a senior officer of Valor; |
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the absence of any event, occurrence, development or state of
circumstances or facts that has had, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on Valor, except as
previously disclosed; and |
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delivery of evidence, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Alltel and Spinco, demonstrating that
Valors securityholders agreement has been amended in
accordance with the merger agreement. |
Valors obligation to complete the merger is also subject
to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional
conditions:
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performance by Alltel and Spinco, in all material respects, of
all their respective obligations and compliance by Alltel and
Spinco, in all material respects, with all covenants required by
the merger agreement, as certified in writing by a senior
officer of each of Alltel and Spinco; |
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the accuracy of Alltel and Spincos representations and
warranties set forth in the merger agreement (subject to certain
exceptions), without any qualification as to materiality or
material adverse effect set forth therein, except where the
failure of such representations and warranties to be true and
correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on Alltel and
Spinco and their subsidiaries, as certified in writing by a
senior officer of each of Alltel and Spinco; |
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execution by Spinco and Alltel of the Tax Sharing Agreement, the
Employee Benefits Agreement, the Shared Contracts Agreement, the
Shared Assets Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and the
Transition Services Agreement; |
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the absence of any event, occurrence, development or state of
circumstances or facts that has had, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on each of Alltel and
Spinco, except as previously disclosed; and |
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delivery by Spinco of an affidavit, dated as of the closing
date, in form and substance required under the Treasury
Regulations issued pursuant to Section 1445(b) of the Code. |
Termination
The merger agreement may be terminated by the mutual written
consent of Alltel, Spinco and Valor. Additionally, either
Alltel, Spinco or Valor may terminate the merger agreement if:
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the merger is not consummated by December 8, 2006 through
no fault of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement; |
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there are final, non-appealable legal restraints preventing the
merger and the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement
has used all reasonable best efforts to remove such legal
restraints; or |
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the requisite Valor stockholder approval shall have failed to be
obtained at the stockholders meeting, except that Valor
will not be permitted to terminate the merger agreement because
of the failure to obtain the stockholder approval if such
failure was caused by (i) Valors actions or inactions
that constitute a material breach of the merger agreement or
(ii) a material breach of the voting agreement by any party
thereto other than Spinco. |
Either Alltel or Spinco may terminate the merger agreement at
any time prior to the merger if:
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Valor has breached or failed to perform in any material respect
a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in
the merger agreement, resulting in a failure of a condition to
Valors obligation to effect the merger, and such breach
cannot be cured by December 8, 2006; |
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the Board of Directors of Valor withdraws or modifies its
approval or recommendation of the merger or the merger agreement
or approves or recommends (or approves to recommend) to the
Valor stockholders an acquisition proposal; or |
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Valor fails to call and hold stockholders meeting within
sixty (60) days after the effectiveness of the registration
statement to which this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement is a part. |
Valor may terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to
the merger if:
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either Alltel or Spinco breached or failed to perform in any
material respect a representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement contained in the merger agreement, resulting in a
failure of a condition to the Alltel or Spincos
obligations to effect the merger, and such breach cannot be
cured by December 8, 2006; or |
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the Valor Board of Directors determines in good faith that an
acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal and
(i) Valor notifies Alltel of the acquisition proposal in
accordance with the merger agreement, (ii) simultaneously
with terminating the merger agreement Valor enters into a
definitive agreement to effect the superior proposal, and
(iii) Valor pays to Alltel the termination fee described
below. |
Termination Fee Payable in Certain Circumstances
Valor has agreed to pay Alltel a termination fee of
$35 million in the event that:
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Valor terminates the merger agreement because its Board of
Directors determines in good faith that an acquisition proposal
constitutes a superior proposal; |
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Alltel and Spinco terminate the merger agreement because the
Board of Directors of Valor withdraws or modifies its approval
or recommendation of the merger or recommends an acquisition
proposal to the Valor stockholders; or |
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any person makes an acquisition proposal and thereafter the
merger agreement is terminated (i) by Valor, Alltel or
Spinco because either the merger is not consummated by
December 8, 2006 or if the requisite Valor stockholder
approval shall have failed to be obtained, or (ii) by
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because Valor fails to call and hold stockholders meeting
within sixty (60) days after the effectiveness of the
registration statement to which this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement is a part, and, in each of the
following cases, within twelve (12) months after the
termination of the merger agreement: |
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Valor is acquired by any merger,
business combination or other similar transaction;
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Valor disposes of 15% or more of
the total consolidated assets of Valor and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or accounting for 15% or more of the total
consolidated revenues of Valor and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole;
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any person or entity acquires
15% or more of the outstanding shares of Valor common stock;
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any other substantially similar
transaction that would reasonably be expected to prevent or
materially impair or delay the consummation of merger is
consummated; or
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Valor enters into a definitive
agreement with respect to the foregoing.
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Alltel has agreed to pay Valor a termination fee of
$35 million in the event that:
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Alltel and Spinco or Valor terminates the merger agreement
because the meprger is not consummated by December 8, 2006
and at the time of such termination, all of the conditions to
the transactions in the merger agreement have been satisfied
other than such conditions which by their terms are intended to
be satisfied contemporaneously with the closing or such
condition regarding the completion of the financing of the
transaction; or |
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Valor terminates the merger agreement because either Alltel or
Spinco breached or failed to perform in any material respect a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the
merger agreement, resulting in a failure of the conditions to
the Alltel or Spincos obligations regarding the completion
of the financing of the transaction, and such breach cannot be
cured by December 8, 2006. |
In addition, Alltel has agreed to pay Valor a termination fee of
$20 million in the event that:
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Alltel and Spinco or Valor terminates the merger agreement
because the merger is not consummated by December 8, 2006
and at the time of such termination, all of the conditions to
the transactions in the merger agreement have been satisfied
other than such conditions which by their terms are intended to
be satisfied contemporaneously with the closing or such
conditions regarding: |
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the receipt by Alltel and Spinco
(and, to the extent applicable, Valor) of the requisite Internal
Revenue Service rulings relating to the spin-off and the merger
and the receipt by Alltel of a legal opinion from its counsel to
the effect that the spin-off will be tax-free to Alltel, Spinco
and the stockholders of Alltel under Section 355 and
related provisions of the Code; or
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the receipt by each of Alltel
and Spinco, on the one hand, and Valor, on the other hand, of a
legal opinion stating that the merger will constitute a
reorganization under section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code; or
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Valor terminates the merger agreement because either Alltel or
Spinco breached or failed to perform in any material respect a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the
merger agreement, resulting in a failure of the two conditions
to the Alltel or Spincos obligations listed immediately
above, and such breach cannot be cured by December 8, 2006. |
Indemnification
Under the merger agreement, Windstream is obligated to indemnify
Alltel and its affiliates against all losses and expenses
arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, or the registration statement
to which it is part, or any omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein not misleading. Windstream is not responsible,
however, for information provided by Alltel as to itself and its
subsidiaries, including Spinco.
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The merger agreement also provides that Alltel will indemnify
Windstream and its affiliates against all losses and expenses
arising out any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, or the registration statement
to which it is part, or any omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein not misleading, but only with respect to
information provided by Alltel as to itself and its
subsidiaries, including Spinco.
Amendments
The merger agreement may be amended by the parties at any time
before or after approval by Valor stockholders, provided that,
after approval by Valor stockholders, no amendment which by law
or under the rules of any stock exchange or automated
inter-dealer quotation system requires further stockholder
approval may be made to the merger agreement without obtaining
such further approval. All amendments to the merger agreement
must be in writing and signed by each party.
Expenses
The merger agreement provides that each party will pay its own
fees and expenses in connection with the merger agreement, the
merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, whether or not the merger is completed, except that
if the merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the merger agreement, the merger and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be paid
by Windstream, including all underwriters or placement
agents discounts, fees and expenses associated with the
financing of Spinco and the debt exchange, and all broker,
finder and similar advisory fees incurred by Alltel or Spinco in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement and the distribution agreement, subject to a cap on
such fees.
Tax Matters
The merger agreement contains certain additional
representations, warranties, covenants and indemnification
provisions relating to the preservation of the tax-free status
of (i) the contributions by Alltel to Spinco, (ii) the
receipt by Alltel of the special dividend and the Spinco debt
securities, (iii) the exchange of the Spinco debt
securities for Alltel debt, (iv) the distribution of Spinco
stock to the stockholders of Alltel and (v) the merger of
Spinco and Valor (which the merger agreement refers to
collectively as the tax-free status of the transactions). In
particular, Spinco, Alltel and Valor each represented that it
would examine all of the tax materials prepared in connection
with obtaining the required tax rulings from the IRS and the
required opinions of Alltels and Valors tax counsel,
as well as the actual tax rulings and opinions, and that the
facts and representations made in those rulings, opinions and
other tax materials as to itself are or will be correct and
complete in all material respects. In addition, Valor made
further representations and warranties to Alltel and Spinco
regarding the ownership of equity interests in Alltel by Valor
and by certain controlling stockholders of Valor.
Valor also agreed to certain limitations on its and
Windstreams future activities that restrict its ability to
take actions that would jeopardize the tax-free status of the
transactions (which actions the merger agreement refers to as
disqualifying actions), and require it to take
certain other actions in order to preserve the tax-free status
of the transactions, including:
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generally, not taking, or permitting any of its subsidiaries to
take, any disqualifying action, provided that a disqualifying
action would not include (i) an action taken pursuant to
the terms of the transaction agreements, (ii) an action
that would not have caused the tax-free status of the
transactions to be lost, but for an action taken by Alltel or
(iii) an action taken by Spinco prior to the distribution
or taken solely to mitigate the adverse effects on the tax-free
status of the transactions of an action taken by Spinco prior to
the distribution; |
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generally, for two years after the distribution, not taking, or
permitting any of its subsidiaries to take, an action that might
be a disqualifying action, without receiving the prior
determination of Alltel that the action would not jeopardize the
tax-free status of the transactions; |
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for two years after the distribution, not entering into any
agreement, understanding or arrangement or engaging in any
substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction
involving the acquisition of Windstream stock or the issuance of
shares of Windstream stock, or options to acquire or other
rights in respect of such stock, in excess of a permitted basket
of 71,130,989 shares (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, recapitalizations, reclassifications and similar
transactions), unless, generally, the shares are issued to
qualifying Windstream employees or retirement plans, each in
accordance with safe harbors under regulations
issued by the IRS; |
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for two years after the distribution, not repurchasing
Windstream shares, except to the extent consistent with guidance
issued by the IRS; |
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for two years after the distribution, causing certain
wholly-owned subsidiaries that were wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Spinco at the time of the distribution to continue the active
conduct of the Spinco business to the extent so conducted by
those subsidiaries immediately prior to the distribution; |
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for two years after the distribution, not voluntarily
dissolving, liquidating, merging or consolidating with any other
person, unless (i) Windstream is the survivor of the merger
or consolidation or (ii) prior to undertaking such action,
Alltel has delivered a written determination to Windstream that
such action would not jeopardize the tax-free status of the
transactions. |
Nevertheless, Windstream will be permitted to take any of the
actions described above in the event that the IRS has granted a
favorable ruling to Alltel or Windstream as to the effect of
such action on the tax-free status of the transactions.
Valor and Spinco, on the one hand, and Alltel, on the other
hand, agreed that, subject to redaction, each would furnish the
other with a copy of any relevant documents delivered to the
IRS. In addition, Valor agreed to take actions reasonably
requested by Alltel intended to mitigate the effects of a breach
by Spinco prior to the distribution date of a tax-related
representation or covenant, provided that (i) Alltel would
indemnify Valor for all reasonable costs and expenses of taking
such actions and (ii) any such action did not and would not
adversely impact in any material respect the business,
operations or financial condition of Valor or any of its
subsidiaries or divisions.
To the extent that the tax-free status of the transactions is
lost because of a disqualifying action taken by Windstream or
any of its subsidiaries after the distribution date, Windstream
will be obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Alltel
and its subsidiaries (or any successor to any of them) from and
against any and all tax-related losses incurred by Alltel.
Tax related losses include not only taxes, as
finally determined by the IRS, but also accounting, legal and
other professional fees and court costs incurred in connection
with such taxes, costs and expenses that resulted from adverse
tax consequences to Alltel or Alltel stockholders, and any taxes
imposed on the receipt of the indemnification payments.
Nevertheless, Windstream will not be obligated to indemnify
Alltel as described above, if:
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Alltel had delivered to Windstream a written determination that
a potential disqualifying action would not jeopardize the
tax-free status of the transactions (except to the extent that a
disqualifying action resulted from the inaccuracy, incorrectness
or incompleteness of any representation provided by Windstream
to Alltel in respect of that determination); |
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the tax-related loss arose in respect of any action or
transaction that was permitted to be taken without the consent
of Alltel pursuant to the limitations described in the third
preceding paragraph (except to the extent that, in the case
of an action permitted pursuant to an IRS ruling, a
disqualifying action resulted from the inaccuracy, incorrectness
or incompleteness of any representation provided by Windstream
to the IRS in connection with such ruling); |
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the tax-related loss arose in respect of any item of income,
gain, deduction or loss that resulted from Alltels
preliminary internal restructuring or that was attributable,
under certain provisions of the Code, to a predecessor of Alltel
or Spinco; or |
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the tax-related loss arose from the recognition of taxable
income or gain by Alltel or any Alltel affiliate on the
distribution, as a result of any deemed sale of Spinco stock by
Alltel attributable to such stock being treated for federal
income tax purposes as not having been distributed to
Alltels stockholders or any failure by Alltel to
distribute an amount of Spinco stock constituting
control of Spinco within the meaning of
Section 368(c) of the Code as a result of such a deemed
sale. |
Alltel agreed to terminate as of the distribution date any and
all existing tax sharing agreements and tax practices between
Alltel or any subsidiary, other than Spinco or any Spinco
subsidiary, on the one hand, and Spinco or any Spinco
subsidiary, on the other hand.
The merger agreement provides that Alltel and Windstream will
jointly control and cooperate on the defense of any third-party
claim which could give rise to an indemnification payment by
Windstream under the tax indemnity provisions of the merger
agreement. Each party forfeited its control right if it made any
public statement or filing, or took any action, materially
inconsistent with any representation or warranty made by such
party in the merger agreement or the tax materials. If either
Alltel or Windstream failed to jointly defend any such claim,
then the other party would solely defend such claim with the
cooperation of the non-participating party, provided that Alltel
could not compromise or settle any such claim without the prior
written consent of Windstream. Each party agreed to pay its own
costs and expenses incurred in defending any such claim.
THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of selected material provisions of
the distribution agreement. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the distribution agreement, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety and attached to this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement as
Annex B. We urge you to read the distribution agreement in
its entirety. The distribution agreement has been included to
provide you with information regarding its terms and has been
publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It
is not intended to provide any other factual information about
Alltel, Spinco or Valor. Such information can be found elsewhere
in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement.
The distribution agreement contains representations and
warranties that Alltel and Spinco made to each other. The
assertions embodied in those representations and warranties are
qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules
that Alltel and Spinco have exchanged in connection with signing
the distribution agreement. The disclosure schedules contain
information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to
the representations and warranties set forth in the attached
distribution agreement. Accordingly, you should not rely on the
representations and warranties as characterizations of the
actual state of facts, since they are modified in important part
by the underlying disclosure schedules. These disclosure
schedules contain information that has been included in Alltel
general prior public disclosures, as well as potential
additional non-public information. Moreover, information
concerning the subject matter of the representations and
warranties may have changed since the date of the agreement,
which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected
in Alltels public disclosures. We do not believe that the
disclosure schedules contain information securities laws require
us to publicly disclose other than information that has already
been so disclosed.
General
The distribution agreement between Alltel and Spinco provides
for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions
required to effect the proposed distribution of Spinco common
stock to Alltel stockholders and certain other terms governing
the relationship between Alltel and Spinco with respect to or in
consequence of the spin-off transaction.
Preliminary Transactions
Pursuant to the distribution agreement, Alltel will engage in a
series of preliminary restructuring transactions to effect
(i) the transfer to Spincos subsidiaries of all of
the assets relating to Alltels wireline
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telecommunications business, including Alltels ILEC, CLEC
and internet access operations, related marketing and sales
operations, and other operations comprising what is referred to
in Alltels Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 as the Wireline Segment
of Alltel, as well as all of Alltels directory publishing
operations, telecommunication information services operations,
product distribution operations (other than any such operations
supporting Alltels wireless telecommunications business),
network management services operations, and wireline
long-distance services operations (other than the fiber backbone
supporting those operations and the revenues attributable to
Alltels wireless telecommunications business as a result
of its use of the fiber backbone); and (ii) the transfer to
Alltels subsidiaries of all assets not relating to such
businesses.
Following these preliminary restructuring transactions, and
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, Alltel
will contribute all of the stock of the Spinco subsidiaries to
Spinco in exchange for:
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the issuance to Alltel of Spinco common stock to be distributed
to the exchange agent for the benefit of Alltels
stockholders pro rata in the spin-off, |
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the payment of a special dividend to Alltel in an amount not to
exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco (which equals
approximately $2.4 billion), which Alltel will use to
repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock buyback program
authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in connection with
the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness, or both, within
one year following the spin-off, and |
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the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of certain Spinco debt
securities in an amount equal to the difference between
$3.965 billion (the aggregate amount Spinco will borrow)
and the special dividend paid to Alltel by Spinco, which Alltel
intends to exchange for outstanding Alltel debt securities or
otherwise transfer to Alltels creditors. |
Coordination of Asset Separation Transactions
The separation of the assets and liabilities of the Spinco
Business from Alltels remaining assets, as well as the
terms of the various separation agreements and similar
arrangements, between Alltel and Spinco will be subject to the
review of a steering committee comprised of representatives
designated by Alltel, Spinco and Valor. The Steering Committee
will be comprised of up to two (2) designees selected by
Alltel, up to two (2) designees selected by Spinco and up
to two (2) designees selected by Valor, who shall be
reasonably acceptable to Alltel and Spinco.
Spinco Financing
The distribution agreement provides that, prior to the
distribution, Spinco will consummate certain financing
transactions pursuant to which Spinco will borrow approximately
$3.965 billion through (1) a new senior secured credit
agreements or the issuance of senior unsecured debt securities
in an offering under Rule 144A, promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (2) the
distribution of the exchange notes to Alltel. All proceeds of
the financing will be used to pay the consideration to be
received by Alltel for the contribution (through payment of the
special dividend and distribution of the exchange notes) and to
pay related fees and expenses.
Alltel has received a commitment letter from J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch
Capital Corporation to provide Spinco with up to
$4.2 billion in senior secured credit facilities comprised
of term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to
$3.7 billion and a revolving credit facility of up to
$500.0 million. For a more complete discussion of the
financing of Windstream, see Financing of Windstream
herein at page [ ].
Net Debt Adjustment
The distribution agreement provides for an adjustment following
completion of the merger to be paid by Alltel or Valor (as the
surviving company in the merger), as the case may be, to the
extent that the net indebtedness of Spinco following the merger
is more or less than the sum of (x) $4.2 billion plus
(y) any fees and expenses related to Spincos note
offering and the distribution of the Spinco debt securities to
Alltel (the
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sum of which we will refer to as Spincos target
indebtedness). If the net indebtedness of Spinco following
the merger exceeds the Spincos target indebtedness, Alltel
is obligated to pay to Valor an amount equal to such excess. If
the net indebtedness of Spinco following the merger is less than
the Spincos target indebtedness, Valor will pay to Alltel
an amount equal to such deficit. The amount, if any, of the debt
adjustment will be determined within 90 days of the closing
date.
As a result of the transactions, Alltel will receive
approximately $4.2 billion in cash proceeds and debt
reduction through the special dividend, the distribution of the
exchange notes and the assumption by Windstream on a
consolidated basis of approximately $261 million in
existing Spinco debt securities.
Covenants
Each of Alltel and Spinco have agreed to take specified actions
after the signing of the distribution agreement. These actions
include the following:
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immediately prior to the spin-off, all material contracts,
licenses, agreements, commitments and other arrangements, formal
and informal, between Alltel and its subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and Spinco and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, will
be terminated (except as contemplated by the other agreements
executed in connection with the transactions); |
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immediately prior to the spin-off, all intercompany cash
management loan balances between Alltel and its subsidiaries, on
one hand, and Spinco and its subsidiaries, on the other hand,
will be canceled; |
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no longer using any material showing, or otherwise representing
to any third party, any affiliation or connection between Alltel
and Spinco after the spin-off, other than in filings, reports
and other documents required by applicable law or regulations of
securities exchanges to be filed or made publicly
available; and |
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entering into the Employee Benefits Agreement, the Merger
Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Shared Assets
Agreement, the Shared Contracts Agreement, and the Transition
Services Agreement (see Additional Agreements Related To
The Spin-Off And The Merger on
page [ ]). |
Conditions to the Completion of the Spin-Off
The distribution agreement provides that the distribution of
Spinco common stock will occur only if each condition to
obligations of Alltel and Spinco to consummate the merger shall
have been fulfilled or waived by Alltel (except for the
consummation of the contribution transaction and the spin-off)
(see The Merger Agreement Conditions to the
Completion of the Merger on
page [ ]).
Subsequent Transfers
In the event that following the spin-off Alltel becomes aware
that it possesses any assets that should have been transferred
to Spinco, Alltel will hold such asset in trust and cause the
prompt transfer of such assets, rights or properties to Spinco.
Mutual Release; Indemnification
Mutual Release of Pre-Closing Claims. Spinco and Alltel
have each agreed to release the other from any and all claims
that it may have against the other party which arise out of or
relate to events, circumstances or actions taken by the other
party occurring or failing to occur or any conditions existing
at or prior to the time of the spin-off. The mutual release is
subject to specified exceptions set forth in the distribution
agreement. The specified exceptions include:
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any liability assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to
Spinco or to Alltel in accordance with, or any other liability
of either of them under, the merger agreement or any other
transaction agreements or any contracts contemplated thereby; |
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the ability of a party to enforce its rights under the merger
agreement or any other transaction agreements or any contracts
contemplated thereby; or |
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any liability the release of which would result in the release
of any person other than Spinco, Alltel or their respective
subsidiaries. |
Indemnification by Spinco. Except as otherwise provided
in transaction agreements executed in connection with the
merger, Spinco is obligated to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Alltel from and against all losses arising out of or
due to the failure of Spinco:
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any liability of Alltel or any
of its subsidiaries (including Spinco and its subsidiaries)
primarily relating to or arising from the business of Spinco,
including the liabilities set forth on the audited balance sheet
of Spinco prepared in accordance with the distribution agreement
or arising after the date thereof;
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any liability of Spinco under
the transaction agreements executed in connection with the
merger;
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any liability to be transferred
to Spinco or a Spinco subsidiary in connection with a benefit
and compensation plan, in accordance with the employee benefits
agreement; or
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any liability or obligation
arising in connection with or related to the assets transferred
to Spinco by Alltel in accordance with the distribution
agreement; or
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to perform any of its obligations under the distribution
agreement. |
Indemnification by Alltel. Except as otherwise provided
in the transaction agreements executed in connection with the
merger, Alltel is obligated to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Spinco from and against all losses arising out of or
due to the failure of Alltel:
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to pay or satisfy any liability of Alltel or any of its
subsidiaries, including the liabilities of Alltel under the
transaction agreements executed in connection with the merger,
in each case, other than the liabilities of Spinco
thereunder; or |
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to transfer to Spinco all of the assets transferred or to be
transferred to Spinco pursuant to the distribution
agreement, or |
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to perform any of its obligations under the distribution
agreement. |
The indemnification provisions set forth in the distribution
agreement do not apply to any indemnification or other claims
relating to taxes. Instead, these indemnification obligations
are covered in the tax sharing agreement. See Additional
Agreements Related To The Spin-Off And The Merger
The Tax Sharing Agreement beginning on
page [ ].
Insurance
Following the spin-off, Spinco will be responsible for obtaining
and maintaining its own insurance coverage and will no longer be
an insured party under Alltel insurance policies, except that
Spinco will have the right to assert claims for any liability
with respect to the Spinco business under shared policies with
third party insurers which are occurrence basis
policies arising out of incidents occurring from the date
coverage commenced until the time of the spin-off. Spinco will
have similar rights under claims made policies
arising out of incidents occurring from the date of coverage
until the time of the spin-off, so long as the claim is properly
asserted to the insurer prior to the spin-off.
Non-Solicitation of Employees
Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Alltel and Spinco
each agree not to solicit, recruit or hire any employee of the
other for a period of twelve months following the date of the
spin-off or until three
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months after the employees employment with the respective
company terminates, whichever occurs first. These restrictions
do not apply to general recruiting efforts carried out through a
public or general solicitation.
Expenses
Under the terms of the distribution agreement, whether or not
the distribution is consummated, the costs and expenses incurred
by Alltel or Spinco in connection with the distribution
agreement, the preliminary restructuring contemplated thereby,
the contribution, the special dividend, the debt exchange, the
financing Spinco and the merger (including (i) all
underwriters discounts, fees and expenses, and
(ii) all broker, finder and similar advisory fees incurred
by Alltel or Spinco in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the distribution agreement and the merger
agreement) will be paid by Spinco, except that, in the event the
aggregate amount of all such expenses exceeds
$115.0 million less the amount by which the principal
amount of any indebtedness of Spinco following the merger
exceeds Spincos target indebtedness, Alltel will pay such
excess expenses.
Spinco is not responsible for any expenses of Valors
legal, accounting, financial and other advisors or any costs of
refinancing the Valors outstanding indebtedness or any
other costs incurred by Valor in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the distribution agreement or by
the merger agreement, except that if the merger is consummated,
all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger
agreement, the merger and the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement will be paid by Windstream.
Termination
Following termination of the merger agreement, the distribution
agreement may be terminated and the spin-off abandoned at any
time prior to the spin-off by and in the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors of Alltel. As long as the merger agreement is
in effect, the distribution agreement may not be terminated.
THE VOTING AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of selected provisions of the voting
agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the voting agreement, which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety and attached to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement as Annex C. We urge you to
read this agreement in its entirety.
Contemporaneously with entering into the merger agreement,
Spinco entered into a voting agreement with certain holders of
Valor common stock. All of the shares of Valor common stock
beneficially owned by these stockholders are subject to the
voting agreement. As of the record date for Valors annual
meeting, these stockholders held 28,833,582 shares of Valor
common stock, representing approximately 41% of the number of
votes entitled to be cast.
Each of the stockholders party to the voting agreement are
obligated by the voting agreement to vote their shares in favor
of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the
merger. Unless Alltel and Spinco consent in writing to the
contrary, these stockholders also are required by the voting
agreement to vote against proposals of any third party relating
to the merger of Valor or acquisition of 20% or more of the
assets of Valor and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or 20%
or more of the common stock of Valor. These stockholders also
may not in any manner participate in a solicitation
(as that term is used in the rules of the SEC) of proxies or
similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or influence any
person with respect to voting intended to facilitate any such
alternative merger or acquisition or to cause Valor stockholders
not to vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. Further,
these stockholders may not, directly or indirectly, enter into,
solicit, or otherwise conduct any discussions or negotiations
with, or respond to or provide any information to, anyone other
than Alltel and Spinco relating to an acquisition
proposal as defined in the merger agreement (see The
Merger Agreement No Solicitation on
page [ ]). In addition, these
stockholders may not enter into any other agreements the effect
of which is inconsistent with the requirements listed in this
paragraph.
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The stockholders party to the voting agreement are also
obligated to cause the Securityholders Agreement, dated as of
February 14, 2005, by and among Valor and certain of its
stockholders, to be amended as set forth in the merger agreement.
The voting agreement will terminate at any time upon notice by
Alltel and Spinco to the stockholders noted above or upon the
earlier of (i) the approval and adoption of the merger
agreement, (ii) the failure of the Valor stockholders to
vote to adopt and approve the merger and merger agreement at the
stockholders meeting called for such purpose,
(iii) amendment of the merger agreement in a manner that it
materially disadvantageous to the stockholders party to the
voting agreement without such stockholders consent, or
(iv) the termination of the merger agreement.
No stockholder who is or becomes during the term of the voting
agreement a director or officer of Valor was deemed to make any
agreement or understanding in the voting agreement in such
stockholders capacity as a director or officer. Each such
stockholder entered into the voting agreement solely in his or
her capacity as the record holder or beneficial owner of, or the
trustee of a trust whose beneficiaries are the beneficial owners
of, such stockholders shares and nothing in the voting
agreement limits or affects any actions taken by such
stockholder in his or her capacity as a director or officer of
Valor.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE SPIN-OFF AND THE
MERGER
Valor, Spinco and Alltel have entered into or, before the
completion of the spin-off and merger, will enter into,
agreements related to the spin-off and the merger and various
interim and on-going relationships between Valor, Spinco and
Alltel. The material terms of these agreements are summarized
below. The descriptions of the Employee Benefits Agreement, Tax
Sharing Agreement and Transition Services Agreements are
qualified by reference to the complete text of these agreements,
which are incorporated by reference into this document and filed
as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement is a part.
Employee Benefits Agreement
In connection with the spin-off and merger, Alltel and Spinco
entered into an Employee Benefits Agreement to allocate assets,
liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain
employee benefit plans, policies and compensation programs
between them. We encourage you to read the entire employee
benefits agreement.
Prior to the merger, Spinco will continue to pay its employees
their ordinary salaries and to make pay adjustments in the
normal course of business. Within 15 days prior to the
merger, Alltel will designate employees who will constitute
Spinco employees (which we will refer to as Spinco
Employees) and former employees who were engaged in the
Spinco business who have an interest in any of the employee
benefit plans listed in the employee benefits agreement (which
we will refer to as Spinco Individuals). Prior to
the distribution date, Alltel also will take any actions
necessary for Spinco to continue to maintain or to assume any
collective bargaining agreements relating to the Spinco
Employees.
Spinco has agreed to assume and pay all liabilities relating to
the Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals with respect to the
benefit plans listed in the agreement, to the extent relating to
the individuals employment with Alltel or Spinco.
Beneficiary designations under the Alltel plans will be
transferred to the corresponding Spinco plan and will be in full
force and effect until replaced or revoked by the participant.
Spinco plans will not provide duplicative benefits. Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals are entitled to participate in
these plans only to the extent that they were entitled to
participate in the corresponding Alltel plans.
Under the terms of the employee benefits agreement, Spinco has
agreed to establish the plans listed below for Spinco Employees
and Spinco Individuals. In connection with the establishment of
these plans,
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Alltel has agreed, except as stated below, to transfer the
assets and liabilities attributable to Spinco Employees and
Spinco Individuals from the applicable Alltel plan to the
comparable Spinco plan.
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A retirement plan and related trust substantially similar to the
Alltel pension plan. The amount transferred from the Alltel
pension plan to the Spinco plan will be a pro rata share of the
fair market value of the Alltel pension plan assets. |
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Plans substantially similar to the Alltel 401(k) and profit
sharing plans. Any participant loan notes held by the Alltel
401(k) will be transferred in-kind. |
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A plan substantially identical to the provisions of the Alltel
comprehensive group insurance plan. The Spinco plan will
recognize and maintain the current status for elections and
deductible plan maximums made with respect to Spinco Employees
and Spinco Individuals under the Alltel plan. No assets of the
trust related to the Alltel comprehensive group insurance plan
shall be transferred to Spinco or any trust established by
Spinco. The Spinco plan will recognize and maintain all coverage
and contribution elections made under the Alltel plan and will
recognize and give credit for all deductibles and co-payments
paid by, and all benefits paid to, Spinco Employees and Spinco
Individuals under the Alltel plan. |
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Plans established for Spinco Employees that are substantially
similar to the Alltel long term disability plan, group accident
plan, and Special Insurance Plan for Former Allied Telephone
Profit Sharing. The Alltel long term disability plan, group
accident plan, and Special Insurance Plan for Former Allied
Telephone Profit Sharing will remain liable for obligations
incurred with respect to Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals
prior to establishment of the new Spinco plans. |
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A plan established for Spinco Individuals that is substantially
similar to the provisions of Alltels Income Advantage Plan
(POP). The Spinco plan will maintain coverage and contribution
elections made under the Alltel Income Advantage Plan and
recognize account balances as if participation in the Spinco
plan had been since the beginning of the calendar year. |
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Educational assistance and adoption assistance plans for Spinco
Employees that are substantially similar to the Alltel plans of
the same name. The obligations and liabilities with respect to
Spinco Employees under the Alltel educational assistance and
adoption assistance plans will be transferred to and assumed by
the respective Spinco plans. |
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A severance pay plan for Spinco Employees substantially similar
to the severance pay plan of Alltel; provided, however,
the spin-off, merger or both will not be an event that entitles
a Spinco Employee or Spinco Individual to benefits under the
Alltel severance pay plan or new Spinco severance plan. The
Spinco severance plan will not be amended so as to provide
decreased benefits for a period of one year after the
distribution date. |
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People practices for Spinco Employees substantially similar to
the provisions of the people practices in effect at Alltel.
Spinco has agreed to recognize all periods of service of Spinco
Employees with Alltel under the Spinco people practices plan. |
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A plan substantially identical to the Alltel Corporation
Performance Incentive Compensation Plan for the performance
period beginning the day after the distribution date and ending
on December 31, 2006. Awards held by Spinco Individuals
under the 2006 Alltel Corporation Performance Incentive
Compensation Plan will be paid a pro rated amount if deemed
earned based on a reasonable estimate of the actual performance
level from January 1, 2006 to the distribution date. |
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A plan for Spinco Employees that is substantially identical to
the provisions of Alltels Benefit Restoration Plan. |
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A plan for Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals substantially
similar to the provisions of Alltels Supplemental Medical
Reimbursement Plan. The obligations and liabilities incurred
under the Alltel Supplemental Medical Reimbursement Plan with
respect to Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals will be and
remain the sole responsibility of the Alltel Supplemental
Medical Reimbursement Plan. |
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Further, Spinco will assume and honor leaves of absence granted
to Spinco Employees under a leave of absence program or the
Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended (FMLA),
by Alltel and its subsidiaries. Spinco will recognize all
periods of service of Spinco employees with Alltel to the extent
such service is recognized by Alltel and its subsidiaries for
the purpose of eligibility for leave entitlement under an Alltel
leave of absence program and FMLA.
Spinco employees will be eligible to participate in
Alltels Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the period prior
to the spin-off and merger, but after the distribution date,
Spinco employees will not be permitted to participate in
Alltels Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Under the employee benefits agreement, outstanding awards held
by Spinco Individuals under the Alltels Long-Term
Performance Incentive Compensation Plan will be treated as
follows:
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For awards in effect as of the distribution date for the
20042006 performance measurement period, each Spinco
Individual will be entitled to a pro rata amount if deemed
earned based on a reasonable estimate of the actual performance
level of such period. |
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Awards in effect as of the distribution date for the
20052007 performance measurement period will be deemed
earned at the target performance level and paid pro rata to
eligible Spinco Individuals. |
Alltel Stock Options shall be handled as follows:
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To the extent that a Spinco Individual is holding an award
consisting of an Alltel option that is vested and outstanding as
of the distribution date, he or she will be treated as
experiencing a separation from service from, or otherwise
terminating employment with, Alltel. Any such Alltel option will
expire unless it is exercised within the time provided in the
option itself. |
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To the extent that a Spinco employee is holding an award
consisting of an Alltel option that is not vested as of the
distribution date, that option shall be cancelled as of the
distribution date and replaced by restricted shares of
Windstream common stock in accordance with the terms of the
Merger Agreement. The merger agreement authorizes up to
2.8 million restricted shares of Valor common stock to be
awarded. The restrictions on such shares will lapse on a date to
be determined by the Board of Directors of Windstream. The
Windstream Board of Directors will also determine the value of
the awards. |
Restricted share awards outstanding under the 1998 Equity
Incentive Plan held by a Spinco Individual will become fully
vested on the distribution date.
Finally, Alltel will transfer its Executive Deferred
Compensation Sub-Plan
and its 1998 Management Deferred Compensation
Sub-Plan to Spinco and
will transfer cash to Spinco in an amount sufficient for
benefits due under the respective sub-plans.
Spinco assumes no obligations, liabilities, sponsorship,
administration or assets of or with respect to any other Alltel
employee benefit plans, policies or compensation programs.
Except as set forth in the employee benefits agreement, Spinco
is not prohibited from amending or terminating any employee
benefit plans, policies and compensation programs at any time
after the distribution date.
The Tax Sharing Agreement
In connection with the spin-off and merger, Alltel, Valor and
Spinco have agreed to enter into a tax sharing agreement that
allocates the responsibility for (i) filing tax returns and
preparing other tax-related information and (ii) the
liability for payment and the benefit of refund or other
recovery of taxes. The following is a summary of the material
terms and provisions of the tax sharing agreement. We encourage
you to read the entire tax sharing agreement.
Tax Returns; Responsibility for Taxes. Alltel agreed to
file or cause to be filed any consolidated, combined or unitary
income tax return that (i) includes both Alltel or any of
its subsidiaries and Spinco or any of its subsidiaries and
(ii) relates to or includes any taxable period on or prior
to the distribution date. Alltel has the exclusive right to take
any and all actions necessary for the filing of such returns
and, except as
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otherwise provided in the agreement, to take actions for the
purpose of making payments to, or collecting refunds from, any
taxing authority in respect of such returns. Valor agreed to
file or cause to be filed any other income tax return and any
non-income tax return, in each case relating to Spinco or any of
its subsidiaries that is required to be filed after the
distribution date. Valor agreed to submit to Alltel any such
income tax return that relates to or includes any taxable period
on or prior to the distribution date, and to make or cause to be
made any and all changes requested by Alltel to those returns in
respect of items for which Alltel has responsibility under the
tax sharing agreement. Valor also agreed not to file or allow to
be filed any such income tax return prior to receiving
Alltels written approval of such return, not to be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
Valor agreed to be liable for, and to indemnify and hold the
Alltel group harmless against:
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any net liability for income taxes of a member of the Spinco
group attributable to the treatment of payments received from a
federal or state universal services fund in respect of the
Spinco business for the period from January 1, 1997 to the
distribution; |
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any non-income taxes arising prior to the spin-off and relating
to Spinco and its subsidiaries or to the employees, assets or
transactions of the Spinco business, except for non-income taxes
arising in respect of the preliminary restructuring of the
Spinco group and the distribution of the stock of Spinco to the
stockholders of Alltel; and |
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any liability for taxes arising after the spin-off attributable
to Spinco and its subsidiaries or to the employees, assets or
transactions of the Spinco business. |
Alltel agreed to be liable for, and to indemnify and hold Valor
harmless against, any taxes of the Alltel group or the Spinco
group or any member thereof, other than (i) taxes
specifically allocated to Valor under the tax sharing agreement
or (ii) taxes for which Valor has indemnified Alltel
pursuant to the merger agreement.
Valor and Alltel agreed that each is entitled to any refund of
or credit for taxes for which it is responsible under the tax
sharing agreement, including equitably apportioned refunds for
any taxable period consisting of days both before and after the
distribution.
All prior tax sharing or tax allocation agreements or practices
between any member of the Alltel group, on the one hand, and
Spinco or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, will be
terminated as of the date of the spin-off.
Carrybacks and Amended Returns. Tax attributes from a
period after the spin-off will not be carried back by Spinco or
any of its subsidiaries to a pre-distribution tax return unless
required by law or Alltel so consents. If a carryback is
required by law or if Alltel so consents, then any tax benefit
realized with respect to the carryback will be remitted to Valor.
Valor agreed not to file, or to permit any member of the Spinco
group to file, any amended income tax return of a member of the
Spinco group, or any non-income tax return that is filed on a
combined basis with a member of the Alltel group, in each case
with respect to returns for periods prior to the distribution,
without first obtaining the consent of Alltel.
Timing Adjustments. Valor and Alltel agreed to pay to the
other the amount of any tax benefit that result from any timing
adjustment that (i) decreases deductions, losses or tax
credits or increases income, gains or recapture of tax credits
of the other and (ii) permits the paying party to increase
deductions, losses or tax credits or to decrease income, gains
or recapture of tax credits.
Tax Contests. Valor and Alltel agreed to promptly notify
the other in writing upon receipt of a written communication
from any taxing authority with respect to any pending or
threatened audit, dispute, suit, action, proposed assessment or
other proceeding concerning any tax return for which the other
may be liable under the tax sharing agreement. Alltel agreed to
give Valor sole control of any income tax contest in respect of
any return related exclusively to periods following the
spin-off, while Alltel maintained sole control of any other
income tax contest of a member of the Spinco group, provided
that, in the case of a contest relating to
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income taxes for which Valor is responsible under the tax
sharing agreement, Alltel agreed to provide Valor with an
opportunity to review and comment and to participate in such tax
contest at its own expense.
Cooperation. Alltel and Valor agreed to cooperate in the
filing of tax returns and the conduct of any audit or other
proceeding related to taxes, as well as in the retention of
tax-related records and access thereto. Each party also agreed
to treat the distribution of the Spinco stock to the
stockholders of Alltel, the merger with Valor and the related
transactions in a manner such that no gain or loss was
recognized by any of Alltel, Spinco or Valor and their
respective stockholders.
Transition Services Agreement
The Transition Services Agreement and the Reverse Transition
Services Agreement to be entered into between Alltel and Spinco
set forth the terms and conditions for the provision of various
transition services by Alltel to Spinco, and by Spinco to
Alltel. The material terms contained in these two agreements are
reciprocal in nature, and are summarized as follows:
Transition Services are to be provided for one year unless
otherwise extended or terminated. During the term of the
agreement, each provider of services will use its reasonable
best efforts to accommodate any reasonable requests by the
recipient of services to provide additional or modified services
relating to the transition of ownership and operations of the
respective business upon written request of the recipient.
Among other services, the transition services will generally
relate to the following:
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information technology systems, |
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billing, |
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human resources, |
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customer service, |
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accounting and finance, |
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engineering and network, |
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sales and marketing, |
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operations, |
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real estate, |
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branding, and |
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capital asset management. |
The parties will each indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
other for losses arising out of any default by a party in the
performance of its obligations under the transition services
agreement. Indemnification will be limited to actual damages,
which will not exceed the total amount of compensation payable
to the provider.
The transition services agreement may be terminated, in whole or
in part, if:
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Spinco desires, upon 30 days prior written notice to Alltel; |
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Spinco fails to pay for transition services within the time
provided in the agreement; |
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Either party defaults in any material respect in the performance
of the agreement; |
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Either party becomes insolvent, bankrupt or a receiver or
trustee is appointed for either party; or |
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The distribution agreement is terminated. |
Upon termination of the transition services agreement, each
party will return any and all property of a proprietary nature
involving the other party within 30 days and the recipient
will cease all access to the providers information, data
systems and other assets that are not assets of the recipient
party.
The recipient will have the right to terminate any transition
service, in whole or in part, upon 30 days prior
written notice to the provider. Upon termination of the
transition services agreement, each party will return any and
all material and property of a proprietary nature involving the
other party within 30 days, and
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the recipient will cease all access to the providers
information, data, systems and other assets that are not assets
of the recipient party.
Under the agreement, Spinco must pay Alltel for any transition
services provided within 30 days of receipt of an invoice
relating to such services.
Shared Assets and Shared Contracts Agreements
The parties anticipate that certain assets and contractual
arrangements involved in the spin-off and merger are of such a
nature so as to preclude their separation and transfer from
Alltel to Spinco. Alltel and Spinco have agreed that the
separation of the Alltel assets and Spinco assets, as
contemplated by the distribution agreement, will be effected in
a manner that does not unreasonably disrupt either Alltels
business or Spincos business. To the extent any assets
cannot be separated without unreasonable disruption to either
partys business, the parties have agreed to enter into
appropriate arrangements (in form of a shared assets agreement)
prior to the effective time of the spin-off and merger regarding
the sharing of these assets, including the costs related to the
use of such shared assets. In addition, the parties have agreed
to use their reasonable best efforts to amend any contractual
arrangements between Alltel, Spinco, or any of their respective
affiliates, and any other person that either relate to the
businesses of both Alltel and Spinco or relate solely to the
business of one party but, by their terms, contain provisions
relating to the other party, so that, after the contribution
transaction, such contractual arrangements will relate solely to
either Alltel or Spincos business and will eliminate any
provision relating the other party. In the event that an
amendment to any of such contractual arrangements cannot be
obtained or if an attempted amendment thereof would be
ineffective or would adversely affect the rights of Alltel or
Spinco thereunder, Alltel and Spinco have agreed to cooperate in
negotiating a mutually agreeable shared contracts agreement
prior to the contribution transaction under which Alltel or
Spinco will obtain the benefits and assume the obligations
thereunder.
The shared asset and shared contract agreements will generally
comprise either service agreements, lease arrangements or a
combination of the two. Examples include service arrangements
whereby Windstream would provide signaling, switching, and other
network services to Alltels retained wireless business
following the closing, lease arrangements whereby either party
grants the other party the right to continue use of facilities
that were shared by wireline and wireless operations prior to
the closing, and information technology service agreements
whereby one party provides services to the other party such as
network management, mainframe data processing or mail-output
processing services.
102
FINANCING OF WINDSTREAM
Committed Financings
On December 8, 2005, Alltel and J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Capital
Corporation entered into a commitment letter and a related
engagement and fee letter (which we collectively refer to as the
financing letters) with respect to the financing of
Windstream following the spin-off and the merger. The commitment
letter is subject to customary conditions to consummation,
including the absence of any event or circumstance that,
individually or in the aggregate, is materially adverse to the
business, assets, properties, liabilities or condition
(financial or otherwise), of Spinco and its subsidiaries or
Valor and its subsidiaries since September 30, 2005. Alltel
has agreed to pay JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch certain fees in
connection with the commitment letter and has agreed to
indemnify JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch against certain
liabilities. On April 12, 2006, Alltel obtained an
amendment to the commitment letter for the senior secured credit
facilities to remove certain guaranties and liens, and such
amendment eliminated the need for approval of the transaction by
certain state regulatory agencies. No other changes to the terms
of the commitment letter, including the interest rates and fees,
were made by such amendment.
These financing letters provide for a commitment of an aggregate
amount of up to $4.2 billion in financing, consisting of
the following:
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senior secured five-year revolving credit facility in a
principal amount of $500.0 million, and |
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senior secured term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up
to $3.7 billion consisting of sub-facilities in the
following amounts: |
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(i) Tranche A Term Loan Facility up
to $500.0 million; |
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(ii) Tranche B Term Loan Facility up
to $2.8 billion; and |
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(iii) Tranche C Term Loan Facility up
to $400.0 million. |
A portion of the financing of Windstream may also be financed
with the proceeds from a Rule 144A, promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to $800.0 million
of senior notes, referred to herein as the Refinancing
Notes, in which case the Tranche A, Tranche B
term loan facility, or a portion thereof, will be reduced
dollar-for-dollar.
The proceeds of the Tranche A and Tranche B Term
Loan Facilities will be used to finance the approximately
$2.4 billion special dividend payment to Alltel, which
Alltel will use to repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock
buyback program authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in
connection with the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness,
or both, within one year following the spin-off, and to
refinance Valors existing bank facility in the amount of
approximately $781.0 million and approximately
$81.0 million of Alltels outstanding bonds (plus an
additional approximately $9.5 million in related make-whole
premiums). The proceeds of the Tranche C Term
Loan Facility will be used to purchase any of Valors
outstanding bonds that are tendered pursuant to the terms
thereof. The term loan facilities (other than Tranche C)
will be available in a single draw down on the date of closing
to consummate the spin-off and merger transactions. The
revolving credit facility may be used by Windstream for general
corporate purposes and a portion will be available for letters
of credit. The actual amount initially drawn under the Revolving
Credit Facility on the date of closing is not expected to exceed
$90.0 million. The term loan facilities and the revolving
credit facility are referred to herein as the Senior
Secured Credit Facilities.
Windstreams direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries will
serve as guarantors of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and
hedge agreements entered into in connection therewith, except
that no guarantee is required of a subsidiary to the extent that
the transactions require, or the granting of such guarantee
would require, the approval of any state regulatory agency. The
Senior Secured Credit Facilities, guaranties thereof and hedge
agreements entered into in connection therewith will be secured
by substantially all of the property and assets of Windstream
and its subsidiaries who are guarantors.
103
Indebtedness Before and After Merger
Set forth below is a list of all indebtedness of Spinco and
Valor (or any of their respective subsidiaries) that will be
repaid on the closing date of the merger:
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Description |
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Principal Amount to be Repaid |
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Valor Bank Facility Amended and
Restated Credit Facility dated as of February 14, 2005
among Valor, certain of its affiliates as guarantors and Bank of
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the lenders and
other agents party thereto (as amended by Amendment No. 1
dated as of August 9, 2005) |
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Approximately $781.0 million of secured loans to be repaid
in full with the proceeds of the Senior Credit Facilities and/or
Refinancing Notes |
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Valor Bonds
73/4
% Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Valor |
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$400 million Valor Bonds to be repaid with the proceeds of
the Tranche C Term Loan Facility to the extent put to
the issuer pursuant to a change of control offer and noteholder
consent required under the indenture governing the notes
(assumed to be $0) |
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Alltel Bonds Various bonds issued by
certain of Alltels wireline subsidiaries |
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Approximately $81.0 million, including accrued interest of
Alltel wireline bonds to be repurchased with the proceeds of the
Senior Credit Facilities and/or Refinancing Notes (expected
total payments of approximately $90.5 million including the
related make-whole premiums) |
It is expected that following completion of the merger
Windstream will have approximately $5.5 billion in total
debt. Set forth below is a list of all indebtedness of Spinco
and Valor (or any of their respective subsidiaries) that is
expected to be outstanding on the closing date of the merger
after giving effect to the merger and the other transactions to
be consummated in connection therewith:
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Principal Amount |
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Senior Credit Facilities:
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Revolving Credit Facility
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Aggregate commitments of $500.0 million |
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Term Facilities and/or Refinancing Notes
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Aggregate of $3.3 billion |
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Distributed Notes |
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$1.565 billion of senior notes, $27 million of which
will be used to pay fees related thereto, to be issued by Spinco
to Alltel as consideration for the contribution |
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Assumed Spinco Debt
63/4% Notes
due 2028 and
61/2
% Debentures due 2013 issued by certain wireline
subsidiaries of Alltel |
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Approximately $180.0 million of Alltel wireline bonds to be
assumed by Spinco in connection with the contribution transaction |
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Valor Bonds
73/4
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$400.0 million of Valor Bonds assumed to remain outstanding
(assuming not put to the issuer pursuant to a change of control
offer required under the applicable indenture) |
Proposed Terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Windstream will be entitled to make borrowings at a rate based
on ABR (which means the highest of (i) the rate of interest
publicly announced by the administrative agent to be appointed
under the facilities (the Administrative Agent) as
its prime rate, and (ii) the federal funds effective rate
from time to time plus 0.5%) or LIBOR, as adjusted for statutory
reserve requirements for Eurocurrency liabilities plus, in each
case,
104
the applicable margin, which is referred to as a
Eurodollar Loan. The applicable margin is
determined, for any day, as follows:
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if the Senior Credit Facilities are rated Ba2 or higher by
Moodys and BB or higher by S&P (in each case with a
stable outlook): |
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in the case of loans under the
revolving credit facility, Tranche A Term Loans and
Tranche C Term Loans, 1.25% for Eurodollar Loans and 0.25%
for loans based on ABR, and
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in the case of Tranche B
Term Loans, 1.50% for Eurodollar Loans and 0.50% for loans based
on ABR, or
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if the Senior Credit Facilities are rated lower than Ba2 by
Moodys or lower than BB by S&P: |
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in the case of loans under the
revolving credit facility, Tranche A Term Loans and
Tranche C Term Loans, 1.50% for Eurodollar Loans and 0.50%
for loans based on ABR, and
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in the case of Tranche B
Term Loans, 1.75% for Eurodollar Loans and 0.75% for loans based
on ABR.
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Windstream may elect interest periods of 1, 2, 3, or
6 months for Eurodollar Loans. Interest on the loans will
be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days (or
365/366 days, in the case of ABR loans the interest rate
payable on which is then based on the Administrative
Agents prime rate). Interest will be payable (a) in
the case of Eurodollar Loans, on the last day of each relevant
interest period and, in the case of any interest period longer
than three months, on each successive date three months after
the first day of such interest period, and (b) for loans
accruing interest based on the ABR, quarterly in arrears.
Windstream will also be required to pay certain fees and
expenses in connection with the Senior Secured Credit
Facilities. Windstream will be required to pay a commitment fee
calculated at the rate of up to .25% per annum on the average
daily amount of the unused revolving credit commitment and the
unused commitment to make Tranche C Term Loans.
The revolving credit agreement and the Tranche A and
Tranche C Term Loans will mature on the date five years
after the closing date of the merger. The Tranche B Term
Facility will mature on the date that is seven years after the
closing date of the merger. The Tranche B Term Facility
will be amortized quarterly with (i) 0.25% of the
Tranche B Term Loans to be payable quarterly in equal
installments in each quarter of the second through the sixth
years and the first 3 quarters of the seventh year and
(ii) the balance of the Tranche B Term Loans to be
payable at maturity. The Tranche A and Tranche C Term
Loans will be amortized quarterly according to the following
schedule:
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Each quarter during Year 1 0% |
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Each quarter during Year 2 1.25% |
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Each quarter during Year 3 2.5% |
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Each quarter during Year 4 3.75% |
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Each of the first 3 quarters of Year 5 5% |
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Maturity 55% |
Optional prepayments of borrowings under the Senior Secured
Credit Facilities and optional reductions of the unutilized
portion of the Revolving Credit Facility will be permitted at
any time in minimum amounts to be agreed upon by the parties. In
addition, subject to certain exceptions, 100% of the net
proceeds from asset sales and casualty insurance will be
required to be applied to prepay the Term Loans under the Senior
Secured Credit Facilities.
Under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, after
the completion of the merger, Windstream will be required to
meet certain financial tests, including a minimum interest
coverage ratio (that is to be determined) and maximum leverage
ratio of 4.50 to 1.0. In addition, Windstream will agree to
covenants that, among other things, will limit the incurrence of
additional indebtedness, liens, capital expenditures, loans and
investments and will limit its ability to take certain action
with respect to dividends and payments in respect of
105
capital stock (with an exception for dividends up to the sum of
excess free cash flow and net cash equity issuance proceeds so
long as the pro forma leverage ratio does not exceed 4.50 to
1.0) and certain payments of debt, and will limit its ability to
enter into mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, asset
dispositions and sale/leaseback transactions and transactions
with affiliates, and will restrict changes in lines of business,
amendments of material agreements, and will place restrictions
on other matters customarily restricted in senior secured loan
agreements. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities will also
contain customary provisions protecting the lenders against
increased costs or loss of yield resulting from changes in
reserve, tax, capital adequacy and other requirements of law and
from the imposition of or changes in withholding or other taxes
and indemnifying the lenders for breakage costs
incurred in connection with, among other things, any prepayment
of a Eurodollar Loan on a day other than the last day of an
interest period with respect thereto. Furthermore, the Senior
Secured Credit Facilities will contain representations and
warranties and affirmative covenants customarily contained in
senior secured loan agreements.
The Senior Secured Credit Facility will contain customary events
of default, including payment defaults, breach of
representations and warranties, covenant defaults,
cross-defaults, certain bankruptcy or insolvency events, certain
ERISA-related events, material judgments, changes in control or
ownership, and invalidity of any collateral or guarantee or
other document.
We expect that the Senior Secured Credit Facilities closing date
will be during the second quarter of 2006, with the fundings to
occur contemporaneously with the completion of the spin-off and
merger. However, entering into the Senior Secured Credit
Facilities and any funding under the facilities will remain
subject to a number of conditions. These conditions will include
the consummation of the merger and spin-off, the receipt of
certain financial statements and projections, satisfaction of a
ratio of pro forma Consolidated Debt (to be defined) to pro
forma consolidated EBITDA, perfection of security interests and
miscellaneous closing conditions customary for credit facilities
and transactions of this type.
106
SPINCO MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Spinco is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alltel
Corporation and was formed on November 2, 2005 to hold
Alltel Corporations wireline business. Alltel
Corporations wireline business is currently operated by
certain of its subsidiaries. Prior to the closing of the
spin-off and the merger, each of those subsidiaries will be
contributed to Spinco, along with certain assets and liabilities
related to the wireline business. Until that contribution
occurs, Spinco will have no material assets or operations. This
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement, including the
combined financial statements and the following discussion,
describes Spinco and its financial condition and operations as
if Spinco held the subsidiaries and other assets that will be
transferred to it prior to closing for all historical periods
presented. The following discussion should be read in
conjunction with the selected combined financial data and the
combined financial statements and the related notes included on
pages F-1 through F-27 in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. Except for the historical
combined financial information contained herein, the matters
discussed below may contain forward-looking statements that
reflect Spincos plans, estimates and beliefs.
Spincos actual results could differ materially from those
discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are
not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement, particularly
in Risk Factors and Special
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Basis of Presentation
Spincos combined financial statements included on
pages F-1 through F-27 in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement have been derived from the
accounting records of Alltel, principally representing
Alltels historical wireline and communications support
segments. Spinco has used the historical results of operations,
and historical basis of assets and liabilities of the
subsidiaries it will own and the wireline business it will
operate after completion of the spin-off, to prepare the
combined financial statements. The statements of operations
include expense allocations for certain corporate functions
historically provided to Spinco by Alltel, including general
corporate expenses, employee benefits and incentives, and
interest income (expense). These allocations were made on a
specifically identifiable basis or using the relative
percentages, as compared to Alltels other businesses, of
net sales, payroll, fixed assets, inventory and other assets,
headcount or other reasonable methods. Management of both Spinco
and Alltel consider these allocations to be a reasonable
reflection of the utilization of services provided. Spinco
expects that its expenses after the separation from Alltel may
be significantly higher than the amounts reflected in the
combined statements of operations as Spinco will incur certain
incremental costs as an independent public company.
Management of Spinco believes the assumptions underlying its
financial statements are reasonable. However, Spincos
financial statements included herein may not necessarily reflect
its results of operations, financial position and cash flows in
the future or what its results of operations, financial position
and cash flows would have been had it been a separate,
stand-alone company during the periods presented.
Spinco is organized based on the products and services that it
offers. Under this organizational structure, Spincos
operations consist of its wireline, product distribution, and
other segments. Spincos wireline segment consists of
Spincos incumbent local exchange carrier
(ILEC), competitive local exchange carrier
(CLEC) and Internet access operations. The product
distribution segment consists of Spincos communications
products operations. The other segment consists of Spincos
long-distance and network management services, directory
publishing operations and the telecommunications information
services operations.
107
Executive Summary
Spinco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alltel that provides
local telephone, long-distance, Internet and high-speed data
services. Spinco provides local telephone service to
approximately 2.9 million customers primarily located in
rural areas in 15 states. Among the highlights in 2005:
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Spinco added more than 154,000 high-speed data customers,
increasing Spincos DSL customer base to almost 400,000.
This increase more than offset the loss of approximately 124,000
local access lines, a year-over-year decline of 4 percent. |
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Revenues and sales decreased by $10.0 million and operating
income decreased by $33.8 million, primarily due to the
loss in access lines discussed above. However, average revenue
per customer increased 2 percent to $67.21, primarily due
to growth in DSL revenues and selling additional services and
features to existing wireline customers. |
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During the fourth quarter of 2005, Spinco began offering DISH
Network satellite television service to Spincos
residential customers as part of a bundled service offering. |
As further discussed under Pending Transactions to be
Completed During 2006, Spinco has positioned its wireline
business for future growth opportunities as a result of the
planned spin-off from Alltel and subsequent merger with Valor.
This transaction, which is expected to close by the third
quarter of 2006, is significant to Spinco because it will expand
Spincos retail presence into new markets by adding
approximately 518,000 access lines in four states. The resulting
company will represent the largest telecommunications carrier in
the United States focusing primarily on rural markets, and
should have greater financial flexibility to develop and deploy
products, expand the capacity of its network, respond to
competitive pressures and improve the cost structure of its
operations due to the resulting increased size and economies of
scale.
However, during 2006, Spinco will continue to face significant
challenges resulting from competition in the telecommunications
industry and changes in the regulatory environment, including
the effects of potential changes to the rules governing
universal service and inter-carrier compensation. In addressing
competition, in addition to the merger with Valor discussed
above, Spinco will continue to focus Spincos efforts on
improving customer service and expanding its service offerings.
Pending Acquisitions to be Completed During 2006
On December 9, 2005, Alltel announced that its board of
directors had approved the spin-off of its wireline
telecommunications business to its stockholders and the merger
of that wireline business with Valor. Pursuant to the plan of
distribution and immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger with Valor described below, Alltel will contribute all of
the assets of its wireline telecommunications business to
Spinco, in exchange for: (i) the issuance to Alltel of Spinco
common stock to be distributed to Alltels stockholders pro
rata in the spin-off (the distribution), (ii) the
payment of a special dividend to Alltel in an amount not to
exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco (which equals
approximately $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2005), which
Alltel will use to repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock
buyback program authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in
connection with the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness,
or both, within one year following the spin-off, and
(iii) the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of certain
Spinco debt securities (the exchange notes), which
Alltel intends to exchange for outstanding Alltel debt
securities or otherwise transfer to Alltels creditors
representing approximately $1.538 billion in debt reduction
to Alltel. Prior to the distribution and merger, Spinco will
consummate certain financing transactions pursuant to which it
will incur approximately $3.965 billion in indebtedness
through (1) borrowing under a new senior secured credit
agreement or the issuance of senior unsecured debt securities in
an offering under Rule 144A, promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended and (2) the distribution of
the exchange notes to Alltel. All proceeds of the financing will
be used to pay the consideration to be received by Alltel for
the contribution (through payment of the special dividend and
distribution of the exchange notes) and to pay related fees and
expenses. Alltel has received a commitment letter from various
financial institutions to provide Spinco with up to
$4.2 billion in senior secured credit facilities comprised
of term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to
$3.7 billion and a revolving credit facility of up to
$500 million.
108
Immediately after the consummation of the spin-off, Spinco will
merge with and into Valor, with Valor continuing as the
surviving corporation, which we refer to as Windstream. As a
result of the merger, all of the issued and outstanding shares
of Spincos common stock will be converted into the right
to receive an aggregate number of shares of common stock of
Valor that will result in Alltels stockholders holding
approximately 85 percent of the outstanding equity
interests of Windstream immediately after the merger and the
stockholders of Valor holding the remaining approximately
15 percent of such equity interests. To effect the merger,
Valor will issue approximately 405 million shares of its
common stock to the stockholders of Alltel. As a result of this
transaction, Alltel stockholders will continue to own one share
of the remaining wireless entity and will be entitled to receive
approximately 1.04 shares of Valor common stock for each
share of Alltel common stock they currently own.
By virtue of the merger, Windstream will assume
$261.0 million in Alltel debt and $400.0 million in
outstanding Valor debt securities. Windstream will also borrow
approximately $781.0 million under its new senior secured
credit facility in order to prepay the amounts outstanding under
Valors existing credit facility. These amounts, together
with the $3.965 billion in financings consummated by Spinco
prior to the merger and certain expenses related to the
transaction, will result in Windstream having approximately
$5.5 billion in total debt immediately following completion
of the merger. It is expected that Windstream will use proceeds
from its new senior secured credit facilities to refinance
approximately $81.0 million of Alltels outstanding
bonds (plus an additional approximately $9.5 million in
related make-whole premiums) and to purchase any of Valors
outstanding bonds that may be tendered pursuant to the terms
thereof as a result of the merger. However, no Valor bonds are
expected to be tendered as a result of the merger.
Consummation of the merger is subject to certain conditions,
including the approval of the merger proposals by the
stockholders of Valor, receipt of a favorable ruling from the
IRS regarding the tax-free status of the distribution, special
dividend, debt exchange and merger transaction, consummation of
the required financing, and the receipt of regulatory approvals,
including, without limitation, the approval of the FCC and
multiple state public service commissions. The transaction is
expected to close in the third quarter of 2006.
109
COMBINED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$ |
2,463.6 |
|
|
$ |
2,533.5 |
|
|
$ |
2,618.4 |
|
|
Product sales
|
|
|
459.9 |
|
|
|
400.0 |
|
|
|
384.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,923.5 |
|
|
|
2,933.5 |
|
|
|
3,003.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
|
796.1 |
|
|
|
813.7 |
|
|
|
864.8 |
|
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
374.8 |
|
|
|
333.8 |
|
|
|
339.0 |
|
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
340.1 |
|
|
|
327.9 |
|
|
|
351.0 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
508.5 |
|
|
|
519.4 |
|
|
Royalty expense to Parent
|
|
|
268.8 |
|
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
273.0 |
|
|
Restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
2,289.7 |
|
|
|
2,265.9 |
|
|
|
2,359.4 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
633.8 |
|
|
|
667.6 |
|
|
|
643.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Intercompany interest income (expense)
|
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
|
|
(21.6 |
) |
Interest expense
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
Gain on disposal of assets and other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
649.6 |
|
|
|
645.7 |
|
|
|
624.3 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
267.9 |
|
|
|
259.4 |
|
|
|
247.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
381.7 |
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
|
|
377.2 |
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes
|
|
|
(7.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.3 |
|
|
$ |
392.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales decreased less than 1 percent in
2005, or $10.0 million, and 2 percent in 2004, or
$69.8 million, driven by decreases in service revenues of
3 percent in both years, or $69.9 million and
$84.9 million, respectively. Wireline local access service
and network access and toll revenues decreased
$78.1 million in 2005 and $33.9 million in 2004,
primarily as a result of the loss of wireline access lines due,
in part, to broadband and wireless substitution.
Telecommunications information services revenues decreased
$24.6 million in 2005 from 2004 due to the loss of one of
Alltels remaining unaffiliated wireline services customers
during the fourth quarter of 2004. Telecommunications
information services revenues decreased $67.1 million in
2004 compared to 2003, primarily due to the December 2003 sale
of certain assets and related liabilities, including selected
customer contracts and capitalized software development costs,
to Convergys Information Management Group, Inc.
(Convergys). Offsetting the decline in service
revenues attributable to local access service, network access
and toll revenues and telecommunications information services
were increases in revenues derived from data services and
Internet operations of $36.8 million in 2005 and
$29.4 million in 2004, reflecting continued customer demand
for these products. In addition, universal service fund
(USF) revenues increased $12.5 million in 2005
as a result of the decline in access revenues previously
discussed and decreased $20.3 million in 2004 as a result
of an increase in the national average cost per loop, combined
with Spincos cost cutting measures, as further discussed
below in Results of Operations by Business Segment.
Finally, service revenues in 2005 reflected a decrease in
advertising revenues earned from directories published in
Spincos ILEC markets of $12.2 million due to a change
in the number and mix of directories published.
Product sales, which represents revenues generated from
Spincos directory publishing operations and sales of
telecommunications equipment and data products, primarily to
Spincos ILEC subsidiaries increased
110
$59.9 million, or 15 percent in 2005 and
$15.1 million, or 4 percent in 2004. The increase in
product sales in 2005 was due primarily to an increase in sales
of telecommunications equipment and data products of
$50.4 million related to increased capital expenditures by
Spincos wireline operations. The 2004 increase in product
sales was primarily due to an increase in directory publishing
revenues of $33.3 million associated with an increase in
the number of directory contracts published, including the
initial publication of directories for the acquired Kentucky and
Nebraska operations, partially offset by a decrease in sales of
telecommunications equipment and data products of
$21.4 million due to a reduction in capital expenditures by
Spincos wireline operations.
Cost of services, which represents the cost of provisioning
service, as well as business taxes and bad debt expense,
decreased $17.6 million, or 2 percent, in 2005 and
$51.1 million, or 6 percent, in 2004. The 2005
decrease was driven primarily by a reduction in costs incurred
by the telecommunications information services operations due to
the loss of a customer as discussed herein. The 2004 decrease
was also impacted by a reduction in costs incurred by the
telecommunications information services operations due to the
sale of customer contracts to Convergys. In addition, cost of
services decreased in 2004 due to the effects of incremental
costs of $20.9 million incurred in 2003 related to a strike
by our unionized workforce in Kentucky and maintenance costs due
to damage caused by severe winter storms.
Cost of products sold increased $41.0 million, or
12 percent, in 2005, consistent with the increase in
product sales discussed above. Although product sales increased
in 2004, cost of products sold decreased $5.2 million, or
2 percent, primarily due to the favorable effects of
increased start-up
costs incurred in 2003 in Spincos directory publishing
operations in order to begin providing all directory publishing
services, except printing, for all directory contracts published
in 2004.
Selling, general, administrative and other expenses increased
$12.2 million, or 4 percent, in 2005 and decreased
$23.1 million, or 7 percent in 2004. The 2005 increase
was due primarily to increased selling and marketing costs
incurred by Spincos publishing subsidiary. The 2004
decline in selling, general, administrative and other expense
was due primarily to a decline in allocations received from
Alltel related to services that Alltel provides for Spinco under
a shared services agreement and reduced salaries and benefits
costs as a result of cost cutting measures, as well as the
favorable effect of incremental
start-up costs incurred
by Spincos publishing subsidiary in 2003 as previously
discussed. Depreciation and amortization expense declined
$34.3 million, or 7 percent, and $10.9 million,
or 2 percent, in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The decline
in both years primarily resulted from a reduction in
depreciation rates for certain of Spincos ILEC operations,
reflecting the results of studies of depreciable lives completed
during 2005 and 2004. Royalty expense to Parent decreased
1 percent in both 2005 and 2004, or $1.4 million and
$2.8 million, respectively. Spincos ILEC subsidiaries
incur a royalty expense from Alltel for the use of the Alltel
brand name in marketing and distributing telecommunications
products and services pursuant to a licensing agreement with an
Alltel affiliate. Following the spin off and merger with Valor,
Spinco no longer expects to incur this charge as Spinco will no
longer use the Alltel brand name.
|
|
|
Restructuring and Other Charges |
A summary of the restructuring and other charges recorded by
Spincos wireline operations in 2005 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
Costs associated with pending spin-off and merger of wireline
operations
|
|
|
31.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
During the third quarter of 2005, Spinco incurred
$4.6 million of severance and employee benefit costs
related to a planned workforce reduction in Spincos
wireline operations. In the fourth quarter of 2005, Spinco
reduced the liabilities associated with the wireline
restructuring activities by $0.2 million to reflect
differences between estimated and actual costs paid in
completing the employee terminations. As of December 31,
2005, Spinco had paid $4.4 million in severance and
employee-related expenses, and all of the employee reductions
111
had been completed. As previously discussed, on December 9,
2005, Alltel announced that it would spin off its wireline
telecommunications business to its stockholders and merge it
with Valor. In connection with the spin-off and merger, Spinco
incurred $31.3 million of incremental costs during the
fourth quarter of 2005, principally representing accrued
investment banker, audit and legal fees.
A summary of the restructuring and other charges recorded in
2004 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
11.2 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
$ |
11.6 |
|
Relocation costs
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
Lease and contract termination costs
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
Other exit costs
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
11.3 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
11.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In January 2004, Spinco announced plans to reorganize its
operations and support teams. Also during February 2004, Spinco
announced plans to exit its CLEC operations in the Jacksonville,
Florida market due to the continued unprofitability of these
operations. In connection with these activities, Spinco recorded
a restructuring charge of $13.6 million, consisting of
$11.6 million in severance and employee benefit costs
related to a planned workforce reduction, $1.3 million of
employee relocation expenses and $0.7 million of other exit
costs. As of December 31, 2005, Spinco had paid all of the
severance and employee-related expenses, and all of the employee
reductions and relocations had been completed. During 2004,
Spinco also recorded a $1.8 million reduction in the
liabilities associated with various restructuring activities
initiated prior to 2003, consisting of lease and contract
termination costs. The reductions primarily reflected
differences between estimated and actual costs paid in
completing the employee relocations and terminations.
A summary of the restructuring and other charges recorded in
2003 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
Lease and contract termination costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Write-down of software development costs
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
8.8 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3.4 |
|
|
$ |
12.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2003, Spinco recorded a restructuring charge of
$7.0 million consisting of severance and employee benefit
costs related to a planned workforce reduction, primarily
resulting from the closing of certain call center locations. As
of December 31, 2005, Spinco had paid all of the severance
and employee-related expenses, and all of the employee
reductions had been completed. Spinco also recorded a
$0.4 million reduction in the liabilities associated with
various restructuring activities initiated prior to 2003,
consisting of lease termination costs. The reduction primarily
reflected differences between estimated and actual costs paid in
completing the lease terminations. In 2003, Spinco also wrote
off certain capitalized software development costs that had no
alternative future use or functionality.
The restructuring and other charges decreased net income
$34.1 million, $7.3 million and $7.5 million for
the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The restructuring and other charges discussed
above were not allocated to our business segments, as management
evaluates segment performance excluding the effects of these
items. (See Note 8 to the combined financial statements for
additional information regarding these changes.)
Other income, net decreased $2.1 million, or
15 percent, in 2005 and increased $7.9 million, or
136 percent, in 2004. The increase in other income, net in
2004 primarily resulted from an increase of
112
$6.2 million in the amount of annual dividends paid on
Spincos investment in Rural Telephone Bank Class C
stock. In the second quarter of 2003, Spinco received additional
shares of this stock investment as a result of Spincos
repayment of all outstanding debt under the Rural Utilities
Services, Rural Telephone Bank and Federal Financing Bank
programs, as further discussed below. As of December 31,
2005, Spincos investment in Rural Telephone Bank
Class C stock was transferred to Alltel. As a result,
Spinco will not receive any related dividends during 2006.
|
|
|
Intercompany Interest Income (Expense) |
Spinco participates in a cash management program with its parent
company, Alltel. Under this program, Spinco earns interest on
amounts remitted to Alltel at a rate based on current market
rates for short-term investments and pay interest on amounts
received from Alltel at a rate based on Alltels
weighted-average borrowing rate. Intercompany interest income
(expense) increased $38.5 million, or
253 percent, in 2005 and $6.4 million, or
30 percent, in 2004. The increase in both years is due to
an increase in the amount of funds remitted to Alltel under the
cash management program, combined with an increase in the
advance interest rate.
Interest expense decreased $1.3 million, or 6 percent,
in 2005 and $7.3 million, or 26 percent, in 2004. The
decrease in 2004 reflected the prepayment of all outstanding
borrowings, which totaled $249.1 million, under the Rural
Utilities Services, Rural Telephone Bank and Federal Financing
Bank programs in the second quarter of 2003.
|
|
|
Gain on Disposal of Assets and Other |
In 2003, Spinco sold to Convergys certain assets and related
liabilities, including selected customer contracts and
capitalized software development costs, associated with
Spincos telecommunications information services
operations. In connection with this sale, Spinco received
proceeds of $37.0 million and recorded a pretax gain of
$31.0 million. As noted above, during the second quarter of
2003, Spinco retired, prior to stated maturity dates,
$249.1 million of long-term debt. In connection with the
early retirement of this debt, Spinco incurred pretax
termination fees of $7.1 million. These transactions
increased net income $10.7 million in 2003.
Income tax expense increased $8.5 million, or
3 percent, in 2005 and $12.3 million, or
5 percent, in 2004, consistent with the overall growth in
income before income taxes. Spincos effective tax rate in
2005 was 41.3 percent, compared to 40.2 percent in
2004. The 2005 effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by
the non-deductible spin-related costs previously discussed.
|
|
|
Income before Cumulative Effect of Accounting
Change |
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change decreased
$4.6 million, or 1 percent, in 2005 as compared to
2004 and increased $9.1 million, or 2 percent, in 2004
as compared to 2003. Income before cumulative effect of
accounting change in 2005 was adversely affected by the decline
in revenues primarily due to the loss of access lines discussed
above and the additional spin-related costs incurred during the
fourth quarter of 2005, partially offset by increased
intercompany interest income earned from Alltel under the cash
management program. The increase in 2004 was due primarily to
the decline in operating expenses due to the favorable effect of
incremental strike-related costs and maintenance costs in 2003
and the gain on the sale of customer contracts to Convergys in
2003, partially offset by the decline in revenues primarily due
to the loss of access lines.
113
|
|
|
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change |
During the fourth quarter of 2005, Spinco adopted FASB
Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional
Asset Retirement Obligations (FIN 47),
which is an interpretation of SFAS No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.
SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and
reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of
tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement
costs. This standard applies to legal obligations associated
with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the
acquisition, construction, development, or normal use of the
assets. SFAS No. 143 requires that a liability for an
asset retirement obligation be recognized when incurred and
reasonably estimable, recorded at fair value and classified as a
liability in the balance sheet. When the liability is initially
recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost and increases the
carrying value of the related long-lived asset. The liability is
then accreted to its present value each period, and the
capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life
of the related asset. At the settlement date, the entity will
settle the obligation for its recorded amount and recognize a
gain or loss upon settlement. FIN 47 states that the
accounting guidance in SFAS No. 143 is applicable to
asset retirement obligations that are conditional on the
occurrence of a future event.
Spinco evaluated the effects of FIN 47 on its operations
and determined that, for certain buildings containing asbestos,
Spinco is legally obligated to remediate the asbestos if it were
to abandon, sell or otherwise dispose of the buildings. In
addition, for Spincos acquired Kentucky and Nebraska ILEC
operations not subject to SFAS No. 71,
Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation, it is legally obligated to properly dispose of
its chemically-treated telephone poles at the time they are
removed from service. In accordance with federal and state
regulations, depreciation expense for Spincos ILEC
operations that follow the accounting prescribed by
SFAS No. 71 have historically included an additional
provision for cost of removal, and accordingly, the adoption of
FIN 47 had no impact on these operations. The cumulative
effect of this change in 2005 resulted in a non-cash charge of
$7.4 million, net of income tax benefit of
$4.6 million, and was included in net income for the year
ended December 31, 2005.
Except for certain ILEC subsidiaries as further discussed below,
Spinco adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations, effective January 1,
2003. Spinco evaluated the effects of SFAS No. 143 on
its operations and determined that, for telecommunications and
other operating facilities in which it owns the underlying land,
Spinco has no contractual or legal obligation to remediate the
property if it were to abandon, sell or otherwise dispose of the
property. However, certain of Spincos lease agreements for
office space require restoration of the leased site upon
expiration of the lease term. Accordingly, Spinco is subject to
asset retirement obligations associated with these leased
facilities under the provisions of SFAS No. 143. The
application of SFAS No. 143 to Spincos office
leases did not have a material impact on its consolidated
results of operations, financial position or cash flows as of or
for the year ended December 31, 2003.
As noted above, in accordance with federal and state
regulations, depreciation expense for Spincos ILEC
operations has historically included an additional provision for
cost of removal. The additional cost of removal provision does
not meet the recognition and measurement principles of an asset
retirement obligation under SFAS No. 143. On
December 20, 2002, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) notified wireline carriers that they should
not adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 143 unless
specifically required by the FCC in the future. As a result of
the FCC ruling, Spinco will continue to record a regulatory
liability for cost of removal for its ILEC subsidiaries that
follow the accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 71. For
the acquired Kentucky and Nebraska ILEC operations not subject
to SFAS No. 71, effective January 1, 2003, Spinco
ceased recognition of the cost of removal provision in
depreciation expense and eliminated the cumulative cost of
removal included in accumulated depreciation. The cumulative
effect of retroactively applying these changes to periods prior
to January 1, 2003, resulted in a non-cash credit of
$15.6 million, net of income tax expense of
$10.3 million, and was included in net income for the year
ended December 31, 2003. The cessation of the cost of
removal provision in depreciation expense for the acquired
Kentucky and Nebraska ILEC operations did not have a material
impact on Spincos consolidated results of operations for
the year ended December 31, 2003.
114
|
|
|
Results of Operations By Business Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireline Operations |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
except access lines in thousands) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local service
|
|
$ |
1,081.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,115.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,135.6 |
|
|
Network access and interconnection
|
|
|
1,034.1 |
|
|
|
1,038.3 |
|
|
|
1,049.9 |
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
255.8 |
|
|
|
256.9 |
|
|
|
243.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,371.4 |
|
|
|
2,410.8 |
|
|
|
2,428.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
|
704.0 |
|
|
|
702.8 |
|
|
|
736.4 |
|
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
31.7 |
|
|
|
29.4 |
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
276.2 |
|
|
|
272.8 |
|
|
|
289.7 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
468.2 |
|
|
|
502.2 |
|
|
|
510.2 |
|
|
Royalty expense to Parent
|
|
|
268.8 |
|
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
273.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
1,748.9 |
|
|
|
1,777.4 |
|
|
|
1,837.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
$ |
622.5 |
|
|
$ |
633.4 |
|
|
$ |
591.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access lines in service (excludes DSL lines)
|
|
|
2,885.7 |
|
|
|
3,009.4 |
|
|
|
3,095.6 |
|
Average access lines in service
|
|
|
2,950.0 |
|
|
|
3,061.5 |
|
|
|
3,136.8 |
|
Average revenue per customer per month(a)
|
|
$ |
67.21 |
|
|
$ |
65.87 |
|
|
$ |
64.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Average revenue per customer per month is calculated by dividing
total wireline revenues by average access lines in service for
the period. |
Wireline operations consist of Spincos ILEC, CLEC and
Internet operations. Wireline revenues and sales decreased
$39.4 million, or 2 percent, in 2005 and
$17.8 million, or 1 percent, in 2004. Customer access
lines decreased 4 percent in 2005 compared to a
3 percent decline in 2004. Spinco lost approximately
124,000 and 86,000 access lines during 2005 and 2004,
respectively, primarily as a result of the effects of wireless
and broadband substitution for Spincos wireline services.
Spinco expects the number of access lines served by its wireline
operations to continue to be adversely affected by wireless and
broadband substitution in 2006. Although Spinco has not yet seen
significant competition from Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) providers, it also expects VoIP substitution
to adversely impact the number of access lines served by its
wireline operations during 2006.
To slow the decline of revenue in 2006, Spinco will continue to
emphasize sales of enhanced services and bundling of its various
product offerings including Internet, long-distance and
broadband data transport services. Deployment of broadband
service is an important strategic initiative for Spinco, and as
of December 31, 2005, approximately 73 percent of its
addressable lines were broadband-capable. During 2005 and 2004,
Spinco added 154,000 and 90,000 broadband customers,
respectively. At December 31, 2005, Spincos broadband
customer base had grown to almost 400,000 customers. The growth
in Spincos broadband customers more than offset the
decline in customer access lines that occurred in 2005 and 2004
noted above. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2005,
Spinco began offering DISH Network satellite television service
to its residential customers as part of a bundled product
offering. As further discussed below, revenues generated from
the sales of data and enhanced services increased in both 2005
and 2004, which helped to offset the adverse effects on wireline
revenues resulting from the loss of access lines.
Local service revenues decreased $34.1 million, or
3 percent, in 2005 and $20.0 million, or
2 percent, in 2004. Local service revenues reflected
reductions in basic service access line revenues of
$35.3 million in 2005 and $25.7 million in 2004,
consistent with the overall decline in access lines discussed
above. The decline in
115
local service revenues attributable to access line loss was
partially offset by growth in revenues derived from the sales of
enhanced products and services, such as voice mail and caller
identification, and equipment protection plans. Revenues from
these services increased $3.6 million in 2005 and
$7.3 million in 2004, reflecting continued demand for these
products and services.
Network access and interconnection revenues decreased
1 percent in both 2005 and 2004, or $4.2 million and
$11.6 million, respectively. Primarily due to the overall
decline in access lines discussed above, network access usage
and toll revenues decreased $42.8 million in 2005 and
$8.2 million in 2004. The decline in network access and
interconnection revenues in both years attributable to access
line loss was partially offset by growth in revenues earned from
data services, which increased $26.0 million and
$17.0 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The growth in
revenues from data services in both 2005 and 2004 primarily
reflected increased demand for high-speed data transport
services. In addition to the effects of access line loss and
increased demand for data services, USF revenues increased
$12.5 million in 2005 and decreased $20.3 million in
2004. Spinco receives both federal and state USF subsidies due
to the rural nature of most of its ILEC markets. The increase in
USF revenues in 2005 resulted primarily from an increase of
$13.3 million in interstate common line support
(ICLS) funding received in Spincos
rate-of-return markets
as a result of the declining access revenues discussed above.
ICLS funding is intended to ensure that
rate-of-return carriers
receive sufficient revenues to earn an appropriate profit
margin, defined as 11.25 percent of eligible revenues.
Conversely, compared to the prior year periods, high-cost loop
support (HCLS) funding received by Spincos
ILEC subsidiaries decreased $4.4 million in 2005 and
$20.3 million in 2004. The decreases in HCLS funding
primarily resulted from increases in the national average cost
per loop combined with the effects of Spincos cost control
efforts. Receipts from the HCLS fund are based on a comparison
of each companys embedded cost per loop to a national
average cost per loop. Primarily due to expected increases in
the national average cost per loop and Spincos continued
focus on controlling operating costs in its ILEC business, it
expects net USF receipts in 2006 to decline by approximately
$15.0 million, compared to 2005.
Miscellaneous revenues primarily consist of charges for Internet
services, directory advertising, customer premise equipment
sales, and billing and collection services provided to
long-distance companies. Miscellaneous revenues decreased
slightly in 2005 and increased $13.8 million, or
6 percent, in 2004. Primarily driven by growth in broadband
customers, revenues from Spincos Internet operations
increased $10.8 million in 2005 and $12.4 million in
2004. In addition, sales and rentals of customer premise
equipment increased $3.4 million in 2005, reflecting
continued customer demand for these products. Also during 2005,
Spinco generated $1.1 million in commissions revenue in
conjunction with offering DISH Network satellite television
service to its residential customers as discussed above.
Offsetting these increases in miscellaneous revenues in 2005 was
a decline in advertising revenues earned from directories
published in Spincos ILEC markets of $12.2 million
from 2004, primarily due to a change in the number and mix of
directories published during the period. Conversely,
miscellaneous revenues for 2004 reflected a $4.4 million
increase in directory advertising revenues from 2003. Directory
advertising revenues for 2004 included additional revenues of
approximately $14.9 million associated with the initial
publication of directories in the acquired Kentucky and Nebraska
markets, partially offset by lower directory advertising
revenues in Spincos other ILEC markets as compared to
2003. The decline in directory advertising revenues in
Spincos other ILEC markets was due primarily to a change
in the number and mix of directories published during the
period. The increase in miscellaneous revenues attributable to
the Internet and directory publishing operations was partially
offset in 2004 by a $2.6 million decline from 2003 in
customer premise equipment sales and rentals due to lower
customer demand for purchasing or leasing landline-based
communications equipment.
Primarily due to the broadband customer growth and increased
sales of enhanced features, average revenue per customer per
month increased 2 percent in both 2005 and 2004 from the
corresponding prior year period. Future growth in average
revenue per customer per month will depend on Spincos
success in sustaining growth in sales of broadband and other
enhanced services to new and existing customers.
Cost of services increased slightly in 2005 and decreased by
$33.6 million, or 5 percent, in 2004. Cost of services
for 2005 included approximately $3.2 million of incremental
costs incurred during the first quarter of 2005 related to work
force reductions in Spincos wireline business, as well as
higher overtime and maintenance costs due to inclement weather.
Cost of services in 2005 also included $4.4 million of
additional
116
customer service expenses attributable to the growth in
broadband customers, specifically the costs associated with
subsidizing broadband-capable modems. In addition, cost of
services in 2005 included increased regulatory fees of
$5.6 million related to an increase in the contribution
factor applicable to universal service funding, which was
collected from Spincos customers. Offsetting the increase
in salaries and benefits, customer service costs and regulatory
fees in 2005 was a decrease in business taxes of
$6.3 million and a decrease in bad debt expense of
$4.4 million, both consistent with the decline in revenues
discussed above. In addition, interconnection expenses decreased
$2.8 million in 2005 and $8.2 million in 2004,
consistent with the declines in toll revenues and access lines
discussed above. Cost of services for 2004 also reflected
reductions in customer service expenses and the effects of
incremental strike-related expenses and maintenance costs
incurred in 2003, as further discussed below. Compared to 2003,
customer service expenses decreased $3.3 million in 2004,
primarily due to cost savings from Spincos continued
efforts to control operating expenses. Included in cost of
services in 2003 were $6.0 million of additional
maintenance costs to repair damage caused by severe winter
storms and incremental expenses of approximately
$14.9 million associated with a strike that ended on
October 1, 2003, when Spinco signed a new collective
bargaining agreement impacting approximately 400 employees in
Kentucky represented by the Communications Workers of America.
Cost of products sold increased $2.3 million, or
8 percent, in 2005 and $1.4 million, or
5 percent, in 2004. The increase in 2005 was consistent
with the increase in sales and rentals of customer premise
equipment discussed above. Although sales and rentals of
customer premise equipment declined in 2004 as compared to 2003,
cost of products sold increased, primarily due to the effects of
negative results of inventory counts performed during 2004 as
compared to the results of counts performed in 2003.
Selling, general, administrative and other expenses increased
$3.4 million, or 1 percent, in 2005 and decreased
$16.9 million, or 6 percent, in 2004. The increase in
2005 was due primarily to higher insurance premiums related to
Spincos employee medical and dental plans. Partially
offsetting the increase in employee benefit costs in 2005 was a
decline in intercompany allocations received from Alltel. Under
a shared services agreement, Alltel provides certain functions
on Spincos behalf, including but not limited to
accounting, marketing, customer billing, information technology,
legal, human resources, and engineering services. The decline in
2004 also resulted from lower intercompany allocations received
from Alltel. In addition, salaries and employee benefit costs
declined $12.1 million in 2004, primarily reflecting cost
savings driven by the restructuring initiatives commenced in
2003 and 2004 as previously discussed.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased
$34.0 million, or 7 percent, in 2005 and
$8.0 million, or 2 percent, in 2004. The decreases in
depreciation and amortization expense in both years primarily
resulted from a reduction in depreciation rates for certain of
Spincos ILEC operations, reflecting the results of studies
of depreciable lives completed during 2005 and 2004. During the
second quarter of 2004, a triennial study of depreciable lives
was completed related to Spincos Nebraska ILEC operations
as required by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. In
addition, Spinco completed studies of depreciable lives during
2005 related to its Florida, Georgia and South Carolina ILEC
operations, which also resulted in a reduction in depreciation
rates. The depreciable lives were lengthened to reflect the
estimated remaining useful lives of the ILEC plant based on
Spincos expected future network utilization and capital
expenditure levels required to provide service to its customers.
During 2006, Spinco expect to review the depreciation rates
utilized in its remaining ILEC operations.
Royalty expense to Alltel decreased 1 percent in both 2005
and 2004, or $1.4 million and $2.8 million,
respectively. Spincos ILEC subsidiaries incur a royalty
expense from Alltel for the use of the Alltel brand name in
marketing and distributing telecommunications products and
services pursuant to a licensing agreement with an Alltel
affiliate. Following the spin off and merger with Valor, Spinco
no longer expects to incur this charge as it will no longer use
the Alltel brand name.
Wireline segment income decreased $10.9 million, or
2 percent, in 2005 and increased $42.1 million, or
7 percent, in 2004. The decrease in segment income in 2005
primarily resulted from the decline in revenues and sales due to
the loss of access lines, which were partially offset by the
favorable effects of reduced depreciation rates, as discussed
above. Conversely, the increase in 2004 primarily reflected the
selling of
117
additional services and features to existing wireline customers,
growth in Spincos Internet operations, the effects of the
incremental strike-related and maintenance costs incurred in
2003 and its cost savings and expense control efforts discussed
above.
Set forth below is a summary of the restructuring and other
charges related to the wireline operations that were not
included in the determination of segment income for the years
ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
$ |
11.2 |
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
Relocation costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lease and contract termination costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Costs associated with pending spin-off and merger of wireline
operations
|
|
|
31.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Write-down of software development costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
Other exit costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
11.3 |
|
|
$ |
8.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounting for Regulated Entities |
Except for the acquired Kentucky and Nebraska operations,
Spincos ILEC operations follow the accounting for
regulated enterprises prescribed by SFAS No. 71.
Criteria that would give rise to the discontinuance of
SFAS No. 71 include (1) increasing competition
restricting the regulated ILEC subsidiaries ability to
establish prices to recover specific costs and
(2) significant changes in the manner in which rates are
set by regulators from cost-based regulation to another form of
regulation. Spinco reviews these criteria on a quarterly basis
to determine whether the continuing application of
SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. In assessing the continued
applicability of SFAS No. 71, Spinco monitors the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
Level of competition in Spincos markets. Sources of
competition to Spincos local exchange business include,
but are not limited to, resellers of local exchange services,
interexchange carriers, satellite transmission services,
wireless communications providers, cable television companies,
and competitive access service providers including those
utilizing Unbundled Network Elements-Platform
(UNE-P),
VoIP providers and providers using other emerging technologies.
Spincos ILEC operations have begun to experience
competition in their local service areas. Through
December 31, 2005, this competition has not had a material
adverse effect on the results of operations of Spincos
ILEC operations, primarily because these subsidiaries provide
wireline telecommunications services in mostly rural areas. To
date, ILEC subsidiaries have not been required to discount
intrastate service rates in response to competitive pressures. |
|
|
|
Level of revenues and access lines currently subject to
rate-of-return
regulation or which could revert back to
rate-of-return
regulation in the future. For the ILEC subsidiaries that follow
SFAS No. 71, all interstate revenues are subject to
rate-of-return
regulation. The majority of the ILEC subsidiaries
remaining intrastate revenues are either subject to
rate-of-return
regulation or could become subject to
rate-of-return
regulation at Spincos election, subject in certain cases
to approval by the state public service commissions. |
|
|
|
Level of profitability of the ILEC subsidiaries. Currently, the
prices charged to customers for interstate and intrastate
services continue to be sufficient to recover the specific costs
of the ILEC subsidiaries in providing these services to
customers. |
Although Spinco believes that the application of
SFAS No. 71 continues to be appropriate, it is
possible that changes in regulation, legislation or competition
could result in its ILEC operations no longer qualifying for the
application of SFAS No. 71 in the near future. If
Spincos ILEC operations no longer qualified for the
application of SFAS No. 71, the accounting impact
would be a material non-cash credit to operations. The non-cash
credit would consist primarily of the reversal of the regulatory
liability for cost of removal included in accumulated
depreciation net of estimated costs to remove chemically-treated
telephone poles required to be
118
recognized pursuant to the guidance in FIN 47, which
amounted to $156.9 million as of December 31, 2005. At
this time, Spinco does not expect to record any impairment
charge related to the carrying value of its ILEC plant. Under
SFAS No. 71, Spinco currently depreciates its ILEC
plant based upon asset lives approved by regulatory agencies or
as otherwise allowed by law. Upon discontinuance of
SFAS No. 71, Spinco would be required to revise the
lives of its property, plant and equipment to reflect the
estimated useful lives of the assets. Spinco does not expect any
such revisions in asset lives to have a material adverse effect
on its ILEC operations.
Spincos ILECs are regulated by both federal and state
agencies. Certain of Spincos products and services
(interstate) and the related earnings are subject to
federal regulation, and others (local and intrastate) are
subject to state regulation. With the exception of the Nebraska
and a portion of the Kentucky operations, Spincos ILEC
operations are subject to
rate-of-return
regulation on the federal level by the FCC. The Nebraska and a
portion of the Kentucky operations are subject to price-cap
regulation by the FCC that allows a greater degree of retail
pricing flexibility than is afforded to Spincos
rate-of-return
operations. Companies meeting certain criteria had the option to
elect price-cap regulation as part of an FCC order issued in May
2000 (the CALLS plan). The CALLS plan expired on
June 30, 2005, and to date, the FCC has not established a
successor mechanism for regulating price-cap companies.
Nonetheless, the existing rules and regulations for price-cap
companies remain effective until the FCC modifies or otherwise
replaces them with a successor mechanism.
|
|
|
Telecommunications Law Modernization |
In 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the
96 Act), which significantly changed the existing
laws and regulations governing the telecommunications industry.
The primary goal of the 96 Act was to create competition in the
wireline market by requiring ILECs to sell portions of their
networks to competitors at reduced wholesale rates. The 96 Act
also established rules for interconnecting wireline and wireless
service providers networks. Unfortunately, the 96 Act
failed to contemplate the rapid evolution of technology and the
associated consumer demand for wireless services, the Internet
and VoIP.
Today, providers of communications services are regulated
differently depending primarily upon the network technology used
to deliver service. This patchwork regulatory
approach unfairly advantages certain companies and disadvantages
others, which impedes market-based competition where service
providers, regardless of technology, exchange telecommunications
traffic between their networks and compete for the same
customers.
In an effort to reform the patchwork regulatory
approach, two separate telecommunications bills were introduced
in the U.S. Senate. The first bill, entitled the
Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act, was
introduced on July 27, 2005. This bill reduces the existing
level of government regulation within the telecommunications
industry in favor of market-based competition and provides for
parity in the remaining rules governing functionally equivalent
services, such as broadband access to the Internet either via
DSL, cable modem or other technological means. Another bill,
entitled the Universal Service for the 21st Century
Act, was introduced on July 29, 2005. This bill
changes the way telecommunications companies contribute to the
universal service fund, establishes limited support for
broadband investment in unserved areas and calls for the FCC to
establish inter-carrier compensation reform within six months of
enactment.
Some members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also
taken steps to advance the reform of existing telecommunications
laws. Two draft bills have been publicly circulated. The first
draft bill calls for federalizing and streamlining regulation of
advanced services; specifically, broadband Internet
transmission, VoIP and broadband video services. The second
draft bill broadens the Universal Service contribution base and
controls distributions from the fund while extending Universal
Service support to broadband services. In addition to the formal
introduction of either, or both, of these draft bills, there
will likely be additional bills submitted for consideration as
Congress evaluates changing the regulatory environment in the
telecommunications industry. It is not clear whether Congress
will ultimately take action on comprehensive reform, or take
119
more targeted reform measures. It is equally unclear whether any
of the pending House and Senate telecom bills will be
consolidated with other proposals. Spinco strongly supports the
modernization of the nations telecommunications laws, but
at this time, cannot predict the timing and the resulting
financial impact of these efforts.
Most states in which Spincos ILEC subsidiaries operate
provide alternatives to
rate-of-return
regulation for local and intrastate services, either through
legislative or public service commission (PSC)
rules. Spinco has elected alternative regulation for certain of
its ILEC subsidiaries in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. The Missouri PSC ruled
that Spinco is not eligible for alternative regulation. However
on May 5, 2005, the Missouri legislature passed an
alternative regulation bill that allows Spinco to elect
alternative regulation without Missouri PSC approval. The
legislation became effective on August 28, 2005, and Spinco
filed an election with the PSC to be regulated under the new
alternative regulation plan on September 13, 2005. As a
result of this election, Spinco withdrew its appeal of the
Missouri PSCs previous decision during the fourth quarter
of 2005. Spinco continue to evaluate alternative regulation
options in markets where its ILEC subsidiaries remain subject to
rate-of-return
regulation, including Mississippi, New York and certain of its
Kentucky operations. See SPINCO DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS, State Regulation for further discussion.
|
|
|
Inter-carrier Compensation |
In April 2001, the FCC released a notice of proposed rulemaking
addressing inter-carrier compensation. Under this rulemaking,
the FCC proposed a bill and keep compensation
methodology under which each telecommunications carrier would be
required to recover all of its costs to originate and terminate
telecommunications traffic from its end-user customers rather
than charging other carriers. The proposed bill and
keep method would significantly overhaul the existing
rules governing inter-carrier compensation. On March 3,
2005, the FCC released a further notice of proposed rulemaking
addressing inter-carrier compensation. Under this proposed
rulemaking, the FCC requested comment on several alternative
inter-carrier compensation proposals, including bill and
keep. The outcome of this proceeding is likely to change
the way Spinco receives compensation from, and remits
compensation to, other carriers and its end user customers.
Until this proceeding concludes and the changes to the existing
rules are established, if any, Spinco cannot estimate the impact
of the changes on its ILEC revenues and expenses or when the
changes would occur.
On October 8, 2004, the FCC granted in part and denied in
part a petition filed by Core Communications requesting that the
FCC forbear from enforcing provisions of the FCCs 2001
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Remand Order. The
FCC granted forbearance from part of the ISP Remand Order
finding they were no longer in the public interest. Various
parties have filed for reconsideration with the FCC and have
appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit. If the FCCs decision in this
order is upheld, Spinco is likely to incur additional costs for
delivering ISP-bound traffic originated by its customers to
competitive wireline service providers serving ISPs.
Although Spinco has not fully quantified the effects of this
order, it believes that the additional expense would be less
than $10.0 million annually.
On July 6, 2005, a hearing examiner issued a recommended
order to the Georgia PSC that, if adopted, would prospectively
preclude LECs from assessing access charges for non-local calls
between 0 and 16 miles that originate on the network of one
LEC and terminate on the network of a different LEC. Along with
other LECs in Georgia, Spinco requested that the Georgia PSC
reject the recommended order and find that access charges
continue to apply to these intrastate calls. If the Georgia PSC
ultimately adopts the recommended order, Spinco would incur a
reduction in annual revenues of approximately
$12.0 million. A final order will not likely become
effective before the end of the first quarter of 2006.
120
The federal universal service program is under legislative,
regulatory and industry scrutiny as a result of growth in the
fund and structural changes within the telecommunications
industry. The structural changes include the increase in the
number of eligible telecommunications carriers receiving money
from the USF and a migration of customers from wireline service
providers to providers using alternative technologies like VoIP
that, today, are not required to contribute to the universal
service program. There are several FCC proceedings underway that
are likely to change the way universal service programs are
funded and the way these funds are disbursed to program
recipients. The specific proceedings are discussed in greater
detail below.
In May 2001, the FCC adopted the Rural Task Force Order that
established an interim universal service mechanism governing
compensation for rural telephone companies for the ensuing five
years. The interim mechanism has allowed rural carriers to
continue receiving high-cost funding based on their embedded
costs. On June 2, 2004, the FCC asked the Federal/ State
Joint Board on Universal Service (the Joint Board)
to review the FCCs rules as they pertain to rural
telephone companies and to determine what changes, if any,
should be made to the existing high-cost support mechanism when
the interim funding program expires in June 2006. The Joint
Board sought comment on such a mechanism on August 16,
2004, but has taken no further action. In the event a new
mechanism is not established for rural carriers prior to the
expiration of the plan, the FCC likely will extend the interim
mechanism currently in place. In addition, the Joint Board
sought comment on whether companies operating multiple distinct
geographic market areas within a state should consolidate them
for purposes of calculating universal service support. If the
FCC implements this proposal, Spincos universal service
revenues would be reduced from their current level by
approximately $8.5 million annually. On August 17,
2005, the Joint Board sought comment on four separate proposals
to modify the distribution of high-cost universal service
support. Each of the proposals provides state public service
commissions a greater role in the support distribution process,
which would remain subject to specific FCC guidelines. Spinco
cannot estimate the impact of the potential change from embedded
cost to another methodology, or the impact of other potential
changes to the fund contemplated by the Joint Board until the
specific changes, if any, are determined.
On June 14, 2005, the FCC issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking initiating a broad inquiry into the management and
administration of the universal service programs. The notice of
proposed rulemaking seeks comment on ways to streamline the
application process for federal support and whether and how to
increase audits of fund contributors and fund recipients in an
effort to deter waste and fraud. The FCC is also considering
proposals regarding the contribution methodology, which could
change the types of service providers required to contribute to
the fund (i.e. local exchange providers, wireless providers,
long-distance providers, etc.) and the basis on which they
contribute. At this time, Spinco cannot estimate the impact that
the potential changes, if any, would have on its operations.
On December 9, 2005, the FCC issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking seeking comments on the need to redefine certain
statutory terms established by the 96 Act. Changes to these
defined statutory terms could result in a different allocation
of universal service support to non-rural carriers. Spinco
receives approximately $9.5 million annually in non-rural
universal service support and cannot estimate the financial
impact resulting from changes to the definitions of the
statutory terms until such changes, if any, are determined.
The FCC mandated that the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) begin accounting for the USF program
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for
federal agencies effective October 1, 2004, rather than the
accounting rules that USAC formerly used. This change in
accounting method subjected USAC to the Anti-Deficiency Act (the
ADA), the effect of which could have caused delays
in payments to USF program recipients and significantly
increased the amount of USF regulatory fees charged to wireline
consumers. In December 2004, Congress passed legislation to
exempt USAC from the ADA for one year to allow for a more
thorough review of the impact the ADA would have on the
universal service program. In April 2005, the FCC tentatively
concluded that the high-cost and low-income universal service
programs are compliant with ADA requirements, and asked the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make a
final determination on this issue, which they have yet to do. On
November 22, 2005, the Science, State, Commerce and Justice
Department appropriations bill was enacted, which exempted the
USF program from the ADA for another year until
December 31, 2006.
121
|
|
|
Emerging Competitive Technologies
VoIP |
Voice telecommunications services utilizing IP as the underlying
transmission technology, VoIP, are challenging existing
regulatory definitions and raising questions concerning how
IP-enabled services
should be regulated, if at all. Several state commissions have
attempted to assert jurisdiction over VoIP services, but federal
courts in New York and Minnesota have ruled that the FCC
preempts the states with respect to jurisdiction. These cases
are on appeal. On March 10, 2004, the FCC released a notice
of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on the appropriate
regulatory treatment of
IP-enabled
communications services. The FCC indicated that the cost of the
public switched telephone network should be borne equitably by
the users and requested comment on the specific regulatory
requirements that should be extended to
IP-enabled service
providers, including requirements relating to
E-911, accessibility
for the disabled, inter-carrier compensation and universal
service. Although the FCCs rulemaking regarding
IP-enabled services
remains pending, the FCC has adopted a series of related orders
establishing broad parameters for the regulation of those
services.
On February 12, 2004, the FCC released an order declaring
Pulver.coms free
IP-based,
peer-to-peer service
that requires specialized telephone equipment or software for
computers was not a regulated telecommunications
service, but rather was an unregulated information
service subject to federal jurisdiction.
On April 21, 2004, the FCC denied a waiver petition filed
by AT&T requesting that its IP telephony service be exempt
from paying access compensation to wireline local service
providers. The FCC ruled AT&Ts IP telephony service,
which converted voice calls to an IP format for some portion of
the routing over the public switched telephone network prior to
converting the calls back to their original format, was a
regulated telecommunications service subject to
payment of access compensation to LECs.
On November 12, 2004, the FCC ruled that Internet-based
service provided by Vonage Holdings Corporation
(Vonage) should be subject to federal rather than
state jurisdiction. Several state commissions appealed the
FCCs Vonage decision, and these appeals are presently
pending before the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The FCC has not yet determined how Vonages service should
be classified for regulatory purposes, but is likely to address
the information service vs. telecommunications
service debate in its pending rulemaking regarding
IP-enabled services.
Also, the manner and scope of any regulatory treatment of VoIP
service is addressed in several of the bills pending in Congress.
On June 3, 2005, the FCC took swift action in response to
several incidents where VoIP customers were unable to complete
E-911 calls. The FCC
ordered all VoIP service providers whose service is
interconnected with the public switched telephone network to
provide E-911 services
to their customers no later than November 28, 2005.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies,
Inc. (CALEA) requires wireline carriers to ensure
that their networks are capable of accommodating lawful
intercept requests received from law enforcement agencies. The
FCC has imposed various obligations and compliance deadlines,
with which Spinco has either complied or, in accordance with
CALEA, filed a request for an extension of time. In response to
a petition filed by the DOJ and other federal agencies, the FCC
initiated a rulemaking in August 2004, to adopt new rules under
CALEA pertaining to wireline carriers packet mode
communications services, including Internet protocol
(IP) based services. On September 21, 2005, the
FCC issued an order in this proceeding finding that providers of
certain broadband and interconnected VoIP services are
telecommunication services subject to CALEA
requirements, and must be prepared to provide electronic
surveillance to law enforcement upon proper authorization.
Several appeals have been filed. If the FCC ultimately
determines that
IP-enabled services are
not subject to similar regulatory requirements that are
applicable to inter-exchange and local exchange service
providers, including contributions to federal and state
universal service programs, inter-carrier compensation
obligations, federal and state tax obligations and service
quality metrics, Spincos regulated local exchange
operations will be competitively disadvantaged. However, until
the FCC issues its decision in these proceedings, Spinco cannot
determine the extent of the impact on its operations, if any.
122
On September 23, 2005, the FCC released an order declaring
wireline broadband Internet access service (DSL) an
information service functionally integrated with a
telecommunications component and no longer subject to a higher
level of regulation as compared to broadband cable modem
service. This order establishes a framework that may eventually
allow Spincos DSL service to obtain regulatory parity with
cable modem service, which is lightly regulated. The FCC order
requires wireline broadband service providers, like Spinco, to
continue offering broadband access on a stand-alone basis to
competing unaffiliated Internet service providers for one year,
after which they will no longer be required to do so.
Additionally, the order preserves the current method of
assessing universal service contributions on DSL revenues for a
270-day period after
the effective date of the order, or until the FCC adopts a new
contribution methodology to the universal service fund. Spinco
could benefit from the decreased regulatory oversight of its DSL
service through additional retail pricing flexibility.
Spincos DSL products are experiencing significant growth
throughout its service areas, and the primary DSL competitor is
the historically less-regulated cable modem service. However,
the FCC has yet to establish specific rules for deregulating DSL
service, and until the FCC has done so, Spincos
DSL products and services remain regulated by the FCC.
Because certain of the regulatory matters discussed above are
under FCC or judicial review, resolution of these matters
continues to be uncertain. Therefore, Spinco cannot predict at
this time the specific effects, if any, that the 96 Act,
regulatory decisions and rulemakings, and future competition
will ultimately have on its ILEC operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions, except customers in | |
|
|
thousands) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product distribution
|
|
$ |
307.9 |
|
|
$ |
257.5 |
|
|
$ |
278.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
$ |
307.9 |
|
|
$ |
257.5 |
|
|
$ |
278.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
289.2 |
|
|
|
239.5 |
|
|
|
259.5 |
|
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
303.5 |
|
|
|
254.4 |
|
|
|
275.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and sales from Spincos product distribution
operations increased $50.4 million, or 20 percent, in
2005 and decreased $21.4 million, or 8 percent, in
2004. As noted in the table above, the increase in revenues and
sales in 2005 primarily reflected growth in sales of
telecommunications equipment, primarily due to an increase in
capital expenditures by Spincos wireline operations and
data products. The decrease in revenues and sales in 2004
reflected declines in sales of telecommunications equipment,
primarily due to a reduction in capital expenditures by
Spincos wireline operations.
Product distribution segment income increased $1.3 million,
or 42 percent, in 2005 and remained substantially unchanged
in 2004. The increase in 2005 was primarily due to a decrease in
depreciation and amortization expense based on certain assets
being fully depreciated.
Set forth below is a summary of the restructuring and other
charges related to the other operations that were not included
in the determination of segment income for the years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions, except customers in | |
|
|
thousands) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-distance
|
|
$ |
180.4 |
|
|
$ |
174.1 |
|
|
$ |
182.4 |
|
|
Directory publishing
|
|
|
154.7 |
|
|
|
155.9 |
|
|
|
122.6 |
|
|
Telecommunications information services
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
|
41.8 |
|
|
|
108.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
352.3 |
|
|
|
371.8 |
|
|
|
413.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
|
138.9 |
|
|
|
155.6 |
|
|
|
190.1 |
|
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
114.9 |
|
|
|
126.8 |
|
|
|
107.8 |
|
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
51.8 |
|
|
|
42.7 |
|
|
|
47.7 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
309.7 |
|
|
|
328.9 |
|
|
|
352.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
$ |
42.6 |
|
|
$ |
42.9 |
|
|
$ |
61.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-distance customers
|
|
|
1,750.8 |
|
|
|
1,770.8 |
|
|
|
1,680.2 |
|
Revenues and sales from Spincos other operations decreased
$19.5 million, or 5 percent, in 2005 and decreased
$41.9 million, or 10 percent, in 2004. As noted in the
table above, the decrease in revenues and sales in 2005
primarily reflected declines in revenues earned from
telecommunications information services due to the loss of one
of Spincos remaining unaffiliated wireline services
customers during the fourth quarter of 2004. Revenues derived
from long-distance services increased $6.3 million in 2005,
primarily due to an increase in customer billing rates initiated
during the second quarter of 2005 on one of Spincos most
popular billing plans. This increase in rates was partially
offset by the effects of customers migrating to packaged rate
plans. In response to competitive pressures, Spinco has
introduced packaged rate plans in its long-distance markets that
provide customers with unlimited calling for one flat monthly
rate. Revenues derived from directory publishing services in
2005 were relatively unchanged from 2004.
The decrease in revenues and sales in 2004 reflected declines in
sales of long-distance services and telecommunications
information services, partially offset by an increase in
directory publishing revenues. Revenues attributable to
long-distance services declined $8.2 million in 2004.
Although the number of long-distance customers served increased
during 2004, revenues decreased, primarily due to declining
usage by residential customers and a reduction in customer
billing rates due to competition. Telecommunications information
services revenues decreased $67.1 million in 2004,
primarily due to the December 2003 sale of certain assets and
related liabilities, including selected customer contracts and
capitalized software development costs, to Convergys, and the
loss of one of Spincos remaining unaffiliated wireline
services customers. The customer contracts sold to Convergys
represented approximately 48 percent of the total revenues
and sales reported by the telecommunications information
services operations in 2003.
Directory publishing revenues increased $33.3 million in
2004, primarily due to an increase in the number of directory
contracts published, including the initial publication of
directories for the acquired Kentucky and Nebraska operations
previously discussed. In addition, the increase in 2004 also
reflected a change in accounting for directory contracts in
which Spinco has a secondary delivery obligation. Effective
January 1, 2003, Spinco began deferring a portion of its
revenues and related costs to provide for secondary deliveries.
As a result, revenues and related costs associated with any
directories for which secondary deliveries were required, but
not yet made, were deferred, resulting in a reduction in
directory publishing revenues in 2003 of $5.3 million.
Other operations segment income remained substantially unchanged
in 2005 and decreased $18.5 million, or 30 percent, in
2004. The decline in 2004 was primarily due to the decrease in
revenues and sales noted above. The adverse effects on segment
income attributable to the decrease in revenues and sales in
2004 were partially offset by improved profit margins in the
directory publishing operations. Profit margins for the
directory publishing operations in 2003 had been adversely
affected by increased selling, marketing and other
124
start-up costs incurred
in order for Spincos publishing subsidiary to begin
providing all directory publishing services, except printing,
for all directory contracts published in 2004. Except for a
limited number of directory contracts published in 2003, these
publishing services were previously contracted out to a third
party. Partially offsetting the 2004 improvement in the profit
margins of the directory publishing operations attributable to
the favorable effects of the
start-up costs incurred
in 2003 was an increase in bad debt expense of $6.1 million.
Set forth below is a summary of the restructuring and other
charges related to the other operations that were not included
in the determination of segment income for the years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Relocation costs
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lease and contract termination costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Write-down of software development costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
3.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Capital Requirements |
The primary uses of cash for Spincos operating segments
are capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment and
expenditures for capitalized software development to support
Spincos wireline operations. Annual capital expenditures
and expenditures for software development by operating segment
are forecasted as follows for 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Expenditures | |
|
Development | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
Wireline
|
|
$ |
343.0 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
348.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
$ |
345.0 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
350.0 |
|
Product Distribution
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2.0 |
|
Other
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
$ |
348.0 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
353.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
$ |
350.0 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
355.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures for 2006 will be primarily incurred to
construct additional network facilities and to upgrade
Spincos telecommunications network. The forecasted
spending levels in 2006 are subject to revision depending on
changes in future capital requirements of Spincos business
segments. Both of Spincos operating segments in 2005
generated positive cash flows sufficient to fund their
day-to-day operations
and to fund their capital requirements. Spinco expects its
operating segments to continue to generate sufficient cash flows
in 2006 to fund their operations and capital requirements.
|
|
|
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital
Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Cash flows from (used in):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
$ |
953.9 |
|
|
$ |
962.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,135.0 |
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
(352.7 |
) |
|
|
(329.7 |
) |
|
|
(356.9 |
) |
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
(602.4 |
) |
|
|
(627.1 |
) |
|
|
(784.2 |
) |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in cash and short-term investments
|
|
$ |
(1.2 |
) |
|
$ |
5.3 |
|
|
$ |
(5.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Operations |
For each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005, cash provided from operations was
Spincos primary source of funds. The decreases in cash
provided from operations in both 2005 and 2004
125
primarily reflected the decline in earnings from Spincos
wireline business segment. Cash flows from operations in 2004
was also adversely affected by changes in working capital
requirements, including timing differences in the billing and
collection of accounts receivables and the payment of trade
payables and taxes. During 2005, Spinco generated sufficient
cash flows from operations to fund its capital expenditure
requirements, dividend payments to Alltel and scheduled
long-term debt payments as further discussed below. Spinco
expects to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to
fund its operating requirements in 2006.
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities |
Capital expenditures continued to be Spincos primary use
of capital resources. Capital expenditures were
$352.9 million in 2005, $333.3 million in 2004 and
$383.2 million in 2003. Capital expenditures in each of the
past three years were incurred to construct additional network
facilities and to upgrade Spincos telecommunications
network in order to offer other communications services,
including long-distance, Internet and broadband communications
services. During each of the past three years, Spinco funded
substantially all of its capital expenditures through internally
generated funds. As indicated in the table above under
Segment Capital Requirements, Spinco expects capital
expenditures to be approximately $348.0 million to
$353.0 million for 2006, which will be funded primarily
from internally generated funds. Investing activities also
included outlays for capitalized software development costs,
which were $4.0 million in 2005, $4.5 million in 2004
and $7.6 million in 2003. As indicated in the table above
under Segment Capital Requirements, Spinco expects
expenditures for capitalized software development to be
approximately $2.0 million for 2006, which also will be
funded from internally generated funds.
Cash flows from investing activities for 2003 included
$37.0 million of proceeds received from the sale to
Convergys of certain assets related to Spincos
telecommunications information services operations, as
previously discussed.
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities |
Dividend payments to Alltel remained a significant use of
Spincos capital resources during each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2005. Dividend payments to
Alltel amounted to $233.6 million in 2005,
$239.1 million in 2004 and $232.4 million in 2003.
Prior to the spin-off, Spinco expects to continue the payment of
cash dividends to Alltel during 2006. Operating cash flows are
expected to be sufficient to fund the future dividend payments
to Alltel.
As further discussed under Liquidity and Capital
Resources, in connection with the spin-off, Spinco will
pay a special dividend to Alltel in an amount not to exceed
Alltels tax basis in its operations, currently estimated
to be approximately $2.4 billion. Spinco will fund the
special dividend payment from borrowings under a new senior
secured credit agreement or the issuance of unsecured debt
securities in a private placement.
Retirements of long-term debt amounted to $22.1 million in
both 2005 and 2004 and $282.6 million in 2003. Retirements
of long-term debt in 2005 and 2004 reflected the required
scheduled principal payments under Spincos existing
long-term debt obligations. In addition to the required
scheduled principal payments, retirements of long-term debt in
2003 included the repayment of $249.1 million of long-term
debt outstanding under the Rural Utilities Service, Rural
Telephone Bank and Federal Financing Bank programs. (See
Note 4 to the combined financial statements for additional
information regarding Spincos long-term debt.)
As previously discussed, Spinco participates in the centralized
cash management practices of Alltel. Under these practices, cash
balances are transferred daily to Alltel bank accounts, and
Spinco obtains interim financing from Alltel to fund its daily
cash requirements and invest short-term excess funds with
Alltel. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, Spinco had a net
payable to Alltel which is included in the Parent Company
Investment in the accompanying combined balance sheets and
statements of equity. During each of the past three years,
Spinco reduced its overall net borrowings from Alltel.
Reductions in advances to Alltel amounted to $346.7 million
in 2005, $365.9 million 2004 and $269.2 million in
2003.
126
|
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
Spinco believes that it has adequate operating cash flows to
finance its ongoing operating requirements, including capital
expenditures, repayment of long-term debt and payment of
dividends to Alltel. As previously discussed, however, in
conjunction with the spin-off, Spinco will pay a special
dividend to Alltel in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax
basis in its wireline operations, currently estimated to be
approximately $2.4 billion, which Alltel will use to
repurchase stock pursuant to a special stock buyback program
authorized by the Alltel Board of Directors in connection with
the spin-off, to repay outstanding indebtedness, or both, within
one year following the spin-off, and will distribute to Alltel
the exchange notes, which Alltel intends to exchange for
outstanding Alltel debt securities or otherwise transfer to
Alltels creditors thereby reducing Alltels
outstanding indebtedness. In addition, in conjunction with the
merger with Valor, Spinco expects to repay approximately
$81.0 million of its existing long-term debt obligations,
including accrued interest. Upon repayment of Spincos
existing long-term debt obligations, Spinco expects to incur
approximately $9.5 million of prepayment penalties. Prior
to the distribution and merger, Spinco will consummate certain
financing transactions pursuant to which it will incur
approximately $3.965 billion in indebtedness through
(1) borrowing under a new senior secured credit agreement
or the issuance of senior unsecured debt securities in an
offering under Rule 144A, promulgated under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended and (2) the distribution of the
exchange notes to Alltel. All proceeds of the financing will be
used to pay the consideration to be received by Alltel for the
contribution (through payment of the special dividend and
distribution of the exchange notes) and to pay related fees and
expenses. Alltel has received a commitment letter from various
financial institutions to provide Spinco with up to
$4.2 billion in senior secured credit facilities comprised
of term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to
$3.7 billion and a revolving credit facility of up to
$500 million to pay the special dividend and to fund its
other financing requirements related to the spin-off and merger
with Valor.
By virtue of the merger, Windstream will assume
$261 million in Alltel debt and $400 million in
outstanding Valor debt securities. Windstream will also borrow
approximately $781 million under its new senior secured
credit facility in order to prepay the amounts outstanding under
Valors existing credit facility. These amounts, together
with the $3.965 billion in financings consummated by Spinco
prior to the merger and certain expenses related to the
transaction, will result in Windstream having approximately
$5.5 billion in total debt immediately following completion
of the merger. It is expected that Windstream will use proceeds
from its new senior secured credit facilities to refinance
approximately $81.0 million of Alltels outstanding
bonds (plus an additional approximately $9.5 million in
related make-whole premiums) and to purchase any of Valors
outstanding bonds that may be tendered pursuant to the terms
thereof as a result of the merger. However, no Valor bonds are
expected to be tendered as a result of the merger.
Certain of Spincos debt agreements contain various
covenants and restrictions specific to the subsidiary that is
the legal counterparty to the agreement. As of December 31,
2005, Spinco was in compliance with all such covenants and
restrictions.
At December 31, 2005, current maturities of long-term debt
were $22.1 million. Spinco expects to fund the payment of
this obligation through operating cash flows.
Substantially all of Spincos employees participate in a
qualified defined benefit pension plan maintained by Alltel.
Prior to January 1, 2005, employees of Spincos
directory publishing subsidiary did not participate in the plan.
In December 2005, the qualified defined benefit pension plan was
amended such that future benefit accruals for all eligible
non-bargaining employees ceased as of December 31, 2005
(December 31, 2010 for employees who had attained
age 40 with two years of service as of December 31,
2005). Alltel also maintains a supplemental executive retirement
plan that provides unfunded, non-qualified supplemental
retirement benefits to a select group of Spincos
management employees. In addition, Alltel has entered into
individual retirement agreements with certain of Spincos
retired executives providing for unfunded supplemental pension
benefits. Spinco received allocations of pension expense related
to these plans from Alltel totaling $15.1 million in 2005,
$11.3 million in 2004 and $16.4 million in 2003. The
amount of pension expense recognized by Spinco during
127
2006 may change as employees performing shared functions are
identified to join Spinco, and such change may be material. As
of December 31, 2005 and 2004, no allocation of
Spincos share of the pension plans assets or
liabilities had been included in its financial statements. Upon
completion of the spin-off, the amount of pension plans
assets or liabilities related to Spincos employees will be
allocated from Alltel.
Alltel calculated Spincos annual pension expense for 2006
based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including an
expected long-term rate of return on qualified pension plan
assets of 8.50 percent and a discount rate of
5.80 percent. In developing the expected long-term rate of
return assumption, Alltel evaluated historical investment
performance, as well as input from its investment advisors.
Projected returns by such advisors were based on broad equity
and bond indices. Alltel also considered the pension plans
historical returns since 1975 of 11.0 percent. Its expected
long-term rate of return on qualified pension plan assets is
based on a targeted asset allocation of 70 percent to
equities, with an expected long-term rate of return of
10 percent, and 30 percent to fixed income assets,
with an expected long-term rate of return of 5 percent. For
the year ended December 31, 2005, the actual return on
qualified pension plan assets was 7.2 percent.
The discount rate selected is based on a review of current
market interest rates of high-quality, fixed-rate debt
securities adjusted to reflect the duration of expected future
cash outflows for pension benefit payments. In developing the
discount rate assumption for 2006, Alltel reviewed the
high-grade bond indices published by Moodys and
Standard & Poors as of December 31, 2005 and
other available market data and constructed a hypothetical
portfolio of high quality bonds with maturities that mirrored
the expected payment stream of its pension benefit obligation.
The discount rate determined on this basis decreased from
6.00 percent at December 31, 2004 to 5.80 percent
at December 31, 2005.
In conjunction with the spin off, Spincos employees and
retirees will cease to participate in Alltels qualified
defined benefit pension plan. Spinco will establish a separate
plan that will mirror Alltels plan, which will recognize
its employees and retirees prior rights and benefits
under the Alltel pension plan. Alltel will transfer an amount,
currently estimated to be approximately $750.0 million,
from Alltels qualified defined benefit pension plan to
Spincos plan trust. The actual amount of the transfer will
be determined upon completion of the spin-off. Spinco does not
expect that any contributions to the plan calculated in
accordance with the minimum funding requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 will be required in 2006.
Future contributions to the plan will depend on various factors,
including future investment performance, changes in future
discount rates and changes in the demographics of the population
participating in the qualified pension plan.
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Other Postretirement Benefits |
Spinco provides postretirement healthcare and life insurance
benefits for eligible employees. Retired employees share a
portion of the cost of these benefits. Spinco funds the accrued
costs of these plans as benefits are paid. Spinco incurred
postretirement benefits expense totaling $16.7 million in
2005, $14.5 million in 2004 and $18.1 million in 2003.
Postretirement benefits expense for 2006 is estimated to be
approximately $16.6 million. As of December 31, 2005
and 2004, $89.0 million and $80.5 million,
respectively, of the postretirement benefits plans
liabilities were included in the other liabilities in the
accompanying combined balance sheets.
Spinco calculated its annual postretirement expense for 2006
based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a
healthcare cost trend rate of 10.00 percent and a discount
rate of 5.70 percent. Consistent with the methodology used
to determine the appropriate discount rate for Alltels
pension obligations, the discount rate selected for
postretirement benefits is based on a hypothetical portfolio of
high quality bonds with maturities that mirrored the expected
payment stream of the benefit obligation. The discount rate
determined on this basis decreased from 6.00 percent at
December 31, 2004 to 5.70 percent at December 31,
2005. Lowering the discount rate by an additional
0.25 percent (from 5.70 percent to 5.45 percent)
would result in an increase in Spincos allocation of
postretirement expense of approximately $400,000 in 2006.
The healthcare cost trend rate is based on Spincos actual
medical claims experience and future projections of medical
costs. For the year ended December 31, 2005, a one percent
increase in the assumed
128
healthcare cost trend rate would increase Spincos
postretirement benefit cost by approximately $1.1 million,
while a one percent decrease in the rate would reduce its
allocation of postretirement benefit cost by approximately
$1.0 million.
Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act), beginning in
2006, the Act will provide a prescription drug benefit under
Medicare Part D, as well as a federal subsidy to plan
sponsors of retiree healthcare plans that provide a prescription
drug benefit to their participants that is at least actuarially
equivalent to the benefit that will be available under Medicare.
The amount of the federal subsidy will be based on
28 percent of an individual beneficiarys annual
eligible prescription drug costs ranging between $250 and
$5,000. Based on Spincos understanding of the Act, it
determined that a substantial portion of the prescription drug
benefits provided under its postretirement benefit plan would be
deemed actuarially equivalent to the benefits provided under
Medicare Part D. On January 21, 2005, the Department
of Health and Human Services issued final federal regulations
related to the federal subsidy. These final rules did not have a
material effect on Spincos benefit costs or accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
Spinco does not use securitization of trade receivables,
affiliation with special purpose entities, variable interest
entities or synthetic leases to finance its operations.
Additionally, Spinco has not entered into any arrangement
requiring it to guarantee payment of third party debt or to fund
losses of an unconsolidated special purpose entity.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments |
Set forth below is a summary of Spincos material
contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31,
2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Less | |
|
|
|
More | |
|
|
|
|
Than | |
|
1-3 | |
|
3-5 | |
|
Than | |
|
|
|
|
1 Year | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
|
5 Years | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Long-term debt, including current maturities(a)
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
|
$ |
45.7 |
|
|
$ |
39.9 |
|
|
$ |
154.1 |
|
|
$ |
261.8 |
|
Interest payments on long-term debt obligations
|
|
|
18.8 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
25.4 |
|
|
|
128.0 |
|
|
|
204.7 |
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
17.8 |
|
Purchase obligations(b)
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Other long-term liabilities(c)
|
|
|
32.3 |
|
|
|
98.4 |
|
|
|
99.4 |
|
|
|
607.7 |
|
|
|
837.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations and commitments
|
|
$ |
79.5 |
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
168.3 |
|
|
$ |
892.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,324.0 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Excludes $(1.0) million of unamortized discounts included
in long-term debt at December 31, 2005. |
|
(b) |
|
Purchase obligations represent amounts payable under
noncancellable contracts and primarily represent agreements for
software licensing. |
|
(c) |
|
Other long-term liabilities primarily consist of deferred tax
liabilities and other postretirement benefit obligations. |
Under Spincos long-term debt borrowing agreements,
acceleration of principal payments would occur upon payment
default, violation of debt covenants not cured within
30 days or breach of certain other conditions set forth in
the borrowing agreements. At December 31, 2005, Spinco was
in compliance with all of its debt covenants. There are no
provisions within any of Spincos leasing agreements that
would trigger acceleration of future lease payments. (See
Notes 4, 6, 10 and 11 to the consolidated financial
statements for additional information regarding certain of the
obligations and commitments listed above.)
129
Because Spinco does not hold significant investments in
marketable equity securities, it is not subject to material
market risk from changes in marketable equity security prices.
In addition, because Spincos business operations in
foreign countries are not material to its consolidated
operations, financial condition and liquidity, it is not subject
to material foreign currency exchange rate risk from the effects
that exchange rate movements of foreign currency would have on
its future costs or cash flows. Finally, because all of
Spincos outstanding borrowings are at fixed interest
rates, it also is not subject to material market risk from
changes in interest rates.
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Critical Accounting Policies |
Spinco prepares its consolidated financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. Spincos significant accounting policies are
discussed in detail in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements. Certain of these accounting policies as discussed
below require management to make estimates and assumptions about
future events that could materially affect the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. These critical accounting
policies include the following:
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In evaluating the collectibility of Spincos trade
receivables, it assesses a number of factors including a
specific customers ability to meet its financial
obligations to it, as well as general factors, such as the
length of time the receivables are past due and historical
collection experience. Based on these assumptions, Spinco
records an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the related
receivables to the amount that it ultimately expects to collect
from customers. If circumstances related to specific customers
change or economic conditions worsen such that Spincos
past collection experience is no longer relevant, its estimate
of the recoverability of its trade receivables could be further
reduced from the levels provided for in the consolidated
financial statements. At December 31, 2005, Spincos
allowance for doubtful accounts was $14.1 million. A
10 percent increase in this reserve would have increased
the provision for doubtful accounts by $1.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2005. |
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The annual costs of providing pension and other postretirement
benefits are based on certain key actuarial assumptions as
discussed above. As previously discussed, the discount rate
selected is based on a review of current market interest rates
on high-quality, fixed-rate debt securities adjusted to reflect
Spincos longer duration of expected future cash outflows
for benefit payments. The expected return on plan assets
reflects Spincos view of the long-term returns available
in the investment market based on historical averages and
consultation with investment advisors. The healthcare cost trend
rate is based on Alltels actual medical claims experience
and future projections of medical costs. See Pension
Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits for
the effects on Spincos future benefit costs resulting from
changes in these key assumptions. |
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The calculation of depreciation and amortization expense is
based on the estimated economic useful lives of the underlying
property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible
assets. Although Spinco believes it is unlikely that any
significant changes to the useful lives of its tangible or
finite-lived intangible assets will occur in the near term,
rapid changes in technology or changes in market conditions
could result in revisions to such estimates that could
materially affect the carrying value of these assets and
Spincos future operating results. In addition, as
previously discussed, during 2005 and 2004, Spinco reduced the
depreciation rates on property, plant and equipment used in
certain of Spincos ILEC markets based on studies of the
related lives. Spinco also intends to perform similar studies on
the property, plant and equipment used in its remaining ILEC
markets during 2006. Spinco cannot predict what impact the
results of those studies will have on depreciation and
amortization expense in 2006. However, an extension of the
average useful life of Spincos property, plant and
equipment and finite-lived intangible assets of one year would
decrease depreciation and amortization expense by approximately
$20.5 million per year, while a reduction in the average
useful life of one year would increase depreciation and
amortization expense by approximately $24.0 million per
year. |
130
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In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Spinco tests its
goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for
impairment at least annually, which requires it to determine the
fair value of these intangible assets, as well as the fair value
of its reporting units. For purposes of testing goodwill, fair
value of the reporting units is determined utilizing a
combination of the discounted cash flows of the reporting units
and calculated market values of comparable public companies.
Fair value of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets is
determined based on the discounted cash flows of the related
business segment. During 2005 and 2004, no write-downs in the
carrying values of either goodwill or indefinite-lived
intangible assets were required based on their calculated fair
values. In addition, reducing the calculated fair values of
goodwill and the other indefinite-lived intangible assets by
five percent would not have resulted in an impairment of the
carrying value of the related assets in either 2005 or 2004.
Changes in the key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow
analysis due to changes in market conditions could adversely
affect the calculated fair values of goodwill and other
indefinite-lived intangible assets, materially affecting the
carrying value of these assets and Spincos future
consolidated operating results. |
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|
Spincos estimates of income taxes and the significant
items resulting in the recognition of deferred tax assets and
liabilities are disclosed in Note 10 to the consolidated
financial statements and reflect its assessment of future tax
consequences of transactions that have been reflected in its
financial statements or tax returns for each taxing authority in
which it operates. Actual income taxes to be paid could vary
from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or
the outcome of audits completed by federal, state and foreign
taxing authorities. Included in the calculation of Spincos
annual income tax expenses are the effects of changes, if any,
to its income tax contingency reserves. Spinco maintains income
tax contingency reserves for potential assessments from the IRS
or other taxing authorities. The reserves are determined based
upon Spincos judgment of the probable outcome of the tax
contingencies and are adjusted, from time to time, based upon
changing facts and circumstances. Changes to the tax contingency
reserves could materially affect its future consolidated
operating results in the period of change. |
Spinco is party to various legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of business. Although the ultimate resolution of
these various proceedings cannot be determined at this time,
Spinco does not believe that such proceedings, individually or
in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its
future results of operations or financial condition. In
addition, Spinco is currently not aware of any environmental
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition
or results of operations.
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|
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment,
which is a revision of SFAS No. 123 and supercedes
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related
Interpretations. SFAS No. 123(R) requires all
share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee
stock options, to be valued at fair value on the date of grant,
and to be expensed over the applicable vesting period. Pro forma
disclosure of the income statement effects of share-based
payments is no longer an alternative. In addition, companies
must also recognize compensation expense related to any awards
that are not fully vested as of the effective date. Compensation
expense for the unvested awards will be measured based on the
fair value of the awards previously calculated in developing the
pro forma disclosures in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123. On March 25, 2005, the SEC staff
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 107, which
summarizes the staffs views regarding the interaction
between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and
regulations and provides additional guidance regarding the
valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public
companies. On April 15, 2005, the SEC amended
Rule 4-01(a) of
Regulation S-X
regarding the date public companies are required to comply with
the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), such that calendar
year companies will now be required to comply with the standard
beginning January 1, 2006. Upon adoption of the standard on
January 1, 2006, we will follow the modified prospective
transition method and expect to value our share-based payment
transactions using a
131
Black-Scholes valuation model. Under the modified prospective
transition method, we will recognize compensation cost in our
consolidated financial statements for all awards granted after
January 1, 2006 and for all existing awards for which the
requisite service has not been rendered as of the date of
adoption. Prior period operating results will not be restated.
At December 31, 2005, the total unamortized compensation
cost for nonvested stock option awards amounted to
$9.4 million and is expected to be recognized ratably over
a weighted average period of 3 years. The pro forma
compensation expense amounts reflected in the table under
Stock-Based Compensation on
page F-12 of the
accompanying notes to the combined financial statements are
expected to approximate the effect of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) on our future reported consolidated
results of operations.
132
SPINCO DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
General
Spinco owns subsidiaries that provide wireline local,
long-distance, network access and Internet services.
Telecommunications products are warehoused and sold by its
distribution subsidiary. A subsidiary also publishes telephone
directories for affiliates and other independent telephone
companies. In addition, a subsidiary provides billing, customer
care and other data processing and outsourcing services to
telecommunications companies. Spinco is incorporated in the
state of Delaware.
Employees
At December 31, 2005, Spinco had 6,909 employees. Within
Spincos work force, approximately 1,365 employees are part
of collective bargaining units. During 2005, Spinco had no
material work stoppages due to labor disputes with its unionized
employees.
Organizational Structure and Operating Segments
Spinco has focused its communications business strategy on
enhancing the value of its customer relationships by offering
additional products and services and providing superior customer
service. Through the acquisition of Verizons wireline
properties in Kentucky, completed in 2002, Spinco added more
than 500,000 customers. As of December 31, 2005, including
customers of its wireline and long-distance services, Spinco
serves more than 2.9 million local telecommunications
customers in 15 states. Spinco operates its communications
businesses as a single operation capable of delivering to
customers one-stop shopping for a full range of communications
products and services. In addition to its wireline and
long-distance service offerings, Spinco also provides Internet,
broadband products and services (DSL), and cable
television services in select markets.
Spinco is organized based on the products and services that it
offers. Under this organizational structure, Spincos
communications operations consist of its wireline, product
distribution, and other operations business segments. The
wireline segment consists of Spincos incumbent local
exchange carrier (ILEC), competitive local exchange
carrier (CLEC) and Internet access operations. The
product distribution segment consists of Spincos
communications products operations. Other operations consist of
Spincos long-distance, directory publishing operations and
telecommunications information services operations.
ILEC Operations
Spincos ILEC subsidiaries provide local telephone service
to 2.9 million customers primarily located in rural areas
in 15 states. The ILEC subsidiaries also offer facilities
for private line, data transmission and other communications
services.
Local service operations provide lines from telephone exchange
offices to customer premises for the origination and termination
of telecommunications services including basic dial-tone service
and dedicated private line facilities for the transport of data
and video. Spinco also offers various enhanced service features
including call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification,
three-way calling, no-answer transfer and voicemail. Additional
local service revenues are derived from charges for equipment
rentals, equipment maintenance contracts, information and
directory assistance and public payphone services. Spinco also
provides cable television service to approximately 35,000
customers in Georgia and Missouri. The cable television
properties are not significant to Spincos wireline
operating results.
Network access and interconnection services are provided by
Spinco by connecting the equipment and facilities of its
customers to the communications networks of long-distance
carriers, CLECs, competitive switched and special access
providers, and wireless service providers. These companies pay
access and network usage charges to Spincos local exchange
subsidiaries for the use of their local networks to originate
and terminate their voice and data transmissions. Network access
revenues also include amounts derived from DSL. Miscellaneous
revenues primarily consist of revenues derived from
Spincos Internet access services,
133
charges for billing and collections services provided to
long-distance companies, customer premise equipment sales and
directory advertising services.
Competition
Many of Spincos ILEC operations have begun to experience
competition in their local service areas. Sources of competition
to Spincos local exchange business include, but are not
limited to, resellers of local exchange services, interexchange
carriers, satellite transmission services, wireless
communications providers, cable television companies, and
competitive access service providers including those utilizing
Unbundled Network Elements-Platform (UNE-P),
voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) providers and
providers using other emerging technologies. Through
December 31, 2005, this competition has not had a material
adverse effect on the results of operations of Spincos
wireline operations, although competition has adversely affected
its access line growth rates. Customer access lines decreased
4 percent during the twelve months ended December 31,
2005. Spinco lost approximately 124,000 access lines during
2005, primarily as a result of the effects of wireless and
broadband substitution for its wireline services. Spinco expects
the number of access lines served by its wireline operations to
continue to be adversely affected by wireless and broadband
substitution in 2006. In addition, although Spinco has not yet
seen significant competition from VoIP providers, it also
expects VoIP substitution to adversely impact the number of
access lines served by its wireline operations during 2006.
To address competition, Spinco is focusing its efforts on
marketing and selling additional products and services to its
customers by bundling together and offering at competitive rates
its various product offerings, including long-distance, Internet
and DSL services. Deployment of DSL service is an important
strategic initiative for Spinco. During 2005, Spinco added
approximately 154,000 DSL customers, continuing a three year
long trend of strong growth in this service offering. For the
twelve months ended December 31, 2005, the number of DSL
customers grew by more than 60 percent to approximately
400,000 customers, or approximately 20 percent of
Spincos addressable access lines. During 2005, the growth
rate in Spincos DSL customers outpaced the rate of
decline in customer access lines discussed above. In addition,
during the fourth quarter of 2005, Spinco began offering DISH
network satellite television service to its residential
customers as part of a bundled product offering. In addition to
its marketing efforts, Spinco remains focused on providing
improved customer service, increasing operating efficiencies and
maintaining the quality of its network.
Although DSL services have been a source of revenue and customer
growth for Spinco in 2005, 2004 and 2003, that service offering
experiences competition from other broadband service providers,
including cable television and satellite transmission service
providers. Under the Federal Communications Commissions
recent decision in its Triennial Review proceeding, as further
discussed below under the caption Local
Service Regulation, it appears that
Spincos provisioning of broadband DSL services will be
largely deregulated. In addition, a number of carriers have
begun offering voice telecommunications services utilizing the
Internet as the means of transmitting those calls. This service,
commonly know as VoIP telephony, is challenging existing
regulatory definitions. As further discussed below under the
caption Network Access Services
Regulation, on March 10, 2004, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking that will consider the appropriate
regulatory treatment of Internet-enabled communications services
and address which regulatory requirements, for example, those
relating to E-911,
disability accessibility, access charges, and universal service,
should be extended to Internet-enabled services. The results of
the FCCs proceedings related to VoIP could have a
significant effect on Spincos wireline operations.
Local Service Regulation
Spincos ILECs are regulated by both federal and state
agencies. Spincos interstate products and services and the
related earnings are subject to federal regulation by the FCC
and its local and intrastate products and services and the
related earnings are subject to regulation by state PSCs. The
FCC has primary jurisdiction over interstate switched and
special access rates and Spincos DSL service offering.
State PSCs have primary jurisdiction over matters including
local service rates, intrastate access rates, quality of
service, depreciation
134
rates, the disposition of public utility property, the issuance
of securities or debt, and the accounting systems used by these
companies.
Federal Regulation
With the exception of the Nebraska and a portion of the Kentucky
operations, Spincos interstate ILEC operations, primarily
access charges, are subject to
rate-of-return
regulation federally by the FCC. The Nebraska and a portion of
the Kentucky interstate operations are subject to price-cap
regulation by the FCC that allows a greater degree of pricing
flexibility than is afforded to Spincos
rate-of-return
operations. Companies meeting certain criteria had the option to
elect price-cap regulation for interstate services as part of an
FCC order issued in May 2000 (the CALLS plan). The
CALLS plan expired on June 30, 2005, and to date, the FCC
had not established a successor mechanism for regulating
price-cap companies. Nonetheless, the existing rules and
regulations for price-cap companies remain effective until the
FCC modifies or otherwise replaces them with a successor
mechanism.
The FCC requires ILECs to interconnect their networks with the
networks of other telecommunications carriers in order to foster
competition. These requirements obligate Spinco to unbundle many
of its existing products and services into network elements so
that they are made available to other telecommunications
companies at wholesale rates. Furthermore, Spinco is obligated
to allow other telecommunications carriers to locate their
network equipment on the premises of the incumbent local
exchange carriers for the purpose of exchanging traffic and to
compensate one another for the transport and termination of
calls on one anothers networks.
Today, providers of communications services are regulated
differently depending primarily upon the network technology used
to deliver service. This patchwork regulatory
approach unfairly advantages certain companies and disadvantages
others, which impedes market-based competition where service
providers, regardless of technology, exchange telecommunications
traffic between their networks and are competing for the same
customers.
In an effort to reform the patchwork regulatory
approach, two separate telecommunications bills were introduced
in the U.S. Senate. The first bill, entitled the
Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act, was
introduced on July 27, 2005. This bill reduces the existing
level of government regulation within the telecommunications
industry in favor of market-based competition and provides for
parity in the remaining rules governing functionally equivalent
services, such as broadband access to the Internet either via
DSL, cable modem or other technological means. Another bill,
entitled the Universal Service for the 21st Century
Act, was introduced on July 29, 2005. This bill
changes the way telecommunications companies contribute to the
universal service fund, establishes limited support for
broadband investment in unserved areas and calls for the FCC to
establish inter-carrier compensation reform within six months of
enactment.
Some members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also
taken steps to advance the reform of existing telecommunications
laws. Two draft bills have been publicly circulated. The first
draft bill calls for federalizing and streamlining regulation of
advanced services; specifically, broadband Internet
transmission, VoIP and broadband video services. The second
draft bill broadens the Universal Service contribution base and
controls distributions from the fund while extending Universal
Service support to broadband services. In addition to the formal
introduction of either, or both, of these draft bills, there
will likely be additional bills submitted for consideration as
Congress evaluates changing the regulatory environment in the
telecommunications industry. It is not clear whether Congress
will ultimately take action on comprehensive reform, or take
more targeted reform measures. It is equally unclear whether any
of the pending House and Senate telecom bills will be
consolidated with other proposals. Spinco strongly supports the
modernization of the nations telecommunications laws, but
at this time, cannot predict the timing and the resulting
financial impact of these efforts.
Except for certain of its subsidiaries in Nebraska, Ohio and
Kentucky, Spincos local exchange subsidiaries are rural
telephone companies, as defined under the 96 Act, and are exempt
from certain of the foregoing obligations, unless, in connection
with a bona fide request, a state regulatory commission removes
that exemption. All of Spincos local exchange subsidiaries
may seek specific suspensions or modification of
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interconnection obligations under the 96 Act as it serves less
than two percent of the nations access lines, where such
interconnection obligations would otherwise cause undue economic
burden or are technically infeasible.
State Regulation
Most states in which Spincos ILEC subsidiaries operate
provide alternatives to
rate-of-return
regulation for local and intrastate services, either through
legislative or state public service commission (PSC)
rules. Spinco has elected alternative regulations for certain of
its ILEC subsidiaries in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Spinco continues to
evaluate alternative regulation options in markets where its
ILEC subsidiaries are presently not subject to alternative
regulation including Mississippi, New York and certain of its
Kentucky operations.
The following summary sets forth a description of the
alternative regulation plan for each of the states in which
Spinco has elected alternative regulations:
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Spincos regulated Alabama wireline subsidiary has operated
since 1996 under a PSC-established alternative regulation plan.
In 2005 the previous alternative regulation plan was replaced by
two alternative regulation plans approved by the PSC. Spinco
elected to be regulated under the price flexibility plan. Under
this plan basic residential local service rates are capped for
two years. Also in 2005, the legislature passed the Alabama
Communications Reform Act of 2005. Under this reform Act, only
stand-alone basic service, wholesale access services and certain
calling features remain regulated after February 1, 2007.
Spinco has elected to be regulated under the Communications
Reform Act, effective February 2007. |
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Spincos regulated Arkansas wireline subsidiary has
operated since 1997 under an alternative regulation plan
established by statute. Under this plan, basic local rates and
access rates may be adjusted annually by up to 75 percent
of the annual change in the Gross Domestic Product-Price Index
(GDP-PI). Other local rates may be changed without
PSC approval and become effective upon the filing of revised
tariffs. |
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Spincos regulated Florida wireline subsidiary operates
under alternative regulation established by Florida statute.
Under this plan, basic local rates may be increased once in any
twelve-month period by an amount not to exceed the twelve month
change in the GDP-PI less one percent. Spinco may increase rates
for non-basic services as long as the annual increase for any
category does not exceed six percent in any twelve-month period.
Non-basic rates can be increased by up to 20 percent
annually in exchanges where another local provider is providing
service. Intrastate access rates can be increased by the annual
change in GDP-PI or three percent, whichever is less, only after
access rates reach parity with Spincos interstate rates. |
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Spincos regulated Georgia wireline subsidiaries operate
under an alternative regulation plan established by statute.
Under this plan, basic local rates may be increased annually
based on the annual change in GDP-PI. Other local rates may be
increased by filing revised tariffs. |
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Spinco has two regulated operating subsidiaries in Kentucky. The
larger subsidiary is subject to
rate-of-return
regulation. The smaller subsidiary has operated under
alternative regulation established by statute beginning in 1998.
Under this plan, the subsidiary may adjust basic business and
residential rates, once during any
24-month period by an
amount not to exceed the sum of the annual percentage change in
GDP-PI for the immediately preceding two calendar years subject
to the following limitations: (1) basic business and
residence rates may not exceed the average basic rates of the
states largest telephone utility, and (2) rates may
not be increased by more than 20 percent. Access charges
may not be adjusted if the change would result in intrastate
access rates that exceed Spincos interstate rates. Other
local rates may be adjusted by filing tariffs. |
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Spincos regulated Missouri wireline subsidiary is subject
to alternative regulation election established by statute. Under
Missouris alternative regulation, basic local service and
intrastate access rates are |
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adjusted annually based on changes to the telephone service
component of the Consumer Price Index. Prices for non-basic
services may be increased up to five percent per year after the
initial twelve-month period. |
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Spincos regulated Nebraska operations are subject to
alternative regulation established by statute. (Nebraska law
exempts telecommunications companies from
rate-of-return
regulation.) In exchanges where competition exists, companies
are required to file rate lists, which are effective after
10 days notice to the PSC. In exchanges where competition
does not exist, companies file rate lists for all services
except basic local service with 10 days notice to the PSC,
and basic local rates may be increased after 90 days notice
to affected subscribers. Basic local rate increases are reviewed
by the PSC only if rates are increased more than 10 percent
in twelve consecutive months or in response to a formal
complaint signed by two percent of affected subscribers. |
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Spincos New York operations are subject to
rate-of-return
regulation. In June 2005, the New York PSC opened a proceeding
to examine potential changes to the existing form of regulation
in light of increasing competition. A decision is expected in
2006. |
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Spincos regulated North Carolina subsidiary has operated
since 1998 under alternative regulation plan approved by the
State Utility Commission. Local rates are adjusted annually by
the annual change in GDP-PI. Rate changes are effective upon
14 days notice. Spinco has recently obtained Commission
approval for changes to its current price regulation plan that
will allow greater pricing flexibility, shorter implementation
intervals for promotional offerings and deregulation of pricing
for bundled services. |
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Spincos regulated Ohio wireline subsidiaries began in 2004
to operate under an alternative regulation plan established by
the Ohio Public Utilities Commission. Under this plan, basic
service rates have been capped. Non-basic service rates are
subject to limited pricing flexibility. New rules for
alternative regulatory treatment of basic service, which include
competitive market tests, are pending. |
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In 1997 Spincos regulated Oklahoma wireline subsidiaries
began to operate under an alternative regulation plan
established by statute. Under this plan, basic service rates can
be increased annually as long as the increase does not exceed a
pre-determined amount. |
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In July 2005, Spincos regulated Pennsylvania subsidiary
began operating under a new alternative regulation plan passed
by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2004. Under this plan,
Spinco is required to make broadband access to the Internet
available for purchase to 100 percent of its customer base
by 2013. Rates for competitive services are not regulated, but
the PUC retains authority over the quality of these services.
Rate increases for noncompetitive services are restricted to the
GDP-PI less two percent, annually. The total amount of an
increase to basic local service rates cannot exceed $3.50
annually. Revenue neutral rate rebalancing is also permitted for
noncompetitive services. |
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Spincos regulated South Carolina operations are subject to
alternative regulation established by statute. Local rates can
be adjusted pursuant to an inflation-based index. All other
service rates may be increased subject to a complaint process
for abuse of market position. The PSC has determined that any
allegations of abuse of market position will be investigated on
a case-by-case basis. Rate increases become effective
14 days after filing. |
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Spinco has two operating subsidiaries in Texas. These
subsidiaries are subject to alternative regulation established
by statute. All rates are capped for the duration of the plan. |
Universal Service
The federal universal service program is under legislative,
regulatory and industry scrutiny as a result of the growth in
the fund and structural changes within the telecommunications
industry. The structural changes include the increase in the
number of Eligible Telecommunications Carriers
(ETCs) receiving money from the USF and a migration
of customers from wireline service providers to providers using
alternative technologies like VoIP that, today, are not required
to contribute to the universal service program. There are
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several FCC proceedings underway that are likely to change the
way the universal service programs are funded and the way
universal service funds are disbursed to program recipients. The
specific proceedings are discussed in greater detail below.
In May 2001, the FCC adopted the Rural Task Force Order that
established an interim universal service mechanism governing
universal service compensation for rural telephone companies for
the ensuing five years. The interim mechanism has allowed rural
carriers to continue receiving high-cost funding based on their
embedded costs. On June 2, 2004, the FCC asked the Federal/
State Joint Board on Universal Service (the Joint
Board) to review the FCCs rules as they pertain to
rural telephone companies and to determine what changes, if any,
should be made to the existing high-cost support mechanism when
the interim funding program expires in June 2006. The Joint
Board sought comment on such a mechanism on August 16,
2004, but has taken no further action. In the event a new
mechanism is not established for rural carriers prior to the
expiration of the plan, the FCC will likely extend the interim
mechanism currently in place. In addition, the Joint Board
sought comment on whether companies operating multiple distinct
geographic market areas within a state should consolidate them
for purposes of calculating universal service support. If the
FCC implements this proposal, Spincos universal service
revenues would be reduced from their current level by
approximately $8.5 million annually. On August 17,
2005, the Joint Board sought comment on four separate proposals
to modify the distribution of high-cost universal service
support. Each of the proposals provides state PSCs a greater
role in the support distribution process, which would remain
subject to specific FCC guidelines. Spinco cannot estimate the
impact of the potential change from embedded cost to another
methodology, or the impact of other potential changes to the
fund contemplated by the Joint Board until the specific changes,
if any, are determined.
On November 8, 2002, the FCC requested that the Joint Board
review certain of the FCCs rules relating to the high-cost
universal service support and the process by which carriers are
designated as ETCs. On February 27, 2004, the Joint Board
issued its recommended decision regarding a number of issues
related to universal service support for ETCs. Among its
recommendations, the Joint Board suggested that the FCC should
limit universal service support to a single primary connection
per customer. On June 8, 2004, the FCC asked for comments
on the Joint Boards recommended decision, but did not
elaborate or reach tentative conclusions on any of the Joint
Boards recommendations. The 2005 Omnibus Appropriations
Bill included a provision that prevented the FCC from enacting a
primary connection restriction on universal service support. The
2006 Science, State, Commerce and Justice Department
appropriations bill includes a provision that prohibits the FCC
from enacting a primary connection restriction on universal
service support.
On June 14, 2005, the FCC issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking initiating a broad inquiry into the management and
administration of the universal service programs. The notice of
proposed rulemaking seeks comment on ways to streamline the
application process for federal support and whether and how to
increase audits of fund contributors and fund recipients in an
effort to deter waste and fraud. The FCC is also considering
proposals regarding the contribution methodology, which could
change the types of service providers required to contribute to
the fund (i.e. local exchange providers, wireless providers,
long-distance providers, etc.) and the basis on which they
contribute. At this time, Spinco cannot estimate the impact that
the potential changes, if any, would have on its operations.
On December 9, 2005, the FCC issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking seeking comments on the need to redefine certain
statutory terms established by the 96 Act. Changes to these
definitions could result in a different allocation of universal
service support received by non-rural carriers. Spinco receives
approximately $9.5 million annually in non-rural support
and cannot estimate the financial impact resulting from changes
to the definitions of the statutory terms until such changes, if
any, are determined.
The FCC mandated that, effective October 1, 2004, the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) must
begin accounting for the USF program in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for federal agencies,
rather than the accounting rules that USAC formerly used. This
accounting method change subjected USAC to the Anti-deficiency
Act (ADA), the effect of which could have caused
delays in payments to USF program recipients and significantly
increase the amount of USF regulatory fees charged to wireline
consumers. In December 2004, Congress passed legislation to
exempt USAC from the
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ADA for one year to allow for a more thorough review of the
impact the ADA would have on the universal service program. In
April 2005, the FCC tentatively concluded that the high-cost and
low-income universal service programs of the universal service
fund are compliant with ADA requirements, and has asked the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make a
final determination on this issue, which they have yet to do. On
November 22, 2005, the 2006 Science, State, Commerce and
Justice Department appropriations bill was enacted, which
exempted the universal service fund from the ADA for another
year, until December 31, 2006.
Unbundled Network Elements
On December 20, 2001, the FCC released a notice of proposed
rulemaking initiating the first triennial review of the
FCCs policies on unbundled network elements
(UNEs) including UNE-P. UNE-P is created when a
competing carrier obtains all the network elements needed to
provide service from the ILEC at a discounted rate. On
August 21, 2003, the FCC released the text of its Triennial
Review Order. The FCC adopted new rules governing the
obligations of ILECs to unbundle certain elements of their local
networks for use by competitors. As part of the Triennial Review
Order the FCC also opened a further notice of proposed
rulemaking to consider the pick and choose rule
under which a competing carrier could select from among the
various terms of interconnection offered by an ILEC in its
various interconnection agreements. On July 13, 2004, the
FCC released an order eliminating the pick and
choose rule, replacing it with an
all-or-nothing rule. Under the new rules, a
requesting carrier may only adopt an effective interconnection
agreement in its entirety, taking all rates, terms and
conditions of the adopted agreement. The FCC explained that it
eliminated the pick and choose rule to promote
commercial negotiations and produce agreements better tailored
to meet carriers individuals needs.
On March 2, 2004, the United States Circuit Court for the
District of Columbia overturned key portions of the FCCs
Triennial Review Order. On September 13, 2004, the FCC
released its Interim UNE Order requiring incumbent ILECs to
maintain the status quo through March 13, 2005 and
indicated that it would release permanent rules prior to that
date. The Triennial Remand Order containing the permanent UNE
rules was released on February 4, 2005. This order
eliminated UNE-P as a CLEC entry strategy by dropping mass
market switching from the required list of UNEs and reduced CLEC
access to high-capacity loops and transport based on specified
economic conditions in relevant wire centers. These permanent
rules establish a twelve-month transition for most of the UNEs
being eliminated. Several parties have appealed the order in
various federal appellate courts and to the FCC. To date, the
impact of the Triennial Review proceeding and permanent UNE
rules on Spincos ILEC operations have not been material.
On September 15, 2003, the FCC launched its first
comprehensive review of the rules that establish wholesale
pricing of UNEs. The notice of proposed rulemaking sought
comment on a variety of UNE and resale pricing-related issues
and on a proposal to make total element long-run incremental
cost methodology rules more closely account for the
real-world attributes of the incumbent
carriers network. The FCC has not issued an Order on this
proceeding but if this proposal were adopted, the result would
likely be increased UNE prices. The potential increases are not
expected to have a material impact on Spincos wireline
operations.
Section 251(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (the
34 Act), as amended, requires, in part, that local
exchange carriers provide local number portability to any
requesting telecommunications carrier. Wireless carriers are
generally defined as telecommunications carriers
under the 34 Act, and are therefore eligible to port numbers
with wireline carriers, which is referred to as intermodal
porting.
On November 10, 2003, the FCC released a decision providing
guidance on intermodal porting issues. The intermodal porting
requirement took effect on November 24, 2003 for wireline
carriers in the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas
(MSAs) and on May 24, 2004 for wireline
carriers operating in markets below the top 100 MSAs. The
majority of Spincos wireline operations are conducted in
markets below the top 100 MSAs and were subject to the later
May 24, 2004 implementation date for intermodal porting. To
date, implementation of intermodal porting has not had a
significant impact on Spincos wireline operating results.
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Periodically, Spincos local exchange subsidiaries receive
requests from wireless communications providers for
renegotiation of existing transport and termination agreements.
In these cases, Spincos local exchange subsidiaries
renegotiate the appropriate terms and conditions in compliance
with the 96 Act. Spincos local exchange subsidiaries have
also executed contracts for transport and termination services
with CLECs.
Network Access Services Regulation
Spincos local exchange subsidiaries currently receive
compensation from other telecommunications providers, including
long-distance companies, for origination and termination of
inter-exchange traffic through access charges or toll
settlements that are established in accordance with state and
federal laws.
A number of carriers have begun offering voice
telecommunications services utilizing Internet protocol as the
underlying means for transmitting those calls. This service,
commonly known as VoIP telephony, is challenging existing
regulatory definitions and raises questions as to how such
services should be regulated, if at all. Several state
commissions have attempted to assert jurisdiction over VoIP
services, but federal courts in New York and Minnesota have
ruled that the FCC preempts the states with respect to
jurisdiction. These cases are on appeal. On March 10, 2004,
the FCC released a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment
on the appropriate regulatory treatment of
IP-enabled
communications services. The FCC indicated that the cost of the
public switched telephone network should be borne equitably by
the users and requested comment on the specific regulatory
requirements that should be extended to
IP-enabled service
providers, including requirements relating to
E-911, accessibility
for the disabled, inter-carrier compensation and universal
service. Although the FCCs rulemaking regarding
IP-enabled services
remains pending, the FCC has adopted a series of related orders
establishing broad parameters for the regulation of those
services.
On February 12, 2004, the FCC released an order declaring
Pulver.coms free
IP-based,
peer-to-peer service
that requires specialized telephone equipment or software for
computers was not a regulated telecommunications
service, but rather was an unregulated information
service subject to federal jurisdiction.
On April 21, 2004, the FCC denied a waiver petition filed
by AT&T requesting that its IP telephony service be exempt
from paying access compensation to wireline local service
providers. The FCC ruled AT&Ts IP telephony service,
which converted voice calls to an IP format for some portion of
the routing over the public switched telephone network prior to
converting the calls back to their original format, was a
regulated telecommunications service subject to
payment of access compensation to Local Exchange Carriers
(LECs).
On November 12, 2004, the FCC ruled that Internet-based
service provided by Vonage Holdings Corporation
(Vonage) should be subject to federal rather than
state jurisdiction. The FCC has not yet determined how
Vonages service should be classified for regulatory
purposes, but is likely to address the information
service vs. telecommunications service debate
in its pending rulemaking regarding
IP-enabled services.
Several state commissions appealed the FCCs Vonage
decision, and these appeals are presently pending before the
U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
On June 3, 2005, the FCC took swift action in response to
several incidents where VoIP customers were unable to complete
E-911 calls. The FCC
ordered all VoIP service providers whose service is
interconnected with the public switched telephone network to
provide E-911 services
to their customers no later than November 28, 2005. On
September 21, 2005, the FCC released its order on CALEA
requirements for broadband and ISP services, including VoIP
services. The FCC found that essentially, ISP and VoIP services
are telecommunications services subject to CALEA
requirements. Several appeals have been filed. If the FCC
ultimately determines that
IP-enabled services are
not subject to similar regulatory requirements that are
applicable to inter-exchange and local exchange service
providers, including contributions to federal and state
universal service programs, inter-carrier compensation
obligations, federal and state tax obligations and service
quality metrics, Spincos regulated local exchange
operations will be competitively disadvantaged. However, until
the FCC issues its decision in these proceedings, Spinco cannot
determine the extent of the impact on its operations, if any.
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In April 2001, the FCC released a notice of proposed rulemaking
addressing inter-carrier compensation. Under this rulemaking,
the FCC proposed a bill and keep compensation
methodology under which each telecommunications carrier would be
required to recover all of its costs to originate and terminate
telecommunications traffic from its end-user customers rather
than charging other carriers. The proposed bill and
keep method would significantly overhaul the existing
rules governing inter-carrier compensation. On March 3,
2005, the FCC released a further notice of proposed rulemaking
addressing inter-carrier compensation. Under this proposed
rulemaking, the FCC requested comment on several alternative
inter-carrier compensation proposals, including bill and
keep. The outcome of this proceeding is likely to change
the way Spinco receives compensation from, and remits
compensation to, other carriers and its end user customers.
Until this proceeding concludes and the changes to the existing
rules are established, if any, Spinco cannot estimate the impact
of the changes on its ILEC revenues and expenses or when the
changes would occur.
On October 8, 2004, the FCC granted in part and denied in
part a petition filed by Core Communications requesting that the
FCC forbear from enforcing provisions of the FCCs 2001
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Remand Order. The
FCC granted forbearance from part of the ISP Remand Order
finding they were no longer in the public interest. Various
parties have filed for reconsideration with the FCC and have
appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit. If the FCCs decision in this
order is upheld, Spinco is likely to incur additional costs for
delivering ISP-bound traffic originated by their customers to
competitive wireline service providers serving ISPs.
Although Spinco has not fully quantified the effects of this
order, it believes that the additional expense would be less
than $10.0 million annually.
On July 6, 2005, a hearing examiner issued a recommended
order to the Georgia PSC that, if adopted, would prospectively
preclude LECs from assessing access charges for non-local
intrastate calls between 0 and 16 miles that originate on
the network of one LEC and terminate on the network of a
different LEC. Spinco, along with other LECs in Georgia,
requested that the Georgia PSC reject the recommended order and
find that access charges continue to apply to these intrastate
calls. If the Georgia PSC ultimately adopts the recommended
order, Spinco would incur a reduction in annual revenues of
approximately $12.0 million. A final order will not likely
become effective before the end of the first quarter of 2006.
On March 15, 2002, the FCC issued a declaratory ruling
concluding that cable modem service was an interstate
information service and not a cable service or a
telecommunications service. On October 6, 2003, the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the
Ninth Circuit Court) rejected the FCCs
classification of cable modem service as solely an unregulated
information service, finding a portion of the
service to be a telecommunications service. The Ninth Circuit
Courts decision was appealed to the Supreme Court. On
June 27, 2005, the Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit
Courts ruling and upheld the FCC Order finding that cable
modem service was an interstate information service.
This decision shifted the focus back to the FCC to address the
rulemaking proceeding initiated in 2002 in which the FCC
tentatively concluded that wireline broadband Internet access
should be classified as an information service
rather than a telecommunications service and, therefore, should
not be subject to common carrier regulation.
On September 23, 2005, the FCC released an order declaring
wireline broadband Internet access service (or DSL)
an information service functionally integrated with
a telecommunications component and no longer subject to a higher
level of regulation as compared to broadband cable modem
service. This order puts Spincos DSL service in regulatory
parity with cable modem service. The FCC order requires wireline
broadband service providers, like Spinco, to continue offering
broadband access on a stand-alone basis to competing
unaffiliated Internet service providers for one year, after
which they will no longer be required to do so. Additionally,
the order preserves the current method of assessing universal
service contributions on DSL revenues for a
270-day period after
the effective date of the order, or until the FCC adopts a new
contribution methodology to the universal service fund. Spinco
could benefit from the decreased regulatory oversight of its DSL
service through additional retail pricing flexibility.
Spincos DSL products are experiencing significant growth
throughout its service areas, and the primary DSL competitor is
the historically less-regulated cable modem service. However,
the FCC has yet to establish specific rules for deregulating DSL
service and until the FCC has done so, Spincos DSL
products and services remain regulated by the FCC.
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On October 11, 2001, the FCC adopted
rate-of-return access
charge reform and initiated a further round of rulemaking to
consider other
rate-of-return carrier
issues. The order lowered traffic sensitive switched access
rates, increased the subscriber line charge (SLC)
over time to bring it in line with SLCs adopted for price cap
carriers and phased out carrier common line charges in favor of
a new portable Interstate Common Line Support
universal service mechanism, and retained the authorized
11.25 percent rate of return.
Technology
Spinco believes the local exchange business is in transition
from circuit switched technology, which forms the basis of the
conventional landline telephone network, to digital
packet-switched technology, which form the basis of the Internet
Protocols (IP) used over the Internet. Spinco is
addressing this challenge with a strategy of providing data
service to both business and residential customers through
deployment of an IP packet data network, broadband access
services like DSL, and targeted VoIP deployments in selected
markets.
CLEC Operations
Spinco has authority to provide competitive local exchange
services in 17 states. As of December 31, 2005, Spinco
provided these services in four states on both a
facilities-based and resale basis, and, where necessary, has
negotiated interconnection agreements with the appropriate
incumbent local exchange carriers. Spincos strategy is to
provide local service in combination with other services
provided by subsidiaries of Spinco, including long-distance and
Internet services. Spincos primary focus for marketing and
selling its CLEC services is directed toward the business
customer segment through the offering of competitively priced
and reliable services. Spincos CLEC operations were not a
material portion of its business in 2005. Spinco continues to
evaluate the profitability of its existing CLEC operations in
all markets.
Generally, CLECs are required to obtain certificates of public
convenience and necessity in the same manner as ILECs. In
addition, CLECs are required to file interstate access tariffs
with the FCC and in most states, intrastate tariffs with the
state public utility commissions. CLECs, however, are subject to
significantly less regulation than ILECs. For example, CLECs are
not subject to direct rate regulation (such as
rate-of-return or
price-cap regulation). In February 2005, the FCC released its
Triennial Review Remand Order, which established specific
impairment criteria to determine whether ILECs would remain
obligated to provide network elements to CLECs on an unbundled
basis. As a result of that Order, Spincos CLEC operations
will incur additional annual expenses of approximately $300,000
in 2006 and beyond for access to certain components of the
networks of other non-affiliated ILECs.
In December 2005, the FCC ruled that Qwest was no longer
obligated to provide CLECs, like Spinco, with access to certain
UNEs in nine Omaha, Nebraska central offices. Currently, Spinco
leases approximately 3,600 UNEs from Qwest that will
likely be affected by this decision. The FCC ruling may result
in an additional annual expense of approximately $600,000 for
Spincos CLEC operations to continue providing service to
its Omaha customers.
Long-Distance and Network Management Operations
Long-distance telecommunications services are provided on a
resale basis by Spinco subsidiaries. Spinco provides
long-distance service in all of the states in which it provides
local exchange service. In addition, Spinco offers long-distance
service outside its ILEC service areas. As of December 31,
2005, Spinco provided long-distance service to nearly
1.8 million customers. The long-distance marketplace is
extremely competitive and continues to receive relaxed
regulation from both the FCC and state regulatory commissions.
To meet the competitive demands of the long-distance industry,
Spinco has created several business and residential service
offerings to attract potential customers, such as volume price
discounts, calling cards and simplified one-rate plans. As a
long-distance service provider, Spincos intrastate
long-distance business is subject to limited regulation by state
regulatory commissions, and its interstate business is subject
to limited regulation by the FCC. State regulatory commissions
currently require long-distance service providers to obtain a
certificate of operating authority, and the majority of states
also require long-distance service providers to file tariffs.
142
Product Distribution
Spincos product distribution subsidiary, Communications
Products, operates four warehouses and four counter-sales
showrooms across the United States. Communications Products is a
distributor of telecommunications equipment and materials.
Communications Products supplies equipment to affiliated and
non-affiliated communications companies, business systems
suppliers, railroads, governments, and retail and industrial
companies. Communications Products offers a large variety of
telecommunications-related products for sale. Certain of these
products are inventoried including single and multi-line
telephone sets, local area networks, switching equipment
modules, interior cable, pole line hardware, and various other
telecommunications supply items. Spinco has not encountered any
material shortages or delays in delivery of products from their
suppliers.
Communications Products experiences substantial competition
throughout its sales territories from other distribution
companies and from direct sales by manufacturers. Competition is
based primarily on quality, product availability, service,
price, and technical assistance. Communications Products also
offers other services including expert technical assistance,
maintaining wide-ranging inventories in strategically located
warehouses and counter-sales showrooms to facilitate single
supplier sourcing and
just-in-time
delivery, maintaining a full range of product lines, and by
providing staging, assembly and other services. Spinco
periodically evaluates its product and service offerings to meet
customer expectations and position Communications Products in
the market as a quality, customer-focused distributor.
Directory Publishing
The directory publishing subsidiary coordinates advertising,
sales, printing, and distribution for 386 telephone
directory contracts in 36 states. Of the total number of
directory contracts published, 159 contracts pertain to
Spincos ILEC subsidiaries. The directory publishing
subsidiary provides all directory publishing services, except
printing. The services provided by the directory publishing
subsidiary includes directory yellow page advertising sales,
contract management, production, billing, and marketing. Both
Verizon Directories and Quebecor World Printers performed
printing services for the directories published in 2005 under
two separate service agreements that expire in 2007 and 2008,
respectively.
Telecommunications Information Services
Following the sale of certain assets and related liabilities,
including selected customer contracts and capitalized software
development costs to Convergys Information Management Group,
Inc. in December 2003 and the loss of one of its remaining
unaffiliated wireline services customers in 2004, Spincos
telecommunications information services operations consist
solely of providing data processing and outsourcing services to
Valor.
143
MANAGEMENT OF WINDSTREAM FOLLOWING THE MERGER
Board of Directors
The merger agreement provides that the Board of Directors of
Spinco at the effective time of the merger will become the Board
of Directors of Windstream, and will consist of nine
individuals: Francis X. Frantz, who most recently served as the
Executive Vice President External Affairs, General
Counsel and Secretary of Alltel, Jeffery R. Gardner, who most
recently served as Executive Vice President Chief
Financial Officer of Alltel, six other persons to be named by
Alltel and one person to be named by Valor. Additionally, the
merger agreement provides that, as of the completion of the
merger, Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman of the Board of
Windstream. Valor has designated Anthony J. de Nicola as its
board member and Alltel has selected Dennis E. Foster as one of
its designees to the Windstream board. Alltel will select its
remaining designees to the Windstream board prior to mailing
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement to
Valors stockholders.
We have listed below biographical information for each person
who is currently expected to be a member of the Board of
Directors of Windstream as of the completion of the merger.
|
|
|
Alltel Corporation Designees to the Board of
Directors |
Francis X. Frantz, age 52, Mr. Frantz was most
recently Executive Vice President-External Affairs, General
Counsel and Secretary of Alltel Corporation. Mr. Frantz was
responsible for a number of Alltels staff functions,
including wireline wholesale services, federal and state
government and legal affairs, corporate communications,
administrative services, and corporate governance.
Mr. Frantz joined Alltel in 1990 as senior vice president
and general counsel and was appointed corporate secretary in
January 1992 and executive vice president in July 1998. Prior to
joining Alltel, he was a partner in the law firm of Thompson,
Hine and Flory, where he represented Alltel in connection with
various business transactions and corporate matters for the last
several years of his
12-year tenure with
that firm.
Mr. Frantz is the 2005-2006 Chairman of the Board and
Chairman of the Executive Committee of USTelecom, a telecom
trade association that represents over 1,000 member companies.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees and the Executive
Committee and Chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee of
Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center, a non-profit,
ecumenical enterprise that provides affordable living
arrangements to over 500 elderly.
Mr. Frantz is an honors graduate of The University of Akron
and of the Ohio State University School of Law, where he served
on the Law Journal and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Jeffery R. Gardner, age 46, Mr. Gardner was
most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Alltel Corporation where he was responsible for the
finance and accounting functions for Alltel. His
responsibilities included Alltels capital markets,
budgeting and forecasting, strategic planning, accounting,
procurement, tax and operational support. Mr. Gardner has
been in the communications industry since 1986 and joined the
company in 1998 when Alltel and 360° Communications merged.
While with Alltel, he held a variety of other senior management
positions such as senior vice president of finance, president of
the Mid-Atlantic Region, vice president and general manager of
Las Vegas and director of finance.
He is a member of the board of directors for RF Micro Devices,
based in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he serves on the
audit committee. He also serves on the board of the Arkansas
Symphony Orchestra, the Arthritis Foundation and Pulaski Academy
in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. Gardner earned a degree in finance from Purdue
University and a graduate degree in business administration from
William and Mary. He is a certified public accountant.
Dennis E. Foster, age 65, is a principal in Foster
Thoroughbred Investments in Lexington, Kentucky (a thoroughbred
horse farm). Mr. Foster has been a director of Alltel since
1998 where he currently serves as chairman of the compensation
committee and a member of the executive committee. Prior to
June 30, 2000,
144
Mr. Foster served as vice chairman of the Alltel board.
Mr. Foster is also a director of Yellow Corp. and NiSource
Inc.
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Valor Designee to the Board of Directors |
Anthony J. de Nicola, age 41, has served as a
director of Valor since March 2004 and as Chairman since April
2004. Mr. de Nicola is currently a general partner of
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, which is one of
Valors stockholders. He joined Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe in 1994 and focuses on investments in
the information and business services and communications
industries. Before joining Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe, he worked for four years in the private equity group at
William Blair & Company. Previously, Mr. de Nicola
worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Mergers and
Acquisitions Department. Mr. de Nicola is also a member of
the boards of directors of Centennial Communications Corp., ITC
Deltacom, Inc., R.H. Donnelly and several private companies.
After the merger, Windstreams restated certificate of
incorporation will provide that the Windstream Board of
Directors will be divided into three classes, each class to
initially consist of three directors. The directors will serve
staggered three year terms and only one class of directors will
stand for election each year. The merger agreement provides that
Mr. de Nicola will be a Class II director of
Windstream with his term expiring at the 2008 annual meeting of
Windstreams stockholders and that Messrs. Frantz,
Gardner and one of Alltels designees to the Windstream
board will be Class III directors with their terms expiring
at the 2009 annual meeting of Windstreams stockholders.
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Committees of the Board of Directors |
The committees of the Board of Directors of Windstream and the
members of such committees will not be determined until the
Board of Directors of Windstream is fully constituted and holds
its initial meeting. It is expected that the Board of Directors
of Windstream, however, will initially have the following three
committees. Upon completion of the merger, the Board of
Directors of Windstream will approve written charters for each
committee and make determinations with respect to each committee
members independence in accordance with New York Stock
Exchange listing standards.
Audit Committee. Upon completion of the merger, the board
will make determinations regarding the financial literacy and
financial expertise of each member of the Audit Committee in
accordance with the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards. The committee will assist the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to
Windstreams accounting and financial reporting practices
and the audit process, the quality and integrity of
Windstreams financial statements, the independent
auditors qualifications, independence and performance, the
performance of Windstreams internal audit function and
internal auditors and certain areas of legal and regulatory
compliance.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will
assist the Board of Directors in carrying out the
responsibilities of the Board of Directors relating to the
compensation of Windstreams executive officers as will be
set forth in the committees charter in accordance with New
York Stock Exchange listing standards.
Governance Committee. The principal functions of the
Governance Committee will be to assist the Board of Directors in
identifying individuals qualified to become board members and
recommend to the board the nominees for election as directors at
the next annual meeting of stockholders, to recommend to the
board the persons to be elected as executive officers of
Windstream, to develop and recommend to the board the corporate
governance guidelines applicable to Windstream, and to serve in
an advisory capacity to the board and the chairman of the board
with regard to matters of organization, management succession
plans, major changes in the organizational structure of
Windstream, and the conduct of board activities. Upon completion
of the merger, the Board of Directors will make determinations
regarding the committees responsibilities to be laid out
in its written charter, including, among other things, the
criteria by which prospective board
145
members should be evaluated for nomination or recommendation for
nomination for election to the Board of Directors.
Management
The merger agreement provides that the officers of Spinco at the
effective time of the merger will become the officers of
Windstream and that Mr. Frantz will serve as Chairman,
Mr. Gardner will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer and Brent K. Whittington, who most recently served as
senior vice president of operations support for Alltel, will
serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The other initial officers of Windstream will consist of
individuals selected by Alltel. Alltel has already named John P.
Fletcher as Executive Vice President and General Counsel,
Michael D. Rhoda, who most recently served as vice
president wireline regulatory & wholesale
services for Alltel, as Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs, Robert G. Clancy, Jr., who most
recently served as vice president of investor relations for
Alltel, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer and Susan
Bradley, who most recently served as vice president of human
resources for Alltel, as Senior Vice President Human
Resources.
The merger agreement had contemplated that John Koch (the former
president of Alltels wireline operations) would serve as
Chief Operating Officer of Windstream. Instead, Alltel and Valor
have named Keith D. Paglusch to serve in that capacity.
We have set forth below certain information about persons
expected to be executive officers of Windstream following the
completion of the merger.
Francis X. Frantz, Chairman of the Board. A brief
description of Mr. Frantzs business experience during
the past five years is included above in Alltel
Corporation Designees to the Board of Directors on
page [ ].
Jeffery R. Gardner, President and Chief Executive
Officer. A brief description of Mr. Gardners business
experience during the past five years is included above in
Alltel Corporation Designees to the Board of
Directors on page [ ].
Brent K. Whittington, age 35, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, most recently served as
senior vice president of operations support for Alltel.
Mr. Whittington joined Alltel in 2002 as vice president for
finance and accounting. Prior to joining Alltel,
Mr. Whittington was with Arthur Andersen LLP for eight
years, most recently serving as an audit manager. He has a
degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants.
Keith D. Paglusch, age 48, Chief Operating Officer, most
recently served as Executive Vice President Operations for
Global Signal Inc. Mr. Paglusch joined Global Signal in
2004. Prior to being employed at Global Signal he worked at
Sprint Corporation for 18 years where he served in several
executive level positions in the wireline, wireless, long
distance and corporate organizations. He led the buildout of the
Sprint PCS network, as SVP Operations, in addition to serving as
President of Sprint E Solutions. Mr. Paglusch also
worked for AT&T, Mountain Bell and Southwestern Bell. He has
over 25 years of experience in the communications industry.
He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.
John P. Fletcher, age 40, Executive Vice President
and General Counsel, most recently was a partner in the law
offices of Kutak Rock LLP. Mr. Fletcher joined Kutak Rock
LLP in 1998 where he specialized in corporate and securities
law. He is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Law
School, where he served on the law journal and was elected to
the Order of the Coif. He also is an honors graduate of Duke
University.
Michael D. Rhoda, age 45, Senior Vice
President Governmental Affairs. Mr. Rhoda most
recently served as vice president wireline
regulatory & wholesale services for Alltel.
Mr. Rhoda joined Alltel in 1994 as director of wireless
business planning and systems. He has since held various
positions such as market area president for Alltels
northern region, vice president of accounting and finance, vice
president of business development, vice president of product
management, vice president and general manager of Alltels
market in Charlotte, North Carolina and vice
president business development. Prior to joining
Alltel, Mr. Rhoda held
146
various finance positions within GTE and practiced public
accounting for several years. He is a graduate of Eastern
Illinois University and is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants.
Robert G. Clancy, Jr., age 41, Senior Vice
President and Treasurer. Mr. Clancy most recently served as
vice president of investor relations for Alltel. Mr. Clancy
joined Alltel in 1998 when the company merged with 360°
Communications and has been in the communications industry since
1987. While at Alltel, he also served in a variety of management
positions including vice president of sales and distribution,
vice president of internal audit, vice president of finance,
vice president and general manager for the central North
Carolina market, and southeast region marketing director.
Mr. Clancy has a degree in accounting from Northern
Illinois University in DeKalb. He is a certified public
accountant.
Susan Bradley, age 54, Senior Vice
President Human Resources. Ms. Bradley most
recently served as vice president of human resources for Alltel,
responsible for compensation and staffing at Alltel.
Ms. Bradley joined Alltel in 1990 when Alltel acquired
Systematics, Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas. Ms. Bradley has
served in a variety of human resources management roles for
Alltel. Prior to joining Alltel, she spent 12 years with
Southwestern Bell. Ms. Bradley has a degree in history and
political science from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF WINDSTREAM
Windstream has not yet paid any compensation to the individuals
who will become its directors or executive officers. The form
and amount of the compensation to be paid to each of
Windstreams directors and executive officers will be
determined by Windstreams Board of Directors as soon as
practicable immediately prior to or following the completion of
the merger. Each executive officers compensation will be
established by the boards compensation committee which
will be comprised solely of independent directors in accordance
with New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
The following tables disclose compensation received by the
individuals who will be the chief executive officer and the next
four most highly compensated executive officers of Windstream
based on compensation received from Alltel Corporation for the
fiscal years indicated. These officers are referred to as
named executive officers in other parts of this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table discloses compensation received from Alltel
by the named executive officers who are currently employees of
Alltel.
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Long-Term Compensation | |
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Awards | |
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Payouts | |
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Annual Compensation | |
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Restricted | |
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Securities | |
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Stock | |
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Underlying | |
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Long-Term | |
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All Other | |
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Principal |
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Other Annual | |
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Award | |
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Options | |
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Incentive Plan | |
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Compensation | |
Name(a) |
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Position |
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Year | |
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Salary ($) | |
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Bonus ($) | |
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Compensation ($) | |
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($)(b) | |
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(#)(c) | |
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Payouts ($) | |
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($)(d) | |
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Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Chief Executive |
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2005 |
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525,000 |
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680,400 |
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939,420 |
(b) |
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60,000 |
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466,667 |
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118,259 |
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Officer |
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2004 |
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475,000 |
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855,000 |
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739,200 |
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60,000 |
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452,625 |
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72,982 |
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2003 |
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400,000 |
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615,600 |
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120,000 |
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390,000 |
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51,421 |
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Francis X. Frantz
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Chairman of the |
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2005 |
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500,000 |
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648,000 |
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939,420 |
(b) |
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60,000 |
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470,000 |
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224,241 |
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Board |
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2004 |
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460,000 |
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828,000 |
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739,200 |
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60,000 |
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514,986 |
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104,766 |
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2003 |
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450,000 |
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692,550 |
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120,000 |
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472,500 |
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70,319 |
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Michael D. Rhoda |
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Senior Vice |
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2005 |
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191,102 |
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94,617 |
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103,613 |
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7,500 |
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49,029 |
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15,205 |
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President |
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2004 |
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183,752 |
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97,538 |
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43,995 |
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3,500 |
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62,096 |
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13,803 |
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Regulatory and |
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2003 |
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175,002 |
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86,453 |
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7,000 |
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62,388 |
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10,989 |
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Wholesale |
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Brent K. Whittington |
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Chief Financial |
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2005 |
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180,000 |
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93,797 |
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55,260 |
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4,000 |
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8,400 |
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Officer |
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2004 |
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175,000 |
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47,211 |
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22,023 |
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1,750 |
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7,120 |
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2003 |
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115,500 |
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31,421 |
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3,500 |
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5,867 |
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Robert G. Clancy Jr. |
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Senior Vice |
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2005 |
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168,646 |
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68,528 |
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27,630 |
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2,000 |
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25,720 |
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10,771 |
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President |
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2004 |
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162,160 |
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59,811 |
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23,280 |
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1,850 |
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32,596 |
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8,939 |
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and Treasurer |
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2003 |
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149,940 |
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40,986 |
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3,700 |
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7,632 |
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147
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(a) |
The listed principal position of each named executive officer is
the principal position each named executive officer is expected
to hold with Windstream following completion of the merger.
Mr. Frantz served as the Executive Vice President and
Secretary of Alltel. Mr. Gardner served as the Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alltel.
Mr. Whittington served as the Senior Vice President of
Operations Support of Alltel. Mr. Rhoda served as Vice
President Regulatory and Wholesale for Alltel.
Mr. Clancy served as the Vice President of Investor
Relations for Alltel. |
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(b) |
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Holders of shares of Alltel restricted stock receive the same
dividends as holders of Alltel common stock. On
December 30, 2005, the aggregate Alltel restricted stock
holdings for each of Messrs. Frantz and Gardner was
27,000 shares and for Messrs. Whittington, Rhoda and
Clancy, 1,292 shares, 2,458 shares and 808 shares
respectively. The respective aggregate value of the shares based
upon the December 31, 2005 closing price was $1,703,700 for
Messrs. Gardner and Frantz. The respective aggregate value
of the shares from Messrs. Whittington, Rhoda and Clancy
were $81,525, $155,100 and $50,985 respectively. The
distribution agreement executed in connection with the merger of
Valor and Spinco provides that each Alltel restricted share
award outstanding under Alltels 1998 Equity Incentive Plan
and held by an individual to become an employee of Windstream as
of the distribution date will fully vest on the distribution
date. |
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(c) |
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The distribution agreement executed in connection with the
merger of Valor and Spinco provides that all vested options held
by Spinco employees will expire upon the distribution date,
unless exercised within the time provided in the options. To the
extent a Spinco employee is holding an award consisting of an
Alltel option that is not vested as of the distribution date,
that option shall be cancelled as of the distribution date and
replaced by restricted shares of Windstream common stock, the
value of which will be determined by the Windstream Board of
Directors. |
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(d) |
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Includes the following amounts for Messrs. Frantz, Gardner,
Rhoda and Clancy: allocated benefits under the Alltel Benefit
Restoration Plan in the respective amounts of $65,196, $64,751,
$5,881 and $2,371; aggregate employer contributions under the
Alltel Profit Sharing Plan and Alltel 401(k) Plan in the amount
of $8,400 for each as well as Mr. Whittington;
above-market earnings on deferred compensation in
the respective amounts of $140,169, $45,108 and $924 for
Messrs. Frantz, Gardner and Rhoda (payment of which is
deferred until the deferred compensation is paid); and dollar
amount of premiums paid under supplemental split dollar life
insurance policies in the amount of $10,476 for Mr. Frantz,
which was put into place prior to the enactment of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002 and is therefore not subject to the
prohibitions regarding loans to officers and directors set forth
in Section 402 of the act. |
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table provides information about options to
acquire shares of Alltel Corporation common stock granted by
Alltel Corporation in 2005 to named executive officers who are
currently employees of Alltel Corporation.
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Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price | |
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Appreciation for Option Term | |
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% of Total | |
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Securities | |
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Options | |
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5% | |
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10% | |
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|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees | |
|
Base Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Stock | |
|
Dollar | |
|
Stock | |
|
Dollar | |
Name |
|
Granted (#) | |
|
in 2005 | |
|
($/Sh) | |
|
Date | |
|
Price ($) | |
|
Gain ($) | |
|
Price ($) | |
|
Gain ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jeffery R. Gardner(a)
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
4.46 |
|
|
|
55.26 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
|
90.01 |
|
|
|
2,085,163 |
|
|
|
143.33 |
|
|
|
5,284,213 |
|
Francis X. Frantz(a)
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
4.46 |
|
|
|
55.26 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
|
90.01 |
|
|
|
2,085,163 |
|
|
|
143.33 |
|
|
|
5,284,213 |
|
Michael D. Rhoda(a)
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
.56 |
|
|
|
55.26 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
|
90.01 |
|
|
|
260,645 |
|
|
|
143.33 |
|
|
|
660,527 |
|
Brent K. Whittington
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
.30 |
|
|
|
55.26 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
|
90.01 |
|
|
|
139,011 |
|
|
|
143.33 |
|
|
|
352,281 |
|
Robert G. Clancy Jr.
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
.15 |
|
|
|
55.26 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
|
90.01 |
|
|
|
69,505 |
|
|
|
143.33 |
|
|
|
176,140 |
|
Dollar Gains of All Alltel Stockholders(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,333,030,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,378,417,000 |
|
148
|
|
(a) |
These options become exercisable in five equal installments
beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant or
sooner in the event Alltel experiences a change in
control. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Total dollar gains are based on the indicated assumed annual
rates of appreciation in the option exercise price, calculated
on the 383,605,936 shares of Alltel common stock
outstanding as of December 31, 2005. |
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-End Option Values
The following table provides information about option exercises
during 2005 by the named executive officers who are currently
employees of Alltel Corporation and the value of their
unexercised options as of the end of 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
Options at 2005 Year-End | |
|
2005 Year-End | |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
Realized ($) | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jeffery R. Gardner
|
|
|
84,754 |
|
|
|
1,470,298 |
|
|
|
553,000/262,000 |
|
|
|
776,200/2,650,920 |
|
Francis X. Frantz
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
603,000/262,000 |
|
|
|
1,602,280/2,650,920 |
|
Michael D. Rhoda
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
131,155 |
|
|
|
24,200/18,300 |
|
|
|
84,682/184,046 |
|
Brent K. Whittington
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
3,850/8,900 |
|
|
|
79,219/119,856 |
|
Robert G. Clancy Jr.
|
|
|
4,250 |
|
|
|
46,249 |
|
|
|
13,800/8,000 |
|
|
|
3,188/81,065 |
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards in Last Fiscal
Year
The following table provides information concerning long-term
compensation awards made during 2005 to the named executive
officers who are currently employees of Alltel Corporation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts* | |
|
|
Performance Period | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Until Payout | |
|
Minimum ($) | |
|
Mid-Point ($) | |
|
Target ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jeffery R. Gardner
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
262,500 |
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
787,500 |
|
Francis X. Frantz
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
Michael D. Rhoda
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
23,888 |
|
|
|
47,776 |
|
|
|
71,664 |
|
Brent K. Whittington
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
20,625 |
|
|
|
41,250 |
|
|
|
61,875 |
|
Robert G. Clancy Jr.
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
16,875 |
|
|
|
33,750 |
|
|
|
50,625 |
|
|
|
* |
The Employee Benefits Agreement executed in connection with the
merger of Valor and Spinco provides that the awards for the
2005-2007 performance measurement period shall be deemed earned
at the target performance level. Each eligible Spinco individual
shall be entitled to a pro rata award, the amount of which shall
be calculated based on (i) the number of days in the period
commencing on January 1, 2005 and ending on the
Distribution Date out of the total number of days in the
performance measurement period and (ii) his or her average
base compensation during such period. |
OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
Change in Control Agreements
Alltel is a party to agreements with each of
Messrs. Frantz, Gardner and Rhoda which provide that if,
following a change in control of Alltel, the
executives employment terminates within twelve months
(unless the termination is as a result of death, by Alltel as a
result of the executives disability or for
cause, or by the executive without good
reason) or, in the case of Messrs. Frantz and
Gardner, if after remaining employed for twelve months the
executives employment terminates during the following
three-month period (unless the termination is a result of death
or is by Alltel as a result of the executives disability)
(each of the foregoing events being referred to as a
Payment Trigger), Alltel is required to pay the
executive an amount equal to, in the case of Messrs Frantz and
Gardner, three times and in the case of Mr. Rhoda, one
times the sum of his base salary as in effect immediately prior
to the change in control or Payment Trigger and the maximum
149
amounts he could have received under the Incentive Plans for the
period commencing coincident with or most recently prior to the
period in which the change in control or Payment Trigger occurs,
but reduced by any other cash severance paid to him. Alltel also
is required to make an additional payment to the executive in
the amount of any excise tax under Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code as a result of any payments or
distributions by Alltel plus the amount of all additional income
tax payable by him as a result of such additional payments.
Payments under the agreements to Messrs. Frantz and Gardner
are covered by Alltels grantor trust described
below.
It is anticipated that, following consummation of the merger,
Windstream will enter into change in control agreements with its
senior officers. The specific terms of the change in control
agreements will be determined by Windstreams Board of
Directors. The agreements are expected to provide generally that
if following a change in control of Windstream, an officer who
is a party to an agreement is terminated without cause, or under
other circumstances as may be specified in the change in control
agreements, such officer would be entitled to receive a
severance payment equal to a range of one to three times the
senior officers annual base salary and amounts payable
under the incentive plan for the period. Other benefits,
including health and welfare benefits, may also be provided to
such officers under the terms of the change in control
agreements.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Alltel maintains a trusteed, noncontributory, defined benefit
pension plan covering salaried and non-salaried employees under
which benefits are not determined primarily by final
compensation (or average final compensation). For nonbargaining
participants, the pension plan was closed to new participants as
of December 31, 2005 and frozen to additional accruals as
of December 31, 2005 (December 31, 2010 for employees
who had attained age 40 with two years of service as of
December 31, 2005). Under this pension plan,
Messrs. Frantz, Gardner, Rhoda and Clancy would have each
period of post-January 1, 1988 through December 31,
2010, service credited at 1% of compensation, plus 0.4% of that
part of his compensation that exceeds the Social Security
Taxable Wage Base for such year. Mr. Whittington would have
each period of post-January 1, 1988 through
December 31, 2005, service credited at 1% of compensation
plus 0.4% of that part of his compensation that exceeds the
Social Security Taxable Wage Base for such year. Service prior
to 1988, if any, would be credited on the basis of a percentage
of his highest consecutive five-year average annual base salary,
equal to 1% for each year of service prior to 1982 and
thereafter increasing by .05% each year until 1988, but only
prospectively, i.e., with respect to service earned in such
succeeding year; in addition, each of Messrs. Frantz,
Gardner, Rhoda, Clancy and Whittington would receive an
additional credit of .25% for each
pre-1988 year of
service after age 55, subject to a maximum of
10 years such credit, and would have added to his
annual pension benefits an amount equal to 0.4% of the amount by
which his pre-1988
career average annual base salary (three highest years) exceeds
his Social Security covered compensation, multiplied by his
years of pre-1988
credited service. Various benefit payment options are available
on an actuarially equivalent basis, including joint and survivor
benefits. Compensation included in the pension base includes
cash awards under the Incentive Plans.
As part of and in accordance with the merger agreement, the
portion of the defined benefit plan covering Windstream
employees will be transferred to Windstream. Assuming annual
increases in compensation in future years of 5% per year
through December 31, 2010 (or December 31, 2005 for
Mr. Whittington), continuation in the position he held
during 2005, and retirement at age 65, the estimated annual
benefit under the pension plan for each of Messrs. Frantz,
Gardner, Rhoda, Clancy and Whittington is $297,890, $240,169,
$57,991, $41,254 and $7,182, respectively. Amounts shown are
straight life annuity amounts and include amounts payable under
the defined benefit portion of the Alltel Benefit Restoration
Plan.
Benefit Restoration Plan
Federal laws place certain limitations on pensions that may be
paid under federal income tax qualified plans. The Alltel
Benefit Restoration Plan provides for the payment to certain
employees outside tax-qualified plans of any amounts not payable
under the tax-qualified plans by reason of limitations specified
in the Internal Revenue Code. Currently, under the Alltel
Benefit Restoration Plan, Messrs. Frantz, Gardner,
150
Rhoda, and Clancy are eligible for accruals with respect to
benefits not payable under Alltels defined contribution
plans and defined benefit pension plan. Amounts accrued, if any,
under the defined contribution portion of these plans in 2005
for each of these executives are included in the Summary
Compensation Table on page [ ]. As part
of and in accordance with the merger agreement, the portion of
the Alltel Benefit Restoration Plan covering Windstream
employees will be transferred to Windstream.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Alltel maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive
retirement plan (the SERP) in which certain
employees designated by its Board of Directors, including
Messrs. Frantz and Gardner, participate. Each of
Messrs. Frantz and Gardner is entitled to an early
retirement benefit under the SERP upon the earliest to occur of
January 1, 2007, and the distribution date (as defined in
the distribution agreement by and between Alltel and Spinco).
The lump sum benefit under the SERP payable for each of
Messrs. Frantz and Gardner is $7,615,028 and $9,256,645,
respectively. These payments will be made by Alltel within
10 days of the earliest of the distribution date and
January 1, 2007. These payments reflect retirement benefits
that were earned by Messrs. Frantz and Gardner in accordance
with the SERP during their tenure at Alltel, and Alltel will
make these payments on the foregoing date due to the pending
separation of Spinco from Alltel which will result in the
termination of these individuals employment with Alltel.
Grantor Trust
Alltel maintains a grantor trust under
Section 671 of the Internal Revenue Code (the
Trust) to provide certain participants in designated
compensation and supplemental retirement plans and arrangements
with greater assurance that the benefits and payments to which
those participants are entitled under those plans and
arrangements will be paid. Contributions by Alltel to the Trust
are discretionary. Prior to a change of control of
Alltel (as defined in the trust agreement for the Trust),
benefits may not be paid from the Trust.
Following a change of control of Alltel, benefits
and payments may be paid from the Trust to the extent those
benefits and payments are not paid by Alltel or its successor.
The assets of the Trust are subject to the claims of the
creditors of Alltel in the event Alltel becomes
insolvent (as defined in the trust agreement for the
Trust).
OWNERSHIP OF WINDSTREAM COMMON STOCK
The table below sets forth the projected beneficial ownership of
Windstream common stock immediately after the completion of the
merger and is derived from information relating to the
beneficial ownership of Valor common stock and Alltel
Corporation common stock as of April 1, 2006. The table
sets forth the projected beneficial ownership of Windstream
common stock by the following individuals or entities:
|
|
|
|
|
each person who will beneficially own more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Windstream common stock immediately after
completion of the merger; |
|
|
|
the individuals who will be the chief executive officer and the
other four most highly compensated executive officers of
Windstream; |
|
|
|
the individuals who will be the directors of Windstream; and |
|
|
|
the individuals who will be the directors and executive officers
of Windstream as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise
indicated, each person or entity named in the table is expected
to have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of Windstream common stock shown as beneficially owned,
subject to applicable community property laws. As of
April 1, 2006, 71,096,887 shares of Valor common stock
were issued and outstanding and 388,857,700 shares of
Alltel Corporation common stock were issued and outstanding. The
percentage of beneficial ownership set forth below gives effect
to the distribution of an estimated 388,857,700 shares of
Spinco common stock in the spin-off and the issuance of an
estimated 404,651,478 shares of Valor common stock pursuant
to the merger and is based on 475,748,365 shares of
Windstream common stock
151
estimated to be outstanding immediately following completion of
the merger. In computing the number of shares of Windstream
common stock that will be beneficially owned by a person and the
percentage ownership of that person, Windstream restricted stock
units that will be held by such person that are exercisable
immediately after the merger or that are exercisable within
60 days of the date the merger closes (which is assumed,
for purposes of this calculation only, to be July 3, 2006)
are deemed outstanding. These shares are not, however, deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nature of | |
|
Percent of | |
|
|
|
|
Beneficial | |
|
Class (If 1% or | |
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Ownership | |
|
More) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
5% Beneficial Owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Capital
Management, Inc.
8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard
Suite 500
Naples, FL 34108-7512 |
|
|
39,295,807 |
(a) |
|
|
8.3% |
|
Directors
|
|
Dennis E. Foster |
|
|
428,328 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. de Nicola |
|
|
19,617,338 |
(c)(d) |
|
|
4.1% |
|
Named Executive Officers
|
|
Jeffery R. Gardner |
|
|
711,308 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Francis X. Frantz |
|
|
845,477 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brent K. Whittington |
|
|
5,403 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael D. Rhoda |
|
|
33,736 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert G. Clancy, Jr. |
|
|
18,155 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
|
|
|
|
|
21,674,554 |
(e) |
|
|
4.6% |
|
|
|
(a) |
Based upon information contained in the Schedule 13G/ A
filed by Private Capital Management (PCM) on
February 14, 2006 evidencing its ownership of Alltel common
stock, it has shared voting and investment power with respect to
these shares. Bruce S. Sherman, chief executive officer of PCM,
has sole voting and investment power with respect to
560,595 shares of Alltel common stock and shared voting and
investment power with respect to 36,503,885 shares
(including the shares held by PCMs clients and managed by
PCM), and Gregg J. Powers, president of PCM, has sole voting and
investment power with respect to 30,000 shares of Alltel
common stock and shared voting and investment power with respect
to 36,468,040 shares (including the shares held by
PCMs clients and managed by PCM). |
|
(b) |
Includes shares that the indicated persons have the right to
acquire (through the exercise of options to purchase Alltel
common stock) on or prior to the projected closing date (which
is assumed, for purposes of this calculation only, to be
July 3, 2006), as follows: Dennis E. Foster (375,656);
Francis X. Frantz (731,120); Jeffery R. Gardner (679,120);
Brent K. Whittington (4,368); Michael D. Rhoda
(31,408); and Robert G. Clancy, Jr. (16,712). The employee
matters agreement provides that to the extent that these
individuals are holding an award consisting of an Alltel option
that is vested and outstanding as of the distribution date, he
or she will be treated as experiencing a separation from service
from, or otherwise terminating employment with, Alltel. Any such
Alltel option will expire unless it is exercised within the time
provided in the option itself. |
|
(c) |
As a member of WCAS VIII Associates LLC and WCAS IX Associates,
LLC, Mr. de Nicola may be deemed to share beneficial ownership
of the 19,574,421 shares held by Welsh, Carson, Anderson Stowe.
Mr. de Nicola disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and
any other shares held by affiliates of Welsh, Carson, Anderson
& Stowe. |
|
(d) |
Includes 42,579 shares held directly by Mr. de Nicola, of which
6,470 represents shares of restricted stock that will vest upon
closing of the merger. |
|
(e) |
Includes a total of 1,852,008 shares that members of the
group have the right to acquire (through the exercise of
options) on or prior to the projected closing date (which is
assumed, for purposes of this calculation only, to be
July 3, 2006). |
152
DESCRIPTION OF SPINCO CAPITAL STOCK
As part of the merger, the separate existence of Spinco will
cease and Valor, which will be renamed Windstream, will be the
surviving company. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws
of Valor will be amended to become the governing documents of
Windstream. The following summary describes the material terms
of the capital stock of Spinco prior to the merger. The
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Spinco are being
filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. The rights of Spinco stockholders after
the merger as stockholders of Windstream will be as set forth
below under the heading Description of Windstream Capital
Stock beginning on page
[l].
Authorized Shares
Under the Spinco Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the Spinco Certificate), Spinco is
authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock,
each having a par value of $.01 per share. Prior to the
spin-off, as discussed throughout this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, all issued and
outstanding shares of Spinco common stock will be held of record
by Alltel. There are no outstanding options or warrants to
purchase, or securities convertible into, common stock of Spinco.
Voting Rights
Pursuant to Delaware law and Spincos bylaws, each
outstanding share of Spinco common stock will be entitled to one
vote per share on each matter to be voted on by the holders of
Spinco common stock. Unless otherwise required by the Delaware
law, the Spinco Certificate or Spincos bylaws, any
question brought before the stockholders, except the election of
directors, shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the total number of votes of Spinco common stock
represented and entitled to vote, voting as a single class. The
holders of Spinco common stock will not be entitled to
cumulative voting of their shares in elections of directors.
Dividends and Dividend Policy
Holders of shares of Spinco common stock will be entitled to
receive dividends as declared by Spincos board of
directors out of funds that are legally available for that
purpose. Spinco has never declared or paid any cash dividends on
Spinco common stock and, except for the special dividend which
will be paid to Alltel prior to the spin-off and distribution of
Spinco common stock to Alltel stockholders, Spinco does not
anticipate paying any cash dividends on shares of Spinco common
stock prior to the merger. The merger agreement provides that
the initial dividend policy of Windstream (which may be changed
at any time by Windstreams Board of Directors) will
provide for the payment, subject to applicable law, of regular
quarterly dividends on each issued and outstanding share of
common stock of $0.25 per share. See The
Transactions Dividend Policy.
Liquidation Rights
If Spinco is liquidated, dissolved or wound up, the prior rights
of creditors and the aggregate liquidation preference of any
preferred stock then outstanding, if any, will be satisfied
first. The holders of Spinco common stock will be entitled to
share in remaining assets on a pro rata basis.
Preemptive Rights
No holder of shares of Spinco common stock will have any
preemptive right to acquire shares of Spinco common stock.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The Spinco Certificate provides for indemnification of directors
and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by
Delaware law, as amended from time to time. The right to
indemnification conferred by Article SEVENTH of the Spinco
Certificate includes the right to be paid by Spinco the expenses
incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
The provisions of the Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute are
described below under the heading Description of
Windstream Capital Stock Delaware Anti-Takeover
Statute.
153
DESCRIPTION OF WINDSTREAM CAPITAL STOCK
As part of the merger, the certificate of incorporation and
bylaws of Valor will be amended to become the governing
documents of Windstream. The following summary describes the
material terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Windstream (which we refer to as the
Windstream Certificate) and the Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Windstream (which we refer to as the Windstream
Bylaws), but it does not purport to describe all of the
terms, of such certificate and bylaws. The full text of the
Windstream Certificate and Bylaws are attached as Annex E
and F, respectively, to this document and are incorporated by
reference herein. All stockholders are urged to read such
certificate and bylaws in their entirety. The summary is
qualified in its entirety by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (which we refer to as the DGCL).
The Windstream Certificate and Windstream Bylaws will not become
effective until the completion of the spin-off and merger.
General
Under the Windstream Certificate, the total authorized capital
stock of Windstream will consist of 200,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share and
2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$.0001 per share.
Preferred Stock
The Windstream Certificate provides that Windstreams Board
of Directors will be authorized without further stockholder
approval, to issue from time to time up to a total of
200,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series
and to fix or alter the powers, preferences and rights, and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the
shares of each series. The Board of Directors may fix the number
of shares of any series of preferred stock, and it may increase
or decrease the number of shares of any series of preferred
stock, as long as it acts within the limitations or restrictions
stated in the original resolution or resolutions that fixed the
number of shares in the series and as long as it does not
decrease the number of shares of any series below the number
then outstanding. If the number of shares of any series of
preferred stock is decreased, the shares constituting the
decrease will resume the status they had prior to the adoption
of the resolution that originally fixed the number of shares of
the series, subject to the requirements of applicable law.
Common Stock
Under the Windstream Certificate, the holders of Windstream
common stock will have one vote per share on matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders. Holders of the common stock will be
entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available
funds, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any
outstanding preferred stock. Upon Windstreams liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock will be
entitled to receive ratably Windstreams net assets
available after the payment or provision for payment of all
debts and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding
preferred stock. The Windstream common stock will have no
preemptive rights, no cumulative voting rights and no
redemption, sinking fund or conversion provisions.
To the greatest extent permitted by applicable Delaware law, the
shares of common stock will be uncertificated, and transfer will
be reflected by book entry.
All rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Windstream
common stock stated in this summary are subject to the rights of
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which
Windstream may designate and issue in the future without further
stockholder approval.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
Section 203 of the DGCL restricts business combinations
with certain interested stockholders (defined generally under
the DGCL to include persons who beneficially own or acquire 15%
or more of a Delaware corporations voting stock,
hereinafter a Section 203 Interested
Stockholder). Section 203, which applies to
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Windstream, prohibits business combination transactions between
a publicly held Delaware corporation and any Section 203
Interested Stockholder for a period of three years after the
time on which the Section 203 Interested Stockholder became
an interested stockholder unless: (a) prior to that time
the corporations Board of Directors approved either the
proposed business combination or the transaction which resulted
in the Section 203 Interested Stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder; (b) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the Section 203 Interested
Stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the
Section 203 Interested Stockholder owned at least 85% of
the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the
number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by
persons who are directors and also officers; and (ii) by
employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have
the right to determine confidentially whether shares held
subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange
offer; or (c) on or subsequent to such time the business
combination is approved by the corporations Board of
Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative
vote of at least
662/3
% the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
Section 203 Interested Stockholder.
Rights of Appraisal
Under the DGCL, Windstream stockholders may demand appraisal of
and obtain payment of the fair value of their shares. This
remedy may be an exclusive remedy, except where the corporate
action involves fraud or illegality. The DGCL provides appraisal
rights only in certain mergers or consolidations and not (unless
the certificate of incorporation of a corporation so provides,
which the Windstream Certificate will not) for a sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of a corporations
assets or an amendment to its certificate of incorporation.
Moreover, the DGCL does not provide appraisal rights in
connection with a merger or consolidation (unless the
certificate of incorporation so provides, which the Windstream
Certificate will not) to the holders of shares of a constituent
corporation listed on a national securities exchange (or
designated as a national market system security by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) or held of record by
more than 2,000 stockholders, unless the applicable
agreement of merger or consolidation requires the holders of
such shares to receive, in exchange for such shares, any
property other than shares of stock of the resulting or
surviving corporation, shares of stock of any other corporation
listed on a national securities exchange (or designated as
described above) or held of record by more than 2,000 holders,
cash in lieu of any fractional shares or any combination of the
foregoing. In addition, the DGCL denies appraisal rights if the
stockholders of the surviving corporation in a merger did not
have to vote to approve the merger. Appraisal rights are not
available to Valor stockholders or Alltel stockholders with
respect to the spin off and merger.
Board of Directors
The Windstream Certificate provides for a Board of Directors
consisting of not less than three nor more than fifteen members,
the exact number of which shall be fixed from time to time by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors will consist of three classes,
with each class to consist of a number as close as possible to
one-third of the directors. Under the Windstream Certificate,
the initial Board of Directors will consist of nine directors.
In accordance with the merger agreement, the initial
Class I directors will consist of three Alltel designees;
the initial Class II directors will consist of one Valor
designee and two Alltel designees; and the initial
Class III directors will consist of one Alltel designee and
the chairman of the Board of Directors and the chief executive
officer of Windstream. The initial term of office for the
Class I, Class II and Class III directors will
expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2007, 2008 and
2009, respectively. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the
successors of that class of directors whose term expires at that
meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year
following the year of such election. If the number of directors
is changed, any increase or decrease will be apportioned among
the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each
class as nearly equal as practicable.
Nominations of persons for election to the Windstream Board of
Directors may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors. In addition, any
stockholder may nominate
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persons for election to the Windstream Board of Directors by
giving timely notice to Windstreams Secretary. To be
timely:
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in the case of an annual meeting, a stockholders notice
must be delivered to or mailed and received at Windstreams
principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more
than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding
years annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date
of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from
such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be
received not later than the close of business on the
10th day following the day on which notice of the date of
the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting was
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in the case of a special meeting, a stockholders notice
must be delivered to or mailed and received at Windstreams
principal executive offices not later than the close of business
on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the
meeting was made. |
Directors will be elected at a stockholders meeting by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote.
Any vacancy on the Windstream Board of Directors that results
from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the
majority vote of the directors then in office as long as a
quorum is present. Any other vacancy may be filled by a majority
of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
Any or all directors may be removed, with cause, by the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the total voting
power of Windstreams outstanding voting securities, voting
together as a single class at a meeting specifically called for
such purpose.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the holders of any one or more
classes or series of Windstream preferred stock have the right
to elect directors, the election, term of office, filling of
vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be
established by the Board of Directors.
The Windstream Board of Directors will have an annual meeting
and may hold regular meetings without notice according to a
resolution of the board. Special meetings may be called by the
chairman of the board, the president (if the president is a
director) or, upon the written request of a majority of the
total number of directors then in office. A majority of the
total number of Windstream directors will constitute a quorum,
and directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is
present may act by majority vote.
Stockholders
The Windstream Bylaws provide that an annual meeting of
stockholders for the purpose of electing those directors whose
term of office expires at such meeting and of transacting such
other business as may properly come before it will be held each
year. A stockholder may bring business before an annual meeting
of stockholders by giving timely notice in writing to
Windstreams secretary in accordance with the provisions of
the Windstream Bylaws.
Under Delaware law, a special meeting of the stockholders may be
called by the Board of Directors of the corporation or by any
other person authorized to do so in the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws. The Windstream Certificate states that
as long as any security of the company is registered under
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, special meetings of stockholders of Windstream may be
called only by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
In accordance with Delaware law, the Windstream Bylaws provide
that written notice of any stockholders meeting must be given to
each stockholder entitled to vote not less than 10 or more than
60 days before the date of the meeting. Except as otherwise
provided by DGCL or the Windstream Certificate, the holders of a
majority of Windstreams outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business, and except for the election of directors, the
affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the
subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.
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As long as any security of Windstream is registered under
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, no
stockholder action may be taken without a meeting, and the
certificate of incorporation expressly denies the power of
stockholders to consent in writing without a meeting.
Voting on Certain Fundamental Issues
Delaware law permits a corporation to include supermajority
provisions in its certificate of incorporation and bylaws with
respect to the approval of various issues. However, other than
the effect of Section 203 of the DGCL and voting on an
amendment to certain sections of the Windstream Certificate, no
supermajority voting requirement provisions related to matters
upon which the stockholders of Windstream may vote are included
in the Windstream Certificate or Windstream Bylaws.
Amendment of the Windstream Certificate
Under Delaware law, unless a higher vote is required in the
certificate of incorporation of a corporation, an amendment to
such certificate of incorporation generally may be approved by a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the
proposed amendment. Notwithstanding any provision of a
corporations certificate of incorporation to the contrary,
under Delaware law, holders of a class of a corporations
stock are entitled to vote as a class on the approval of any
amendment to the corporations certificate of incorporation
which would:
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increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares
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increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such
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alter or change the powers, preferences or rights of such class
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Under the Windstream Certificate, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the combined voting power of
all of the then-outstanding shares of Windstream eligible to be
cast in the election of directors is required in order to amend,
alter, change or repeal the sections of the Windstream
Certificate related to the limitation of liability of directors
and indemnification of directors and officers, the prohibition
of stockholder action by written consent, the calling of special
meetings of stockholders, the election to be covered by DGCL
Section 203, and the procedures required to amend the
Windstream Certificate.
Amendment of the Windstream Bylaws
Under the Windstream Certificate, the Board of Directors will be
expressly authorized to amend, alter, change or repeal the
Windstream Bylaws. The stockholders will also have the ability
to amend, alter, change or repeal the Windstream Bylaws by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, except
that a two-thirds vote is required for the stockholders to amend
the bylaws sections related to bringing matters before an annual
stockholder meeting, nominating and electing directors and
filling vacancies on the Board, and the procedures required to
amend the Windstream Bylaws.
Limitation of Liability of Directors
The DGCL provides that a corporation can, by a provision in its
certificate of incorporation, limit a directors liability
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director;
however, a corporation cannot limit a directors liability
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders; acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law; payment of a dividend or the repurchase or
redemption of stock in violation of Delaware law; or any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
The Windstream Certificate provides that to the fullest extent
permitted by the DGCL, no Windstream director will be liable to
the corporation or its stockholders for damages arising from a
breach of fiduciary duty owed to Windstream or its stockholders.
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Indemnification
The Windstream Certificate will require the corporation to
indemnify any party to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding
because he is or was a director or officer of Windstream, or,
while a director, officer or other employee of Windstream, is or
was serving at the request of Windstream as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise.
In addition, Windstream, to the fullest extent authorized under
Delaware law shall pay in advance of the final disposition of
any such proceeding all expenses incurred by any director or
officer in connection with such proceeding. The right to
indemnification is not exclusive of any other right which that
individual may have or hereafter acquire under the Windstream
Certificate or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Windstream may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide
indemnification to its employees and agents with the same or
lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of
directors and officers.
Windstream is authorized to purchase and maintain insurance on
its own behalf and on behalf of any person required or permitted
to be indemnified.
The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses
conferred in the Windstream Certificate are not be exclusive of
any other right which any person may have or acquire.
Name Change; Listing
Immediately following completion of the merger, the Board of
Directors will merge a wholly-owned subsidiary of the surviving
company into the company and, in connection with such merger,
change the name of the company from Valor Communications
Group, Inc. to Windstream Corporation.
Promptly thereafter, the company will file a restated
certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of
State reflecting the name change. Shares of Windstream
Corporation will be traded on the NYSE under the new trading
symbol WIN.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is
Computershare Investor Services, LLC.
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COMPARISON OF THE RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS
BEFORE AND AFTER THE SPIN-OFF AND MERGER
Upon completion of the spin-off and merger, the Windstream
Certificate and Windstream Bylaws will be in the form attached
as Annex E and F, respectively, to this document and
incorporated by reference herein. Although there are substantial
similarities between the certificate of incorporation and bylaws
of Valor prior to the spin-off and merger (which we refer to as
the Pre-Merger Certificate and the Pre-Merger
Bylaws) and the Windstream Certificate and Bylaws, some
differences do exist. The following is a summary of the material
differences between the rights of stockholders before and after
the spin-off and merger. Although we believe that this summary
covers the material differences between the two, this summary
may not contain all of the information that is important to you.
This summary is not intended to be a complete discussion of
stockholders rights, and it is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the DGCL and the various documents we refer to
in this summary.
Shares of Stock
Total authorized shares of capital stock will increase from
220,000,000 to 2,200,000,000. The authorized number of shares of
preferred stock will increase from 20,000,000 shares, with
a par value of $.0001 per share in the Pre-Merger
Certificate to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with
a par value of $.0001 per share in the Windstream
Certificate. The authorized number of shares of common stock
will increase from 200,000,000 shares of common stock, with
a par value of $.0001 per share in the Pre-Merger
Certificate to 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, with a
par value $.0001 per share in the Windstream Certificate.
The Pre-Merger Bylaws contemplated that all shares of stock
would be certificated, but under the Windstream Certificate and
Bylaws, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable Delaware
law, the shares of common stock will be uncertificated, and
transfer will be reflected by book entry. Under the Windstream
Bylaws, any certificated shares of stock will be transferred by
surrendering the certificates with the proper endorsement and
additional items required by the corporation. Upon surrender of
the certificate, no new certificate will be issued to the
transferee; instead, the transfer will be made by book entry.
Board of Directors
The Pre-Merger Certificate and Bylaws established an initial
Board of Directors consisting of four directors elected by the
stockholders. Thereafter, the number of directors was
established by resolution of the Board. No term for the
directors was specified, and a special meeting could be called
upon the written request of at least three directors.
The Windstream Certificate and Bylaws state that the Board of
Directors will consist of not less than three nor more than
fifteen members, with the exact number fixed from time to time
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors will be divided into three
classes, each consisting of a number as close as possible to
one-third of the directors. The term of the successors of each
such class of directors expires at the annual stockholders
meeting in the third year following the year of election. A
special meeting can be called upon the written request of a
majority of the directors then in office.
Further, vacancies on the Board under the Pre-Merger Bylaws were
filled by a majority vote of the board, regardless of whether a
quorum was present. Under the Windstream Bylaws, a quorum must
be present in order to vote to fill a vacancy on the Windstream
Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number
of directors. Other vacancies may be filled by a majority vote
of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
Stockholders
Under both the Pre-Merger Bylaws and the Windstream Bylaws, a
stockholder may bring business before an annual meeting of
stockholders by giving timely notice in writing to
corporations secretary. However, the requirements for a
timely meeting notice differ between the two
documents. Under the Pre-Merger Bylaws, the meeting notice must
have been provided to the corporation no less than 60 nor more
than 90 days prior to
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the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than
70 days notice or prior public announcement of the
date of the meeting was given, the stockholders notice
must be received by the corporation no later than the
10th day
following the date of the notice of the annual meeting was
mailed or the public announcement was made. Under the Pre-Merger
Bylaws, the meeting notice must contain the following
information: (1) a brief description of the business
desired to be brought before the annual meeting; (2) the
name and address of the stockholder submitting the meeting
notice; (3) the class and number of shares beneficially
owned by the stockholder; and (4) any material interest of
the stockholder in the business brought before the meeting.
The Windstream Bylaws require the stockholder to provide the
meeting notice no less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior
to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual
meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event
that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within
25 days before or after the anniversary date, the meeting
notice must be received no later than the
10th day
following the date on which notice of the annual meeting was
mailed or a public announcement of the annual meeting was made.
Under the Windstream Bylaws, the meeting notice must contain the
information required under the Pre-Merger Bylaws, as well as the
following additional information: (1) a representation that
the stockholder is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at
the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to propose the business described in the meeting notice;
and (2) a representation as to whether the stockholder or
the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group
which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form
of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the
outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the
proposal and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from
stockholders in support of such proposal.
The notice requirements for nomination of directors at an annual
meeting also change under the Windstream Bylaws. The Pre-Merger
Bylaws require the submission of the nomination not less than 60
nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding years annual meeting, but if the date of the
annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the
anniversary date, then the nomination must be received no later
than the
10th day
following the date of the notice of the annual meeting was
mailed or the public announcement was made. Under the Pre-Merger
Bylaws, the nomination must contain: (1) as to the
stockholder submitting the nomination: (a) his or her name
and address; and (b) the class and number of shares
beneficially owned and owned of record by the stockholder; and
(2) as to the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination is made: (i) the name and address of the
beneficial owner; and (ii) the class and number of shares
beneficially owned by him or her.
Under the Windstream Bylaws, the nomination must be submitted
not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, but if
the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than
30 days from the anniversary date, then the nomination must
be received no later than the
10th day
following the date of the notice of the annual meeting was
mailed or the public announcement was made. Under the Windstream
Bylaws the nomination must contain the same information required
under the Pre-Merger Bylaws, but it also must contain the
following additional information: (1) a representation that
the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the
corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to
appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose the
nomination, and (2) a representation as to whether the
stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part
of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement
and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of
the corporations outstanding capital stock required to
elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies
from stockholders in support of the nomination.
The Pre-Merger Certificate contains no provision allowing the
stockholders to amend the corporations bylaws although the
DGCL provides for this right. While the Windstream Certificate
allows the stockholders to amend, alter, change or repeal the
Windstream Bylaws by an affirmative majority vote, or in the
case of amendment to the bylaws sections related to bringing
matters before an annual meeting of the stockholders, nominating
and electing directors and filling vacancies on the Board of
Directors, and amending the Windstream Bylaws, a two-thirds vote.
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Certain Related Party Transactions
The Pre-Merger Certificate contained provisions stating that the
partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers
and/or employees of Vestar Capital Partners, III, L.P.,
Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Vestar/ Valor LLC (which we
collectively refer to as Vestar) and Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P. and Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe IX, L.P. (which we collectively refer
to as WCAS) were deemed interested
stockholders under Section 203 of the DGCL and were
expected to serve as directors and/or officers of the
corporation; engage in business activities that are the same,
similar to, or related to the business in which the corporation
was engaged; and engage in material business transactions with
the corporation. The Pre-Merger Certificate stated that these
activities by Vestar and WCAS were not breaches of fiduciary
duty and that neither Vestar nor WCAS had a duty to inform the
corporation of any potential corporate opportunity unless the
opportunity was expressly offered to the representative of
Vestar or WCAS in his or her capacity as a director or officer
of the corporation. The Pre-Merger Certificate also identified
certain matters that were not corporate opportunities and set
forth requirements for approval of agreements or transactions
between the corporation and Vestar or WCAS. None of these
provisions, nor any similar provisions concerning interested
parties, are included in the Windstream Certificate or
Windstream Bylaws.
Other than the differences described above, the rights of
Windstream stockholders will remain the same as the rights of
Valor stockholders immediately prior to the merger.
Rights of Alltel Corporation Stockholders Before and After
the Merger
Alltel Corporation stockholders will not be required to
surrender their Alltel Corporation shares in the spin-off
transaction or the merger. The distribution of Valor common
stock to Alltel Corporation stockholders will not cancel or
affect the number of outstanding shares of Alltel Corporation
common stock or the related rights. The rights of Alltel
stockholders after the merger as stockholders of Windstream will
be as set forth above under the heading Description of
Windstream Capital Stock beginning on
page [ ].
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance
sheet as of December 31, 2005 and the unaudited pro forma
combined condensed statement of income for the year ended
December 31, 2005 are based on the historical financial
statements of Spinco and Valor. The unaudited pro forma combined
condensed financial statements give effect to (1) the
contribution of Alltels wireline operations to Spinco,
(2) the spin off of Spinco to Alltels stockholders
and (3) the merger of Spinco with Valor accounted for as a
reverse acquisition of Valor by Spinco, with Spinco considered
the accounting acquirer, based on the assumptions and
adjustments described in the accompanying notes to the unaudited
pro forma combined condensed financial statements.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements
have been prepared using the purchase method of accounting as if
the transaction had been completed as of January 1, 2005
for purposes of the combined condensed statement of income and
on December 31, 2005 for purposes of the combined condensed
balance sheet.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements
present the combination of historical financial statements of
Spinco and Valor adjusted to give effect (1) to the
transfer of certain assets and liabilities from and to Alltel
and Spinco immediately prior to the spin-off that are not
included in Spincos historical balance sheet as of
December 31, 2005, (2) to the issuance of
$4.9 billion of long-term debt by Windstream as further
discussed in Notes (b) and (f) below (assuming
Valors outstanding notes remain outstanding), (3) to
the spin-off of Spinco to Alltels stockholders through a
tax free stock dividend, payment of a special dividend by Spinco
to Alltel in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax basis in
Spinco and the distribution by Spinco of certain of its debt
securities to Alltel, as further discussed in Note
(b) below and (4) to the merger of Spinco with Valor.
(See Note (i) below.)
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements
were prepared using (1) the audited combined financial
statements of Spinco as of December 31, 2005 and for the
year ended December 31, 2005 included in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement and (2) the
consolidated financial statements of Valor included in
Valors Annual Report on
Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, which are incorporated
herein by reference.
Although Valor will issue approximately 405 million of its
common shares to effect the merger with Spinco, the business
combination will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition with
Spinco considered the accounting acquirer. As a result, the fair
value of Valors common stock issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2005 will be allocated to the underlying
tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of Valor based on
their respective fair market values, with any excess allocated
to goodwill. The pro forma purchase price allocation was based
on an estimate of the fair market value of the tangible and
intangible assets and liabilities of Valor. Certain assumptions
have been made with respect to the fair market value of
identifiable intangible assets as more fully described in the
accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined condensed
financial statements. As of the date of this filing, Spinco has
just commenced the appraisals necessary to arrive at the fair
market value of the assets and liabilities to be acquired and
the related allocations of purchase price. Once Spinco has
completed the appraisals necessary to finalize the required
purchase price allocation after the consummation of the merger,
the final allocation of purchase price will be determined. The
final purchase price allocation based on third party appraisals
may be different than that reflected in the pro forma purchase
price allocation, and this difference may be material.
Spinco, together with the management of Windstream, is
developing a plan to integrate the operations of Valor and
Spinco after the merger. Both companies provide local telephone
service to customers in primarily rural markets. The footprint
of Spincos rural markets and the states in which it
operates are highly complementary to Valors rural market
footprint. As a result, the management of Windstream expects to
fully integrate Valors business into that of Spinco, and
will report Valors operations with those of Spinco in the
wireline segment. Windstreams business strategy is not
expected to differ significantly from that of either
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Spinco or Valor. In particular, one of the more important
challenges facing both Spinco and Valor, and which is expected
to continue to impact Windstream, is the loss of access lines,
primarily due to wireless and broadband substitution. The
management of Windstream will continue focusing on the strategy
of selling enhanced services to existing customers, including
broadband services, and increasing average revenue per line
through a combination of new product offerings and bundling of
various services. In addition to stemming the loss of access
lines and related revenues, a priority of Windstream will be the
generation of sufficient cash flows to fund interest payments of
the long-term debt being issued, as further discussed in Notes
(b), (f) and (p) below, repayment of that debt,
employee benefit plan obligations, capital expenditures
necessary to maintain and enhance the network, and payment of
dividends pursuant to the policy established by
Windstreams management. Currently, the management of
Windstream believes that the combined, post-merger company will
generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund each of
these payments, as further discussed in Dividend Policy of
Windstream on page 65. In connection with the plan to
integrate the operations of Valor and Spinco, management
anticipates that certain non-recurring charges, such as
severance and relocation expenses and branding and signage
costs, will be incurred in connection with this integration.
Management cannot identify the timing, nature and amount of such
charges as of the date of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. However, any such charge could
affect the combined results of operations of Spinco and Valor in
the period in which such charges are recorded. The unaudited pro
forma combined condensed financial statements do not include the
effects of the costs associated with any restructuring or
integration activities resulting from the transaction. In
addition, the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial
statements do not include the realization of any cost savings
from operating efficiencies, synergies or other restructurings
resulting from the transaction, nor do they include any
potential incremental costs due to loss of synergies due to the
separation from Alltel.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements
are not intended to represent or be indicative of the combined
results of operations or financial condition of Spinco and Valor
that would have been reported had the merger been completed as
of the dates presented, and should not be taken as
representative of the future consolidated results of operations
or financial condition of Spinco and Valor. The unaudited pro
forma combined condensed financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the separate historical financial statements
and accompanying notes of Spinco and Valor that are included or
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement.
163
Valor Communications Group Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets and | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities | |
|
Issuance | |
|
Payment of | |
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
Spinco as | |
|
to/from | |
|
of Debt | |
|
Dividends to | |
|
Spinco, as | |
|
Valor as | |
|
Add (Deduct) | |
|
|
|
|
Reported | |
|
Alltel | |
|
Securities | |
|
Alltel | |
|
Adjusted | |
|
Reported | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
ASSETS |
Cash and short-term investments
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
(5.2 |
)(a) |
|
$ |
3,234.7 |
(b) |
|
$ |
(2,400.0 |
)(b) |
|
$ |
841.4 |
|
|
$ |
64.2 |
|
|
$ |
(799.3 |
)(i) |
|
$ |
106.3 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
383.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383.3 |
|
|
|
71.7 |
|
|
|
(13.6 |
)(e,i) |
|
|
441.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
395.2 |
|
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
|
|
3,234.7 |
|
|
|
(2,400.0 |
) |
|
|
1,224.7 |
|
|
|
135.9 |
|
|
|
(812.9 |
) |
|
|
547.7 |
|
Investments
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.7 |
(c) |
|
|
17.7 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
1,218.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,218.7 |
|
|
|
1,057.0 |
|
|
|
(109.5 |
)(d,i) |
|
|
2,166.2 |
|
Other intangibles
|
|
|
317.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
317.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
675.0 |
(i) |
|
|
992.7 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
2,963.6 |
|
|
|
82.9 |
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,046.5 |
|
|
|
717.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,764.0 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
182.8 |
(a) |
|
|
38.0 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
253.3 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
|
|
(49.4 |
)(c,d,e,g) |
|
|
256.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
|
260.5 |
|
|
$ |
3,272.7 |
|
|
$ |
(2,400.0 |
) |
|
$ |
6,062.9 |
|
|
$ |
1,962.8 |
|
|
$ |
(281.1 |
) |
|
$ |
7,744.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities
|
|
|
364.0 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
(a) |
|
$ |
(12.1 |
)(f) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
352.0 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
|
$ |
(13.6 |
)(e,i) |
|
$ |
438.7 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
238.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,859.3 |
(b,f) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,098.0 |
|
|
|
1,180.6 |
|
|
|
(762.6 |
)(f,i) |
|
|
5,516.0 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
680.6 |
|
|
|
88.2 |
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
768.8 |
|
|
|
84.1 |
|
|
|
234.0 |
(j) |
|
|
1,086.9 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
157.2 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
163.0 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
|
|
|
22.0 |
(e,g) |
|
|
211.1 |
|
Common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(318.9 |
)(b) |
|
|
(318.9 |
) |
|
|
918.9 |
|
|
|
(108.0 |
)(h,i) |
|
|
492.0 |
|
Treasury stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Parent company investment
|
|
|
1,455.2 |
|
|
|
167.8 |
(a) |
|
|
(1,565.0 |
)(b) |
|
|
(58.0 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
(0.5 |
)(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.3 |
) |
|
|
7.3 |
(h) |
|
|
|
|
Deferred equity compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18.5 |
) |
|
|
18.5 |
(h) |
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings (deficit)
|
|
|
2,033.5 |
|
|
|
(0.9 |
)(a) |
|
|
(9.5 |
)(f) |
|
|
(2,023.1 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(321.3 |
) |
|
|
321.3 |
(h) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
260.5 |
|
|
$ |
3,272.7 |
|
|
$ |
(2,400.0 |
) |
|
$ |
6,062.9 |
|
|
$ |
1,962.8 |
|
|
$ |
(281.1 |
) |
|
$ |
7,744.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
pro forma
combined condensed financial statements.
164
Valor Communications Group Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
Spinco, | |
|
Valor | |
|
Add (Deduct) | |
|
|
|
|
as reported | |
|
as Reported | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions, except per share amounts) | |
Revenues and sales
|
|
$ |
2,923.5 |
|
|
$ |
505.9 |
|
|
$ |
(15.9 |
)(k) |
|
$ |
3,413.5 |
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
|
796.1 |
|
|
|
107.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
903.7 |
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
374.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
374.8 |
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
340.1 |
|
|
|
139.7 |
|
|
|
(15.9 |
)(k) |
|
|
463.9 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
89.9 |
|
|
|
29.2 |
(l) |
|
|
593.3 |
|
Royalty expense to Parent
|
|
|
268.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(268.8 |
)(m) |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
(31.3 |
)(n) |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
633.8 |
|
|
|
167.0 |
|
|
|
270.9 |
|
|
|
1,071.7 |
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
(33.9 |
) |
|
|
3.0 |
(n) |
|
|
(19.3 |
) |
Intercompany interest income
|
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23.3 |
)(o) |
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|
|
(83.2 |
) |
|
|
(269.3 |
)(p) |
|
|
(371.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
649.6 |
|
|
|
49.9 |
|
|
|
(18.7 |
) |
|
|
680.8 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
267.9 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
(6.8 |
)(n,q) |
|
|
275.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
$ |
381.7 |
|
|
$ |
35.6 |
|
|
$ |
(11.9 |
) |
|
$ |
405.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
.85 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
.85 |
|
Average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
|
404.8 |
(r) |
|
|
474.2 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
69.7 |
|
|
|
404.8 |
(r) |
|
|
474.5 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
pro forma
combined condensed financial statements.
165
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
a. Immediately prior to the effective date of the spin-off,
Alltel will transfer to Spinco property, plant and equipment
(net book value of $82.9 million), net pension assets
($182.8 million), additional other postretirement
liabilities ($2.9 million) and deferred compensation
obligations ($14.8 million) related to the wireline
operations and associated deferred income taxes
($88.2 million). In addition, Spinco will transfer to
Alltel certain tax contingency reserves that will be retained by
Alltel pursuant to the distribution agreement
($11.9 million), as well as certain international
operations. The amounts of the transferred assets and
liabilities reflected in the pro forma combined condensed
balance sheet have been based upon the December 31, 2005
carrying values and are subject to change. The actual carrying
values of the transferred assets and liabilities will be
determined as of the date of the spin-off. In particular, the
amounts of assets and liabilities associated with employee
benefit plans were determined based on employees identified as
of the announcement date (December 9, 2005), which did not
include employees performing a shared function at that time. As
employees performing shared functions are identified to join
Spinco, those amounts may change, and such change may be
material.
b. Prior to the spin-off and merger with Valor, Spinco will
borrow approximately $4.9 billion through a new senior
secured credit agreement and the issuance of unsecured debt
securities in a private placement and through the distribution
to Alltel of certain Spincos debt securities representing
approximately $1.538 billion in debt reduction to Alltel.
Proceeds from the debt issuance will be used to pay a special
dividend to Alltel in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax
basis in Spinco and for other purposes, including the repayment
of certain debt obligations of Valor and Spinco, as further
discussed in Note (f) below. Spinco expects to capitalize
$38.0 million of debt issuance costs associated with the
issuance of the $4.9 billion of long-term debt. Effective
with the spin off, Alltel will contribute all of the assets and
liabilities of its wireline business to Spinco in exchange for
the issuance to Alltel of Spincos common stock to be
distributed pro rata to Alltels stockholders as a tax free
stock distribution, the payment of a special dividend to Alltel
in an amount not to exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco
(estimated to be approximately $2.4 billion at
December 31, 2005), which Alltel will use to repurchase
stock pursuant to a special stock buyback program authorized by
the Alltel Board of Directors in connection with the spin-off,
to repay outstanding indebtedness, or both, within one year
following the spin-off, and the distribution by Spinco of
certain debt securities (as described above) to Alltel.
Immediately after the consummation of the spin off, Spinco will
merge with and into Valor, with Valor continuing as the
surviving corporation. As a result of the merger, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of Spinco common stock will be
converted into the right to receive an aggregate number of
shares of common stock of Valor that will result in
Alltels stockholders holding approximately 85 percent
of the outstanding equity interests of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger and the stockholders of Valor
holding the remaining approximately 15 percent of such
equity interests. It is presently estimated that
1.04 shares of Valor common stock will be distributed to
Alltel stockholders for each share of Spinco common stock they
are entitled to receive. The final number of shares of Valor
common stock issued to effect the merger will be determined
based on the actual number of Valor shares outstanding as of the
merger date.
c. This adjustment is to reclassify Valors
investments in certain wireless partnerships and RTFC equity
certificates as of the merger date from other assets to
investments to conform to Spincos financial statement
presentation.
d. This adjustment is to eliminate as of the merger date
the recorded values of Valors goodwill of
$1,057.0 million and customer list of $0.5 million and
to write-off Valors remaining unamortized debt issuance
costs of $30.7 million.
e. This adjustment is to eliminate, as of the merger date,
Valors current and long-term portion of deferred
activation fees of $3.1 million and $2.2 million,
respectively, and the corresponding amounts of deferred
acquisition costs in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) No. 01-3, Accounting in a Business
Combination for Deferred Revenue of an Acquiree.
166
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
f. Immediately following the merger, the surviving
corporation will repay with available cash on hand all
borrowings outstanding under Valors existing credit
facility ($780.6 million at December 31, 2005) and
$80.0 million of long-term debt obligations of Spinco. In
addition, the surviving company will pay approximately
$9.5 million of early termination penalties in conjunction
with repaying the long-term debt obligations of Spinco. The
following table presents the estimated long-term debt
outstanding of the combined company immediately following the
merger on a pro forma basis (amounts in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior secured five-year revolving credit facility
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
Term loan A 5 year maturity
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
Term loan B 7 year maturity
|
|
|
2,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total bank debt
|
|
|
3,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALLTEL Communications Holdings of the Midwest, Inc.
6.75%, due April 1, 2028
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
ALLTEL Georgia Communications Corp. 6.50%, due in
annual installments through November 15, 2013
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
Valor 7.75%, due November 15, 2015
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
ALLTEL Holdings 10 year fixed maturity
|
|
|
1,565 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total notes
|
|
|
2,163 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total bank debt and notes
|
|
|
5,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
$ |
5,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
The above table presents the total pro forma long-term debt
obligations of the combined company. The final amount of bank
debt and notes that will be issued will be determined near close
of the transaction. To the extent additional notes are issued,
the bank debt will be reduced by a corresponding amount.
g. This adjustment is to recognize, as of December 31,
2005, Valors unfunded pension and other postretirement
benefits liabilities of $46.7 million and to eliminate
Valors pension asset of $0.3 million and pension and
other postretirement benefits liabilities of $22.5 million
in accordance with SFAS No. 87, Employers
Accounting for Pensions and SFAS No. 106,
Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions.
h. This adjustment is to eliminate Valors additional
paid-in capital, accumulated other comprehensive income,
deferred equity compensation and retained deficit accounts as of
the merger date.
i. This adjustment represents the estimated purchase price
allocation as of December 31, 2005. For purposes of
determining the purchase price allocation, the fair market value
of all tangible and intangible
167
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
assets and liabilities of Valor were estimated at
December 31, 2005. The allocation of purchase price was as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Valor shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2005(1)
|
|
$ |
810.9 |
|
|
Valor treasury stock
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
Repayment of Valor credit facility
|
|
|
780.6 |
|
|
Direct costs of acquisition(2)
|
|
|
18.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,610.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
132.8 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
717.5 |
|
|
Investments and other tangible assets
|
|
|
18.7 |
|
|
Identifiable intangible assets(3)
|
|
|
675.0 |
|
|
Current liabilities acquired
|
|
|
(97.2 |
) |
|
Long-term debt assumed (including fair value adjustment)(4)
|
|
|
(418.0 |
) |
|
Other long-term liabilities acquired (including deferred taxes)
|
|
|
(366.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill(3)
|
|
$ |
947.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The value of Valors common stock was calculated on the
basis of (1) 71,130,634 shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2005 and (2) the closing price of Valor
common stock on December 31, 2005 of $11.40. The final
value of Valor shares will be based on the actual number of
shares outstanding and the closing price of Valor stock as of
the merger date. |
|
(2) |
Direct cash costs consist of estimates for professional fees
(including banking fees) and other direct costs of the
transaction that are expected to be incurred and capitalized as
part of the merger transaction, including $10.5 million of
costs incurred during 2005. |
|
(3) |
The identifiable intangibles consisted of (1) value
assigned to the Valor customer base as of December 31, 2005
of $175.0 million and (2) value assigned to the Valor
franchise rights as of December 31, 2005 of
$500.0 million. For purposes of preparing the unaudited pro
forma combined condensed statement of income, Spinco expects to
amortize the fair value of the customer base on a straight-line
basis over its average estimated life of six years. The
franchise rights have been classified as indefinite-lived
intangible assets and are not subject to amortization because
Spinco expects both the renewal by the granting authorities and
the cash flows generated from the franchise rights to continue
indefinitely. Goodwill of $947.5 million represents the
excess of the purchase price of the acquired business over the
fair value of the underlying identifiable net tangible and
intangible assets at December 31, 2005. The premium paid by
Spinco in this transaction is due to the potential for greater
long-term returns as the combination of Spinco and Valor will
create the largest telecommunications carrier in the United
States which is primarily focused on rural markets. Subsequent
to this merger, due to the resulting increased size and
economies of scale, the combined company should have greater
financial flexibility to develop and deploy products, expand the
capacity of its network, respond to competitive pressures and
improve the cost structure of its operations. The preliminary
allocation of value to the intangible assets was based on
assumptions as to the fair value of customers and franchise
rights. These values were determined by use of a market
approach, which seeks to measure the value of assets as compared
to similar transactions in the marketplace. To determine market
values, Spinco utilized a third party valuation firm to derive
current market values for the customer base (computed on a per
customer basis) and franchise rights licenses (computed on a per
access line basis) from publicly available data for similar
transactions in the |
168
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
wireline industry. These valuations are preliminary and do not
necessarily represent the ultimate fair value of such assets
that will be determined by an independent valuation firm
subsequent to the consummation of the merger. |
|
(4) |
Fair value adjustments of $18.0 million have been made to
the carrying value of Valors long term debt that was
outstanding as of the merger date and not immediately repaid.
The effect of the fair value adjustment to Valors
long-term debt will be amortized as a reduction to interest
expense over the term of each debt issue. The effect of the fair
value adjustment to long-term debt has been included in the
adjustments to the unaudited pro forma combined condensed
statement of income. See Note (p). |
j. This adjustment is to record the incremental deferred
taxes required under SFAS No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes, for the difference between the revised
book basis, i.e., fair value, of Valors assets other than
goodwill and liabilities recorded under purchase accounting and
the carryover tax basis of those assets and liabilities. Because
certain of the identifiable intangible assets recognized in the
purchase price allocation had no tax basis at the time of the
transaction, a deferred tax liability has been recognized for
the difference in book and tax basis of the identifiable
intangible assets. The pro forma adjustment to deferred income
taxes was based on Spincos statutory tax rate of
38.9 percent.
A summary of the effects of the pro forma adjustments outlined
in (c) to (i) on other current assets and other
current liabilities, goodwill, other assets, long-term debt,
other liabilities and additional paid-in capital was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on other current assets and
other current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eliminate current portion of Valors deferred activation
costs/fees Note(e)
|
|
$ |
(3.1 |
) |
|
Recognize payment of transaction costs and reclassification to
goodwill Note(i)(2)
|
|
|
(10.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in other current assets and other current
liabilities
|
|
$ |
(13.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on goodwill:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eliminate carrying value of Valors goodwill
Note(d)
|
|
$ |
(1,057.0 |
) |
|
Record goodwill in connection with ALLTEL Holdings reverse
acquisition of Valor Note(i)(3)
|
|
|
947.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in goodwill resulting from pro forma adjustments
|
|
$ |
(109.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on other assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eliminate carrying value of Valors unamortized debt
issuance costs Note(d)
|
|
$ |
(30.7 |
) |
|
Reclassification of Valors investments in wireless
partnerships and RTFC equity certificates Note(c)
|
|
|
(15.7 |
) |
|
Eliminate long-term portion of Valors deferred activation
costs Note(e)
|
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
Eliminate Valors pension asset and customer
list Note(d) and Note(g)
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in other assets resulting from pro forma adjustments
|
|
$ |
(49.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on long-term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reflect repayment of Valor long-term debt
obligations Note(f)
|
|
$ |
(780.6 |
) |
|
Adjust Valor bonds to fair value Note(i)(4)
|
|
|
18.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in long-term debt resulting from pro forma
adjustments
|
|
$ |
(762.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
169
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on other liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eliminate long-term portion of Valors deferred activation
fees Note(e)
|
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
Record additional pension and other postretirement benefit
liabilities Note(g)
|
|
|
24.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in other liabilities resulting from pro forma
adjustments
|
|
$ |
22.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Effects of pro forma adjustments on additional paid-in capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Valor common stock to effect the merger
transaction Note(i)(1)
|
|
|
810.9 |
|
|
Eliminate Valors additional paid-in capital
balance Note(h)
|
|
|
(918.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in additional paid-in capital resulting from pro
forma adjustments
|
|
$ |
(108.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
k. This adjustment is to eliminate the intercompany
revenues and related expenses associated with Spincos
agreement to provide customer billing services to Valor.
l. This adjustment reflects the amortization of the
finite-lived identifiable intangible assets recorded in this
transaction as previously described in Note (i)(3) above. For
purposes of determining the amount of the adjustment, the
estimated life of Valors customer base was assumed to be
six years.
m. This adjustment is to eliminate royalty expense charged
to Spinco by Alltel pursuant to a licensing agreement with an
Alltel affiliate under which Spincos incumbent local
exchange carrier subsidiaries were charged a royalty fee for the
use of the Alltel brand name in marketing and distributing
telecommunications products and services. Following the spin-off
and merger with Valor, Spinco will no longer incur this charge
as it will cease use of the Alltel brand name, and accordingly,
this expense has been eliminated in the pro forma combined
condensed statement of income.
n. This adjustment is to eliminate spin-off-related costs
incurred by Spinco and merger-related costs incurred by Valor
during 2005 which are directly related to the transaction.
Following the spin-off and merger, neither company will incur
these charges, and accordingly, these expenses have been
eliminated in the pro forma combined condensed statement of
income. In addition, this adjustment is to eliminate the
operating results of the international operations to be
transferred from Spinco to Alltel upon consummation of the
merger as discussed in Note (a).
o. This adjustment is to eliminate the intercompany
interest income earned by Spinco from Alltel on certain interim
financing that Spinco provides to Alltel in the normal course of
business. In conjunction with the spin-off, all intercompany
balances between Spinco and Alltel will be settled via the
special dividend discussed in Note (b). Accordingly, the
intercompany interest income has been eliminated in the pro
forma combined condensed statement of income.
p. The adjustment is to record (1) the estimated
annual interest expense recognized on newly issued debt of the
combined company as calculated below, (2) the amortization
of debt issuance costs capitalized associated with the newly
issued debt as computed below, (3) elimination of interest
expense and amortization of debt issuance costs related to
pre-existing debt of Spinco and Valor that will be repaid
immediately upon consummation of the merger as discussed in Note
(f) above, and (4) the effects of amortizing the fair
value adjustment to Valors long-term debt discussed in
Note (i)(4) above. As of January 1, 2005, the fair value
adjustment to Valors long-term debt was estimated to be
$18 million.
170
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Calculation of estimated annual interest expense for newly
issued debt of the combined company is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior secured five-year revolving credit facility
|
|
$ |
4.0 |
|
Term loan A 5 year maturity
|
|
|
30.2 |
|
Term loan B 7 year maturity
|
|
|
176.4 |
|
Senior notes 10 year fixed maturity
|
|
|
113.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
324.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted average interest rate for the newly issued debt was
estimated to be 6.576 percent, resulting in annual interest
expense of $324.1 million. A change in the weighted average
interest rate of one-eighth of one percent would change interest
expense by $6.2 million.
Debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related
debt. Debt issuance costs, the related amortization period and
cost per year are estimated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Issuance | |
|
Number of | |
|
Per | |
|
|
Fee | |
|
Years | |
|
Year | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Senior secured five-year revolving credit facility
|
|
$ |
5.0 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
Term loan A 5 year maturity
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Term loan B 7 year maturity
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
$ |
38.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of the effects of the adjustments on interest expense
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated annual interest expense related to newly issued debt
of the combined company (per above)
|
|
$ |
324.1 |
|
Amortization of estimated capitalized debt issuance costs
associated with the newly issued debt (per above)
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
Elimination of interest expense and amortization of debt
issuance costs related to repayment of borrowings outstanding
under Valors existing credit agreement and repurchase of
certain debt obligations of Alltel Holding
|
|
|
(59.0 |
) |
Reduction in interest expense due to amortizing fair value
adjustment Note(i)(4)
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in interest expense
|
|
$ |
269.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
171
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following pro forma contractual obligations table represents
a summary of the future repayments of long-term debt obligations
and related interest expense resulting from the issuance of
long-term debt discussed in Note (f) as of
December 31, 2005. Spincos management is currently in
the process of evaluating the capital and operating leases of
both Spinco and Valor and negotiating certain contracts
necessary to the operations of Windstream. As a result, capital
and operating leases and purchase obligations have been excluded
from the following pro forma contractual obligations table. In
addition, because Spinco cannot currently estimate the timing of
recognition of the pro forma long-term liabilities, primarily
consisting of deferred income taxes, due to net operating loss
carryforwards generated by Valor that may be utilized by
Windstream, such other long-term liabilities are also excluded
from the following pro forma contractual obligations table.:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period (in millions) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Less | |
|
|
|
More | |
|
|
|
|
Than | |
|
1-3 | |
|
3-5 | |
|
Than | |
|
|
|
|
1 Year | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
|
5 Years | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term debt, including current maturities(a)
|
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
$ |
151.0 |
|
|
$ |
564.0 |
|
|
$ |
4,783.0 |
|
|
$ |
5,508.0 |
|
Interest payments on long-term debt obligations(b)
|
|
|
367.4 |
|
|
|
725.7 |
|
|
|
701.7 |
|
|
|
1,182.0 |
|
|
|
2,976.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total projected long-term debt and interest payments
|
|
$ |
377.4 |
|
|
$ |
876.7 |
|
|
$ |
1,265.7 |
|
|
$ |
5,965.0 |
|
|
$ |
8,484.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Excludes fair value adjustment of $18 million related to
the Valor 7.75% notes. |
|
|
(b) |
Excludes amortization of estimated capitalized debt issuance
costs and reduction in interest expense due to amortizing fair
value adjustment related to the Valor 7.75% notes. |
q. This adjustment is to reflect the tax effect of the pro
forma adjustments described in Notes (k) through
(o) above and was based on Spincos statutory tax rate
of 38.9 percent.
r. The adjustment to both the weighted average shares
outstanding and the diluted weighted average shares outstanding
is to reflect the additional Valor common shares of
403.0 million, calculated as of December 31, 2005,
issued to effect the merger with Spinco, as well as
1.8 million shares of unvested restricted stock issued by
Valor that will vest upon consummation of the merger.
172
THE ANNUAL MEETING
Date, Time and Place
These proxy materials are delivered in connection with the
solicitation by Valors Board of Directors of proxies to be
voted at the Valor annual meeting, which is to be held at
[ ] in New York, NY at 10:00 a.m.
(Eastern Daylight Time) on [ ], 2006. On or
about [ ], 2006, Valor commenced mailing this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement and the
enclosed form of proxy to its stockholders entitled to vote at
the meeting.
Matters for Consideration
At the annual meeting, Valor stockholders will be asked to:
|
|
|
1. to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
December 8, 2005, as such may be amended from time to time
(the Merger Agreement), by and among Alltel
Corporation, Alltel Holding Corp. (Spinco) and Valor
Communications Group, Inc., pursuant to which (i) Alltel
Holding Corp. will merge with and into Valor, after which Valor
will survive as a stand-alone company and will hold and conduct
the combined business operations of Valor and Spinco and
(ii) Valor will issue an aggregate number of shares in the
merger equal to 5.667 multiplied by Valors total number of
shares of common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis
immediately prior to the merger, which we expect to equal
approximately 403,000,000 shares; |
|
|
2. To approve the amendment of the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Valor in their entirety, in the
forms attached to this document as Annex E and
Annex F, respectively, with the following
sub-proposals: |
|
|
2A a proposal to
approve the increase of the authorized number of shares of Valor
common stock from 200,000,000 to 2,000,000,000; and |
|
|
2B a proposal to
divide the board of directors into three classes with each class
consisting, as nearly as possible, of
one-third of the total
number of directors constituting the entire board of directors. |
|
|
3. to approve the issuance of up to 405,000,000 shares
of Valor common stock to Alltel stockholders in accordance with
the terms of the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
4. to adopt and approve the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, a
copy of which is attached as Annex G to this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement; |
|
|
5. to elect eleven (11) directors to serve until the
2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors
are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier removal,
resignation or death; |
|
|
6. to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as Valors independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 or until
their earlier removal or termination; |
|
|
7. to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to solicit
additional proxies for the adoption of the merger agreement,
approval of the amendment to the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws of Valor pursuant to the merger or approval of the
issuance of shares of Valor common stock pursuant to the
merger; and |
|
|
8. to transact any and all other business that may properly
come before the annual meeting or any adjourned session of the
annual meeting. |
THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH IN ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE ABOVE
(INCLUDING EACH SUB-PROPOSAL) ARE CONDITIONED ON THE OTHER TWO
AND APPROVAL OF EACH IS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION OF THE MERGER.
The proposal set forth in item four is conditioned upon the
approval of the first three items. Furthermore, with respect to
items 5 and 6, you should be aware that if the merger is
completed, then by virtue of the merger the persons elected at
the annual meeting to serve as directors shall be replaced by
the persons who serve as directors of Spinco immediately prior
to the merger. It is currently anticipated that Valors
post-merger Board of Directors will consist of the
173
following nine persons: Jeffery R. Gardner (who most recently
served as Alltels Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer), Francis X. Frantz (who most recently
served as Alltels Executive Vice President
External Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary), six directors
designated by Alltel (one of whom will be Dennis E. Foster, a
current director of Alltel) and Anthony J. de Nicola (the
current Chairman of Valors Board of Directors). You should
also be aware that if the merger is completed,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will become Valors post-merger
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2006.
THE VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AND
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VALOR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
THE PROPOSALS TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT, TO APPROVE THE
AMENDMENT OF VALORS ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS IN THEIR
ENTIRETY PURSUANT TO THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE SUB-PROPOSALS TO
INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF VALOR COMMON STOCK AND TO
IMPLEMENT A CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND TO APPROVE THE
ISSUANCE OF VALOR COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE MERGER, EACH OF
WHICH IS NECESSARY TO EFFECT THE MERGER, AS WELL AS FOR
THE ADOPTION OF THE 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN (WHICH IS
CONDITIONED UPON STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE MERGER PROPOSALS),
THE BOARDS NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF VALORS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND, IF NECESSARY, THE
ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES
FOR THE MERGER PROPOSALS.
Annual Meeting Record Date; Voting Information
The Valor Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
[ ], 2006 as the record date for determining
the holders of Valor common stock entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the annual meeting. Only holders of record of Valor
common stock at the close of business on the record date will be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
As of the record date, approximately
[ ] shares of Valor common stock were
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual
meeting and there were [ ] holders of
record of Valor common stock. Valors amended bylaws
provide that each share of Valor common stock shall entitle the
holder to one vote on each matter to be considered at the annual
meeting. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting will be open to the examination of stockholders for a
period of ten days prior to the meeting, during ordinary
business hours, at the offices of Valor, 201 E. John
Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200, Irving, Texas 75062, and also
on the meeting date.
If you are a record holder of Valor common stock on the record
date, you may vote your shares of Valor common stock and Valor
in person at the annual meeting or by proxy as described below
under Voting by Proxy on
page [ ].
Quorum
In order to carry on the business of the meeting, Valor must
have a quorum. A quorum requires the presence, in person or by
proxy, of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast at the meeting. Valor counts abstentions and broker
non-votes as present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining a quorum. A broker non-vote
occurs when a stockholder fails to provide voting instructions
to its broker for shares it holds in street name.
Under those circumstances, a stockholders broker may be
authorized to vote for it on some routine items but is
prohibited from voting on other items. Brokers are not
authorized to vote on the proposals relating to the merger or
the approval of the 2006 Equity Compensation Plan without
instructions. Those items for which a stockholders broker
cannot vote result in broker non-votes.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the
outstanding shares of Valor common stock entitled to vote on the
proposals, voting together as a single class, is required to
adopt the merger agreement, to
174
approve the amendment of Valors organizational documents
in their entirety pursuant to the merger, including the
sub-proposals to increase the authorized shares of Valor common
stock and to implement a classified board of directors, and to
approve the issuance of Valor common stock to Alltel
stockholders pursuant to the merger. Because the required vote
of Valor stockholders for these matters is based upon the number
of outstanding shares of Valor common stock entitled to vote,
rather than upon the number of shares actually voted, the
failure by the holder of any such shares to submit a proxy or
vote in person at the annual meeting, including abstentions and
broker non-votes, will have the same effect as a vote against
the merger proposals. No vote of Alltel stockholders is required
or being sought in connection with the spin-off transaction or
the merger.
In connection with the execution of the distribution agreement
and the merger agreement, Spinco entered in a voting agreement
with persons affiliated with Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe and Vestor Capital Partners who collectively own
approximately 41% of Valors outstanding common shares.
Pursuant to the voting agreement, these stockholders have agreed
to vote all of their shares of Valor common stock (i) in
favor of the approval of the merger and the approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and (ii) except with the
written consent of Spinco, against certain alternative proposals
that may be submitted to a vote of the stockholders of Valor
regarding an acquisition of Valor. In the event that the merger
agreement terminates for any reason, the voting agreement will
automatically terminate.
The Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of
the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors. The
accompanying proxy card provides space for a stockholder to
withhold authority to vote for any of the nominees to
Valors Board of Directors. Neither shares as to which the
authority to vote on the election of directors have been
withheld nor broker/nominee non-votes will be counted as
affirmative votes to elect director nominees to the Board of
Directors. However, since director nominees need only receive
the vote of a plurality of the votes represented and entitled to
vote at the meeting, a vote withheld from a particular nominee
and broker/nominee non-votes will not affect the election of
such nominee.
Except as applicable laws may otherwise provide, if a quorum is
present, the approval of any other matter that may properly come
before the meeting, including the ratification of Valors
independent auditor, will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes represented and entitled to vote on the
matter at the meeting. Shares of Valor common stock that are
voted to abstain from any other business coming before the
meeting will be counted and will have the effect of a negative
vote. Broker/nominee non-votes will not be counted as votes for
or against any such other matter and thus will have no effect.
Computershare, the transfer agent and registrar for Valor common
stock as of the Record Date, has been appointed by the Board of
Directors to ascertain the number of shares represented, receive
proxies and ballots, tabulate the vote and serve as inspector of
election at the meeting.
Voting by Proxy
Giving a proxy means that a Valor stockholder authorizes the
persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote its shares at
the Valor annual meeting in the manner it directs. A Valor
stockholder may cause its shares to be voted by granting a proxy
or by voting in person at the meeting. A Valor stockholder may
use one of three methods to grant a proxy if it is a registered
holder (that is, it holds its stock in its own name):
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Via telephone, by calling Computershare Investor Services, LLC
toll-free at 1-800-652-VOTE(8683) from the United States and
Canada and following the series of voice instructions that will
direct you how to grant a proxy. Have your proxy card available
when you call. Telephone voting will be available 24 hours a day
until 1:00 a.m., Central Standard Time, on
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Via the Internet, as permitted by Section 212(c) of the
DGCL, by going to the website www.computershare.com/expressvote
and following the on-screen instructions that will direct you
how to grant a proxy. Internet proxy submission will be
available 24 hours a day until 1:00 a.m., Central Standard Time,
on [ ], 2006. Have your proxy card available
when you access the website as it contains individual proxy
access and account numbers that you will need to enter the
website. |
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Mail, by completing and returning the proxy card or voter
information form in the enclosed envelope. The envelope requires
no additional postage if mailed in the United States. |
Valor requests that Valor stockholders complete and sign the
accompanying proxy and return it to Valor as soon as possible in
the enclosed postage-paid envelope. When the accompanying proxy
is returned properly executed, the shares of Valor stock
represented by it will be voted at the Valor annual meeting in
accordance with the instructions contained on the proxy card.
If any proxy is returned without indication as to how to vote,
the Valor stock represented by the proxy will be voted in favor
of all matters for consideration at the Valor annual meeting
described in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement. Unless a Valor stockholder checks the box on its
proxy card to withhold discretionary authority, the proxyholders
may use their discretion to vote on other matters relating to
the Valor annual meeting.
If a Valor stockholders shares are held in street
name by a broker or other nominee, the stockholder should
check the voting form used by that firm to determine whether it
may provide voting instructions by telephone or the Internet.
EVERY VALOR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
ACCORDINGLY, EACH VALOR STOCKHOLDER SHOULD SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, OR SUBMIT A PROXY VIA THE INTERNET OR
BY TELEPHONE, WHETHER OR NOT IT PLANS TO ATTEND THE VALOR ANNUAL
MEETING IN PERSON.
Revocability of Proxies and Changes to a Valor
Stockholders Vote
Valor stockholders of record may revoke their proxy at any time
prior to the time their shares are voted at the annual meeting.
Stockholders of record may revoke their proxy by:
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sending a written notice to the corporate secretary of Valor
that is received prior to the annual meeting stating that you
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properly completing a new proxy card bearing a later date and
properly submitting it so that it is received prior to the
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logging onto the Internet website specified on your proxy card
in the same manner you would to submit your proxy electronically
or by calling the telephone number specified on your proxy card
prior to the annual meeting, in each case if you are eligible to
do so and following the instructions on the proxy card; or |
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attending the annual meeting and voting in person. |
Simply attending the annual meeting will not revoke your proxy.
If you instructed a broker to vote your shares and you wish to
change your instructions, you must follow your brokers
directions for changing those instructions. If an adjournment
occurs and no new record date is set, it will have no effect on
the ability of Valor stockholders of record as of the record
date to exercise their voting rights or to revoke any previously
delivered proxies.
Solicitation of Proxies
This solicitation is made on behalf of the Valor Board of
Directors. Valor will pay the costs of soliciting and obtaining
the proxies, including the cost of reimbursing brokers, banks
and other financial institutions for forwarding proxy materials
to their customers. Proxies may be solicited, without extra
compensation, by Valors officers and employees by mail,
telephone, fax, personal interviews or other methods of
communication. Valor may engage a proxy solicitor to assist it
in the distribution and solicitation of proxies and may pay up
to $10,000 plus
out-of-pocket expenses
for such services.
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Voting by Valor Management
Certain stockholders of Valor have entered into a Voting
Agreement with Alltel whereby they have agreed to vote or cause
to be voted all of the Valor shares they own in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement. For more information regarding
the Voting Agreement see The Voting Agreement
beginning herein at page [ ]. In
addition, Valors directors and executive officers have
either entered into this agreement with Alltel in their capacity
as a stockholder of Valor or have otherwise indicated they
intend to vote their Valor common shares in favor of the merger
and transactions contemplated thereby. These stockholders and
Valors executive officers and directors together hold an
aggregate of approximately 42% of the aggregate number of votes
entitled to be cast at the annual meeting.
Other Matters
As of the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement, Valors Board of Directors knows of no other
matters that will be presented for consideration at the annual
meeting other than as described in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. If any other matters properly
come before the annual meeting of Valor stockholders, or any
adjournments of the annual meeting are proposed (other than any
adjournments contemplated by Proposal No. 7), and are
properly voted upon, the enclosed proxies will give the
individuals that Valor stockholders name as proxies
discretionary authority, to vote the shares represented by these
proxies as to any of these matters; provided, however,
that such individuals will only exercise this discretionary
authority with respect to matters that were unknown a reasonable
time before the solicitation of proxies. The individuals named
as proxies intend to vote or not to vote in accordance with the
recommendation of Valors Board of Directors.
Stockholder Proposals for the 2007 Annual Meeting
Stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for
stockholder action at Valors annual stockholders
meetings, consistent with rules adopted by the SEC. We must
receive such proposals no later than
[ ] to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement and form of proxy card relating to the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders in 2007. In addition, our Bylaws
establish an advance notice procedure with regard to certain
matters, including stockholder proposals not included in our
proxy statement, to be brought before an annual meeting of
stockholders. In general, notice must be received by our
Secretary at our principal executive office not less than
60 days or more than 90 days prior to the scheduled
annual meeting, regardless of any postponements, deferrals or
adjournments of that meeting unless less than 70 days
notice or prior public disclosure of the date scheduled for the
meeting is given or made, in which event notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be delivered or received not later
than the close of business on the tenth day following the
earlier of (i) the day on which such notice of the date of
the scheduled annual meeting was mailed or (ii) the day on
which such public disclosure was made. Our bylaws require that
the proposal must set forth a brief description of the proposal,
the name and address of the proposing stockholder as they appear
on our books, the number of shares of Valor Common Stock the
stockholder holds and any material interest the stockholder has
in the proposal.
2005 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
A copy of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC,
is included as part of the annual report mailed to Valors
stockholders with this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement. This Annual Report on
Form 10-K may also
be accessed on our website at www.valortelecom.com.
Certain Information
The material referred to in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement under the captions
Performance Graph, Compensation Committee
Report on Executive Compensation and Audit Committee
Report and information included in our website
(www.valortelecom.com) shall not be deemed soliciting material
or otherwise deemed filed and shall not be deemed to be
incorporated by any general
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statement of incorporation by reference in any filings made
under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
PROPOSAL 1.
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
(Item 1 on Proxy Card)
As discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, holders of Valor common stock
are considering adoption of the merger agreement. Valor
stockholders should read carefully this joint proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement in its entirety, including the
annexes, for more detailed information concerning the merger
agreement, the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.
See The Transactions. In particular, holders of
Valor common stock are directed to the merger agreement, a
composite copy of which is Annex A to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement.
VALORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE ADOPTION OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT IN THIS PROPOSAL 1.
PROPOSAL 2.
INCLUDING SUB-PROPOSALS 2A and 2B.
AMENDMENT OF THE VALOR ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS IN THEIR
ENTIRETY PURSUANT TO THE MERGER
(Item 2 and sub-items 2A and 2B on Proxy Card)
Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Merger Agreement, Valor and
Alltel agreed that at the effective time of the merger, the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Valor, as the
surviving corporation of the merger, would be amended in their
entirety in the forms attached to this document as
Annex E and Annex F, respectively, to
implement a number of governance and other changes. At the
annual meeting you will be asked to consider and vote to approve
the amendment of Valors certificate of incorporation and
bylaws in their entirety. In addition, in order to comply with
applicable rules of the SEC relating to proxy statements, we are
also presenting
Sub-Proposal
Nos. 2A and 2B to Valors stockholders as separate
proposals for approval. Because we are required to present
the sub-proposals
separately and because all of the revisions to Valors
existing certificate of incorporation and bylaws that are
reflected in the attached Annex E and
Annex F are considered by Valor and Alltel to be
integral parts of the overall transaction, the approval of
Proposal No. 2 and each of the
Sub-Proposals 2A and 2B
is a condition to completion of the merger. Accordingly, a vote
against Proposal No. 2 or either
Sub-Proposal is
effectively a vote against the merger of Valor and Spinco.
Sub-proposal 2A: Increase of Authorized shares
of Valor common stock from 200,000,000 to 2,000,000,000.
Valor currently has 200,000,000 shares of common stock
authorized for issuance. On the record date for the annual
meeting, Valor had outstanding [ ] shares
of common stock. Valor expects to issue an aggregate of
approximately 405,000,000 shares of common stock to holders
of Spinco common stock pursuant to the merger. Therefore,
pursuant to the merger, Valor is proposing to increase the
number of authorized shares of common stock to 2,000,000,000 in
order to give it sufficient authorized shares to complete the
merger. The increased share authorization will also provide
greater flexibility in the capital structure of the resulting
company by allowing it to raise capital that may be necessary to
further develop its business, to fund potential acquisitions, to
have shares available for use in connection with stock plans and
to pursue other corporate purposes that may be identified by the
Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of Windstream will determine whether,
when and on what terms the issuance of shares of common stock
may be warranted in connection with any future actions. No
further action or authorization by Windstreams
stockholders will be necessary before issuance of the additional
shares of
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common stock authorized under the Certificate of Incorporation
resulting from the merger, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulatory agencies or by the rules of the
NYSE or of any stock exchange on which the common stock may then
be listed.
Although an increase in the authorized shares of common stock
could, under certain circumstances, also be construed as having
an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting easier
dilution of the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a
change in the composition of the Board of Directors or
contemplating a tender offer or other transaction resulting in
the acquisition of Windstream by another company), the proposed
increase in shares authorized is not in response to any effort
by any person or group to accumulate common stock or to obtain
control of Valor by any means. In addition, the proposal is not
part of any plan by Valors Board of Directors to recommend
or implement a series of anti-takeover measures.
Sub-proposal 2B: Implementation of Classified
Board of Directors
Valors Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws currently
provide that all directors are to be elected annually to serve
until their successors have been elected and qualified. Delaware
law permits provisions in the certificate of incorporation
approved by stockholders that provide for a classified board of
directors. The proposed amendment of Valors Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws pursuant to the merger would provide
that directors will be classified into three classes, comprised
of as nearly equal in number of directors as possible. At each
annual meeting, the successors to the class of directors whose
terms expire at that meeting would be elected for a term of
office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting after
their election and until their successors have been duly elected
and qualified.
The classified board proposal is designed to assure continuity
and stability in the Board of Directors leadership and
policies. While management has not experienced any problems with
such continuity in the past, it wishes to ensure that this
experience will continue. In addition, the Board believes that
the stability created by establishing three-year terms will
increase our ability to attract and retain talented directors.
The Board of Directors also believes that the classified board
proposal will assist the Board of Directors in protecting the
interests of our stockholders in the event of an unsolicited
takeover attempt of Valor. Currently, a change in control of the
Board of Directors can be made by stockholders holding a
majority of the votes cast at a single annual meeting. If we
implement a classified board of directors, it will take at least
two annual meetings for stockholders to effect a change in
control of the Board of Directors, because only a minority of
the directors will be elected at each meeting. Because of the
additional time required to change control of the Board of
Directors, the classified board proposal will tend to deter
takeover attempts. The proposed classification of the Board of
Directors is not being recommended in response to a currently
pending or threatened attempt to acquire control of Valor.
If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease
shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the
number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible,
and any additional director of any class elected to fill a
vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold
office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of
that class even if that term shall extend beyond the next annual
meeting of stockholders. In addition, any director elected to
fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of
directors shall have the same remaining term as that of such
directors predecessor even if that term shall extend
beyond the next annual meeting of stockholders.
The amendment of Valors organizational documents
reflected in this Proposal 2, including
sub-proposals 2A and
2B, will become effective only in connection with and at the
time and by virtue of completion of the merger.
VALORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THIS PROPOSAL 2, INCLUDING
SUB-PROPOSALS 2A AND 2B.
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PROPOSAL 3.
ISSUANCE OF VALOR COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE MERGER
(Item 3 on Proxy Card)
Under Rule 312.03 of the NYSE, a company listed on the NYSE
is required to obtain stockholder approval before the issuance
of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable
for common stock, if the common stock issued in a transaction
exceeds 20% of the shares of common stock of the corporation
outstanding immediately before the effectiveness of the
transaction. At the effective time of the merger, Valor will
issue approximately 405 million shares of Valor common
stock in the aggregate to the holders of Spinco common stock
pursuant to the merger. The aggregate number of shares of Valor
common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger will exceed 20%
of the shares of Valors common stock outstanding on the
record date for the annual meeting, and for this reason Valor
must obtain the approval of its stockholders for the issuance of
these securities to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger.
Valor is asking its stockholders to approve the issuance of
common stock to Alltel stockholders pursuant to the merger. The
issuance of these securities to Alltel stockholders is necessary
to effect the merger. This Proposal 3 is conditioned on the
approval of Proposals 1 and 2, and the approval of all
three of these Proposals is required for completion of the
merger.
VALORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THIS PROPOSAL 3.
PROPOSAL 4.
ADOPTION OF 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Item 4 on Proxy Card)
If the merger proposals are approved, the stockholders will be
asked to approve the new 2006 equity incentive plan (the
2006 Plan).
The Board of Directors of Valor considers stock-based incentive
compensation an essential tool to attract, retain and motivate
our officers, key employees and directors and to align their
interests with the interests of our stockholders. Consistent
with this view, on February 9, 2005, the Board of Directors
of Valor adopted the 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the
2005 Plan). A total of 2,500,000 shares of our
common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan, of
which February 9, 2005 remain available for awards.
After the proposed merger, however, Windstream will be
considerably larger than Valor was at the time that the 2005
Plan was adopted, with an increased number of key employees. It
is anticipated that Windstream will make equity awards to its
employees following completion of the merger. As a result, in
order to ensure that Windstream has adequate means to provide
equity incentive compensation for its employees on a going
forward basis, the Board of Directors deems it to be in the best
interests of its stockholders to adopt the 2006 Plan.
The 2006 Plan reflects recent changes in the tax laws applicable
to certain deferred compensation arrangements, changes in
financial accounting rules that govern equity compensation and
other developments in executive compensation practices.
Moreover, the 2006 Plan is designed to comply with the
requirements under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Section 162(m) of the Code generally prevents a publicly
held corporation from claiming federal income tax deductions for
compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain of its
senior executives. Compensation is exempt from this limitation,
however, if it qualifies as performance-based
compensation.
Our stockholders are asked to approve the 2006 Plan to qualify
stock options for treatment as incentive stock options for
purposes of Section 422 of the Code (ISOs), to
qualify certain compensation under the 2006 Plan as
performance-based compensation for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code, and to satisfy New York Stock
Exchange guidelines relating to equity compensation. The 2006
Plan, if approved by our stockholders, will become effective as
of the effective time of the merger.
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The following is a summary of the 2006 Plan and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2006 Plan, a
copy of which is attached as Annex G to this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement.
The Board of Directors of Valor unanimously recommends that
stockholders vote FOR Proposal No. 4. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present and entitled
to vote on the matter is required for approval of the 2006 Plan.
The maximum number of shares of Windstream common stock that may
be issued or transferred with respect to awards under the 2006
Plan is 10,000,000, which may include authorized but unissued
shares, treasury shares, or a combination thereof. Shares
covered by an award granted under the 2006 Plan shall not be
counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and
delivered to a participant. Shares covering awards that expire,
are forfeited or are cancelled will again be available for
issuance under the 2006 Plan, and upon payment in cash of the
benefit provided by any award granted under the 2006 Plan, any
shares that were covered by that award will be available for
issue or transfer under the 2006 Plan. Importantly, however, the
following shares of Windstream common stock will not be added
back to the aggregate plan limit described above:
(1) shares tendered in payment of the option price of a
stock option granted under the 2006 Plan; (2) shares
withheld by Windstream to satisfy the tax withholding
obligation; and (3) shares that are repurchased by
Windstream in connection with the exercise of a stock option
granted under the 2006 Plan. Moreover, all shares of Windstream
common stock covered by a stock appreciation right, to the
extent that it is exercised and settled in shares, and whether
or not shares are actually issued to the participant upon
exercise of the right, shall be considered issued or transferred
pursuant to the 2006 Plan.
In addition to the aggregate limit on awards described above,
the 2006 Plan imposes various sub-limits on the number of shares
of Windstream common stock that may be issued or transferred
under the 2006 Plan. In order to comply with the rules
applicable to ISOs, the 2006 Plan provides that the aggregate
number of shares of Windstream common stock actually issued or
transferred by Windstream upon the exercise of ISOs may not
exceed 10,000,000 shares. In order to comply with the
exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code relating to
performance-based compensation, the 2006 Plan imposes the
following additional sub-limits: (i) no participant may be
granted option rights and SARs, in the aggregate, for more than
1,000,000 shares of Windstream common stock during any
calendar year, (ii) no participant may be granted
performance shares and restricted shares specifying management
objectives (described below), in the aggregate, for more than
1,000,000 shares of Windstream common stock during any
calendar year, and (iii) no participant may be granted
performance units having an aggregate maximum value as of their
date of grant in excess of $12,000,000 during any calendar year.
Finally, the 2006 Plan provides that the number of shares of
Windstream common stock issued as SARs, restricted shares and
restricted stock units (after taking forfeitures into account)
shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 8,500,000 shares.
The maximum number of shares of Windstream common stock which
may be awarded under the 2006 Plan, the various sub-limits
described above, and the number of shares and price per share
applicable to any outstanding award, are subject to adjustment
in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, combinations of
shares, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations or other
reorganizations of Windstream.
The Compensation Committee of Windstream, or such other
committee or subcommittee of the Board of Directors of
Windstream that qualifies as a compensation
committee under the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards (all references to the Compensation Committee used in
this description of the 2006 Plan shall refer to such committee
or subcommittee), is authorized to administer the 2006 Plan. The
Compensation Committee will have complete and absolute authority
to make any and all decisions regarding the administration of
the 2006 Plan, including the authority to construe and interpret
the plan and awards granted thereunder.
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All of the officers and other key employees of Windstream and
its subsidiaries (or any person who has agreed to serve in such
capacity) are eligible to participate in the 2006 Plan as
selected by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. In
addition, non-employee directors of Windstream are eligible to
participate in the 2006 Plan as selected by the Compensation
Committee in its discretion. Accordingly, it is estimated that
approximately 300 employees and 7 non-employee directors may be
eligible for awards under the 2006 Plan.
Officers and other key employees may be granted each type of
award available under the 2006 Plan. Non-employee directors may
be granted nonqualified stock options, SARs, restricted shares,
restricted stock units and other share-based awards, but are not
eligible for grants of incentive stock options, performance
shares or performance units.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, award option
rights to officers and other key employees of Windstream and its
subsidiaries. Option rights granted to employees under the 2006
Plan may be option rights that are intended to qualify as ISOs
or option rights that are not intended to so qualify (i.e.,
non-qualified stock options) or combinations thereof.
Option rights provide the right to purchase shares of Windstream
common stock at a price not less than their fair market value on
the date of grant (which date may not be earlier than the date
that the Compensation Committee takes action with respect
thereto). The fair market value of Windstreams common
stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
[ ], 2006 was $[ ] per
share. No option rights may be exercised more than ten years
from the date of grant. Each grant must specify the period of
continuous employment that is necessary before the option rights
become exercisable, and may provide for the earlier exercise of
such option rights in the event of a change in control of
Windstream, retirement, death or disability of the optionee, or
other similar transaction or event approved by the Compensation
Committee.
The option price is payable at the time of exercise (i) in
cash, (ii) by the transfer to Windstream of nonforfeitable,
unrestricted shares of Windstream common stock that are already
owned by the option holder and have a value at the time of
exercise equal to the option price, (iii) with any other
legal consideration that the Compensation Committee may deem
appropriate or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment. Any grant of option rights may provide for
deferred payment of the option price from the proceeds of sale
through a broker on the date of exercise of some or all of the
shares of Windstream common stock to which the exercise relates,
or the payment of the option price in installments (although, in
the case of executive officers and directors, these payment
methods may be affected by the restrictions on personal loans to
executive officers provided by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
Any grant of option rights may specify management objectives (as
described below) that must be achieved as a condition to
exercise such rights. The Compensation Committee may, at the
date of grant of any option rights (other than the grant of an
ISO), provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the
optionee on a current, deferred or contingent basis or may
provide that such equivalents be credited against the option
price. Successive grants may be made to the same option holder
regardless of whether option rights previously granted to him or
her remain unexercised.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, award SARs to
officers and other key employees of Windstream and its
subsidiaries. SARs represent the right to receive from
Windstream an amount, determined by the Compensation Committee
and expressed as a percentage not exceeding 100 percent, of
the difference between the base price established for such SARs
(not less than the fair market value per share of Windstream
common stock on the date of grant) and the market value of the
common stock on the date the SARs are exercised.
SARs can be tandem (granted with option rights to provide an
alternative to exercise of the option rights) or free-standing.
Tandem SARs may only be exercised at a time when the related
option right is exercisable
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and the spread is positive, and requires that the related option
right be surrendered for cancellation. Free-standing SARs must
have a base price per appreciation right (not less than the fair
market value of a share on the date of grant) and may not be
exercisable more than ten years from the date of grant.
Any grant of SARs may specify that the amount payable by
Windstream on exercise of the appreciation right may be paid in
cash, in shares of Windstream common stock or in any combination
thereof, and may either grant to the recipient or retain in the
Compensation Committee the right to elect among those
alternatives. Any grant of SARs may provide for the payment of
dividend equivalents in the form of cash or shares of Windstream
common stock paid on a current, deferred or contingent basis.
Each grant must specify the period of continuous employment that
is necessary before the SARs become exercisable, and may provide
for the earlier exercise of such SARs in the event of a change
in control of Windstream, retirement, death or disability of the
employee, or other similar transaction or event approved by the
Compensation Committee. Any grant of SARs may specify management
objectives (as described below) that must be achieved as a
condition to exercise such rights.
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Performance Shares and Performance Units |
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, award
performance shares and/or performance units to officers and
other key employees of Windstream and its subsidiaries. A
performance share is the equivalent of one share of Windstream
common stock and a performance unit is the equivalent of $1.00.
The participant will be given one or more management objectives
(as described below) to meet within a specified period (the
performance period). A minimum level of acceptable
achievement will also be established by the Compensation
Committee. If by the end of the performance period, the
participant has achieved the specified management objectives,
the participant will be deemed to have fully earned the
performance shares or performance units. If the participant has
not achieved the management objectives, but has attained or
exceeded a predetermined minimum level of acceptable
achievement, the participant will be deemed to have partly
earned the performance shares or performance units in accordance
with a predetermined formula. To the extent earned, the
performance shares or performance units will be paid to the
participant at the time and in the manner determined by the
Compensation Committee in cash, shares of Windstream common
stock or any combination thereof. The grant may provide for the
payment of dividend equivalents thereon in cash or in shares of
Windstream common stock on a current, deferred or contingent
basis. The grant may also provide for the earlier termination of
the performance period in the event of a change in control of
Windstream, retirement, death or disability of the participant,
or other similar transaction or event approved by the
Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, award
restricted shares to officers and other key employees of
Windstream and its subsidiaries. Restricted shares constitute an
immediate transfer of ownership of a specified number of shares
of Windstream common stock to the recipient in consideration of
the performance of services. The participant is entitled
immediately to voting, dividend and other ownership rights in
shares of Windstream common stock (unless otherwise determined
by the Compensation Committee). The transfer may be made without
additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by
such participant that is less than the fair market value per
share of Windstream common stock on the date of grant.
Restricted shares must be subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, within the meaning of Section 83 of the
Code, for a period to be determined by the Compensation
Committee on the date of the grant, and may provide for the
earlier termination of the forfeiture provisions in the event of
a change in control of Windstream, retirement, death or
disability of the participant, or other similar transaction or
event approved by the Compensation Committee. In order to
enforce these forfeiture provisions, the transferability of
restricted shares will be prohibited or restricted in the manner
prescribed by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant
for the period during which such forfeiture provisions are to
continue.
Any grant of restricted shares may specify management objectives
which, if achieved, will result in termination or early
termination of the restrictions applicable to such shares. Any
such grant may also specify
183
in respect of such specified management objectives, a minimum
acceptable level of achievement and must set forth a formula for
determining the number of restricted shares on which
restrictions will terminate if performance is at or above the
minimum level, but below full achievement of the specified
management objectives.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, award
restricted stock units to officers and other key employees of
Windstream and its subsidiaries. Restricted stock units
constitute an agreement to deliver shares of Windstream common
stock to the recipient in the future in consideration of the
performance of services over a specified period, but subject to
the fulfillment of such conditions as the Compensation Committee
may specify.
During the restriction period the participant has no right to
transfer any rights under his or her award and no right to vote
or receive dividends on the shares of Windstream common stock
covered by the restricted stock units, but the Compensation
Committee may authorize the payment of dividend equivalents with
respect to the restricted stock units, in cash or shares of
Windstream common stock, on a current, deferred or contingent
basis. The Compensation Committee must fix a restriction period
at the time of grant, and may provide for the earlier
termination of the restriction period in the event of a change
in control of Windstream, retirement, death or disability of the
employee, or other similar transaction or event approved by the
Compensation Committee. Awards of restricted stock units may be
made without additional consideration or in consideration of a
payment by such participant that is less than the fair market
value per share of Windstream common stock on the date of grant.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and subject to
limitations under applicable law, grant to officers and other
key employees of Windstream and its subsidiaries other awards
that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in
part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to,
shares of Windstream common stock or factors that may influence
the value of such shares (including, without limitation,
convertible or exchangeable debt securities or other securities,
purchase rights for shares of Windstream common stock, or awards
with value and payment contingent upon performance of Windstream
or its subsidiaries or other factors determined by the
Compensation Committee). The Compensation Committee will
determine the terms and conditions of these awards. Shares of
Windstream common stock delivered pursuant to these types of
awards will be purchased for such consideration, by such methods
and in such forms as the Compensation Committee determines. Cash
awards, as an element of or supplement to any other award
granted under the 2006 Plan, may also be granted. The
Compensation Committee may also grant shares of Windstream
common stock as a bonus, or may grant other awards in lieu of
obligations of Windstream or a subsidiary to pay cash or deliver
other property under the 2006 Plan or under other plans or
compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as are
determined by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such
terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting
to non-employee directors of option rights (that are not
intended to qualify as ISOs), SARs, restricted shares,
restricted stock units, or any combination of the foregoing.
Each such grant shall be upon terms and conditions consistent
with the above description of such awards.
The 2006 Plan requires that the Compensation Committee establish
management objectives for purposes of performance
shares and performance units. When so determined by the
Compensation Committee, option rights, SARs, and restricted
shares may also specify management objectives.
Management objectives may be described in terms of either
company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the
performance of the individual participant or subsidiary,
division, department, region or
184
function within Windstream or a subsidiary in which the
participant is employed. Management objectives applicable to any
award to a participant who is, or is determined by the
Compensation Committee likely to become, a covered
employee within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of
the Code (and that is intended to qualify for the
performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m)
of the Code) will be limited to specified levels of or growth in
one or more of the following criteria: revenues, weighted
average revenue per unit, earnings from operations, operating
income, earnings before or after interest and taxes, operating
income before or after interest and taxes, net income, cash
flow, earnings per share, debt to capital ratio, economic value
added, return on total capital, return on invested capital,
return on equity, return on assets, total return to
stockholders, earnings before or after interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization or extraordinary or special items,
operating income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization or extraordinary or special items, return on
investment, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment
(discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, cash
flow in excess of cost of capital, operating margin, profit
margin, contribution margin, stock price and/or strategic
business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on
meeting specified product development, strategic partnering,
research and development, market penetration, geographic
business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction,
gross or net additional customers, average customer life,
employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and
employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information
technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures
of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.
Except in the case of a covered employee where such modification
would result in the loss of an otherwise available exemption
under Section 162(m) of the Code, if the Compensation
Committee determines that a change in our business, operations,
corporate structure or capital structure of Windstream, or the
manner in which we conduct our business, or other events or
circumstances render the management objectives unsuitable, the
Compensation Committee may modify such management objectives, in
whole or in part, as the Compensation Committee deems
appropriate and equitable.
A definition of change in control is included in the
2006 Plan, which is attached to this proxy-statement/
prospectus-information statement as Annex G.
Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee,
option rights, SARs and any other derivative security granted
under the 2006 Plan will not be transferable by a participant
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee,
option rights and SARs are exercisable during a
participants lifetime only by him or her or by his or her
guardian or legal representative. Any award made under the 2006
Plan may provide that any shares of Windstream common stock
issued or transferred as a result of the award will be subject
to further restrictions upon transfer.
The Compensation Committee may make or provide for such
adjustments in the numbers of shares of Windstream common stock
covered by outstanding option rights, SARs, performance shares,
restricted stock units and other share-based awards, in the
option price and base price provided in outstanding options and
SARs, and in the kind of shares covered thereby, as the
Compensation Committee in its sole discretion may in good faith
determine to be equitably required in order to prevent dilution
or enlargement of the rights of participants that would
otherwise result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the
capital structure, (b) any merger, consolidation, spinoff,
spin-out, split-off, split-up, reorganization, partial or
complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance
of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any
other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to
any of the foregoing. In the event of any such transaction or
event, the Compensation Committee may provide in substitution
for any or all of the outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan
such alternative consideration (or no consideration) as it may
in good faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances and
may require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards
so replaced. The Compensation Committee may also make or
185
provide for such adjustments in the number of shares available
under the Plan and other share limitations contained in the Plan
as the Compensation Committee may determine to reflect any
transaction or event described above.
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|
|
Amendments and Miscellaneous |
The 2006 Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors of
Windstream, but any amendment that must be approved by
Windstreams stockholders in order to comply with
applicable laws or rules will not be effective unless and until
such approval has been obtained. However, the Board of Directors
of Windstream may amend the 2006 Plan to eliminate provisions
which are no longer necessary as a result of changes in tax or
securities laws and regulations, or in the interpretation of
such laws and regulations.
Where the Compensation Committee has established conditions to
the exercisability or retention of certain awards, the 2006 Plan
allows the Compensation Committee to take action in its sole
discretion at or after the date of grant to adjust such
conditions in certain circumstances, including in the case of
the death, disability or retirement of a participant.
The Compensation Committee may not, without the further approval
of Windstreams stockholders, authorize the amendment of
any outstanding option right or appreciation right to reduce the
option price or base price. No option right or appreciation
right may be cancelled and replaced with awards having a lower
option price or base price, respectively, without further
approval of our stockholders.
The Compensation Committee may permit participants to elect to
defer the issuance of shares of Windstream common stock or the
settlement of awards in cash under the 2006 Plan pursuant to
such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for
purposes of the 2006 Plan. The Compensation Committee also may
provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the
payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the
deferral amounts.
The Compensation Committee may condition the grant of any award
or combination of awards authorized under the 2006 Plan on the
deferral by the participant of his or her right to receive a
cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by Windstream
or a subsidiary to the participant.
The Compensation Committee may provide for special terms for
awards to participants who are foreign nationals or who are
employed by Windstream or any of its subsidiaries outside of the
United States of America as the Compensation Committee may
consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in
local law, tax policy, or custom.
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|
|
Compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code |
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, enacted on
October 22, 2004, revised the federal income tax law
applicable to certain types of awards that may be granted under
the 2006 Plan. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the
2006 Plan and any grants made under the plan comply with the
provisions of Section 409A of the Code. The 2006 Plan and
any grants made under the 2006 Plan will be administered in a
manner consistent with this intent, and any provision of the
2006 Plan that would cause the plan or any grant made under the
plan to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have
no force and effect until amended to comply with such Code
Section (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent
permitted by Section 409A of the Code and may be made by
Windstream without the consent of the participants). Any
reference to Section 409A of the Code will also include any
proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance,
promulgated with respect to such Code Section by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue
Service.
No grant will be made under the 2006 Plan more than
10 years after the date on which the 2006 Plan is first
approved by the Board of Directors of Valor, but all grants made
on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter
subject to the terms thereof and of the 2006 Plan.
186
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of certain of the federal
income tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2006
Plan. This summary is not intended to be complete and does not
describe state, local, foreign or other tax consequences.
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Tax Consequences to Participants |
Nonqualified Stock Options. In general, (a) no
income will be recognized by an optionee at the time a
nonqualified option right is granted; (b) at the time of
exercise of the nonqualified option right ordinary income will
be recognized by the optionee in an amount equal to the
difference between the option price paid for the shares of
Windstream common stock and the fair market value of the shares,
if unrestricted, on the date of exercise; and (c) at the
time of sale of shares of Windstream common stock acquired
pursuant to the exercise of the nonqualified option right,
appreciation (or depreciation) in value of the shares after the
date of exercise will be treated as either short-term or
long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the
shares have been held.
Incentive Stock Options. No income will be recognized by
an optionee upon the grant of an ISO. In general, no income will
be recognized upon the exercise of an ISO. However, the
difference between the option price paid and the fair market
value of the shares at exercise may constitute a preference item
for the alternative minimum tax. If shares of Windstream common
stock are issued to the optionee pursuant to the exercise of an
ISO, and if no disqualifying disposition of such shares is made
by such optionee within two years after the date of the grant or
within one year after the transfer of such shares to the
optionee, then upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in
excess of the option price will be taxed to the optionee as a
long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a
long-term capital loss.
If shares of Windstream common stock acquired upon the timely
exercise of an ISO are disposed of prior to the expiration of
either holding period described above, the optionee generally
will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an
amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of
such shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount
realized on the disposition of such shares if a sale or
exchange) over the option price paid for such shares. Any
further gain (or loss) realized by the participant generally
will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss)
depending on the holding period.
SARs. No income will be recognized by a participant in
connection with the grant of a tandem appreciation right or a
free-standing appreciation right. When the appreciation right is
exercised, the participant normally will be required to include
as taxable ordinary income in the year of exercise an amount
equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value
of any unrestricted shares of Windstream common stock received
on the exercise.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. No income
generally will be recognized upon the grant of performance
shares or performance units. Upon payment in respect of the
earn-out of performance shares or performance units, the
recipient generally will be required to include as taxable
ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the
amount of cash received and the fair market value of any
nonrestricted shares of Windstream common stock received.
Restricted Shares. The recipient of restricted shares
generally will not be subject to tax until the shares are no
longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for
purposes of Section 83 of the Code
(restrictions). At such time the recipient will be
subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value
of the restricted shares (reduced by any amount paid by the
participant for such restricted shares). However, a recipient
who so elects under Section 83(b) of the Code within
30 days of the date of transfer of the shares will have
taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares
equal to the excess of the fair market value of such shares
(determined without regard to the restrictions) over the
purchase price, if any, of such restricted shares. Any
appreciation (or depreciation) realized upon a later disposition
of such shares will be treated as long-term or short-term
capital gain depending upon how long the shares have been held.
If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any
dividends received with respect to restricted shares that are
187
subject to the restrictions generally will be treated as
compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the
participant.
Restricted Stock Units. Generally, no income will be
recognized upon the award of restricted stock units. The
recipient of a restricted stock unit award generally will be
subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value
of unrestricted shares of Windstream common stock on the date
that such shares are transferred to the participant under the
award (reduced by any amount paid by the participant for such
restricted stock units), and the capital gains/loss holding
period for such shares also will commence on such date.
Other Share-Based Awards. The recipient of a share-based
award other than an award described above generally will be
subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value
of shares of Windstream common stock on the date of grant of the
share-based award, and the capital gains/loss holding period for
such shares also will commence on such date.
Dividend Equivalents. Any dividend equivalents awarded
with respect to awards granted under the 2006 Plan and paid in
cash or unrestricted shares of Windstream common stock will be
taxed to the participant at ordinary income rates when received
by the participant.
Because the tax consequences to a participant may vary depending
on his or her individual circumstances, each participant should
consult his or her personal tax advisor regarding the federal
and any state, local, foreign or other consequences to him or
her.
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Tax Consequences to Windstream |
To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in
the circumstances described above, Windstream or the subsidiary
for which the participant performs services will be entitled to
a corresponding deduction provided that, among other things,
(a) the income meets the test of reasonableness,
(b) is an ordinary and necessary business expense,
(c) is not an excess parachute payment within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (d) is not
disallowed by the $1 million limitation on certain
executive compensation.
Registration with the SEC
Windstream intends to file a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 relating
to the issuance of common shares under the 2006 Plan with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, contemporaneously with the closing of
the merger.
Plan Benefits
It is not possible to determine the specific amounts and types
of awards that may be granted in the future under the 2006 Plan
because the grant of awards under the 2006 Plan is within the
discretion of the Compensation Committee.
188
Current Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information about Valors
equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans |
|
|
|
Equity Compensation Plan Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
to be Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Under Equity | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Compensation Plans [c] | |
|
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Reflected in Column | |
Plan Category |
|
[a] | |
|
[b] | |
|
[a]) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.0001 |
|
|
|
342,469 |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.0001 |
|
|
|
342,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPOSAL 5.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 5 on Proxy Card)
At the annual meeting, 11 directors are to be elected to
hold office until the next annual meeting or until their
successors have been elected and qualified. All are currently
serving as our directors. The Board of Directors has nominated,
upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, the eleven current members of the Board
named below. Pursuant to our bylaws, the Board of Directors has
resolved that the number of directors constituting the full
Board of Directors shall be thirteen. The Board currently
operates with two vacancies and will continue to do so until
such time as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
recommends to the Board of Directors persons to fill such
vacancies. Therefore, proxies may not be voted for more than the
eleven director positions being voted on at the meeting.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the affirmative
votes of the holders of shares of common stock present in person
or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote at
the meeting. It is the intention of the persons named in the
enclosed proxy to vote FOR the election as directors
of the nominees specified. In case any of these nominees should
become unavailable for any reason, the proxy holders reserve the
right to substitute another person of their choice. The
information concerning the nominees and their security holdings
has been furnished to us by the nominees. There are no other
family relationships between any of the nominees.
Nominees for Director
The respective nominees for election as directors of Valor for
terms expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders have
provided the following information.
John J. Mueller, age 49, has served as our Chief
Executive Officer and President since April 2004 and was
previously our President and Chief Operating Officer since
November 2002. Mr. Mueller was appointed to our Board of
Directors following the consummation of our initial public
offering. Mr. Mueller joined us in April 2002 as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining our
company, Mr. Mueller spent 23 years at Cincinnati Bell
Inc. including serving as General Manager Consumer
Markets from February 1999 to May 1999, President
Business Units from May 1999 to November 1999 and President of
the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company from November 1999 to
October 2001.
189
Anthony J. de Nicola, age 41, has served as a
director of our company since March 2004 and as Chairman since
April 2004. Mr. de Nicola is currently a general partner of
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, which is one of our
stockholders. He joined Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
in 1994 and focuses on investments in the information and
business services and communications industries. Before joining
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, he worked for four
years in the private equity group at William Blair &
Company. Previously, Mr. de Nicola worked at Goldman,
Sachs & Co. in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department.
Mr. de Nicola is also a member of the boards of directors
of Centennial Communications Corp., ITC Deltacom, Inc.,
R.H. Donnelly and several private companies.
Kenneth R. Cole, age 57, has served as a director of
our company since March 2004 and as our Vice Chairman since
April 2004. Prior to then, Mr. Cole served as our Chief
Executive Officer from January 2002 to April 2004. Mr. Cole
joined our company at its inception in January 2000 as President
and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining our company,
Mr. Cole had a
26-year career at
CenturyTel, Inc., culminating in his service as Chief Operating
Officer from May 1999 to January 2000. Mr. Cole became a
member of the Board of Directors of Occam, December 8, 2004.
Sanjay Swani, age 39, has served as a director of
our company since March 2004. Mr. Swani is currently a
general partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. He
joined Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe in 1999 and
focuses on investments in the information and business services
and communications industries. Previously, he was a director of
Fox Paine & Company, a San Francisco-based private
equity firm. Mr. Swani also spent four years in the
Mergers, Acquisitions & Restructuring Department and
two years in the Debt Capital Markets Department of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter & Co. Mr. Swani is also a
member of the boards of directors of Banctec, Inc., ITC
Deltacom, Inc. and other private companies.
Norman W. Alpert, age 47, has served as a director
of our company since April 2005. Mr. Alpert is currently a
managing director of Vestar Capital Partners, which is one of
our stockholders. Mr. Alpert helped found Vestar in 1988.
Previously, he was a senior executive in the Management Buyout
Group of the First Boston Corporation. Mr. Alpert is also a
member of the Board of Directors of Gold Toe Corporation and
Border Media Partners.
Stephen B. Brodeur, age 41, was appointed to our
Board of Directors after completion of our initial public
offering in February 2005. He is the former chief executive
officer of the Cambridge Strategic Management Group (CSMG).
CSMG, now a division of The Management Network Group, is a
provider of management consulting services to emerging and
established telecommunications operators, equipment
manufacturers and financial services companies. As a consultant
to telecommunications and related industries for 18 years,
Mr. Brodeur has consulted for domestic and international
companies including Verizon, Bell Canada, SBC, Sprint, AT&T,
CenturyTel, FPL, British Telecom, Telstra, Nextel, Siemens,
Nortel, Corning and Cisco.
Michael Donovan, age 29, was appointed to our Board
of Directors after completion of our initial public offering in
February 2005. He is a principal at Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe. Before joining Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe in 2001, Mr. Donovan worked at
Windward Capital Partners and in the investment banking division
at Merrill Lynch. He is currently a board member of several
private companies.
Edward Lujan, age 73, was appointed to our Board of
Directors after completion of our initial public offering in
February 2005. Since 1968, Mr. Lujan has been chairman of
the board of Manuel Lujan Agencies, a family insurance and real
estate business in New Mexico. Mr. Lujan is also Chairman
Emeritious of the board for the National Hispanic Cultural
Center of New Mexico and serves on numerous state and local
advisory councils and boards for business, economic development
and education. He also served as a member of the New Mexico
Governmental Ethics Oversight Committee.
M. Ann Padilla, age 63, was appointed to our
Board of Directors after completion of our initial public
offering in February 2005. Since 1975, Ms. Padilla has been
president and chief executive officer of Sunny Side, Inc./ Temp
Side, a staffing resource company in Denver, Colorado,
specializing in administrative, professional and technical
recruiting. Ms. Padilla has served on the Board of
Directors and advisory councils at various banks and financial
institutions and is also a trustee for the Denver Center for
Performing Arts. She has received numerous awards from national
and state business organizations.
190
Federico Pena, age 59, was appointed to our Board of
Directors after completion of our initial public offering in
February 2005. He is a managing director at Vestar Capital
Partners in Denver, CO, since 1999. Mr. Pena was formerly
the U.S. Secretary of Energy and the U.S. Secretary of
Transportation in the Clinton Administration. Prior to serving
in the cabinet, he was president and chief executive officer of
Pena Investment Advisors from 1991 to 1992 and the mayor of
Denver from 1983 to 1991. He serves on the boards of Border
Media Partners; Principal Financial Group; Sonic Corp.; and
Toyotas North American Diversity Advisory Board.
Edward J. Heffernan, age 43, was appointed to our
Board of Directors in April 2005. He is executive vice president
and chief financial officer of Alliance Data Systems. He first
joined Alliance Data Systems in May 1998. Before joining
Alliance Data, he served as vice president, mergers and
acquisitions for First Data Corporation from October 1994 to May
1998. Prior to that he served as vice president, mergers and
acquisitions for Citicorp from July 1990 to October 1994, and
prior to that he worked in the corporate finance department at
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation from June 1986 until July
1990. He holds a Bachelors degree from Wesleyan University
and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Mr. Heffernan
serves as Chairman of Valors Audit Committee.
Each of Messrs. de Nicola, Swani, Donovan, Alpert and Pena
were initially appointed to our Board of Directors pursuant to a
securityholders agreement among certain of our stockholders
pursuant to which each of Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe and Vestar Capital Partners and their respective
affiliates agree to vote their shares in favor of three
(3) persons designated by Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe and two (2) persons designated by
Vestar Capital Partners. See Related Party
Transactions Equity Sponsors
Securityholders Agreement.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR DESCRIBED IN THIS
PROPOSAL 5.
Director Compensation
Independent members of the Board of Directors receive
compensation for their services. Each independent director
receives an annual retainer of $45,000, which is supplemented by
additional payments of $1,250 for each board meeting attended in
person, $625 for each board meeting attended telephonically,
$5,000 annually for acting as a committee member ($10,000 for
acting as audit committee chairperson and $7,500 for acting as
compensation committee chairperson), $1,000 for each committee
meeting attended in person, $500 for each committee meeting
attended telephonically and reasonable travel expenses for
attendance in person at board and committee meetings. In
addition, each independent member of the Board of Directors
received an up-front grant of 9,705 restricted shares pursuant
to our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These restricted shares
vest over the three years following their issuance at
33% per year. In addition, Mr. Cole, our Vice
Chairman, will receive the compensation described above for
serving as a member of our Board of Directors. No other
non-independent director, however, shall receive compensation
for serving as a member of our Board of Directors. Throughout
the year, we reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable
expenses incurred in attending meetings and in the performance
of other services rendered on behalf of the Board of Directors
or its committees.
GOVERNANCE OF VALOR AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
We continually review our corporate governance policies and
practices. This includes comparing our current policies and
practices to policies and practices of other public companies,
as well as to those suggested by various groups or authorities
active in corporate governance. Based upon this review, we have
adopted changes to current policies and practices to reflect
what the Board of Directors believes are best
practices, as well as those that are required to comply
with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the SEC and the
NYSE.
The Board of Directors held six regular meetings and five
special meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of
these meetings and the total
191
number of meetings held by all committees of the board on which
he or she served, as described below under Committees of
the Board.
Director Independence
Under the NYSE rules, a director is not independent if the
director has a direct or indirect material relationship with
Valor. The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee
annually reviews the independence of all directors and reports
its findings to the full Board. To assist in this review, the
Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted
director independence guidelines as defined and prescribed by
the NYSE. In the event a director has any relationship with
Valor that is not addressed in the Corporate Governance
Guidelines, the independent members of the Board determine
whether such relationship is material. In 2005, outside counsel
reviewed these guidelines and Valors Board verified the
independence of the Companys directors in accordance with
these guidelines.
All of our directors, other than Mr. Mueller, our current
Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Cole, our former Chief
Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman, are independent as
determined by that analysis conducted by Valors outside
counsel. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled
executive sessions in which they meet without the presence of
management. These executive sessions generally are held
immediately after regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of
Directors, and Anthony J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board,
presides over these non-management executive sessions. The
independent directors have held five such meetings in 2005, and
all of the independent directors were present for three of these
sessions.
Committees of the Board
In connection with our initial public offering in February 2005,
our Board of Directors established the following committees:
Audit, Compensation, and Nomination and Governance. Each of
these committees operates under a written charter approved by
the Board of Directors in compliance with the applicable
requirements of the SEC and the NYSE listing requirements. Our
charters can be located on our website at
www.valortelecom.com and are available to in hard
copy to stockholders upon request. We also have adopted a Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors,
officers and employees, which is located on our website at
www.valortelecom.com and is available in hardcopy
to interested parties upon request. All members of the audit,
nominating and compensation committees are
independent as defined by the rules of the SEC and
NYSE. The members of each standing committee are elected by the
Board of Directors each year for a term of one year or until his
or her successor is elected. The members of the committees are
identified in the table below.
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Norman W. Alpert
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Stephen B. Brodeur
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Edward J. Heffernan
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Chair |
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Edward L. Lujan
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Anthony J. de Nicola
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M. Ann Padilla
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Federico Pena
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Sanjay Swani
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Audit Committee. The Audit Committee recommends to the
Board of Directors the selection of our independent accountants.
Our independent accountants are responsible for performing an
independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America for issuing a report thereon, and
for reviewing our Annual Reports on
Form 10-K and
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q.
Management is responsible for our internal controls and the
financial reporting process. The Audit Committee assists the
Board of Directors in undertaking and fulfilling its
responsibilities in monitoring Valors financial reporting
process, including (i) the integrity of the financial
192
statements of Valor, (ii) Valors compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independence
and qualifications of Valors internal and independent
auditors, (iv) the performance of Valors internal
audit function and independent auditors, and (v) the
preparation of an audit committee report to be included in
Valors annual proxy statements.
Our Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing and permissible
non-auditing services that will be provided by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent accountants, in
accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of
the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.
In accordance with the rules of the SEC, our Audit Committee has
established procedures to receive, retain, and treat complaints
received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or
auditing matters and to allow for the confidential and anonymous
submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
Each current and prospective member of the Audit Committee is
financially literate, as required by the listing standards of
the New York Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has
determined that Mr. Heffernan meets the standard of an
audit committee financial expert under the rules of
the SEC. The Audit Committee met seven times during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005. No member of the audit
committee serves on more than three public company audit
committees.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee
reviews our general compensation strategies, acts as the
Committee for Valors Incentive Compensation Plan and 2005
Long-Term Incentive Plan, and establishes and reviews
compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officers. The Compensation Committee met twice during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005.
Nomination and Governance Committee. One of the
committees primary functions is to establish criteria and
qualifications for candidates for the Board of Directors and
then to identify and recommend candidates for election to the
Board of Directors. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee takes a leadership role in shaping our
corporate governance, including making recommendations on
matters relating to the composition of the Board of Directors
and its various committees and our Corporate Governance
Guidelines. Each candidate for nomination as a director,
including persons recommended by stockholders, is evaluated in
accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines which are
posted on our website at www.valortelecom.com. The
Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee may seek advice
from other members of the Board of Directors or the Chief
Executive Officer regarding director candidates. The Board of
Directors will consider a potential director nominees
ability to satisfy the need, if any, for any required expertise
on the Board of Directors or one of its committees.
Historically, our management has recommended director nominees
to the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee acted via
unanimous consent during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005. Most issues within the jurisdiction of this Committee were
acted upon by the full Board.
Nominations by Stockholders
Pursuant to our bylaws, a stockholder may nominate a person for
election as a director at an annual meeting of stockholders only
if written notice of such stockholders intent to make such
nomination has been given to the Secretary of Valor not less
than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years
annual meeting, or if the date of the annual meeting is changed
by more than 30 days from such anniversary date, not later
than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the
earlier of the day on which notice of the date of such meeting
was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting date was made.
Each notice is required to set forth certain information,
including (1) the name and address of the stockholder
making the nomination and the number of shares of our common
stock they own beneficially of record, (2) information
regarding each nominee as would be required to be included in a
proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been
nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board, and
(3) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director if
so elected.
193
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of
Directors, with the presiding independent director,
Mr. Anthony J. de Nicola, or with the independent directors
as a group, may do so through the following procedures.
Communications not involving complaints or concerns regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters
related to Valor (Accounting Complaints or Concerns)
may be sent to our corporate secretary at Valor Communications
Group, Inc., 201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200,
Irving, Texas 75062. Communications that relate to matters that
are within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board of
Directors and its committees, or summaries of such
communications, will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board
or to the chairman of the particular committee which has
responsibility for the area of shareholder inquiry.
Communications addressed to Mr. de Nicola, or to the independent
directors as a group, will be forwarded to these directors by
the corporate secretary.
Valor has two processes in place for receipt of Accounting
Complaints or Concerns. First, Accounting Complaints or
Concerns, which may be made anonymously, may be sent to our
Chief Legal Officer with a copy to our Chief Financial Officer
at the same address as the corporate secretary. Second,
Accounting Complaints and Concerns may be submitted via our
Ethics Hotline,
1-800-556-3048. A
third-party vendor staffs our Ethics Hotline 24 hours a
day. Accounting Complaints or Concerns will be forwarded to the
chairman of the audit committee. We will keep Accounting
Complaints or Concerns confidential and anonymous, to the extent
feasible, subject to applicable law. Information contained in an
Accounting Complaint or Concern may be summarized, abstracted
and aggregated for purposes of analysis and investigation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is
responsible for setting and administering compensation,
including base salaries, annual incentives, and stock-based
awards, paid or awarded to our executive officers. The
Compensation Committee also oversees and approves incentive plan
design, costs and administration. This report discusses the
Compensation Committees activities, as well as its
development and implementation of policies regarding
compensation paid to our executive officers for 2005.
Overall Compensation Policies
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves compensation
policies and practices, including those related to stock-based
compensation, for our executive officers and certain other
employees. Our executive compensation system generally consists
of three primary components: base salary, an incentive
compensation award pursuant to an Annual Incentive Compensation
Plan adopted by the Compensation Committee and restricted stock
grants. Through the use of the foregoing, the Compensation
Committee seeks to achieve a balanced compensation package that
will attract and retain high quality key executives,
appropriately reflect each such executive officers
individual performance, contributions, and general market value,
and provide further incentives to the executive officers to
maximize annual operating performance and long-term stockholder
value. In doing so, the Committee will regularly review and
update:
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An appropriate peer group of companies for the purposes of
comparing compensation levels and practices; and |
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Key measures that the Compensation Committee will use in
assessing performance for the purposes of incentive compensation
awards to the chief executive officer and other members of the
senior management team. |
Annual base salaries for our executive officers have been
established on a position-by-position basis. The chief executive
officer has the responsibility to conduct annual internal
reviews of executive officer salary levels in order to rank
salary, individual performance and job value to each position.
The chief executive officer then makes recommendations on
salaries, other than his own, to the Compensation Committee. The
194
Compensation Committee determines, reviews and approves
corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of
the chief executive officer. The Compensation Committee reviews
the recommendations regarding changes in salaries for executive
officers. The Compensation Committee may take such action,
including modifications to the recommendations, as it deems
appropriate. The determinations of the Compensation Committee
may be based on a variety of factors, including a subjective
evaluation of past and potential future individual performance
and contributions and alternative career opportunities that
might be available to the executives. The Compensation Committee
may also review compensation data from companies employing
executives in positions similar to those whose salaries were
being reviewed, as well as market conditions for executives in
general with similar skills, responsibilities, background and
performance levels and other companies with similar financial
and business characteristics.
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Annual Incentive Compensation |
We maintain an incentive compensation plan that compensates
certain management and supervisory personnel if our company
meets or exceeds certain financial performance targets. These
awards allow us to recognize individual performance and
contributions to Valor on an annual basis. Our chief executive
officer, in consultation with the Compensation Committee, may
adjust or eliminate any incentive payment that would otherwise
be earned under the Incentive Compensation Plan based on such
factors as they may determine in their sole discretion. Our
chief executive officer, in consultation with the Compensation
Committee, may also amend or cancel the bonus plan at any time
for any reason. Under the terms of the approved Incentive
Compensation Plan, the Compensation Committee bases the amount
of any annual incentive compensation to be paid to our executive
officers, including the chief executive officer, on Valor
performance (determined by reference to revenue and EBITDA
targets established by Board resolution) and each such
officers performance, attitude and potential.
The 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan. In 2005, the
Compensation Committee awarded incentive compensation under our
2004 Incentive Compensation Plan to certain of our executive
officers, based on 2004 operating results and a discretionary
evaluation of each such officers performance, attitude and
potential. In 2005, all incentive compensation paid under the
2004 Incentive Compensation Plan was in the form of cash awards.
The Compensation Committee based its actions regarding 2004
incentive compensation upon the performance of Valor and upon
the chairman of the boards recommendation regarding the
chief executive officer, the chief executive officers
recommendations regarding the other executive officers and the
Compensation Committee members general business knowledge.
The bonuses the named executive officers received under the 2004
Incentive Compensation Plan are disclosed in the bonus column in
the Summary Compensation Table set forth below.
The 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan. The Compensation
Committee, at its March 22, 2005 meeting approved the 2005
Incentive Compensation Plan. That Plan allowed semi-annual
payments if we were meeting or exceeding financial objectives
and the outlook for the remaining half of the year was
favorable. In August 2005, our chief executive officer, with the
approval of our Compensation Committee, authorized bonus amounts
for the first half of 2005 for members of our management team at
the level of director and below eligible to participate in the
incentive compensation plan that qualified for payment. The
payments made were approximately one-third of the 2005 bonus
opportunity for the respective employees. Members of our senior
management team did not receive any payment. On February 9,
2006, the Compensation Committee awarded incentive compensation
under our 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan to certain of our
executive officers, based on 2005 operating results and a
discretionary evaluation of each such officers
performance, attitude and potential. In 2006, all incentive
compensation paid under the 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan was
in the form of cash awards. The Compensation Committee based its
actions regarding 2005 incentive compensation upon the
performance of Valor and upon the chairman of the boards
recommendation regarding the chief executive officer, the chief
executive officers recommendations regarding the other
executive officers and the Compensation Committee members
general business knowledge. The bonuses the named executive
officers received under the 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan are
disclosed in the bonus column in the Summary Compensation Table
set forth below.
195
The 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. The Compensation
Committee, at its February 9, 2006 meeting, approved the
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Our 2005 Long-Term
Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options, restricted
stock and performance awards. Members of our Board of Directors,
our officers and other employees and persons who engage in
services for us are eligible for grants under the plan. We plan
to grant awards to these individuals from time to time to
provide long-term incentives that are designed to couple the
interests of key employees with those of stockholders in that
the potential value of the awards is directly related to the
future value of our stock.
A total of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock are
authorized for issuance under the plan, subject to adjustment in
the event of a reorganization, stock split, merger or similar
change in our corporate structure or the outstanding shares of
common stock. We granted 2,157,531 shares of restricted
stock, of which 2,099,739 shares were granted to executive
officers, members of senior management and directors, leaving
342,469 shares available for issuance under the plan.
Tax code limitation on executive compensation deductions.
In 1993, Congress amended the Internal Revenue Code to impose a
$1.0 million deduction limit on compensation paid to the
chief executive officer and the four other most highly
compensated executive officers of public companies, subject to
certain transition rules and exceptions for compensation
received pursuant to non-discretionary performance-based plans
approved by such companys stockholders. It is our general
policy to structure the performance-based portion of the
compensation of its executive officers in a manner that permits
Valor to deduct fully such compensation.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
John J. Mueller, Chief Executive Officer, earned $500,000 in
base salary in 2005, per our employment agreement with him. In
February 2005, the Compensation Committee approved an employment
agreement with Mr. Mueller, which replaced a previous
employment agreement, as further described under the heading
Employment and Severance Agreements.
Mr. Muellers contract states that he will earn a
$500,000 annual base salary during the three year term of the
agreement. In setting the Chief Executive Officers base
salary, the committee considered company objectives, market and
corporate challenges and market compensation practices.
Mr. Mueller earned a bonus under our annual incentive
compensation plan of $625,000 in respect of the year ended
December 31, 2004. Mr. Muellers bonus reflects
our philosophy of meeting and exceeding certain corporate
financial targets. In addition, he was awarded a $1,000,000
bonus in connection with the completion of our initial public
offering, of which $600,000 has been paid, and the remainder of
which is payable January 1, 2007. See Related Party
Transactions.
Mr. Mueller owns 634,420 shares of Valor common stock
pursuant to a restricted stock grant made to him in February
2005 under our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, of which 303,418
of such shares are fully vested and the remainder will vest in
equal installments on January 1, 2007 and 2008. This grant
ties the Chief Executive Officers long-term compensation
to the goals of increasing stockholder value and including
at-risk compensation as a significant portion of the
executives compensation.
Conclusion
The Compensation Committee has reviewed each element of
compensation for each of the executive officers for fiscal 2005.
The Compensation Committee reported to the Board of Directors
that in the Compensation Committees opinion, the
compensation of each executive officer is reasonable in view of
Valors performance and the Compensation Committees
subjective evaluation of the contribution of each executive
officer to that performance.
196
Members of the compensation committee of the Board of Directors
respectfully submit the foregoing report:
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Anthony de Nicola, Chairman |
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Sanjay Swani |
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Norman W. Alpert |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
None of our executive officers served as: (i) a member of
the Compensation Committee (or other board committee performing
equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee,
the entire Board of Directors) of another entity, one of whose
executive officers served on our Compensation Committee;
(ii) a director of another entity, one of whose executive
officers served on our Compensation Committee; or (iii) a
member of the Compensation Committee (or other board committee
performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such
committee, the entire Board of Directors) of another entity, one
of whose executive officers served as one of our directors.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation earned, awarded
or paid for services rendered in all capacities for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, by our Chief
Executive Officer, our Vice-Chairman and our four next most
highly compensated executive officers who earned more than
$100,000 in salary and to whom we refer in this proxy statement
collectively as the named executive officers:
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John J. Mueller
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2005 |
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500,000 |
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579,800 |
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9,516,300 |
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84,283 |
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Chief Executive Officer and President |
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2004 |
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469,616 |
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1,875,000 |
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46,004 |
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Kenneth R. Cole
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2005 |
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300,000 |
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750,000 |
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995,482 |
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17,197 |
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Vice Chairman(4) |
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2004 |
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433,462 |
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5,750,000 |
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45,577 |
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W. Grant Raney
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2005 |
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257,000 |
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197,609 |
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4,137,525 |
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18,521 |
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Senior Vice President and Chief |
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2004 |
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253,167 |
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1,160,625 |
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25,141 |
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Operating Officer |
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William M. Ojile, Jr.
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2005 |
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250,000 |
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144,950 |
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3,310,020 |
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21,799 |
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Senior Vice President, |
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2004 |
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246,692 |
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656,250 |
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21,197 |
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Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
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Cynthia B. Nash
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2005 |
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176,346 |
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109,758 |
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2,234,265 |
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37,887 |
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Chief Information Officer |
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Jerry E. Vaughn(5)
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2005 |
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81,250 |
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61,718 |
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4,927,695 |
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33,216 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(1) |
In 2004, amounts consisted of debt recapitalization bonuses and
annual incentive bonuses. In 2005, amounts consisted of initial
public offering bonuses and annual incentive bonuses. Annual
incentive bonuses represented amounts earned by each named
executive during the referenced year, although paid in the
following year. In 2004, Mr. Coles bonus included a
one-time transition bonus of $5 million. |
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(2) |
Amounts in this column reported for 2005 represented the value
of the following restricted stock awards primarily issued in
February 2005, except for Mr. Vaughn, which were issued in
October 2005, at $0.0001 |
197
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per share: 634,420 shares to Mr. Mueller, 67,763 shares to
Mr. Cole, 275,835 shares to Mr. Raney, 220,668 shares
to Mr. Ojile, 148,951 shares to Ms. Nash and 361,533 shares
to Mr. Vaughn. Using the closing price of our stock as of
December 30, 2005, $11.40, the number and value of the
remaining vested and unvested restricted stock awards as of
December 31, 2005 were as follows: 634,420 shares,
$7.2 million for Mr. Mueller; 42,543 shares, $484,990
for Mr. Cole; 275,835 shares, $3.1 million for
Mr. Raney; 220,668 shares, $2.5 million for
Mr. Ojile; 148,951 shares, $1.7 million for Ms. Nash
and 361,533 shares, $4.1 million for Mr. Vaughn. These
awards vest as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested upon | |
|
Vests in | |
|
Vests in | |
|
Vests in | |
|
Vests in | |
Name |
|
Issuance | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John J. Mueller
|
|
|
21.74% |
|
|
|
26.09% |
|
|
|
26.09% |
|
|
|
26.09% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
Kenneth R. Cole(4)
|
|
|
85.00% |
|
|
|
5.00% |
|
|
|
5.00% |
|
|
|
5.00% |
|
|
|
00.0% |
|
W. Grant Raney
|
|
|
20.00% |
|
|
|
26.67% |
|
|
|
26.67% |
|
|
|
26.67% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
William M. Ojile, Jr.
|
|
|
15.00% |
|
|
|
28.33% |
|
|
|
28.33% |
|
|
|
28.33% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
Cynthia B. Nash
|
|
|
18.52% |
|
|
|
27.16% |
|
|
|
27.16% |
|
|
|
27.16% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
Jerry E. Vaughn
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
6.25% |
|
|
|
25.00% |
|
|
|
25.00% |
|
|
|
43.75% |
|
|
|
|
Per Resolution of the Compensation Committee, dated
December 8, 2005, equity grants vesting on January 1,
2007 will vest upon closing of the merger. Also, per the terms
of the Long Term Incentive Plan, awards vesting in 2008 and
beyond will accelerate upon closing of the merger for those
employees whose employment is terminated without cause or who
resign for Good Reason. |
|
|
We did not pay dividends on unvested restricted stock awards in
2005. On February 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee
approved the payment of dividends on unvested restricted stock
awards. |
|
|
(3) |
All other compensation amounts, disclosed in the table above
include medical, life insurance and long-term disability
premiums we pay on behalf of each named executive officer,
personal travel expenses paid by the company, car allowances,
our matching contributions to the 401(k) and miscellaneous other
items we pay on behalf of each named executive officer, are as
follows: |
All Other Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long- | |
|
Personal | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life | |
|
Term | |
|
Travel | |
|
Car | |
|
401(k) | |
|
All other | |
|
|
|
|
Year | |
|
Medical | |
|
Insurance | |
|
Disability | |
|
Expense | |
|
Allowance | |
|
Contributions | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John J. Mueller
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
10,003 |
|
|
$ |
3,123 |
|
|
$ |
1,044 |
|
|
$ |
7,554 |
|
|
$ |
18,731 |
|
|
$ |
9,450 |
|
|
$ |
34,378 |
|
|
$ |
84,283 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
9,570 |
|
|
|
4,334 |
|
|
|
7,210 |
|
|
|
7,478 |
|
|
|
8,187 |
|
|
|
9,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,004 |
|
Kenneth R. Cole
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,905 |
|
|
|
9,248 |
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,197 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
9,570 |
|
|
|
14,530 |
|
|
|
4,774 |
|
|
|
7,478 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,577 |
|
W. Grant Raney
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,164 |
|
|
|
1,823 |
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,450 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
18,521 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
5,369 |
|
|
|
2,025 |
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
7,478 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,141 |
|
William M. Ojile, Jr.
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
10,004 |
|
|
|
1,261 |
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,450 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
21,799 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
8,645 |
|
|
|
1,468 |
|
|
|
1,859 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,197 |
|
Cynthia B. Nash
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
9,094 |
|
|
|
1,016 |
|
|
|
870 |
|
|
|
3,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,089 |
|
|
|
20,041 |
|
|
|
37,887 |
|
Jerry E. Vaughn
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
1,608 |
|
|
|
3,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,242 |
|
|
|
33,216 |
|
|
|
(4) |
Mr. Cole served as our Chief Executive Officer from January
2002 through April 2004. |
|
(5) |
Mr. Vaughn became a senior vice president and Chief
Financial Officer effective October 1, 2005. |
Employment and Severance Agreements
We have entered into employment, confidentiality and
non-competition agreements with Messrs. Mueller, Vaughn,
Ojile, Raney and Ms. Nash, the material terms of which are
discussed below. We also have agreements with other key
employees at the director level and above that provide for an
agreement not to compete with us for a maximum period of up to
twelve months, in return for the payment of severance benefits
for involuntary termination without cause.
198
Agreement with John J. Mueller. We entered into an
employment agreement with John J. Mueller upon the consummation
of our initial public offering, which replaced his previous
employment agreement executed in 2004. Mr. Muellers
new employment agreement will remain in effect until
February 14, 2008 and can be renewed for successive one
year periods thereafter. Mr. Mueller receives an annual
base salary of $500,000, an annual incentive bonus and medical
and other benefits. Mr. Muellers annual bonus is
targeted to be one times his base salary for the applicable
year, although our Board of Directors may increase or decrease
the amount of any award in its discretion. Pursuant to his
employment agreement, Mr. Mueller also received an initial
public offering cash bonus, as described below under the heading
Related Party Transactions.
On February 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved
amendments to Mr. Muellers employment agreement to
reflect severance and retention provisions adopted by the
Compensation Committee on December 8, 2005 in conjunction
with the approval of the merger agreement by the Valor Board of
Directors. If we terminate Mr. Muellers employment
without cause or if he resigns for Good
Reason, as each such term is defined in his new employment
agreement, he will be entitled to receive severance benefits
consisting of his annual base salary for twenty-four months
following the date of his termination, plus two times the full
amount of his target bonus for the year in which his employment
terminates and life insurance and medical benefits for various
periods. Mr. Muellers employment agreement provides
that he will be restricted from engaging in competitive
activities for one year after the termination of his employment
although this restriction may be extended for an additional six
months under certain circumstances.
Agreement with Jerry E. Vaughn. We entered into an
employment agreement with Jerry E. Vaughn on October 1,
2005 (the Effective Date). Mr. Vaughns
employment agreement will remain in effect until the fourth
anniversary of the Effective Date and can be renewed thereafter
for one-year extensions of the employment term, unless either
party provides written notice of its intention not to review the
agreement within 90 days of the expiration of the then
current term. Mr. Vaughn receives an annual base salary of
$325,000, an annual incentive bonus and medical and other
benefits. Mr. Vaughns annual bonus is targeted to be
100% of his base salary for the applicable year, although our
Board of Directors may increase or decrease the amount of any
award in its discretion.
If we terminate Mr. Vaughns(2) employment without
cause or if he resigns for Good Reason,
as each such term is defined in his employment agreement, he
will be entitled to receive severance benefits consisting of his
annual base salary and continued medical and other benefits for
eighteen months following the date of his termination, plus,
with respect to the fiscal year in which his employment
terminates, the pro rata portion of the annual bonus he would
have received had he been employed by our company for the full
fiscal year. Mr. Vaughns employment agreement
provides that he will be restricted from engaging in competitive
activities for one year after the termination of his employment.
Mr. Vaughn may not solicit employees for one year following
termination of his employment with our company.
Agreement with William M. Ojile, Jr. We entered into
an employment agreement with William M. Ojile, Jr. upon the
consummation of our initial public offering, which replaced the
previous employment agreement we entered into with him in 2000.
Mr. Ojiles new employment agreement will remain in
effect until the third anniversary of the completion of the
Offering and can be renewed thereafter for one-year extensions
of the employment term, unless either party provides written
notice of its intention not to review the agreement within
90 days of the expiration of the then current term.
Mr. Ojile receives an annual base salary of $250,000, an
annual incentive bonus and medical and other benefits.
Mr. Ojiles annual bonus is targeted to be one-half
his base salary for the applicable year, although our Board of
Directors may increase or decrease the amount of any award in
its discretion. Pursuant to his employment agreement,
Mr. Ojile also received an initial public offering cash
bonus, as described below under the heading Related Party
Transactions.
On February 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved
amendments to Mr. Ojiles employment agreement to
reflect severance and retention provisions adopted by the
Compensation Committee on December 8, 2005 in conjunction
with the approval of the merger agreement by the Valor Board of
Directors.
2 The December 8, 2005 Compensation Committee
Resolution provided that Mr. Vaughn would not receive an
enhancement of the monetary severance terms contained in his
employment agreement.
199
If we terminate Mr. Ojiles employment without
cause or if he resigns for Good Reason,
as each such term is defined in his employment agreement, he
will be entitled to receive severance benefits consisting of his
annual base salary and continued medical and other benefits for
twenty-four months following the date of his termination, plus,
with respect to the fiscal year in which his employment
terminates, two times the full amount of his target bonus for
the year in which his employment terminates.
Mr. Ojiles employment agreement provides that he will
be restricted from engaging in competitive activities for one
year after the termination of his employment. Mr. Ojile may
not solicit employees for one year following termination of his
employment with our company.
Agreement with W. Grant Raney. We entered into an
employment agreement with W. Grant Raney upon the consummation
of our initial public offering, which replaced the previous
employment agreement we entered into with him in 2000.
Mr. Raneys employment agreement will remain in effect
until the third anniversary of the completion of the Offering
and can be renewed thereafter for one-year extensions of the
employment term, unless either party provides written notice of
its intention not to review the agreement within 90 days of
the expiration of the then current term. Mr. Raney receives
an annual base salary of $257,000, an annual incentive bonus and
medical and other benefits. Mr. Raneys annual bonus
is targeted to be one-half his base salary for the applicable
year, although our Board of Directors may increase or decrease
the amount of any award in its discretion. Pursuant to his
employment agreement, Mr. Raney also received an initial
public offering cash bonus, as described below under the heading
Related Party Transactions.
On February 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved
amendments to Mr. Raneys employment agreement to
reflect severance and retention provisions adopted by the
Compensation Committee on December 8, 2005 in conjunction
with the approval of the merger agreement by the Valor Board of
Directors. If we terminate Mr. Raneys employment
without cause or if he resigns for Good
Reason as each such term is defined in his employment
agreement, he will be entitled to receive severance benefits
consisting of his annual base salary and continued medical and
other benefits for twenty-four months following the date of his
termination, plus, two times the full amount of his target bonus
for the year in which his employment terminates.
Mr. Raneys employment agreement provides that he will
be restricted from engaging in competitive activities and
soliciting employees for one year following termination of his
employment with our company.
Agreement with Cynthia B. Nash. We entered into an
employment agreement with Cynthia B. Nash upon the consummation
of our initial public offering, which replaced the previous
employment agreement we entered into with her in 2002.
Ms. Nashs employment agreement will remain in effect
until the third anniversary of the completion of the Offering
and can be renewed thereafter for one-year extensions of the
employment term, unless either party provides written notice of
its intention not to renew the agreement within 90 days of
the expiration of the then current term. Ms. Nash receives
an annual base salary of
$210,0003,
an annual incentive bonus and medical and other benefits.
Ms. Nashs annual bonus is targeted to be one-half her
base salary for the applicable year, although our Board of
Directors may increase or decrease the amount of any award in
its discretion. Pursuant to her employment agreement,
Ms. Nash also received an initial public offering cash
bonus, as described below under the heading Related Party
Transactions.
On February 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved
amendments to Ms. Nashs employment agreement to
reflect severance and retention provisions adopted by the
Compensation Committee on December 8, 2005 in conjunction
with the approval of the merger agreement by the Valor Board of
Directors. If we terminate Ms. Nashs employment
without cause or if she resigns for Good
Reason, as each such term is defined in her employment
agreement, she will be entitled to receive severance benefits
consisting of her annual base salary and continued medical and
other benefits for twenty-four months following the date of her
termination, plus, two-times the full amount of her target bonus
for the year in which her employment terminates.
Ms. Nashs employment agreement provides that she will
be restricted from engaging in competitive activities for one
year after the termination of her employment. Ms. Nash may
not solicit employees for one year following termination of her
employment with our company.
3 By
a December 8, 2005 Resolution of the Compensation
Committee, Ms. Nashs annual base salary was increased
from $175,000 to $210,000.
200
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VALOR COMMON STOCK
The following table and footnotes set forth as of March 31,
2006 the beneficial ownership, as defined by regulations of the
SEC, of Valor common stock held by each person or group of
persons known to Valor to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Valor common stock, each director of
Valor, each current executive officer of Valor named in the
Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement (a named executive
officer) and all current directors and executive officers
of Valor as a group. Except as otherwise noted, the listed
entities, individuals and group have sole investment power and
sole voting power as to all shares of Valor common stock set
forth opposite their names. All information is taken from or
based upon ownership filings made by such persons with the SEC
or upon information provided by such persons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number | |
|
%(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Welsh, Carson, Anderson Stowe(2)
|
|
|
19,574,421 |
|
|
|
27.5 |
% |
Vestar Capital Partners(3)
|
|
|
8,497,942 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Kenneth R. Cole
|
|
|
42,543 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John Mueller(4)
|
|
|
634,420 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jerry E. Vaughn(5)
|
|
|
361,533 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Cynthia Nash(6)
|
|
|
137,748 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William Ojile(7)
|
|
|
187,434 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Grant Raney(8)
|
|
|
275,835 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anthony J. de Nicola(9)(10)
|
|
|
19,617,000 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
% |
Sanjay Swani(9)(11)
|
|
|
19,585,992 |
|
|
|
27.5 |
% |
Norman W. Alpert(12)
|
|
|
8,497,942 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Federico Pena(12)
|
|
|
8,497,942 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Stephen B. Brodeur(13)
|
|
|
9,705 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael E. Donovan(13)
|
|
|
9,705 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Edward J. Heffernan(13)
|
|
|
9,705 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Edward L. Lujan(13)
|
|
|
9,705 |
|
|
|
* |
|
M. Ann Padilla(13)
|
|
|
9,705 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)
|
|
|
29,814,518 |
|
|
|
41.9 |
% |
|
|
(1) |
The respective percentages of beneficial ownership are based on
71,096,887 shares of common stock as of April 1, 2006. |
|
(2) |
Shares are held by the following affiliates of Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe: Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe VIII, L.P., Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe IX,
L.P., WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P. Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares. WCAS VIII Associates, LLC, a limited liability company
and affiliate of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe,
exercises voting and investment control over the shares held by
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P. as general
partner. Voting and investment decisions by WCAS VIII
Associates, LLC are determined by an affirmative vote of two
thirds of its managing members. WCAS IX Associates, LLC, a
limited liability company and affiliate of Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe, exercises voting and investment
control over the shares held by Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe IX, L.P. as general partner. Voting
and investment decisions by WCAS IX Associates, LLC are
determined by an affirmative vote of two thirds of its managing
members. The address of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
is 320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500, New York, NY 10022. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Shares are held by Vestar Capital Partners and the following
affiliates of Vestar Capital Partners: Vestar Capital
Partners III, L.P., Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P. and
Vestar/ Valor LLC. Vestar Capital Partners disclaims beneficial
ownership of such shares. Vestar Capital Partners III, L.P. is a
limited |
201
|
|
|
|
|
partnership, the general partner of which is Vestar
Associates III, L.P. As general partner of Vestar
Associates III, L.P., Vestar Associates Corporation III, a
corporation affiliated with Vestar Capital Partners, exercises
voting and investment control over shares held by Vestar Capital
Partners III, L.P. Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P. is a limited
partnership, the general partner of which is Vestar Associates
IV, L.P. As general partner of Vestar Associates IV, L.P.,
Vestar Associates Corporation IV, a corporation and affiliate of
Vestar Capital Partners, exercises voting and investment control
over shares held by Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
Vestar/Valor LLC is a limited liability company, the managing
member of which is Vestar Capital Partners IV, LP. As general
partner of Vestar Associates IV, LP, Vestar Associates
Corporation IV exercises voting and investment control over
the shares held by Vestar/ Valor LLC. The address of Vestar
Capital Partners is 245 Park Avenue, 41st Floor,
New York, NY 10167. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes 331,002 shares of restricted stock held by
Mr. Mueller that will vest upon closing of the merger. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes 338,937 shares of restricted stock held by
Mr. Vaughn that will vest upon closing of the merger. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 80,912 shares of restricted stock held by
Ms. Nash, of which 40,456 shares will vest upon
closing of the merger and 40,456 shares will vest on
January 1, 2008. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 125,045 shares of restricted stock held by
Mr. Ojile that will vest upon closing of the merger. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 147,112 shares of restricted stock held by
Mr. Raney, of which 73,556 shares will vest upon
closing of the merger and 73,556 shares will vest on
January 1, 2008. |
|
|
(9) |
As members of WCAS VIII Associates LLC and WCAS IX Associates,
LLC, Mr. de Nicola and Mr. Swani may be deemed to
share beneficial ownership of the shares held by WCAS VIII
Associates LLC and WCAS IX Associates, LLC. Mr. de Nicola
and Mr. Swani disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares
and any other shares held by affiliates of Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes 42,579 shares held directly by Mr. de Nicola,
of which 6,470 represents shares of restricted stock that will
vest upon closing of the merger. |
|
(11) |
Includes 11,571 shares held directly by Mr. Swani, of
which 6,470 represents shares of restricted stock that will vest
upon closing of the merger. |
|
(12) |
As managing directors of Vestar Capital Partners,
Mr. Alpert and Mr. Pena may be deemed to share
beneficial ownership of the shares held by Vestar Capital
Partners. Mr. Alpert and Mr. Pena each disclaim
beneficial ownership of such shares and any other shares held by
affiliates of Vestar Capital Partners. |
|
(13) |
Includes 6,470 shares of restricted stock that will vest
upon closing of the merger. |
202
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder
return on our common stock since February 9, 2005 when our
common stock became publicly traded, with the cumulative total
return over the same period of (1) the S&P 500 Index
and (2) an industry index selected by us. Our relevant
industry index is telephone communications (excluding radio
telephone), which is composed of companies with a Standard
Industry Classification, or SIC, Code of 4813. Pursuant to rules
of the SEC, the comparison assumes $100 was invested on
February 9, 2005 in our common stock and in each of the
indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any. Also
pursuant to SEC rules, the returns of each of the companies in
the peer group are weighted according to the respective
companys stock market capitalization at the beginning of
each period for which a return is indicated. Historical stock
prices are not indicative of future stock price performance.
COMPARE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP,
NYSE MARKET INDEX AND SIC CODE INDEX
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON FEB. 9, 2005
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2005
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2/09/05 |
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3/31/05 |
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6/30/05 |
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9/30/05 |
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12/31/05 |
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Valor Communications Group
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100.00 |
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95.65 |
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93.64 |
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94.92 |
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81.87 |
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SIC Code Index
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100.00 |
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98.04 |
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97.83 |
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100.41 |
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98.56 |
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NYSE Market Index
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100.00 |
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101.36 |
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103.68 |
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108.49 |
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110.77 |
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203
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons
who own more than 10% of a registered class of Valors
equity securities to file reports of ownership with the SEC and
furnishes copies to the NYSE and Valor. Based solely on the
review of the copies of such forms and representations by
certain reporting persons, we believe that for the period from
the offering through March 31, 2006, its executive
officers, directors and 10% stockholders complied with all
applicable filing requirements under Section 16(a).
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Equity Sponsors
Securityholders Agreement. We entered into a
securityholders agreement with WCAS, Vestar, Citicorp Venture
Capital (CVC) and certain of their respective
affiliates that contain the following registration rights:
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WCAS and Vestar have demand registration rights relating to the
shares of our common stock that they received pursuant to our
reorganization, subject to the requirement that the securities
covered by each demand registration have an aggregate public
offering price of at least $25.0 million if registered
pursuant to a long-form registration statement, or
$10.0 million if registered pursuant to a short-form
registration statement; provided that the entities comprising
WCAS and Vestar that initiate a demand for registration must
hold a majority of the shares of common stock held by all such
WCAS or Vestar entities, as the case may be, to initiate a
demand for registration; provided, further, that WCAS or Vestar
may exercise a demand right for less than an aggregate public
offering price of $25.0 million if registered pursuant to a
long-form registration statement, or $10.0 million if
registered pursuant to a short-form registration statement, if
such proposed offering is for all of the remaining shares of
common stock held by WCAS or Vestar; provided, further, that
WCAS can request up to three registrations that are registered
pursuant to a long-form registration statement and Vestar can
request up to two registrations that are registered pursuant to
a long-form registration statement; and |
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WCAS, Vestar and CVC have the right to include in our future
public offerings of securities the shares of our common stock
held by each of them. |
We have agreed to pay all costs and expenses in connection with
each such registration, except underwriting discounts and
commissions applicable to the securities sold, and to indemnify
WCAS and Vestar that have included securities in such offering
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
Pursuant to the Securityholders Agreement, WCAS, Vestar, CVC and
certain of their respective affiliates have agreed to vote for
each others designees to our Board of Directors (to the
extent permitted by law and the rules of any securities
exchange, system or market on which our securities are then
listed), and to vote such that both WCAS and Vestar have at
least one designee on each of our committees.
Upon completion of the merger, the Securityholders will be
amended as discussed in more detail under The
Transactions Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger.
Management
Initial Public Offering Cash Bonuses. In connection with
the consummation of our initial public offering we paid cash
bonuses to our executive officers and other members of
management in the manner set forth on the table below if such
individuals remain an employee of Valor or its affiliates as of
any date on which such
204
payment becomes due. These payments are intended to compensate
our executive officers and other members of management for their
efforts in connection with the completion of our initial public
offering.
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Name |
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Date of IPO | |
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January 1, 2006 | |
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January 1, 2007(1) | |
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Total | |
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| |
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| |
John J. Mueller
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$ |
200,000 |
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$ |
400,000 |
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$ |
400,000 |
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$ |
1,000,000 |
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Kenneth R. Cole(2)
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750,000 |
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750,000 |
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W. Grant Raney
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100,000 |
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200,000 |
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200,000 |
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500,000 |
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William M. Ojile, Jr.
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50,000 |
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100,000 |
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100,000 |
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250,000 |
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Cynthia Nash
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30,000 |
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60,000 |
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60,000 |
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150,000 |
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Jerry E. Vaughn
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Other
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411,500 |
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223,000 |
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223,000 |
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857,500 |
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Total
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$ |
1,541,500 |
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$ |
983,000 |
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$ |
983,000 |
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$ |
3,507,500 |
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(1) |
Per Resolution of the Compensation Committee, dated
December 8, 2005, cash grants scheduled to vest on
January 1, 2007 will vest upon closing of the merger. |
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(2) |
Pursuant to the terms of Amendment One to Mr. Coles
Part-Time Employment Agreement, dated November 10, 2004. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management
and our independent accountants and has reviewed and discussed
the audited consolidated financial statements with management
and our independent accountants, including matters required to
be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
(Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU
Section 380), Communication with Audit
Committee.
Our independent accountants also provided the Audit Committee
with the written disclosures and the letter required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee discussed with
our independent accountants that firms independence.
Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
audited consolidated financial statements be included in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members of the audit committee of the Board of Directors
respectfully submit the foregoing report.
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Edward J. Heffernan, Chairman |
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Sanjay Swani |
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Stephen Brodeur |
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Ann Padilla |
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Edward Lujan |
PROPOSAL 6.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
AS VALORS
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2006
(Item 6 on Proxy Card)
Deloitte & Touche LLP were Valors independent
auditors for the year ended December 31, 2005 and have
reported on Valors consolidated financial statements
included in the annual report which accompanies this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement. The Audit Committee
has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent
auditors for fiscal 2006. Deloitte & Touche LLP has
served in this capacity for several years, is knowledgeable
about our operations and accounting practices, and is well
qualified to act as
205
our independent registered public accounting firm. We are not
required to have stockholders ratify the selection of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm. We nevertheless are doing so because we
believe it is a matter of good corporate practice. If the
stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee
will reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte &
Touche LLP. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP
are not expected to attend the meeting.
The following table shows the aggregate fees Deloitte &
Touche LLP has billed or is expected to bill to us for services
rendered for fiscal years ending December 31, 2004 and 2005.
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Type of Fees |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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Audit Fees(1)
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$ |
512,611 |
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$ |
535,000 |
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Audit-Related Fees(2)
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665,000 |
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244,729 |
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Tax Fees(3)
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1,560,000 |
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65,000 |
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All Other Fees(4)
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|
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6,396 |
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718,396 |
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Total
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$ |
2,744,007 |
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$ |
1,563,125 |
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(1) |
Fees for the following services: |
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(a) |
audits of our consolidated year-end financial statements for
each year; |
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(b) |
reviews of the unaudited quarterly financial statements for each
of the first three quarters of each year; |
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(c) |
normally provided statutory or regulatory filings or engagements
for each year; and |
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(d) |
estimated out-of-pocket
costs Deloitte & Touche incurred in providing all of
such services for which we reimburse Deloitte & Touche. |
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(2) |
Fees for registration statements, employee benefit plan audits
and services related to our internal controls over financial
reporting in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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(3) |
Fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. |
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(4) |
Fees for all services not described in the other categories. For
2004, the disclosed fees include fees for an annual on-line
research tool. For 2005, the disclosed fees include due
diligence services related to the pending merger with
Alltels wireline business and fees for an annual
on-line research tool. |
The audit committee adopted a pre-approval policy in 2005 as
further described in the Audit Committee Charter in
Annex H. As of the completion of our offering in February
2005, the audit committee became responsible for pre-approving
every engagement of Deloitte & Touche to perform audit
or non-audit services on behalf of Valor or any of its
subsidiaries. All Audit, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All
Other Fees described above in 2005 were approved by the Audit
Committee before services were rendered. Prior to the initial
public offering the Audit Committee was not required to
pre-approve audit or non-audit services.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE
FOR THE RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
D&T AS VALORS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM FOR 2006
PROPOSAL 7.
ADJOURNMENT FOR THE PURPOSE
OF OBTAINING ADDITIONAL VOTES FOR THE MERGER PROPOSALS
(Item 7 on Proxy Card)
At the annual meeting, we may ask stockholders to vote upon an
adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary, to solicit
additional proxies for the approval of the merger proposals.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR ANY ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, IF
NECESSARY, TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE
MERGER PROPOSALS.
206
SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement/prospectus-information statement, including
information included or incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement, contains certain
forward-looking statements, within the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally,
the words will, may, should,
continue, believes, expects,
intends, anticipates,
estimates or similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements; and any statements regarding the
benefits of the merger, or Valors or Spincos
expected financial condition, results of operations and business
are also forward-looking statements. Without limiting the
generality of the preceding sentence, the statements contained
in the sections Risk Factors, The
Transactions Background of the Merger,
The Transactions Alltels Reasons for the
Spin-Off and the Merger, The
Transactions Opinion of Financial Advisor-Wachovia
Securities, The Transactions Opinion of
Financial Advisor-Bear Stearns, The
Transactions Valors Reasons for the
Merger and The Transactions Dividend
Policy of Windstream including, without limitation, any
forecasts, projections and descriptions of anticipated cost
savings or other synergies referred to therein, and any other
statements contained herein, or incorporated by reference from
documents filed with the SEC by Valor, regarding the possible or
assumed future results of operations of Valor and Spincos
businesses, the markets for Valor and Spincos services and
products, anticipated capital expenditures, regulatory
developments, competition or the effects of the merger, and
other statements contained or incorporated by reference herein
regarding matters that are not historical facts constitute
forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among
others, the following factors:
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adverse changes in economic conditions, in the regions in which
Valor and Spinco operate; |
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the extent, timing, and overall effects of competition in the
communications business; |
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material changes in the communications industry generally that
could adversely affect vendor relationships with equipment and
network suppliers and customer relationships with wholesale
customers; |
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changes in communications technology; |
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the risks associated with the integration of acquired businesses; |
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the potential for adverse changes in the ratings given to
Windstreams debt securities by nationally accredited
ratings organizations; |
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the availability and cost of financing in the corporate debt
markets; |
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the uncertainties related to Valor and Spincos strategic
investments; |
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the effects of work stoppages; |
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the effects of litigation; |
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potential outcome of income tax audits; |
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the effects of federal and state legislation, rules, and
regulations governing the communications industry; |
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product liability and other claims asserted against Valor or
Spinco; and |
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those factors listed under the heading Risk Factors. |
In addition to these factors, actual future performance,
outcomes and results may differ materially because of other,
more general, factors including (without limitation) general
industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic
conditions, and governmental and public policy changes.
207
Any forward-looking statements in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement are not guarantees of
future performance, and actual results, developments and
business decisions may differ from those contemplated by those
forward-looking statements, possibly materially. Valor and
Spinco disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking
statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the
statements in this section. See also Where You Can Find
Additional Information on page [ ].
EXPERTS
The financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the
Valor Communications Group, Inc. Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their report (which expresses an
unqualified opinion on the financial statements and financial
statement schedule and includes an explanatory paragraph
referring to a change in Valors method of accounting for
conditional asset retirement obligations to conform to Financial
Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 47) which is
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The combined financial statements of the wireline division of
Alltel Corporation as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2005 included in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement have been so included in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities to be distributed by Spinco in
the spin-off under this prospectus will be passed upon for
Spinco by [l
]. Kirkland & Ellis LLP will provide to Valor a
legal opinion regarding the issuance of Valor common stock in
connection with the merger. Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP will provide to Alltel and Spinco a
legal opinion regarding certain federal income tax matters
relating to the spin-off and the merger. Kirkland &
Ellis LLP will provide to Valor a legal opinion regarding
certain federal income tax matters relating to the merger.
208
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Spinco has filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-1 (the S-1 Registration Statement) under
the Securities Act to register with the SEC the common shares to
be distributed in the spin-off. Valor has filed with the SEC a
registration statement on
Form S-4
(collectively with the
S-1 Registration
Statement, the Registration Statements) under the
Securities Act to register with the SEC the common shares to be
issued in the merger. This proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, which constitutes a
part of the Registration Statements, does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statements or the
exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information
about Spinco and its common shares to be distributed in the
spin-off and Valor and its common shares to be issued in the
merger, reference is made to the Registration Statements and the
exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in
this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement regarding
the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statements are not necessarily
complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects
by reference to the full text of such contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statements.
Valor also files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
and registration statements and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy any reports, statements, or other
information that Valor files, including the registration
statement on
Form S-4 to which
this proxy statement prospectus information statement is a part
and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith, without charge
at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at
100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all
or any part of the Registration Statement may be obtained from
such offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.
Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information about the public reference room. The SEC
also maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address
of the site is www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy
the S-1 Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith and any
other information Spinco may file with the SEC at the above
listed locations.
As allowed by SEC rules, this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement does not contain all
the information you can find in the registration statement on
Form S-4 filed by
Valor to register the shares of stock to be issued pursuant to
the merger and the exhibits to the registration statement. The
SEC allows Valor to incorporate by reference
information into this proxy statement/prospectus-information
statement, which means that Valor can disclose important
information to you by referring you to other documents filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by
reference is deemed to be part of this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, except for any
information superseded by information in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. This proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement incorporates by
reference the documents set forth below that Valor has
previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important
information about Valor and its financial condition.
The following Valor documents are incorporated by reference into
this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement and are
deemed to be a part of this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, except for any
information superseded by information contained directly in this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement:
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005; and |
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The description of Valor common stock (discussed above under the
heading Description Of Windstream Capital Stock)
contained in Valors Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed
February 10, 2005. |
All documents filed by Valor pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement to the date of
the annual meeting shall also be incorporated herein by
reference.
You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement by requesting them in
writing, by telephone or by
e-mail from the
appropriate company with the following contact information:
|
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
|
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200 |
|
Irving, Texas 75062 |
|
Attn: William M. Ojile, Jr., Corporate Secretary |
|
Tel: (972) 373-1000 |
209
If you would like to request any documents, please do so by
[ ], 2006 in order to receive them before the
annual meeting.
NEITHER SPINCO NOR VALOR HAS AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION ABOUT THE SPIN-OFF OR THE
MERGER THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM, OR IN ADDITION TO, THAT CONTAINED
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT OR IN
ANY OF THE MATERIALS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT.
THEREFORE, IF ANYONE DOES GIVE YOU INFORMATION OF THIS SORT, YOU
SHOULD NOT RELY ON IT. IF YOU ARE IN A JURISDICTION WHERE OFFERS
TO EXCHANGE OR SELL, OR SOLICITATIONS OF OFFERS TO EXCHANGE OR
PURCHASE, THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT ARE UNLAWFUL, OR IF
YOU ARE A PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DIRECT THESE TYPES OF
ACTIVITIES, THEN THE OFFER PRESENTED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT DOES NOT EXTEND TO
YOU.
YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AS
OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN SUCH DATE AND NEITHER THE MAILING OF THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT NOR THE
ISSUANCE OF VALOR COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE MERGER OR THE
DISTRIBUTION OF SPINCO COMMON STOCK IN THE SPIN-OFF SHALL CREATE
AN IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.
ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO
ALLTEL OR SPINCO AND THEIR SUBSIDIARIES HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY
ALLTEL. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT WITH
RESPECT TO VALOR AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES (INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL
ADVISORS TO VALOR) HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY VALOR.
210
WIRELINE DIVISION OF
ALLTEL CORPORATION
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND 2004
AND FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2004 AND 2003
WIRELINE DIVISION OF ALLTEL CORPORATION
INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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F-2 |
|
Annual Financial Statements:
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F-3 |
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F-4 |
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F-5 |
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F-6 |
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F-7-27 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholder of the Wireline Division of ALLTEL
Corporation:
In our opinion, the accompanying combined balance sheets and the
related combined statements of operations and comprehensive
income, equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Wireline Division of
ALLTEL Corporation (the Company) at
December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As described in Note 2 to the combined financial
statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for
asset retirement obligations as a result of adopting Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143
(SFAS No. 143), Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations as of January 1, 2003 and as a
result of adopting Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 47 (FIN 47),
Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations as of December 31, 2005.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Little Rock, AR
February 27, 2006
F-2
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 13) | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
ASSETS |
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and short-term investments
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
13.1 |
|
|
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$14.1 and $16.6, respectively)
|
|
|
312.8 |
|
|
|
312.8 |
|
|
|
339.5 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
36.9 |
|
|
|
36.9 |
|
|
|
35.4 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
395.2 |
|
|
|
395.2 |
|
|
|
404.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
24.3 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
1,218.7 |
|
|
|
1,218.7 |
|
|
|
1,218.7 |
|
Other intangibles
|
|
|
317.7 |
|
|
|
317.7 |
|
|
|
325.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, Plant and Equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
|
Buildings and improvements
|
|
|
310.2 |
|
|
|
310.2 |
|
|
|
302.3 |
|
|
Wireline
|
|
|
6,634.6 |
|
|
|
6,634.6 |
|
|
|
6,434.2 |
|
|
Information processing
|
|
|
60.7 |
|
|
|
60.7 |
|
|
|
54.1 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
188.9 |
|
|
|
188.9 |
|
|
|
184.9 |
|
|
Under construction
|
|
|
131.1 |
|
|
|
131.1 |
|
|
|
95.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
7,343.8 |
|
|
|
7,343.8 |
|
|
|
7,089.4 |
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(4,380.2 |
) |
|
|
(4,380.2 |
) |
|
|
(4,015.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
2,963.6 |
|
|
|
2,963.6 |
|
|
|
3,074.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
31.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
5,079.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
145.5 |
|
|
|
145.5 |
|
|
|
109.5 |
|
|
Advance payments and customer deposits
|
|
|
60.4 |
|
|
|
60.4 |
|
|
|
61.3 |
|
|
Accrued taxes
|
|
|
83.1 |
|
|
|
83.1 |
|
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
Dividend payable to Parent company
|
|
|
2,400.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note payable to Parent company
|
|
|
1,565.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
48.7 |
|
|
|
48.7 |
|
|
|
51.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
4,329.0 |
|
|
|
364.0 |
|
|
|
292.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
238.7 |
|
|
|
238.7 |
|
|
|
260.8 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
680.6 |
|
|
|
680.6 |
|
|
|
680.2 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
157.2 |
|
|
|
157.2 |
|
|
|
139.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
5,405.5 |
|
|
|
1,440.5 |
|
|
|
1,372.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity (Deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
|
|
(476.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent company investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,455.2 |
|
|
|
1,813.5 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,033.5 |
|
|
|
1,892.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(475.8 |
) |
|
|
3,489.2 |
|
|
|
3,706.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Equity
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
5,079.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
financial statements.
F-3
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$ |
2,463.6 |
|
|
$ |
2,533.5 |
|
|
$ |
2,618.4 |
|
Product sales
|
|
|
459.9 |
|
|
|
400.0 |
|
|
|
384.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,923.5 |
|
|
|
2,933.5 |
|
|
|
3,003.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: (See Note 1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services (excluding depreciation of $415.8, $445.1 and
$451.9 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively included below)
|
|
|
796.1 |
|
|
|
813.7 |
|
|
|
864.8 |
|
Cost of products sold
|
|
|
374.8 |
|
|
|
333.8 |
|
|
|
339.0 |
|
Selling, general, administrative and other
|
|
|
340.1 |
|
|
|
327.9 |
|
|
|
351.0 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
508.5 |
|
|
|
519.4 |
|
Royalty expense to Parent
|
|
|
268.8 |
|
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
273.0 |
|
Restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
2,289.7 |
|
|
|
2,265.9 |
|
|
|
2,359.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
633.8 |
|
|
|
667.6 |
|
|
|
643.9 |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Intercompany interest income (expense)
|
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
|
|
(21.6 |
) |
Interest expense
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
Gain on disposal of assets and other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
649.6 |
|
|
|
645.7 |
|
|
|
624.3 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
267.9 |
|
|
|
259.4 |
|
|
|
247.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
381.7 |
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
|
|
377.2 |
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change (net of income tax
expense (benefit) of $(4.6) in 2005 and $10.3 in 2003)
|
|
|
(7.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (See Note 13)
|
|
|
374.3 |
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
|
|
392.8 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.2 |
|
|
$ |
393.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma amounts assuming changes in accounting principles were
applied retroactively:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income as reported:
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.3 |
|
|
$ |
392.8 |
|
|
|
|
Effect of recognition of conditional asset retirement obligations
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
|
Effect of change in recognition of asset retirement obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income as adjusted
|
|
$ |
381.7 |
|
|
$ |
385.9 |
|
|
$ |
376.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
financial statements.
F-4
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Cash Provided from Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.3 |
|
|
$ |
392.8 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15.6 |
) |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
508.5 |
|
|
|
519.4 |
|
|
Provision for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
29.2 |
|
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
Non-cash portion of restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
Non-cash portion of gain on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31.0 |
) |
|
Change in deferred income taxes
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
70.0 |
|
|
|
91.0 |
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
15.3 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of
acquisitions and dispositions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.2 |
) |
|
|
43.2 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
36.0 |
|
|
|
(5.7 |
) |
|
|
15.8 |
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
35.8 |
|
|
|
(16.4 |
) |
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|
(12.3 |
) |
|
|
16.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided from operations
|
|
|
953.9 |
|
|
|
962.2 |
|
|
|
1,135.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(352.9 |
) |
|
|
(333.3 |
) |
|
|
(383.2 |
) |
|
Additions to capitalized software development costs
|
|
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
|
(4.5 |
) |
|
|
(7.6 |
) |
|
Additions to investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
Proceeds from the sale of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37.0 |
|
|
Proceeds from the sale of investments
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(352.7 |
) |
|
|
(329.7 |
) |
|
|
(356.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to Parent Company
|
|
|
(233.6 |
) |
|
|
(239.1 |
) |
|
|
(232.4 |
) |
|
Repayments of long-term debt
|
|
|
(22.1 |
) |
|
|
(22.1 |
) |
|
|
(282.6 |
) |
|
Reductions in advances from Parent Company
|
|
|
(346.7 |
) |
|
|
(365.9 |
) |
|
|
(269.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(602.4 |
) |
|
|
(627.1 |
) |
|
|
(784.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and short-term
investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments
|
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
Cash and Short-term Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of the year
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of the year
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
13.1 |
|
|
$ |
7.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
|
|
$ |
17.9 |
|
|
$ |
19.2 |
|
|
$ |
26.3 |
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
$ |
215.4 |
|
|
$ |
187.9 |
|
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
financial statements.
F-5
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency | |
|
Parent | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Translation | |
|
Company | |
|
Retained | |
|
|
|
|
Adjustment | |
|
Investment | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Totals | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Balance at January 1, 2003
|
|
$ |
(0.2 |
) |
|
$ |
2,453.9 |
|
|
$ |
1,585.2 |
|
|
$ |
4,038.9 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
392.8 |
|
|
|
392.8 |
|
Dividends to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(232.4 |
) |
|
|
(232.4 |
) |
Net transfers to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(274.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(274.5 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
$ |
0.6 |
|
|
$ |
2,179.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,745.6 |
|
|
$ |
3,925.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
|
|
386.3 |
|
Dividends to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239.1 |
) |
|
|
(239.1 |
) |
Net transfers to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(365.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(365.9 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,813.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,892.8 |
|
|
$ |
3,706.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
374.3 |
|
|
|
374.3 |
|
Dividends to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(233.6 |
) |
|
|
(233.6 |
) |
Net transfers to Parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(358.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(358.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,455.2 |
|
|
$ |
2,033.5 |
|
|
$ |
3,489.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
financial statements.
F-6
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
1. |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: |
Organization The Wireline Division
(the Company) is not a separate stand-alone legal
entity and is comprised of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries and
other component operations of ALLTEL Corporation
(Alltel or the Parent). No direct equity
ownership interest exists among the individual subsidiaries or
other component operations that comprise the Wireline Division.
The Company provides wireline local, long-distance, network
access, and Internet services to residential and business
customers. A subsidiary, ALLTEL Publishing Corporation
(ALLTEL Publishing), publishes telephone directories
for affiliates and other independent telephone companies. The
Company also warehouses and sells telecommunications equipment
to subsidiaries of the Company and to other non-affiliated
communications companies in related industries. In addition, the
Company provides billing, customer care and other data
processing and outsourcing services to telecommunications
companies. (See Note 12 for additional information
regarding the Companys business segments.)
Basis of Presentation The accompanying
combined financial statements present the financial position,
results of operations and cash flows of the Company in
contemplation of a spin-off of the business and merger with
Valor Communications Group, Inc. (Valor) as more
fully discussed in Note 13. The Company is a fully
integrated business of Alltel; consequently these financial
statements have been derived from the consolidated financial
statements and accounting records of Alltel, using the
historical results of operations and historical basis of assets
and liabilities of the Company. The financial statements include
the accounts of Alltels wholly-owned subsidiaries and
certain other accounts that comprise the Company. Investments in
less than 20 percent owned entities and in which the
Company does not exercise significant influence over operating
and financial policies are accounted for under the cost method.
All intercompany transactions, except those with certain
affiliates described below, have been eliminated in the combined
financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been
reclassified to conform to the 2005 financial statement
presentation.
Service revenues consist of wireline local service, network
access, Internet access, long-distance and miscellaneous
wireline operating revenues and telecommunications information
services processing revenues. Product sales primarily consist of
the directory publishing operations and sales of communications
equipment. Cost of services include the costs related to
completing calls over the Companys telecommunications
network, including access, interconnection and toll charges paid
to other carriers, as well as the costs to operate and maintain
the network. Additionally, cost of services includes the costs
to provide telecommunications information services, bad debt
expense and business taxes.
Related Party Transactions Certain
services such as information technology, accounting, legal, tax,
marketing, engineering, and risk and treasury management were
provided to the Company by the Parent. Expenses which were paid
by the Parent on behalf of the Company have been allocated based
on actual direct costs incurred. Where specific identification
of expenses was not practicable, the cost of such services was
allocated based on the most relevant allocation method to the
service provided, either net sales of the Company as a
percentage of net sales of the Parent, total assets of the
Company as a percentage of total assets of the Parent, or
headcount of the Company as a percentage of headcount of the
Parent. Total expenses allocated to the Company were
$300.5 million in 2005, $278.9 million in 2004 and
$299.6 million in 2003. The costs of these services charged
to the Company and the allocated liabilities assigned to the
Company are not necessarily indicative of the costs and
liabilities that would have been incurred if the Company had
performed these functions as a stand-alone entity. However,
management believes that methods used to make such allocations
are reasonable and costs of these services charged to the
Company are reasonable representations of the costs that would
have been incurred if the Company had performed these functions
as a stand-alone company.
The Company maintains a licensing agreement with The ALLTEL
Kansas Limited Partnership, an Alltel affiliate, under which the
Companys incumbent local exchange carrier
(ILEC) subsidiaries are charged a royalty fee for
the use of the Alltel brand name in marketing and distributing
telecommunications
F-7
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
products and services. The amount of the royalty fee charged is
computed by multiplying the ILEC subsidiaries annual
revenues and sales by 12.5 percent.
Transfers with Alltel affiliates of property, plant and
equipment and capitalized software development costs are
recorded at net book value on the date of transfer. During 2003,
the Company transferred to Alltel affiliates certain capitalized
software development costs of $5.3 million.
The Company participates in the centralized cash management
practices of Alltel. Under these practices, cash balances are
transferred daily to Alltel bank accounts. The Company obtains
interim financing from the Parent to fund its daily cash
requirements and invests short-term excess funds with Alltel.
The Company earns interest income on receivables due from the
Parent and is charged interest expense for payables due to the
Parent. The interest rates charged on payables to the Parent
were 6.1 percent in 2005, 6.8 percent in 2004 and
6.9 percent in 2003. Interest rates earned on receivables
from the Parent were 3.5 percent in 2005, 1.6 percent
in 2004 and 1.3 percent in 2003. At December 31, 2005
and 2004, the Company had a net payable to the Parent which is
included in the Parent Company Investment in the accompanying
combined balance sheets and statements of equity, because such
amounts have been considered contributed by the Parent to the
Company. The Companys cash and short-term investments held
at the Alltel level were not allocated to the Company in the
combined financial statements. Cash and short-term investments
reflected in the combined financial statements represents only
those amounts held at the Company level. Debt reflected in the
combined financial statements represents only those debentures
and notes that were directly issued by subsidiaries of the
Company. (See Note 4). No other debt has been allocated by
the Parent to the Companys balance sheet. See
Transactions With Certain Affiliates below for a
discussion of additional related party transactions.
Use of Estimates The preparation of
financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States, requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions
used in the accompanying combined financial statements are based
upon managements evaluation of the relevant facts and
circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual
results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in
preparing the accompanying combined financial statements, and
such differences could be material.
Regulatory Accounting The
Companys ILEC operations, except for certain operations
acquired in Kentucky in 2002 and Nebraska in 1999, follow the
accounting for regulated enterprises prescribed by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71,
Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation. This accounting recognizes the economic
effects of rate regulation by recording costs and a return on
investment as such amounts are recovered through rates
authorized by regulatory authorities. Accordingly,
SFAS No. 71 requires the Companys ILEC
operations to depreciate wireline plant over the useful lives
approved by regulators, which could be different than the useful
lives that would otherwise be determined by management.
SFAS No. 71 also requires deferral of certain costs
and obligations based upon approvals received from regulators to
permit recovery of such amounts in future years. Criteria that
would give rise to the discontinuance of SFAS No. 71
include (1) increasing competition restricting the wireline
subsidiaries ability to establish prices to recover
specific costs and (2) significant changes in the manner in
which rates are set by regulators from cost-based regulation to
another form of regulation. The Company reviews these criteria
on a quarterly basis to determine whether the continuing
application of SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. In
assessing the continued applicability of SFAS No. 71,
the Company monitors the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Level of competition in its markets. To date, competition has
not had a significant adverse effect on the operating results of
the Companys ILEC subsidiaries, primarily because these
subsidiaries provide wireline telecommunications services in
mostly rural areas. To date, ILEC subsidiaries have not been
required to discount intrastate service rates in response to
competitive pressures. |
|
|
|
Level of revenues and access lines currently subject to
rate-of-return
regulation or which could revert back to
rate-of-return
regulation in the future. For the ILEC subsidiaries that follow
SFAS No. 71, all interstate revenues are subject to
rate-of-return
regulation. The majority of the ILEC subsidiaries |
F-8
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
remaining intrastate revenues are either subject to
rate-of-return
regulation or could become subject to
rate-of-return
regulation upon election by the Company, subject in certain
cases to approval by the state public service commissions. |
|
|
|
Level of profitability of the ILEC subsidiaries. Currently, the
prices charged to customers for interstate and intrastate
services continue to be sufficient to recover the specific costs
of the ILEC subsidiaries in providing these services to
customers. |
While the Company believes that the application of
SFAS No. 71 continues to be appropriate, it is
possible that changes in regulation, legislation or competition
could result in the Companys ILEC operations no longer
qualifying for the application of SFAS No. 71 in the
near future. If the Companys ILEC operations no longer
qualified for the application of SFAS No. 71, the
accounting impact to the Company would be an extraordinary
non-cash credit to operations. The non-cash credit would consist
primarily of the reversal of the regulatory liability for cost
of removal included in accumulated depreciation, as further
discussed below, which amounted to $156.9 million and
$147.9 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The Company does not expect to record any
impairment charge related to the carrying value of its ILEC
plant. Upon discontinuance of SFAS No. 71, the Company
would be required to revise the lives of its property, plant and
equipment to reflect the estimated useful lives of the assets.
The Company does not expect any revisions in asset lives to have
a material adverse effect on its ILEC operations. In accordance
with federal and state regulations, depreciation expense for the
Companys ILEC operations has historically included an
additional provision for cost of removal.
The additional cost of removal provision does not meet the
recognition and measurement principles of an asset retirement
obligation under SFAS No. 143, Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations. In December 2002, the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) notified
ILEC carriers that they should not adopt the provisions of
SFAS No. 143 unless specifically required by the FCC
in the future. As a result of the FCC ruling, the Company
continues to record a regulatory liability for cost of removal
for its ILEC operations that follow the accounting prescribed by
SFAS No. 71.
Transactions with Certain Affiliates
The Companys product distribution operations sell
equipment to the affiliated ILEC operations ($134.4 million
in 2005, $85.9 million in 2004 and $123.7 million in
2003). The cost of equipment sold to the ILEC operations is
included, principally, in wireline plant in the combined
financial statements. ALLTEL Publishing contracts with the ILEC
subsidiaries to provide directory publishing services which
include the publication of a standard directory at no charge.
ALLTEL Publishing bills the wireline subsidiaries for services
not covered by the standard contract ($7.6 million in 2005,
$7.0 million in 2004 and $7.3 million in 2003).
Wireline revenues and sales include directory royalties received
from ALLTEL Publishing ($35.8 million in 2005,
$40.1 million in 2004 and $42.9 million in 2003) and
amounts billed to other affiliates of the Company
($45.0 million in 2005, $51.7 million in 2004 and
$51.3 million in 2003) for interconnection and toll
services. These intercompany transactions involving the ILEC
operations (excluding the acquired operations in Kentucky and
Nebraska) have not been eliminated because the revenues received
from the affiliates and the prices charged by the communications
products and directory publishing operations are priced in
accordance with FCC guidelines and are recovered through the
regulatory process.
Cash and Short-term Investments Cash
and short-term investments consist of highly liquid investments
with original maturities of three months or less.
Accounts Receivable Accounts
receivable consist principally of trade receivables from
customers and are generally unsecured and due within
30 days. Expected credit losses related to trade accounts
receivable are recorded as an allowance for doubtful accounts in
the combined balance sheets. In establishing the allowance for
doubtful accounts, the Company considers a number of factors,
including historical collection experience, aging of the
accounts receivable balances, current economic conditions, and a
specific customers ability to meet its financial
obligations to the Company. When internal collection efforts on
accounts have been exhausted, the accounts are written off by
reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts. Concentration of
F-9
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited
because a large number of geographically diverse customers make
up the Companys customer base, thus spreading the credit
risk.
Inventories Inventories are stated at
the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using
either an average original cost or specific identification
method of valuation.
Investments Investments in Rural
Telephone Bank (RTB) Class C stock were
reported at cost due to the lack of a readily available market
price. During December 2005, the Company transferred its
investment in RTB Class C stock to the Parent. The Company
received dividend income of $11.4 million in 2005,
$11.8 million in 2004 and $5.6 million in 2003 related
to its investment in the RTB Class C stock, which is
included in other income, net in the accompanying statements of
income. All other investments are accounted for using the cost
method. Investments were as follows at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Investments in Rural Telephone Bank Class C stock
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
Other cost investments
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
$ |
24.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of
net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired through
various business combinations. The Company has acquired
identifiable intangible assets through its acquisitions of
interests in various wireline properties. The cost of acquired
entities at the date of the acquisition is allocated to
identifiable assets, and the excess of the total purchase price
over the amounts assigned to identifiable assets is recorded as
goodwill. In accordance with SFAS No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is to
be assigned to a companys reporting units and tested for
impairment annually using a consistent measurement date, which
for the Company is January 1st of each year. The
impairment test for goodwill requires a two-step approach, which
is performed at a reporting unit level. Step one of the test
identifies potential impairments by comparing the fair value of
a reporting unit to its carrying amount. Step two, which is only
performed if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its
carrying value, calculates the impairment loss as the difference
between the carrying amount of the reporting units
goodwill and the implied fair value of that goodwill. The
Company completed step one of the annual impairment reviews of
goodwill for 2005, 2004 and 2003 and determined that no
write-down in the carrying value of goodwill for any of its
reporting units was required. For purposes of completing the
annual impairment reviews, fair value of the reporting units was
determined utilizing a combination of the discounted cash flows
of the reporting units and calculated market values of
comparable public companies.
The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of
wireline franchise rights in the state of Kentucky acquired in
August 2002. The Company determined that the wireline franchise
rights met the indefinite life criteria outlined in
SFAS No. 142, because the Company expects both the
renewal by the granting authorities and the cash flows generated
from these intangible assets to continue indefinitely. The
Companys intangible assets with finite lives are amortized
over their estimated useful lives, which are 10 years for
customer lists and 15 years for franchise rights.
SFAS No. 142 also requires intangible assets with
indefinite lives to be tested for impairment on an annual basis,
by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying
amounts. For purposes of completing the annual impairment
reviews, the fair value of the wireline franchise rights was
determined based on the discounted cash flows of the acquired
operations in Kentucky. Upon completing the annual impairment
reviews of its wireline franchise rights for 2005, 2004 and
2003, the Company determined that no write-down in the carrying
value of these assets was required.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost.
Wireline plant consists of aerial and underground cable,
conduit, poles, switches and other central office and
transmission-related equipment. Information processing plant
consists of data processing equipment, purchased software and
internal use capitalized software development costs. Other plant
consists of furniture,
F-10
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
fixtures, vehicles, machinery and equipment. The costs of
additions, replacements and substantial improvements, including
related labor costs, are capitalized, while the costs of
maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. For the
Companys non-regulated operations, when depreciable plant
is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and
accumulated depreciation are deducted from the plant accounts,
with the corresponding gain or loss reflected in operating
results. The Companys ILEC operations utilize group
composite depreciation. Under this method, when plant is
retired, the original cost, net of salvage value, is charged
against accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is
recognized on the disposition of the plant. Depreciation expense
amounted to $466.0 million in 2005, $500.4 million in
2004 and $511.0 million in 2003.
Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is computed using
the straight-line method over the following estimated useful
lives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciable | |
|
|
Lives | |
|
|
| |
Buildings and improvements
|
|
|
5-50 years |
|
Wireline
|
|
|
5-56 years |
|
Information processing
|
|
|
3-16 years |
|
Other
|
|
|
3-23 years |
|
The Company capitalizes interest in connection with the
acquisition or construction of plant assets. Capitalized
interest is included in the cost of the asset with a
corresponding reduction in interest expense. Capitalized
interest amounted to $2.6 million in 2005,
$2.9 million in 2004 and $3.2 million in 2003.
Capitalized Software Development Costs
Software development costs incurred in the application
development stage of internal use software are capitalized and
recorded in information processing plant in the accompanying
combined balance sheets. Modifications and upgrades to internal
use software are capitalized to the extent such enhancements
provide additional functionality. Software maintenance and
training costs are expensed as incurred. Internal use software
is amortized over periods ranging from three to ten years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization
are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may
not be recoverable from future, undiscounted net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If the asset is not fully
recoverable, an impairment loss would be recognized for the
difference between the carrying value of the asset and its
estimated fair value based on discounted net future cash flows
or quoted market prices. Assets to be disposed of that are not
classified as discontinued operations are reported at the lower
of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
Parent Company Investment The Company
has obtained financing for its
day-to-day operations
from the Parent. Parent Company Investment includes the
Parents equity investment in the Company and net amounts
due to the Parent, because such amounts have been considered
contributed by the Parent to the Company.
Foreign Currency Translation
Adjustment During 2004 and 2003, the Company
provided data processing and outsourcing services to
international telecommunications companies. For these foreign
operations, assets and liabilities are translated from the
applicable local currency to U.S. dollars using the current
exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. Revenue and expense
accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rate
in effect during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains
and losses are recognized in income as incurred. The Company
accounts for unrealized gains or losses on its foreign currency
translation adjustments in accordance with
SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive
Income, which required the adjustments to be recorded as a
separate component of equity.
Revenue Recognition Communications
revenues are primarily derived from providing access to or usage
of the Companys networks and facilities. Wireline local
access revenues are recognized over the period that the
corresponding services are rendered to customers. Revenues
derived from other telecommunications
F-11
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
services, including interconnection, long-distance and custom
calling feature revenues are recognized monthly as services are
provided. Due to varying customer billing cycle cut-off times,
the Company must estimate service revenues earned but not yet
billed at the end of each reporting period. Included in accounts
receivable are unbilled receivables related to communications
revenues of $21.1 million and $24.9 million at
December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Sales of
communications products including customer premise equipment and
accessories are recognized when products are delivered to and
accepted by customers.
ALLTEL Publishing recognizes directory publishing and
advertising revenues and related directory costs when the
directories are published and delivered. For directory contracts
with a secondary delivery obligation, ALLTEL Publishing defers a
portion of its revenues and related directory costs until
secondary delivery occurs. Included in accounts receivable are
unbilled receivables related to directory advertising revenues
earned but not yet billed of $60.7 million and
$64.0 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The royalties paid by ALLTEL Publishing to the
Companys ILEC subsidiaries (excluding the acquired
operations in Kentucky and Nebraska) are recognized as revenue
over the life of the corresponding contract, which is generally
twelve months.
Telecommunications information services revenues are recognized
in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2
Software Revenue Recognition and SOP 98-9
Modification of
SOP 97-2, Software
Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions.
Data processing revenues are recognized as services are
performed. When the arrangement with the customer includes
significant production, modification or customization of the
software, the Company uses contract accounting, as required by
SOP 97-2. For
those arrangements accounted for under SOP 81-1
Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and
Certain Production-Type Contracts, the Company uses the
percentage-of-completion
method. Under this method, revenue and profit are recognized
throughout the term of the contract, based upon estimates of the
total costs to be incurred and revenues to be generated
throughout the term of the contract. Changes in estimates for
revenues, costs and profits are recognized in the period in
which they are determinable. When such estimates indicate that
costs will exceed future revenues and a loss on the contract
exists, a provision for the entire loss is then recognized.
Included in accounts receivable are unbilled receivables related
to telecommunications information services revenues of
$1.5 million and $4.0 million at December 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively.
Advertising Advertising costs are
expensed as incurred. Advertising expense totaled
$25.1 million in 2005, $23.8 million in 2004 and
$23.7 million in 2003.
Stock-Based Compensation The Company
accounts for stock-based employee compensation in accordance
with the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting
Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related
interpretations. For fixed stock options granted under the
Parents stock-based compensation plans, the exercise price
of the option equals the market value of Alltels common
stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation expense
has been recognized by the Company in the accompanying combined
statements of income for any of the fixed options granted. Had
compensation costs for the fixed options granted been determined
based on the basis of the fair value of the awards at the date
of grant, consistent with the methodology prescribed by
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, the Companys net income would have
been reduced to the following pro forma amounts for the years
ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Net income as reported
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
$ |
386.3 |
|
|
$ |
392.8 |
|
|
Deduct stock-based employee compensation expense determined
under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax
effects
|
|
|
(4.1 |
) |
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income
|
|
$ |
370.2 |
|
|
$ |
381.5 |
|
|
$ |
387.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-12
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The pro forma amounts presented above may not be representative
of the future effects on reported net income that will result
from the future granting of stock options, since the pro forma
compensation expense is allocated over the periods in which
options become exercisable, and new option awards may be granted
each year.
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of
SFAS No. 123 and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25.
SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to
employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be
valued at fair value on the date of grant, and to be expensed
over the applicable vesting period. Pro forma disclosure of the
income statement effects of share-based payments is no longer an
alternative. In addition, companies must also recognize
compensation expense related to any awards that are not fully
vested as of the effective date. Compensation expense for the
unvested awards will be measured based on the fair value of the
awards previously calculated in developing the pro forma
disclosures in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123. Upon adoption of the standard on
January 1, 2006, the Company will follow the modified
prospective transition method and expects to value its
share-based payment transactions using a Black-Scholes valuation
model. Under the modified prospective transition method, the
Company will recognize compensation cost in its consolidated
financial statements for all awards granted after
January 1, 2006 and for all existing awards for which the
requisite service has not been rendered as of the date of
adoption. Prior period operating results will not be restated.
At December 31, 2005, the total unamortized compensation
cost for nonvested stock option awards amounted to
$9.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a
weighted average period of 3 years. The pro forma
compensation expense for 2005 reflected in the table above is
expected to approximate the effect of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) on the Companys future reported
consolidated results of operations.
Income Taxes Income taxes are
calculated on a separate return basis and are accounted for
under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities
and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax balances are
adjusted to reflect tax rates, based on currently enacted tax
laws, which will be in effect in the years in which the
temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in the results of operations in the period that
includes the enactment date. For the Companys regulated
operations, the adjustment in deferred tax balances for the
change in tax rates is reflected as regulatory assets or
liabilities. These regulatory assets and liabilities are
amortized over the lives of the related depreciable asset or
liability concurrent with recovery in rates. A valuation
allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred
tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets
will be realized.
Change in Accounting Estimate
Effective September 1, 2005 and July 1, 2005, the
Company prospectively reduced depreciation rates for its ILEC
operations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to reflect the
results of studies of depreciable lives completed by the Company
in the second quarter of 2005. The depreciable lives were
lengthened to reflect the estimated remaining useful lives of
the wireline plant based on the Companys expected future
network utilization and capital expenditure levels required to
provide service to its customers. The effects of this change
during the year ended December 31, 2005 resulted in a
decrease in depreciation expense of $21.8 million and
increase in net income of $12.8 million. Effective
April 1, 2004, the Company prospectively reduced
depreciation rates for its ILEC operations in Nebraska,
reflecting the results of a triennial study of depreciable lives
completed by the Company in the second quarter of 2004, as
required by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. The effects
of this change during the year ended December 31, 2004
resulted in a decrease in depreciation expense of
$19.1 million and increase in net income of
$11.4 million.
Change in Accounting Principle During
the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company adopted FASB
Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional
Asset Retirement Obligations (FIN 47). The
F-13
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Company evaluated the effects of FIN 47 on its operations
and determined that, for certain buildings containing asbestos,
the Company is legally obligated to remediate the asbestos if
the Company were to abandon, sell or otherwise dispose of the
buildings. In addition, for its acquired Kentucky and Nebraska
wireline operations not subject to SFAS No. 71, the
Company is legally obligated to properly dispose of its
chemically-treated telephone poles at the time they are removed
from service. In accordance with federal and state regulations,
depreciation expense for the Companys wireline operations
that follow the accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 71
have historically included an additional provision for cost of
removal, and accordingly, the adoption of FIN 47 had no
impact to these operations. The cumulative effect of this change
in 2005 resulted in a non-cash charge of $7.4 million, net
of income tax benefit of $4.6 million, and was included in
net income for the year ended December 31, 2005.
On a pro forma basis assuming the change in accounting for
conditional asset retirement obligations had been applied
retrospectively for all periods presented, the liability for
conditional asset retirement obligations would have been as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
Balance, as of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2003
|
|
$ |
12.8 |
|
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
$ |
13.2 |
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
13.7 |
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
14.0 |
|
Effective January 1, 2005, the Company changed its
accounting for operating leases with scheduled rent increases.
Certain of the Companys operating lease agreements for
office and retail locations include scheduled rent escalations
during the initial lease term and/or during succeeding optional
renewal periods. Previously, the Company had not recognized the
scheduled increases in rent expense on a straight-line basis in
accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 13, Accounting for
Leases and Financial Accounting Standards Board Technical
Bulletin No. 85-3, Accounting for Operating
Leases with Scheduled Rent Increases. The effects of this
change, which are included in cost of services expense, were not
material to the Companys previously reported combined
results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Except for certain ILEC operations as further discussed below,
the Company adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations, effective January 1,
2003. SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and
reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of
tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement
costs. This standard applies to legal obligations associated
with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the
acquisition, construction, development, or normal use of the
assets. SFAS No. 143 requires that a liability for an
asset retirement obligation be recognized when incurred and
reasonably estimable, recorded at fair value, and classified as
a liability in the balance sheet. When the liability is
initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost and
increases the carrying value of the related long-lived asset.
The liability is then accreted to its present value each period,
and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated
useful life of the related asset. At the settlement date, the
entity will settle the obligation for its recorded amount and
recognize a gain or loss upon settlement. The Company has
evaluated the effects of SFAS No. 143 on its
operations and has determined that, for telecommunications and
other operating facilities in which the Company owns the
underlying land, the Company has no contractual or legal
obligation to remediate the property if the Company were to
abandon, sell or otherwise dispose of the property. Certain of
the Companys lease agreements for office locations require
restoration of the leased site upon expiration of the lease
term. Accordingly, the Company is subject to asset retirement
obligations associated with these leased facilities under the
provisions of SFAS No. 143. The application of
SFAS No. 143 to the Companys leased office
locations did not have a material impact on the Companys
combined results of operations, financial position, or cash
flows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003.
F-14
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
As previously discussed, in accordance with federal and state
regulations, depreciation expense for the Companys ILEC
operations has historically included an additional provision for
cost of removal. The additional cost of removal provision does
not meet the recognition and measurement principles of an asset
retirement obligation under SFAS No. 143. In December
2002, the FCC notified ILECs that they should not adopt the
provisions of SFAS No. 143 unless specifically
required by the FCC in the future. As a result of the FCC
ruling, the Company continues to record a regulatory liability
for cost of removal for its ILEC operations that follow the
accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 71.
For the acquired Kentucky and Nebraska ILEC operations not
subject to SFAS No. 71, effective January 1,
2003, the Company ceased recognition of the cost of removal
provision in depreciation expense and eliminated the cumulative
cost of removal included in accumulated depreciation. The effect
of these changes in 2003 was to decrease depreciation expense by
$6.4 million and increase income before cumulative effect
of accounting change by $4.0 million. The cumulative effect
of retroactively applying these changes to periods prior to
January 1, 2003, resulted in a non-cash credit of
$15.6 million, net of income tax expense of
$10.3 million, and was included in net income for the year
ended December 31, 2003.
|
|
3. |
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: |
The carrying amount of goodwill by business segment was
unchanged during the two year period ended December 31,
2005 and was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product | |
|
|
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution | |
|
Totals | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Balance at December 31, 2005 and 2004
|
|
$ |
1,218.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,218.7 |
|
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the carrying value of the
indefinite-lived wireline franchise rights in the state of
Kentucky acquired in 2002 was $265.0 million.
Intangible assets subject to amortization were as follows at
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Net | |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Carrying | |
|
|
Cost | |
|
Amortization | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Customer lists
|
|
$ |
67.6 |
|
|
$ |
(21.0 |
) |
|
$ |
46.6 |
|
Franchise rights
|
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
(16.4 |
) |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
90.1 |
|
|
$ |
(37.4 |
) |
|
$ |
52.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Net | |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Carrying | |
|
|
Cost | |
|
Amortization | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Customer lists
|
|
$ |
67.6 |
|
|
$ |
(14.3 |
) |
|
$ |
53.3 |
|
Franchise rights
|
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
(14.9 |
) |
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
90.1 |
|
|
$ |
(29.2 |
) |
|
$ |
60.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are
10 years for customer lists and 15 years for franchise
rights. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to
amortization was $8.2 million in 2005, $8.1 million in
2004 and $8.4 million in 2003. Amortization expense for
intangible assets subject to amortization is estimated to be
$8.2 million in each of the years 2006 through 2009 and
$6.8 million in 2010.
F-15
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Long-term debt was as follows at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Issued by subsidiaries of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debentures and notes, without collateral:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALLTEL Communications Holdings of the Midwest, Inc.
6.75%, due April 1, 2028
|
|
$ |
100.0 |
|
|
$ |
100.0 |
|
|
|
ALLTEL Georgia Communications Corp. 6.50%, due
November 15, 2013
|
|
|
80.0 |
|
|
|
90.0 |
|
|
|
ALLTEL New York, Inc. 9.14% to 9.55%, due
August 1, 2009 and October 1, 2011
|
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
ALLTEL Pennsylvania, Inc. 9.07%, due
November 1, 2011
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
Georgia ALLTEL Telecom, Inc. 8.05% to 8.17%, due
October 1, 2009 and 2014
|
|
|
20.5 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
|
Teleview, Inc. 7.00%, due January 2, 2010 and
May 2, 2010
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
Texas ALLTEL, Inc. 8.11%, due March 31, 2018
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
The Western Reserve Telephone Co. 8.05% to 8.17%,
due October 1, 2009 and 2014
|
|
|
25.9 |
|
|
|
30.5 |
|
|
Discount on long-term debt
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
260.8 |
|
|
|
282.9 |
|
|
Less current maturities
|
|
|
(22.1 |
) |
|
|
(22.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
$ |
238.7 |
|
|
$ |
260.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain of the indentures provide, among other things, for
various restrictions on the subsidiaries payment of
dividends to the Parent and redemption of the subsidiaries
capital stock. The subsidiaries are also required to maintain
defined amounts in members equity and working capital
after the payment of dividends. Retained earnings of the
subsidiaries restricted as to the payment of dividends to the
Parent were $55.5 million at December 31, 2005.
Maturities and sinking fund requirements for the four years
after 2005 for long-term debt outstanding as of
December 31, 2005, were $22.1 million,
$23.5 million, $23.6 million and $16.4 million,
respectively.
|
|
5. |
Financial Instruments: |
The Companys financial instruments consist primarily of
cash and short-term investments, accounts receivable, trade
accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amount of cash
and short-term investments, accounts receivable and trade
accounts payable was estimated by management to approximate
carrying value due to the relatively short period of time to
maturity for those instruments. The fair values of the
Companys long-term debt, including current maturities, was
estimated to be approximately $281.1 million and
$327.7 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively, compared to a carrying value of
$260.8 million and $282.9 million at December 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively. The fair value estimates were based
on a discounted cash flow of the outstanding long-term debt
using the weighted maturities and interest rates currently
available in the long-term financing markets.
|
|
6. |
Employee Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pensions: |
The Parent maintains a qualified defined benefit pension plan,
which covers substantially all employees of the Company. Prior
to January 1, 2005, employees of ALLTEL Publishing did not
participate in the plan. In
F-16
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 2005, the qualified defined benefit pension plan was
amended such that future benefit accruals for all eligible
nonbargaining employees ceased as of December 31, 2005
(December 31, 2010 for employees who had attained
age 40 with two years of service as of December 31,
2005). Expenses recorded by the Company related to the pension
plan amounted to $15.1 million in 2005, $11.3 million
in 2004 and $16.4 million in 2003. These expenses are
included in cost of services and selling, general and
administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations
and comprehensive income. No allocation of the Companys
share of the pension plans assets or liabilities have been
included in the accompanying combined balance sheets because the
amounts have yet to be actuarially determined.
The Companys Parent has a non-contributory defined
contribution plan in the form of profit-sharing arrangements for
eligible employees, except bargaining unit employees. The amount
of profit-sharing contributions to the plan is determined
annually by Alltels Board of Directors. Profit-sharing
expense amounted to $4.4 million in 2005, $3.9 million
in 2004 and $4.5 million in 2003. The Companys Parent
also sponsors employee savings plans under section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code, which cover substantially all
full-time employees, except bargaining unit employees. Employees
may elect to contribute to the plans a portion of their eligible
pretax compensation up to certain limits as specified by the
plans. Alltel also makes annual contributions to the plans.
Expense recorded by the Company related to these plans amounted
to $1.3 million in both 2005 and 2004 and $1.5 million
in 2003. The expenses charged to the Company related to the
profit-sharing and 401(k) plans are included in cost of services
and selling, general and administrative expenses in the combined
statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The Company also provides postretirement healthcare and life
insurance benefits for eligible employees of the Company.
Employees share in the cost of these benefits. The Company funds
the accrued costs of the postretirement benefit plan as benefits
are paid. The components of postretirement expense were as
follows for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Benefits earned during the year
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
Interest cost on benefit obligation
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Recognized net actuarial loss
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
Effects of Medicare subsidy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total postretirement benefit expense
|
|
$ |
16.7 |
|
|
$ |
14.5 |
|
|
$ |
18.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its
postretirement benefit plan. The discount rate used to measure
postretirement expense was 6.00%, 6.40% and 6.85% for the years
ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The
discount rate used to measure the projected benefit obligation
was 5.70% at December 31, 2005 and 6.00% at
December 31, 2004.
F-17
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of plan assets, projected benefit obligation and
funded status of the plans were as follows at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement | |
|
|
Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Employer contributions
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
Actual return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(8.2 |
) |
|
|
(9.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
|
|
|
164.5 |
|
|
|
175.7 |
|
Benefits earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
Plan amendments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
Effects of Medicare subsidy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14.2 |
) |
Actuarial (gain) loss
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(8.2 |
) |
|
|
(9.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
|
|
|
171.7 |
|
|
|
164.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation
|
|
|
(171.7 |
) |
|
|
(164.5 |
) |
Unrecognized actuarial loss
|
|
|
69.7 |
|
|
|
69.2 |
|
Unrecognized prior service cost
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
$ |
(89.0 |
) |
|
$ |
(80.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid benefit cost
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accrued benefit cost liability
|
|
|
(89.0 |
) |
|
|
(80.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
$ |
(89.0 |
) |
|
$ |
(80.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the healthcare cost trend rate was as
follows for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year
|
|
|
10.00 |
% |
|
|
10.00 |
% |
Rate that the cost trend rate ultimately declines to
|
|
|
5.00 |
% |
|
|
5.00 |
% |
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
For the year ended December 31, 2005, a one percent
increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would
increase the postretirement benefit cost by approximately
$1.0 million, while a one percent decrease in the rate
would reduce the postretirement benefit cost by approximately
$0.8 million. As of December 31, 2005, a one percent
increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would
increase the postretirement benefit obligation by approximately
$20.2 million, while a one percent decrease in the rate
would reduce the postretirement benefit obligation by
approximately $16.9 million.
F-18
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments
were as follows as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement | |
|
|
Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Expected employer contributions for 2006
|
|
$ |
9.4 |
|
Expected benefit payments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
9.4 |
|
|
2007
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
2008
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
2009
|
|
|
11.4 |
|
|
2010
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
2011 2015
|
|
|
60.4 |
|
Expected subsidy:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
2007
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
2008
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
2009
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
2010
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
2011 2015
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
Under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003, (the Act) beginning in
2006, the Act will provide a prescription drug benefit under
Medicare Part D, as well as a federal subsidy to plan
sponsors of retiree healthcare plans that provide a prescription
drug benefit to their participants that is at least actuarially
equivalent to the benefit that will be available under Medicare.
The amount of the federal subsidy will be based on
28 percent of an individual beneficiarys annual
eligible prescription drug costs ranging between $250 and
$5,000. On May 19, 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position
No. 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements
Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003 (FSP
No. 106-2). FSP No. 106-2 clarified that the
federal subsidy provided under the Act should be accounted for
as an actuarial gain in calculating the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation and annual postretirement
expense. As of December 31, 2004, the Department of Health
and Human Services had yet to issue final regulations on the
determination of actuarial equivalence and the federal subsidy.
Based on its current understanding of the Act, the Company
determined that a substantial portion of the prescription drug
benefits provided under its postretirement benefit plan would be
deemed actuarially equivalent to the benefits provided under
Medicare Part D. Effective July 1, 2004, the Company
prospectively adopted FSP No. 106-2 and remeasured its
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of that date to
account for the federal subsidy, the effects of which resulted
in an $14.2 million reduction in the Companys
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and a
$2.2 million reduction in the Companys 2004
postretirement expense. On January 21, 2005, the Department
of Health and Human Services issued final federal regulations
related to the federal subsidy. These final rules did not have a
material effect on the Companys benefit costs or
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation.
|
|
7. |
Stock-Based Compensation Plans: |
Under the Parents stock-based compensation plans, the
Parent may grant fixed and performance-based incentive and
non-qualified Alltel stock options, restricted stock and other
equity securities of Alltel to officers and other management
employees of the Company. The maximum number of shares of
Alltels common stock that may be issued to officers and
other management employees under all stock option plans in
effect at December 31, 2005 was 30.6 million shares.
Fixed options granted under the Parent stock option plans
generally become exercisable over a period of one to five years
after the date of grant. Certain fixed options granted in 2000
become exercisable in increments of 50%, 25% and 25% over a
five-year period beginning three years after the date of grant.
For all plans, the exercise price of the option equals the
market value of Alltels common stock on the date of grant.
For fixed stock options, the maximum term for each option
granted is 10 years.
F-19
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The fair value of each stock option granted as identified below
was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and
the following weighted average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Expected life
|
|
|
5.0 years |
|
|
|
5.0 years |
|
|
|
5.0 years |
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
27.7% |
|
|
|
31.0% |
|
|
|
32.5% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
2.8% |
|
|
|
2.9% |
|
|
|
2.8% |
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.7% |
|
|
|
3.2% |
|
|
|
3.0% |
|
Set forth below is certain information related to stock options
outstanding under Alltels stock-based compensation plans
relating to the Companys employees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Price | |
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at beginning of period
|
|
|
2,766,715 |
|
|
|
2,681,400 |
|
|
|
2,426,219 |
|
|
$ |
58.35 |
|
|
$ |
57.47 |
|
|
$ |
57.22 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
293,650 |
|
|
|
281,475 |
|
|
|
415,425 |
|
|
|
55.45 |
|
|
|
50.74 |
|
|
|
49.27 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(211,090 |
) |
|
|
(196,160 |
) |
|
|
(160,244 |
) |
|
|
47.83 |
|
|
|
35.38 |
|
|
|
32.41 |
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(2,350 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at end of period
|
|
|
2,846,925 |
|
|
|
2,766,715 |
|
|
|
2,681,400 |
|
|
$ |
58.83 |
|
|
$ |
58.35 |
|
|
$ |
57.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at end of period
|
|
|
1,807,680 |
|
|
|
1,499,010 |
|
|
|
1,183,405 |
|
|
$ |
61.89 |
|
|
$ |
61.01 |
|
|
$ |
57.11 |
|
Non-vested at end of period
|
|
|
1,039,245 |
|
|
|
1,267,705 |
|
|
|
1,497,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the
year
|
|
$ |
13.48 |
|
|
$ |
13.74 |
|
|
$ |
13.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amounts reflected in the table above represent stock options
held by those employees that were known to be wireline division
employees as of December 31, 2005.
The following is a summary of stock options outstanding as of
December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding | |
|
Options Exercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
Average | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Remaining | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
Number of | |
|
Exercise Price | |
Range of Exercise Price |
|
Shares | |
|
Contractual Life | |
|
per Share | |
|
Shares | |
|
per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
$26.95 - $32.35
|
|
|
19,638 |
|
|
|
1.7 years |
|
|
$ |
31.44 |
|
|
|
19,638 |
|
|
$ |
31.44 |
|
$37.75 - $46.32
|
|
|
103,893 |
|
|
|
6.4 years |
|
|
|
45.50 |
|
|
|
42,178 |
|
|
|
44.59 |
|
$50.22 - $56.07
|
|
|
1,331,694 |
|
|
|
7.3 years |
|
|
|
53.32 |
|
|
|
412,244 |
|
|
|
53.80 |
|
$62.94 - $68.25
|
|
|
1,391,700 |
|
|
|
4.3 years |
|
|
|
65.50 |
|
|
|
1,333,620 |
|
|
|
65.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,846,925 |
|
|
|
5.8 years |
|
|
$ |
58.83 |
|
|
|
1,807,680 |
|
|
$ |
61.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. |
Restructuring and Other Charges: |
During 2005, the Company incurred $4.4 million of severance
and employee benefit costs related to a planned workforce
reduction in its wireline operations. As further discussed in
Note 13, on December 9, 2005, Alltel announced that it
would spin-off the Company to its stockholders and merge it with
Valor Communications Group, Inc. (Valor). In
connection with the spin-off, the Company incurred
$31.3 million of incremental costs during 2005, principally
consisting of investment banker, audit and legal fees. As of
December 31, 2005, the Company had funded through advances
from Parent payment of these expenses, and all of the employee
reductions and relocations had been completed.
F-20
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of the restructuring and other charges recorded in
2004 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Operations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
11.2 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
11.6 |
|
Relocation costs
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
Lease and contract termination costs
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
Other exit costs
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
11.3 |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
11.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In January 2004, the Company announced its plans to reorganize
its operations and support teams. Also, during February 2004,
the Company announced its plans to exit its Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier (CLEC) operations in the
Jacksonville, Florida market due to the continued
unprofitability of these operations. In connection with these
activities, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of
$13.6 million consisting of $11.6 million in severance
and employee benefit costs related to a planned workforce
reduction, $1.3 million of employee relocation expenses and
$0.7 million of other exit costs. As of December 31,
2004, the Company had funded through advances from Parent
payment of the restructuring expenses, and all of the employee
reductions and relocations had been completed. During 2004, the
Company also recorded a $1.8 million reduction in the
liabilities associated with various restructuring activities
initiated prior to 2003, consisting of lease and contract
termination costs. The reduction primarily reflected differences
between estimated and actual costs paid in completing the
previous planned lease and contract terminations.
A summary of the restructuring and other charges recorded in
2003 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Operations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Severance and employee benefit costs
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
Lease termination costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Write-down of software development costs
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restructuring and other charges
|
|
$ |
8.8 |
|
|
$ |
3.4 |
|
|
$ |
12.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2003, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of
$7.0 million consisting of severance and employee benefit
costs related to a planned workforce reduction, primarily
resulting from the closing of certain call center locations. As
of December 31, 2004, the Company had funded through
advances from Parent payment of the restructuring expenses, and
all of the employee reductions had been completed. The Company
also recorded a $0.4 million reduction in the liabilities
associated with various restructuring activities initiated prior
to 2003, consisting of lease termination costs. The reduction
primarily reflected differences between estimated and actual
costs paid in completing the previous planned lease
terminations. During 2003, the Company also wrote off certain
capitalized software development costs that had no alternative
future use or functionality.
|
|
9. |
Gain on Disposal of Assets and Other: |
In December 2003, the Company sold to Convergys Information
Management Group, Inc. (Convergys) certain assets
and related liabilities, including selected customer contracts
and capitalized software development costs, associated with the
Companys telecommunications information services
operations. In connection with this sale, the Company recorded a
pretax gain of $31.0 million. In addition, during the
second quarter of 2003, the Company retired, prior to stated
maturity dates, $249.1 million of long-term debt,
representing all of the long-term debt outstanding under the
Rural Utilities Services, Rural Telephone Bank and Federal
Financing Bank programs. In connection with the early retirement
of the debt, the Company incurred pretax termination fees of
$7.1 million. These transactions increased net income
$10.7 million.
F-21
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax
return filed by Alltel. As a result, income tax expense and
related income tax balances included in the accompanying
combined financial statements have been calculated as if the
Company had operated as a separate entity.
Income tax expense (benefit) was as follows for the years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
215.5 |
|
|
$ |
155.0 |
|
|
$ |
124.4 |
|
|
State and other
|
|
|
55.9 |
|
|
|
37.2 |
|
|
|
30.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
271.4 |
|
|
|
192.2 |
|
|
|
154.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
57.1 |
|
|
|
76.9 |
|
|
State and other
|
|
|
(15.0 |
) |
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
15.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
67.2 |
|
|
|
92.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
267.9 |
|
|
$ |
259.4 |
|
|
$ |
247.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) for all three years
primarily resulted from temporary differences between
depreciation expense for income tax purposes and depreciation
expense recorded in the financial statements. Deferred income
tax expense for 2005, 2004 and 2003 also included the effects of
no longer amortizing indefinite-lived intangible assets for
financial statement purposes in accordance with
SFAS No. 142. These intangible assets continue to be
amortized for income tax purposes. Differences between the
federal income tax statutory rates and effective income tax
rates, which include both federal and state income taxes, were
as follows for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Statutory federal income tax rates
|
|
|
35.0 |
% |
|
|
35.0 |
% |
|
|
35.0 |
% |
Increase (decrease):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
Costs associated with pending spin-off of Company
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other items, net
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective income tax rates
|
|
|
41.3 |
% |
|
|
40.2 |
% |
|
|
39.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The significant components of the net deferred income tax
liability were as follows at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
$ |
510.5 |
|
|
$ |
552.9 |
|
Goodwill and other intangible assets
|
|
|
160.4 |
|
|
|
126.1 |
|
Postretirement and other employee benefits
|
|
|
(21.7 |
) |
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
Other, net
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
|
$ |
670.0 |
|
|
$ |
680.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
(10.6 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
680.6 |
|
|
|
680.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
|
$ |
670.0 |
|
|
$ |
680.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-22
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, total deferred tax assets
were $42.2 million and $31.3 million, respectively,
and total deferred tax liabilities were $712.2 million and
$711.5 million, respectively.
|
|
11. |
Commitments and Contingencies: |
Lease Commitments Minimum rental
commitments for all non-cancelable operating leases, consisting
principally of leases for network facilities, real estate,
office space, and office equipment were as follows as of
December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
| |
2006
|
|
$ |
5.0 |
|
2007
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
2008
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
2009
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense totaled $7.3 million in 2005,
$5.3 million in 2004 and $5.1 million in 2003.
Litigation The Company is party to
various legal proceedings arising from the ordinary course of
business. Although the ultimate resolution of these various
proceedings cannot be determined at this time, management of the
Company does not believe that such proceedings, individually or
in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the
future combined results of operations, cash flows or financial
condition of the Company.
The Company disaggregates its business operations based upon
differences in products and services. The Companys
wireline subsidiaries provide local service and network access
in 15 states. Wireline operations also include the
Companys local competitive access and Internet access
operations. Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
(CLEC) services are currently provided on both a
facilities-based and resale basis in four states. Internet
access services are currently marketed in 17 states. Both
ILEC and Internet services are provided to customers utilizing
the Companys existing network infrastructure. For the
Company, Internet service is an additional product offering
provided to ILEC and CLEC customers and does not represent a
separate line of business. Accordingly, the Company manages its
wireline-based services as a single operating segment. In
assessing operating performance and allocating resources within
the wireline business, the segment managers focus is at a
level that consolidates the results of the ILEC, CLEC and
Internet operations. The Company does not have separate segment
managers overseeing its ILEC, CLEC or Internet operations. In
addition, incentive-based compensation for the wireline segment
manager is directly tied to the combined operating results of
the ILEC, CLEC and Internet operations.
The Companys product distribution subsidiary is a
distributor of telecommunications equipment and materials and
operates four warehouses and four counter-sales showrooms across
the United States. Other operations consist of the
Companys directory publishing, long-distance and
telecommunications information services operations. The
Companys publishing subsidiary coordinates advertising,
sales, printing, and distribution for 386 telephone directory
contracts in 36 states. Long-distance services are
currently marketed in 25 states. The telecommunications
information services operations provide application software,
data processing and outsourcing services to telecommunications
companies in the United States and select international markets.
F-23
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The accounting policies used in measuring segment assets and
operating results are the same as those described in
Note 1. The Company accounts for intercompany sales at
current market prices or in accordance with regulatory
requirements. The Company evaluates performance of the segments
based on segment income, which is computed as revenues and sales
less operating expenses, excluding the effects of the
restructuring and other charges discussed in Note 8. In
addition, none of the non-operating items such as other income,
net, gain on disposal of assets, debt prepayment penalties,
interest expense and income taxes have been allocated to the
segments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Product | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution | |
|
Operations | |
|
Segments | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Revenues and sales from unaffiliated customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
2,236.7 |
|
|
$ |
130.9 |
|
|
$ |
333.1 |
|
|
$ |
2,700.7 |
|
|
International
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,236.7 |
|
|
|
130.9 |
|
|
|
333.1 |
|
|
|
2,700.7 |
|
Intercompany revenues and sales
|
|
|
134.7 |
|
|
|
177.0 |
|
|
|
19.2 |
|
|
|
330.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,371.4 |
|
|
|
307.9 |
|
|
|
352.3 |
|
|
|
3,031.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
1,280.7 |
|
|
|
301.6 |
|
|
|
305.6 |
|
|
|
1,887.9 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
468.2 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
474.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
1,748.9 |
|
|
|
303.5 |
|
|
|
309.7 |
|
|
|
2,362.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
$ |
622.5 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
$ |
42.6 |
|
|
$ |
669.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
$ |
4,782.3 |
|
|
$ |
51.6 |
|
|
$ |
100.9 |
|
|
$ |
4,934.8 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
351.9 |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
$ |
0.8 |
|
|
$ |
352.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Product | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution | |
|
Operations | |
|
Segments | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Revenues and sales from unaffiliated customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
2,281.2 |
|
|
$ |
121.6 |
|
|
$ |
344.1 |
|
|
$ |
2,746.9 |
|
|
International
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,281.2 |
|
|
|
121.6 |
|
|
|
346.0 |
|
|
|
2,748.8 |
|
Intercompany revenues and sales
|
|
|
129.6 |
|
|
|
135.9 |
|
|
|
25.8 |
|
|
|
291.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,410.8 |
|
|
|
257.5 |
|
|
|
371.8 |
|
|
|
3,040.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
1,275.2 |
|
|
|
251.9 |
|
|
|
325.1 |
|
|
|
1,852.2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
502.2 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
508.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
1,777.4 |
|
|
|
254.4 |
|
|
|
328.9 |
|
|
|
2,360.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
$ |
633.4 |
|
|
$ |
3.1 |
|
|
$ |
42.9 |
|
|
$ |
679.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
$ |
4,924.7 |
|
|
$ |
43.2 |
|
|
$ |
114.6 |
|
|
$ |
5,082.5 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
332.0 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.9 |
|
|
$ |
333.3 |
|
F-24
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Product | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
Wireline | |
|
Distribution | |
|
Operations | |
|
Segments | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Revenues and sales from unaffiliated customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
2,311.0 |
|
|
$ |
116.6 |
|
|
$ |
384.3 |
|
|
$ |
2,811.9 |
|
|
International
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,311.0 |
|
|
|
116.6 |
|
|
|
388.7 |
|
|
|
2,816.3 |
|
Intercompany revenues and sales
|
|
|
117.6 |
|
|
|
162.3 |
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
305.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
|
2,428.6 |
|
|
|
278.9 |
|
|
|
413.8 |
|
|
|
3,121.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
1,327.1 |
|
|
|
273.1 |
|
|
|
345.6 |
|
|
|
1,945.8 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
510.2 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
|
519.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
1,837.3 |
|
|
|
275.5 |
|
|
|
352.4 |
|
|
|
2,465.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment income
|
|
$ |
591.3 |
|
|
$ |
3.4 |
|
|
$ |
61.4 |
|
|
$ |
656.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
$ |
5,110.5 |
|
|
$ |
60.4 |
|
|
$ |
118.8 |
|
|
$ |
5,289.7 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
378.6 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
4.2 |
|
|
$ |
383.2 |
|
A reconciliation of the total business segments to the
applicable amounts in the Companys combined financial
statements was as follows as of and for the years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Revenues and sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total business segments
|
|
$ |
3,031.6 |
|
|
$ |
3,040.1 |
|
|
$ |
3,121.3 |
|
|
Less: intercompany eliminations(1)
|
|
|
(108.1 |
) |
|
|
(106.6 |
) |
|
|
(118.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and sales
|
|
$ |
2,923.5 |
|
|
$ |
2,933.5 |
|
|
$ |
3,003.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total business segment income
|
|
$ |
669.5 |
|
|
$ |
679.4 |
|
|
$ |
656.1 |
|
|
Restructuring and other charges
|
|
|
(35.7 |
) |
|
|
(11.8 |
) |
|
|
(12.2 |
) |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
Intercompany interest income (expense)
|
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
|
|
(21.6 |
) |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
|
Gain on disposal of assets and other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income before income taxes
|
|
$ |
649.6 |
|
|
$ |
645.7 |
|
|
$ |
624.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total business segments
|
|
$ |
4,934.8 |
|
|
$ |
5,082.5 |
|
|
$ |
5,289.7 |
|
|
Less: elimination of intercompany receivables
|
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
(12.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
4,929.7 |
|
|
$ |
5,079.2 |
|
|
$ |
5,276.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(1) |
See Transactions with Certain Affiliates in
Note 1 for a discussion of intercompany revenues and sales
not eliminated in preparing the combined financial statements. |
F-25
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
13. |
Pending Spin-Off of Company and Merger with Valor
Communications Group, Inc.: |
On December 9, 2005, Alltel announced that its board of
directors had approved the spin-off of the Companys
wireline telecommunications business to its stockholders and the
merger of that wireline business with Valor. Pursuant to the
plan of distribution and immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger with Valor described below, Alltel will contribute
all of the assets of the Company to ALLTEL Holding Corp.
(Alltel Holding or Spinco), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Alltel, in exchange for: (i) the
issuance to Alltel of Spinco common stock to be distributed pro
rata to Alltels stockholders as a tax free stock dividend,
(ii) the payment of a special dividend to Alltel in an
amount not to exceed Alltels tax basis in Spinco, and
(iii) the distribution by Spinco to Alltel of certain
Spinco debt securities, which Alltel intends to exchange for
outstanding debt securities of Alltel or otherwise transfer to
Alltels creditors. Prior to the distribution and merger
with Valor, Spinco will borrow approximately $3.965 billion
(the Spinco financing amount) through a new senior
credit agreement, the issuance of high yield debt securities in
the private placement market to pay the special dividend and to
distribute debt securities to Alltel in an amount equal to the
difference between the Spinco financing amount and the special
dividend. Alltel has received a commitment letter from various
financial institutions to provide Spinco with up to
$4.2 billion in senior secured credit facilities comprised
of term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to
$3.7 billion and a revolving credit facility of up to
$500 million. Immediately after the consummation of the
spin-off, Alltel Holding will merge with and into Valor, with
Valor continuing as the surviving corporation. As a result of
the merger, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Spinco
common stock will be converted into the right to receive an
aggregate number of shares of common stock of Valor that will
result in Alltels stockholders holding 85 percent of
the outstanding equity interests of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger and the stockholders of Valor
holding the remaining 15 percent of such equity interests.
To effect the merger, Valor will issue approximately
405 million shares of its common stock to the shareholders
of Alltel and assume approximately $4.2 billion of
long-term debt. As a result of this transaction, Alltel
shareholders will continue to own one share of the remaining
wireless entity and will receive approximately 1.04 shares
of Valor common stock for each share of Alltel common stock they
currently own.
Including the effects on interest expense that would result from
the issuance of the long-term debt obligations discussed above,
the Companys net income for the year ended
December 31, 2005 would have been reduced to the following
pro forma amount:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
(Millions) | |
Net income as reported
|
|
$ |
374.3 |
|
|
Pro forma interest expense, net of related tax effects
|
|
|
(153.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income
|
|
$ |
221.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma interest expense was calculated based upon the
assumed financing of the Company of $3.965 billion to fund
the dividend payable of $2.4 billion to the Parent and to
distribute debt securities of $1.565 billion to Alltel
(which includes $27 million to be paid in related fees) at
an interest rate of 6.576 percent, net of tax of
$107.7 million.
Immediately prior to the effective date of the spin-off, Alltel
will transfer to Alltel Holding property, plant and equipment
(net book value of $82.9 million at December 31,
2005), pension assets (currently estimated to be
$182.8 million), additional other postretirement
liabilities (currently estimated to be $2.9 million) and
deferred compensation obligations (currently estimated to be
$14.8 million) related to the wireline operations and
associated net deferred income tax assets (currently estimated
to be $88.2 million). Conversely, Alltel Holding will
transfer to Alltel certain income tax contingency reserves that
will be retained by Alltel pursuant to the distribution
agreement ($11.9 million at December 31, 2005), as
well as the residual foreign currency translation adjustment
($0.5 million at December 31, 2005), because the
underlying international assets which gave rise to the
translation adjustment will be retained by Alltel following the
spin-off. The actual
carrying values of the transferred assets and
F-26
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
liabilities will be determined as of the date of the spin-off.
In particular, the amounts of assets and liabilities associated
with employee benefit plans were determined based on employees
identified as of the announcement date (December 9, 2005),
which did not include employees performing a shared function at
that time. As employees performing shared functions are
identified as transferring to Alltel Holding, the amount of
transferred assets and liabilities may change, and such change
may be material.
Upon the spin-off of the wireline business, unvested options
held by wireline employees will be replaced with restricted
shares of Valor common stock based on the underlying intrinsic
value of the Alltel stock options. As of December 31, 2005,
wireline employees held vested options to purchase approximately
1.8 million shares of Alltel common stock.
Consummation of the merger is subject to certain conditions,
including the approval of the merger by the stockholders of
Valor, receipt of a favorable ruling from the IRS regarding the
tax-free status of the distribution, special dividend, debt
exchange and merger transaction, consummation of the Spinco
financing, and the receipt of regulatory approvals, including,
without limitation, the approval of the FCC and multiple state
public service commissions. The transaction is expected to close
by mid-year 2006. The merger agreement contains certain
termination rights for each of Alltel and Valor and further
provides that, upon termination of the merger agreement under
specified circumstances involving an alternative transaction,
Valor may be required to pay Alltel a termination fee of
$35.0 million. Conversely, Alltel may be required to pay
Valor a termination fee of (i) $35.0 million if Valor
terminates the merger agreement because of a material breach by
Alltel or Spinco that results in the failure of the parties to
obtain the Spinco financing or any party terminates the merger
agreement after December 8, 2006 and at the time of
termination all conditions have been satisfied other than the
Spinco financing condition and (ii) $20.0 million if
Valor terminates the merger agreement because of a material
breach by Alltel or Spinco that results in the failure of the
parties to obtain the required IRS rulings or tax opinions or
any party terminates the merger agreement after December 8,
2006 and at the time of termination all conditions have been
satisfied other than the IRS ruling or tax opinion conditions.
F-27
Annex A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005
AMONG
ALLTEL CORPORATION,
ALLTEL HOLDING CORP.
AND
VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
ARTICLE I |
|
|
Definitions |
|
|
A-2 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE II |
|
|
The Merger |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
The Merger |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
Closing |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
Effective Time |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
Effects of the Merger |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation |
|
|
A-12 |
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation |
|
|
A-12 |
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
Stockholders Meeting |
|
|
A-12 |
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
Potential Restructuring of Transactions |
|
|
A-12 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE III |
|
|
Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
Effect on Capital Stock |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
Distribution of Per Share Merger Consideration |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV |
|
|
Related Transactions |
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
Distribution |
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
AT Co./ Spinco Transaction Agreements |
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
Corporate Offices |
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
Directors and Officers of Spinco |
|
|
A-16 |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
Financing Cooperation |
|
|
A-16 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE V |
|
|
Representations and Warranties of AT Co. |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
Organization; Qualification |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
AT Co. Reports and Financial Statements |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
|
A-19 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI |
|
|
Representations and Warranties of AT Co. and Spinco |
|
|
A-20 |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
Organization, Qualification |
|
|
A-20 |
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
Capital Stock and Other Matters |
|
|
A-20 |
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
|
A-21 |
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
A-22 |
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
|
A-22 |
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
Investigations; Litigation |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
Compliance with Laws; Permits |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus; Registration Statement |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
6.10 |
|
|
Environmental Matters |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
6.11 |
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
|
A-25 |
|
|
6.12 |
|
|
Benefit Plans |
|
|
A-26 |
|
|
6.13 |
|
|
Labor Matters |
|
|
A-27 |
|
|
6.14 |
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters |
|
|
A-27 |
|
A-i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
6.15 |
|
|
Material Contracts |
|
|
A-28 |
|
|
6.16 |
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
|
A-28 |
|
|
6.17 |
|
|
Board and Stockholder Approval |
|
|
A-29 |
|
|
6.18 |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
A-29 |
|
|
6.19 |
|
|
Spinco Real Property |
|
|
A-29 |
|
|
6.20 |
|
|
Communications Regulatory Matters |
|
|
A-30 |
|
|
6.21 |
|
|
Spinco Operations |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
6.22 |
|
|
Opinion of Spinco Financial Advisor |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
6.23 |
|
|
Company Common Stock |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
6.24 |
|
|
Affiliate Transactions |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII |
|
|
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
Organization, Qualification |
|
|
A-31 |
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
Capital Stock and Other Matters |
|
|
A-32 |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
|
A-32 |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
Company Reports and Financial Statements |
|
|
A-33 |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
Investigations; Litigation |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
Compliance with Laws; Permits |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus; Registration Statement |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
7.9 |
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
7.10 |
|
|
Environmental Matters |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
7.11 |
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
|
A-36 |
|
|
7.12 |
|
|
Benefit Plans |
|
|
A-37 |
|
|
7.13 |
|
|
Labor Matters |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
7.14 |
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters |
|
|
A-39 |
|
|
7.15 |
|
|
Communications Regulatory Matters |
|
|
A-39 |
|
|
7.16 |
|
|
Material Contracts |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
7.17 |
|
|
Company Real Property |
|
|
A-41 |
|
|
7.18 |
|
|
Opinion of Company Financial Advisors |
|
|
A-41 |
|
|
7.19 |
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
|
A-41 |
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
Takeover Statutes |
|
|
A-41 |
|
|
7.21 |
|
|
Certain Board Findings |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
7.22 |
|
|
Vote Required |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
7.23 |
|
|
Affiliate Transactions |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII |
|
|
Covenants and Agreements |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
Conduct of Business by Spinco and AT Co. Pending the Merger |
|
|
A-45 |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
|
A-47 |
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus |
|
|
A-47 |
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
Listing |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
Reasonable Best Efforts; Regulatory Matters |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
IRS Distribution Ruling; Other IRS Rulings; Tax Opinions |
|
|
A-49 |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
Letter of Spincos Accountants |
|
|
A-50 |
|
A-ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
8.9 |
|
|
Letter of the Companys Accountants |
|
|
A-50 |
|
|
8.10 |
|
|
Employee Matters |
|
|
A-50 |
|
|
8.11 |
|
|
Access to Information |
|
|
A-51 |
|
|
8.12 |
|
|
No Solicitation by the Company |
|
|
A-52 |
|
|
8.13 |
|
|
Director and Officer Indemnification; Insurance |
|
|
A-53 |
|
|
8.14 |
|
|
Rule 145 Affiliates |
|
|
A-54 |
|
|
8.15 |
|
|
Public Announcements |
|
|
A-54 |
|
|
8.16 |
|
|
Defense of Litigation |
|
|
A-54 |
|
|
8.17 |
|
|
Notification |
|
|
A-54 |
|
|
8.18 |
|
|
SEC Reports |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.19 |
|
|
Section 16 Matters |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.20 |
|
|
Control of Other Partys Business |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.21 |
|
|
Dividend Policy of the Surviving Corporation |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.22 |
|
|
Amendment of Company Securityholders Agreement |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.23 |
|
|
Disclosure Controls |
|
|
A-55 |
|
|
8.24 |
|
|
Corporate Name; Branding |
|
|
A-56 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX |
|
|
Conditions to the Merger |
|
|
A-56 |
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of Spinco, AT Co. and the Company
to Effect the Merger |
|
|
A-56 |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
Additional Conditions to the Obligations of AT Co. and Spinco |
|
|
A-57 |
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company |
|
|
A-58 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE X |
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
|
A-59 |
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
Representations |
|
|
A-59 |
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
Restrictions Relating to the Distribution |
|
|
A-59 |
|
|
10.3 |
|
|
Cooperation and Other Covenants |
|
|
A-61 |
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
Indemnification for Disqualifying Actions |
|
|
A-61 |
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
Procedure for Indemnification for Tax Liabilities |
|
|
A-62 |
|
|
10.6 |
|
|
Exclusivity of Article X |
|
|
A-63 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE XI |
|
|
Termination, Amendment and Waivers |
|
|
A-63 |
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
A-63 |
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
Effect of Termination |
|
|
A-64 |
|
|
11.3 |
|
|
Termination Fee Payable in Certain Circumstances |
|
|
A-65 |
|
|
11.4 |
|
|
Amendment |
|
|
A-65 |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
Waivers |
|
|
A-65 |
|
A-iii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
ARTICLE XII |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
A-65 |
|
|
12.1 |
|
|
Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements;
Indemnification |
|
|
A-65 |
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
A-66 |
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
Notices |
|
|
A-66 |
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
Interpretation |
|
|
A-67 |
|
|
12.5 |
|
|
Severability |
|
|
A-67 |
|
|
12.6 |
|
|
Assignment; Binding Effect |
|
|
A-67 |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
Limited Liability |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.9 |
|
|
Entire Agreement |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.10 |
|
|
Governing Law |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.11 |
|
|
Counterparts |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.12 |
|
|
Waiver of Jury Trial |
|
|
A-68 |
|
|
12.13 |
|
|
Jurisdiction; Enforcement |
|
|
A-68 |
|
A-iv
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of December 8,
2005 (this Agreement), is among ALLTEL
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (AT Co.),
ALLTEL Holding Corp., a newly formed Delaware corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of AT Co. (Spinco),
and Valor Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the Company).
WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution Date (as such term, and each
other capitalized term used herein and not defined, is defined
in Article I hereof), and subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement entered into
by and between AT Co. and Spinco on the date hereof, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
Distribution Agreement), AT Co. will
(i) engage in the Preliminary Restructuring (as defined in
the Distribution Agreement) in order to separate the Spinco
Assets from the AT Co. Assets and (ii) in exchange for the
contribution to Spinco, directly or indirectly, of all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities
of the Spinco Subsidiaries, Spinco will issue to AT Co. the
Spinco Common Stock (as defined in the Distribution Agreement),
distribute to AT Co. the Spinco Exchange Notes (as defined in
the Distribution Agreement) and pay to AT Co. the Special
Dividend (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), all upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the
transactions described in this clause (ii), collectively,
the Contribution); and
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in the Distribution Agreement, on the Distribution Date, AT Co.
will distribute all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Spinco Common Stock to the Distribution Agent for the benefit of
the holders as of the Record Date (as defined in the
Distribution Agreement) of the outstanding AT Co. Common Stock
(the Distribution); and
WHEREAS, at the Effective Time, the parties will effect the
merger of Spinco with and into the Company, with the Company
continuing as the surviving corporation, all upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, concurrent with the execution of this Agreement, as an
inducement to AT Co.s willingness to enter into this
Agreement and incur the obligations set forth herein, certain of
the Companys stockholders, who beneficially or of record
hold an aggregate of approximately 39.7% of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, have
entered into a Voting Agreement with Spinco, dated as of the
date hereof, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit B (the Voting Agreement),
pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed to vote all of
the shares of capital stock of the Company over which such
stockholders have voting power to adopt this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (i) has
determined that the Merger and this Agreement are advisable,
fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its
stockholders and has approved this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and the
issuance of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger, and (ii) has recommended the adoption by the
stockholders of the Company of this Agreement and the approval
of the transactions contemplated hereby; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Spinco has
(i) determined that the Merger and this Agreement are
advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Spinco and its
sole stockholder, AT Co., and has approved this Agreement and
the Distribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, including the Contribution, the Distribution
and the Merger, and (ii) recommended the adoption by AT
Co., as the sole stockholder of Spinco, of this Agreement and
the approval of the transactions contemplated hereby; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of AT Co. has approved this
Agreement and the Distribution Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Contribution, the
Distribution and the Merger; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the
Contribution, together with the Debt Exchange, qualify as a
tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code),
that the Distribution qualify as a distribution of Spinco stock
to AT Co. stockholders pursuant to Section 355 of the
Code, that the Merger qualify as a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to
A-1
Section 368 of the Code, and that no gain or loss be
recognized as a result of such transactions for federal income
tax purposes by any of AT Co., Spinco, and their respective
stockholders (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of
fractional shares).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
1.1 Action shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 8.13(a).
1.2 Additional Company SEC
Documents shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.4(b).
1.3 Affiliate
means a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, a specified Person. The term control
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms
controlled by and under common control
with), as applied to any Person, means the possession,
direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities or other ownership
interest, by contract or otherwise; provided, however, that for
purposes of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution
Date, no member of either Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of
any member of the other Group.
1.4 Aggregate Merger
Consideration shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(a).
1.5 Agreement
shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
1.6 Approved for
Listing means, with respect to the shares of Company
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger, that such
shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance.
1.7 AT Co.
shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
1.8 AT Co.
Action means (i) any transaction with respect to
the stock or assets of AT Co. that occurs after the
Distribution, (ii) any failure by AT Co. after the
Distribution Date to maintain its status as a company engaged in
the conduct of an active trade or business or
(iii) (x) the failure of any representation made by
AT Co. in connection with the IRS Contribution Ruling, the
IRS Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange Ruling, the IRS
Special Dividend Ruling or the Distribution Tax Opinion or any
subsequent ruling or opinion in connection with the
Distribution, in each case with respect to AT Co. or the
AT Co. Business or the plans, proposals, intentions and
policies of AT Co. after the Distribution, to have been
true and correct in all material respects when made, or
(y) the failure by AT Co. or the AT Co.
Subsidiaries to comply with any covenant made by AT Co. in
connection with the IRS Contribution Ruling, the IRS
Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange Ruling, the IRS
Special Dividend Ruling or the Distribution Tax Opinion or any
subsequent ruling or opinion in connection with the Distribution.
1.9 AT Co.
Approvals shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.2(c).
1.10 AT Co.
Business shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.11 AT Co. Common
Stock means the common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of AT Co.
1.12 AT Co.
Disclosure Letter shall have the meaning set forth in
the first paragraph of Article V.
1.13 AT Co.
Group means AT Co. and the AT Co.
Subsidiaries.
1.14 AT Co. SEC
Documents shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.4(a).
1.15 AT Co.
Subsidiaries means all direct and indirect
Subsidiaries of AT Co., other than any Spinco Subsidiaries.
A-2
1.16 AT Co. Tax
Counsel means Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP.
1.17 AT Excess
Expenses shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.18 Audited Financial
Statements shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4(a)(i).
1.19 Certificate of
Merger shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3.
1.20 Certificates
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
1.21 Closing
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
1.22 Closing
Date shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2.
1.23 Code shall
have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.24 Communications
Act means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
1.25 Company
shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
1.26 Company
Acquisition means, in each case other than the Merger
or as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement,
(i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business
combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction or
series of related transactions involving the Company or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries; (ii) any direct or indirect
purchase or sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition
of the consolidated assets (including stock of the
Companys Subsidiaries) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, constituting 15% or more of the
total consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or accounting for 15% or more of the total
consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, in any one transaction or in a series of
transactions; (iii) any direct or indirect purchase or sale
of or tender offer, exchange offer or any similar transaction or
series of related transactions engaged in by any Person
involving 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock; or (iv) any other substantially similar
transaction or series of related transactions that would
reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements.
1.27 Company Acquisition
Proposal means any proposal regarding a Company
Acquisition.
1.28 Company
Approvals shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(c).
1.29 Company Benefit
Plans shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.12(a).
1.30 Company Common
Stock means the common stock, par value
$.0001 per share, of the Company.
1.31 Company Credit
Agreement means the Senior Credit Agreement, dated as
of November 10, 2004, among Valor Telecommunications
Enterprises, LLC, Valor Telecommunications Enterprises II,
LLC and certain of their respective domestic subsidiaries, as
Borrowers, Valor Telecommunications, LLC, Valor
Telecommunications Southwest, LLC, Valor Telecommunications
Southwest II, LLC and certain of their respective domestic
subsidiaries, including such borrowers, as Guarantors, Bank of
America, N.A., as Senior Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender
and L/ C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as
Senior Syndication Agents, CIBC World Markets Corp. and Merrill,
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Senior
Documentation Agents, and the lenders party thereto.
1.32 Company Disclosure
Letter shall have the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph of Article VII.
1.33 Company
Employee shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.12(a).
1.34 Company IP
Rights shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.14.
1.35 Company Leased Real
Property means all leased Real Property held by the
Company or Company Subsidiaries.
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1.36 Company Leasehold
Improvements means all Leasehold Improvements held by
the Company or Company Subsidiaries.
1.37 Company
Leases means all Leases of the Company or Company
Subsidiaries.
1.38 Company
Licenses shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.15(a).
1.39 Company Material
Contracts shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.16(a).
1.40 Company Owned Real
Property means all Owned Real Property of the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries.
1.41 Company
Permits shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.7(b).
1.42 Company Pre-IPO
Financial Statements shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 7.4(a)(i).
1.43 Company SEC
Documents shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.4(a).
1.44 Company
Securityholders Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 8.22.
1.45 Company Stock
Plans means the Victor Communications Group 2005
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
1.46 Company Stockholders
Meeting shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.7(a).
1.47 Company
Subsidiaries means all direct and indirect
Subsidiaries of the Company.
1.48 Company Superior
Proposal shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.12(c).
1.49 Company Tax
Counsel shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(c).
1.50 Company Voting
Debt shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.2(b).
1.51 Confidentiality
Agreement means the Confidentiality Agreement, dated
as of September 22, 2005 between AT Co. and the
Company.
1.52 Contract or
agreement means any loan or credit agreement,
note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, sublease,
franchise, permit, authorization, license, contract, instrument,
employee benefit plan or other binding commitment, obligation or
arrangement, whether written or oral.
1.53 Contribution
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.54 Controlling
Person shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 12.1(b).
1.55 DGCL means
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
1.56 Disclosure
Letters means, collectively, the AT Co.
Disclosure Letter, the Spinco Disclosure Letter and the Company
Disclosure Letter.
1.57 Dispute
Date shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.5(f).
1.58 Disqualifying
Action shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.2(a).
1.59 Distribution
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.60 Distribution
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
1.61 Distribution
Date shall mean the date and time that the
Distribution shall become effective.
1.62 Distribution
Disqualification means that (i) the Contribution,
taken together with the Distribution, fails to qualify as a
tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code;
(ii) the Distribution, as such, fails to qualify as a
distribution of Spinco stock to AT Co. stockholders
pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, pursuant to which no
gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes by
any of AT Co., Spinco, or the stockholders of AT Co.,
except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional
shares; (iii) the Debt Exchange fails to constitute a
transfer of qualified property to AT Co.s creditors
in connection with the reorganization within the meaning of
Section 361(c)(3) of the Code, but only to the extent that,
but for any
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action on the part of Spinco or the Surviving Corporation after
the Distribution, the Spinco Exchange Notes would have qualified
as securities for federal income tax purposes;
and/or (iv) the Special Dividend fails to qualify as money
transferred to creditors or distributed to shareholders in
connection with the reorganization within the meaning of
Section 361(b)(1) of the Code, but only to the extent that
AT Co. distributes the Special Dividend to its creditors or
shareholders in connection with the Contribution.
1.63 Distribution
Fund shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(a).
1.64 Distribution Tax
Opinion means a written opinion of AT Co. Tax
Counsel, addressed to AT Co. and dated as of the
Distribution Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to AT Co., Spinco and the Company, to the effect that the
Distribution, as such, will qualify as a distribution of Spinco
stock to the stockholders of AT Co. pursuant to
Section 355 of the Code, pursuant to which no gain or loss
will be recognized for federal income tax purposes by any of
AT Co., Spinco or the stockholders of AT Co., except
as to cash received in lieu of fractional shares by the
stockholders of AT Co.
1.65 Distribution Tax
Representations shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(b).
1.66 Effective
Time shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3.
1.67 Employee Benefits
Agreement means the Employee Benefits Agreement to be
entered into between AT Co. and Spinco, substantially in
the form attached to the Distribution Agreement.
1.68 Environmental
Claims shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.10(b).
1.69 Environmental
Law means any and all foreign, federal, state or local
statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other legal requirement
as well as any order, decree, determination, judgment or
injunction issued, promulgated, approved or entered thereunder
by any Governmental Authority, including requirements of common
law, relating to pollution or the protection, cleanup or
restoration of the environment, to the protection of human
health from environmental hazards, including the Federal Clean
Air Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the
Federal Toxic Substances Control Act.
1.70 ERISA means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
1.71 ERISA
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other
Person or any trade or business, whether or not incorporated,
that, together with such first Person, would be deemed a
single employer within the meaning of
section 4001(b) of ERISA.
1.72 Exchange
Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, together with the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder.
1.73 FCC means
the Federal Communications Commission.
1.74 FCC
Applications shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.6(b).
1.75 FCC Rules
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.20(c).
1.76 Final
Determination shall mean a determination within the
meaning of Section 1313 of the Code or any similar
provision of state or local tax law.
1.77 Former
Employees shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.10(d).
1.78 Fully Diluted
Basis shall mean, as of any date, the aggregate number
of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on such date
assuming: (i) the prior exercise of all options and similar
rights to purchase Company Common Stock; (ii) the prior
conversion into, or exchange for, shares of Company Common Stock
of all then issued and outstanding securities which are
convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of Company Common
Stock; and (iii) the prior exercise of any similar
subscription or other rights to acquire, or to cause the Company
to issue, shares of Company Common Stock; provided,
however, that the term Fully Diluted Basis shall
not take into account any shares held in the Companys
treasury; provided further, that the term Fully
Diluted Basis, when used with respect to the calculation
of the Per Share Merger Consideration, shall take into account
the pro forma effect of the surrender to the Company of certain
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restricted shares of Company Common Stock that will be
surrendered to the Company at the direction of the holders
thereof in satisfaction of certain tax liabilities incurred by
such holders as a result of the accelerated vesting of such
restricted shares on the Closing Date (rather than the
originally scheduled vesting date of January 1, 2007).
1.79 GAAP means
United States generally accepted accounting principles.
1.80 Governmental
Authority means any foreign, federal, state or local
court, administrative agency, official board, bureau,
governmental or quasi-governmental entities, having competent
jurisdiction over AT Co., Spinco or the Company, any of their
respective Subsidiaries and any other tribunal or commission or
other governmental department, authority or instrumentality or
any subdivision, agency, mediator, commission or authority of
competent jurisdiction.
1.81 Group means
the AT Co. Group or the Spinco Group, as the case may be.
1.82 Hazardous
Material shall mean any substance, material or waste
regulated under Environmental Laws because of its dangerous or
deleterious properties or characteristics, and includes, without
limitation, petroleum and any derivative thereof.
1.83 HSR Act
means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
1.84 HSR
Agencies means the Federal Trade Commission and the
Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice.
1.85 Indemnified
Party or Indemnified Parties shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 8.13(a).
1.86 Intellectual Property
Rights means all United States and foreign issued and
pending patents, trademarks, service marks, slogans, logos,
trade names, service names, Internet domain names, trade styles,
trade dress and other indicia of origin, and all goodwill
associated with any of the foregoing, copyrights, copyrightable
works, trade secrets, know-how, processes, methods, designs,
computer programs, plans, specifications, data, inventions
(whether or not patentable or reduced to practice),
improvements, confidential, business and other information and
all intangible property, proprietary rights and other
intellectual property, and all registrations, applications and
renewals (including divisionals, continuations,
continuations-in-part,
reissues, renewals, registrations, re-examinations and
extensions) for, and tangible embodiments of, and all rights
with respect to, any of the foregoing.
1.87 Interim Balance Sheet
Date shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4(e).
1.88 Interim Financial
Statements shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4(a)(ii).
1.89 IRS means
the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor
thereto, including, but not limited to, its agents,
representatives and attorneys.
1.90 IRS Contribution
Ruling shall mean a private letter ruling from the IRS
to the effect that the Contribution, taken together with the
Distribution, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under
Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code.
1.91 IRS Debt Exchange
Ruling shall mean a private letter ruling from the IRS
to the effect that AT Co. will not recognize gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes in connection with the receipt of
the Spinco Exchange Notes or the consummation of the Debt
Exchange.
1.92 IRS Distribution
Ruling shall mean a private letter ruling from the IRS
to the effect that the Distribution, as such, will qualify as a
distribution of Spinco stock to the stockholders of AT Co.
pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, pursuant to which no
gain or loss will be recognized for federal income tax purposes
by any of AT Co., Spinco and, except as to cash received in
lieu of fractional shares, by the stockholders of AT Co.
1.93 IRS Special Dividend
Ruling shall mean a private letter ruling from the IRS
to the effect that the Special Dividend will qualify as money
transferred to creditors or distributed to shareholders in
connection
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with the reorganization within the meaning of
Section 361(b)(1) of the Code, to the extent that
AT Co. distributes the Special Dividend to its creditors
and/or shareholders in connection with the Contribution.
1.94 IRS 357(c)
Ruling shall mean a ruling to the effect that
Section 357(c) of the Code will not apply to the Merger.
1.95 IRS
Submission shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(a).
1.96 Law means
any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, code,
ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction,
decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license or permit
of any Governmental Authority.
1.97 Leased Real
Property shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.98 Leasehold
Improvements means all buildings, structures,
improvements and fixtures located on any Leased Real Property
which are owned, regardless of whether title to such buildings,
structures, improvements or fixtures are subject to reversion to
the landlord or other third party upon the expiration or
termination of the Lease for such Leased Real Property.
1.99 Leases
means all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other
agreements (written or oral), including all amendments,
extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with
respect thereto, pursuant to which any Person holds any Leased
Real Property.
1.100 Liens
means all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, security interests,
pledges, leases, conditional sale contracts, claims, charges,
liabilities, obligations, privileges, easements, rights of way,
limitations, reservations, restrictions, options, rights of
first refusal and other encumbrances of every kind. For the
avoidance of doubt, the license of Intellectual Property Rights
shall not itself constitute a Lien.
1.101 Losses
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(b).
1.102 Material Adverse
Effect means, with respect to any business or Person,
any state of facts, change, development, event, effect,
condition or occurrence materially adverse to the business,
assets, properties, liabilities or condition (financial or
otherwise) of such business or Person and its Subsidiaries, as
applicable, taken as a whole, or that, directly or indirectly,
prevents or materially impairs or delays the ability of such
Person to perform its obligations under this Agreement; but
shall not include facts, events, changes, effects or
developments (i) (A) generally affecting the rural,
regional or nationwide wireline voice and data industry in the
United States or in other countries in which such Person or its
Subsidiaries conduct business, including regulatory and
political developments and changes in Law or GAAP, or
(B) generally affecting the economy or financial markets in
the United States or in other countries in which such Person or
its Subsidiaries conduct business, (ii) resulting from the
announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby or by the other Transaction Agreements or the taking of
any action required by this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements in connection with the Merger (including any decrease
in customer demand, any reduction in revenues, any disruption in
supplier, partner or similar relationships, or any loss of
employees) or (iii) resulting from any natural disaster, or
any engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or
not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war,
or the occurrence of any act or acts of terrorism; and provided
that any reduction in the market price or trading volume of such
Persons publicly traded common stock, in itself, shall not
be deemed to constitute a Material Adverse Effect hereunder.
1.103 Merger
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
1.104 Merger Tax
Opinion shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(c).
1.105 NYSE means
the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
1.106 Order
means any decree, judgment, injunction, writ, rule or other
order of any Governmental Authority.
1.107 Owned Real
Property shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
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1.108 PBGC means
the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
1.109 Per Share Merger
Consideration shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(a).
1.110 Permitted
Encumbrances shall mean (A) statutory Liens for
Taxes that are not due and payable as of the Closing Date, or
that are being contested in good faith and for which appropriate
reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;
(B) mechanics liens and similar Liens for labor, materials
or supplies provided, incurred in the ordinary course of
business for amounts which are not due and payable or are
subject to dispute and with respect to which reserves have been
established in accordance with GAAP; (C) zoning, building
codes and other land use Laws regulating the use or occupancy of
such Owned Real Property or Leasehold Improvement (as the case
may be) or the activities conducted thereon which are imposed by
any governmental authority having jurisdiction over such Owned
Real Property or Leasehold Improvement (as the case may be)
which are not violated by the current use or occupancy of such
Owned Real Property or Leasehold Improvement (as the case may
be) or the operation of the business thereon;
(D) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and
other similar matters of record affecting title to any Owned
Real Property or Leasehold Improvement (as the case may be)
which do not or would not materially impair the use or occupancy
of such Owned Real Property or Leasehold Improvement (as the
case may be) in the operation of the business conducted thereon;
and (E) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in connection
with the Spinco Financing or disclosed in the Company SEC
Documents or the Spinco Financial Statements, as applicable.
1.111 Person or
person means a natural person, corporation,
company, joint venture, individual business trust, trust
association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company or other entity, including a Governmental Authority.
1.112 Potential
Disqualifying Action shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 10.2(b).
1.113 Preliminary
Restructuring shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.114 Proxy Statement/
Prospectus means the letters to stockholders, notices
of meeting, proxy statement and forms of proxies to be
distributed to stockholders in connection with the Merger and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any
additional soliciting material or schedules required to be filed
with the SEC in connection therewith.
1.115 PSC
Applications shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.6(b).
1.116 Real
Property shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.117 Record
Date shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.118 Redactable
Information shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(a).
1.119 Registration
Statement means the registration statement on
Form S-4 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the issuance of the shares of
Company Common Stock into which shares of Spinco Common Stock
will be converted pursuant to the Merger (as amended and
supplemented from time to time).
1.120 Regulation S-K
means
Regulation S-K
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
1.121 Regulatory
Law shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.6(d).
1.122 Requisite
Approval shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.22.
1.123 Restraint
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(g).
1.124 Rule 145
Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.14.
1.125 Rule 145
Affiliate Agreement shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.14.
1.126 Ruling
Request shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.7(a).
1.127 Sarbanes-Oxley
Act shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4(f).
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1.128 SEC means
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.129 Securities
Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.130 Senior Debt
Commitment Letter shall have the meaning set forth in
the Distribution Agreement.
1.131 Shared Assets
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.132 Shared Contracts
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.133 Significant
Subsidiary shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
1.134 Special
Dividend shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.135 Specified
Fund Shareholder shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 10.1(c).
1.136 Spinco
shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
1.137 Spinco
Approvals shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.3(d).
1.138 Spinco
Assets shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.139 Spinco Benefit
Plans shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.12(a).
1.140 Spinco
Business shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.141 Spinco Common
Stock means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of Spinco.
1.142 Spinco Disclosure
Letter shall have the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph of Article VI.
1.143 Spinco
Employee shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.12(a).
1.144 Spinco Financial
Statements shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4(a)(iii).
1.145 Spinco IP
Rights shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.14.
1.146 Spinco
Group means Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries.
1.147 Spinco Leased Real
Property means all Leased Real Property held by Spinco
or Spinco Subsidiaries.
1.148 Spinco Leasehold
Improvements means all Leasehold Improvements of
Spinco or Spinco Subsidiaries.
1.149 Spinco
Leases means all Leases of Spinco or Spinco
Subsidiaries.
1.150 Spinco
Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.
1.151 Spinco
Licenses shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.20(a).
1.152 Spinco Material
Contracts shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.15(a).
1.153 Spinco Owned Real
Property means all Owned Real Property of Spinco or
Spinco Subsidiaries.
1.154 Spinco
Permits shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.7(b).
1.155 Spinco Stockholder
Approval shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.17.
1.156 Spinco
Subsidiaries means all direct and indirect
Subsidiaries of Spinco immediately following the Contribution,
including any direct or indirect Subsidiaries of AT Co. that
become Subsidiaries of Spinco after the date hereof.
1.157 Spinco Voting
Debt shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2(b).
1.158 State
Regulators shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.20(a).
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1.159 Subsidiary
means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership,
association, limited liability company, trust or other form of
legal entity in which such Person, a Subsidiary of such Person
or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person,
directly or indirectly, has either (i) a majority ownership
in the equity thereof, (ii) the power, under ordinary
circumstances, to elect, or to direct the election of, a
majority of the board of directors or other analogous governing
body of such entity, or (iii) the title or function of
general partner or manager, or the right to designate the Person
having such title or function.
1.160 Surviving
Corporation shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(a).
1.161 Tax or
Taxes means (i) all taxes, charges,
fees, duties, levies, imposts, rates or other assessments or
governmental charges of any kind imposed by any federal, state,
local or foreign Taxing Authority, including income, gross
receipts, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation,
premium, windfall profits, environmental (including Taxes under
Section 59A of the Code), custom duties, property, sales,
use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, registration,
payroll, withholding, social security (or similar),
unemployment, disability, value added, alternative or add-on
minimum or other taxes, whether disputed or not, and including
any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto;
(ii) liability for the payment of any amount of the type
described in clause (i) above arising as a result of being
(or having been) a member of any group or being (or having been)
included or required to be included in any Tax Return related
thereto; and (iii) liability for the payment of any amount
of the type described in clauses (i) or (ii) above as
a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify or
otherwise assume or succeed to the liability of any other Person.
1.162 Tax-Free Status of
the Transactions shall mean that (i) the
Contribution, taken together with the Distribution, qualifies as
a tax-free reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(D)
of the Code, (ii) the Debt Exchange constitutes a transfer
of qualified property to AT Co.s creditors in connection
with the reorganization within the meaning of
Section 361(c)(3) of the Code, (iii) the Distribution,
as such, qualifies as a distribution of Spinco stock to AT Co.
stockholders pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, pursuant
to which no gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax
purposes by any of AT Co., Spinco, the Company and their
respective stockholders, except to the extent of cash received
in lieu of fractional shares, (iv) the Special Dividend
qualifies as money transferred to creditors or distributed to
shareholders in connection with the reorganization within the
meaning of Section 361(b)(1) of the Code to the extent that
AT Co. distributes the Special Dividend to its creditors or
shareholders in connection with the Contribution, and
(v) the Merger qualifies as a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code, pursuant to which
no gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes by
any of AT Co., Spinco, the Company and their respective
stockholders, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of
fractional shares.
1.163 Tax
Materials shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.1(a).
1.164 Tax-Related
Losses shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.4(a).
1.165 Tax Return
means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement
or document (including any related or supporting information or
schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended
tax return, claim for refund or declaration of estimated tax)
required to be supplied to, or filed with, a Taxing Authority in
connection with the determination, assessment or collection of
any Tax or the administration of any laws, regulations or
administrative requirements relating to any Tax.
1.166 Tax Sharing
Agreement means the Tax Sharing Agreement to be
entered into between AT Co. and its Affiliates and Spinco
substantially in the form attached to the Distribution Agreement.
1.167 Taxing
Authority means any Governmental Authority or any
quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the
assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax
(including the IRS).
1.168 Telecommunications
Regulatory Consents shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.6(b).
1.169 Termination
Date means the date, if any, on which this Agreement
is terminated pursuant to Section 11.1(b).
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1.170 Third-Party
Claim shall mean any claim, suit, arbitration,
inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any
Governmental Authority or asserted by a Person other than
AT Co. or any AT Co. Affiliate, Spinco or any Spinco
Affiliate or the Company or any Company Affiliate.
1.171 Transaction
Agreements means this Agreement, the Distribution
Agreement, the Employee Benefits Agreement, the Shared Assets
Agreement, the Shared Contracts Agreement, the Transition
Services Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement.
1.172 Transferred
Employees shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.10(a).
1.173 Transition Services
Agreement means the Transition Services Agreement to
be entered into by and between AT Co. and Spinco
substantially on the terms set forth in Exhibit D to
the Distribution Agreement.
1.174 Vestar
Persons means all investment funds of Vestar Capital
Partners and individuals affiliated therewith who hold Company
Common Stock.
1.175 Voting
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
1.176 WARN Act
means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of
1988, as amended and any similar state or local law, regulation
or ordinance.
1.177 WCAS
Persons means all investment funds of Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe and individuals affiliated therewith
who hold Company Common Stock.
ARTICLE II
The Merger
2.1 The Merger. At
the Effective Time and upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, Spinco shall be merged with and
into the Company (the Merger) in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, the separate
existence of Spinco shall cease and the Company shall continue
as the surviving corporation of the Merger (sometimes referred
to herein as the Surviving Corporation) and
shall succeed to and assume all the rights, powers and
privileges and be subject to all of the obligations of Spinco in
accordance with the DGCL and upon the terms set forth in this
Agreement.
2.2 Closing. Unless
the transactions herein contemplated shall have been abandoned
and this Agreement terminated pursuant to Section 11.1, the
closing of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby (the Closing) shall take place at
10:00 a.m., Little Rock, Arkansas time, on a date to be
specified by the parties (the Closing Date)
which shall be no later than the second business day after the
satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IX (other
than those that are to be satisfied by action at the Closing) at
a location specified in writing by AT Co.
2.3 Effective Time.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
on the Closing Date, a certificate of merger shall be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with respect to
the Merger (the Certificate of Merger), in
such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with,
the applicable provisions of the DGCL. The Merger shall become
effective at the time of filing of the Certificate of Merger or
at such later time as the parties hereto may agree and as is
provided in the Certificate of Merger. The date and time at
which the Merger shall become so effective is herein referred to
as the Effective Time.
2.4 Effects of the
Merger. At the Effective Time, the effects of the Merger
shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of
Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time,
all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
the Company and Spinco shall vest in the Surviving Corporation,
and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Spinco
shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.
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2.5 Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, without any further
action on the part of Spinco or the Company, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company shall be amended by virtue of the
Merger to read in its entirety in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C, and, as so amended, shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter duly amended in accordance with such Certificate of
Incorporation and applicable Law.
(b) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, without any further
action on the part of Spinco or the Company, the Bylaws of the
Company shall be amended and restated by virtue of the Merger to
read in their entirety in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D, and, as so amended and restated, shall be
the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter duly
amended in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation, such Bylaws and applicable Law.
2.6 Directors and Officers of
the Surviving Corporation. Subject to Section 4.4,
the directors of Spinco at the Effective Time shall, from and
after the Effective Time, be the initial directors of the
Surviving Corporation. In furtherance of the foregoing, the
Company shall take all action reasonably necessary to obtain the
resignations of a number of the current directors of the Company
sufficient to permit the Companys Board of Directors to be
comprised entirely of the directors constituting the Spinco
board of directors as of the Effective Time. Subject to
Section 4.4, the officers of Spinco at the Effective Time
shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the initial
officers of the Surviving Corporation. Such directors and
officers shall serve until their successors have been duly
elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving
Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.
2.7 Stockholders
Meeting.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof
and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company
shall call a special meeting of its stockholders (the
Company Stockholders Meeting) to be held as
promptly as practicable for the purpose of voting upon
(i) the adoption of this Agreement, (ii) the increase
in the authorized shares of Company Common Stock and the
issuance of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger and (iii) related matters. This Agreement shall be
submitted for adoption to the stockholders of the Company at
such special meeting. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Companys stockholders the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus in definitive form in connection with the
Company Stockholders Meeting at the time and in the manner
provided by the applicable provisions of the DGCL, the Exchange
Act and the Companys Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws and shall conduct the Company Stockholders Meeting and
the solicitation of proxies in connection therewith in
compliance with such statutes, certificate of incorporation and
bylaws.
(b) Subject to Section 8.12(c) the Board of Directors
of the Company shall recommend that the Companys
stockholders adopt this Agreement, and such recommendations
shall be set forth in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus. Unless
and until this Agreement shall have been terminated in
accordance with its terms, the Company shall comply with its
obligations under Section 2.7(a) whether or not its Board
of Directors withdraws, modifies or changes its recommendation
regarding this Agreement or recommends any other offer or
proposal.
2.8 Potential Restructuring
of Transactions. If, prior to the date on which the
Company intends to commence solicitation of proxies for use at
the Company Stockholders Meeting, which date, unless the parties
otherwise agree, shall be no earlier than March 15, 2006,
the IRS notifies AT Co. that the IRS will not issue the IRS
357(c) Ruling, then, during the ensuing 30 day period, the
parties will collaborate reasonably and in good faith in order
to determine a possible alternative structure for the
transactions contemplated hereby that the parties determine,
with the assistance of their respective tax advisors, will
either make likely the receipt from the IRS of the IRS 357(c)
Ruling or eliminate the necessity for an IRS 357(c) Ruling, in
either case, without (a) substantially increasing the costs
to any party associated with the transactions contemplated
hereby, (b) causing the performance of the covenants and
agreements of any party hereunder to become substantially more
burdensome, (c) substantially increasing the regulatory or
other consents or approvals required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, or (d) otherwise
resulting in any substantial
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impediment to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. In the event the parties reasonably, and in good faith,
agree upon such an alternative structure, they shall be
obligated, as soon as practicable thereafter, to modify the
covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement and the
other Transaction Agreements accordingly to reflect the change
in transaction structure referenced in the immediately preceding
sentence. In furtherance of the foregoing, each of the parties
shall take all action reasonably necessary to modify the Ruling
Request to reflect the transactions as so modified and
effectuate the change in transaction structure contemplated by
this Section 2.8, and each such party shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the transactions contemplated
hereby, as so modified, to be consummated as soon as practicable
thereafter. To the extent that the filing or effectiveness of
the materials necessary for the solicitation of proxies for use
at the Company Stockholders Meeting is delayed in order to
afford the parties the time necessary to obtain a response with
respect to the IRS 357(c) Ruling such delay will be deemed to
not constitute, nor constitute any basis for a claim of, a
breach of the Companys covenants under Article VIII
hereof or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates
3.1 Effect on Capital
Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Spinco, the Company or any
holder of any Spinco Common Stock:
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(a) All of the shares of Spinco Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares canceled in accordance with Section 3.1(b)) shall be
automatically converted into the right to receive an aggregate
number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Company Common Stock equal to the
product of (x) 5.6667 multiplied by (y) the aggregate
number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding,
on a Fully Diluted Basis, immediately prior to the Effective
Time (the Aggregate Merger Consideration),
with each such share of Spinco Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of the Effective Time to be converted into the
right to receive a number of shares of Company Common Stock
equal to (i) the Aggregate Merger Consideration divided by
(ii) the aggregate number of shares of Spinco Common Stock
issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective
Time (other than shares canceled in accordance with
Section 3.1(b)) (the Per Share Merger
Consideration). |
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(b) Each share of Spinco Common Stock held by Spinco as
treasury stock and each share of Spinco Common Stock owned by
the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company or
Spinco, in each case immediately prior to the Effective Time,
shall be canceled and shall cease to exist and no stock or other
consideration shall be issued or delivered in exchange therefor. |
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(c) Each share of Spinco Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, when
converted in accordance with this Section 3.1, shall no
longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and
shall cease to exist. Each holder of a certificate that,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding
shares of Spinco Common Stock (collectively, the
Certificates) shall cease to have any rights
with respect thereto, except the right to receive, upon the
surrender of any such Certificate, the Per Share Merger
Consideration. |
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(d) Each share of Company Common Stock that is issued and
outstanding immediately prior to and at the Effective Time shall
remain outstanding following the Effective Time. |
3.2 Distribution of Per Share
Merger Consideration.
(a) Agent. Prior to or at the Effective Time,
the Company shall deposit with the Agent (as defined in the
Distribution Agreement), for the benefit of persons entitled to
receive shares of Spinco Common Stock in the Distribution and
for distribution in accordance with this Article III,
through the Agent, certificates or book-entry authorizations
representing the shares of Company Common Stock (such shares of
Company Common Stock, together with any dividends or
distributions with respect thereto to which the holders thereof
may be entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(c), being
hereinafter referred to as the Distribution
Fund) issuable
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pursuant to Section 3.1 in exchange for outstanding shares
of Spinco Common Stock. The Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable
instructions, deliver the Company Common Stock contemplated to
be issued pursuant to Section 3.1 from the shares of stock
held in the Distribution Fund. If the Company deposits the
Shares into the Distribution Fund prior to the Effective Time
and the Merger is not consummated, the Agent shall promptly
return the shares to the Company. The Distribution Fund shall
not be used for any other purpose.
(b) Distribution Procedures. At the Effective
Time, all shares of Spinco Common Stock shall be converted into
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to, and in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, immediately following which
the Agent shall distribute on the same basis as the shares of
Spinco Common Stock would have been distributed in the
Distribution and to the persons entitled to receive such
Distribution, in respect of the outstanding shares of AT Co.
Common Stock held by holders of record of AT Co. Common Stock on
the Record Date, all of the shares of Company Common Stock into
which the shares of Spinco Common Stock that otherwise would
have been distributed in the Distribution have been converted
pursuant to the Merger. Each person entitled to receive Spinco
Common Stock in the Distribution shall be entitled to receive in
respect of the shares of Spinco Common Stock otherwise
distributable to such person a certificate or book-entry
authorization representing the number of whole shares of Company
Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive pursuant
to this Article III (and cash in lieu of fractional shares
of Company Common Stock, as contemplated by Section 3.2(e))
(and any dividends or distributions pursuant to
Section 3.2(c)). The Agent shall not be entitled to vote or
exercise any rights of ownership with respect to the Company
Common Stock held by it from time to time hereunder, except that
it shall receive and hold all dividends or other distributions
paid or distributed with respect thereto for the account of
persons entitled thereto.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Undistributed
Shares. No dividends or other distributions declared or
made after the Effective Time with respect to Company Common
Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid
with respect to any shares of Company Common Stock that are not
able to be distributed by the Distribution Agent promptly after
the Effective Time, whether due to a legal impediment to such
distribution or otherwise. Subject to the effect of applicable
laws, following the distribution of any such previously
undistributed shares of Common Stock of the Company, there shall
be paid to the record holder of the certificates representing
such shares of Company Common Stock, without interest
(i) at the time of the distribution, the amount of cash
payable in lieu of fractional shares of Company Common Stock to
which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(e)
and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record
date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to
such whole shares of Company Common Stock and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date therefor, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
but prior to the distribution of such shares and a payment date
subsequent to the distribution of such shares payable with
respect to such whole shares of Company Common Stock. The
Company shall deposit in the Distribution Fund all such
dividends and distributions.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Spinco Common
Stock. All shares of Company Common Stock issued in
respect of shares of Spinco Common Stock (including any cash
paid pursuant to Section 3.2(c)) shall be deemed to have
been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
such shares of Spinco Common Stock.
(e) No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no certificate or scrip
representing fractional shares of Company Common Stock shall be
issued in respect of shares of Spinco Common Stock, and such
fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to
vote or to any rights as a stockholder of the Company. All
fractional shares of Company Common Stock that a holder of
Spinco Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive as a
result of the Merger shall be aggregated and if a fractional
share results from such aggregation, such holder shall be
entitled to receive, in lieu thereof, an amount in cash
determined by multiplying (i) the closing sale price per
share of Company Common Stock on the NYSE on the business day
preceding the Effective Time, if the stock is being traded on
such date, or if the stock is not being traded on such date, the
closing sale price per share of Company Common Stock on the NYSE
on the first business day that such stock is traded, by
(ii) the fraction of a share of Company Common Stock to
which such holder would otherwise have been entitled. The
Company shall timely make available to the Agent any cash
necessary to make payments in lieu of fractional shares as
aforesaid. Alternatively, the
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Company shall have the option of instructing the Agent to
aggregate all fractional shares of Company Common Stock, sell
such shares in the public market and distribute to holders of
Spinco Common Stock who otherwise would have been entitled to
such fractional shares of Company Common Stock a pro rata
portion of the proceeds of such sale.
(f) Termination of Distribution Fund. Any
portion of the Distribution Fund made available to the Agent
that remains undistributed to the former stockholders of Spinco
on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Time shall be
delivered to the Company, upon demand, and any stockholders of
Spinco who have not received shares of Company Common Stock in
accordance with this Article III shall thereafter look only
to the Company for payment of their claim for Company Common
Stock and any dividends or distributions with respect to Company
Common Stock.
(g) No Liability. Neither Spinco nor the
Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Spinco
Common Stock or any holder of shares of AT Co. Common Stock for
shares of Company Common Stock (or dividends or distributions
with respect thereto or with respect to Spinco Common Stock)
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(h) Closing of Transfer Books. From and after
the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of Spinco shall be
closed and no transfer shall be made of any shares of capital
stock of Spinco that were outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
(i) Withholding Rights. Spinco, the Company
and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to
this Agreement to any holder of any Spinco Common Stock such
amounts as they determine in good faith are required to be
deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment
under the Code, or under any provision of state, local or
foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and
paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority, such withheld
amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as
having been paid to the recipient.
ARTICLE IV
Related Transactions
The following transactions shall occur at or prior to the
Effective Time.
4.1 Distribution.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Distribution
Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, AT Co. and Spinco each
shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause
to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable, including
obtaining any consent, approval or waiver from, and satisfying
any notification requirements to, any Governmental Authority or
other third party, that is required under applicable Laws or
pursuant to any Contract to which AT Co., Spinco or any of their
respective Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their
respective assets are based, to consummate and make effective
the Contribution and the Distribution and the other transactions
contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and shall use their
respective reasonable best efforts to cause to be effected the
Contribution and the Distribution in accordance with the terms
of the Distribution Agreement.
4.2 AT Co./ Spinco
Transaction Agreements. Upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Distribution Agreement, at or prior to the
Effective Time, AT Co. and Spinco shall each execute and deliver
the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and
the Employee Matters Agreement, each substantially in the form
attached to the Distribution Agreement, as well as the Shared
Assets Agreement, the Shared Contracts Agreement and all other
agreements, if any, required in connection with the Contribution
and the Distribution.
4.3 Corporate
Offices. From and after the Effective Time, the location
of the headquarters and principal executive offices of the
Surviving Corporation shall be the executive offices of Spinco
as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
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4.4 Directors and Officers of
Spinco. AT Co. and Spinco shall take all action
reasonably necessary to cause the Board of Directors of Spinco
immediately prior to the Effective Time to consist of nine
(9) members, one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of
the Board of Directors of Spinco, as set forth on
Exhibit E hereto, one (1) of whom shall be the
Chief Executive Officer of Spinco, as set forth on
Exhibit E hereto, six (6) of whom shall be
designated by AT Co. and one (1) of whom shall be
designated by the Company. Each of the parties hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the Companys designee and at
least four (4) of AT Co.s designees shall be
independent directors within the meaning given such
term under the rules of the NYSE. At the Effective Time, Francis
X. Frantz shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Surviving Corporation. The Board of Directors of the
Surviving Corporation shall be divided into three classes, each
initially comprised of three (3) directors, with directors
serving staggered three (3) year terms and only one
(1) class of directors standing for election each year, it
being acknowledged and agreed that (i) the Companys
designee shall be appointed as a Class II director of
Spinco with a term expiring at the 2008 annual meeting and
(ii) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief
Executive Officer and one director designated by AT Co. shall be
appointed as Class III directors of Spinco with terms
expiring at the 2009 annual meeting. By no later than the date
on which the Company commences solicitation of proxies for use
at the Company Stockholders Meeting, (i) AT Co. shall give
written notice to the Company setting forth AT Co.s
designees to the Spinco Board of Directors and (ii) the
Company shall give written notice to AT Co. setting forth the
Companys designee to the Spinco Board of Directors and, in
each case, specifying such information with respect to each such
designee as is required to be disclosed in the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus. Spinco shall take all action reasonably necessary so
that the officers of Spinco immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall consist of the individuals set forth in
Exhibit E attached hereto.
4.5 Financing
Cooperation.
(a) Each of AT Co., Spinco and, if reasonably requested by
AT Co. or Spinco, the Company shall cooperate in connection with
the preparation of all documents and the making of all filings
required in connection with the Spinco Financing (as defined in
the Distribution Agreement) and the Debt Exchange (as defined in
the Distribution Agreement) and shall use their respective
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions and to do, or cause to be done, all other things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Spinco
Financing and the Debt Exchange and the other transactions
contemplated in connection therewith. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each of AT Co., Spinco and, if
reasonably requested by AT Co. or Spinco, the Company shall use
their respective reasonable best efforts to cause their
respective employees, accountants, counsel and other
representatives to cooperate with each other in
(i) participating in meetings, drafting sessions, due
diligence sessions, management presentation sessions, road
shows and sessions with rating agencies in connection with
the syndication or marketing of the Spinco Credit Agreement (as
defined in the Distribution Agreement) and the consummation of
the Spinco Notes Offering (as defined in the Distribution
Agreement), (ii) preparing business projections, financial
statements, offering memoranda, private placement memoranda,
prospectuses and similar documents deemed reasonably necessary
by AT Co., Spinco or the Company, to be used in connection with
consummating the Spinco Financing and the Debt Exchange,
(iii) executing and delivering all documents and
instruments deemed reasonably necessary by AT Co., Spinco or the
Company, including any underwriting or placement agreements,
pledge and security documents, other definitive financing
documents, including any indemnity agreements, or other
requested certificates or documents, legal opinions, engineering
reports, environmental assessment reports, surveys and title
insurance as may be reasonably requested by Spinco, provided,
however, that no such agreements or documents shall impose any
monetary obligation or liability on the Company prior to the
Effective Time, (iv) disclosing the Spinco Financing and
the Debt Exchange, as reasonably appropriate, in the
Registration Statement, and (v) taking all other actions
reasonably necessary in connection with the Spinco Financing,
including any such actions required to permit the assumption by
the Surviving Corporation of such Spinco Credit Agreement,
Spinco Exchange Notes and Spinco Notes at the Effective Time.
(b) The Company shall use all reasonable best efforts to
cause Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent auditors
of the Company, to provide any unqualified opinions, consents or
customary comfort letters with respect to the financial
statements of the Company needed in connection with the Spinco
Financing. The
A-16
Company agrees to allow Spincos accounting representatives
the opportunity to review any financial statements pursuant to
this Section 4.5 and to allow such representatives
reasonable access to the Company and its Subsidiaries and
supporting documentation with respect to the preparation of such
financial statements and to use reasonable best efforts to cause
its independent auditors to provide reasonable access to their
working papers relating to procedures performed with respect to
such financial statements.
(c) AT Co. and Spinco shall use all reasonable best efforts
to cause Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, the independent auditors
of Spinco, to provide any unqualified opinions, consents or
customary comfort letters with respect to the financial
statements of Spinco needed in connection with the Spinco
Financing, the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or the Registration
Statement. Spinco agrees to allow the Companys accounting
representatives the opportunity to review any financial
statements pursuant to this Section 4.5 and to allow such
representatives reasonable access to Spinco and its Subsidiaries
and supporting documentation with respect to the preparation of
such financial statements and to use reasonable best efforts to
cause its independent auditors to provide reasonable access to
their working papers relating to procedures performed with
respect to such financial statements.
ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties of AT Co.
Except as disclosed in the corresponding section of the
Disclosure Letter delivered by AT Co. to the Company immediately
prior to the execution of this Agreement and signed by an
authorized officer of AT Co. (the AT Co.
Disclosure Letter) (it being agreed that disclosure of
any item in any section of the AT Co. Disclosure Letter shall be
deemed disclosure with respect to any other section of this
Agreement to which the relevance of such item is reasonably
apparent on its face), AT Co. hereby represents and warrants to
the Company as follows:
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5.1 Organization;
Qualification. AT Co. is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware. AT Co. and its Subsidiaries have all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate their properties and assets that will be contributed to
Spinco pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, except where the
failure to have such power and authority would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business. Each of AT Co. and its
Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is
in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property
owned, leased or operated by the Spinco Business that will be
contributed to Spinco pursuant to the Distribution Agreement or
the nature of the Spinco Business operated by it makes such
qualification necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the
failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business. |
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5.2 Corporate Authority; No
Violation. |
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(a) AT Co. has the corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement
to which it is a party and to carry out its obligations
hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and
performance by AT Co. of this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement to which it is a party and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on
the part of AT Co., except for such further action of the
Board of Directors of AT Co. required to establish the
Record Date and the Distribution Date, and the effectiveness of
the declaration of the Distribution by the Board of Directors of
AT Co. (which is subject to the satisfaction or, to the
extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of the conditions set
forth in the Distribution Agreement). This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by AT Co. and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Company,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of AT Co.,
enforceable against AT Co. in accordance with its terms
(except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, or by
principles governing |
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the availability of equitable remedies). As of the Distribution
Date, each other Transaction Agreement to which AT Co. is a
party will have been duly executed and delivered by AT Co.
and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by
the other parties thereto, will constitute a legal, valid and
binding agreement of AT Co., enforceable against
AT Co. in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). |
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(b) Neither the execution and delivery by AT Co. of
this Agreement and other Transaction Agreements to which it is a
party nor the consummation by AT Co. of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or compliance by AT Co. with
any of the provisions hereof or thereof will (i) violate or
conflict with any provisions of AT Co.s Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws; (ii) result in a default (or an
event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) or give rise to any right of termination by any third
party, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation
or the loss of any benefit under, any Contract to which
AT Co. or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
AT Co. or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected;
(iii) result in the creation of a Lien, pledge, security
interest, claim or other encumbrance on any of the issued and
outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock, capital stock of any
Spinco Subsidiary or on any of the Spinco Assets pursuant to any
Contract to which AT Co. or any of its Subsidiaries
(including Spinco and its Subsidiaries) is a party or by which
AT Co. or its Subsidiaries is bound or affected; or
(iv) assuming the consents and approvals contemplated by
Section 5.2(c) below are obtained, violate or conflict with
any order, writ, injunction, decree, Law, ordinance, rule or
regulation applicable to AT Co. or any of its Subsidiaries
(including Spinco and its Subsidiaries), or any of the
properties, business or assets of any of the foregoing, other
than, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iv), any
such violation, conflict, default, right, loss or Lien which
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business. |
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(c) Other than in connection with or in compliance with
(i) the provisions of the DGCL, (ii) the Securities
Act, (iii) the Exchange Act, (iv) the HSR Act,
(v) the Communications Act and applicable rules and
regulations thereunder and FCC Rules, (vi) the approvals
set forth on Section 5.2(c) of the AT Co. Disclosure
Letter, and (vii) the rules and regulations of the NYSE
(collectively, the AT Co. Approvals), no
authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by
AT Co. of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the other Transaction Agreements, except for such
authorizations, consents, approvals or filings that, if not
obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Spinco Business. |
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5.3 Information
Supplied. All documents that AT Co. is responsible
for filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby and by each other
Transaction Agreement will comply in all material respects with
the provisions of applicable Law. All information supplied or to
be supplied by AT Co. in any document, other than the
Registration Statement which is addressed in Section 6.8
hereof, filed with any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other
Transaction Agreements will be, at the time of filing, at the
Distribution Date and at the Effective Time, true and correct in
all material respects. |
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5.4 AT Co. Reports and
Financial Statements. |
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(a) AT Co. has previously made available to the
Company complete and correct copies of: |
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(i) AT Co.s Annual Reports on
Form 10-K filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act for each of the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002; |
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(ii) AT Co.s Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act for the quarters ended
March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30,
2005; |
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(iii) each definitive proxy statement filed by AT Co.
with the SEC under the Exchange Act since January 1, 2003; |
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(iv) all current reports on
Form 8-K filed by
AT Co. with the SEC under the Exchange Act since
January 1, 2003; and |
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(v) each other form, report, schedule, registration
statement and definitive proxy statement filed by AT Co. or
any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC since January 1, 2003
and prior to the date hereof (collectively, and together with
the items specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above,
the AT Co. SEC Documents). |
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(b) As of their respective dates, the AT Co. SEC
Documents complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the
case may be, and none of such AT Co. SEC Documents when
filed contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited
consolidated interim financial statements included in the
AT Co. SEC Documents (including any related notes and
schedules) fairly present in all material respects the financial
position of AT Co. and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and
changes in cash flows, changes in stockholders equity or
other information included therein for the periods or as of the
respective dates then ended, subject, where appropriate, to
normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which AT Co.
management expects to be material), in each case in accordance
with past practice and GAAP, consistently applied, during the
periods involved (except as otherwise stated therein). Since
January 1, 2002, AT Co. has timely filed all reports,
registration statements and other filings required to be filed
with the SEC under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Except
as set forth in the AT Co. SEC Documents filed prior to the
date hereof or Section 5.4 of the AT Co. Disclosure
Letter or liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice, since the Interim
Balance Sheet Date, AT Co. and its Subsidiaries have not
incurred any liability or obligation that is of a nature that
would be required to be disclosed on a consolidated balance
sheet of AT Co. and its Subsidiaries or in the notes
thereto prepared in conformity with GAAP, other than liabilities
or obligations that would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Spinco Business. |
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(c) AT Co. has designed and maintains a system of
internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP. AT Co. (A) has designed and
maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) of the
Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be
disclosed by AT Co. in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act with respect to the AT Co. Business
and the Spinco Business is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to
AT Co.s management as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the
certifications of the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer of AT Co. required pursuant to
Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
(B) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of
such disclosure controls and procedures prior to the date hereof
to AT Co.s auditors and the audit committee of
AT Co.s Board of Directors, (x) any significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation
of internal controls over financial reporting that are
reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect
AT Co.s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information with respect to the AT Co.
Business and the Spinco Business and (y) any fraud, whether
or not material, that involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in the AT Co.s internal
controls over financial reporting with respect to the
AT Co. Business and the Spinco Business. AT Co. has
made available to the Company any such disclosure made by
management to AT Co.s auditors and the audit
committee of AT Co.s Board of Directors. |
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5.5 Brokers or
Finders. Other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, JP Morgan Securities
Inc. and Stephens, Inc., no agent, broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other similar Person is or will be
entitled, by reason of any agreement, act or statement by
AT Co. or any |
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of its Subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, to any
financial advisory, brokers, finders or similar fee
or commission, to reimbursement of expenses or to
indemnification or contribution in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or other Transaction
Agreement. |
ARTICLE VI
Representations and Warranties of AT Co. and Spinco
Except as disclosed in the corresponding section of the
Disclosure Letter delivered by Spinco to the Company immediately
prior to the execution of this Agreement and signed by an
authorized officer of Spinco (the Spinco Disclosure
Letter) (it being agreed that disclosure of any item
in any section of the Spinco Disclosure Letter shall be deemed
disclosure with respect to any other section of this Agreement
to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on
its face), AT Co. and Spinco, jointly and severally,
represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
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6.1 Organization,
Qualification. |
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(a) Spinco and each of the Spinco Subsidiaries is, or on
the date of its incorporation will be a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation, has, or will have, all
requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
conducted or as proposed to be conducted, except where the
failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing or to
have such power and authority would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco, and is, or will be, duly qualified and
licensed to do business and is, or will be, in good standing in
each jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its
property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, except for jurisdictions in which the failure to
be so qualified or to be in good standing would not reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. The copies of the Spinco
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws (or analogous governing documents) of
each Spinco Subsidiary that is, or upon completion of the
Contribution will be, a Significant Subsidiary of Spinco
previously made available to the Company are complete and
correct copies of such documents as in full force and effect on
the date hereof. |
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(b) Section 6.1(b) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter
sets forth a list of the Spinco Subsidiaries and their
respective jurisdictions of incorporation, together with a
designation of those Spinco Subsidiaries that upon completion of
the Contribution will constitute Significant Subsidiaries of
Spinco. |
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6.2 Capital Stock and Other
Matters. |
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(a) As of the date hereof, (i) the authorized capital
stock of Spinco consists of 1,000 shares of Spinco Common
Stock, (ii) 1,000 shares of Spinco Common Stock are
issued and outstanding, and (iii) no shares of Spinco
Common Stock are held by Spinco in its treasury. All of the
issued and outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and free of pre-emptive rights. |
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(b) No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of
Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries having the right to
vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having
the right to vote) on any matters on which holders of shares of
capital stock of Spinco (including Spinco Common Stock) may vote
(Spinco Voting Debt) are, or immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be, issued or outstanding. |
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(c) Except in connection with the Merger or as otherwise
provided for in the Transaction Agreements, there are not, and
immediately prior to the Effective Time there will not be, any
outstanding, securities, options, warrants, convertible
securities, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements, undertakings or Contracts of any kind to which
Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary is a party or by which any of
them is bound obligating Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or
sold, additional shares of capital stock, Spinco Voting Debt or
other |
A-20
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voting securities of Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary or
obligating Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary to issue, grant,
extend, redeem, acquire or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, convertible security, call, right, commitment,
agreement, arrangement, undertaking or Contract. |
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(d) There are not, and immediately prior to the Effective
Time there will not be, any stockholder agreements, voting
trusts or other Contracts (other than the Distribution
Agreement) to which Spinco is a party or by which it is bound
relating to voting or transfer of any shares of capital stock of
Spinco. |
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6.3 Corporate Authority; No
Violation. |
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(a) Spinco has the corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement to
which it is a party and to carry out its obligations hereunder
and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by
Spinco of this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement to
which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action on the part of Spinco, except for
such further action by the Board of Directors of Spinco required
to effect the reclassification of the Spinco Common Stock, the
distribution of the Spinco Exchange Notes to AT Co. and the
payment of the Special Dividend, each as contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement. |
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(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Spinco and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company and AT Co., constitutes a legal,
valid and binding agreement of Spinco, enforceable against
Spinco in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). As of immediately prior to
the Effective Time, each other Transaction Agreement to which
Spinco is a party will have been duly executed and delivered by
Spinco and will, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the other parties thereto, constitute a legal, valid
and binding agreement of Spinco, enforceable against Spinco in
accordance with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). |
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(c) Neither the execution and delivery by Spinco of this
Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement to which Spinco
is a party, nor the consummation by Spinco of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or performance by Spinco of the
provisions hereof or thereof will (i) violate or conflict
with any provision of Spincos Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws; (ii) result in a default (or an event that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) or give
rise to any right of termination or buy-out by any third party,
cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the
loss of any benefit under any Contract to which Spinco or any
Spinco Subsidiary is a party or by which Spinco or any Spinco
Subsidiary or any of the Spinco Assets is bound or affected;
(iii) result in the creation of a Lien, pledge, security
interest, claim or other encumbrance on any of the issued and
outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock or capital stock of
any Spinco Subsidiary or on any of the Spinco Assets pursuant to
any Contract to which Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary is a party
or by which Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary or any of the Spinco
Assets is bound or affected; or (iv) assuming the consents
and approvals contemplated by Section 6.3(d) below are
obtained, violate or conflict with any order, writ, injunction,
decree, Law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Spinco
or any Spinco Subsidiary, or any of the properties, businesses
or assets of any of the foregoing, other than, in the case of
each of clauses (i) through (iv), any such violation,
conflict, default, right, loss or Lien which would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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(d) Other than in connection with or in compliance with
(i) the provisions of the DGCL, (ii) the Securities
Act, (iii) the Exchange Act, (iv) the HSR Act,
(v) the Communications Act and FCC Rules, and (vi) the
approvals set forth on Section 6.3(d) of the Spinco
Disclosure Letter (collectively, the Spinco
Approvals), no authorization, consent or approval of,
or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the
consummation by Spinco of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which Spinco
is a party, except for such |
A-21
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authorizations, consents, approvals or filings that, if not
obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco. |
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6.4 Financial
Statements. |
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(a) AT Co. and Spinco have previously made available to the
Company: |
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(i) the audited combined balance sheets of Spinco and its
Subsidiaries at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and the
related audited combined statements of operations, cash flows
and stockholders equity for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, including the notes
thereto (collectively, the Audited Financial
Statements); and |
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(ii) the unaudited interim combined balance sheet at
September 30, 2005, and the related unaudited interim
combined statements of operations, cash flows and
stockholders equity for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 (collectively, the Interim
Financial Statements and, together with the Audited
Financial Statements, the Spinco Financial
Statements). |
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(b) AT Co. and Spinco will deliver to the Company promptly
upon request any and all other financial other financial
statements for Spinco and Spinco Subsidiaries required to be
included by
Regulation S-X of
the Exchange Act in the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus. |
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(c) The Spinco Financial Statements fairly present in all
material respects, and any other financial statements prepared
in accordance with Section 6.4(b) will fairly present in
all material respects, the financial position of the Spinco
Business as of the dates thereof, and the results of operations
and changes in cash flows, changes in stockholders equity
or other information included therein for the periods or as of
the dates then ended, in each case except as otherwise noted
therein and subject, where appropriate, to normal year-end audit
adjustments (none of which Spinco management expects to be
material). The Spinco Financial Statements and such other
financial statements have been or will be prepared in accordance
with GAAP, and on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted
therein. |
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(d) As of the date hereof, neither Spinco nor any of the
Spinco Subsidiaries is required to file any form, report,
registration statement, prospectus or other document with the
SEC. |
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(e) Except for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course
of business, consistent with past practice, since the date of
the balance sheet included in the Interim Financial Statements
(the Interim Balance Sheet Date) or as set
forth in the Spinco Financial Statements or the notes thereto,
since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries have not incurred any liabilities or obligations
that are of a nature that would be required to be disclosed on a
consolidated balance sheet of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries
or in the notes thereto prepared in conformity with GAAP, other
than liabilities or obligations that would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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(f) At or prior to the Effective Time, Spinco will have
(A) designed and be maintaining a system of internal
controls over financial reporting (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances
regarding the reliability of financial reporting with respect to
the Spinco Business and the preparation of financial statements
with respect to the Spinco Business for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP, and (B) designed and be maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) of the
Exchange Act) to ensure that material information that
AT Co. is required to disclose with respect to the Spinco
Business in the reports AT Co. is required to file or
submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to
AT Co.s management as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the
certifications of the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer of AT Co. required pursuant to
Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as
amended (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). |
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6.5 Absence of Certain
Changes or Events. Except as specifically contemplated
by this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, since the
Interim Balance Sheet Date, the Spinco Business |
A-22
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has been conducted in the ordinary course, consistent with past
practice, and there has not been any event, occurrence,
development or state of circumstances or facts that has had, or
would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. From the Interim
Balance Sheet Date to the date hereof, none of AT Co.,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries has taken any
action or failed to take any action, which action or failure, as
the case may be, would constitute a breach of Section 8.2
if taken without the Companys consent after the date
hereof. |
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6.6 Investigations;
Litigation. |
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(a) There is no investigation or review pending (or, to the
knowledge of Spinco or AT Co., threatened) by any
Governmental Authority with respect to Spinco or any of the
Spinco Subsidiaries, or with respect to AT Co. or any
AT Co. Subsidiary relating to the Spinco Business. |
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(b) There are no actions, suits, inquiries, grievances,
arbitrations, investigations or proceedings pending (or, to the
knowledge of Spinco or AT Co., threatened) against or
affecting Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties or otherwise affecting the Spinco
Business at law or in equity and there are no orders, judgments
or decrees of any Governmental Authority, in each case which
would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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6.7 Compliance with Laws;
Permits. |
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(a) Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries are, or on the
Distribution Date will be, and have been since January 1,
2003, in compliance with all, and have received no notice of any
violation (as yet unremedied) of any, Laws applicable to Spinco,
such Spinco Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties
or assets or otherwise affecting the Spinco Business, except
where such non-compliance, default or violation has not had, and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Section 6.7(a), no
representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this
Section 6.7(a) in respect of environmental, tax, employee
benefits, labor or communications Laws, which are the subject of
the representations and warranties made in Sections 6.10,
6.11, 6.12, 6.13 and 6.21 of this Agreement, respectively. |
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(b) Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries are, or on the
Distribution Date will be, in possession of all franchises,
grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances,
exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any
Governmental Authority necessary for Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate the Spinco Assets or to
carry on the Spinco Business as it is now conducted, or on the
Distribution Date will be conducted (the Spinco
Permits), except where the failure to have any of the
Spinco Permits has not had, and would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. All Spinco Permits are in full force and
effect, or immediately prior to the Effective Time will be in
full force and effect, except where the failure to be in full
force and effect has not had, and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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6.8 Proxy Statement/
Prospectus; Registration Statement. None of the
information regarding AT Co. or its Subsidiaries, Spinco or
the Spinco Subsidiaries, or the Spinco Business, or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other
Transaction Agreement provided by AT Co. or Spinco or any
of their respective Subsidiaries specifically for inclusion in,
or incorporation by reference into, the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus or the Registration Statement will, in the case of
the definitive Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, at the time of the mailing of the definitive
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
thereto and at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, or,
in the case of the Registration Statement, at the time it
becomes effective, at the time of the Company Stockholders
Meeting and at the Effective Time contain an untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading. |
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6.9 Information
Supplied. All documents that Spinco is responsible for
filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction
Agreement will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law. All information supplied or to be
supplied by Spinco in any document, other than the Registration
Statement, which is addressed in Section 6.8, filed with
any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the other Transaction Agreements will
be, at the time of filing, at the Distribution Date and at the
Effective Time, true and correct in all material respects. |
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6.10 Environmental
Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco: |
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(a) Spinco and each of the Spinco Subsidiaries is, or on
the Distribution Date will be, and since January 1, 2003
has been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws
and Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries possess, or on the
Distribution Date will possess, all Spinco Permits that are
required under applicable Environmental Laws and are, or on the
Distribution Date will be, in compliance with the terms and
conditions thereof; |
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(b) neither Spinco nor any of the Spinco Subsidiaries has
received written notice of, or is the subject of, any actions,
causes of action, claims, investigations, demands or notices by
any person asserting an obligation on the part of Spinco or the
Spinco Subsidiaries to conduct investigations or
clean-up activities
under Environmental Law or alleging liability under or
non-compliance with any Environmental Law (collectively,
Environmental Claims); |
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(c) neither Spinco nor any of the Spinco Subsidiaries is
subject to any indemnification obligation with respect to
Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials, including such
obligations regarding businesses currently or formerly owned or
operated by Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or
regarding properties formerly owned or leased by Spinco or any
of the Spinco Subsidiaries; |
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(d) there is no condition on, at, under or related to any
property (including any release of a Hazardous Material into the
air, soil, surface water, sediment or ground water at, under or
migrating to or from such property) including related to
property currently owned, leased or used by AT Co., Spinco
or any of their respective Subsidiaries or created by
AT Co.s, Spincos or any Spinco
Subsidiarys operations that would give rise to liability
for Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries under applicable
Environmental Laws, and, to AT Co.s and Spincos
knowledge, the foregoing representation is true and correct with
regard to property formerly owned, leased or used by
AT Co., Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries; |
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(e) neither AT Co., Spinco nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries has any liability with respect to asbestos in any
product or within any building or structure; |
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(f) AT Co. or Spinco has made available to the Company
all material site assessments, environmental compliance audits,
and other documents relating to environmental matters and
relating to the Spinco Business, or the current or former
properties or facilities of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries
to the extent such documents are in the possession, custody or
control of AT Co., Spinco or any of their Subsidiaries,
including, without limitation, such documents relating to
(i) the environmental conditions on, under or about the
properties or assets currently or formerly owned, leased,
operated or used by Spinco, any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or
any predecessor in interest thereto and (ii) any Hazardous
Materials used, managed, handled, transported, treated,
generated, stored, discharged, emitted, or otherwise released by
Spinco, any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or any other Person on,
under, about or from any of the properties currently or formerly
owned or leased by, or otherwise in connection with the use or
operation of any of the properties owned or leased, or otherwise
in connection with the use or operation of any of the properties
and assets of Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries, or their
respective businesses and operations. |
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(g) This Section 6.10 contains the sole and exclusive
representations and warranties of AT Co. and Spinco with
respect to environmental matters, including matters relating to
Environmental Laws and Hazardous Materials. |
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6.11 Tax Matters. |
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(a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco or the Spinco Business, (i) all Tax Returns relating
to AT Co. and its Subsidiaries, including Spinco and the
Spinco Subsidiaries, or the Spinco Business required to be filed
have been filed, (ii) all such Tax Returns are or will be
true and correct in all respects, (iii) all Taxes shown as
due and payable on such Tax Returns, and all Taxes (whether or
not reflected on such Tax Returns) relating to AT Co. and
its Subsidiaries, including Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries,
in respect of the Spinco Business or otherwise in respect of the
Spinco Business required to be paid, have been paid,
(iv) all Taxes relating to AT Co. or its Subsidiaries,
including Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries, in respect of the
Spinco Business or otherwise in respect of the Spinco Business
for any taxable period (or a portion thereof) beginning on or
prior to the Closing Date (which are not yet due and payable)
have been properly reserved for in the Spinco Financial
Statements and (v) AT Co. and its Subsidiaries,
including Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries, have duly and
timely withheld all Taxes required to be withheld and such
withheld Taxes have been either duly and timely paid to the
proper Taxing Authority or properly set aside in accounts for
such purpose and will be duly and timely paid to the proper
Taxing Authority. |
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(b) No written agreement or other written document waiving
or extending, or having the effect of waiving or extending, the
statute of limitations or the period of assessment or collection
of any Taxes relating to Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary or the
Spinco Business, and no power of attorney with respect to any
such Taxes has been filed or entered into with any Taxing
Authority. |
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(c) (i) No audits or other administrative proceedings
or proceedings before any Taxing Authority are presently pending
with regard to any Taxes or Tax Return of Spinco or any Spinco
Subsidiary or the Spinco Business, as to which any Taxing
Authority has asserted in writing any claim which, if adversely
determined, would reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco, any
Spinco Subsidiary or the Spinco Business, and (ii) no
Taxing Authority is now asserting in writing any deficiency or
claim for Taxes or any adjustment to Taxes with respect to which
Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary or the Spinco Business, may be
liable with respect to income or other material Taxes which has
not been fully paid or finally settled. |
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(d) Neither Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary (i) is a
party to or bound by or has any obligation under any Tax
separation, sharing or similar agreement or arrangement other
than the Tax Sharing Agreement, and the AT Co. and
Subsidiaries Tax Sharing Policy currently in effect for taxable
periods ending on or after December 31, 1991 (which shall
be terminated with respect to Spinco and any Spinco Subsidiary
as of the Closing Date), (ii) is or has been a member of
any consolidated, combined or unitary group for purposes of
filing Tax Returns or paying Taxes (other than a group of which
AT Co. is the common parent corporation) or (iii) has
entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121
of the Code, or any predecessor provision or any similar
provision of state or local law. |
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(e) None of the Spinco Assets is subject to any Tax lien
(other than liens for Taxes that are not yet due and payable. |
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(f) Section 6.11 of the Spinco Disclosure Letter lists
all foreign jurisdictions in which Spinco or any Spinco
Subsidiary files a material Tax Return. |
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(g) Neither Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary has agreed to
make or is required to make any adjustment for a taxable period
ending after the Effective Time under Section 481(a) of the
Code by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise,
except where such adjustments have not had, and could not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco or the Spinco
Business. |
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(h) Neither Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary has
constituted either a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation (within the meaning of
Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of
stock (other than the Distribution) qualifying for tax-free
treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two
years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a
distribution that could otherwise constitute part of a
plan or series of related transactions
(within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in
connection with the Merger. |
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(i) None of AT Co., Spinco, and their respective
Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action that is
reasonably likely to (nor is any of them aware of any agreement,
plan or other circumstance that would) prevent the Tax-Free
Status of the Transactions. |
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(j) None of AT Co., Spinco, and any of their
Subsidiaries in respect of the Spinco Business has engaged in
any listed transaction, or any reportable transaction the
principal purpose of which was tax avoidance, within the meaning
of Sections 6011, 6111 and 6112 of the Code. |
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6.12 Benefit Plans. |
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(a) Section 6.12(a) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter
lists each employee benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other benefit, bonus,
incentive, deferred compensation, stock option (or other
equity-based), severance, change in control, welfare (including
post-retirement medical and life insurance) and fringe benefit
plans, whether or not subject to ERISA and whether written or
oral, sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be
contributed to by Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries, to
which Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries will be a party
on the Distribution Date, as provided in the Employee Benefits
Agreement, or in which any Person who is currently, has been or,
on or prior to the Effective Time, is expected to become an
employee of Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries (a
Spinco Employee) will be a participant on the
Distribution Date, or with respect to which Spinco or any of the
Spinco Subsidiaries has any material liability (the
Spinco Benefit Plans). |
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(b) No material liability under Title IV (including
Sections 4069 and 4212(c) of ERISA) or Section 302 of
ERISA has been or as of the Effective Time will have been
incurred by Spinco, any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate of any of them, and no condition exists that would
reasonably be expected to result in Spinco or any of the Spinco
Subsidiaries incurring any such liability, other than liability
for premiums due the PBGC as of the Distribution Date. The
present value of accrued benefits under each Spinco Benefit Plan
that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, determined based upon
the actuarial assumptions used for funding purposes in the most
recent actuarial report prepared by such plans actuary
with respect to such plan, will not exceed the then current
value of the assets of such plan allocable to such accrued
benefits. |
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(c) No Spinco Benefit Plan is or will be at the Effective
Time a multiemployer plan, as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA and (ii) none of Spinco, any of
the Spinco Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any of them
has made or suffered or will as of the Effective Time have made
or suffered a complete withdrawal or a partial
withdrawal, as such terms are respectively defined in
Section 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, the liability for which has
not been satisfied in full. |
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(d) Each Spinco Benefit Plan has been or for periods on or
prior to the Distribution Date will have been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable Law, including ERISA and the Code. All
contributions and premium payments required to be made with
respect to any Spinco Benefit Plan have now been, or on the
Distribution Date will have been, timely made, except as may
otherwise be specifically permitted under the terms of the
Employee Benefits Agreement. There are no pending or, to the
knowledge of Spinco or AT Co., threatened claims by, on behalf
of or against any of the Spinco Benefit Plans in effect as of
the date hereof or any assets thereof, other than routine
benefit claim matters, that, if adversely determined, would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco, and no matter is
pending (other than routine qualification determination filings,
copies of which have been furnished to the Company or will be
promptly furnished to the Company when made) before the IRS, the
United States Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect to
any Spinco Benefit Plan. |
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(e) Subject to the initial qualification determination
filings to be made to the Internal Revenue Service (copies of
which will be promptly furnished to the Company when made), each
Spinco Benefit Plan intended to be qualified within
the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is, or on the
Distribution Date will be, so qualified and the trusts
maintained thereunder are, or on the Distribution Date will be,
exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code, each
trust maintained under any Spinco Benefit Plan intended to
satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code
has, or on the Distribution Date will have, satisfied such
requirements and, in either such case, no event has occurred or
condition is known to exist that would reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on such tax-qualified status for
any such Spinco Benefit Plan or any such trust. |
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(f) No Spinco Benefit Plan provides, or on the Distribution
Date will provide, medical, surgical, hospitalization, death or
similar benefits (whether or not insured) for employees or
former employees of Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary or for any
other Person for periods extending beyond their retirement or
other termination of service, other than (i) coverage
mandated by applicable Law, (ii) death benefits under any
pension plan, or (iii) benefits the full cost
of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his
beneficiary). |
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(g) Except as contemplated by this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement, no Spinco Benefit Plan or employment
arrangement, no similar plan or arrangement sponsored or
maintained by AT Co. in which any Spinco Employee is, or on
the Distribution Date will be, a participant and no contractual
arrangement between Spinco and any third party exists, or on the
Distribution Date will exist, that could result in the payment
to any current, former or future director, officer, stockholder
or employee of Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries, or of
any entity the assets or capital stock of which have been
acquired by Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary, of any money or other
property or rights or accelerate or provide any other rights or
benefits to any such individual as a result of the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements
(including the Distribution), whether or not (a) such
payment, acceleration or provision would constitute a
parachute payment (within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code) or (b) some other subsequent
action or event would be required to cause such payment,
acceleration or provision to be triggered. |
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6.13 Labor Matters.
Except to the extent listed in Section 6.13 of the Spinco
Disclosure Letter, neither Spinco nor any of the Spinco
Subsidiaries is a party to, or bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement or other Contract with employees, a labor
union or labor organization. Except for such matters which have
not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco, (a) as of the date hereof, (i) there are no
strikes or lockouts with respect to Spinco Employees, and
(ii) there are not now, and to the knowledge of Spinco or
AT Co., since January 1, 2003 there has not been, any
union organizing effort pending or threatened against Spinco or
any of the Spinco Subsidiaries; (b) there is no unfair
labor practice, charge, complaint, labor dispute (other than
routine individual grievances) or labor arbitration proceeding
pending or, to the knowledge of Spinco or AT Co.,
threatened against Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries;
(c) there is no slowdown, or work stoppage in effect or, to
the knowledge of Spinco or AT Co., threatened with respect
to Spinco Employees; and (d) Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws
respecting (i) employment and employment practices,
(ii) terms and conditions of employment and wages and
hours, (iii) collective bargaining and labor relations
practices, (iv) layoffs, (v) immigration, and
(vi) the payment of taxes and other withholdings. As of the
date hereof, neither Spinco nor any of the Spinco Subsidiaries
has any liabilities under the WARN Act as a result of any action
taken by Spinco and that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco. |
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6.14 Intellectual Property
Matters. Section 6.14 of the Spinco Disclosure
Letter contains a complete and accurate list of (i) all
patented or registered Intellectual Property Rights (and pending
applications therefore) owned by Spinco or any of the Spinco
Subsidiaries, and (ii) all other patented or registered
Intellectual Property Rights (and pending applications therefor)
used by Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries, in each case,
to the extent material to the Spinco Business taken as a whole.
Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries own and possess, or will
immediately prior to the Effective Time own and |
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possess, free and clear of any Liens, except Permitted
Encumbrances, all right, title and interest in and to, or have,
or will immediately prior to the Effective Time have, adequate
licenses or other valid and enforceable rights to use, all
material Intellectual Property Rights used or held for use in
connection with the Spinco Business as currently conducted and
as proposed to be conducted immediately prior to the Effective
Time (including in connection with services provided by Spinco
and the Spinco Subsidiaries to third parties) (the
Spinco IP Rights), except where the failure
to own or possess such items would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. To the best of AT Co.s or
Spincos knowledge, there is no assertion or claim
challenging the validity, enforceability, ownership or use of
any of the foregoing that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco. The conduct of the Spinco Business as currently
conducted and proposed to be conducted immediately prior to the
Effective Time does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise
conflict in any way with any Intellectual Property Rights of any
third party that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Spinco. To the best of AT Co.s or Spincos
knowledge, there are no infringements or misappropriations of,
or other conflicts with, any Intellectual Property Rights owned
by or licensed by or to Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary that
would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. The transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall not impair the right, title
or interest of Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary in and to the
Spinco IP Rights, and all of the Spinco IP Rights shall be owned
or available for use by the Surviving Corporation immediately
after the Effective Time on terms and conditions identical, in
all material respects, to those under which Spinco and the
Spinco Subsidiaries owned or used the Spinco IP Rights
immediately prior to the Effective Time, except where such
impairment or failure to be owned or available for use would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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6.15 Material
Contracts. |
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(a) Except for this Agreement, each other Transaction
Agreement, the Spinco Credit Agreement, the Indenture governing
the Spinco Notes, the Voting Agreement, the Spinco Benefit Plans
and except as filed as an exhibit to any AT Co. SEC
Document or as disclosed in Section 6.15 of the Spinco
Disclosure Letter, neither AT Co. nor any of its
Subsidiaries with respect to the Spinco Business is, and neither
Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary will be immediately prior to
the Effective Time a party to or bound by any material
contract (as such term is defined in item 601(b)(10)
of Regulation S-K
of the SEC) (all contracts of the type described in this
Section 6.15 being referred to herein as Spinco
Material Contracts). |
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(b) Neither Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary nor
AT Co. nor any AT Co. Subsidiary is in breach of or
default under the terms of any Spinco Material Contract where
such breach or default has had, or would reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. To the knowledge of Spinco or AT Co. and
their respective Subsidiaries, no other party to any Spinco
Material Contract is in breach of or in default under the terms
of any Spinco Material Contract where such breach or default has
had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. Each Spinco
Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of Spinco or
any Spinco Subsidiary or AT Co. or any AT Co.
Subsidiary which is a party thereto and, to the knowledge of
Spinco or AT Co. and their respective Subsidiaries, of each
other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except
that (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to
creditors rights generally and (ii) equitable
remedies of specific performance and injunctive and other forms
of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
may be brought. |
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6.16 Brokers or
Finders. Except for Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, JP Morgan Securities
Inc. and Stephens, Inc., no agent, broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other similar Person is or will be
entitled, by reason of any agreement, act or statement by Spinco
or any Spinco Subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, to
any financial advisory, brokers, finders or similar |
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fee or commission, to reimbursement of expenses or to
indemnification or contribution in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or each other
Transaction Agreement. |
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6.17 Board and Stockholder
Approval. The Boards of Directors of AT Co. and
Spinco, in each case, at a meeting duly called, have unanimously
approved this Agreement and declared it advisable. As of the
date hereof, the sole stockholder of Spinco is AT Co.
Immediately after execution of this Agreement, AT Co. will
approve and adopt (the Spinco Stockholder
Approval) at a meeting of AT Co., as
Spincos sole stockholder, all aspects of this Agreement
and other Transaction Agreements and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby which require the consent of
Spincos stockholders under the DGCL, the NYSE rules,
Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or Spincos
Bylaws. The approval of AT Co.s stockholders is not
required to effect the transactions contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements. Upon obtaining the Spinco Stockholder Approval, the
approval of Spincos stockholders after the Distribution
Date will not be required to effect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, unless
this Agreement is amended in accordance with Section 251(d)
of the DGCL after the Distribution Date and such approval is
required, solely as a result of such amendment, under the DGCL,
Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or Spincos
Bylaws or by the IRS. |
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6.18 Assets. |
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(a) After giving effect to the Contribution and the other
transactions described in or contemplated by the Distribution
Agreement, Spinco, together with the Spinco Subsidiaries, will
have, in all material respects, good and valid title (and, with
respect to the Owned Real Property and Spinco Leasehold
Improvements, good and marketable title) or, in the case of the
Leased Real Property, valid leasehold interests in, all of the
Spinco Assets, except where the failure to have such good and
valid or marketable title, or valid leasehold interest, would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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(b) At the Effective Time, the Assets of Spinco and the
Spinco Subsidiaries, take together with the services available
from AT Co. under the Transition Services Agreement, the
Assets subject to the Shared Assets Agreement and the Contracts
subject to the Shared Contracts Agreement, will be sufficient
for the operation of the Spinco Business in all material
respects as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted
at the Effective Time. |
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6.19 Spinco Real
Property. |
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(a) Section 6.19(a) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter
sets forth the address and description of all Real Property that
is, or following the Contribution will be, Spinco Owned Real
Property, the loss of which would be material and adverse to the
Spinco Business as a whole. With respect to such Spinco Owned
Real Property: (A) except as set forth in
Section 6.19(a) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter, Spinco or
Spinco Subsidiaries have not leased or otherwise granted to any
Person the right to use or occupy such Spinco Owned Real
Property or any material portion thereof; and (B) other
than the right of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, there
are no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of
first refusal to purchase such Spinco Owned Real Property or any
material portion thereof or interest therein. |
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(b) Section 6.19(b) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter
sets forth the address of all Spinco Leased Real Property, the
loss of which would be material and adverse to the Spinco
Business as a whole, and a true and complete list of all Spinco
Leases for such properties (including all amendments,
extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with
respect thereto) for each such Spinco Leased Real Property.
Spinco has made available to the Company a true and complete
copy of each such Spinco Lease document, and in the case of any
such Lease that is an oral Lease, a written summary of the
material terms of such Lease. Except as set forth in
Section 6.19(b) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter, or as
would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco, with respect to each such Spinco Lease:
(i) Spinco or Spincos Subsidiaries possession
and quiet enjoyment of the Spinco Leased Real Property under
such Spinco Lease has not been disturbed, and, to Spincos
knowledge, there |
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are no disputes with respect to such Spinco Lease;
(ii) neither Spinco nor Spinco Subsidiaries owe any
material brokerage commissions or finders fees with
respect to such Spinco Lease; (iii) Spinco or Spinco
Subsidiaries have not subleased, licensed or otherwise granted
any Person the right to use or occupy such Spinco Leased Real
Property or any portion thereof; (iv) Spinco or Spinco
Subsidiaries have not collaterally assigned or granted any other
security interest in such Spinco Lease or any interest therein;
and (v) there are no Liens on the estate or interest
created by such Spinco Lease other than Permitted Encumbrances. |
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(c) Except as would not be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Spinco, the Spinco Leasehold
Improvements and all buildings, structures, improvements,
fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all components
thereof, included in the Spinco Owned Real Property are in good
condition and repair and sufficient for the operation of the
Spinco Business. |
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6.20 Communications
Regulatory Matters. |
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(a) Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries hold, or on the
Distribution Date will hold, all approvals, authorizations,
certificates and licenses issued by the FCC, state public
service or public utility commissions (the State
Regulators) set forth in Section 6.19(a) of the
Spinco Disclosure Letter, and all other material regulatory
permits, approvals, licenses, and other authorizations,
including but not limited to franchises, ordinances and other
agreements granting access to public rights of way, issued or
granted to Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary by a state or federal
agency or commission or other federal, state or local or foreign
regulatory bodies regulating competition and telecommunications
businesses (the Spinco Licenses) that are
required for the conduct of the Spinco Business, as presently
conducted and as proposed to be conducted, except such Spinco
Licenses the failure of which to so hold would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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(b) Each Spinco License is, or will be on the Distribution
Date, valid and in full force and effect and has not been, or
will not have been, suspended, revoked, cancelled or adversely
modified, except where the failure to be in full force and
effect, or the suspension, revocation, cancellation or
modification of which has not had or would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Spinco. No Spinco License is subject to
(i) any conditions or requirements that have not been
imposed generally upon licenses in the same service, unless such
conditions or requirements would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco, or (ii) any pending regulatory proceeding
(other than those affecting the wireline industry generally) or
judicial review before a Governmental Authority, unless such
pending regulatory proceedings or judicial review would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. Neither
AT Co. nor Spinco has knowledge of any event, condition or
circumstance that would preclude any Spinco License from being
renewed in the ordinary course (to the extent that such Spinco
License is renewable by its terms), except where the failure to
be renewed has not had or would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. |
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(c) The licensee of each Spinco License is, or on the
Distribution Date will be in compliance with each Spinco License
and has fulfilled and performed, or will fulfill or perform, all
of its material obligations with respect thereto, including all
reports, notifications and applications required by the
Communications Act or the rules, regulations, policies,
instructions and orders of the FCC (the FCC
Rules) or similar rules, regulations, policies,
instructions and orders of State Regulators and the payment of
all regulatory fees, except (i) for exemptions, waivers or
similar concessions or allowances and (ii) where such
failure to be in compliance, fulfill or perform its obligations
or pay such fees or contributions has not had, or would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco. |
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(d) Spinco or a wholly owned Spinco Subsidiary owns, or on
the Distribution Date will own, one hundred percent (100%) of
the equity and controls, or on the Distribution Date will
control, one hundred percent (100%) of the voting power and
decision-making authority of each licensee of the Spinco
Licenses, except where the failure to own such equity or control
such voting power and decision-making |
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authority of such licensees would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. |
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6.21 Spinco
Operations. Spinco is a direct, wholly owned Subsidiary
of AT Co. that, subject to the terms of the Distribution
Agreement, following the Contribution will own, directly or
indirectly, the Spinco Assets, and will have assumed, directly
or indirectly, the Spinco Liabilities, all as provided in the
Distribution Agreement. |
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6.22 Opinion of Spinco
Financial Advisor. Spinco and AT Co., as the sole
stockholder of Spinco, have received the written opinions of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Stephens, Inc., to the effect
that, as of the date hereof the Exchange Ratio (as defined
therein) is fair from a financial point of view to holders of
AT Co. Common Stock who become holders of Spinco Common
Stock in the Distribution. Spinco has previously delivered a
copy of such opinion to the Company. |
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6.23 Company Common
Stock. Neither AT Co. nor Spinco owns (directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record) nor is a party to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, any
shares of capital stock of the Company (other than as
contemplated by this Agreement). |
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6.24 Affiliate
Transactions. Except as specifically provided in this
Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements or as
disclosed in the AT Co. SEC Documents, there are no
transactions or Contracts of the type that would be required to
be disclosed by Spinco under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K if
Spinco were a company subject to such Item between or among
(a) AT Co., Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary, on the
one hand, and (b) Jeffrey R. Gardner or
Francis X. Frantz, on the other hand. |
ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties of the Company
Except as disclosed in the corresponding section of the
Disclosure Letter delivered by the Company to AT Co. and
Spinco immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement and
signed by an authorized officer of the Company (the
Company Disclosure Letter) (it being agreed
that disclosure of any item in any section of the Company
Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any
other section of this Agreement to which the relevance of such
item is reasonably apparent on its face), the Company represents
and warrants to AT Co. and Spinco as follows:
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7.1 Organization,
Qualification. |
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(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware, has
all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing
and in good standing or to have such power and authority would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and is duly
qualified and licensed to do business and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its
property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, except for jurisdictions in which the failure to
be so qualified or to be in good standing would not reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The copies of the
Companys Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (or analogous governing
documents) of any Company Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary of the Company, previously made available to
AT Co. and Spinco are complete and correct copies of such
documents as in full force and effect on the date hereof. |
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(b) Section 7.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter
sets forth a list of the Company Subsidiaries and their
respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization,
together with a designation of those Company Subsidiaries
constituting Significant Subsidiaries of the Company. |
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7.2 Capital Stock and Other
Matters. |
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(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
200,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and
20,000,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company. At the
close of business on December 6, 2005,
(i) 71,130,634 shares of Company Common Stock were
issued and outstanding, 342,469 shares of Company Common
Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company Stock
Plans; (ii) 3,400 shares of Company Common Stock were
held by the Company in its treasury or by its Subsidiaries; and
(iii) no shares of preferred stock of the Company were
issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. |
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(b) No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of
the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries having the right
to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities
having the right to vote) on any matters on which holders of
shares of capital stock of the Company (including Company Common
Stock) may vote (Company Voting Debt) are, or
at the Distribution Date will be, issued or outstanding. |
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(c) Except as set forth in Section 7.2(a) above or as
set forth in Section 7.2(c) of the Company Disclosure
Letter, there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants,
convertible securities, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements, undertakings or Contracts of any kind to which the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them is bound obligating the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of Company Common
Stock, Company Voting Debt or other voting securities of the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or obligating the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to issue, grant,
extend, redeem, acquire or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, convertible security, call, right, commitment,
agreement, arrangement, undertaking or Contract. |
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(d) Except for that certain Securityholders Agreement,
dated February 14, 2005, by and among the Company and
certain of its stockholders, there are no stockholder
agreements, voting trusts or other Contracts to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound relating to voting or
transfer of any shares of capital stock of the Company. |
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7.3 Corporate Authority; No
Violation. |
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(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement, and subject to obtaining the
Requisite Approval, to carry out its obligations hereunder. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action on the part of the Company, subject to obtaining the
Requisite Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by AT Co., and Spinco, constitutes a
legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms (except insofar
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). |
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(b) Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of
this Agreement nor the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby or compliance by the Company
with any of the provisions hereof will (i) violate or
conflict with any provisions of the Companys Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws; (ii) result in a default (or an
event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) or give rise to any right of termination by any third
party, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation
or the loss of any benefit under, any Contract to which the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is bound or
affected; (iii) result in the creation of a Lien, pledge,
security interest, claim or other encumbrance on any of the
issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or on any
of the assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
pursuant to any Contract to which the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or the
Company |
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Subsidiaries is bound or affected; or (iv) assuming the
consents and approvals contemplated by Section 7.3(c) below
are obtained, violate or conflict with any order, writ,
injunction, decree, Law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or
any of the properties, business or assets of any of the
foregoing, other than, in the case of each of clauses (i)
through (iv), any such violation, conflict, default, right, loss
or Lien which would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. |
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(c) Other than in connection with or in compliance with
(i) the provisions of the DGCL, (ii) the Securities
Act, (iii) the Exchange Act, (iv) the HSR Act,
(v) the Communications Act and applicable rules and
regulations thereunder, (vi) the approvals set forth on
Section 7.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter;
(vii) the rules and regulations of the NYSE, and
(viii) the Requisite Approval (collectively, the
Company Approvals), no authorization, consent
or approval of, or filing with any Governmental Authority is
necessary for the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such
authorizations, consents, approvals or filings that, if not
obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. |
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7.4 Company Reports and
Financial Statements. |
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(a) The Company has previously made available to Spinco
complete and correct copies of: |
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(i) Companys Annual Reports on
Form 10-K filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act for the years ended
December 31, 2004, and the Companys audited
consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the related audited consolidated statements of operations,
cash flows and stockholders equity for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 (the Company
Pre-IPO Financial
Statements); |
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(ii) Companys Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act for the quarters ended
March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30,
2005; |
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(iii) each definitive proxy statement filed by the Company
with the SEC under the Exchange Act prior to the date hereof; |
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(iv) all current reports on
Form 8-K filed by
the Company with the SEC under the Exchange Act prior to the
date hereof; and |
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(v) each other form, report, schedule, registration
statement and definitive proxy statement filed by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC prior to the date hereof
(collectively, and together with the items specified in
clauses (i) through (iv) above, the Company
SEC Documents). |
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(b) As of their respective dates, the Company SEC Documents
complied in all material respects, and each other form, report,
schedule, registration statement and definitive proxy statement
filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time (the Additional
Company SEC Documents) will comply in all material
respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, as the case may be, and none of such Company SEC
Documents when filed contained, or will contain, an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted, or will omit, to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The audited
consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated
interim financial statements included in the Company SEC
Documents and the Additional Company SEC Documents and the
Company Pre-IPO
Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects, or
will fairly present in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and
changes in cash flows, changes in stockholders equity or
other information included therein for the periods or as of the
respective dates then ended, subject, where appropriate, to
normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which Company
management expects to be material), in each case in accordance
with past practice and GAAP, consistently applied, during the
periods involved |
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(except as otherwise stated therein). Since its initial public
offering in February 2005, the Company has timely filed all
reports, registration statements and other filings required to
be filed with the SEC under the rules and regulations of the
SEC. Except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents filed
prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Section 7.4 of
the Company Disclosure Letter or liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice,
since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, the Company and its
Subsidiaries have not incurred any liability or obligation that
is of a nature that would be required to be disclosed on a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries
or in the footnotes thereto prepared in conformity with GAAP,
other than liabilities or obligations that would not reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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(c) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have designed
and maintain a system of internal controls over financial
reporting (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP. The Company (A) has designed and
maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) of the
Exchange Act) to ensure that material information required to be
disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the
Companys management as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the
certifications of the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer of the Company required pursuant to
Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
(B) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of
such disclosure controls and procedures prior to the date hereof
to the Companys auditors and the audit committee of the
Companys Board of Directors, (x) any significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation
of internal controls over financial reporting that are
reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect
the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information with respect to the Company and
(y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Companys internal controls over financial reporting. The
Company has made available to AT Co. and Spinco any such
disclosure made by management to the Companys auditors and
the audit committee of the Companys Board of Directors. |
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7.5 Absence of Certain
Changes or Events. Except as specifically contemplated
by this Agreement, since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, each of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has conducted its
business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice,
and there has not been any event, occurrence, development or
state of circumstances or facts that has had, or would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. From the
Interim Balance Sheet Date to the date hereof, none of the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries has taken any action
or failed to take any action, which action or failure, as the
case may be, would constitute a breach of Section 8.1 if
taken without the consent of AT Co. and Spinco after the date
hereof. |
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7.6 Investigations;
Litigation. Except as described in the Company SEC
Documents: |
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(a) There is no investigation or review pending (or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened) by any Governmental
Authority with respect to the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries. |
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(b) There are no actions, suits, inquiries, grievances,
arbitrations, investigations or proceedings pending (or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened) against or affecting the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties at law or in equity before and there are
no orders, judgments or decrees of or before any Governmental
Authority, in each case which would reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. |
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7.7 Compliance with Laws;
Permits. |
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(a) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are, and since
January 1, 2003 have been, in compliance with all, and have
received no notice of any violation (as yet unremedied) of any,
Laws, applicable to the Company, such Company Subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties or assets, except where such
non-compliance, default or violation has not had, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 7.7(a),
no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this
Section 7.7(a) in respect of environmental, tax, employee
benefits, labor or communications Laws matters, which are the
subject of the representations and warranties made in
Sections 7.10, 7.11, 7.12, 7.13 and 7.15 of this Agreement,
respectively. |
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(b) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in
possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses,
permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents,
certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority
necessary for the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to own,
lease and operate their properties and assets or to carry on
their businesses as they are now being conducted (the
Company Permits), except where the failure to
have any of the Company Permits has not had, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. All Company
Permits are in full force and effect, except where the failure
to be in full force and effect has not had, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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7.8 Proxy Statement/
Prospectus; Registration Statement. None of the
information regarding the Company or the Company Subsidiaries or
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement provided by the
Company specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by
reference into, the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or the
Registration Statement will, in the case of the definitive Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, at
the time of the mailing of the definitive Proxy Statement/
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, and at the
time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, or, in the case of the
Registration Statement, at the time it becomes effective, at the
time of the Company Stockholders Meeting and at the Effective
Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
The Registration Statement will comply in all material respects
with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, except that no representation is made by the Company
with respect to information provided by AT Co. or Spinco
specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by reference
into, the Registration Statement. |
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7.9 Information
Supplied. All documents that the Company is responsible
for filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction
Agreement will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law. All information supplied or to be
supplied by the Company in any document, other than the Proxy
Statements/ Prospectus and Registration Statement, which are
addressed in Section 7.8, filed with any Governmental
Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby and by the other Transaction Agreements will be, at the
time of filing, at the Distribution Date and at the Effective
Time, true and correct in all material respects. |
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7.10 Environmental
Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company: |
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(a) The Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries is and
since January 1, 2003 has been in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws and the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries possess all Company Permits that are required under
applicable Environmental Laws, and are in compliance with the
terms and conditions thereof; |
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(b) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries
has received written notice of, or, is the subject of, any
Environmental Claims; |
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(c) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries
is subject to any indemnification obligation with respect to
Environmental Laws or Hazardous materials, including such
obligations regarding businesses currently or formerly owned or
operated by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or
regarding properties formerly owned or leased by the Company or
any of the Company Subsidiaries; |
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(d) there is no condition on, at, under or related to any
property (including any release of a Hazardous Material into the
air, soil, surface water, sediment or ground water at, under or
migrating to or from such property), including related to
property currently owned, leased or used by the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries or created by the Companys or
any Company Subsidiarys operations that, would give rise
to liability for the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
under applicable Environmental Laws, and, to the Companys
knowledge, the foregoing representation is true and correct with
regard to property formerly owned, leased or used by the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries; and |
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(e) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any
liability with respect to asbestos in any product or within any
building or structure; |
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(f) The Company has made available to AT Co. and
Spinco all material site assessments, environmental compliance
audits, and other documents relating to environmental matters,
and relating to the Company or its current or former properties
or facilities to the extent such documents are in the
possession, custody or control of the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries, including without limitation such
documents relating to (i) the environmental conditions on,
under or about the properties or assets currently or formerly
owned, leased, operated or used by the Company, any of the
Company Subsidiaries or any predecessor in interest thereto and
(ii) any Hazardous Materials used, managed, handled,
transported, treated, generated, stored, discharged, emitted, or
otherwise released by the Company, any of the Company
Subsidiaries or any other Person on, under, about or from any of
the properties currently or formerly owned or leased by, or
otherwise in connection with the use or operation of any of the
properties owned or leased, or otherwise in connection with the
use or operation of any of the properties and assets of the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or its businesses
and operations. |
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(g) This Section 7.10 contains the sole and exclusive
representations and warranties of AT Co. and Spinco with
respect to environmental matters, including matters relating to
Environmental Laws and Hazardous Materials. |
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7.11 Tax Matters. |
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(a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, (i) all Tax Returns relating to the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries required to be filed have been filed,
(ii) all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all
respects, (iii) all Taxes shown as due and payable on such
Tax Returns, and all Taxes (whether or not reflected on such Tax
Returns) relating to the Company or any the Company Subsidiary
required to be paid, have been paid, (iv) all Taxes
relating to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for any
taxable period (or a portion thereof) beginning on or prior to
the Closing Date (which are not yet due and payable) have been
properly reserved for in the books and records of the Company,
and (v) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have duly
and timely withheld all Taxes required to be withheld and such
withheld Taxes have been either duly and timely paid to the
proper Taxing Authority or properly set aside in accounts for
such purpose and will be duly and timely paid to the proper
Taxing Authority. |
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(b) No written agreement or other written document waiving
or extending, or having the effect of waiving or extending, the
statute of limitations or the period of assessment or collection
of any Taxes relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary
and no power of attorney with respect to any such Taxes has been
filed or entered into with any Taxing Authority. |
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(c) No audits or other administrative proceedings or
proceedings before any Taxing Authority are presently pending
with regard to any Taxes or Tax Return of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary, |
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as to which any Taxing Authority has asserted in writing any
claim which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company, and no Taxing Authority is now
asserting in writing any deficiency or claim for Taxes or any
adjustment to Taxes with respect to which the Company or any
Company Subsidiary may be liable with respect to income or other
material Taxes which has not been fully paid or finally settled. |
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(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
(i) is a party to or bound by or has any obligation under
any Tax separation, sharing or similar agreement or arrangement,
(ii) is or has been a member of any consolidated, combined
or unitary group for purposes of filing Tax Returns or paying
Taxes (other than a group of which the Company is the common
parent corporation) or (iii) has entered into a closing
agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code, or any
predecessor provision or any similar provision of state or local
law. |
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(e) None of the assets of the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries is subject to any Tax lien (other than liens for
Taxes that are not yet due and payable). |
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(f) Section 7.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter
lists all foreign jurisdictions in which the Company or any
Company Subsidiary files a material Tax Return. |
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(g) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
agreed to make or is required to make any adjustment for a
taxable period ending after the Effective Time under
Section 481(a) of the Code by reason of a change in
accounting method or otherwise, except where such adjustments
have not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. |
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(h) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
constituted either a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation (within the meaning of
Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of
stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355
of the Code (I) in the two years prior to the date of this
Agreement or (II) in a distribution that could otherwise
constitute part of a plan or series of related
transactions (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of
the Code) in connection with the Merger. |
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(i) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries
has taken or agreed to take any action that is reasonably likely
to (nor are any of them aware of any agreement, plan or other
circumstance that would) prevent the Tax-Free Status of the
Transactions. |
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(j) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
engaged in any listed transaction, or any reportable transaction
the principal purpose of which was tax avoidance, within the
meaning of Sections 6011, 6111 and 6112 of the Code. |
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7.12 Benefit Plans. |
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(a) Section 7.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter
lists each employee benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other benefit, bonus,
incentive, deferred compensation, stock option (or other
equity-based), severance, change in control, welfare (including
post-retirement medical and life insurance) and fringe benefit
plans, whether or not subject to ERISA and whether written or
oral, sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be
contributed to by the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries, to which the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries is a party or in which any Person who is currently,
has been or, prior to the Effective Time, is expected to become
an employee of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries (a
Company Employee) is a participant (the
Company Benefit Plans), or with respect to
which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries has or
could have any material liability. |
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(b) No material liability under Title IV (including
Sections 4069 and 4212(c) of ERISA) or Section 302 of
ERISA has been incurred by the Company, any of the Company
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any of them, and no
condition exists that would reasonably be expected to result in
the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate of any of them of incurring any such liability, other
than liability for premiums due the PBGC. The present value of
accrued benefits |
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under each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV
of ERISA, determined based upon the actuarial assumptions used
for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial report
prepared by such plans actuary with respect to such plan,
did not exceed, as of its latest valuation date, the then
current value of the assets of such plan allocable to such
accrued benefits. |
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(c) (i) No Company Benefit Plan is a
multiemployer pension plan, as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA and (ii) none of the Company,
any of the Company Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any of
them has made or suffered a complete withdrawal or a
partial withdrawal, as such terms are respectively
defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, which has not
been satisfied in full. |
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(d) Each Company Benefit Plan has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable Law, including, ERISA and the Code. All
contributions required to be made with respect to any Company
Benefit Plan have been timely made, except for outstanding
contributions in the ordinary course. There are no pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claims by, on behalf
of or against any of the Company Benefit Plans or any assets
thereof, other than routine benefit claim matters, that, if
adversely determined would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company and no matter is pending (other than routine
qualification determination filings, copies of which have been
furnished to the AT Co. and Spinco or will be promptly furnished
to the AT Co. and Spinco when made) with respect to any of the
Company Benefit Plans before the IRS, the United States
Department of Labor or the PBGC. |
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(e) Each Company Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code is so qualified and the trusts maintained thereunder
are exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code,
each trust maintained under any Company Benefit Plan intended to
satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code
has satisfied such requirements and, in either such case, no
event has occurred or condition is known to exist that would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on such
tax-qualified status for any such Company Benefit Plan or any
such trust. |
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(f) No Company Benefit Plan provides medical, surgical,
hospitalization, death or similar benefits (whether or not
insured) for employees or former employees of Company or any
Company Subsidiary for periods extending beyond their retirement
or other termination of service, other than (i) coverage
mandated by applicable Law, (ii) death benefits under any
pension plan, or (iii) benefits the full cost
of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his
beneficiary). The Company has the right, and will have the right
after the Effective Time to terminate any Company Benefit Plan
or to amend any such Company Benefit Plan to reduce future
benefits, (including any Company Benefit Plan that provides
post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits) without
incurring or otherwise being responsible for any material
liability with respect thereto. |
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(g) No Company Benefit Plan or employment arrangement, and
no contractual arrangements between the Company and any third
party, exists that could result in the payment to any current,
former or future director, officer, stockholder or employee of
the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or of any entity
the assets or capital stock of which have been acquired by the
Company or a Company Subsidiary, of any money or other property
or rights or accelerate or provide any other rights or benefits
to any such individual as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements whether
or not (a) such payment, acceleration or provision would
constitute a parachute payment (within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Code) or (b) some other
subsequent action or event would be required to cause such
payment, acceleration or provision to be triggered. |
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7.13 Labor Matters.
Except to the extent listed in Section 7.13 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of the Company
Subsidiaries is a party to, or bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement or other Contract with employees, a labor
union or labor organization. Except for such matters which have
not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company, (a) as of the date hereof, (i) there are
no strikes or lockouts with respect to Company Employees, and
(ii) there are not now and, to the knowledge of the
Company, since January 1, 2003 there has not been, any
union organizing effort pending or |
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threatened against the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries; (b) there is no unfair labor practice,
charges or complaint, labor dispute (other than routine
individual grievances) or labor arbitration proceeding pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; (c) there is no
slowdown, or work stoppage in effect or, to the knowledge of
Company, threatened with respect to Company Employees; and
(d) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all applicable Laws respecting
(i) employment and employment practices, (ii) terms
and conditions of employment and wages and hours,
(iii) collective bargaining and labor relations practices,
(iv) layoffs, (v) immigration, and (vi) the
payments of taxes and other withholdings. As of the date hereof,
neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has any
liabilities under the WARN Act as a result of any action taken
by the Company and that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. |
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7.14 Intellectual Property
Matters. Section 7.14 of the Company Disclosure
Letter contains a complete and accurate list of (i) all
patented or registered Intellectual Property Rights (and pending
applications therefor) owned by the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries, and (ii) all other patented or
registered Intellectual Property Rights (and pending
applications therefor) used by the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries and material to the business of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries in each case, to the extent material to the
business of the Company as a whole. The Company and the Company
Subsidiaries own and possess free and clear of any Liens except
Permitted Encumbrances, all right, title and interest in and to,
or have adequate licenses or other valid and enforceable rights
to use all material Intellectual Property Rights used or held
for use in connection with the business of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole as currently conducted and
as proposed to be conducted immediately prior to Effective Time
(including in connection with services provided by the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries to third parties) (the
Company IP Rights), except where the failure
to own or possess such items would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. To the best of the Companys
knowledge, there is no assertion or claim challenging the
validity, enforceability, ownership or use of any of the
foregoing that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. The conduct of the business of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole as currently conducted and
as proposed to be conducted immediately after the Effective Time
does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict in any
way with any Intellectual Property Rights of any third party
that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. To the
best of the Companys knowledge, there are no infringements
or misappropriations of or other conflicts with, any
Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed by or to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary that would reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. The transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall not impair the right, title or interest of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary in and to the Company IP
Rights, and all of the Company IP Rights shall be owned or
available for use by the Surviving Corporation immediately after
the Effective Time on terms and conditions identical in all
material respects to those under which the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries owned or used the Company IP Rights
immediately prior to the Effective Time, except where such
impairment or failure to be owned or available for use would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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7.15 Communications
Regulatory Matters. |
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(a) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries hold all
approvals, authorizations, certificates and licenses issued by
the FCC and State Regulators set forth in Section 7.15(e)
of the Company Disclosure Letter, and all other material
regulatory permits, approvals, licenses, and other
authorizations, including but not limited to franchises,
ordinances and other agreements granting access to public rights
of way, issued or granted to the Company or any Company
Subsidiary by a state or federal agency or commission or other
federal, state or local or foreign regulatory bodies regulating
competition and telecommunications businesses (the
Company Licenses) that are required for the
Company and the Company |
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Subsidiaries to conduct its business, as presently conducted and
as proposed to be conducted, except such Company Licenses the
failure of which to so hold would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. |
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(b) Each Company License is valid and in full force and
effect and has not been suspended, revoked, cancelled or
adversely modified, except where the failure to be in full force
and effect, or the suspension, revocation, cancellation or
modification of which has not had or would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. No Company License is subject to
(i) any conditions or requirements that have not been
imposed generally upon licenses in the same service, unless such
conditions or requirements would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, or (ii) any pending regulatory
proceeding (other than those affecting the wireless industry
generally) or judicial review before a Governmental Authority,
unless such pending regulatory proceedings or judicial review
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company
and the Company Subsidiaries have no knowledge of any event,
condition or circumstance that would preclude any Company
License from being renewed in the ordinary course (to the extent
that such Company License is renewable by its terms), except
where the failure to be renewed has not had or would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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(c) The licensee of each Company License is in compliance
with each Company License and has fulfilled and performed all of
its material obligations with respect thereto, including all
reports, notifications and applications required by the
Communications Act or the FCC Rules or similar rules,
regulations, policies, instructions and orders of State
Regulators, and the payment of all regulatory fees, except
(i) for exemptions, waivers or similar concessions or
allowances and (ii) where such failure to be in compliance,
fulfill or perform its obligations or pay such fees or
contributions has not had, or would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. |
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(d) The Company or a Company Subsidiary owns one hundred
percent (100%) of the equity and controls one hundred percent
(100%) of the voting power and decision-making authority of each
licensee of the Company Licenses, except where the failure to
own such equity or control such voting power and decision-making
authority of such licensees would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. |
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7.16 Material
Contracts. |
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(a) Except for this Agreement, each other Transaction
Agreement, the Company Benefit Plans and except as filed as an
exhibit to any Company SEC Document or as disclosed in
Section 7.16 of the Company Disclosure Letter, as of the
date hereof, neither the Company nor any of the Company
Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any material
contract (as such term is defined in item 601(b)(10)
of Regulation S-K
of the SEC) (all contracts of the type described in this
Section 7.16 being referred to herein as Company
Material Contracts). |
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(b) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in
breach of or default under the terms of any Company Material
Contract where such breach or default has had, or would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. To the
knowledge of the Company, no other party to any Company Material
Contract is in breach of or in default under the terms of any
Company Material Contract where such breach or default has had,
or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each
Company Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary which is a party thereto
and, to the knowledge of the Company, of each other party
thereto, and is in full force and effect, except that
(i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to
creditors rights generally and (ii) equitable
remedies of specific performance and injunctive and other |
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forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses
and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefor may be brought. |
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7.17 Company Real
Property. |
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(a) Section 7.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter
sets forth the address and description of all Company Owned Real
Property, the loss of which would be material and adverse to the
business of the Company as a whole. With respect to such Company
Owned Real Property: (A) except as set forth in
Section 7.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter or as
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, the Company or Company Subsidiaries have
not leased or otherwise granted to any Person the right to use
or occupy such Company Owned Real Property or any material
portion thereof; and (B) other than the right of the
Company pursuant to this Agreement, there are no outstanding
options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal to
purchase such Company Owned Real Property or any material
portion thereof or interest therein. |
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(b) Section 7.17(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter
sets forth the address of all Company Leased Real Property, the
loss of which would be material and adverse to the business of
the Company as a whole, and a true and complete list of all
Company Leases for such property (including all amendments,
extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with
respect thereto) for each such Company Leased Real Property. The
Company has made available to AT Co. a true and complete copy of
each such Company Lease document, and in the case of any such
Lease that is an oral Lease, a written summary of the material
terms of such Lease. Except as set forth in Section 7.17(b)
of the Company Disclosure Letter or as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, with
respect to each such Spinco Lease: (i) the Companys
or Company Subsidiaries possession and quiet enjoyment of
the Company Leased Real Property under such Company Lease has
not been disturbed, and to Companys knowledge, there are
no disputes with respect to such Company Lease;
(ii) Company or Company Subsidiaries have not subleased,
licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or
occupy such Company Leased Real Property or any portion thereof;
(iii) the Company or Company Subsidiaries have not
collaterally assigned or granted any other security interest in
such Company Lease or any interest therein; and (iv) there
are no Liens on the estate or interest created by such Company
Lease other than Permitted Encumbrances. |
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(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company Leasehold
Improvements and all buildings, structures, improvements,
fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all components
thereof, included in the Company Owned Real Property are in good
condition and repair and sufficient for the operation of the
Company Business. |
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7.18 Opinion of Company
Financial Advisors. The Company has received the written
opinions of Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Bear
Stearns & Co., Inc., to the effect that, as of the date
hereof, the financial effects of the Merger are fair, from a
financial point of view, to the Company and its stockholders.
The Company has previously delivered a copy of such opinion to
AT Co. |
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7.19 Brokers or
Finders. Except for Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc., a copy of whose engagement
agreement has been provided to AT Co., no agent, broker,
investment banker, financial advisor or other similar Person is
or will be entitled, by reason of any agreement, act or
statement by the Company, or any of the Company Subsidiaries,
directors, officers or employees, to any financial advisory,
brokers, finders or similar fee or commission, to
reimbursement of expenses or to indemnification or contribution
in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement. |
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7.20 Takeover
Statutes. Other than Section 203 of the DGCL, no
fair price, moratorium, control
share acquisition, business combination,
stockholder protection or other similar antitakeover
statute or regulation enacted under Delaware law, or, to the
knowledge of the Company, under the law of any other
jurisdiction, will apply to this Agreement, the Voting
Agreement, the Merger or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby. Assuming the accuracy of the representation and
warranty set forth in Section 7.3, the action of the Board
of Directors of the Company in approving this Agreement |
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and the transactions provided for herein is sufficient to render
inapplicable to this Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Merger
and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and the
transactions provided for herein, the restrictions on
business combinations (as defined in
Section 203 of the DGCL) as set forth in Section 203
of the DGCL. |
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7.21 Certain Board
Findings. The Board of Directors of the Company, at a
meeting duly called and held, (i) has determined that this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the Merger, and the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger, are advisable, fair to and in the best
interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company,
(ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger and (iii) has
resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company
entitled to vote thereon adopt this Agreement at the Company
Stockholders Meeting. |
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7.22 Vote Required.
The only vote of the stockholders of the Company required under
any of the DGCL, the NYSE rules or the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation for adoption of this Agreement, is
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting
power of all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock at the
Company Stockholders Meeting (sometimes referred to herein as
the Requisite Approval). |
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7.23 Affiliate
Transactions. Except as specifically provided in this
Agreement or any of the other Transaction Agreements or as
disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, there are no transactions
or Contracts of the type required to be disclosed by the Company
under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K
between or among (a) the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
on the one hand, and (b) any individual who is a
named executive officer of the Company (as such term
is defined in Section 402 of
Regulation S-K),
on the other hand. |
ARTICLE VIII
Covenants and Agreements
8.1 Conduct of Business by
the Company Pending the Merger. Following the date of
this Agreement and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time
and the Termination Date, except as may be consented to in
writing by AT Co. and Spinco (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as set forth
in Section 8.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the
Company covenants and agrees that each of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries shall conduct its operations in accordance
with its ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice and in compliance with all Laws applicable to it or to
the conduct of its business, and use all reasonable best efforts
to preserve intact its present business organization, maintain
rights and franchises, keep available the services of its
current officers and key employees and preserve its
relationships with customers, suppliers and others having
business dealings with it in such a manner that its goodwill and
ongoing businesses are not impaired in any material respect.
Following the date of this Agreement and prior to the earlier of
the Effective Time and the Termination Date except (i) as
may be required by Law (provided that any party availing itself
of such exception must first consult with the other party),
(ii) as may be consented to in writing by AT Co. and Spinco
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly permitted by this
Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, or (iv) as
set forth in Section 8.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter,
the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of the Company
Subsidiaries to:
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(a) (i) declare or pay any dividends on or make other
distributions in respect of any shares of its capital stock or
partnership interests (whether in cash, securities or property),
except for the declaration and payment of cash dividends or
distributions paid on or with respect to a class of capital
stock all of which shares of capital stock, as the case may be,
of the applicable corporation are owned directly or indirectly
by the Company and the payment of regular quarterly dividends
each in an amount not to exceed $0.36 per share at times
consistent with the past dividend payment practices of the
Company (including a final partial regular quarterly dividend to
be declared and paid to pre-Closing Company stockholders, pro
rated for the number of days elapsed between (x) the
beginning of the quarterly period |
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in which the Effective Time occurs and (y) the day
immediately preceding the Effective Time); (ii) split,
combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of its
capital stock; or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise
acquire, or permit any Subsidiary to redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock (including
any securities convertible or exchangeable into such capital
stock), except as required by the terms of the securities
outstanding on the date hereof or as required by the terms of a
Company Benefit Plan; |
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(b) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize any shares of its
capital stock of any class, any Company Voting Debt or any
securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire, any such shares, Company Voting Debt or convertible
securities, other than (i) the issuance of shares of
Company Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options that are
outstanding on the date hereof pursuant to the Company Benefit
Plans; and (ii) issuances by a wholly owned Subsidiary of
the Company of its capital stock to such Subsidiarys
parent or another wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(c) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (or
other similar organizational documents) in any manner that would
prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; |
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(d) acquire or agree to acquire by merger or consolidation,
or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a
substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,
any business or any corporation, partnership, limited liability
entity, joint venture, association or other business
organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree
to acquire any material assets, (excluding the acquisition of
assets used in the operations of the business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice, which assets do not constitute a business unit,
division or all or substantially all of the assets of the
transferor); |
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(e) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, sell, lease, license or otherwise encumber
or subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of, or agree to
sell, lease, license or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets (including
capital stock of Subsidiaries of the Company but excluding
inventory and obsolete equipment, in each case, in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice). |
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(f) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantee or otherwise become contingently liable for any such
indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or
rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of others or
enter into any material lease (whether such lease is an
operating or capital lease) or otherwise incur any material
obligation or liability (absolute or contingent) other than
(i) the incurrence of additional indebtedness under the
Company Credit Agreement in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000,
(ii) pursuant to any customer Contract or vendor Contract
entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, and (iii) in connection with equipment
leasing in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; |
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(g) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, incur or commit to any individual capital
expenditure or any obligation or liability in connection with
any capital expenditure in excess of $2,000,000 or incur or
commit to aggregate capital expenditures or obligations or
liabilities in connection with any capital expenditure in excess
of $5,000,000, in each case, other than capital expenditures or
obligations or liabilities in connection therewith to repair or
replace facilities destroyed or damaged due to casualty or
accident (whether or not covered by insurance), or as
contemplated by the Companys 2005 or 2006 capital
expenditure budget, copies of which have been previously
provided to AT Co. and Spinco; |
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(h) except to the extent provided in
subsection (h) of Section 8.1 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, (i) other than in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice, grant any material
increases in the compensation of any of its directors, officers
or employees, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; (ii) pay or agree to pay to
any director, officer or employee, |
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whether past or present, any pension, retirement allowance or
other employee benefit not required or contemplated by any of
the existing benefit, severance, termination, pension or
employment plans, Contracts or arrangements as in effect on the
date hereof; (iii) other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, enter into any new, or
materially amend any existing, employment or severance or
termination, Contract with any director, officer or employee;
(iv) accelerate the vesting of, or the lapsing of
restrictions with respect to, any stock options or other
stock-based compensation; or (v) become obligated under any
new pension plan, welfare plan, multiemployer plan, employee
benefit plan, severance plan, benefit arrangement or similar
plan or arrangement that was not in existence on the date
hereof, or amend any such plan or arrangement in existence on
the date hereof if such amendment would have the effect of
materially enhancing any benefits thereunder; |
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(i) establish, adopt, enter into, terminate or amend any
collective bargaining agreement, plan, trust, fund, policy or
arrangement for the benefit of any current or former directors,
officers, employees or any of their beneficiaries, except, in
each case, as would not result in a material increase in the
cost of maintaining such collective bargaining agreement, plan,
trust, fund, policy or arrangement; |
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(j) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention
to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; |
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(k) make any material change in its methods of accounting
in effect at the Interim Balance Sheet Date or change its fiscal
year; |
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(l) enter into or amend any agreement or arrangement with
any Affiliate of the Company or any such Company Subsidiary,
other than with wholly owned Company Subsidiaries, on terms less
favorable to the Company or such Company Subsidiary, as the case
may be, than could be reasonably expected to have been obtained
with an unaffiliated third party on an arms-length basis; |
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(m) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, modify, amend, terminate, renew or fail to
use reasonable best efforts to renew any Material Contract to
which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party
or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims
thereunder or enter into any Material Contract not in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and
not terminable by the Company or the Company Subsidiary party
thereto without penalty on ninety (90) days or less
notice; |
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(n) except as would not be expected to materially and
adversely affect the Company or any of its Affiliates or the
Surviving Corporation on a going-forward basis after the
Effective Time, (i) make or rescind any material express or
deemed election relating to Taxes, including elections for any
and all joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability
companies or other investments where the Company has the
capacity to make such binding election, (ii) settle or
compromise any material claim, action, suit, litigation,
proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy
relating to Taxes, (iii) amend any material Tax Returns or
(iv) change in any material respect any of its methods of
reporting income or deductions for federal income tax purposes
from those expected to be employed in the preparation of its
federal income tax return for the taxable year ending
December 31, 2005 (unless such change is required by Law);
provided, however, that the Company may make or rescind any such
election, settle or compromise any such claim, action, suit,
litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or
controversy, change any such method of reporting or amend any
such Tax Return without AT Co.s and Spincos prior
written consent if the amount of Tax liabilities relating to
such action does not exceed $2,000,000; and further provided
that the Company may make elections under Section 754 of
the Code and under IRS Notice 2003-65 in respect of its
Subsidiaries; |
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(o) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, pay, discharge or satisfy any material
claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted
or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment,
discharge or satisfaction (which includes the payment of final
and unappealable judgments) or in accordance with their terms,
of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated
by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the
notes thereto) of the Company included in the Companys
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended |
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December 31, 2004, or incurred in the ordinary course of
business since the date of such financial statements; |
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(p) subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
intentionally take or agree or commit to take any action that
would result in any of its representations and warranties set
forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material
respect, or in any of the conditions set forth in
Article IX not being satisfied at the Effective
Time; or |
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(q) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing actions. |
8.2 Conduct of Business by
Spinco and AT Co. Pending the Merger. Following the date
of this Agreement and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time
and the Termination Date, except as may be consented to in
writing by the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as set forth in
Section 8.2 of the Spinco Disclosure Letter, AT Co. and
Spinco jointly and severally covenant and agree that AT Co. and
the AT Co. Subsidiaries (in regard to the Spinco Business only)
and each of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries shall conduct its
operations in accordance with its ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practice and in compliance with all Laws
applicable to it or to the conduct of its business, and use all
reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its present business
organization, maintain rights and franchises, keep available the
services of its current officers and key employees and preserve
its relationships with customers, suppliers and others having
business dealings with it in such a manner that its goodwill and
ongoing businesses are not impaired in any material respect.
Following the date of this Agreement and prior to the earlier of
the Effective Time and the Termination Date except (i) as
may be required by Law (provided that any party availing itself
of such exception must first consult with the other party),
(ii) as may be consented to in writing by the Company
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly permitted by this
Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, (iv) as
required to permit the ordinary course operation of AT
Co.s cash management system prior to the Effective Time,
including any distributions of cash in connection therewith, or
(v) as set forth in Section 8.2 of the Spinco
Disclosure Letter, Spinco shall not, nor shall AT Co. and Spinco
permit any of the Spinco Subsidiaries to:
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(a) (i) declare or pay any dividends on or make other
distributions in respect of any shares of its capital stock or
partnership interests (whether in cash, securities or property),
except for the declaration and payment of cash dividends or
distributions paid on or with respect to a class of capital
stock or partnership interests all of which shares of capital
stock or partnership interests, as the case may be, of the
applicable corporation or partnership are owned directly or
indirectly by AT Co. or Spinco or as contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement or required in connection with the
Contribution; (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its
capital stock or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of
any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in
substitution for, shares of its capital stock, except as
contemplated by the Distribution Agreement; or
(iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, or permit
any Subsidiary to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, any
shares of its capital stock (including any securities
convertible or exchangeable into such capital stock), except as
required by the terms of the securities of AT Co. outstanding on
the date hereof or as required by any Spinco Benefit Plan. |
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(b) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize any shares of
Spincos capital stock or capital stock of any Spinco
Subsidiary of any class, any Spinco Voting Debt or any
securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire, any such shares, Spinco Voting Debt or convertible
securities including additional options or other equity-based
awards that could be converted into any option to acquire Spinco
Common Stock pursuant to the Employee Benefits Agreement, other
than (i) pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement and (ii) issuances by a wholly owned
Subsidiary of Spinco of its capital stock to such
Subsidiarys parent or another wholly owned Subsidiary of
Spinco; |
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(c) acquire or agree to acquire by merger or consolidation,
or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a
substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,
any business or any corporation, partnership, limited liability
entity, joint venture, association or other business
organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree
to acquire any material assets (excluding the acquisition of
assets used in the operations of the business of Spinco and its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course |
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consistent with past practice, which assets do not constitute a
business unit, division or all or substantially all of the
assets of the transferor); |
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(d) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, sell, lease, license or otherwise encumber
or subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of, or agree to
sell, lease, license or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets (including
capital stock of Spinco Subsidiaries but excluding inventory and
obsolete equipment, in each case, in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice); |
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(e) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee
or otherwise become contingently liable for any such
indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or
rights to acquire any debt securities of Spinco or any of its
Subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of others or enter
into any material lease (whether such lease is an operating or
capital lease) or otherwise incur any material obligation or
liability (absolute or contingent), other than (i) the
incurrence of additional indebtedness under the Spinco Credit
Agreement or other sources to fund ordinary course capital
requirements of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries,
(ii) pursuant to any customer Contract or vendor Contract
entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, and (iii) in connection with equipment
leasing in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice; |
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(f) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, incur or commit to any individual capital
expenditure or any obligation or liability in connection with
any capital expenditure, or incur or commit to aggregate capital
expenditures or obligations or liabilities in connection with
any capital expenditure, in each case, other than capital
expenditures or obligations or liabilities in connection
therewith to repair or replace facilities destroyed or damaged
due to casualty or accident (whether or not covered by
insurance), or as contemplated by the 2005 or 2006 capital
expenditure budget of AT Co. or Spinco, copies of which have
been previously provided to the Company; |
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(g) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention
to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or
dissolution of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries; |
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(h) make any material change in AT Co.s methods of
accounting with respect to the Spinco Business in effect at the
Interim Balance Sheet Date; |
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(i) except as would not be expected to materially and
adversely affect Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries or the Spinco
Business, or the Surviving Corporation on a going-forward basis
after the Effective Time, (i) make or rescind any material
express or deemed election relating to Taxes of Spinco or any of
its Subsidiaries or the Spinco Business, including elections for
any and all joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability
companies or other investments where AT Co. or Spinco has the
capacity to make such binding election (other than any
election necessary in order to obtain the IRS Contribution
Ruling, the IRS Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange
Ruling, the IRS Special Dividend Ruling and/or the Distribution
Tax Opinion), (ii) settle or compromise any material claim,
action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration,
investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes of Spinco
or any of its Subsidiaries or the Spinco Business,
(iii) amend any material Tax Returns of Spinco or any of
its Subsidiaries or relating to the Spinco Business or
(iv) change in any material respect any method of reporting
income or deductions of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries or the
Spinco Business for federal income tax purposes from those
expected to be employed in the preparation of its federal income
tax return for the taxable year ending December 31, 2005
(unless such change is required by Law), provided, however, that
Spinco may make or rescind any such election, settle or
compromise any such claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding,
arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy, change any
such method of reporting or amend any such Tax Return without
the Companys prior written consent if the amount of Tax
liabilities relating to such action does not exceed $2,000,000; |
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(j) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, pay, discharge or satisfy any material
claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted
or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment,
discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practice (which includes the payment of
final and unappealable judgments) or in |
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accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in, or contemplated by, the Interim Financial
Statements (or the notes thereto) of Spinco included in the
Spinco Financial Statements, or incurred in the ordinary course
of business since the date of such financial statements; |
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(k) subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
intentionally take or agree or commit to take any action that
would result in any of its representations and warranties set
forth in this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements
being or becoming untrue in any material respect, or in any of
the conditions set forth in Article IX not being satisfied
at the Effective Time; or |
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(l) agree to commit to take any of the foregoing actions. |
8.3 Tax Matters.
Prior to the Effective Time, each of AT Co., Spinco and the
Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.
8.4 Proxy Statement/
Prospectus.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof,
the Company, AT Co. and Spinco shall prepare, and the Company
shall file with the SEC, the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the
Registration Statement (the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus will be
included as a prospectus in the Registration Statement) with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
each of the Company and Spinco shall use its reasonable best
efforts to have such Proxy Statement/ Prospectus cleared by the
SEC under the Exchange Act and the Registration Statement
declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act, as
promptly as practicable after such filings.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the Registration
Statement shall have become effective, the Company shall mail,
or cause to be mailed, the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus to its
stockholders.
(c) The Company shall, as promptly as practicable after
receipt thereof, provide to AT Co. and Spinco copies of any
written comments and advise AT Co. and Spinco of any oral
comments with respect to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the
Registration Statement received from the SEC.
(d) The Company shall provide AT Co. and Spinco with a
reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or Registration
Statement prior to filing the same with the SEC, and with a copy
of all such filings made with the SEC. No amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or the
Registration Statement will be made by the Company without the
approval of AT Co. and Spinco (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Company will
advise AT Co. and Spinco promptly after it receives notice
thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become
effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the
issuance of any stop order, of the suspension of the
qualification of the Company Common Stock issuable in connection
with the Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of
any request by the SEC for amendment of the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus or the Registration Statement or comments thereon and
responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional
information.
(e) If, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event
or circumstance should occur that results in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus or the Registration Statement containing
an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading, or that otherwise should be
described in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus or the Registration Statement, AT Co., Spinco and the
Company shall promptly notify each other of the occurrence of
such event and then promptly prepare, file and clear with the
SEC and mail, or cause to be mailed, to the Companys
stockholders each such amendment or supplement.
(f) AT Co. and Spinco agree to promptly provide the Company
with the information concerning AT Co. and Spinco and their
respective Affiliates required to be included in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus and the Registration Statement. In
furtherance of the foregoing, AT Co. and Spinco shall use all
reasonable best efforts to, or shall use all reasonable best
efforts to cause their respective representatives to, furnish
promptly to the Company such additional financial and operating
data and other information, as to their and their
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respective Subsidiaries businesses as the Company may
require in connection with the preparation of the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
8.5 Listing. As
promptly as practicable following the date hereof, the Company
shall make application to the NYSE for the listing of the shares
of Company Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and use all
reasonable best efforts to cause such shares to be Approved for
Listing.
8.6 Reasonable Best Efforts;
Regulatory Matters.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall use all
reasonable best efforts (subject to, and in accordance with,
applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done, and to assist
and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
(i) the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions,
waivers, consents and approvals, including the Company Approvals
and the Spinco Approvals, from any Governmental Authority and
the making of all necessary registrations and filings and the
taking of all steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or
waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any
Governmental Authority, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary
consents, approvals or waivers from third parties,
(iii) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (iv) the execution and
delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided and
without limiting the foregoing, each of AT Co., Spinco and the
Company shall (i) promptly but in no event later than
fifteen (15) days after the date hereof make their
respective filings and thereafter make any other required
submissions under the HSR Act, (ii) promptly (but in no
event later than fifteen (15) days after the date hereof)
file all applications (required to be filed with the FCC (the
FCC Applications), and any State Regulators
(the PSC Applications), each as set forth on
Schedule 8.6(a), to effect the transfer of control of the
Spinco Licenses (collectively, the Telecommunications
Regulatory Consents) and respond as promptly as
practicable to any additional requests for information received
from the FCC or any State Regulator by any party to a FCC
Application or PSC Application, (iii) use all reasonable
best efforts to cure not later than the Effective Time any
violations or defaults under any FCC Rules or rules of any State
Regulator, (iv) use all reasonable best efforts to
cooperate with each other in (x) determining whether any
filings are required to be made with, or consents, permits,
authorizations or approvals are required to be obtained from,
any third parties or other Governmental Authorities in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(y) timely making all such filings and timely seeking all
such consents, permits, authorizations or approvals,
(v) use all reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all other actions and do, or cause to be done, all other
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated hereby all such further
action as reasonably may be necessary to resolve such
objections, if any, as the HSR Agencies, state antitrust
enforcement authorities or competition authorities of any other
nation or other jurisdiction or any other Person may assert
under relevant antitrust or competition laws with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby; and (vi) subject to
applicable legal limitations and the instructions of any
Governmental Authority, keep each other apprised of the status
of matters relating to the completion of the transactions
contemplated thereby, including promptly furnishing the other
with copies of notices or other communications received by the
Company, AT Co. or Spinco, as the case may be, or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, from any third party and/or any
Governmental Authority with respect to such transactions.
(c) In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants
of the parties contained in this Section 8.6, if any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding, including any
proceeding by a private party, is instituted (or threatened to
be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement as violative of any Regulatory Law, each of the
Company, AT Co. and Spinco shall cooperate in all respects with
each other and use all reasonable best efforts to contest and
resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated,
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lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction
or other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent,
that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, nothing in this Section 8.6 shall limit a
partys right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 11.1(b) or 11.1(c) so long as such party has, prior
to such termination, complied with its obligations under this
Section 8.6.
(d) If any objections are asserted with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby under any Regulatory Law or if
any suit is instituted by any Governmental Authority or any
private party challenging any of the transactions contemplated
hereby as violative of any Regulatory Law, each of the Company,
AT Co. and Spinco, shall use all reasonable best efforts to
resolve any such objections or challenge as such Governmental
Authority or private party may have to such transactions under
such Regulatory Law so as to permit consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this
Agreement, Regulatory Law means the Sherman
Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the
Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, the Communications Act
and all other federal, state or foreign, if any, statutes,
rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial
doctrines and other laws that are designed or intended to
prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or
effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening
competition, whether in the communications industry or otherwise
through merger or acquisition.
8.7 IRS Distribution Ruling;
Other IRS Rulings; Tax Opinions.
(a) IRS Rulings.
(i) As soon as reasonably practicable after the date of
this Agreement, AT Co. and the Company, as to matters germane to
the Merger, shall submit to the IRS a request (the
Ruling Request) for (A) the IRS Contribution
Ruling, (B) the IRS Distribution Ruling, (C) the IRS
Debt Exchange Ruling, (D) the IRS Special Dividend Ruling,
(E) the IRS 357(c) Ruling and (F) any other ruling in
connection with the Contribution, the Distribution or the Merger
that AT Co., in consultation with the Company, deems to be
appropriate. The initial Ruling Request and any supplemental
materials submitted to the IRS relating thereto (each, an
IRS Submission) shall be prepared by AT Co.
AT Co. shall provide the Company with a reasonable opportunity
to review and comment on each IRS Submission prior to the filing
of such IRS Submission with the IRS; provided that AT Co. may
redact from any IRS Submission any information
(Redactable Information) that (A) AT
Co., in its good faith judgment, considers to be confidential
and not germane to the Companys or Spincos
obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction
Agreements, and (B) is not a part of any other publicly
available information, including any non-confidential filing.
(ii) No IRS Submission shall be filed with the IRS unless,
prior to such filing, the Company shall have agreed as to the
contents of such IRS Submission, to the extent that such
contents (A) include statements or representations relating
to facts that are or will be under the control of the Company or
any of its Affiliates (including Spinco or the Spinco
Subsidiaries for periods after the Effective Time) or
(B) are relevant to, or create, any actual or potential
obligations of, or limitations on, the Company or any of its
Affiliates (including Spinco or the Spinco Subsidiaries for
periods after the Effective Time), including any such
obligations of, or limitations on, the Company or its Affiliates
(including Spinco or the Spinco Subsidiaries for periods after
the Effective Time) under this Agreement or any of the other
Transaction Agreements. AT Co. shall provide the Company with
copies of each IRS Submission as filed with the IRS promptly
following the filing thereof; provided that AT Co. may
redact any Redactable Information from the IRS Submission.
Neither AT Co. nor AT Co.s representatives shall conduct
any substantive communications with the IRS regarding any
material issue arising with respect to the Ruling Request,
including meetings or conferences with IRS personnel, whether
telephonically, in person or otherwise, without first notifying
the Company or the Companys representatives and giving the
Company (or the Companys representatives) a reasonable
opportunity to participate, and a reasonable number of the
Companys representatives shall have an opportunity to
participate in all conferences or meetings with IRS personnel
that take place in person, regardless of the nature of the
issues expected to be discussed. Solely for the avoidance of
doubt, nothing in this Section 8.7(a)(ii) shall
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provide grounds for Spinco or the Company to alter any
obligation or limitation imposed upon it under this Agreement.
(iii) Each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company agrees to use
its reasonable best efforts to obtain the IRS Contribution
Ruling, the IRS Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange
Ruling, the IRS Special Dividend Ruling, the IRS 357(c) Ruling
and the other rulings set forth in the Ruling Request, including
providing such appropriate information and representations as
the IRS shall require in connection with the Ruling Request and
any IRS Submissions.
(b) Distribution Tax Opinion. Each of AT Co.,
Spinco and the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the Distribution Tax Opinion. The Distribution Tax
Opinion shall be based upon the IRS Contribution Ruling, the IRS
Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange Ruling, the IRS
Special Dividend Ruling and customary representations and
covenants, including those contained in certificates of AT Co.,
Spinco, the Company and others, reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to AT Co. Tax Counsel (such representations and
covenants, the Distribution Tax
Representations). Each of AT Co., Spinco and the
Company shall deliver to AT Co. Tax Counsel for purposes of the
Distribution Tax Opinion customary Distribution Tax
Representations, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to AT Co. Tax Counsel.
(c) Merger Tax Opinions. AT Co. and Spinco,
on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall
cooperate with each other in obtaining, and shall use their
respective reasonable best efforts to obtain, a written opinion
of their respective tax counsel, Kirkland & Ellis LLP,
in the case of the Company (Company Tax
Counsel), and AT Co. Tax Counsel, in the case of AT
Co. and Spinco, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Company and AT Co., respectively (each such opinion, a
Merger Tax Opinion), dated as of the
Effective Time, to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion, the
Merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Each of the Company,
AT Co. and Spinco shall deliver to Company Tax Counsel and AT
Co. Tax Counsel for purposes of the Merger Tax Opinions
customary representations and covenants, including those
contained in certificates of the Company, AT Co., Spinco and
others, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Company
Tax Counsel and AT Co. Tax Counsel.
8.8 Letter of Spincos
Accountants. In connection with the information
regarding Spinco or the Spinco Subsidiaries or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement provided by Spinco specifically
for inclusion in, or incorporation by reference into, the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus and the Registration Statement, Spinco
shall use all reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered
to the Company two letters of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, one
dated the date on which the Registration Statement shall become
effective and one dated the Closing Date, and addressed to the
Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company and customary in scope and substance for letters
delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.
8.9 Letter of the
Companys Accountants. In connection with the
information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement provided by the
Company specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by
reference into, the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the
Registration Statement, the Company shall use all reasonable
best efforts to cause to be delivered to Spinco two letters of
Deloitte & Touche LLP, one dated the date on which the
Registration Statement shall become effective and one dated the
Closing Date, and addressed to AT Co. and Spinco, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to AT Co. and Spinco and
customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by
independent public accountants in connection with registration
statements similar to the Registration Statement.
8.10 Employee Matters.
(a) As of the Closing Date, the Surviving Corporation
shall, or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries to, continue to
employ as a successor employer all of the Spinco Employees (as
of immediately prior to the Effective Time, including all such
employees who have the rights of employment in accordance with
the established practices or policies of Spinco on return from
any vacation, leave or other authorized absence) (collectively,
the Transferred Employees), provided that
nothing in this Agreement shall require the Surviving
Corporation to retain or employ such employees for any specific
length of time.
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(b) Subject to the terms of the Employee Benefits Agreement
and the other provisions of this Section 8.10, the
Surviving Corporation shall cause the Transferred Employees to
receive substantially the same level of benefits, in the
aggregate, as provided under the Spinco Benefit Plans as of the
Distribution Date for a period of one (1) year after the
Effective Time.
(c) To the extent that service is relevant for all
purposes, including eligibility to participate, vesting credit,
eligibility to commence benefits, benefit accrual, early
retirement subsidies, and severance benefits, under a Company
Benefit Plan maintained for the benefit of the Transferred
Employees, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries shall,
effective as of the Closing, cause each Transferred Employee to
be credited with service under the applicable Company Benefit
Plans for all service earned by such Transferred Employee with
Spinco or AT Co. (including their respective predecessors) prior
to or on the Closing Date; provided, however, that such service
shall not be required to be recognized to the extent that such
recognition would result in a duplication of benefits.
(d) With respect to any Company Benefit Plans in which any
Transferred Employees become eligible to participate on or after
the Effective Time, the Company shall (i) waive all
pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with
respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to
the Transferred Employees and their eligible dependents, and
(ii) for purposes of satisfying any deductible or
out-of-pocket
requirements, provide each Transferred Employee and their
eligible dependents with credit for any co-payments and
deductibles paid prior to the Effective Time under the analogous
Spinco Benefit Plan. With respect to any former employees of
Spinco (the Former Employees) who are
receiving continuation coverage under a Spinco
Benefit Plan, as of the Effective Time, in accordance with the
requirements of COBRA, the Company shall (i) provide, or
cause to be provided, as of the Effective Time, continued
coverage under a group health plan sponsored by the Company or
one of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) waive all pre-existing
conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to
participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Former
Employees and their eligible dependents.
(e) At the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
assume, honor and discharge when due all Spinco Liabilities
associated with the Transferred Employees. In furtherance and
not in limitation of the foregoing, the Surviving Corporation
shall issue to the Transferred Employees restricted shares of
common stock of the Surviving Corporation in such amounts, and
on such terms and conditions, as shall be set forth in the
Employee Benefits Agreement and Section 8.10(e) of the
Spinco Disclosure Letter with respect to such Transferred
Employees and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
such grants to be made at or as soon as practicable after the
Effective Time.
8.11 Access to
Information.
(a) Upon reasonable notice, each of AT Co., Spinco and the
Company shall afford to each other and to its respective
officers, employees, accountants, counsel and other authorized
representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours,
throughout the period prior to the earlier of the Effective Time
or the Termination Date, to its and its Subsidiaries
officers, employees, accountants, consultants, representatives,
plants, properties, Contracts, commitments, books, records
(including Tax Returns) and any report, schedule or other
document filed or received by it pursuant to the requirements of
the federal or state securities laws, and shall use all
reasonable best efforts to cause its respective representatives
to furnish promptly to the others such additional financial and
operating data and other information, including environmental
information, as to its and its Subsidiaries respective
businesses and properties as the others or their respective duly
authorized representatives, as the case may be, may reasonably
request. The parties hereby agree that the provisions of the
Confidentiality Agreement shall apply to all information and
material furnished by any party or its representatives
thereunder and hereunder.
(b) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date,
(i) Spinco shall furnish to the Company and its authorized
representatives monthly unaudited summary financial information
prepared for AT Co. management with respect to Spincos
ILEC, CLEC and Internet Divisions for each monthly period ending
after the date hereof and before the Closing and such financial
information shall be prepared on a consistent basis with past
periods, and (ii) the Company shall furnish to AT Co.,
Spinco and their respective authorized representatives unaudited
interim combined statements of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries
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prepared on a consistent basis with past periods, in each case,
as soon as practicable following the end of each fiscal month,
but in any event no later than thirty (30) days following
the end of such fiscal month.
8.12 No Solicitation by the
Company.
(a) The Company agrees that, following the date of this
Agreement and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time or the
Termination Date, neither it nor any Company Subsidiary shall,
and that it shall use reasonable best efforts to cause its and
the Companys and each Company Subsidiarys officers,
directors, employees, advisors and agents not to, directly or
indirectly, (i) knowingly solicit, initiate or encourage
any inquiry or proposal that constitutes or could reasonably be
expected to lead to a Company Acquisition Proposal,
(ii) provide any non-public information or data to any
Person relating to or in connection with a Company Acquisition
Proposal, engage in any discussions or negotiations concerning a
Company Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise knowingly facilitate
any effort or attempt to make or implement a Company Acquisition
Proposal, (iii) approve, recommend, agree to or accept, or
propose publicly to approve, recommend, agree to or accept, any
Company Acquisition Proposal, or (iv) approve, recommend,
agree to or accept, or propose to approve, recommend, agree to
or accept, or execute or enter into, any letter of intent,
agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement,
option agreement or other similar agreement related to any
Company Acquisition Proposal. Without limiting the foregoing,
any violation of the restrictions set forth in the preceding
sentence by any of the Companys Subsidiaries or any of the
Companys or the Company Subsidiaries officers,
directors, employees, agents or representatives (including any
investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries) shall be a breach of this
Section 8.12(a) by the Company. The Company agrees that it
will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons
conducted heretofore with respect to any Company Acquisition
Proposal (except with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in
this Agreement shall prevent the Company or the Companys
Board of Directors from, prior to the adoption of this Agreement
by the holders of Company Common Stock, engaging in any
discussions or negotiations with, or providing any non-public
information to, any Person, if and only to the extent that
(i) the Company receives from such Person an unsolicited
bona fide Company Superior Proposal or a Company Acquisition
Proposal that the Companys Board of Directors determines
in good faith could lead to a Company Superior Proposal,
(ii) the Companys Board of Directors determines in
good faith (after consultation with its legal advisors) that its
failure to do so would be inconsistent with the Companys
Board of Directors fiduciary duties under applicable Law,
(iii) prior to providing any information or data to any
Person in connection with a proposal by any such Person, the
Companys Board of Directors receives from such Person an
executed confidentiality agreement substantially similar to the
Confidentiality Agreement and (iv) prior to providing any
non-public information or data to any Person or entering into
discussions or negotiations with any Person, the Companys
Board of Directors notifies AT Co. promptly of any such inquiry,
proposal or offer received by, any such information requested
from, or any such discussions or negotiations sought to be
initiated or continued with, the Company, any Company Subsidiary
or any of their officers, directors, employees, advisors and
agents indicating, in connection with such notice, the material
terms and conditions of the Company Acquisition Proposal and the
identity of the Person making such Company Acquisition Proposal.
The Company agrees that it shall keep AT Co. reasonably
informed, on a reasonably prompt basis, of the status and
material terms of any such proposals or offers and the status of
any such discussions or negotiations and will notify AT Co.
promptly of any determination by the Companys Board of
Directors that a Company Superior Proposal (as hereinafter
defined) has been made. For purposes of this Agreement, a
Company Superior Proposal means any proposal
or offer made by a third party to acquire, directly or
indirectly, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, for
consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, at least a
majority of the shares of the Company Common Stock then
outstanding or all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries and otherwise on terms
which the Board of Directors of the Company (after consultation
with its legal and financial advisors) determines in its good
faith judgment to be more favorable to the Companys
stockholders than the Merger.
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(c) Prior to the adoption of this Agreement by the holders
of Company Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company
may, if it concludes in good faith (after consultation with its
legal advisors) that failure to do so would be inconsistent with
its obligations to comply with its fiduciary duties under
applicable Law, withdraw its recommendation of the Merger, but
only at a time that is after the third business day following AT
Co.s receipt of written notice from the Company advising
AT Co. of its intention to do so.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company
from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position
contemplated by
Rule 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure
to the Company stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company (after consultation with
its legal advisors), it is required to do so in order to comply
with its fiduciary duties to the Companys stockholders
under applicable Law; provided, however, that neither the
Company nor its Board of Directors nor any committee thereof
shall approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or
recommend, a Company Acquisition Proposal unless the Company has
first terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(h)
hereof and has otherwise complied with the provisions thereof.
8.13 Director and Officer
Indemnification; Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall, for a period of six years after the Effective
Time, indemnify, defend and hold harmless to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable Law each person who is, or has been at
any time prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director of
the Company or Spinco and each person who served at the request
of the Company or Spinco as a director, officer, trustee or
fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise,
including any person serving in such capacity at the request of
AT Co. with respect to Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary
(individually, an Indemnified Party and,
collectively, the Indemnified Parties)
against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines,
penalties and amounts paid in settlement with approval of the
indemnifying party (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed) in connection with any claim,
action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or
pertaining to acts or omissions, or alleged acts or omissions,
by them in their capacities as such, whether commenced, asserted
or claimed before or after the Effective Time. In the event of
any such claim, action, suit, arbitration, proceeding or
investigation (Action): (i) the
Surviving Corporation shall pay, as incurred, the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Party,
which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Surviving
Corporation, in advance of the final disposition of any such
Action to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law upon
receipt of an undertaking to repay such amounts in the event it
is determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
under applicable Law, and (ii) the Surviving Corporation
will provide reasonable cooperation in the defense of any such
Action; provided, however, the Surviving Corporation shall not
be liable for any settlement effected without its written
consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed), and provided further, that the
Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated pursuant to this
Section 8.12(a) to pay the fees and disbursements of more
than one counsel for all Indemnified Parties in a single Action,
unless, in the good faith judgment of any of the Indemnified
Parties, there is or may be a conflict of interests between two
or more of such Indemnified Parties, in which case there may be
separate counsel for each similarly situated group (which
counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Surviving
Corporation). In the event of any Action, any Indemnified Party
wishing to claim indemnification will promptly notify the
Surviving Corporation thereof (provided, that failure to so
notify the Surviving Corporation will not affect the obligations
of the Surviving Corporation except to the extent that the
Surviving Corporation shall have been prejudiced as a result of
such failure). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained
in this Section 8.12 shall be deemed to grant any right to
any Indemnified Party which is not permitted to be granted to an
officer or director of the Surviving Corporation under Delaware
law, assuming for such purposes that the Surviving
Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for the
maximum indemnification permitted by Law.
(b) Without limiting the rights that any Indemnified Party
may have under applicable Law, the parties agree that all rights
of indemnification existing as of the date hereof as provided in
the respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the
Company and Spinco shall survive the Merger and shall continue
in full force and effect in accordance with their terms for a
period of six years following the Effective Time.
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(c) For a period of six years following the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained
directors and officers liability insurance policies
covering the Indemnified Parties; provided that with respect to
any Indemnified Party who is or at any time prior to the
Effective Time was covered by AT Co.s existing
directors and officers liability insurance policies,
such coverage shall be on terms substantially no less
advantageous to the Indemnified Parties than such insurance with
respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred up
to and including the Effective Time to the extent available;
provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation may substitute
therefor policies of at least the same coverage and amounts
containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to
the covered persons; provided further, that the Surviving
Corporation shall not be required to pay an annual premium for
such insurance in excess of $2,000,000.
(d) This Section 8.12 is intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the persons for whom
indemnification is provided pursuant to this Section 8.12,
their heirs and personal representatives, and shall be binding
on Spinco and the Company and their respective successors and
assigns.
8.14 Rule 145
Affiliates. Spinco shall, at least 10 days prior to
the Effective Time, cause to be delivered to the Company a list,
reviewed by its counsel, identifying all persons who will be, in
its reasonable judgment, at the Effective Time,
affiliates of Spinco for purposes of Rule 145
promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act (each, a
Rule 145 Affiliate). Spinco shall
furnish such information and documents as the Company may
reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing such list.
Spinco shall use all reasonable best efforts to cause each
person who is identified as a Rule 145 Affiliate in the
list furnished pursuant to this Section 8.14 to execute a
written agreement (each, a Rule 145 Affiliate
Agreement), substantially in the form of
Exhibit F to this Agreement, at or prior to the
Effective Time.
8.15 Public
Announcements. AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall
consult with each other and shall mutually agree upon any press
release or public announcement relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and neither of them shall issue
any such press release or make any such public announcement
prior to such consultation and agreement, except as may be
required by applicable Law or by obligations pursuant to any
listing agreement with any national securities exchange or
automated inter-dealer quotation system, in which case the party
proposing to issue such press release or make such public
announcement shall use all reasonable best efforts to consult in
good faith with the other party before issuing any such press
release or making any such public announcement.
8.16 Defense of
Litigation. Each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall
use all reasonable best efforts to defend against all actions,
suits or proceedings in which such party is named as a defendant
that challenge or otherwise seek to enjoin, restrain or prohibit
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or seek damages
with respect to such transactions. None of AT Co., Spinco or the
Company shall settle any such action, suit or proceeding or fail
to perfect on a timely basis any right to appeal any judgment
rendered or order entered against such party therein without
having previously consulted with the other parties. Each of AT
Co., Spinco and the Company shall use all reasonable best
efforts to cause each of its Affiliates, directors and officers
to use all reasonable best efforts to defend any such action,
suit or proceeding in which such Affiliate, director or officer
is named as a defendant and which seeks any such relief to
comply with this Section 8.16 to the same extent as if such
Person was a party.
8.17 Notification.
(a) From time to time prior to the Effective Time, each of
AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall supplement or amend its
respective Disclosure Letter with respect to any matter
hereafter arising that, if existing or occurring at the date of
this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or
described in such Disclosure Letter or that is necessary to
complete or correct (i) any information in such Disclosure
Letter that is or has been rendered untrue, inaccurate,
incomplete or misleading, (ii) any representation or
warranty of such party in this Agreement that contains a
qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect that
has been rendered untrue or inaccurate, in any respect, thereby
or (iii) any representation or warranty of such party in
this Agreement that is not so qualified and that has been
rendered untrue or inaccurate, in any material respect, thereby.
Delivery of such supplements shall be for informational purposes
only and shall not expand or limit the rights or affect the
obligations of any party hereunder, including any
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partys obligation to consummate the Merger. Such
supplements shall not constitute a part of the AT Co. Disclosure
Letter, the Spinco Disclosure Letter or the Company Disclosure
Letter, as the case may be, for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall give
prompt notice to the other of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of
any event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of which has caused or
is reasonably likely to cause (i) any covenant or agreement
of such party contained in this Agreement not to be performed or
complied with, in any material respect or (ii) any
condition contained in Article IX to become incapable of
being fulfilled at or prior to the Effective Time; provided,
however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this
Section 8.17(b) shall not cure such breach or noncompliance
or limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to
the party receiving such notice.
(c) Each of the parties hereto shall keep the others
informed on a timely basis as to the status of the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Agreements and the obtaining of
all necessary and appropriate exemptions, rulings, consents,
authorizations and waivers related thereto.
8.18 SEC Reports.
Each of AT Co. and the Company shall file all reports required
to be filed by each of them with the SEC between the date of
this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall notify the other
parties of all such reports promptly after the same are filed.
8.19 Section 16
Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company and
Spinco shall take all such steps as may be required to cause any
dispositions of Spinco Common Stock (including derivative
securities with respect to Spinco Common Stock) or acquisitions
of Company Common Stock (including derivative securities with
respect to Company Common Stock) resulting from the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is subject
to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act with respect to the Company or Spinco to be exempt
under Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act, such steps to be taken in
accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations and
interpretations of the SEC staff.
8.20 Control of Other
Partys Business. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall give AT Co. or Spinco, directly or indirectly,
the right to control or direct the Companys operations
prior to the Effective Time. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to
control or direct the operations of the business of Spinco and
the Spinco Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. Prior to
the Effective Time, each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall
exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, complete control and supervision over its respective
operations.
8.21 Dividend Policy of the
Surviving Corporation. After the Effective Time, the
initial dividend policy of the Surviving Corporation (which may
be changed at any time by the Surviving Corporations Board
of Directors) shall provide for the payment, subject to
applicable Law, of regular quarterly dividends on each issued
and outstanding share of Common Stock of the Surviving
Corporation of $0.25 per share.
8.22 Amendment of Company
Securityholders Agreement. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Securityholders Agreement,
dated as of February 14, 2005, by and among the Company,
the WCAS Persons, the Vestar Persons and certain of its other
stockholders (the Company Securityholders
Agreement) to be amended effective as of the Effective
Time, without any requirement that the Company pay any
additional consideration to any party, such that from and after
the Effective Time, the Company Securityholders Agreement shall
have substantially the terms set forth on Exhibit G
hereto.
8.23 Disclosure
Controls. Each of AT Co., Spinco and the Company shall
use its reasonable best efforts to implement such programs and
take such steps as are reasonably necessary to (i) develop
a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as
defined in
Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) intended to ensure that after the Effective Time
material information relating to the Surviving Corporation is
timely made known to the management of the Surviving Corporation
by others within those entities, (ii) cooperate reasonably
with each other in preparing for the transition and integration
of the financial reporting systems of Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries with the Companys financial reporting systems
following the Effective Time and (iii) otherwise enable the
Surviving Corporation to maintain compliance with the provisions
of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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8.24 Corporate Name;
Branding. Prior to the Effective Time, Spinco, AT Co.
and the Company shall cooperate to develop one or more mutually
agreed upon trademarks, service marks, brand names, or trade or
business names for use by the Surviving Corporation in
connection with the sale, promotion and marketing of its
products and services and to develop a mutually acceptable
re-branding strategy for the Surviving Corporation. Spinco, AT
Co. and the Company shall use their respective reasonable best
efforts to cause the Surviving Corporation to implement such
re-branding strategy as promptly as practicable after the
Effective Time and shall take, and shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to take, all such steps as are reasonably necessary
to have removed and otherwise discontinue the use of all
trademarks, service marks, brand names or trade, corporate or
business names consisting of, derived from, including or
incorporating the name ALLTEL that are contained in
or on any of the Spinco Assets and shall have taken all
necessary action, corporate or otherwise, to amend the corporate
name of each of the Spinco Subsidiaries to remove the names
ALLTEL therefrom.
ARTICLE IX
Conditions to the Merger
9.1 Conditions to the
Obligations of Spinco, AT Co. and the Company to Effect the
Merger. The respective obligations of each party to
consummate the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment (or,
to the extent permitted by applicable Law, written waiver by AT
Co. and the Company) at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions:
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(a) Each of the Contribution, the Distribution and the Debt
Exchange shall have been consummated, in each case, in
accordance with the Distribution Agreement, the IRS Contribution
Ruling, the IRS Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange
Ruling, the IRS Special Dividend Ruling and the Distribution Tax
Opinion; provided that this Section 9.1(a) shall not be a
condition to the consummation of the Merger by any party whose
failure to comply with its obligations and/or covenants set
forth in this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement gives rise
to the failure of the Contribution, the Distribution or the Debt
Exchange to have been consummated. |
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(b) Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act shall
have expired or been terminated; and the other Company
Approvals, AT Co. Approvals and Spinco Approvals set forth on
Schedule 9.1(b) hereto shall have been obtained. |
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(c) Unless waived in writing by the Company, AT Co., and
Spinco, all Telecommunications Regulatory Consents other than
any Telecommunications Regulatory Consents, the failure of which
to be obtained would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company, AT Co. or Spinco (i) shall have been granted
without the imposition of any condition that Spinco or the
Company would not be required to agree to pursuant to
Section 8.6, and (ii) all such Telecommunications
Regulatory Consents shall be in full force and effect. |
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(d) The Registration Statement shall have become effective
in accordance with the Securities Act and shall not be the
subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order;
all necessary permits and authorizations under state securities
or blue sky laws, the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act relating to the issuance and trading of shares of
Company Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall
have been obtained and shall be in effect; and such shares of
Company Common Stock and such other shares required to be
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Merger shall have been
Approved for Listing. |
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(e) The Requisite Approval shall have been obtained, in
accordance with applicable Law and the rules and regulations of
the NYSE. |
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(f) No court of competent jurisdiction or other
Governmental Authority shall have issued an Order that is still
in effect restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the
Contribution, the Distribution or the Merger. |
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(g) No action shall have been taken, and no statute, rule,
regulation or executive order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority with
respect to the |
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Contribution, the Distribution and the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Distribution
Agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, would
(i) restrain, enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the
Contribution, the Distribution or the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Distribution
Agreement or (ii) impose any restrictions or requirements
thereon or on AT Co., Spinco or the Company with respect thereto
that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on AT Co. or the Surviving Corporation following the
Merger (collectively, a Restraint), and no
Governmental Authority shall have instituted any proceeding
seeking any such Restraint. |
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(h) Spinco shall have consummated the Spinco Financing
(with respect to the Spinco Credit Agreement and, if applicable,
the bridge financing for the Spinco Notes, substantially on the
terms set forth in the Senior Debt Commitment Letter or such
other terms as are more favorable in the aggregate or not less
favorable in the aggregate) and Spinco shall have received the
proceeds therefrom in an amount sufficient to pay the Special
Dividend and consummate the other transactions contemplated
hereby and by the Distribution Agreement. |
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(i) AT Co. and Spinco (and, to the extent applicable, the
Company) shall have received the IRS Contribution Ruling, the
IRS Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange Ruling, the IRS
Special Dividend Ruling, the IRS 357(c) Ruling and the
Distribution Tax Opinion, each in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to AT Co., Spinco and the Company, and such rulings
shall continue to be valid and in full force and effect. |
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(j) The Company shall have received a Merger Tax Opinion
from Company Tax Counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, and AT Co. and Spinco shall have
received a Merger Tax Opinion from AT Co. Tax Counsel, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to AT Co. and Spinco. |
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(k) The Boards of Directors of AT Co. and Spinco shall have
received customary solvency and surplus
opinions of a nationally recognized investment banking or
appraisal firm in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
such Boards and, to the extent relating to Spinco, reasonably
satisfactory to the Company (such opinions to be dated as of the
date the Board of Directors of AT Co. declares the
Distribution and the Distribution Date, the date on which the
Board of Directors of Spinco declares the Special Dividend, the
distribution of the Spinco Exchange Notes to AT Co. for purposes
of effecting the Debt Exchange and, if applicable, a dividend
payable to AT Co. in shares of Spinco Common Stock pursuant to
Section 3.2 of the Distribution Agreement, and the date on
which each such dividend or distribution is paid). |
9.2 Additional Conditions to
the Obligations of AT Co. and Spinco. The obligation of
AT Co. and Spinco to consummate the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
waiver by AT Co.) at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following additional conditions:
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(a) The Company shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations and complied in all material respects
with all covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it prior to the Effective Time. |
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(b) Each of the representations and warranties of the
Company (i) set forth in Article VII (other than
Sections 7.2(a), 7.3(a) and 7.5) of this Agreement shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were
made on and as of such date, except for representations and
warranties that speak as of an earlier date or period which
shall be true and correct as of such date or period; provided,
however, that for purposes of this clause, such representations
and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the
failure or failures of all such representations and warranties
to be so true and correct, without giving effect to any
qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set
forth in such representations or warranties, would reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company and (ii) set forth in
Sections 7.2(a), 7.3(a) and 7.5 of this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on |
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and as of the Closing Date, except for representations and
warranties that speak as of an earlier date or period which
shall be true and correct as of such date or period. |
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(c) The Company shall have delivered to AT Co. a
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time, of a senior officer
of the Company certifying the satisfaction by the Company of the
conditions set forth in subsection (a) and (b) of
this Section 9.2. |
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(d) Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter or
as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since the Interim
Balance Sheet Date, there shall have been no event, occurrence,
development or state of circumstances or facts that has had,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. |
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(e) The Company, each of the WCAS Persons, the Vestar
Persons and, if required, each of the other stockholders party
thereto shall have delivered evidence, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to AT Co. and Spinco, demonstrating that
the Company Securityholders Agreement has been amended,
effective as of the Effective Time, without any cost or
liability to the Company, such that from and after the Effective
Time, the Company Securityholders Agreement shall have
substantially the terms set forth on Exhibit G
hereto. |
9.3 Additional Conditions to
the Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the
Company to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law
waiver by the Company) at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following additional conditions:
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(a) Spinco and AT Co. shall have performed in all material
respects and complied in all material respects with all
covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with at or prior to the Effective Time. |
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(b) Each of the representations and warranties of AT Co.
and Spinco (i) set forth in Article V and VI (other
than Sections 5.2(a), 6.3(a), 6.3(a) and 6.5) of this
Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though such
representations and warranties were made on and as of such date,
except for representations and warranties that speak as of an
earlier date or period which shall be true and correct as of
such date or period; provided, however, that for purposes of
this clause, such representations and warranties shall be deemed
to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of all
such representations and warranties to be so true and correct,
without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or
Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or
warranties, would reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on AT Co. or
Spinco and (ii) set forth in Sections 5.2(a), 6.2(a),
6.3(a) and 6.5 of this Agreement shall be true and correct in
all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of
the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date,
except for representations and warranties that speak as of an
earlier date or period which shall be true and correct as of
such date or period. |
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(c) AT Co. and Spinco shall have delivered to the Company a
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time, of a senior officer
of each of AT Co. and Spinco certifying the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in subsection (a) and (b) of
this Section 9.3. |
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(d) Spinco and AT Co. shall have entered into the Tax
Sharing Agreement, the Employee Benefits Agreement, the Shared
Assets Agreement, the Shared Contracts Agreement and the
Transition Services Agreement and each such agreement shall be
in full force and effect. |
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(e) Except as disclosed in the Spinco Disclosure Letter or
as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since the Interim
Balance Sheet Date, there shall have been no event, occurrence,
development or state of circumstances or facts that has or would
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco. |
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(f) Spinco shall have delivered to the Company an
affidavit, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
required under the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to
Section 1445(b) of the Code. |
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ARTICLE X
Tax Matters
10.1 Representations.
(a) Spinco. Spinco hereby represents and
warrants that (i) it has examined (or upon receipt will
examine) (A) the IRS Contribution Ruling, the IRS
Distribution Ruling, the IRS Debt Exchange Ruling, the IRS
Special Dividend Ruling and any other rulings issued by the IRS
in connection with the Distribution, (B) the Distribution
Tax Opinion, (C) each IRS Submission, (D) the
Distribution Tax Representations and (E) any other
materials delivered or deliverable by Spinco and others in
connection with the rendering by AT Co. Tax Counsel of the
Distribution Tax Opinion and the issuance by the IRS of the IRS
Distribution Ruling and such other rulings (all of the
foregoing, collectively, the Tax Materials)
and (ii) the facts presented and the representations made
therein, to the extent descriptive of or otherwise relating to
Spinco, are or will be from the time presented or made through
and including the Distribution Date true, correct and complete
in all material respects.
(b) AT Co. AT Co. hereby represents and
warrants that (i) it has examined (or upon receipt will
examine) the Tax Materials and (ii) the facts presented and
the representations made therein, to the extent descriptive of
or otherwise relating to AT Co., are or will be from the time
presented or made through and including the Distribution Date
true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(c) The Company. The Company hereby
represents and warrants that (i) upon receipt, it will
examine the Tax Materials and (ii) following such
examination, to the extent that the Company approves the facts
presented and the representations made therein which are
descriptive of or otherwise relating to the Company, such facts
and representations will be true, correct and complete in all
material respects. The Company further represents and warrants
that, except as set out on Schedule 10.1(c) of the Company
Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the
Company owns any shares of AT Co. Common Stock or any rights,
warrants or options to acquire, or securities convertible into
or exchangeable for, AT Co. Common Stock. The representations
and warranties set forth in this Section 10.1(c) shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement or, with
respect to the Tax Materials, as of the date approved, and at
all times through and including the Distribution Date. To the
actual knowledge of each of the Chief Executive Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel of the Company,
none of Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe IX, L.P., WCAS
Capital Partners III, L.P., Welsh Carson
Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P., WCAS Management
Corporation, Vestar Capital Partners III, L.P., Vestar
Capital Partners IV, L.P. or Vestar/ Valor, LLC
(Specified Fund Shareholders) owns any
shares of AT Co. Common Stock (or any rights, warrants or
options to acquire, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, AT Co. Common Stock) that were acquired as
part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes
the Distribution within the meaning of Section 355(e)(2)(A)
of the Code. No representation is made as to any person other
than a Specified Fund Shareholder, including any direct or
indirect partner of a Specified Fund Shareholder.
10.2 Restrictions Relating to
the Distribution.
(a) Neither the Company, nor the Surviving Corporation
shall, nor shall the Company or the Surviving Corporation permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action, including entering
into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or any
substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction or
series of transactions that would cause a Distribution
Disqualification to occur (any such action, a
Disqualifying Action); provided,
however, that the term Disqualifying Action
shall not include (i) any action that is taken pursuant to
the terms of the Transaction Agreements, (ii) any action
that would not have caused a Distribution Disqualification to
occur but for an AT Co. Action, (iii) for the avoidance of
doubt, any action taken by Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries
prior to the Distribution, (v) any action taken solely to
mitigate the adverse effects on the Tax-Free Status of the
Transactions of a breach by Spinco, occurring prior to the
Distribution, of a representation, warranty or covenant
contained in the Transaction Agreements, regardless of whether
such breach or its effects continue after the Distribution.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (c) or (g) of this Section 10.2, until
the first day after the second anniversary of the Distribution
Date, the Surviving Corporation shall not, nor shall the
Surviving
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Corporation permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action
(including entering into any agreement, understanding or
arrangement or any substantial negotiations with respect to any
transaction or series of transactions) that might cause a
Distribution Disqualification to occur (any such action or
failure to act, a Potential Disqualifying
Action), including any action or failure to act that
might be inconsistent with any representation made in the Tax
Materials, unless, prior to the taking of the Potential
Disqualifying Action, AT Co. has delivered to the Surviving
Corporation a written determination, in its reasonable
discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith
solely to preserve the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions, that
the Potential Disqualifying Action would not jeopardize the
Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.
(c) Until the first day after the second anniversary of the
Distribution Date, the Surviving Corporation shall not enter
into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or any
substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction
(including a merger to which the Surviving Corporation is a
party) involving the acquisition (including by the Surviving
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries) of common stock of the
Surviving Corporation and shall not issue any additional shares
of capital stock or transfer or modify any options, warrants,
convertible obligations or other instrument that provides for
the right or possibility to issue, redeem or transfer any shares
of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation (or enter into any
agreement, understanding, arrangement or any substantial
negotiations with respect to any such issuance, transfer or
modification), except to the extent that all such agreements,
understandings, arrangements, substantial negotiations and other
issuances, taken together, do not involve a direct or indirect
acquisition by any Person or Persons of more than
71,130,989 shares of the stock of the Surviving Corporation
(as adjusted to take into account any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, reclassification or similar
transaction with respect to the stock of the Surviving
Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
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(i) the Surviving Corporation may issue additional shares
of common stock of the Surviving Corporation to a person in a
transaction to which Section 83 or Section 421(a) or
(b) of the Code applies (or options to acquire stock in
such a transaction) in connection with the persons
performance of services as an employee, director or independent
contractor of AT Co., the Company, the Surviving Corporation,
any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any other person that
is related to AT Co., the Company or the Surviving Corporation
under Section 355(d)(7)(A) of the Code or a corporation the
assets of which the Surviving Corporation or Subsidiary acquires
in a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code
(including Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries), provided that
such stock is not excessive by reference to the services
performed by such person and such person or a coordinating group
of which the person is a member will not be a controlling
shareholder or a ten-percent shareholder of the Surviving
Corporation (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations
Section 1.355-7(h)(3)
and (8)) immediately after the issuance of such common
stock; and |
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(ii) the Surviving Corporation may issue additional shares
of common stock of the Surviving Corporation to a retirement
plan of the Surviving Corporation or any other person that is
treated as the same employer as the Surviving Corporation under
Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code that
qualifies under Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code,
provided that the stock acquired by all of the qualified plans
of the Surviving Corporation and such other persons during the
four-year period beginning two years before the Distribution
Date does not, in the aggregate, represent more than ten percent
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Surviving Corporation entitled to vote or more than ten
percent of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of
the Surviving Corporation. |
(d) Until the first day after the second anniversary of the
Distribution Date, the Surviving Corporation shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, repurchase any
shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation except to
the extent consistent with the requirements of Revenue Procedure
96-30.
(e) Until the first day after the second anniversary of the
Distribution Date, the Surviving Corporation shall cause its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries that were wholly-owned Subsidiaries of
Spinco at the time of the Distribution (other than those set
forth on Spinco Schedule 10.2(e)) to continue the active
conduct of the Spinco Business to the extent so conducted by
those Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Distribution. The
Surviving Corporation shall cause those Subsidiaries to continue
the active conduct of the Spinco Business
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primarily through officers and employees of the Surviving
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (and not primarily
through independent contractors).
(f) Until the first day after the second anniversary of the
Distribution Date, the Surviving Corporation shall not
voluntarily dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate with any
other person, unless (i) in the case of a merger or
consolidation, the Surviving Corporation is the survivor of the
merger or consolidation or (ii) prior to undertaking such
action, AT Co. has delivered to the Surviving Corporation a
written determination, in its reasonable discretion, which
discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve
the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions, that such action would
not jeopardize the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.
(g) Permitted Actions and Transactions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this
Section 10.2 shall not prohibit the Surviving Corporation
from implementing any Potential Disqualifying Action upon which
the IRS has granted a favorable ruling to AT Co. or the
Surviving Corporation. Any such ruling will be treated as
favorable for purposes of this Section 10.2(f) only if the
Potentially Disqualifying Action is described in reasonable
detail in such ruling and it is clear on the face of such ruling
that such Potentially Disqualifying Action may be implemented
without jeopardizing the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.
10.3 Cooperation and Other
Covenants.
(a) Notice of Subsequent Actions. From and
after the Effective Time, each of Spinco and the Company, on the
one hand, and AT Co., on the other hand, shall furnish the other
with a copy of any ruling requests or other documents delivered
to the IRS that relate to the Distribution or that otherwise
reasonably could be expected to have an impact on the Tax-Free
Status of the Transactions; provided, that each party may redact
from any IRS Submission or other documents any Redactable
Information.
(b) Certain Post-Closing Actions Requested by AT
Co. After the Distribution Date, if reasonably requested
by AT Co., the Surviving Corporation will take an action (or
fail to take an action) to mitigate the effects of a breach by
Spinco prior to the Distribution Date of a representation or
covenant in this Article X; provided that (i) the
Surviving Corporation s obligations under this
Section 10.3(b) are subject to AT Co.s agreement to
pay and indemnify the Surviving Corporation against all
reasonable costs and expenses of taking or refraining from
taking such action and (ii) any such action (or failure to
take such action), even if reasonably requested, does not and
will not adversely impact in any material respect the business,
operations or financial condition of the Surviving Corporation
or any of its Subsidiaries or divisions. No action taken
pursuant to this Section 10.3(b) shall be treated as a
Disqualifying Action or a Potential Disqualifying Action. Except
as provided in this Section 10.3(b), the Surviving
Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall have no duty to take any
action to mitigate the effects of a breach by Spinco or its
Subsidiaries prior to the Distribution of a representation or
covenant contained in this Article X.
10.4 Indemnification for
Disqualifying Actions.
(a) General. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement or any provision of any of the Tax
Sharing Agreement to the contrary, if there is a Final
Determination that a Distribution Disqualification has occurred,
then the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless AT Co. and the AT Co. Subsidiaries (or any successor to
any of them) from and against any and all (A) Taxes imposed
pursuant to a Final Determination and (B) accounting, legal
and other professional fees and court costs incurred in
connection with such Taxes (other than such costs incurred in
the joint defense of a Third-Party Claim, which costs are
subject to Section 10.5(e) below), (C) costs and
expenses that result from adverse tax consequences to AT Co. or
AT Co.s stockholders (including all costs, expenses and
damages associated with stockholders litigation or
controversies) and (D) all Taxes resulting from
indemnification payments hereunder (collectively,
Tax-Related Losses), incurred by AT Co. to
the extent that the Distribution Disqualification is caused by
any Disqualifying Action taken by the Surviving Corporation or
any of its Subsidiaries after the Distribution Date.
(b) Exceptions to Indemnification.
(i) If AT Co. delivers to the Surviving Corporation a
written determination, pursuant to any clause of
Section 10.2, that a Potential Disqualifying Action
or other action described in Section 10.2 would not
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jeopardize the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions, then the
Surviving Corporation shall have no obligation to indemnify AT
Co. in respect of such Potentially Disqualifying Action or other
action pursuant to Section 10.4(a), except to the
extent that a Disqualifying Action results from the inaccuracy,
incorrectness or incompleteness of any representation provided
by the Surviving Corporation to AT Co. in respect of that
determination.
(ii) The Surviving Corporation shall have no obligation to
indemnify AT Co. pursuant to Section 10.4(a) in respect of
any action or transaction that is permitted to be taken without
the consent of AT Co. under Section 10.2, except to the
extent that, in the case of an action permitted pursuant to a
ruling described in Section 10.2(g), a Disqualifying Action
results from the inaccuracy, incorrectness or incompleteness of
any representation provided by the Surviving Corporation to the
IRS in connection with such ruling.
(iii) The Surviving Corporation shall have no obligation to
indemnify AT Co. pursuant to Section 10.4(a) in respect of
any item of income, gain, deduction or loss arising in respect
of or as a result of the Preliminary Restructuring, including an
intercompany transaction pursuant to Section 1.1502-13 of
the Treasury Regulations, an excess loss account pursuant to
Section 1.1502-19 of the Treasury Regulations or any
similar item, in each case, resulting from such Preliminary
Restructuring, or any item that is includable in income without
regard to the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions because such
item is attributable to a predecessor of AT Co. or Spinco,
within the meaning of Section 355(e)(4)(D) of the Code.
(iv) Nothing contained in this Article X shall
be interpreted as requiring the Surviving Corporation to
indemnify AT Co. against any Tax-Related Loss to the extent that
such Tax-Related Loss arises from the recognition of taxable
income or gain by AT Co. or any AT Co. Affiliate on the
Distribution as a result of (A) any deemed sale of Spinco
stock attributable to such stock being treated for federal
income tax purposes as not having been distributed to AT Co.
stockholders or (B) any failure by AT Co. to distribute an
amount of Spinco stock constituting control of Spinco within the
meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code as a result of any
deemed sale described in clause (A).
(c) Timing and Method of Tax Indemnification
Payments. The Surviving Corporation shall pay any amount
that is due and payable to AT Co. pursuant to this
Section 10.4 on or before the ninetieth (90th) day
following the earlier of the date of an agreement of the parties
or the date of a Final Determination that such amount is due and
payable to AT Co. All payments pursuant to this
Section 10.4 shall be made by wire transfer to the bank
account designated by AT Co. for such purpose, and, on the date
of such wire transfer, the Surviving Corporation shall give AT
Co. notice of the transfer.
(d) Prior Period Agreements. Except for the
Tax Sharing Agreement, any and all existing Tax Sharing
agreements and practices regarding Taxes and their payment,
allocation or sharing between (i) AT Co. or any Subsidiary
of AT Co. other than Spinco or a Subsidiary of Spinco, on the
one hand, and (ii) Spinco or any Subsidiary of Spinco, on
the other hand, shall be terminated with respect to Spinco and
all Subsidiaries of Spinco as of the Distribution Date, and no
remaining liabilities thereunder shall exist thereafter.
10.5 Procedure for
Indemnification for Tax Liabilities.
(a) If AT Co. receives notice of the assertion of any
Third-Party Claim with respect to which the Surviving
Corporation may be obligated under Section 10.4(a) to
provide indemnification, AT Co. shall give the Surviving
Corporation notice thereof (together with a copy of such
Third-Party Claim, process or other legal pleading) promptly
after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim; provided,
however, that the failure of AT Co. to give notice as provided
in this Section shall not relieve the Surviving Corporation of
its obligations under Section 10.4, except to the extent
that the Surviving Corporation is actually prejudiced by such
failure to give notice. Such notice shall describe such
Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail.
(b) AT Co. and the Surviving Corporation shall jointly
control the defense of, and cooperate with each other with
respect to defending, any Third-Party Claim with respect to
which the Surviving Corporation may be obligated under
Section 10.4 to provide indemnification; provided that the
Surviving Corporation shall forfeit such joint control right
with respect to a particular Third-Party Claim if the Surviving
Corporation or any Affiliate of the Surviving Corporation makes
any public statement or filing, or takes any action (including
the filing of any submission or pleading, or the giving of a
deposition or production of documents, in any
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administrative or court proceeding) in connection with such
Third-Party Claim that is inconsistent in a material respect
with any representation or warranty made by Spinco in this
Agreement or the Tax Materials and provided, further that AT Co.
shall forfeit such joint control right with respect to a
particular Third-Party Claim if the AT Co. or any Affiliate of
AT Co. makes any public statement or filing, or takes any action
(including the filing of any submission or pleading, or the
giving of a deposition or production of documents, in any
administrative or court proceeding) in connection with such
Third-Party Claim that is inconsistent in a material respect
with any representation or warranty made by AT Co. or Spinco in
this Agreement or the Tax Materials.
(c) The Surviving Corporation and AT Co. shall exercise
their rights to jointly control the defense of any such
Third-Party Claim solely for the purpose of defeating such
Third-Party Claim and, unless required by Applicable Law,
neither the Surviving Corporation nor AT Co. shall make any
statements or take any actions that would reasonably be expected
to result in the shifting of liability for Losses or Tax-Related
Losses arising out of such Third-Party Claim from the party
making such statement or taking such action (or any of its
Affiliates) to the other party (or any of its Affiliates).
(d) Statements made or actions taken by either the
Surviving Corporation or AT Co. in connection with the defense
of any such Third-Party Claim shall not prejudice the rights of
such party in any subsequent action or proceeding between the
parties.
(e) If either AT Co. or the Surviving Corporation fails to
jointly defend any such Third-Party Claim, then the other party
shall solely defend such Third-Party Claim and the party failing
to jointly defend shall use reasonable best efforts to cooperate
with the other party in its defense of such Third-Party Claim;
provided, however, that AT Co. may not compromise or settle any
such Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the
Surviving Corporation, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed. All costs and expenses of
either party in connection with, and during the course of, the
joint control of the defense of any such Third-Party Claim shall
be paid by the party that incurs such costs and expenses.
10.6 Exclusivity of
Article X. This Article X constitutes the
complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with respect to
the indemnification of AT Co. for Tax-Related Losses contained
in Section 10.4. Any conflict between the terms of this
Section 10.6 and any other provision of this Agreement, or
any provision of any other agreement, shall be resolved in favor
of this Section 10.6, unless such other provision expressly
provides that it shall be given priority over this specific
Section.
ARTICLE XI
Termination, Amendment and Waivers
11.1 Termination.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned prior to the Effective
Time, whether before or after the Requisite Approval:
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(a) by the mutual written consent of each party hereto,
which consent shall be effected by action of the Board of
Directors of each such party; |
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(b) by any party hereto if the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before the one year anniversary of the date
of this Agreement, provided that the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this clause 11.1(b) shall not be
available to any party whose failure to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement required to be performed by it
at or prior to such date has been a substantial cause of, or
substantially contributed to, the failure of the Merger to have
become effective on or before such date; |
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(c) by any party hereto if, (i) a statute, rule,
regulation or executive order shall have been enacted, entered
or promulgated prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or
(ii) an Order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been
entered permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the consummation of the Merger and such Order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have become final and |
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non-appealable and the party seeking to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this clause 11.1(c)(ii) shall have used all
reasonable best efforts to remove such injunction, order, decree
or ruling; |
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(d) by the Company, if either AT Co. or Spinco shall have
breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its
respective representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure
to perform (i) would result in a failure of a condition set
forth in Section 9.1 or 9.3 and (ii) cannot be cured
by the Termination Date, provided that the Company shall have
given AT Co. and Spinco written notice, delivered at least
thirty (30) days prior to such termination, stating the
Companys intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 11.1(d) and the basis for such termination; |
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(e) by AT Co. and Spinco, if the Company shall have
breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements
contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform
(i) would result in a failure of a condition set forth in
Section 9.1 or 9.2 and (ii) cannot be cured by the
Termination Date, provided that AT Co. and Spinco shall have
given the Company written notice, delivered at least thirty
(30) days prior to such termination, stating AT Co. and
Spincos intention to terminate the Agreement pursuant to
this Section 11.1(e) and the basis for such termination; |
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(f) by AT Co. and Spinco or the Company if, at the Company
Stockholders Meeting (including any adjournment,
continuation or postponement thereof), the Requisite Approval
shall not be obtained; except that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 11.1(f) shall not be available
to the Company where the failure to obtain the Requisite
Approval shall have been caused by the action or failure to act
of the Company and such action or failure to act constitutes a
material breach by the Company of this Agreement or a material
breach of the Voting Agreement by any party thereto other than
Spinco. |
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(g) by AT Co. and Spinco, if (i) the Board of
Directors of the Company (or any committee thereof), shall have
withdrawn or modified its approval or recommendation of the
Merger or this Agreement, approved or recommended to the Company
stockholders a Company Acquisition Proposal or resolved to do
any of the foregoing, or (ii) the Company fails to call and
hold the Company Stockholders Meeting within sixty
(60) days after the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement. |
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(h) by the Company if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that a Company Acquisition Proposal
constitutes a Company Superior Proposal, except that the Company
may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 11.1(h) unless and until (i) three business
days have elapsed following delivery to AT Co. of a written
notice of such determination by the Board of Directors of the
Company and during such three business day period the Company
(x) informs AT Co. of the terms and conditions of the
Company Acquisition Proposal and identity of the person making
the Company Acquisition Proposal and (y) otherwise
cooperates with AT Co. with respect thereto with the intent of
enabling AT Co. and Spinco to agree to a modification of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the transactions
contemplated hereby may be effected, (ii) at the end of
such three business day period the Board of Directors of the
Company continues to determine in good faith that the Company
Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal,
(iii) simultaneously with such termination the Company
enters into a definitive acquisition, merger or similar
agreement to effect the Company Superior Proposal and
(iv) the Company pays to AT Co. the amount specified and
within the time period specified in Section 11.3. |
11.2 Effect of
Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, this Agreement shall
terminate (except for the Confidentiality Agreement referred to
in Section 12.1 and the provisions of Section 11.3,
and Sections 12.2 through 12.13), without any liability on
the part of any party or its directors, officers or stockholders
except as set forth in Section 11.3; provided, that nothing
in this Agreement shall relieve any party of liability for
breach of this Agreement or prejudice the ability of the
non-breaching party to seek damages, including any damages based
on the value that would otherwise have been available to the
stockholders of the non-breaching party by virtue of this
Agreement, from any other party for any breach of this
Agreement, including attorneys fees and the right to
pursue any remedy at law or in equity.
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11.3 Termination Fee Payable
in Certain Circumstances.
(a) In the event that (i) the Company terminates this
Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(h), (ii) AT Co. and
Spinco terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause (i) of
Section 11.1(g) or (iii) (A) any Person shall
have made a Company Acquisition Proposal after the date hereof
and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by any party
pursuant to Section 11.1(b) or by AT Co. or Spinco pursuant
to clause (ii) of Section 11.1(g) (and a Company
Acquisition Proposal is outstanding at such time) or by any
party pursuant to Section 11.1(f) and (B) within
twelve (12) months after the termination of this Agreement,
any Company Acquisition shall have been consummated or any
definitive agreement with respect to such Company Acquisition
shall have been entered into, then the Company shall pay AT Co.
a fee, in immediately available funds, in the amount of
$35,000,000 at the time of such termination, in the case of a
termination described in clause (i) or (ii) above, or
upon the occurrence of the earliest event described in
clause (iii)(B), in the event of a termination described in
clause (iii), and in each case the Company shall be fully
released and discharged from any other liability or obligation
resulting from or under this Agreement, except with respect to
any fraud or intentional breach of this Agreement.
(b) In the event (i) that AT Co. and Spinco or the
Company terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 11.1(b) and at the time of such termination, all of
the conditions to the transactions contemplated hereby set forth
in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 (other than those which by their
terms are intended to be satisfied contemporaneously with the
Closing) have been satisfied other than the conditions set forth
in Sections 9.1(h), 9.1(i) and/or 9.1(j), or (ii) the
Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 11.1(d) and the breach or breaches by AT Co. or
Spinco that gave rise to such termination shall have caused, the
conditions set forth in Sections 9.1(h), 9.1(i) and/or
9.1(j) to have become incapable of being satisfied, AT Co. shall
pay the Company a fee, in immediately available funds, equal to
$35,000,000, in the case of a termination described in
clause (i) or (ii) above under circumstances where the
condition set forth in Section 9.1(h) has not been
satisfied, or in the amount of $20,000,000, in the case of a
termination described in clause (i) or (ii) above
under circumstances where the conditions set forth in either
Section 9.1(i) or 9.1(j) have not been satisfied, and AT
Co. and Spinco shall be fully released and discharged from any
other liability or obligation resulting from or under this
Agreement, except with respect to any fraud or in each case
intentional breach of this Agreement.
11.4 Amendment. This
Agreement may be amended by AT Co., Spinco and the Company at
any time before or after adoption of this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company; provided, however, that after such
adoption, no amendment shall be made that by Law or in
accordance with the rules of any relevant stock exchange or
automated inter-dealer quotation system requires further
approval by such stockholders without such further approval.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed by AT Co., Spinco and the Company.
11.5 Waivers. At any
time prior to the Effective Time, AT Co., Spinco and the Company
may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for
the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other
party; (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; and
(iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions of the other party contained herein; provided,
however, that no failure or delay by AT Co., Spinco or the
Company in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part of AT
Co., Spinco or the Company to any such extension or waiver shall
be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Survival of
Representations, Warranties and Agreements;
Indemnification.
(a) The covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in
any certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the Effective Time in accordance with
their respective terms. None
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of the representations or warranties in this Agreement or in any
certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement
shall survive the Effective Time, except with respect to the
representations and warranties contained in Article X and
the Tax Materials, which shall survive in perpetuity. The
Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and any termination of this
Agreement, and the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement
shall apply to all information and material furnished by any
party or its representatives thereunder or hereunder.
(b) Following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless AT Co. and each Person,
if any, who controls, within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (any
such person being hereinafter referred to as a
Controlling Person), AT Co. from and against,
and pay or reimburse each of the foregoing for, all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, actions, costs and expenses, joint
or several, including reasonable attorneys fees
(collectively, Losses), arising out of or
resulting from, directly or indirectly, or in connection with
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in or incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement or in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be
responsible for information provided by AT Co. as to itself and
its Subsidiaries, including Spinco, specifically for inclusion
in, or incorporation by reference into, any such Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus or Registration Statement.
(c) Following the Effective Time, AT Co. will indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the Surviving Corporation and each
Controlling Person of the Surviving Corporation from and
against, and pay or reimburse each of the foregoing for, all
Losses arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly,
or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in or incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement or in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto)
or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, but only with respect to
information provided by AT Co. as to itself and its
Subsidiaries, including Spinco, specifically for inclusion in,
or incorporation by reference into, any such Proxy Statement/
Prospectus or Registration Statement.
12.2 Expenses. Each
party shall bear its own fees and expenses in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that if
the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement relating to the Merger (including
(i) all underwriters or placement agents
discounts, fees and expenses associated with the Spinco
Financing and the Debt Exchange; and (ii) all broker,
finder and similar advisory fees incurred by AT Co. or Spinco in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Distribution Agreement), shall be paid by the Surviving
Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AT Co. shall pay any
AT Excess Expenses (as defined in the Distribution Agreement).
12.3 Notices. Any
notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in
writing, and sent by facsimile transmission (provided that any
notice received by facsimile transmission or otherwise at the
addressees location on any business day after
5:00 p.m. (addressees local time) shall be deemed to
have been received at 9:00 a.m. (addressees local
time) on the next business day), by reliable overnight delivery
service (with proof of service), hand delivery or certified or
registered mail (return receipt requested and first-class
postage prepaid), addressed as follows:
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If to: Spinco (prior to the Effective Time) or AT Co., to: |
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ALLTEL Holding Corp. |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 |
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Attn: Chief Executive Officer |
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(With a copy to the Chairman) |
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Telecopy: (501) 905-0962 |
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If to the Company, to: |
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Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
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201 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 200 |
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Irving, Texas 75062 |
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Attn: Chief Executive Officer |
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(With a copy to the Corporate Secretary) |
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Telecopy:
(972) 373-1812 |
or to such other address as any party shall specify by written
notice so given, and such notice shall be deemed to have been
delivered as of the date so telecommunicated, personally
delivered or mailed. Any party to this Agreement may notify any
other party of any changes to the address or any of the other
details specified in this paragraph; provided that such
notification shall only be effective on the date specified in
such notice or five (5) business days after the notice is
given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept
or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which
no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice
as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to
deliver.
12.4 Interpretation.
When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or
Section, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of
this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents
to this Agreement is for reference purposes only and shall not
affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words include,
includes or including are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
without limitation. The words hereof,
herein and hereunder and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document
made or delivered pursuant thereto unless otherwise defined
therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter
genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute
defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument
that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or
statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented,
including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver
or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of
comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments
thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a
person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Each of
the parties has participated in the drafting and negotiation of
this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement must be construed as if it
is drafted by all the parties and no presumption or burden of
proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of
authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. For
avoidance of doubt, consistent with past practice
when used with respect to Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries
shall mean the past practice of AT Co. with respect to the
Spinco Business.
Any matter disclosed in any particular Section or Subsection of
the Spinco Disclosure Letter, the AT Co. Disclosure Letter
or the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to have been
disclosed in any other Section or Subsection of this Agreement,
with respect to which such matter is relevant so long as the
applicability of such matter to such Section or Subsection is
reasonably apparent on its face.
12.5 Severability. If
any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be declared
judicially to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such decision
shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the
remainder of this Agreement, it being the intent and agreement
of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be deemed
amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to
render it valid, legal and enforceable while preserving its
intent or, if such modification is not possible, by substituting
therefor another provision that is legal and enforceable and
that achieves the same objective.
12.6 Assignment; Binding
Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
benefits or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of all of the other parties.
Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be
A-67
binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
12.7 No Third Party
Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 8.12,
nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any Person (other than AT Co., Spinco and the
Company and their respective successors and permitted assigns)
any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, and no Person
(other than as so specified) shall be deemed a third party
beneficiary under or by reason of this Agreement.
12.8 Limited
Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, no stockholder, director, officer, Affiliate, agent
or representative of any of the parties hereto, in its capacity
as such, shall have any liability in respect of or relating to
the covenants, obligations, representations or warranties of
such party under this Agreement or in respect of any certificate
delivered with respect hereto or thereto and, to the fullest
extent legally permissible, each of the parties hereto, for
itself and its stockholders, directors, officers and Affiliates,
waives and agrees not to seek to assert or enforce any such
liability that any such Person otherwise might have pursuant to
applicable Law.
12.9 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other
Transaction Agreements, the Voting Agreement, the
Confidentiality Agreement, the exhibits and the Disclosure
Letters and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto)
constitutes the entire agreement of all the parties hereto and
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties, or
any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. All
exhibits attached to this Agreement and the Disclosure Letters
are expressly made a part of, and incorporated by reference
into, this Agreement.
12.10 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to
the conflicts of law principles thereof.
12.11 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one agreement binding on the parties
hereto, notwithstanding that not all parties are signatories to
the original or the same counterpart.
12.12 Waiver of Jury
Trial. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives all
right to trial by jury in any action, suit, proceeding or
counterclaim (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise)
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of
the parties hereto in the negotiation, administration,
performance and enforcement hereof.
12.13 Jurisdiction;
Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific
terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that
the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the
United States located in the State of Delaware or the Delaware
Court of Chancery, this being in addition to any other remedy to
which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each
of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the
personal jurisdiction of any federal court located in the State
of Delaware or the Delaware Court of Chancery in the event any
dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not
attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion
or other request for leave from any such court and
(c) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to
this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in any court other than a federal court sitting in the
State of Delaware.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
A-68
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.
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Name: Scott T. Ford |
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Title: CEO & President |
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ALLTEL HOLDING CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Name: Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Title: President |
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VALOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ William M. Ojile, Jr. |
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Name: William M. Ojile, Jr. |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal |
A-69
Annex B
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
ALLTEL CORPORATION
AND
ALLTEL HOLDING CORP.
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I
Definitions |
Section 1.1
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General |
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B-2 |
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Section 1.2
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References to Time |
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B-7 |
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ARTICLE II
Preliminary Transactions |
Section 2.1
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Business Separation |
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B-8 |
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Section 2.2
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Conveyancing and Assumption Agreements |
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B-9 |
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Section 2.3
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Certain Resignations |
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B-9 |
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Section 2.4
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Other Agreements |
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B-9 |
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Section 2.5
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Transfers Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfers
Deemed Effective as of the Distribution Date |
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B-9 |
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Section 2.6
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Special Dividend; Spinco Financing; Debt Exchange |
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B-10 |
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Section 2.7
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Financial Instruments |
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B-11 |
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Section 2.8
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Coordination of Asset Separation Transactions |
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B-11 |
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ARTICLE III
The Distribution |
Section 3.1
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Record Date and Distribution Date |
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B-11 |
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Section 3.2
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Spinco Reclassification |
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B-12 |
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Section 3.3
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Net Spinco Indebtedness |
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B-12 |
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Section 3.4
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The Agent |
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B-12 |
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Section 3.5
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Delivery of Shares to the Agent |
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B-12 |
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Section 3.6
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The Distribution |
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B-12 |
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ARTICLE IV
Net Debt Adjustment |
Section 4.1
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Post-Closing Adjustment to Net Spinco Indebtedness |
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B-12 |
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ARTICLE V
Employee Benefit Matters |
Section 5.1
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Employee Benefit Matters |
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B-14 |
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ARTICLE VI
Tax Sharing |
Section 6.1
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Tax Sharing |
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B-14 |
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ARTICLE VII
Survival and Indemnification |
Section 7.1
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Survival of Agreements |
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B-14 |
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Section 7.2
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Mutual Release |
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B-14 |
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Section 7.3
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Indemnification |
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B-15 |
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Section 7.4
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Procedures for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims |
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B-15 |
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Section 7.5
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Reductions for Insurance Proceeds, Tax Benefits and Other
Recoveries |
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B-16 |
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Section 7.6
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Consequential Damages |
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B-17 |
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Section 7.7
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Survival of Indemnities |
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B-17 |
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ARTICLE VIII
Certain Additional Covenants |
Section 8.1
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Notices to Third Parties |
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B-17 |
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Section 8.2
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Licenses and Permits |
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B-17 |
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B-i
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Section 8.3
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Intercompany Agreements; Intercompany Accounts |
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B-17 |
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Section 8.4
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Further Assurances |
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B-18 |
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Section 8.5
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Guarantee Obligations and Liens |
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B-18 |
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Section 8.6
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Insurance |
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B-19 |
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Section 8.7
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Use of Names |
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B-20 |
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Section 8.8
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Non Solicitation of Employees |
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B-20 |
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Section 8.9
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Subsequent Transfers |
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B-21 |
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ARTICLE IX
Access to Information |
Section 9.1
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Provision of Corporate Records |
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B-21 |
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Section 9.2
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Access to Information |
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B-21 |
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Section 9.3
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Production of Witnesses |
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B-22 |
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Section 9.4
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Retention of Records |
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B-22 |
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Section 9.5
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Confidentiality |
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B-22 |
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Section 9.6
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Cooperation with Respect to Government Reports and Filings |
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Section 9.7
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Tax Sharing Agreement |
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B-23 |
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ARTICLE X
No Representations or Warranties |
Section 10.1
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No Representations or Warranties |
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B-23 |
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ARTICLE XI
Conditions |
Section 11.1
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Conditions to the Distribution |
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B-23 |
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Section 11.2
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Waiver of Conditions |
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B-24 |
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Section 11.3
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Disclosure |
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B-24 |
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ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous |
Section 12.1
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Complete Agreement |
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B-24 |
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Section 12.2
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Expenses |
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B-24 |
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Section 12.3
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Governing Law |
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B-24 |
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Section 12.4
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Notices |
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B-24 |
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Section 12.5
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Amendment and Modification |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.6
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Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.7
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Counterparts |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.8
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Interpretation |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.9
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Severability |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.10
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References; Construction |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.11
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Termination |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.12
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Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process |
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B-25 |
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Section 12.13
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Waivers |
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B-26 |
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Section 12.14
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Specific Performance |
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B-26 |
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Section 12.15
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Waiver of Jury Trial |
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B-26 |
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B-ii
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement),
dated as of December 8, 2005, by and between ALLTEL
Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(AT Co.), and ALLTEL Holding Corp., a
newly formed Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
of AT Co. (Spinco).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, AT Co., Spinco and Valor Communications Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company),
have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, of even date
herewith (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to
which, at the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), Spinco will merge with and into the Company, with
the Company continuing as the surviving corporation (the
Merger);
WHEREAS, this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements (as
defined herein) set forth certain transactions that are
conditions to consummation of the Merger;
WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution Date (as defined herein),
(i) pursuant to certain preliminary restructuring
transactions, including one or more distributions and/or
contributions of assets and equity securities,
(A) AT Co. will transfer or cause to be transferred to
one or more of the Spinco Subsidiaries (as defined herein) all
of the Spinco Assets (as defined herein) not held by Spinco or
the Spinco Subsidiaries as of the date hereof,
(B) AT Co. will transfer or cause to be transferred to
one or more of the AT Co. Subsidiaries (as defined herein)
all of the AT Co. Assets (as defined herein) not held by
AT Co. or the AT Co. Subsidiaries as of the date
hereof, (C) AT Co. will transfer or cause to be
transferred to one or more of the Spinco Subsidiaries all of the
Spinco Liabilities (as defined herein) not held by Spinco or the
Spinco Subsidiaries as of the date hereof (and one or more of
the Spinco Subsidiaries will assume or cause to be assumed such
Spinco Liabilities), and (D) AT Co. will transfer or
cause to be transferred to one or more of the AT Co.
Subsidiaries all of the AT Co. Liabilities (as defined
herein) not held by AT Co. or the AT Co. Subsidiaries
as of the date hereof (and one or more of the AT Co.
Subsidiaries will assume or cause to be assumed such AT Co.
Liabilities) (collectively, the Preliminary
Restructuring), and (ii) in exchange for the
contribution to Spinco, directly or indirectly, of all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities
of the Spinco Subsidiaries, Spinco will issue to AT Co. the
Spinco Common Stock (as defined herein), distribute to
AT Co. the Spinco Exchange Notes (as defined herein) and
pay to AT Co. the Special Dividend (as defined herein), all
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein
(the transactions described in this clause (ii),
collectively, the Contribution);
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, AT Co. will distribute (the
Distribution) all of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of Spinco (Spinco Common Stock) to the
holders as of the Record Date (as defined herein) of the
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of AT Co. (AT Co. Common
Stock); and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the
Contribution, together with the Debt Exchange (as defined
herein), qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code), that the Distribution qualify as a
distribution of Spinco stock to AT Co. stockholders
pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, and that the Merger
qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of
the Code, and that no gain or loss be recognized as a result of
such transactions for federal income tax purposes by any of
AT Co., Spinco, the Company and their respective
stockholders (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of
fractional shares.).
B-1
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.1 General.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
Additional Spinco Indebtedness: as defined in
Section 4.1(d) of this Agreement.
Affiliate: means a Person that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified
Person. The term control (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms controlled by and
under common control with), as applied to any
Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or other ownership interest, by contract or
otherwise; provided, however, that for purposes of this
Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date, no member of
either Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of any member of the
other Group.
Agent: the distribution agent to be appointed by
AT Co. to distribute the shares of Spinco Common Stock pursuant
to the Distribution.
Agreement: as defined in the preamble to this
Agreement.
Asset: any and all assets, properties and rights,
wherever located, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible, including the following (in each case, whether or
not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or
reflected on the books and records or financial statements of
any Person): (i) notes and accounts and notes receivable
(whether current or non-current); (ii) certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances, stock (including the capital
stock or other equity securities in any Subsidiary), debentures,
bonds, notes, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of
interest or participation in profit-sharing agreements,
collateral-trust certificates, preorganization certificates or
subscriptions, transferable shares, investment contracts,
letters of credit and performance and surety bonds, voting-trust
certificates, puts, calls, straddles, options and other
securities of any kind, and all loans, advances or other
extensions of credit or capital contributions to any other
Person; (iii) intangible property rights, inventions,
discoveries, know-how, United States and foreign patents and
patent applications, trade secrets, confidential information,
registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks, service
names, trade styles and trade names and associated goodwill;
statutory, common law and registered copyrights; applications
for any of the foregoing, rights to use the foregoing and other
rights in, to and under the foregoing; (iv) rights under
leases (including Real Property Leases), contracts, licenses,
permits, distribution arrangements, sales and purchase
agreements, joint operating agreements, other agreements and
business arrangements; (v) Owned Real Property;
(vi) Leased Real Property, fixtures, trade fixtures,
machinery, equipment (including oil and gas, transportation and
office equipment), tools, dies and furniture; (vii) office
supplies, production supplies, spare parts, other miscellaneous
supplies and other tangible property of any kind, including all
antennas, apparatus, cables, electrical devices, fixtures,
equipment, furniture, office equipment, broadcast towers, motor
vehicles and other transportation equipment, special and general
tools, test devices, transmitters and other tangible personal
property; (viii) computers and other data processing
equipment and software; (ix) raw materials,
work-in-process,
finished goods, consigned goods and other inventories;
(x) prepayments or prepaid expenses; (xi) claims,
causes of action, rights under express or implied warranties,
rights of recovery and rights of setoff of any kind;
(xii) the right to receive mail, payments on accounts
receivable and other communications; (xiii) lists of
customers, records pertaining to customers and accounts,
personnel records, lists and records pertaining to customers,
suppliers and agents, and all accounting and other books,
records, ledgers, files and business records of every kind
(whether in paper, microfilm, computer tape or disc, magnetic
tape or any other form); (xiv) advertising materials and
other printed or written materials; (xv) goodwill as a
going concern and other intangible properties;
(xvi) employee contracts, including any rights thereunder
to restrict an employee
B-2
from competing in certain respects; and (xvii) licenses and
authorizations issued by any governmental authority.
Assets shall not include any asset relating
to Taxes, which shall be governed exclusively by Article VI
of this Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement, and, to the extent
applicable, the Merger Agreement or any asset relating to
benefit plans, programs, agreements, and arrangements, which
shall be governed exclusively by Article V of this
Agreement, the Employee Benefits Agreement and, to the extent
applicable, the Merger Agreement.
Asset Separation Process: as defined in
Section 2.8 of this Agreement.
AT Co.: as defined in the preamble to this
Agreement.
AT Co. Assets: collectively: (i) all of the
right, title and interest of AT Co. and its Subsidiaries in all
Assets held by them other than the Spinco Assets, (ii) the
rights to use shared Assets as provided in Article II
hereof, (iii) all other Assets of AT Co. and AT Co.
Subsidiaries to the extent specifically assigned to or retained
by any member of the AT Co. Group pursuant to this Agreement or
any other Transaction Agreement, (iv) the capital stock of
each AT Co. Subsidiary, (v) all rights of AT Co. under the
Transaction Agreements and (vi) any additional Assets set
forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Letter.
AT Co. Business: all of the businesses and
operations conducted by AT Co. and the AT Co. Subsidiaries
(other than the Spinco Business) at any time, whether prior to,
on or after the Distribution Date.
AT Co. Common Stock: as defined in the Recitals to
this Agreement.
AT Co. Designees: as defined in Section 2.8
of this Agreement.
AT Co. Financial Instruments: all credit
facilities, guaranties, commercial paper, interest rate swap
agreements, foreign currency forward exchange contracts, comfort
letters, letters of credit and similar instruments related to
the AT Co. Business under which any member of the Spinco Group
has any primary, secondary, contingent, joint, several or other
Liability after the Distribution Date.
AT Co. Group: AT Co. and the AT Co. Subsidiaries.
AT Co. Indemnitees: AT Co., each Affiliate of AT
Co. immediately after the Contribution and each of their
respective present and former Representatives and each of the
heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
AT Co. Liabilities: collectively, (i) all
Liabilities of AT Co. or any of the AT Co. Subsidiaries,
including the Liabilities of AT Co. under the Transaction
Agreements, in each case, other than the Spinco Liabilities,
(ii) all Liabilities set forth on Section 1.1(b) of
the Disclosure Letter and (iii) all expenses allocated to
AT Co. on Section 12.2 of the Disclosure Letter.
AT Co. Subsidiaries: all direct and indirect
Subsidiaries of AT Co. immediately after the Distribution Date.
AT Co. Trademarks: as defined in
Section 8.7(c) of this Agreement.
AT Co./ Spinco Designees: as defined in
Section 2.8 of this Agreement.
AT Excess Expenses: as defined in
Section 12.2 of this Agreement.
Business: the Spinco Business or the AT Co.
Business, as the case may be.
Business Day: any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of
Little Rock, Arkansas or the City of New York, New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: as defined in
Section 4.1(f) of this Agreement.
Claims Administration: the processing of claims
made under the Policies, including the reporting of claims to
the insurance carrier, management and defense of claims, and
providing for appropriate releases upon settlement of claims.
B-3
Claims Made Policies: as defined in
Section 8.6(a) of this Agreement.
Closing Date: as defined in the Merger Agreement.
Closing Net Spinco Indebtedness: as defined in
Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.
Closing Spinco Balance Sheet: as defined in
Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.
Closing Statement: as defined in
Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.
Code: as defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.
Company: as defined in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
Company Consent: the written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed.
Company Designees: as defined in Section 2.8
of this Agreement.
Contribution: as defined in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
Debt Exchange: as defined in Section 2.6(b)
of this Agreement.
Delayed Transfer Assets: as defined in
Section 2.5 of this Agreement.
Delayed Transfer Liabilities: as defined in
Section 2.5 of this Agreement.
Disclosure Letter: the schedule prepared and
delivered by AT Co. to Spinco as of the date of this
Agreement.
Distribution: as defined in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
Distribution Date: the date and time that the
Distribution shall become effective.
Effective Time: as defined in the Merger Agreement.
Employee Benefits Agreement: the Employee Benefits
Agreement to be entered into between AT Co. and Spinco,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
Final Adjustment Amount: as defined in
Section 4.1(d) of this Agreement.
Final Closing Statement: as defined in
Section 4.1(b) or 4.1(c) of this Agreement.
Final Net Spinco Indebtedness: as defined in
Section 4.1(d) of this Agreement.
GAAP: as defined in Section 4.1(f) of this
Agreement.
Governmental Authority: as defined in the Merger
Agreement.
Group: the AT Co. Group or the Spinco Group,
as the case may be.
Indebtedness: as defined in Section 4.1(f) of
this Agreement.
Indemnifiable Losses: all Losses, Liabilities,
damages, claims, demands, judgments or settlements of any nature
or kind, including all costs and expenses (legal, accounting or
otherwise) that are reasonably incurred relating thereto,
suffered by an Indemnitee, including any costs or expenses of
enforcing any indemnity hereunder that are reasonably incurred
and all Taxes resulting from indemnification payments hereunder.
Indemnifying Party: a Person that is obligated
under this Agreement to provide indemnification.
Indemnitee: a Person that may seek indemnification
under this Agreement.
Independent Accounting Firm: as defined in
Section 4.1(f) of this Agreement.
Information: all records, books, contracts,
instruments, computer data and other data and information.
B-4
Leased Real Property: all leasehold or
subleasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any land,
buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interest
in real property.
Liability or Liabilities: all debts, liabilities
and obligations whether absolute or contingent, matured or
unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued,
known or unknown, whenever arising, and whether or not the same
would properly be reflected on a balance sheet.
Liabilities shall not include any liabilities
for or in respect of Taxes, which shall be governed solely by
Article VI of this Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement,
and, to the extent applicable, the Merger Agreement, or any
liabilities for or in respect of any benefit plans, programs,
agreements, and arrangements, which shall be governed
exclusively by Article V of this Agreement, the Employee
Benefits Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the Merger
Agreement.
Litigation Matters: all pending or threatened
litigation, investigations, claims or other legal matters that
have been or may be asserted against, or otherwise adversely
affect, AT Co. and/or Spinco (or members of either Group).
Losses: as defined in the Merger Agreement.
Merger: as defined in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
Merger Agreement: as defined in the Recitals to
this Agreement.
Net Spinco Indebtedness: as defined in
Section 4.1(f) of this Agreement.
Occurrence Basis Policies: as defined in
Section 8.6(a) of this Agreement.
Owned Real Property: all land, together with all
buildings, structures, improvements and fixtures located
thereon, and all easements and other rights and interests
appurtenant thereto that is owned.
Person or person: a natural person, corporation,
company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company, or any other entity, including a Governmental Authority.
Policies: all insurance policies, insurance
contracts and claim administration contracts of any kind of AT
Co. and its Subsidiaries (including members of the Spinco Group)
and their predecessors which were or are in effect at any time
at or prior to the Distribution Date, including primary, excess
and umbrella, commercial general liability, fiduciary liability,
product liability, automobile, aircraft, property and casualty,
business interruption, directors and officers liability,
employment practices liability, workers compensation,
crime, errors and omissions, special accident, cargo and
employee dishonesty insurance policies and captive insurance
company arrangements, together with all rights, benefits and
privileges thereunder, but not including any insurance policies,
insurance contracts or claim administration contracts subject to
the provisions of the Employee Benefits Agreement.
Preliminary Restructuring: as defined in the
Recitals to this Agreement.
Prime Rate: as defined in Section 4.1(e) of
this Agreement.
Privileged Information: with respect to either
Group, Information regarding a member of such Group, or any of
its operations, Assets or Liabilities (whether in documents or
stored in any other form or known to its employees or agents)
that is or may be protected from disclosure pursuant to the
attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or another
applicable privilege, that a member of the other Group may come
into possession of or obtain access to pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise.
Real Property Leases: all leases, subleases,
concessions and other agreements (written or oral) pursuant to
which any Leased Real Property is held, including the right to
all security deposits and other amounts and instruments
deposited thereunder.
Reclassification: as defined in Section 3.4
of this Agreement.
Record Date: the close of business on the date to
be determined by the Board of Directors of AT Co. as the
record date for determining stockholders of AT Co. entitled
to receive the Distribution, which date shall be a business day
preceding the day of the Effective Time.
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Registration Statement: the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the issuance of the shares of
Company Common Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement) into
which shares of Spinco Common Stock will be converted pursuant
to the Merger.
Representative: with respect to any Person, any of
such Persons directors, managers or persons acting in a
similar capacity, officers, employees, agents, consultants,
financial and other advisors, accountants, attorneys and other
representatives.
SEC: the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act: the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, together with the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder.
Sell-off Period: as defined in Section 8.7(c)
of this Agreement.
Senior Debt Commitment Letter: means the
commitment letter attached hereto as Exhibit B.
Shared Assets Agreement: has the meaning set forth
in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.
Shared Contracts Agreement: has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.
Special Dividend: a dividend in an amount to be
set forth in a certificate delivered by AT Co. to Spinco,
with a copy to the Company, no later than thirty (30) days
prior to the Distribution Date, which amount shall not exceed
AT Co.s tax basis in Spinco, and which will be
declared and paid by Spinco to AT Co. in cash prior to the
Distribution.
Special Dividend Record Date: as defined in
Section 2.6(a) of this Agreement.
Spinco: as defined in the preamble to this
Agreement; provided that with respect to any period following
the Effective Time, all references to Spinco herein shall be
deemed to be references to the Surviving Corporation.
Spinco Assets: collectively, (i) all of the
right, title and interest of AT Co. and its Subsidiaries in
all Assets that are primarily used or held for use in, or
primarily relating to or arising from, the Spinco Business,
including those set forth on the Spinco Audited Balance Sheet
and those acquired by Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary, AT Co.
or any AT Co. Subsidiary after the date of the Spinco
Audited Balance Sheet, (ii) the rights to use shared Assets
as provided in Article II hereof, (iii) all other
Assets of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries to the extent
specifically assigned to or retained by any member of the Spinco
Group pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction
Agreement, (iv) the capital stock of each Spinco
Subsidiary, (v) all rights of Spinco under the Transaction
Agreements, and (vi) any additional Assets set forth on
Section 1.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter.
Spinco Audited Balance Sheet: as defined in
Section 4.1(f) of this Agreement.
Spinco Business: the business conducted by
AT Co. and its Subsidiaries engaged in the operation of
AT Co.s wireline telecommunications business,
including AT Co.s ILEC, CLEC and internet access
operations, related marketing and sales operations, and other
operations comprising what is referred to in AT Co.s
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 as the Wireline Segment
of AT Co., as well as all of AT Co.s directory
publishing operations, telecommunication information services
operations, product distribution operations (other than any such
operations supporting AT Co.s wireless
telecommunications business, as set forth on
Schedule 1.1 hereof), network management services
operations, and wireline long-distance services operations
(other than the fiber backbone supporting those operations and
the revenues attributable to AT Co.s wireless
telecommunications business as a result of its use of the fiber
backbone), but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all other
businesses conducted by AT Co. and its Subsidiaries.
Spinco Credit Agreement: means the definitive loan
agreement with respect to the senior credit facility of Spinco
containing substantially the terms contemplated by the Senior
Debt Commitment Letter.
B-6
Spinco Common Stock: as defined in the Recitals to
this Agreement.
Spinco Designees: as defined in Section 2.8
of this Agreement.
Spinco Exchange Notes and Spinco Notes: means the
notes to be issued by Spinco, as detailed in Section 2.6
hereof.
Spinco Financial Instruments: all credit
facilities, guaranties, commercial paper, interest rate swap
agreements, foreign currency forward exchange contracts, comfort
letters, letters of credit and similar instruments related to
the Spinco Business under which any member of the AT Co. Group
has any primary, secondary, contingent, joint, several or other
Liability after the Distribution Date.
Spinco Financing: as defined in
Section 2.6(c) of this Agreement.
Spinco Group: Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries.
Spinco Indemnitees: Spinco, the Company, each
Affiliate of Spinco and the Company immediately after the
Contribution and each of their respective present and former
Representatives and each of the heirs, executors, successors and
assigns of any of the foregoing.
Spinco Liabilities: collectively: (i) all
Liabilities of AT Co. or any of its Subsidiaries (including
Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries) primarily relating to or
arising from the Spinco Business, including the Liabilities set
forth on the Spinco Audited Balance Sheet or arising after the
date thereof and the Liabilities of Spinco under the Transaction
Agreements and (ii) all Liabilities set forth on
Section 1.1(d) of the Disclosure Letter.
Spinco Notes Offering: means the sale of
Spinco Notes as part of the Spinco Financing, if applicable, and
the distribution of Spinco Exchange Notes to AT Co. for purposes
of effecting the Debt Exchange.
Spinco Subsidiaries: all direct and indirect
Subsidiaries of Spinco immediately after the Contribution.
Steering Committee: as defined in Section 2.8
of this Agreement.
Subsidiary: as defined in the Merger Agreement.
Surviving Corporation: as defined in the Merger
Agreement.
Target Net Spinco Indebtedness: as defined in
Section 4.1(d) of this Agreement.
Taxes: as defined in the Merger Agreement.
Tax Sharing Agreement: the Tax Sharing Agreement
to be entered into between AT Co. and its Affiliates and Spinco
and its Affiliates, substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto.
Third-Party Claim: any claim, suit, derivative
suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or
before any court, any governmental or other regulatory or
administrative agency or commission or any arbitration tribunal
asserted by a Person who or which is neither a party hereto nor
an Affiliate of a party hereto.
Transaction Agreements: this Agreement, the
Employee Benefits Agreement, the Merger Agreement, the Tax
Sharing Agreement, the Shared Assets Agreement, the Shared
Contracts Agreement, and the Transition Services Agreement.
Transition Services Agreement: the Transition
Services Agreement to be entered into by and between AT Co.
and Spinco, substantially on the terms set forth in
Exhibit D hereto.
Wireline Subsidiaries: as defined in
Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
Section 1.2 References
to Time. All references in this Agreement to times of
the day shall be to New York City time.
B-7
ARTICLE II
Preliminary Transactions
Section 2.1 Business
Separation.
(a) On or prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co. shall
take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to cause the
transfer, assignment, delivery and conveyance to Spinco or one
or more Spinco Subsidiaries designated by Spinco of (i) all
of the stock of Subsidiaries of AT Co. that hold primarily
Spinco Assets (the Wireline Subsidiaries)
(which such Subsidiaries are set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)
hereof); provided that any AT Co. Assets or AT Co.
Liabilities held by any such Wireline Subsidiary shall be
transferred from such Wireline Subsidiary to AT Co. or an
AT Co. Subsidiary prior to the Distribution Date,
(ii) all of the Spinco Assets held by AT Co. or a
subsidiary of AT Co. that are not transferred as a result
of the transfer of a Wireline Subsidiary to Spinco and
(iii) all Spinco Liabilities held by AT Co. or a
subsidiary of AT Co. that are not transferred as a result
of the transfer of a Wireline Subsidiary to Spinco. Spinco shall
assume or cause to be assumed, and thereafter timely pay,
perform and discharge, or cause to be paid, performed and
discharged, all of the Spinco Liabilities.
(b) The separation of the AT Co. Assets and the Spinco
Assets, as contemplated by this Agreement shall be effected in a
manner that does not unreasonably disrupt either the AT Co.
Business or the Spinco Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
AT Co. and Spinco agree, and agree to cause their
respective Subsidiaries, to use their reasonable best efforts to
obtain, before the Distribution Date, any consent, approval or
waiver from, and to satisfy any notification requirements to,
any Governmental Authority or other third party. Prior to the
Distribution Date, AT Co. and Spinco shall use their
reasonable best efforts to identify all Assets that cannot be
separated in a commercially reasonable manner, and Spinco and
AT Co. will enter into appropriate arrangements regarding
such shared Assets (the Shared Assets
Agreement), including the costs related to the use of
such shared Assets.
(c) Prior to the Contribution, AT Co. and Spinco will
use their respective reasonable best efforts to amend, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, all
contractual arrangements between or among AT Co., Spinco,
their respective Affiliates and any other Person (other than the
contractual arrangements relating to the Contribution, the
Distribution and the Merger) that either (i) relate to the
AT Co. Business but relate primarily to the Spinco Business
or (ii) relate solely to the Spinco Business, but, by their
terms, contain provisions relating to a member of the
AT Co. Group, so that, after the Contribution, such
contractual arrangements (x) will relate solely to the
Spinco Business and (y) will eliminate any provisions
relating to a member of the AT Co. Group and, in either
event, will inure to the benefit of the Spinco Group on
substantially the same economic terms as such arrangements exist
as of the date hereof. Prior to the Contribution, AT Co.
and Spinco will use their respective reasonable best efforts to
amend, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, all contractual arrangements between or among
AT Co., Spinco, their respective Affiliates and any other
Person (other than the contractual arrangements relating to the
Contribution, the Distribution and the Merger) that either
(i) relate to the Spinco Business but relate primarily to
the AT Co. Business or (ii) relate solely to the
AT Co. Business, but, by their terms, contain provisions
relating to a member of the Spinco Group, so that, after the
Contribution, such contractual arrangements (x) will relate
solely to the AT Co. Business and (y) will eliminate
any provisions relating to a member of the Spinco Group and, in
either event, will inure to the benefit of the AT Co. Group
on substantially the same economic terms as such arrangements
exist as of the date hereof. If, in any case, such amendment
cannot be obtained, or if an attempted amendment thereof would
be ineffective or would adversely affect the rights of
AT Co. or Spinco thereunder, AT Co. and Spinco will
cooperate in negotiating a mutually agreeable arrangement with
respect to such contractual arrangements (the Shared
Contracts Agreement), in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, under which AT Co. or Spinco,
as applicable, will obtain the benefits and assume the
obligations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action
will be required of AT Co. or Spinco that would cause the
representation contained in Section 2.1(d) below to
be breached.
(d) AT Co. hereby represents and warrants to Spinco
that immediately following the Contribution, the Assets of
Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries, taken together with the
services available from AT Co. pursuant
B-8
to the Transition Services Agreement, the Shared Assets
Agreement and the Shared Contracts Agreement, will constitute
all of the Assets primarily used in or necessary for, and will
be sufficient for the operation of, the Spinco Business in all
material respects as currently conducted and as proposed to be
conducted on the date the Contribution is consummated. The
representations and warranties of AT Co. set forth in this
Section 2.1(d) will survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the Distribution Date and will continue in
full force and effect for two years following the Distribution
Date.
(e) From the date hereof until the Effective Time,
AT Co. shall be entitled to use, retain or otherwise
dispose of all cash generated by the Spinco Business and the
Spinco Assets in accordance with the ordinary course operation
of AT Co.s cash management system.
(f) Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the
rights and obligations of the parties with respect to Taxes
shall be governed exclusively by Article VI of this
Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement and to the extent
applicable, the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, Taxes shall not
be treated as Assets or Liabilities for purposes of, or
otherwise be governed by, this Section 2.1. In
addition, except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the
rights and obligations of the parties with respect to benefit
plans, programs, agreements and arrangements shall be governed
exclusively by Article V of this Agreement, the Employee
Benefits Agreement and to the extent applicable, the Merger
Agreement. Accordingly, assets and liabilities relating to any
benefit plans, programs, agreements and arrangements shall not
be treated as Assets or Liabilities for purposes of, or
otherwise be governed by, this Section 2.1.
Section 2.2 Conveyancing
and Assumption Agreements. In connection with the
transfer of the Spinco Assets and the assumption of the Spinco
Liabilities contemplated by this Article II, AT Co.
and Spinco shall execute, or cause to be executed by the
appropriate entities, conveyancing and assumption instruments in
such forms as shall be reasonably acceptable to AT Co.,
Spinco and the Company.
Section 2.3 Certain
Resignations. At or prior to the Distribution Date,
AT Co. shall cause each employee and director of
AT Co. and its Subsidiaries who will not be employed by
Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary after the Distribution Date to
resign, effective not later than the Distribution Date, from all
boards of directors or similar governing bodies of Spinco or any
Spinco Subsidiary on which they serve, and from all positions as
officers of Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary in which they serve.
Spinco will cause each employee and director of Spinco and its
Subsidiaries who will not be employed by AT Co. or an
AT Co. Subsidiary after the Distribution Date to resign,
effective not later than the Distribution Date, from all boards
of directors or similar governing bodies of AT Co. or any
AT Co. Subsidiary on which they serve, and from all
positions as officers of AT Co. or any AT Co.
Subsidiary in which they serve.
Section 2.4 Other
Agreements. Each of AT Co. and Spinco shall, prior
to the Distribution Date, enter into, or cause the appropriate
members of the Group of which it is a member to enter into, the
other Transaction Agreements.
Section 2.5 Transfers
Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfers Deemed
Effective as of the Distribution Date. Subject to
Section 2.1(d), to the extent that any transfers of Assets
or Liabilities contemplated by this Article II shall not
have been consummated on or prior to the Distribution Date, the
parties shall cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to
effect the transfer of such Assets (Delayed Transfer
Assets) and such Liabilities (Delayed
Transfer Liabilities) as promptly following the
Distribution Date as shall be practicable. On the Closing Date,
AT Co. shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver to
Spinco a schedule setting forth all material Delayed Transfer
Assets and Delayed Transfer Liabilities existing as of the
Closing Date. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the
transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities
which by their terms or operation of law cannot be transferred
or assumed until such time as all legal impediments to such
transfer or assumption have been removed; provided, however,
that AT Co. and Spinco shall, and shall cause their
respective Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain any necessary consents or approvals for the transfer of
all Assets and the assumption of all Liabilities contemplated to
be transferred or assumed pursuant to this Article II. In
the event that any such transfer of Assets or assumption of
Liabilities has not been consummated, effective on or before the
Distribution Date, the party retaining such Asset or Liability
shall thereafter hold such Asset in trust for the use and
benefit of the party entitled thereto (at the expense of the
party entitled thereto) and retain such Liability for the
account of the
B-9
party by whom such Liability is to be assumed pursuant hereto,
and take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the
party to which such Asset is to be transferred, or by whom such
Liability is to be assumed, as the case may be, in order to
place such party, insofar as reasonably practicable, in
substantially the same position as would have existed had such
Asset or Liability been transferred or assumed as contemplated
hereby. As and when any such Asset becomes transferable or such
Liability can be assumed, such transfer or assumption
automatically and without any further action shall be effected
forthwith. Subject to the foregoing, the parties agree that, as
of the Distribution Date (or such earlier time as any such Asset
may have been assigned or Liability assumed), each party hereto
shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial
ownership over all of the Assets, together with all rights,
powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to
have assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all
of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and
responsibilities incident thereto, which such party is entitled
to acquire or required to assume pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
Section 2.6 Special
Dividend; Spinco Financing; Debt Exchange.
(a) The Spinco Board will establish a special dividend
record date (the Special Dividend Record
Date) and will authorize Spinco to pay out of funds
legally available therefor the Special Dividend immediately
prior to the Distribution Date to AT Co., as the holder of
record of Spinco Common Stock as of the Special Dividend Record
Date.
(b) Prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co. shall enter
into all necessary or appropriate arrangements regarding
(i) the exchange of outstanding AT Co. short-term debt
obligations (the AT Co. Notes) having an
aggregate fair market value as of the date of the Debt Exchange
equal to the net proceeds of the Spinco Exchange Notes or
(ii) other transfer of the Spinco Exchange Notes to the
creditors of AT Co. (the Debt Exchange).
The principal amount of the Spinco Exchange Notes will be an
amount equal to (x) $3.965 billion less (y) the
amount of the Special Dividend, with the precise aggregate
principal amount of the Spinco Exchange Notes to be exchanged or
transferred in the Debt Exchange to be set forth on a
certificate to be delivered by AT Co. to Spinco, with a
copy to the Company, no later than thirty (30) days prior
to the Distribution Date.
(c) At or prior to the Distribution Date, Spinco will
(i) enter into the Spinco Credit Agreement and consummate
the Spinco Notes Offering, pursuant to which Spinco will
borrow up to $3.965 billion in the aggregate (the
Spinco Financing), and use such proceeds to
pay the Special Dividend and (ii) distribute Spinco
Exchange Notes to AT Co., which AT Co. intends to
exchange for outstanding AT Co. Notes or otherwise transfer
in the Debt Exchange.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.6(b)
and 2.6(c), the amounts of indebtedness set forth in this
Section 2.6 are approximations based on facts and
circumstances existing on the date hereof and are subject to
change prior to the Distribution Date, it being understood that
such amounts will at all times remain subject to the provisions
of Section 4.1 hereof.
(e) AT Co. and Spinco shall use their respective
reasonable best efforts to cause the Spinco Financing and the
Debt Exchange to be consummated. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, each of AT Co. and Spinco shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause their respective employees,
accountants, counsel and other representatives to reasonably
cooperate with each other in carrying out the transactions
contemplated by the Spinco Financing and the Debt Exchange and
in delivering all documents and instruments deemed reasonably
necessary by AT Co. or Spinco (including providing standard
accountants comfort letters and legal opinions
and otherwise cooperating and assisting in satisfying the
conditions to the Spinco Financing and the Debt Exchange and
assisting with the syndication or marketing of the Spinco Credit
Agreement and the consummation of the Spinco Notes Offering
including, by (i) providing direct contact between
prospective lenders and the officers and directors of each of AT
Co. and Spinco, (ii) providing assistance in preparation of
confidential information memoranda and other materials to be
used in connection with consummating the Spinco Financing and
the Debt Exchange, (iii) disclosing the Debt Exchange and
Spinco Financing, as required under the Securities Act, in the
Registration Statement and any other filings to be made with the
SEC, and (iv) entering into such agreements and other
arrangements as are reasonably required to effectuate any
arrangements made by AT Co. with respect to the exchange of
Spinco Notes for AT Co. Notes in
B-10
connection with the Debt Exchange, and (v) taking all other
actions reasonably necessary in connection with the Spinco
Financing and the Debt Exchange). Each of AT Co. and Spinco
shall cooperate in connection with the preparation of all
documents and the making of all filings required in connection
with the Spinco Financing and the Debt Exchange and shall use
their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all other
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Spinco
Financing and the Debt Exchange and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 2.7 Financial
Instruments.
(a) Spinco will, at its expense, take or cause to be taken
all actions, and enter into (or cause the Spinco Subsidiaries to
enter into) such agreements and arrangements, as shall be
reasonably necessary to effect the
(b) release of and substitution for each member of the AT
Co. Group, as of the Distribution Date, from all primary,
secondary, contingent, joint, several and other Liabilities in
respect of Spinco Financial Instruments to the extent related to
the Spinco Group or the Spinco Business (it being understood
that all such Liabilities in respect of Spinco Financial
Instruments are Spinco Liabilities).
(c) AT Co. will, at its expense, take or cause to be taken
all actions, and enter into (or cause its Subsidiaries to enter
into) such agreements and arrangements, as shall be necessary to
effect the release of and substitution for each member of the
Spinco Group, as of the Distribution Date, from all primary,
secondary, contingent, joint, several and other Liabilities, if
any, in respect of AT Co. Financial Instruments to the extent
related to the AT Co. Group or the AT Co. Business (it being
understood that all such Liabilities in respect of AT Co.
Financial Instruments are AT Co. Liabilities).
(d) The parties obligations under this
Section 2.7 will continue to be applicable to all Spinco
Financial Instruments and AT Co. Financial Instruments
identified at any time by AT Co. or Spinco, whether before, at
or after the Distribution Date.
Section 2.8 Coordination
of Asset Separation Transactions. (a) As promptly as
practicable after the date hereof, AT Co. and Spinco shall
establish a steering committee (the Steering
Committee) for the purpose of (i) overseeing the
process of separating Spinco Assets from AT Co. Assets,
(ii) reviewing the form, terms and provisions of each
agreement necessary for the Preliminary Restructuring and the
Contribution to the extent not finalized at or prior to the date
hereof, (iii) reviewing any proposed amendments to any such
document that has previously been finalized,
(iv) implementing the specific terms of each of the
Transaction Agreements, including the Employee Benefits
Agreement and (v) overseeing the implementation of the
Spinco Financing (collectively, the Asset Separation
Process). The Steering Committee shall be comprised of
up to two (2) designees selected by AT Co. (the AT
Co. Designees), up to two (2) designees selected
by Spinco (the Spinco Designees and,
collectively with the AT Co. Designees, the AT Co./
Spinco Designees) and up to two (2) designees
selected by the Company, who shall be reasonably acceptable to
AT Co. and Spinco (the Company Designees).
All material decisions with respect to the Asset Separation
Process, including the terms of any breakage or termination fees
payable by AT Co. or Spinco, any consent payments or similar
arrangements required in connection with the Asset Separation
Process and the terms of any material contract, agreement,
arrangement or understanding to be entered into with any third
party in connection therewith, shall be subject to the review of
the Steering Committee. In the event either Company Designee in
good faith asserts that any contract, agreement, arrangement or
understanding to be entered into between AT Co. and Spinco,
which by its terms will continue after the Distribution Date,
would, individually or in the aggregate, materially and
adversely affect the economic benefits as a whole to be derived
by the Company from the Merger, the execution of such contract,
agreement, arrangement or understanding shall require a Company
Consent.
ARTICLE III
The Distribution
Section 3.1 Record
Date and Distribution Date. Subject to the satisfaction,
or to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver, of the
conditions set forth in Section 11.1, the Board of
Directors of
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AT Co., consistent with the Merger Agreement and Delaware
law, shall establish the Record Date and the Distribution Date
and any necessary or appropriate procedures in connection with
the Distribution.
Section 3.2 Spinco
Reclassification. Immediately prior to the Distribution
Date, AT Co. and Spinco shall take all actions necessary to
issue to AT Co. such number of shares of Spinco Common
Stock, including, if applicable, by reclassifying the
outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock or by declaring a
dividend payable to AT Co. in shares of Spinco Common Stock
(the Reclassification), for the purpose of
increasing the outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock such
that, immediately prior to the Distribution Date, Spinco will
have an aggregate number of shares of Spinco Common Stock to be
determined by AT Co. and Spinco prior to the Distribution
Date, all of which will be held by AT Co.
Section 3.3 Net
Spinco Indebtedness. Immediately prior to the Effective
Time, after giving effect to the Contribution and the other
transactions contemplated hereby other than the Merger and the
refinancing of the Company indebtedness, Spinco shall have Net
Spinco Indebtedness (as defined below) of not more than the
Target Net Spinco Indebtedness (as defined below).
Section 3.4 The
Agent. Prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co. shall
enter into an agreement with the Agent on terms reasonably
satisfactory to Spinco providing for, among other things, the
distribution to the holders of AT Co. Common Stock in
accordance with this Article III of the shares of Company
Common Stock into which the shares of Spinco Common Stock that
would otherwise be distributed in the Distribution will be
converted pursuant to the Merger.
Section 3.5 Delivery
of Shares to the Agent. At or prior to the Distribution
Date, AT Co. shall authorize the book-entry transfer by the
Agent of all of the outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock to
be distributed in connection with the Distribution. After the
Distribution Date, upon the request of the Agent, Spinco shall
provide all book-entry transfer authorizations that the Agent
shall require in order to effect the distribution of the shares
of Company Common Stock into which the shares of Spinco Common
Stock that would otherwise be distributed in the Distribution
will be converted pursuant to the Merger.
Section 3.6 The
Distribution. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, following consummation of the
Reclassification, AT Co. shall declare and pay the
Distribution of all of the shares of Spinco Common Stock held by
AT Co. At the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), all such shares of Spinco Common Stock shall be
converted into the right to receive shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the
Merger Agreement, immediately following which the Agent shall
distribute by book-entry transfer in respect of the outstanding
shares of AT Co. Common Stock held by holders of record of
AT Co. Common Stock on the Record Date, all of the shares
of Company Common Stock into which the shares of Spinco Common
Stock that would otherwise be distributed in the Distribution
have been converted pursuant to the Merger. The Agent shall make
cash payments in lieu of any fractional shares resulting from
the conversion of Spinco Common Stock into Company Common Stock
in the Merger pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
Net Debt Adjustment
Section 4.1 Post-Closing
Adjustment to Net Spinco Indebtedness.
(a) Within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (as
defined in the Merger Agreement), the Surviving Corporation (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) shall cause to be prepared and
delivered to AT Co. (i) a combined balance sheet of
Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries as of 12:01 a.m. on the
Distribution Date (the Closing Spinco Balance
Sheet) and (ii) a statement derived from the
Closing Spinco Balance Sheet and prepared in accordance with
this Section 4.1 (the Closing
Statement), setting forth the Net Spinco Indebtedness
(as defined below) as of 12:01 a.m. on the Distribution
Date (the Closing Net Spinco Indebtedness),
including reasonable detail regarding the calculation thereof.
The Closing Spinco Balance Sheet shall be prepared in accordance
with GAAP, consistently applied, utilizing the same
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methodology and adjustments as were utilized in preparing the
Spinco Audited Balance Sheet, and the Closing Statement shall be
derived from the Closing Spinco Balance Sheet.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, each of AT Co.
and Spinco shall give the other party and any representatives of
such other party access at all reasonable times to the
properties, books, records, working papers and personnel of the
Spinco Business to the extent required to prepare and review the
Closing Spinco Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement.
AT Co. shall have thirty (30) days following delivery
of the Closing Spinco Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement
during which to notify the Surviving Corporation of any dispute
of any item contained in the Closing Statement, which notice
shall (i) set forth in reasonable detail the nature and
amount of any such dispute and (ii) include only disputes
based on mathematical errors or the calculation of amounts not
in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 4.1. If AT Co. fails to notify the Surviving
Corporation of any such dispute within such thirty (30) day
period, or if the dispute involves amounts less than
$5 million in the aggregate, the Closing Statement
delivered to AT Co. shall be deemed to be the
Final Closing Statement, final, conclusive
and binding on the parties hereto. In the event that AT Co.
shall so notify the Surviving Corporation of a dispute,
AT Co. and the Surviving Corporation shall cooperate in
good faith to resolve such dispute as promptly as possible.
(c) If AT Co. and the Surviving Corporation do not
resolve any such disputed item within thirty (30) days of
the delivery of such notice, such disputed item shall be
resolved by the Independent Accounting Firm (as defined below).
In connection therewith, the Independent Accounting Firm shall
address only items disputed by the parties and may not assign an
amount to any disputed item greater than the greatest amount for
such item that is claimed by a party or less than the smallest
amount for such item that is claimed by a party. The Independent
Accounting Firm shall make its determination with respect to any
such disputed item as promptly as practicable and such
determination shall be final, conclusive and binding on the
parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent
jurisdiction and may be entered as a judgment in any such court.
Any expenses relating to the engagement of the Independent
Accounting Firm shall be shared equally between AT Co. and
the Surviving Corporation. The Closing Statement, as modified by
resolution of any disputed items between AT Co. and Spinco
or by the Independent Accounting Firm, shall be the
Final Closing Statement, final, conclusive
and binding on the parties hereto.
(d) Provided that the Spinco Financing has been
consummated, if the amount of the Net Spinco Indebtedness, as
set forth in the Final Closing Statement (the Final Net
Spinco Indebtedness), exceeds the sum of
(x) $4.2 billion plus (y) the principal amount of
any additional Indebtedness (the Additional Spinco
Indebtedness) incurred in respect of the fees and
expenses related to the Spinco Notes (the sum of
clause (x) plus clause (y) being referred to
herein as Target Net Spinco Indebtedness),
AT Co. shall pay to Spinco an amount equal to such excess
and if the amount of the Final Net Spinco Indebtedness is less
than the amount of the Target Net Spinco Indebtedness, Spinco
shall pay to AT Co. an amount equal to such deficit (such
payment amount being referred to herein as the Final
Adjustment Amount).
(e) Any payment to be made by AT Co. or the Surviving
Corporation, as the case may be, in respect of the Final
Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 4.1(d) hereof shall
be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within
five (5) Business Days after the date upon which the
Closing Statement becomes the Final Closing Statement (either
upon mutual agreement pursuant to Section 4.1(a) or by
resolution of any dispute with respect to the Statement in
accordance with Sections 4.1(b) and/or 4.1(c)) in an amount
determined pursuant to Section 4.1(d) hereof, together with
interest thereon from the Distribution Date through the date
such payment is made, at the prime lending rate as reported as
of the date of such payment by The Wall Street Journal
(the Prime Rate). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that the aggregate amount required to be
paid by the Surviving Corporation to AT Co. pursuant to
Section 4.1(d) exceeds $50 million, then the Surviving
Corporation (i) shall pay $50 million of such amount
to AT Co. in cash as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence and (ii) shall pay the remaining amount due
through the issuance of a promissory note having a maturity of
not more than ninety (90) days and bearing interest at the
Prime Rate, or through any combination of the foregoing.
(f) As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings: (i) Net Spinco
Indebtedness shall mean (A) the aggregate amount
of Indebtedness (as defined below) of Spinco and its Subsidiaries
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immediately prior to the Distribution Date which shall remain an
obligation of Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries following
the Distribution Date minus (B) the aggregate amount of
Cash and Cash Equivalents (as defined below) of Spinco and the
Spinco Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date. The Net Spinco
Indebtedness shall be calculated in good faith in accordance
with GAAP, consistently applied, utilizing the same methodology
and adjustments as were used in preparing the Spinco Audited
Balance Sheet; (ii) Indebtedness of any
Person (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at any date shall
mean (x) any obligation of such Person (A) with
respect to indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for
the deferred purchase price of property or services, including
all accrued and unpaid interest, premiums, penalties and fees
thereon (other than accounts payable, accrued expenses
(including book overdrafts) and other current liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business), (B) evidenced
by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument (including a
purchase money obligation) or (iii) under any lease or
similar arrangement that would be required to be accounted for
by the lessee as a capital lease in accordance with GAAP;
(y) any guarantee (or keepwell agreement) by such Person of
any indebtedness of others described in the preceding
clause (x); and (z) all obligations to reimburse any
bank or other Person for amounts paid under a letter of credit
or similar instrument; (iii) Cash and Cash
Equivalents shall mean all cash, cash equivalents,
including certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof,
marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally
guaranteed by, the United States government or an agency
thereof, and investments in money market funds with assets of
$5,000,000 or greater, and other liquid investments, including
all deposited but uncleared bank deposits;
(iv) Spinco Audited Balance Sheet shall
mean the audited combined balance sheet of Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004;
(v) GAAP shall mean United States
generally accepted accounting principles; and
(vi) Independent Accounting Firm shall
mean an internationally recognized accounting firm mutually
selected and agreed upon by AT Co. and Spinco.
ARTICLE V
Employee Benefit Matters
Section 5.1 Employee
Benefit Matters. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein at or prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co. and
Spinco shall each execute and deliver the Employee Benefits
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto.
ARTICLE VI
Tax Sharing
Section 6.1 Tax
Sharing. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein at or prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co. and Spinco
shall each execute and deliver the Tax Sharing Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
ARTICLE VII
Survival and Indemnification
Section 7.1 Survival
of Agreements. Except as otherwise provided herein with
respect to any specific representation, warranty or covenant,
all representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the
parties hereto contained in this Agreement shall survive the
Distribution Date for a period of two (2) years. For the
avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.1 shall in no event
alter or otherwise affect the operation of Section 12.1 of
the Merger Agreement.
Section 7.2 Mutual
Release. Effective as of the Distribution Date and
except as otherwise specifically set forth in the Transaction
Agreements, each of AT Co., on behalf of itself and each of
the AT Co. Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Spinco, on
behalf of itself and each of the Spinco Subsidiaries, on the
other hand, hereby releases and forever discharges the other
party and its Subsidiaries, and its and their respective
officers, directors, managers or other persons acting in a
similar capacity, agents, record and beneficial security
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holders (including trustees and beneficiaries of trusts holding
such securities), advisors and Representatives (in each case, in
their respective capacities as such) and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, of and from
all debts, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, accounts,
covenants, contracts, agreements, damages, claims and other
Liabilities whatsoever of every name and nature, both in law and
in equity, which the releasing party has or ever had or ever
will have, which exist or arise out of or relate to events,
circumstances or actions taken by such other party occurring or
failing to occur or any conditions existing at or prior to the
Distribution Date whether or not known on the Distribution Date,
including in connection with the transactions and all other
activities to implement the Contribution and the Distribution;
provided, however, that the foregoing general
release shall not apply to (i) any Liabilities or other
obligations (including Liabilities with respect to payment,
reimbursement, indemnification or contribution) under the Merger
Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements or any Contracts
(as defined therein) contemplated thereby, or assumed,
transferred, assigned, allocated or arising under any of the
Merger Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements or any
Contract contemplated thereby (including any Liability that the
parties may have with respect to payment, performance,
reimbursement, indemnification or contribution pursuant to the
Merger Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement or any
Contract contemplated thereby for claims brought against the
parties by third Persons or any Indemnitee), and the foregoing
release will not affect any partys right to enforce the
Merger Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements or the
Contracts contemplated thereby in accordance with their terms or
(ii) any Liability the release of which would result in the
release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to
this Section 7.2 (provided, that the parties agree not to
bring suit or permit any of their Subsidiaries to bring suit
against any such Person with respect to any Liability to the
extent such Person would be released with respect to such
Liability by this Section 7.2 but for this
clause (ii)). Each party to this Agreement agrees, for
itself and each member of its Group, not to make any claim or
demand or commence any action or assert any claim against any
member of the other Partys Group with respect to the
Liabilities released pursuant to this Section 7.2.
Section 7.3 Indemnification.
(a) Except as specifically otherwise provided in the other
Transaction Agreements, Spinco shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the AT Co. Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to the failure of any
member of the Spinco Group (i) to pay or satisfy any Spinco
Liabilities (including the Spinco Groups Delayed
Liabilities), or (ii) to perform any of its obligations
under this Agreement.
(b) Except as specifically otherwise provided in the other
Transaction Agreements, AT Co. shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Spinco Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to the failure of any
member of the AT Co. Group (i) to pay or satisfy any AT Co.
Liabilities (including the AT Co. Groups Delayed
Liabilities), (ii) to transfer to Spinco or any member of
the Spinco Group all of the Spinco Assets transferred or to be
transferred to Spinco or the Spinco Group pursuant to
Article II hereof, or (iii) to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, indemnification relating to any arrangements between any
member of the AT Co. Group and any member of the Spinco Group
for the provision after the Distribution Date of goods and
services in the ordinary course shall be governed by the terms
of such arrangements and not by this Section or as otherwise set
forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements.
(d) Indemnification for matters subject to the Tax Sharing
Agreement is governed by the terms, provisions and procedures of
the Tax Sharing Agreement and not by this Article VII and
indemnification for matters subject to the Merger Agreement is
governed by the terms, provisions and procedures of the Merger
Agreement and not by this Article VII.
Section 7.4 Procedures
for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims.
(a) AT Co. shall, and shall cause the other AT Co.
Indemnitees to, notify Spinco in writing promptly after learning
of any Third-Party Claim for which any AT Co. Indemnitee intends
to seek indemnification from Spinco under this Agreement. Spinco
shall, and shall cause the other Spinco Indemnitees to, notify AT
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Co. in writing promptly after learning of any Third-Party Claim
for which any Spinco Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification
from AT Co. under this Agreement. The failure of any Indemnitee
to give such notice shall not relieve any Indemnifying Party of
its obligations under this Article VII except to the extent
that such Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such
failure to give notice. Such notice shall describe such
Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail considering the
Information provided to the Indemnitee and shall indicate the
amount (estimated if necessary) of the Indemnifiable Loss that
has been claimed against or may be sustained by such Indemnitee.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (c) of this Section 7.3, an
Indemnifying Party may, by notice to the Indemnitee and to AT
Co., if Spinco is the Indemnifying Party, or to the Indemnitee
and Spinco, if AT Co. is the Indemnifying Party, within
30 days after receipt by such Indemnifying Party of such
Indemnitees notice of a Third-Party Claim, undertake
(itself or through another member of the Group of which the
Indemnifying Party is a member) the defense or settlement of
such Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Partys own
expense and by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense of
any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall control the
investigation and defense or settlement thereof, and the
Indemnitee may not settle or compromise such Third-Party Claim
without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party,
except that such Indemnifying Party shall not (i) require
any Indemnitee, without its prior written consent, to take or
refrain from taking any action in connection with such
Third-Party Claim, or make any public statement, which such
Indemnitee reasonably considers to be against its interests, or
(ii) without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee
and of AT Co., if the Indemnitee is an AT Co. Indemnitee, or the
Indemnitee and of Spinco, if the Indemnitee is a Spinco
Indemnitee, consent to any settlement that does not include as a
part thereof an unconditional release of the relevant
Indemnitees from liability with respect to such Third-Party
Claim or that requires the Indemnitee or any of its
Representatives or Affiliates to make any payment that is not
fully indemnified under this Agreement or to be subject to any
non-monetary remedy. Subject to the Indemnifying Partys
control rights, as specified herein, the Indemnitees may
participate in such investigation and defense, at their own
expense. Following the provision of notices to the Indemnifying
Party, until such time as an Indemnifying Party has undertaken
the defense of any Third-Party Claim as provided herein, such
Indemnitee shall control the investigation and defense or
settlement thereof, without prejudice to its right to seek
indemnification hereunder.
(c) If an Indemnitee reasonably determines that there may
be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in
addition to those available to its Indemnifying Party which make
it inappropriate for the Indemnifying Party to undertake the
defense or settlement thereof, then such Indemnifying Party
shall not be entitled to undertake the defense or settlement of
such Third-Party Claim; and counsel for the Indemnifying Party
shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such Indemnifying
Party and counsel for the Indemnitee (selected by the
Indemnitee) shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such
Indemnitee, in which case the reasonable fees, costs and
expenses of such counsel for the Indemnitee (but not more than
one counsel (in addition to local counsel, if any) reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party) shall be paid by such
Indemnifying Party, it being understood that both such counsel
shall cooperate with each other to conduct the defense or
settlement of such action as efficiently as possible.
(d) In no event shall an Indemnifying Party be liable for
the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all
Indemnitees (in addition to local counsel and its own counsel,
if any) in connection with any one action, or separate but
similar or related actions, in the same jurisdiction arising out
of the same general allegations or circumstances.
(e) If the Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense or
settlement of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnitee shall make
available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all
information and documents reasonably available to it which
relate to any Third-Party Claim, and otherwise cooperate as may
reasonably be required in connection with the investigation,
defense and settlement thereof, subject to the terms and
conditions of a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement.
Section 7.5 Reductions
for Insurance Proceeds, Tax Benefits and Other
Recoveries. The amount that any Indemnifying Party is or
may be required to pay to any Indemnitee pursuant to this
Article VII shall be
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reduced (retroactively or prospectively) by (i) any
insurance proceeds or other amounts actually recovered from
third parties by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in respect of
the related Indemnifiable Losses (net of all costs of recovery,
including deductibles, co-payments or other payment obligations)
and (ii) any tax benefit actually realized by the
Indemnitee in respect of the related Indemnifiable Losses. The
existence of a claim by an Indemnitee for insurance or against a
third party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss or the
availability of potential tax benefits shall not, however, delay
or reduce any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions
contained herein and otherwise determined to be due and owing by
an Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall make payment
in full of such amount so determined to be due and owing by it
and, if, and to the extent that, there exists a claim against
any third party (other than an insurer) in respect of such
Indemnifiable Loss, the Indemnitee shall assign such claim
against such third party to the Indemnifying Party. Any tax
benefit actually received by an Indemnified Party shall be paid
over to the Indemnifying Party to the extent such tax benefit
relates to an Indemnifiable Loss for which indemnification has
already been received. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Agreement, it is the intention of the parties hereto that
no insurer or any other third party shall be (i) entitled
to a benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence
of the foregoing indemnification provisions or
(ii) relieved of the responsibility to pay any claims for
which it is obligated. If an Indemnitee shall have received the
payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in
respect of any Indemnifiable Losses and shall subsequently
actually receive insurance proceeds, tax benefits or other
amounts in respect of such Indemnifiable Losses, then such
Indemnitee shall hold such insurance proceeds in trust for the
benefit of such Indemnifying Party and shall pay to such
Indemnifying Party a sum equal to the amount of such insurance
proceeds, tax benefits or other amounts actually received, up to
the aggregate amount of any payments received from such
Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such
Indemnifiable Losses.
Section 7.6 Consequential
Damages. In no event shall an Indemnifying Party be
liable for special, punitive, exemplary, incidental,
consequential or indirect damages, or lost profits, whether
based on contract, tort, strict liability, other law or
otherwise.
Section 7.7 Survival
of Indemnities. Except as otherwise provided herein with
respect to any specific covenant or obligation, for a period of
two (2) years from and after the Distribution Date, the
obligations of each of AT Co. and Spinco under this
Article VII shall survive the sale or other transfer by it
of any of its Assets or Business or the assignment by it of any
of its Liabilities, with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss of
the other related to such Assets, Business or Liabilities.
ARTICLE VIII
Certain Additional Covenants
Section 8.1 Notices
to Third Parties. In addition to the actions described
in Section 8.2, the members of the AT Co. Group and the
members of the Spinco Group shall use reasonable best efforts to
make all other filings and give notice to and obtain consents
from all third parties that may be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements.
Section 8.2 Licenses
and Permits. Each party hereto shall cause the
appropriate members of its Group to prepare and file with the
appropriate licensing and permitting authorities applications
for the transfer or issuance, as may be necessary or advisable
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, to its Group of
all material governmental licenses and permits required for the
members of its Group to operate its Business after the
Distribution Date. The members of the Spinco Group and the
members of the AT Co. Group shall cooperate and use all
commercially reasonable efforts to secure the transfer or
issuance of such licenses and permits.
Section 8.3 Intercompany
Agreements; Intercompany Accounts.
(a) Except as set forth on Section 8.3 of the
Disclosure Letter or specifically provided herein or in the
other Transaction Agreements, all material contracts, licenses,
agreements, commitments and other arrangements, formal and
informal, between any member of the AT Co. Group, on the one
hand, and any member of the Spinco Group, on the other hand, in
existence as of the Distribution Date, shall terminate as of the
close of
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business on the day prior to the Distribution Date. No such
terminated contract, license, agreement, commitment or other
arrangement (including any provision thereof that purports to
survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect
after the Distribution Date and all parties shall be released
from all obligations thereunder. From and after the Distribution
Date, no member of either Group shall have any rights under any
such contract, license, agreement, commitment or arrangement
with any member of the other Group, except as specifically
provided herein or in the other Transaction Agreements or as may
be agreed to at arms length after the Distribution Date.
(b) Effective immediately prior to the Distribution Date,
all intercompany cash management loan balances between AT Co.
and the AT Co. Subsidiaries, on one hand, and Spinco and the
Spinco Subsidiaries, on the other hand, shall be canceled.
Section 8.4 Further
Assurances. In addition to the actions specifically
provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the parties
hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause
to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all
things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the other Transaction Agreements. Without limiting the
foregoing, each party hereto shall cooperate with the other
party, and execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best
efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments,
and to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents,
approvals or authorizations of, any Governmental Authority or
any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture
or other instrument, and take all such other actions as such
party may reasonably be requested to take by any other party
hereto from time to time, consistent with the terms of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, in order to
effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.
Section 8.5 Guarantee
Obligations and Liens.
(a) AT Co. and Spinco shall cooperate, and shall cause
their respective Groups to cooperate and use their respective
reasonable best efforts to: (x) terminate, or to cause a
member of the Spinco Group to be substituted in all respects for
any member of the AT Co. Group in respect of, all
obligations of any member of the AT Co. Group under any
Spinco Liabilities for which such member of the AT Co.
Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary
obligor or otherwise, and (y) terminate, or to cause Spinco
Assets to be substituted in all respects for any AT Co.
Assets in respect of, any liens or encumbrances on AT Co.
Assets which are securing any Spinco Liabilities. If such a
termination or substitution is not effected by the Distribution
Date: (i) Spinco shall indemnify and hold harmless the
AT Co. Indemnitees for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from
or relating thereto, and (ii) without the prior written
consent of AT Co., from and after the Distribution Date,
Spinco shall not, and shall not permit any member of the Spinco
Group to, renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations
under, or transfer to a third party, any loan, lease, contract
or other obligation for which a member of the AT Co. Group
is or may be liable or for which any AT Co. Asset is or may
be encumbered unless all obligations of the AT Co. Group
and all liens and encumbrances on any AT Co. Asset with
respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to AT Co.
(b) AT Co. and Spinco shall cooperate, and shall cause
their respective Groups to cooperate and use their respective
reasonable best efforts to: (x) terminate, or to cause a
member of the AT Co. Group to be substituted in all
respects for any member of Spinco Group in respect of, all
obligations of any member of the Spinco Group under any
AT Co. Liabilities for which such member of the Spinco
Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary
obligor or otherwise, and (y) terminate, or to cause
AT Co. Assets to be substituted in all respects for any
Spinco Assets in respect of, any liens or encumbrances on Spinco
Assets which are securing any AT Co. Liabilities. If such a
termination or substitution is not effected by the Distribution
Date: (i) AT Co. shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Spinco Indemnitees for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from or
relating thereto, and (ii) without the prior written
consent of Spinco, from and after the Distribution Date,
AT Co. shall not, and shall not permit any member of the
AT Co. Group to, renew or extend the term of, increase its
obligations under, or transfer to a third party, any loan,
lease, contract or other obligation for which a member of the
Spinco Group is or may be liable or for which any Spinco Asset
is or may be encumbered unless all obligations of the Spinco
Group and all liens and encumbrances on any
B-18
Spinco Asset with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by
documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
Spinco.
Section 8.6 Insurance.
(a) Rights Under Policies. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution
Date, Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries will have no rights
with respect to any Policies, except that (i) Spinco may
assert claims, and AT Co. will use its reasonable best
efforts to assist Spinco in asserting claims, for any loss,
liability or damage with respect to the Spinco Assets or Spinco
Liabilities under Policies with third-party insurers which are
occurrence basis insurance policies
(Occurrence Basis Policies) arising out of
insured incidents occurring from the date coverage thereunder
first commenced until the Distribution Date to the extent that
the terms and conditions of any such Occurrence Basis Policies
and agreements relating thereto so allow and (ii) Spinco
may continue to prosecute, and AT Co. will use reasonable best
efforts to assist Spinco to continue to prosecute, claims with
respect to Spinco Assets or Spinco Liabilities properly asserted
with an insurer prior to the Distribution Date under Policies
with third-party insurers which are insurance policies written
on a claims made basis (Claims Made
Policies) arising out of insured incidents occurring
from the date coverage thereunder first commenced until the
Distribution Date to the extent that the terms and conditions of
any such Claims Made Policies and agreements relating thereto so
allow; provided, that in the case of both
clauses (i) and (ii) above, (A) all of AT
Co.s and each AT Co. Subsidiarys reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing are promptly
paid by Spinco, (B) AT Co. and the AT Co. Subsidiaries may,
at any time, without liability or obligation to Spinco or any
Spinco Subsidiary (other than as set forth in
Section 8.6(c)), amend, commute, terminate, buy-out,
extinguish liability under or otherwise modify any Occurrence
Basis Policies or Claims Made Policies (and such claims shall be
subject to any such amendments, commutations, terminations,
buy-outs, extinguishments and modifications), and (C) any
such claim will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of
the applicable Policy. AT Co.s obligation to use its
reasonable best efforts to assist Spinco in asserting claims
under applicable Policies will include using reasonable best
efforts in assisting Spinco to establish its right to coverage
under such Policies (so long as all of AT Co.s reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and
expenses in connection therewith are promptly paid by Spinco).
In the event that the terms and conditions of any Policy do not
allow Spinco the right to assert or prosecute a claim as set
forth in clause (i) or (ii) above, then in such case,
AT Co. shall use its reasonable best efforts to pursue such
claim under such Policy and Spinco shall promptly pay all of AT
Co.s and each AT Co. Subsidiarys reasonable costs
and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
(b) Assistance by AT Co. AT Co. will use reasonable
best efforts to assist Spinco in connection with any efforts by
Spinco to recover damages under any Policy with respect to the
Spinco Business for incidents occurring prior to the
Distribution Date; provided, that all of AT Co.s
reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing are promptly
paid by Spinco.
(c) AT Co. Actions. In the event that after the
Distribution Date, AT Co. or any AT Co. Subsidiary proposes to
amend, commute, terminate, buy-out, extinguish liability under
or otherwise modify any Policies under which Spinco has rights
to assert claims pursuant to Section 8.6(a) in a manner
that would adversely affect any such rights of Spinco
(i) AT Co. will give Spinco prior written notice thereof
(it being understood that the decision to take any such action
will be in the sole discretion of AT Co.) and (ii) AT Co.
will pay to Spinco its equitable share (which shall be
determined by AT Co. in good faith based on the amount of
premiums paid or allocated to the Spinco business in respect of
the applicable Policy) of any net proceeds actually received by
AT Co. from the insurer under the applicable Policy as a result
of such action by AT Co. (after deducting AT Co.s
reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such
action).
(d) Administration. From and after the Distribution
Date:
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(i) AT Co. or an AT Co. Subsidiary, as appropriate, will be
responsible for the Claims Administration with respect to claims
of AT Co. and the AT Co. Subsidiaries under the
Policies; and |
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(ii) Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary, as appropriate, will be
responsible for the Claims Administration with respect to claims
of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries under the Policies. |
B-19
(e) Insurance Premiums. Subject to
clause (B) of the proviso to Section 8.6(a), from
and after the Distribution Date, AT Co. will pay all premiums
(retrospectively-rated or otherwise) as required under the terms
and conditions of the respective Policies in respect of periods
prior to the Distribution Date, whereupon Spinco will upon the
request of AT Co., forthwith reimburse AT Co. for that portion
of such premiums paid by AT Co. as are reasonably determined by
AT Co. to be attributable to the Spinco Business.
(f) Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared
Defense. In the event that a Policy provides coverage for
both AT Co. and/or an AT Co. Subsidiary, on the one hand, and
Spinco and/or a Spinco Subsidiary, on the other hand, relating
to the same occurrence, AT Co. and Spinco agree to defend
jointly and to waive any conflict of interest necessary to the
conduct of that joint defense.
(g) Nothing in this Section 8.6 will be construed to
limit or otherwise alter in any way the indemnity obligations of
the parties to this Agreement, including those created by this
Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
Section 8.7 Use
of Names.
(a) Any material showing any affiliation or connection of
AT Co. or any member of the AT Co. Group with Spinco or any
member of the Spinco Group shall not be used by AT Co. or any
member of the AT Co. Group after the Distribution Date, except
that the restrictions contained in this Section 8.7(a)
shall not apply to filings, reports and other documents required
by applicable law or regulations of securities exchanges to be
filed and/or made publicly available. On and after the
Distribution Date, neither AT Co. nor any AT Co. Subsidiary
shall represent to third parties that any of them is affiliated
or connected with Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group.
(b) Subject to Section 8.7(c) below, any material
showing any affiliation of Spinco or any member of the Spinco
Group with AT Co. or any member of the AT Co. Group shall not be
used by Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group after the
Distribution Date, except that the restrictions contained in
this Section 8.7(b) shall not apply to filings, reports and
other documents required by applicable law or regulations of
securities exchanges to be filed and/or made publicly available.
On and after the Distribution Date, neither Spinco nor any
Subsidiary of Spinco shall represent to third parties that any
of them is affiliated with AT Co. or any member of the AT Co.
Group.
(c) The parties agree that, for a period of 120 days
from and after the Distribution Date (the Sell-off
Period), Spinco and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled
to continue to use all trademarks or other source identifiers
owned by AT Co. (the AT Co. Trademarks) to
the extent that such AT Co. Trademarks are contained as of the
Distribution Date on any business cards, schedules, stationery,
displays, signs, promotional materials, manuals, forms, computer
software and other material used in the Spinco Business, without
any obligation on the part of Spinco or its Subsidiaries to pay
royalties or similar fees to AT Co. during the Sell-off Period.
Spinco agrees that, upon termination of the Sell-off Period,
Spinco and its Subsidiaries shall cease and desist from all
further use of the AT Co. Trademarks except to the extent that
such use is a fair use as a matter of law or as
otherwise agreed by the parties.
Section 8.8 Non
Solicitation of Employees.
(a) AT Co. agrees not to (and to cause the other members of
the AT Co. Group not to) solicit or recruit for hire any
employee of Spinco or any other member of the Spinco Group for a
period of one year following the Distribution Date or until
three months after such employees employment with Spinco
or any other member of the Spinco Group terminates, whichever
occurs first.
(b) Spinco agrees not to (and to cause the other members of
the Spinco Group not to) solicit or recruit for hire any
employee of AT Co. or any other member of the AT Co. Group for a
period of one year following the Distribution Date or until
three months after such employees employment with AT Co.
or any other member of the AT Co. Group terminates, whichever
occurs first.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, such prohibitions on
solicitation shall not restrict general recruitment efforts
carried out through a public or general solicitation.
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Section 8.9 Subsequent
Transfers. In the event that following the Distribution
Date a member of the AT Co. Group becomes aware that it
possesses any Spinco Assets (except (i) for assets, rights
and properties provided by members of the AT Co. Group pursuant
to the Transition Services Agreement or (ii) as otherwise
contemplated by the Transaction Agreements), AT Co. shall cause
the prompt transfer of such assets, rights or properties to
Spinco. Prior to any such transfer, AT Co. shall hold such
Spinco Asset in trust for Spinco.
ARTICLE IX
Access to Information
Section 9.1 Provision
of Corporate Records. Prior to or as promptly as
practicable after the Distribution Date, AT Co. shall
deliver or make available to Spinco all corporate books and
records of the Spinco Group in its possession and complete and
accurate copies of all relevant portions of all corporate books
and records of the AT Co. Group relating directly and
primarily to the Spinco Assets, the Spinco Business, or the
Spinco Liabilities, including, in each case, all active
agreements, active litigation files, government filings and
returns or reports relating to Taxes for all open periods.
Subject to Section 9.5, AT Co. may retain complete and
accurate copies of such books and records. From and after the
Distribution Date, all such books, records and copies shall be
the property of Spinco. Prior to or as promptly as practicable
after the Distribution Date, Spinco shall deliver or make
available to AT Co., all corporate books and records of the
AT Co. Group in its possession and complete and accurate
copies of all relevant portions of all corporate books and
records of the Spinco Group relating directly and primarily to
the AT Co. Assets, the AT Co. Business, or the
AT Co. Liabilities, including, in each case, all active
agreements, active litigation files, government filings and
returns or reports relating to Taxes for all open periods.
Subject to Section 9.5, Spinco may retain complete and
accurate copies of such books and records. From and after the
Distribution Date, all such books, records and copies shall be
the property of AT Co. The costs and expenses incurred in
the provision of records or other information to a party shall
be paid for by the delivering party.
Section 9.2 Access
to Information. From and after the Distribution Date,
each of AT Co. and Spinco shall afford to the other and to
the others Representatives reasonable access and
duplicating rights during normal business hours to all
Information within the possession or control of such
partys Group relating to the other partys
Groups pre-Distribution business, Assets or Liabilities or
relating to or arising in connection with the relationship
between the Groups on or prior to the Distribution Date, insofar
as such access is reasonably required for a reasonable purpose,
subject to the provisions below regarding Privileged
Information. Without limiting the foregoing, Information may be
requested under this Section 9.2 for audit, accounting,
regulatory, claims, litigation and tax purposes, as well as for
purposes of fulfilling disclosure and reporting obligations.
In furtherance of the foregoing:
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(a) Each party hereto acknowledges that: (i) each of
AT Co. and Spinco (and the members of the AT Co. Group
and the Spinco Group, respectively) has or may obtain Privileged
Information; (ii) there are and/or may be a number of
Litigation Matters affecting each or both of AT Co. and
Spinco; (iii) both AT Co. and Spinco have a common
legal interest in Litigation Matters, in the Privileged
Information and in the preservation of the confidential status
of the Privileged Information, in each case relating to the
pre-Distribution business of the AT Co. Group or the Spinco
Group or relating to or arising in connection with the
relationship between the Groups on or prior to the Distribution
Date; and (iv) both AT Co. and Spinco intend that the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Merger Agreement and
the other Transaction Agreements and any transfer of Privileged
Information in connection therewith shall not operate as a
waiver of any potentially applicable privilege. |
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(b) Each of AT Co. and Spinco agrees, on behalf of
itself and each member of the Group of which it is a member, not
to disclose or otherwise waive any privilege attaching to any
Privileged Information relating to the pre-Distribution business
of the other Group or relating to or arising in connection with
the relationship between the Groups on or prior to the
Distribution Date, without providing prompt written notice to
and obtaining the prior written consent of the other, which
consent shall not be unreasonably |
B-21
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withheld, conditioned or delayed and shall not be withheld,
conditioned or delayed if the other party certifies that such
disclosure is to be made in response to a likely threat of
suspension or debarment or similar action; provided, however,
that AT Co. and Spinco shall not be required to give any
such notice or obtain any such consent and may make such
disclosure or waiver with respect to Privileged Information if
such Privileged Information relates solely to the
pre-Distribution business of the AT Co. Group in the case
of AT Co. or the Spinco Group in the case of Spinco. In the
event of a disagreement between any member of the AT Co.
Group and any member of the Spinco Group concerning the
reasonableness of withholding such consent, no disclosure shall
be made prior to a resolution of such disagreement by a court of
competent jurisdiction, provided that the limitations in this
sentence shall not apply in the case of disclosure required by
law and so certified as provided in the first sentence of this
paragraph. |
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(c) Upon any member of the AT Co. Group or any member
of the Spinco Group receiving any subpoena or other compulsory
disclosure notice from a court, other governmental agency or
otherwise which requests disclosure of Privileged Information,
in each case relating to pre-Distribution business of the Spinco
Group or the AT Co. Group, respectively, or relating to or
arising in connection with the relationship between the Groups
on or prior to the Distribution Date, the recipient of the
notice shall as promptly as practicable provide to the other
Group (following the notice provisions set forth herein) a copy
of such notice, the intended response, and all materials or
information relating to the other Group that might be disclosed.
In the event of a disagreement as to the intended response or
disclosure, unless and until the disagreement is resolved as
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section, the parties
shall cooperate to assert all defenses to disclosure claimed by
either partys Group, and shall not disclose any disputed
documents or information until all legal defenses and claims of
privilege have been finally determined, except as otherwise
required by a court order requiring such disclosure. |
Section 9.3 Production
of Witnesses. Subject to Section 9.2, after the
Distribution Date, each of AT Co. and Spinco shall, and
shall cause each member of its respective Group to make
available to Spinco or AT Co. or any member of the Spinco
Group or of the AT Co. Group, as the case may be, upon
reasonable prior written request, such Groups directors,
managers or other persons acting in a similar capacity,
officers, employees and agents as witnesses to the extent that
any such Person may reasonably be required in connection with
any Litigation Matters, administrative or other proceedings in
which the requesting party may from time to time be involved and
relating to the pre-Distribution business of the AT Co.
Group or the Spinco Group or relating to or in connection with
the relationship between the Groups on or prior to the
Distribution Date. The costs and expenses incurred in the
provision of such witnesses shall be paid by the party
requesting the availability of such persons.
Section 9.4 Retention
of Records. Except as otherwise agreed in writing, or as
otherwise provided in the other Transaction Agreements, each of
AT Co. and Spinco shall, and shall cause the members of the
Group of which it is a member to, retain all Information in such
partys Groups possession or under its control,
relating directly and primarily to the pre-Distribution
business, Assets or Liabilities of the other partys Group
until such Information is at least seven years old or until such
later date as may be required by law, except that if, prior to
the expiration of such period, any member of either partys
Group wishes to destroy or dispose of any such Information that
is at least three years old, prior to destroying or disposing of
any of such Information, (a) the party whose Group is
proposing to dispose of or destroy any such Information shall
provide no less than 30 days prior written notice to
the other party, specifying the Information proposed to be
destroyed or disposed of, and (b) if, prior to the
scheduled date for such destruction or disposal, the other party
requests in writing that any of the Information proposed to be
destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such other party, the
party whose Group is proposing to dispose of or destroy such
Information promptly shall arrange for the delivery of the
requested Information to a location specified by, and at the
expense of, the requesting party.
Section 9.5 Confidentiality.
Subject to Section 9.2, which shall govern Privileged
Information, from and after the Distribution Date, each of
AT Co. and Spinco shall hold, and shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause its Affiliates and Representatives
to hold, in strict confidence all Information concerning the
other partys Group obtained by it or furnished to it by
such other partys Group pursuant to this Agreement or the
other Transaction Agreements and shall not release or disclose
such Information to any other Person,
B-22
except its Affiliates and Representatives, who shall be advised
of the provisions of this Section 9.5, and each party shall
be responsible for a breach by any of its Affiliates or
Representatives; provided, however, that any member of the
AT Co. Group or the Spinco Group may disclose such
Information to the extent that (a) disclosure is compelled
by judicial or administrative process or, based on advice of
such Persons counsel, by other requirements of law or
regulation, or (b) such party can show that such
Information was (i) in the public domain through no fault
of such Person or (ii) lawfully acquired by such Person
from another source after the time that it was furnished to such
Person by the other partys Group, and not acquired from
such source subject to any confidentiality obligation on the
part of such source known to the acquiror. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each of AT Co. and Spinco shall be deemed to have
satisfied its obligations under this Section 9.5 with
respect to any Information (other than Privileged Information)
if it exercises the same care with regard to such Information as
it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar
Information.
Section 9.6 Cooperation
with Respect to Government Reports and Filings. AT Co.,
on behalf of itself and each member of the AT Co. Group, agrees
to provide any member of the Spinco Group, and Spinco, on behalf
of itself and each member of the Spinco Group, agrees to provide
any member of the AT Co. Group, with such cooperation and
Information as may be reasonably requested by the other in
connection with the preparation or filing of any government
report or other government filing contemplated by this Agreement
or in conducting any other government proceeding relating to the
pre-Distribution business of the AT Co. Group or the Spinco
Group, Assets or Liabilities of either Group or relating to or
in connection with the relationship between the Groups on or
prior to the Distribution Date. Such cooperation and Information
shall include promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices,
forms and other communications received from or sent to any
government authority which relate to the AT Co. Group, in the
case of the Spinco Group, or the Spinco Group, in the case of
the AT Co. Group. Each party shall make its employees and
facilities available during normal business hours and on
reasonable prior notice to provide explanation of any documents
or Information provided hereunder.
Section 9.7 Tax
Sharing Agreement. None of the provisions of this
Article IX are intended to supersede any provision in the
Tax Sharing Agreement or the Merger Agreement with respect to
matters related to Taxes. In the event of any conflict between
this Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement or the Merger
Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement or the Merger Agreement, as
the case may be, shall control with respect to matters related
to Taxes.
ARTICLE X
No Representations or Warranties
Section 10.1 No
Representations or Warranties. Except as expressly set
forth herein or in any other Transaction Agreement, Spinco and
AT Co. understand and agree that no member of the AT Co. Group
is representing or warranting to Spinco or any member of the
Spinco Group in any way as to the Spinco Assets, the Spinco
Business or the Spinco Liabilities. Except as expressly set
forth herein or in any other Transaction Agreement, AT Co. and
Spinco understand and agree that no member of the Spinco Group
is representing or warranting to AT Co. or any member of the AT
Co. Group in any way as to the AT Co. Assets, the AT Co.
Business or the AT Co. Liabilities.
ARTICLE XI
Conditions
Section 11.1 Conditions
to the Distribution. The obligations of AT Co. pursuant
to this Agreement to effect the Distribution shall be subject to
the fulfillment (or waiver by AT Co.) on or prior to the
Distribution Date (provided that certain of such conditions will
occur substantially contemporaneous with the Distribution) of
each of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of
the Merger Agreement having been satisfied or to the extent
permitted by applicable Law, waived in writing, except the
consummation of the Contribution and the Distribution and the
other transactions contemplated hereby.
B-23
Section 11.2 Waiver
of Conditions. To the extent permitted by applicable
Law, the condition set forth in Section 11.1 hereof may be
waived in the sole discretion of the AT Co. Board. The condition
set forth in Section 11.1 is for the sole benefit of AT Co.
and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of AT
Co. or the AT Co. Board to waive or not waive any such
conditions.
Section 11.3 Disclosure.
If at any time after the date hereof either of the parties shall
become aware of any circumstances that will or could reasonably
be expected to prevent any or all of the conditions contained in
Section 11.1 from being satisfied, it will promptly give to
the other party written notice of those circumstances.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
Section 12.1 Complete
Agreement. This Agreement, the Exhibits and the
Disclosure Letter hereto, the other Transaction Agreements and
other documents referred to herein shall constitute the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations,
commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.
The Disclosure Letter delivered pursuant hereto is expressly
made a part of, and incorporated by reference into, this
Agreement. In the case of any conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and the terms of any other Transaction Agreement, the
terms of such other Transaction Agreement shall be applicable.
Section 12.2 Expenses.
Except as set forth in Section 12.2 of the Disclosure
Letter, whether or not the Distribution is consummated, the
costs and expenses incurred by AT Co. or Spinco or their
respective Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement, the
Preliminary Restructuring contemplated hereby, the Contribution,
the Special Dividend, the Debt Exchange, the Spinco Financing
and the Merger (including (i) all underwriters
discounts, fees and expenses associated with the Spinco
Financing and the Debt Exchange; and (ii) all broker,
finder and similar advisory fees incurred by AT Co. or Spinco in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement ) shall be paid by Spinco;
provided, however, that in the event that the
aggregate amount of all such expenses exceeds $115 million
less the principal amount of any Additional Spinco Indebtedness,
AT Co. shall pay such excess expenses (the AT Excess
Expenses). For the avoidance of doubt, the expenses of
AT Co. and Spinco shall not include any expenses of the
Companys legal, accounting, financial and other advisors
or any costs of refinancing the Companys outstanding
Indebtedness or any other costs incurred by the Company in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or by the
Merger Agreement.
Section 12.3 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to its conflicts of laws principles.
Section 12.4 Notices.
All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
upon (a) a transmitters confirmation of a receipt of
a facsimile transmission (but only if followed by confirmed
delivery of a standard overnight courier the following business
day or if delivered by hand the following business day),
(b) confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier or
when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
business days after the date mailed by certified or registered
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties
at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a
party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to AT Co. or any member of the AT Co. Group, to:
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ALLTEL Corporation |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 |
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Attention: Chief Executive Officer |
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(with a copy to the Corporate Secretary) |
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Facsimile: (501) 905-5444 |
B-24
If to Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group prior to the
Distribution Date, to:
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ALLTEL Holding Corp. |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 |
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Attention: Chief Executive Officer |
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(with a copy to the Chairman) |
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Facsimile: (501) 905-0962 |
or to such other address as any party hereto may have furnished
to the other parties by a notice in writing in accordance with
this Section.
Section 12.5 Amendment
and Modification. This Agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented, and any provision hereunder may be
waived, only by a written agreement signed by all of the parties
hereto, together with (i) prior to the Effective Time, in
the case of any material amendment, modification or supplement,
a Company Consent and (ii) following the Effective Time, in
the case of any material amendment, modification or supplement,
the consent of a majority of the Surviving Corporations
independent directors (as such term is defined in
the regulations of the securities exchange in which the
Surviving Corporations securities then are listed.
Section 12.6 Successors
and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor
any of the rights, interests and obligations hereunder shall be
assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent
of the other parties and a Company Consent. Except for the
provisions of Sections 7.3 and 7.4 relating to indemnities,
which are also for the benefit of the Indemnitees, this
Agreement is solely for the benefit of AT Co., Spinco and the
Company and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and is
not intended to confer upon any other Persons any rights or
remedies hereunder; provided, however, that the Company is and
shall be a stated and intended third party beneficiary hereof.
Section 12.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 12.8 Interpretation.
The Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are
solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the
agreement of the parties hereto and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 12.9 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to
any person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to
persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has
been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force
and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance
of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner adverse to any party.
Section 12.10 References;
Construction. References to any Article,
Exhibit, Schedule or
Section, without more, are to Articles, Exhibits,
Schedules and Sections to or of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly stated, clauses beginning with the term
including or similar words set forth examples only
and in no way limit the generality of the matters thus
exemplified.
Section 12.11 Termination.
Notwithstanding any provision hereof, following termination of
the Merger Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated and the
Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Distribution
Date by and in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of
AT Co. In the event of such termination, no party hereto or to
any other Transaction Agreement (other than the Merger
Agreement) shall have any Liability to any Person by reason of
this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement (other than
the Merger Agreement).
Section 12.12 Consent
to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Each of the
parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
(i) agrees to be subject to, and hereby consent and submits
to, the
B-25
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the
federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware, (ii) to
the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of
process in the State of Delaware, hereby appoints the
Corporation Service Company as such partys agent in the
State of Delaware for acceptance of legal process and
(iii) agrees that service made on any such agent set forth
in (ii) above shall have the same legal force and effect as
if served upon such party personally within the State of
Delaware.
Section 12.13 Waivers.
Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant
to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any
investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of
compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party
hereto of a breach of any provision hereunder shall not operate
or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of
the same or any other provision hereunder.
Section 12.14 Specific
Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement
was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that
the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the
terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in
equity.
Section 12.15 Waiver
of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably
and unconditionally waives all right to trial by jury in any
litigation, claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry,
proceeding, investigation or counterclaim (whether based in
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the actions of the parties hereto in the
negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof.
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
B-26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
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Name: Scott T. Ford |
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Title: CEO & President |
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ALLTEL HOLDING CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Name: Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Title: President |
B-27
Disclosure Letter
to the
Distribution Agreement
between
ALLTEL Corporation
and
Alltel Holding Corp.
Dated as of December 8, 2005
B-28
Schedule 1.1
Excluded Product Distribution Operations
|
|
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|
1. |
Warehouse facilities in Ft. Smith AR |
|
|
2. |
The order and inventory management, receiving, storage,
logistics and distribution of materials and electronics used in
the construction, operations and maintenance of the Alltel
Wireless network and AXN |
|
|
3. |
Supply for wireless retail outlets and agents. |
B-29
Schedule 2.1(a)
Wireline Subsidiaries
Section 6.1(b) of the Spinco Disclosure Letter to the
Merger Agreement is incorporated by reference.
B-30
Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Letter
AT Co. Assets
Items on this Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Schedule are
included in the AT Co. Assets. As stated in the Distribution
Agreement, the definition of AT Co. Assets includes
(i) all of the right, title and interest of AT Co. and its
Subsidiaries in all Assets held by them other than the Spinco
Assets, (ii) the rights to use shared Assets as provided in
Article II of the Distribution Agreement, (iii) all
other Assets of AT Co. and AT Co. Subsidiaries to the extent
specifically assigned to or retained by any member of the AT Co.
Group pursuant to the Distribution Agreement or any other
Transaction Agreement, (iv) the capital stock of each AT
Co. Subsidiary, (v) all rights of AT Co. under the
Transaction Agreements, and (vi) any additional assets set
forth in Section 1.1(a) of this Disclosure Letter.
Accordingly, not all AT Co. Assets are specifically identified
on this Section 1.1(a) of the Disclosure Letter.
1. All proceeds owed or payable to Alltel Communications,
Inc. (ACI) under the Purchase Agreement dated as of
December 12, 2003 between ACI and Convergys Information
Management Group, Inc., whereby ACI sold a portion of its
telecommunications information services operations.
2. The investments in the Rural Telephone Bank Class C
stock currently reflected in the Spinco Financial Statements,
all dividend income related to the investment, and all proceeds
owed or payable to AT Co. or a subsidiary (including Spinco or
any Spinco Subsidiary) in connection with the liquidation of the
Rural Telephone Bank. Prior to the Distribution Date, AT Co.
will transfer the Rural Telephone Bank investment to AT
Co.s books.
3. Fiber cables outside the boundary of a wireline ILEC
telephone exchange office (part of the AXN business being
retained by AT Co.).
4. Alltel Political Action Committee funds attributable to
current or former employees of the AT Co. Business.
5. Owned and Leased Real Property:
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Pre-Spin | |
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Post-Spin | |
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St |
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City |
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Address |
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Status | |
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Disposition | |
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Comments |
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NE
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Lincoln |
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1620 M Street |
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WLN |
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WLS |
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Deed will be transferred. |
6. Long-distance switches in Moundridge, KS and Little
Rock, AR (part of the AXN business being retained by AT Co.).
7. Transport equipment located in buildings that are
included in the Spinco Assets (part of the AXN Business being
retained by AT Co.).
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8. |
The following table lists Contracts that currently are shared by
the AT Co. Business and the Spinco Business, but will remain
with the AT Co. Business following the distribution. These
shared Contracts are subject to Article II of the
Distribution Agreement. |
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|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
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Databases
|
|
Oracle |
|
Database |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Customer Agreement Number HW61660 [PARENT AGREEMENT] |
Ae-forms, AEProc, APCR, TIBCO
|
|
Ariba (Purchased thru JDE in 2005) |
|
ACI/ACP Procurement for Infrastructure and Wireline inventory;
P-Card Reconciliation; e-Forms. |
JD Edwards WorldVision
|
|
JDE |
|
Enterprise ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.
WorldVision is the host-centric version of JDE and is the ALLTEL
Financial system. |
B-31
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
TMS (Trouble Management System) Siebel plus User
Licenses
|
|
Siebel |
|
Used in the internet help desk and wireless Tech Support for
trouble tickets. |
PeopleSoft
|
|
Peoplesoft |
|
Corporate HR system receives most of its data from
Payroll system & Human Resources dept. |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Consolidated view of all Syniverse contracts based on assessment
by Cathy Arries & Sam S. |
Marimba
|
|
BMC |
|
By BMC, Marimbas Client Management product automates the
deployment and management of applications, deployment of updates
and patches, migration to new operating systems, inventory
scans & software usage tracking across desktops,
laptops & mobile devices |
|
|
BEA systems |
|
Weblogic and Tuxedo |
BILLDATS Collection & Wireline Processing
|
|
CSG Software |
|
Billdats Collection and Mediation platform for
wireless & wireline CDRs. Collects CDRs
from switches and reformats, duplicates, distributes to billing
and Message sub-systems |
|
|
Veritas Software (Now owned by Symantec) |
|
Backup Exec software |
GEN-tran (EDI) & Connect Direct SW
|
|
Sterling Commerce |
|
Electronic Data Interchange |
MOSAIC (predictive outbound dialers)
|
|
Avaya |
|
Outbound Phone Dialer used by Collections for Debt recovery,
loads account information. may 2005 software to be
upgraded to release 11.2 |
|
|
Acxiom |
|
1/1/04 Data Usage Agreement |
|
|
Agilent |
|
Engineering Tool |
Checkfree
|
|
Checkfree |
|
Check validation service. Also, as of late 04
also provides EBPP functionality for wireless and scheduled for
wireline in 1Q05 |
Citrix Server Farms |
|
Citrix |
|
Server based software that allows viewing of applications |
|
|
Fair Isaac (HNC) |
|
License and Service Agreement between HNC Software, Inc and
ALLTEL Communications, Inc. [Note: HNC was purchased by Fair
Isaac). Products: 4ScoreApplication and Credit Decisioning
Workflow Services, 4WARN, Analyst Workstation, 4WEB, 4PDA,
4VOICE, Risk [PARENT AGREEMENT] |
MAG (Mobile Access Gateway)
|
|
Openwave |
|
Internet access for wireless phones and devices |
|
|
Telcordia Technologies |
|
Granite SW, Network Engineering (AXN), LERG & TPM
(already have 2) |
|
|
SABA (see also Syscom) |
|
THINQ Learning Solutions (Corp Systems)3000 = $37k..put in $200k
for this one. |
B-32
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
CONCORD
|
|
Concord |
|
Concord developed Data Engineering Network Performance
Management Tool. Communicates with NMSs, EMSs, and Network
Elements. Not a monitoring or surveillance system, but instead
it is a bandwidth utilization/capacity planning tool. Captures
Log informat |
ASAP (The MetaSolv Solution)
|
|
MetaSolv |
|
MetaSolv/ALLTEL developed circuit engineering/equipment,
ordering (including Access Service Requests and Universal
Service Orders), and Inventory solution. Handles workflow
management. |
|
|
Network Associates McAfee |
|
Virus protection |
|
|
Quest Software |
|
Quest Toad for Oracle provides tools to create and execute
queries, as well as build and manage database objects. |
Hyperion Enterprise, Essbase
|
|
Hyperion |
|
Consolidation and month-end financial reporting tool. |
Consumer Point & IMARK
|
|
Claritas |
|
Relationship Marketing SW Wireline/wireless |
Information Warehouse
|
|
Informatica |
|
Data Integration |
|
|
NetScout |
|
Network Performance monitoring SW |
Foxfire
|
|
Foxfire |
|
Order Management Software for distribution |
Mainframe in Twinsburg
|
|
Computer Associates |
|
Multi |
MOBIUS Document Direct a.k.a RVS (Remote
Viewing System)
|
|
Mobius |
|
On-line Bill Images for wireless & wireline. Desktop
report viewing system. Bill Imaging, report archive, and
distribution using optical and magnetic storage
media. |
|
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Payformance |
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AP Payroll application |
|
|
AT&T |
|
IXC/Retail/Resale services |
IP Routers
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|
Cisco |
|
|
|
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MCI |
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IXC/Retail Services |
|
|
Sprint |
|
IXC/Retail Services |
IP Routers
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|
Juniper |
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Level 3 |
|
IXC/Retail Services |
|
|
InterCall |
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Voice Conferencing Services |
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|
21st century SW |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
AB Initio |
|
Server software to sort large databases in parallel |
|
|
Actix |
|
|
|
|
Acxiom |
|
12/15/04 Master Service Agreement [PARENT MSA AGREEMENT] |
|
|
Adobe |
|
Desktop Publishing SW, Desktop applications |
|
|
Agilysys |
|
IBM Business Partner HW, SW & Support |
B-33
|
|
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|
|
System Name |
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Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
FastAccess
|
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Allen Systems Group |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
Archer Technologies |
|
Security Sw for virus and worm alerts |
|
|
Arkay |
|
SOW Provide project management, documentation,
design, implementation, and testing for the integration of SAMBA
with LDAP to be used for PDC for (1) Windows 2000 servers
and (1) Windows 2003 servers. |
|
|
Ascential (Mercator) |
|
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Bindview |
|
Risk Mgmt console |
WorkForce Management
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|
BluePumpkin |
|
WorkForce Management Tool for Customer Service |
Remedy
|
|
BMC |
|
Help Desk application that integrates with Marimba as an Asset
Management Tool that keeps inventories and matches what the
System is running to what has been contractually purchased. |
Mainframe in Twinsburg- MainView Perf Assurance
|
|
BMC ELO (Enterprise License Agreement) |
|
Monitoring software for the MainFrame |
None
|
|
BMC Software License Agreement |
|
Governs ELO |
STOP-X37 for Mainframe in Twinsburg
|
|
BMC/Empact |
|
It eliminates batch job failures on the mainframe by
automatically asking for more disk space. normally the job would
fail on a SB37 or SD37 abend. |
Business Objects
|
|
Business Objects |
|
Ad Hoc reporting tool. |
|
|
CCP Global |
|
ALLTEL Master Services Agreement with SOW 1for training,
migration, support [PARENT AGREEMENT] |
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|
CCP Global |
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Professional Services |
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|
Chase JPMorgan |
|
Best of Class Commercial Card Program |
Validator/T-Recs, SmartAnalysis+A56
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|
Chesapeake |
|
Validator Cash & payment reconciliation system.
Processes 6.5M payments/month & 8M Billing system
transactions per month |
|
|
Chicago Soft |
|
Mainframe SW |
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|
CommVault |
|
Backup solution for Windows Environment |
|
|
Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) |
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|
Fileaid & Strobe
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|
Compuware |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
CONNX Solutions INC |
|
Mainframe SW |
Smart Bill Connect
|
|
CTI Billing |
|
Bill Partner |
|
|
Current analysis |
|
DSL, VOIP competitive response solution to enhance sales |
|
|
Customer Centrix |
|
SW and service that allows 25 concurrent users to participate in
a web based meeting room |
|
|
CustomerCentrix |
|
LearnCentrix Services Agreement and Amendment
educational content via browser-based user interface hosted by
CustomerCentrix. |
B-34
|
|
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|
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System Name |
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Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
ESP by Cybermation
|
|
Cybermation |
|
As of May 2005, this is the enterprise wide computer production
scheduling tool to replace all other tools currently being used
to schedule server jobs. (e.g. Maestro Unix,
Cron Unix, Robot AS/400,
Zeke Mainframe, Windows NT). Software
resides on Mainframe but is not licenses to schedule Mainframe
jobs. |
|
|
DELL Computer Corp |
|
PCs & Peripherals |
|
|
Demand Management |
|
Forecast management |
|
|
DINO |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
Diversified SW |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
Dun & Bradstreet |
|
Services |
|
|
EMC Corporation |
|
Storage, HW, SW & Support |
|
|
Evolving Systems |
|
Phone number Provisioning SW |
Hardware
|
|
Fujitsu Computer Systems |
|
SRA Agreement Solaris
Hardware/Maintenance/Professional Services. Mstr Agreement with
FNC |
|
|
Fujitsu Softek |
|
Mainframe SW that copies files from one location to another |
Gauss Imaging View
|
|
Gauss |
|
Imaging of all accounts payable records and workflow |
Extensity
|
|
Geac |
|
E-Expense (Extensity) |
GeoTax
|
|
Group 1 |
|
Geotax (by Group 1) is used for tax jurisdiction
identification. Identifies which Tax Jurisdictions applies for a
given street address. Group 1 is a vendor supplying several
Systems to ACI including address validation and standardization
used by AOPC.. |
Easy View 4.0
|
|
Help Systems |
|
Mainframe SW |
Hardware
|
|
HP |
|
Purchase Agreement HW/SW |
Exceed
|
|
Hummingbird |
|
Emulation SW |
Real Purchase
|
|
ICG |
|
ALLTELs e-procurement system supplied by ICG Commerce (for
office supplies) & Geiger (for ALLTEL merchandise) |
|
|
Innovation Data processing |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
Interwoven |
|
Mainframe SW |
Alarm point
|
|
Invoq Systems |
|
Automated alerting event resolution SW |
Orbitz
|
|
Iona Technologies |
|
GUI interface |
JD Edwards OneWorld XE
|
|
JDE |
|
Enterprise ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. This is
used by ACP and is the behind the scenes system
supporting the Ariba system. OneWorld XE is the client/server
version of JDE |
|
|
Language Line |
|
Agreement for Language Line Interpreter Services
Over-the-Phone Interpreter Services |
HW
|
|
Lasalle Systems Leasing |
|
3rd Party Tape Products |
B-35
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
RMS (Recovery Management System)
|
|
London Bridge (Now Fair Isaac) |
|
Manages recovery of write-offs. |
|
|
MacKinney Systems |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
Mapinfo |
|
Mapping SW |
|
|
MCCR |
|
Phone directory Enhancement Estimating and Billing Pkg |
|
|
Mercury Interactive |
|
Testing SW/plus IT governance SW from WW |
|
|
Merrill |
|
Mainframe SW |
Select
|
|
Microsoft Corporation |
|
SW licensing agreement |
Premier
|
|
Microsoft Corporation |
|
Support/services |
Enterprise
|
|
Microsoft Corporation |
|
SW licensing agreement Western Wireless |
Microstrategy
|
|
Microstrategy |
|
Business Intelligence reporting tool |
2-Way
|
|
Modern Mind |
|
Survey Tool |
|
|
NATCOM |
|
Authorized Service Center Agreement Pagers |
|
|
Neon Systems |
|
Mainframe SW |
|
|
NetIQ |
|
Corporate Systems chad |
|
|
NetScout |
|
Worldwide Master Terms and Conditions Probing on
wireline and wireless network |
|
|
Novell (thru WWT) |
|
Master License Agreement Network Operating System |
Zenworks
|
|
Novell (thru WWT) |
|
Desktop Server |
|
|
OCE North America |
|
Printing Systems |
MAG (Mobile Access Gateway)
|
|
OpenWave |
|
Installation and Upgrades to the software used on the MAG |
Database support
|
|
Oracle |
|
Enhanced Oracle support of certain Alltel Platinum Systems |
Paymentech
|
|
Payment Technologies |
|
Credit Card Payment Processor Payments entered at
account level, not subscriber level. |
PAWS
|
|
Pentana |
|
Software used by ALLTELs Internal audit group
Internal Audit purchased Pentana Audit Work System in 2002 to
automate the audit management process. |
|
|
Pepperweed Consulting |
|
Master Maintenance Agreement |
|
|
Pink Elephant |
|
Master Service Agreement |
Disaster Recovery Services
|
|
Pitney Bowes Credit Corp |
|
AOPC |
Planview Time Tracking
|
|
Planview |
|
Time reporting system used almost exclusively by AIS |
B-36
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
InfraNet
|
|
Portal |
|
ACI Internet provisioning and billing system
replaced older CIMS system. |
|
|
Prodco International |
|
New Store Traffic Counting Systems |
|
|
Qpass |
|
|
|
|
Right Now Technologies |
|
Internet based eService software solution |
|
|
Road America Motor Club |
|
Road Side Assistance (new agreement is in AT legal) |
|
|
SAS Institute |
|
Analytical software |
|
|
Science Application Intl Corp (SAIC) |
|
Basic Ordering Agreement No. ALLTEL BOA
001, Statement of Work No. 1 (WNLP Fallout Management
Services) |
|
|
Segue Software |
|
|
Comparex
|
|
Serena Software |
|
Mainframe SW |
Gator
|
|
Spectra Logic Corporation |
|
Tape Library/Storage HW |
React
|
|
Spirent |
|
Tapestry Application that Special Circuit Testers
use to access test devices in the Network to sectionalize and
isolate problems |
Showcase Strategy
|
|
SPSS |
|
Query/Server/Report Writer pulls info from JD Edwards |
StorageTEK
|
|
Storage Technology Corp (bought by Sun MicroSystems) |
|
Disc Storage |
|
|
Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) |
|
Preferred Contractor Program Master Agreement [PARENT AGREEMENT] |
|
|
Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) |
|
Proposal and Statement of Work Infranet System
Support. Number 2003-030R5 |
|
|
Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) |
|
Proposal and Statement of Work Oracle Upgrade
Support Benchmark Performance Testing. Number 2005-047R1 |
|
|
Subex |
|
Ranger Fraud Management System (FMS) on existing hardware
infrastructure. (MISSING 1st Amendment). |
Solaris
|
|
Sun MicroSystems |
|
No active master purchase agreement Sun products
purchased through reseller |
Disaster Recovery
|
|
Sungard Recovery |
|
Disaster Recovery Twinsburg |
Cash Management Module/ Cash Ledger Module/ Debt Management/
Foreign Exchange/ Combined Investment/ Debt Options
|
|
Sungard Treasury |
|
Banking |
B-37
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Ghosts and Norton
|
|
Symantec Corporation |
|
Elite Agreement Volume Licensing Agreement |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Information and Network Products and Service Agreement [PARENT
AGREEMENT] |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Toll Free Services Addendum |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Streamliner Systems Addendum Billing |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP) Inport for Wireless
Interspecies and Wireline Number Porting Services
Addendum Wireline ICC (WLNP) |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Partnership Solutions Program Addendum |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
LATA Link Services Addendum |
|
|
Syniverse |
|
Addendum No 23 (Inlink) |
|
|
Syscom, Inc. (ThinQ) (see also SABA) |
|
Training Server (Corp sys) |
|
|
Telecordia |
|
Software License Agreement LERG Agreement and
Network Engineering |
|
|
Telecordia |
|
License Agreement Terms and Conditions (Order
Request Form) |
|
|
Thomson NETg |
|
Training Library |
|
|
Touchwood Technologies |
|
Marketing Mass Emailing |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Master Service Agreement (PARENT AGREEMENT). Note: Verisign
purchased Illuminet. |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Module No. 1 to Master Service Agreement for Alternate
Billing Services/Line Information Database |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Amendment One to Module No. 4 to Master Service Agreement
for Calling Name Delivery Service changes to Data
Storage, Liability for Database accuracy, Initial Term and
extensions |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Standard Terms and Conditions [PARENT AGREEMENT
T&CS] |
|
|
Verisign |
|
LEC Trunk Signaling and TCAP service Agreement. Note: Verisign
purchased Illuminet. |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Local Number Portability Data Success Service Agreement |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Connectivity Services Agreement. Note: Verisign purchased
Illuminet. |
|
|
Verizon LiveSource |
|
Directory Assistance Service Agreement |
Vertex Taxation
|
|
Vertex |
|
Taxation module used by Cellware to apply tax rates (based upon
Tax Jurisdictions identified by GeoTax software) for taxing
wireless customers during the billing process. Vertax maintains
and updates the tax rates. NEEDS to be implemented by VII who no |
B-38
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Businessware a.k.a. Vitria
|
|
Vitria |
|
Enterprise Application Integration software
a.k.a. Vitria |
Infrastructure Hardware
|
|
World Wide Technologies |
|
Minority reseller, mostly infrastructure hardware and services |
Docushare
|
|
Xerox |
|
Document sharing system by Xerox. ALLTEL is currently utilizing
DocuShare version 2.2, with 580 licenses. It is used as a
document repository by many groups in ALLTEL including Contract
Management, Long Distance, Publishing, Technical Services Group,
and |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Customer Agreement Supplement for IBM
Operational Support Services Support Line |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Customer Agreement Addendum for Customer
Transaction |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Customer Agreement Supplement for IBM
Operational Support Services Support Line |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Statement of Work for Services Relocation
Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Change of Authorization for Services Warranty
Service Upgrade |
|
|
IBM |
|
Letter of Authorization regarding interim SOW
number S04-0750 |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work Number S04-0750 for Business to Business Web
Enablement Project (Websphere) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Schedule for Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work for Project Support Services
updated pricing/hour |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work for Project Support Services
Number S04-0727 Education/Training Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work Number SBAT-65WMPT for Websphere
Integration Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Change Authorization for Consulting Services
amendment SOW # SBAT-65WMPT |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work to provide Security Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work for Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work # JLAY-6B4LCP to provide
Education/Training Services (Websphere) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work Number KWHE-6CRKZR for Production
Enablement of ALLTEL B2B Infrastructure |
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work for ALLTEL Enterprise Security Foundation
Project |
B-39
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBM |
|
Statement of Work for Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
International Program License Agreement (PARENT
AGREEMENT IPLA) |
|
|
IBM |
|
International Passport Advantage Agreement (PARENT
Agreement PA) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Software and Services Special Options
Tivoli/Security (Note: refers to all other Parent Agreements but
terms in this agreement supersede) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Software and Services Special Options WebSphere and
Portal. (STEP PARENT AGREEMENT Websphere) (Note:
refers to all other Parent Agreements but terms in this
agreement supersede) |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Software Premium Support Services |
|
|
IBM |
|
Software and Services Special Options Maintenance.
(STEP PARENT AGREEMENT Maintenance) (Note: refers to
all other Parent Agreements but terms in this agreement
supersede) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Agreement for Early Projects |
|
|
IBM |
|
Supplement to Attachment for Business Incentive Offering |
|
|
IBM |
|
Special Offer Terms Appendix |
|
|
IBM |
|
Amendment #1 to Mutual Confidentiality
Agreement updated with Information Security
Requirements |
|
|
IBM |
|
Letter of Transfer of IBM Licensed Program (AIS sale to Fidelity) |
|
|
IBM |
|
Change Authorization for IBM Statement of Work Number: CFT1WGM |
|
|
IBM |
|
Change Authorization for IBM Statement of Work Number: CFTK9BN |
|
|
IBM |
|
|
|
|
IBM Candle |
|
Mainframe SW |
Databases
|
|
Oracle |
|
Database |
|
|
IBM |
|
IBM Customer Agreement Number HW61660 [PARENT AGREEMENT] |
Ae-forms, AEProc, APCR, TIBCO
|
|
Ariba (Purchased thru JDE in 2005) |
|
ACI/ACP Procurement for Infrastructure and Wireline inventory;
P-Card Reconciliation; e-Forms. |
JD Edwards WorldVision
|
|
JDE |
|
Enterprise ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.
WorldVision is the host-centric version of JDE and is the ALLTEL
Financial system. |
TMS (Trouble Management System) Siebel plus User
Licenses
|
|
Siebel |
|
Used in the internet help desk and wireless Tech Support for
trouble tickets. |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
ADTRAN, INC. |
|
DSLAM, Microwave Radios, HDSL |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CISCO SYSTEMS |
|
Routers, Switches |
B-40
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Network Infrastructure
|
|
C & D BATTERIES |
|
Cell Site/Central Office Batteries |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
JUNIPER NETWORKS, INC. |
|
Routers, Switches |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
ADC TELECOMM., INC. INFRSTRCTR |
|
DSX Connectivity |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
YORK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
YORK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
XEROX CORPORATION |
|
Office Machines Copier, Prin |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
WHELCHEL BUILDERS INC |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
WESTERN EXTRALITE COMPANY |
|
Lighting fixtures, Lights |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
WESLEY CONSTRUCTION |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
WEBER ASSOCIATES INC |
|
Training Professional Offsit |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICE |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
VITAL RECORDS CONTROL OF AR INC |
|
Warehousing and Storage, Mini |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
GENERAL EXCAVATING |
|
Excavation Contractors, Backho |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
VENTURI TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
US MAINTENANCE |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HIGH WIRE NETWORKS |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
URS CORPORATION |
|
Site Acquisition, Management C |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
TURFSCAPE INC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
TURFSCAPE INC |
|
Landscaping, Lawn, Mowing, Sprinkler, Tree Svc |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
NET LINX AMERICAS INC |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
THOMPSON ELECTRIC INC |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
EDIFY CORPORATION |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
TECH SYSTEMS INC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SUNGARD RECOVERY SERVICES INC |
|
Account collection, Collection |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
STAR SERVICE INC OF JACKSON |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ALLERMUIR LIMITED |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
STAPLES NATIONAL ADVANTAGE |
|
Office Supplies, Stationery, P |
B-41
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SPEELMAN ELECTRIC INC |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SOMERS BUILDING MAINTENANCE INC |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SIMMONS ELECTRIC |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SIGNAL POINT SYSTEM INC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SHAW INDUSTRIES INC |
|
Flooring, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SECURITAS SECURITY SYSTEMS USA INC |
|
Security Guards, Patrol Servic |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SECURITAS SECURITY SERVICES USA INC |
|
Security Guards, Patrol Servic |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATION CORP |
|
Employment, Temporary Help, Ma |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SAVITZ RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
RODEBUSH CONSTRUCTION INC |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
REDLEE SCS GEORGIA INC |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Offi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
R P POWER LLC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
QUOTA INC |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Offi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
PITNEY BOWES MAILING SYSTEMS |
|
Office Machines Mailing Equi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
PITNEY BOWES |
|
Office Machines Mailing Equi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
PADGETT SERVICES LLC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
OFFICE FURNITURE SERVICE INC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
OFFICE FURNITURE SERVICE INC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ODOM CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
NOE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS INC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
NOE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS INC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
NCR CORPORATION |
|
Office Supplies, Stationery, P |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MUZAK LLC |
|
Background Music, Muzak |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MILLER ELECTRIC COMPANY |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
METROPOLITAN FURNITURE GROUP |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
METRO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT INC |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
B-42
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MERCATOR PARTNERS |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
Account collection, Collection Agency |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MARION DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES LTD |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Office Cleaning |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MANPOWER INTERNATIONAL INC |
|
Employment, Temporary Help, Ma |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
LSI GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS PLUS (LSI Industries, Inc.) |
|
Printing, Graphics |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KRAUTER BOSN SERVICE COMPANY |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KRAUTER BOSN SERVICE COMPANY |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KOSSEN EQUIPMENT INC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KOSSEN EQUIPMENT INC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KOSSEN EQUIPMENT INC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
KEILHAUER |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
INSOLEXEN CORPORATION |
|
Professional, Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
IMPRESSIONS INC |
|
Printing, Graphics |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
I-K ELECTRIC COMPANY |
|
Building Maintenance Services |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
IDENTITI RESOURCES LIMITED |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HUMMEL CONSTRUCTION CO |
|
Snow Plowing, Snow Removal, Lot Sweeping |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HRANICKY CONSTRUCTION |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HOOGSTAD TIMOTHY |
|
Armored Car Services, Cash pic |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HILL ASSOCIATES INC |
|
Training Professional Offsit |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
HARDY BUILDING CORPORATION |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
B-43
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
H & R CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC |
|
Building Construction, Facilities, Remodel, GC |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
GRAINGER |
|
Hardware Stores |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE |
|
Training Professional Offsit |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
FOUR CORNERS SERVICE COMPANY |
|
Janitorial, Housekeeping, Offi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
FEDEX |
|
Freight Transportation, Trucki |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
FEDEX |
|
Freight Transportation, Trucki |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
EUREST DINING SERVICES |
|
Food Service, Caterers, Cafete |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ETAK SYSTEMS INC |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ERNST & YOUNG LLP |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ENTERPRISE CORP THE |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ENTERPRISE CORP THE |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
DESIGN FORUM LLC |
|
Professional,Scientific,Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CUMMINS BRIDGEWAY LLC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CUMMINS BRIDGEWAY LLC |
|
Maintenance Generator |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CREATIVE CABINET SYSTEMS INC |
|
Furniture |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CORPORATE EXPRESS PROMOTIONAL MARKETING |
|
Promotional, T-Shirts, Logo Gi |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CORPORATE DYNAMICS INC |
|
Training Professional Offsit |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CONTRACTOR |
|
Furniture |
|
|
MANAGEMENT GRP BRAND BUILDERS |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DECOR |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
COMFORT SYSTEMS USA ARKANSAS INC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
COLONIALWEBB CONTRACTORS COMPANY |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
COLITE INTERNATIONAL LTD |
|
Signs and Advertising Specialt |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT RESOURCE |
|
Account collection, Collection |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CELERANT CONSULTING INC |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CARRIER CORPORATION |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CARRIER CONSULTANT |
|
Electrical Contractors |
B-44
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CAHILL CORPORATION |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CAHILL CORPORATION |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
BRINKS INCORPORATED |
|
Armored Car Services, Cash pic |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
BEST ACCESS |
|
Security Systems, Alarm, Monit |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
BASSETT MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS |
|
Building Maintenance Services |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
BASSETT MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
BASSETT MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
MOUNTAIN LTD |
|
Professional,Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
CONTROL SERVICES INC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ASPEN PRINTING COMPANY |
|
Office Machines Copier, Prin |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC |
|
Environmental, Geotechnical, H |
|
|
|
|
9. |
Rights of AT Co. arising under the intercompany arrangements
listed on Section 8.3 of the Disclosure Letter. |
|
|
|
|
10. |
All trademarks and service marks owned by AT Co. or one of its
Subsidiaries and not specifically listed on Section 1.1(c)
of the Disclosure Letter. |
|
|
11. |
The internally developed applications listed in item 1 of
Section 6.14 of the Spinco Disclosure Letter to the Merger
Agreement are owned by AT Co. or a Subsidiary and used in the
Spinco Business. In connection with the Distribution, AT Co.
will convey or cause to be conveyed to Spinco or a Spinco
Subsidiary an undivided joint ownership interest in and to the
applications. |
B-45
Section 1.1(b) of the Disclosure Letter
AT Co. Liabilities
All liabilities and obligations arising in connection with or
related to the Spinco Assets.
B-46
Section 1.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter
Spinco Assets
Items on this Section 1.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule are
included in the Spinco Assets. As stated in the Distribution
Agreement, the definition of Spinco Assets includes
(i) all of the right, title and interest of AT Co. and its
Subsidiaries in all Assets that are primarily used or held for
use in, or primarily relating to or arising from, the Spinco
Business, including those set forth on the Spinco Audited
Balance Sheet and those acquired by Spinco, any Spinco
Subsidiary, AT Co., or any AT Co. Subsidiary after the date of
the Spinco Audited Balance Sheet, (ii) the rights to use
shared Assets as provided in Article II of the Distribution
Agreement, (iii) all other Assets of Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries to the extent specifically assigned to or retained
by any member of the Spinco Group pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement, (iv) the
capital stock of each Spinco Subsidiary, (v) all rights of
Spinco under the Transaction Agreements and any additional
assets set forth of Section 1.1(c) of this Disclosure
Letter. Accordingly, not all Spinco Assets are specifically
identified on this Section 1.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter.
1. Alltel Political Action Committee finds attributable to
current or former employees of the Spinco Business.
2. Owned and Leased Real Property:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Spin | |
|
Post-Spin | |
|
|
|
|
Owner/ | |
|
Owner/ | |
|
|
Address |
|
Lessee | |
|
Lessee | |
|
Comments |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
114 E Crandall Ave, Harrison, AR
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
Lease will be assigned or parties will enter into a sublease. |
2201 Brookwood Dr Bldg 1, Little Rock, AR
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
Lease will be assigned or parties will enter into a sublease. |
3. Fiber cables within the boundary of any wireline
telephone exchange office (part of the AXN business being
retained by Spinco).
4. Long-distance switches in Winder, Matthews, Omaha, and
Hudson (part of the AXN business being retained by Spinco).
5. Transport equipment located in buildings that are
included in the AT Co. Assets (part of the AXN business being
retained by Spinco).
6. [Reserved]
B-47
7. The following contracts will be transferred to Spinco in
accordance with Article II of the Distribution Agreement:
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/ Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Transformer
|
|
Bell & Howell |
|
Application supporting the generation of the UE (Universal Bill)
formatting provides an enhanced and consolidated bill format
replacing the traditional formats. Used by the AOPC output center |
|
|
BellSouth |
|
Directory Assistance Service Agreement Wireline
operator service |
|
|
Benchmark |
|
Equipment Maintenance Plan Administration Wireline
phone insurance |
Checkfree
|
|
Checkfree |
|
Check validation service. Also, as of late 04
also provides EBPP functionality for wireless and scheduled for
wireline in 1Q05 |
Cybermation
|
|
Cybermation |
|
Used in the Twinsburg Data Center to schedule server jobs. |
CAD-E
|
|
Intergraph |
|
Intergraph developed application used to design and inventory
facility records (Includes Fieldview, Webview, SmartSketch).
FRAMME is older technology and shows OSP views by location only.
Next Generation product name is G/COMMS. |
SA (Service Activation)
|
|
MetaSolv |
|
Service Activation system for a single POTS switch
was to be a replacement for SSI however its rollout has been
delayed. MetaSolv product. |
DSL Check Up Center
|
|
Motive |
|
Tools for the DSL ISR to perform remote diagnostics on
customers PC and assist them in resolving their issues.
Also provides a WEB portal for self help functions. aka Motive:
Tools to trouble shoot customers DSL |
NetLinx DSMP
|
|
NetLinx |
|
Supports the creation, storage and transmission of yellow Page
book composition and publishing. |
|
|
Network Associates McAfee |
|
Marketing Distribution Agreement DSL Security SPAM
(Note: Wireless also has separate agreement) |
|
|
NeuStar |
|
Neustar Care Clearinghouse Service Agreement
Customer Care Agreements (Note: Wireless also has separate
agreement) |
alltel.net
|
|
Openwave |
|
Software used by Alltels DSL group to provide e-mail boxes
to the customers with DSL accounts. Amendment #2 also
includes an external SPAM Filter |
|
|
Pubtrak |
|
Yellow Pages Publication Sw App |
|
|
Road America Motor Club |
|
Road Side Assistance (new agreement is in AT legal) |
React
|
|
Spirent |
|
Tapestry Application that Special Circuit Testers
use to access test devices in the Network to sectionalize and
isolate problems |
B-48
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/ Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Tapestry
|
|
Spirent/ Wiltron |
|
React Application that front-ends test heads and is
used by Special Circuit Testers in Nebraska to access test
devices in the Network to sectionalize and isolate problems. As
of Jan 04, they will be converting to the React system for
mainstream usage, leaving. |
|
|
Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) |
|
Proposal and Statement of Work CAMS/DCRIS Infranet
Plan Synchronization. Number 2005-051 |
Brightmail
|
|
Symantic corporation |
|
Anti spam/anti virus |
System Fusion
|
|
System Fusion |
|
IP Address Management for our ISP customers and internal DNS
Management system. |
|
|
Tamco |
|
Tamco Partner Agreement |
|
|
Targus |
|
CNAM Services and Data Agreement |
|
|
TeleNetwork |
|
Agreement for Call Center Support |
IRISnGen by Teltronics
|
|
Teltronics |
|
A sophisticated Alarm management tool providing single point
visibility and control of monitored Systems (PBX,
IVR, & Contact closure Systems such as door and fire
alarms) Customer PBX Status/Alarm Monitoring System |
4TELII/ Celerity/ VRS
|
|
Teradyne |
|
Remote central office test system in Kentucky. Used by
CTS(4TELII), testers(Celerity) and field techs(VRS). |
ACR by Unitech
|
|
Unitech |
|
Bill Verification Commonly known by the Vendor name
Unitech rather than the product name ACR
Detail & ACR Summary are the two products run at ACI.
CDR trending, balancing & auditing system Trending
sub-system takes in raw switch data, toll and access records
processed t |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Module No. 6 to Master Service Agreement for LNP Service
Order Administration |
|
|
Verisign |
|
Module No. 4 to Master Service Agreement for Calling Name
Delivery Service |
|
|
Verisign |
|
IS-41 Transport Service Agreement |
|
|
WebSite Pro |
|
Referral Agreement 3rd party vendor to develop
WEB Sites for our ALLTEL customers |
Clearquest
|
|
IBM Rational |
|
Clear Quest is the defect management tool used for recording and
tracking the resolution of defects that occur during the IT
Systems testing process. The tool is a web based toll access via
the URL http://clearquest.alltel.com/cqweb |
B-49
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/ Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect
|
|
Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) |
|
|
Indirect
|
|
Quebecor World Inc |
|
Database & Directory Publishers |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Henderson Services LLC |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Henderson Services LLC |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SSC Service Solutions |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
SSC Service Solutions |
|
Landscaping, Lawn, Mowing, Sprinkler, Tree Svc |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Progressive Communication Services Inc |
|
Employment, Temporary Help, Ma |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Personix |
|
Packaging and Labeling Service |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Cassidy Associates Inc |
|
Professional, Scientific, Techni |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Transglobal Communications Inc |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Callahan Service Co LLC |
|
Heating, Air-Conditioning, HVAC, Duct |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Wood Electric |
|
|
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Wood Electric |
|
Snow Plowing, Snow Removal, Lot Sweeping |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Johnson Wire Contractors Inc |
|
Electrical Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Tri State Roofing & Sheet Metal Company |
|
Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Tri State Roofing & Sheet Metal Company |
|
Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Contractors |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
Walmart |
|
Account collection, Collection |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
T & H Janitorial Service |
|
Landscaping, Lawn, Mowing, Sprinkler, Tree Svc |
Indirect Procurement
|
|
T & H Janitorial Service |
|
Landscaping, Lawn, Mowing, Sprinkler, Tree Svc |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
3Com Corporation |
|
IP PBX |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
3M Telcomm Products Division |
|
Closures, Connectors, etc. |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Actelis Networks, Inc. |
|
DS3 over Copper |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Acterna |
|
DSL Test Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
ADC Telecomm., Inc. Infrstrctr |
|
DSX Connectivity |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Adtran, Inc. |
|
DSLAM, Microwave Radios, HDSL |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
C & D Batteries |
|
Cell Site/Central Office Batteries |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Cablemasters |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Calix |
|
Digital Loop Carrier |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Carolina Cable |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CEA Power LLC. |
|
DLC Batteries |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CEIS |
|
Network Installation Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Charles Ind./ Coil Sales, Inc. |
|
Pedestals |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Charles Industries Ltd./Wescom |
|
DAML, T1 Repeaters |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Ciena Communications Inc |
|
Optical |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Cisco Systems |
|
Routers, Switches |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CLS |
|
Utility Location Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CML Technologies, Inc |
|
Network Installation Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Conklin Corporation |
|
DAML |
B-50
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/ Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Corning Cable Systems, LLC. |
|
NIDs, Cross Connect Cabinets |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
CTS |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Driftwood |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
EA Technical |
|
Utility Location Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Elite Technologies & Comm Inc |
|
Network Installation Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
ELM |
|
Utility Location Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Falcon Comm., Inc. |
|
Network Installation Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
General Cable Corporation |
|
OSP Cable |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
General Excavating |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Globe |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Henkels |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Hubbell Premise Wiring, Inc. |
|
Premise Products |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Jim Young Construction |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Juniper Networks, Inc. |
|
Routers, Switches |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Klaasmeyer |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Libla |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Lucent Ins Data Products |
|
DSLAM |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Lucent Technologies (AGCS) |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Luffman-Byers Telecom Inc |
|
Network Installation Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
MNM Group |
|
Fiber jumpers, Connectorized cables |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
NEC America, Inc. (Key Systems) |
|
Key Systems/PBX |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Northern Telecom |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Networks (BCM/Norstar) |
|
PBX |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Networks (Meridian 1 PBX) |
|
PBX |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Networks Inc. Switching Merchands |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Networks, Inc. Ent Data |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Nortel Networks, Inc.(Switching Complex) |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
North Pacific Lumber Co |
|
Distribution Poles |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Plantronics, Inc. (Headsets) |
|
Headsets and Accessories |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Preformed Line Products Co. |
|
Closures |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
RACO |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
S&S |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Siemens Carrier Networks, LLC. |
|
Central Office Switching Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Southern Installations |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
SS8 Networks |
|
Voicemail Wireline Only |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Superior Essex |
|
OSP Cable |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Syracuse Utilities |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Telect, Inc. |
|
DSX Connectivity |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Tellabs Petaluma, Inc. |
|
DACS, Digital Loop Carrier |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Thayer |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Thomas & Betts Corp. |
|
Cable Ties |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Trawick |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Triple D |
|
OSP Construction |
B-51
|
|
|
|
|
System Name |
|
Supplier |
|
Summary Description/ Functionality |
|
|
|
|
|
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Tripp Lite |
|
Surge Protection Products |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Turin Networks, Inc. |
|
DACS |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
ULMS |
|
Utility Location Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Utiliquest |
|
Utility Location Services |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Utility Services & Associates |
|
OSP Construction |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
VTEL Products Corp. |
|
Video Conference Equipment |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
Westell, Inc. |
|
T1 Networking Products, Modems |
Network Infrastructure
|
|
White Communications, Inc. |
|
Network Installation Services |
8. Trademark and Service Mark Registrations:
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Description |
|
Status |
|
|
|
|
|
Business Connect
|
|
Wireline ads |
|
Registered to ALLTEL Communications, Inc.
U.S. Reg. #2,761,890 |
Hyperfast Always On
|
|
DSL |
|
Registered to ALLTEL Communications, Inc.
U.S. Reg. #2,649,171 |
Protection Plus
|
|
Wireline inside wiring |
|
Registered to ALLTEL Corporation U.S. Reg.
#1,513,928 |
ST Standard Telephone Company and Design
|
|
|
|
Registered to Standard Telephone Company
U.S. Reg. #1,294,985 |
Standard
|
|
|
|
Registered to Standard Telephone Company
U.S. Reg. #1,135,305 |
10. Rights of Spinco arising under the intercompany
arrangements listed on Section 8.3 of the Disclosure Letter.
B-52
Section 1.1(d) of the Disclosure Letter
Spinco Liabilities
1. All liabilities to be transferred to Spinco or a Spinco
Subsidiary benefit and compensation plan in accordance with the
Employee Benefits Agreement.
2. All liabilities and obligations arising in connection
with or related to the Spinco Assets.
B-53
Section 8.3 of the Disclosure Letter
Intercompany Agreements
1. Master Services Agreement between AT Co. and Spinco for
AOPC, Mainframe and IT NOC services.
2. Office Building Lease between AT Co. and Spinco for
lease to Spinco of Building 2 on the AT Co. east campus.
3. The intercompany arrangements described in the attached
term sheets will be in effect following the Distribution Date on
the terms set forth in the attached term sheets.
4. The following intercompany arrangements will be in
effect following the Distribution Date.
Buy/ Sell Arrangements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
T1 port fees for switch interface (SPM charges) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS (AXN) |
|
|
|
Technical support in areas not covered by AXN employees |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS (AXN) |
|
|
|
Fiber repair of non-leased AXN fiber |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
|
|
Billing/Collection of LD |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
Overlap Markets |
|
Wireline would sell wireless services in an MVNO arrangement |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
1.d Network Maintenance |
|
Wireline will provide maintenance as the SS7 group has done or
as needed according to Wireless network needs. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
STP Platform (equipment and environments |
|
Wireline will continue to fully support STP network as the SS7
group has done. This would include link ordering, turn-up and
testing, capacity planning and platform engineering and
maintenance. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Traffic and Performance |
|
Wireline will monitor link utilization and maintain QOS to
appropriate standards. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Support for all Alphaview servers and resources |
|
This includes all licenses for Oracle, Ab Initio, etc. plus a
supported SAN as needed and all GeoProbe functions |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
CALEA |
|
Wireline will maintain SS7 links and IP connectivity to these
Wireless SCPs. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
Casabytes |
|
Wireline will maintain SS7 links and IP connectivity to these
Wireless SCPs. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Connectivity and circuit ordering |
|
Wireline will provide procedures to Wireless regarding circuit
ordering, turn-up and test. |
B-54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
Comverse/ PrePay |
|
Wireline will maintain SS7 links and IP connectivity to these
Wireless SCPs. Note: these SS7 links are over IP. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
Number Portablility |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Centralized OS and Database licenses |
|
Alphaview and E911 MAPS leverage corporate licenses. Depending
on final ownership, Wireless may need a TSA for a time.
(examples: Oracle and Ab Initio) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
SMSCs and their load balancers, routers and circuits |
|
Includes all SS7 and IP connectivity for provisioning,
maintenance and support. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
IP connectivity for all SCPs and support devices |
|
Circuits, IP address/port space, equipment used for mate-updates
and other machine to machine communications supporting
redundancy. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
SDHLR |
|
Includes support and maintenance of all High Speed Links and the
private IP switched network connecting all nodes.
Also including equipment and circuits associated with
Authentication. Also support during migration from SHLRs
and IHLRs. Support for connectivity between production and
lab environments until platforms can be established in
wireless space. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
SHLRs |
|
Depending on timing, includes all SS7 and IP connectivity
supporting provisioning (eSM), maintenance and operation of all
SHLR pairs. Support for connectivity between production and lab
environments. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
SMS gateways and their load balancers, routers and circuits |
|
Includes all enterprise and SDN IP
connectivity to external ESMEs until everything is
re-established in wireless space. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for |
|
All HVAC, fire suppression, AC/DC power backed up by batteries
and generator systems, CSU/DSUs, DACS equipment, routers
and IP resources. Also, preserve secure access to all software
and equipment by Wireless and vendor maintenance teams. This
also includes 1B lines and modems used to support this equipment. |
B-55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
T2T |
|
Maintain Enterprise and SDN IP connectivity for provisioning and
interface to other Wireless network elements. Maintain SS7 links
to all DGs. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
ISUP and TCAP service to all traditional Wireless endpoints |
|
Syniverse, Verisign, SNET agreements provide ALLTEL with both.
Wireless will need services until future network is created. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
MPC/PDEs |
|
Also includes trunking and IP connectivity to Techoncom IOSP
platform. |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Floorspace, environmentals, SS7 circuits and IP connectivity for
WNP |
|
LNP equipment and connections stay with STPs. 60%+ of dips
are Wireless. SS7 links to LSMS must be maintained as long as
Wireless continues to leverage the current SPID, NPAC and MPS
arrangement |
|
CLEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
Fidelity Contract |
|
CLEC sold the service which includes transport |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
Fiber rings and tandem switches |
|
AXN and ILEC share many tandem switches. Rings in the ILEC
market are carrying wireless and AXN traffic. |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
Twinsburg |
|
After a trouble is called into the Special Service Test Center
the ticket is dispatched from the Canyon Falls service center |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
VPN 1.0 in KY market |
|
AXN Transport and IP routing is part of the VPN 1.0 product.
Contract is 2008 through 2010 depending on customers
contract. |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
UK MSA |
|
Routers and Data switches providing IP VPN services to UK are
owned by AXN. Through 2010 with option of 5 yr renewals. |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
KIH2 |
|
Routers and Data switches providing IP VPN services to
Commonwealth of KY Govt are owned by AXN. Contract through
2010 w/option of 5 year renewals. |
|
ILEC |
|
|
AXN |
|
IP/MPLS VPN services in NE market |
|
AXN provided transport and IP routing is part of numerous
IP/MPLS VPN contracts in NE market. Term 2007-2010 depending on
customers contract. |
|
AXN |
|
|
ILEC |
|
ATM switches |
|
The ATM switches that DSL customers feed through are owned by
AXN. DSL leases the switch based upon ports. |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
Advertising Agency/Sponsorship |
|
Sponsorships in overlap markets |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
Research Contracts |
|
Frost and Sullivan; Raymond James |
B-56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
Cellular Service |
|
Discounts for wireless services for new operation and employees |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC/CLEC |
|
Consolidated billing |
|
ILEC/CLEC customers are provided a consolidated bill (includes
both Cellware and VII) |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC/CLEC |
|
Retail Stores Payment collections |
|
Walk in customer bill payments, phone bank, collateral |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC/CLEC |
|
Voice Mail Boxes Various Exchanges |
|
In 8 Exchanges there are shared voice mailboxes |
|
ILEC |
|
|
Wireless |
|
Elyria ? |
|
Wireless customers billed in CAMS |
|
ILEC |
|
|
Wireless |
|
Little Rock |
|
Domain name servers, intranet |
|
ILEC |
|
|
Wireless |
|
Openwave |
|
Message register for SMS and Email for ILEC/ISP customer |
|
ILEC |
|
|
Wireless |
|
Local Markets SS7 |
|
Local SS7 functionality is provided by the ILEC without
compensation from the wireless entity |
|
ILEC (ISP |
) |
|
Wireless |
|
Little Rock |
|
Wireless currently reimburses Internet for internet based
expenses related to Web Unwired Products (WAP) |
|
ILEC |
|
|
Wireless/AXN |
|
ALD Stars |
|
Support of Wholesale services, prepaid calling cards, 800
numbers, internal calling cards, internal LD functions |
|
WLN |
|
|
AXN |
|
|
|
Revenue requirements contract |
|
WLN |
|
|
AXN |
|
|
|
Fiber maintenance contract |
|
Wireless |
|
|
ILEC |
|
AOPC Little Rock |
|
Bill Printing for Wireline and CLEC |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN conference calling service |
|
WLS will own master underlying carrier agreement with InterCall
for conference calling for WLN internal use and WLN external
customers |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN long-haul for LD and internet products |
|
WLS/AXN will own master underlying carrier relationships w/MCI,
Sprint, AT&T, and Global Crossing |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN DA & OS for LD product |
|
WLS will own master toll DA and toll OS carrier relationship
with Sprint |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN providing LD service |
|
WLS will own CICs and WLN will procure services from WLS |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLS providing LD service |
|
WLS will own master underlying carrier agreement with Sprint for
sub-CIC traffic and WLN will have to procure this service from
WLS |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN 800 service |
|
WLS will own master underlying carrier agreement with AT&T
for providing Megacom 800 service to both WLN call centers and
WLN external customers |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS dial-tone service in retail stores |
|
WLS will need to contract with WLN (CLEC) for dial-tone service
in retail stores in overlap areas; not necessary for WLS retail
stores in ILEC areas |
B-57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS recip comp billing (CABS) |
|
WLS would need to procure CABS billing services from WLN for
recip comp billing (WLS has no systems in place to perform this) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS SS7 services |
|
WLN will own SS7 STPs and network and WLS will need to procure
signaling services from WLN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS 800 traffic termination |
|
Several billing disputes today (ITC Deltacom, Sprint) over this
traffic termination WLN would need to be compensated
by WLS for this service |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS 911 services |
|
WLS will need to contract with WLN for 911 network and
usage where ILEC is PSAP |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS ASAP circuit inventory system |
|
WLN will own ASAP system and WLS will need to procure this
service from WLN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS/AXN support services |
|
Some level of personnel would be required for a WLS/AXN entity
in order to provide underlying carrier service for WLN (areas of
billing support, marketing, customer service, and provisioning) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS miscellaneous billing services |
|
WLS would need to procure miscellaneous billing services from
WLN for both E-911 and NMID billing (WLS has no systems in place
to perform this) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS campus/building voice & transport services |
|
For the following locations, WLS would procure these services
from WLN: * Alpharetta campus (Centrex)
possible regulatory issues
* Charlotte call center WLS Financial Services
(Centrex & transport)
* Twinsburg Data Center (Centrex & transport)
* Little Rock East and West campuses (Centrex) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
WLS trunking to CLEC |
|
In CLEC/WLS overlap areas today, ICA (interconnection
agreements) would need to be struck between WLN (CLEC) and WLS
for trunking between CLEC C.O. and WLS MTSO |
|
WLN/WLS |
|
|
WLS/WLN |
|
WLS & WLN shared contracted private line services |
|
WLN (CLEC or ILEC) leasing WLS (WLS or AXN) ring and vice versa |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Action, TX (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Albany, GA (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Dalton, GA (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
B-58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Fordyce, AR (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Hudson, OH (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Live Oak, FL (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Little Rock, AR (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Raleigh, NC (Data circuit) |
|
WLS Market circuit terminations onto IP Data POPs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Moultrie, GA (Data ethernet) |
|
Ethernet termination for WLS Message Register (MR) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Greenbrier, AR (Data ethernet) |
|
Ethernet termination for WLS Message Register (MR) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Little Rock, AR (Data ethernet) |
|
Ethernet termination for WLS Message Register (MR) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Hudson, OH (Data ethernet/PDSN) |
|
Ethernet termination for PDSN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Little Rock, AR (Data ethernet/PDSN) |
|
Ethernet termination for PDSN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Atlanta, GA (Data ethernet/PDSN) |
|
Ethernet termination for PDSN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Raleigh, NC (Data ethernet/PDSN) |
|
Ethernet termination for PDSN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Atlanta, GA (Data MMS) |
|
MMS T1 Port to Ericsson |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Little Rock, AR (Data MMS) |
|
MMS T1 Port to Ericsson |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
External VPN Connections |
|
VPN Connectivity to 3rd party vendors for app
traffic & support |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Support for Wireless Email |
|
Current SMTP email relay/ processing wireless svcs |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
DNS & IP Address Mgmt Svcs |
|
Maintain access to existing DB tools from SystemFusion |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Openwave |
|
Openwave Email Migration |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Network Mgmt |
|
Network Mgmt |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Network Security |
|
Network Security |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Interoffice MTSO (Service Delivery Network-SDN) |
|
Interoffice MTSO (Service Delivery Network-SDN) |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Ericsson MMS VPN |
|
Ericsson MMS VPN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Syniverse Data Roaming VPN |
|
Syniverse Data Roaming VPN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Blackberry RIM VPN |
|
Blackberry RIM VPN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Axcess Enterprise VPN |
|
Axcess Enterprise VPN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
CDPD/Axcess Enterprise VPN |
|
CDPD/Axcess Enterprise VPN |
B-59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU Selling | |
|
BU Buying |
|
Location of Service/ Functional |
|
|
Service | |
|
Service |
|
Department |
|
Description of Service |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Greenbrier, AR Wireless Messaging |
|
Wireless Messaging |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Moultrie, GA Wireless Messaging |
|
Wireless Messaging |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Wireless IT & Billing VPN |
|
Wireless IT & Billing VPN |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Port Charges (Data) |
|
Internet Transit Svcs Port connections in 8 locations |
|
WLN |
|
|
WLS |
|
Bandwidth Charges |
|
Internet Transit Svcs Bandwidth Usage |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Fort Smith, AR (Data internet) |
|
Dedicated Internet Customer ports on MTSO router equipment |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Greensboro, NC (Data internet) |
|
Dedicated Internet Customer ports on MTSO router equipment |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Omaha, NE (Data internet) |
|
Dedicated Internet Customer ports on MTSO router equipment |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Raleigh, NC (Data internet) |
|
Dedicated Internet Customer ports on MTSO router equipment |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Springfield, MO (Data internet) |
|
Dedicated Internet Customer ports on MTSO router equipment |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Storage Area Network |
|
SAN includes port connection fee and GB fee |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Operating System Support |
|
Operating System Support |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Database Support |
|
Database Support |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Backup/Restore Services |
|
Backup/Restore Services |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
General App Separation Sup |
|
General App Separation Sup |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
DNS/NTP Services |
|
DNS/NTP Services |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
SSL Certificate Mgmt |
|
SSL Certificate Mgmt |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
WLN Content Migration Sup |
|
WLN Content Migration Sup |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Core OC-12 Links |
|
AXN Transport for Core OC-12 Links |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Access to Internet Transit |
|
AXN Transport for Access to Internet Transit |
|
WLS |
|
|
WLN |
|
Backhaul to 56 WLN markets |
|
AXN Transport for backhaul to 56 WLN markets |
|
ILEC |
|
|
WLS |
|
Verizon DA contract |
|
Contract between ACI and Verizon DA. Needs to stay wireline due
to commission mandated SLAs which are incorporated in contract |
|
ILEC |
|
|
WLS |
|
Targus |
|
SS7 LIDB and CNAM functionality |
|
ILEC |
|
|
WLS |
|
Verisign |
|
SS7 LIDB and CNAM functionality |
|
WLS |
|
|
ILEC |
|
MVNO in overlap markets |
|
Wireline acting as an MVNO in overlap markets |
B-60
Leases:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St |
|
City |
|
Address | |
|
Lease | |
|
|
Lessor | |
|
Lessee | |
KS
|
|
Salina |
|
|
621 Westport Blvd |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
NE
|
|
Grand Island |
|
|
3650 W 13 St |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
NE
|
|
Lincoln |
|
|
1440 M St |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
NE
|
|
Lincoln |
|
|
401 S 21 St |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
NE
|
|
Omaha |
|
|
9850 M Street |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
OH
|
|
Twinsburg |
|
|
2000 Highland Rd |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
Sub-Leases:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St |
|
City |
|
Address | |
|
Sublease | |
|
|
Sub-Lessor | |
|
Sub-Lessee | |
AR
|
|
Ft Smith |
|
|
7723 Rogers Ave |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
AR
|
|
Little Rock |
|
|
2505 Crisp Drive |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
AR
|
|
Little Rock |
|
|
4001 Rodney Parham (Switch) |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
AR
|
|
Little Rock |
|
|
4001 Rodney Parham (B3) |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
FL
|
|
Live Oak |
|
|
206 White Ave S E |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
GA
|
|
Alpharetta |
|
|
One ALLTEL Ctr |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
KY
|
|
Lexington |
|
|
130 W New Circle Rd |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
NC
|
|
Greensboro |
|
|
4003 Clifton |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
NC
|
|
Raleigh |
|
|
5520 Capital Ctr Dr |
|
|
|
WLS |
|
|
|
WLN |
|
B-61
Section 12.2 of the Disclosure Letter
Expenses
None.
B-62
Annex C
VOTING AGREEMENT
VOTING AGREEMENT (this Agreement) dated as of
December 8, 2005, is by and among ALLTEL Holding Corp., a
Delaware corporation (Spinco), and each Person (as
defined in the Merger Agreement (as defined below)) listed on
the signature page hereof as a stockholder (each, a
Stockholder and, collectively, the
Stockholders). For purposes of this Agreement,
capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the Merger
Agreement), by and between Spinco, ALLTEL Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (AT Co.) and Valor
Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company).
RECITALS
A. Each Stockholder beneficially owns (as such
term is defined in
Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) and is entitled to dispose of (or to direct the
disposition of) and to vote (or to direct the voting of) the
number of shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per
share, of the Company (the Common Stock) set forth
opposite such Stockholders name on Schedule A
hereto (such shares of Common Stock, together with all other
shares of capital stock of the Company acquired by any
Stockholder after the date hereof and during the term of this
Agreement, being collectively referred to herein as the
Subject Shares).
B. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Spinco and the Company are entering into the Merger
Agreement providing for the merger of Spinco with and into the
Company, with the Company surviving the Merger (the
Merger) upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth therein.
C. As a condition to entering into the Merger Agreement,
Spinco has required that the Stockholders enter into this
Agreement, and the Stockholders desire to enter into this
Agreement to induce Spinco to enter into the Merger Agreement.
D. The Board of Directors of the Company has taken all
actions so that the restrictions contained in the Companys
certificate of incorporation and the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware (the DGCL) applicable to a
business combination (as defined in Section 203
of the DGCL) will not apply to the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, or to the
consummation of the Merger, this Agreement and the Merger
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
premises, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Representations and
Warranties of Each Stockholder.
Each Stockholder severally (and not jointly) represents and
warrants to Spinco as follows:
|
|
|
(a) Due Authorization and Organization. Such
Stockholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization (as applicable). Such Stockholder has all requisite
legal power (corporate or other) and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Stockholder and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder enforceable in
accordance with its terms subject to (i) bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter
in effect relating to or affecting creditors rights
generally, and (ii) general principles of equity
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity). |
|
|
(b) No Conflicts. (i) No filing by such
Stockholder with any governmental body or authority, and no
authorization, consent or approval of any other person is
necessary for the execution of this Agreement by such
Stockholder and the consummation by such Stockholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby |
C-1
|
|
|
and (ii) none of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by such Stockholder, the consummation by such
Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby or
compliance by such Stockholder with any of the provisions hereof
shall (A) conflict with or result in any breach of the
organizational documents of such Stockholder, (B) result
in, or give rise to, a violation or breach of or a default under
(with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) any of the
terms of any material contract, trust agreement, loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit,
understanding, agreement or other instrument or obligation to
which such stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder
or any of its Subject Shares or assets may be bound, or
(C) violate any applicable order, writ, injunction, decree,
judgment, statute, rule or regulation, except for any of the
foregoing as would not reasonably be expected to prevent such
Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement. |
|
|
(c) The Subject Shares.
Schedule A sets forth, opposite such
Stockholders name, the number of Subject Shares over which
such Stockholder has record or beneficial ownership as of the
date hereof. As of the date hereof, such Stockholder is the
record or beneficial owner of the Subject Shares denoted as
being owned by such Stockholder on Schedule A and
has the sole power to vote (or cause to be voted) such Subject
Shares. Except as set forth on such Schedule A,
neither such Stockholder nor any controlled affiliate of such
Stockholder owns or holds any right to acquire any additional
shares of any class of capital stock of the Company or other
securities of the Company or any interest therein or any voting
rights with respect to any securities of the Company. Such
Stockholder has good and valid title to the Subject Shares
denoted as being owned by such Stockholder on
Schedule A, free and clear of any and all pledges,
mortgages, liens, charges, proxies, voting agreements,
encumbrances, adverse claims, options, security interests and
demands of any nature or kind whatsoever, other than those
created by this Agreement, as disclosed on
Schedule A, or as would not prevent such Stockholder
from performing its obligations under this Agreement. |
|
|
(d) Reliance By Spinco. Such Stockholder
understands and acknowledges that Spinco is entering into the
Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Stockholders
execution and delivery of this Agreement. |
|
|
(e) Litigation. As of the date hereof, there
is no action, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened
against such Stockholder that questions the validity of this
Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by such Stockholder
in connection with this Agreement. |
2. Representations and
Warranties of Spinco.
Spinco hereby represents and warrants to the Stockholders as
follows:
|
|
|
(a) Due Authorization and Organization.
Spinco is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. Spinco has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by Spinco and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Spinco enforceable in accordance with its terms
subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other
similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting
creditors rights generally, and (ii) general
principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity). |
|
|
(b) Conflicts. (i) No filing by Spinco
with any governmental body or authority, and no authorization,
consent or approval of any other person is necessary for the
execution of this Agreement by Spinco and the consummation by
Spinco of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(ii) none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Spinco, the consummation by Spinco of the transactions
contemplated hereby or compliance by Spinco with any of the
provisions hereof shall (A) conflict with or result in any
breach of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Spinco,
(B) result in, or give rise to, a violation or breach of or
a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both) any of the terms of any material contract, loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit,
understanding, agreement or other instrument or obligation to
which Spinco is a party or by which Spinco or any of its assets
may be bound, or (C) violate any applicable order, writ,
injunction, decree, judgment, |
C-2
|
|
|
statute, rule or regulation, except for any of the foregoing as
would not prevent Spinco from performing its obligations under
this Agreement. |
|
|
(c) Reliance by the Stockholders. Spinco
understands and acknowledges that the Stockholders are entering
into this Agreement in reliance upon the execution and delivery
of the Merger Agreement by Spinco. |
3. Covenants of Each
Stockholder.
Until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 5, each Stockholder, in its capacity as such,
agrees as follows:
|
|
|
(a) At the Company Stockholders Meeting or at any
adjournment, postponement or continuation thereof or in any
other circumstances occurring prior to the Company Stockholders
Meeting upon which a vote or other approval with respect to the
Merger and the Merger Agreement is sought, each Stockholder
shall vote (or cause to be voted) the Subject Shares (and each
class thereof) held by such Stockholder (i) in favor of the
approval of the Merger and the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement; and (ii) except with the written consent
of Spinco, against any Company Acquisition Proposal. Any such
vote shall be cast in accordance with such procedures relating
thereto so as to ensure that it is duly counted for purposes of
determining that a quorum is present and for purposes of
recording the results of such vote. Each Stockholder agrees not
to enter into any agreement or commitment with any person the
effect of which would be inconsistent with or violative of the
provisions and agreements contained in this Section 3(a). |
|
|
(b) Each Stockholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly,
(i) sell, transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign or
otherwise dispose of (collectively, a Transfer) or
enter into any agreement, option or other arrangement with
respect to, or consent to a Transfer of, or convert or agree to
convert, any or all of the Subject Shares to any person, other
than in accordance with the Merger Agreement, except in each
case for Transfers to such Stockholders affiliates as
agree to be bound hereby, or (ii) grant any proxies (other
than the Company proxy card in connection with the Company
Stockholders Meeting if and to the extent such proxy is
consistent with the Stockholders obligations under
Section 3(a) hereof), deposit any Subject Shares into any
voting trust or enter into any voting arrangement, whether by
proxy, voting agreement or otherwise, with respect to any of the
Subject Shares, other than pursuant to this Agreement. Such
Stockholder further agrees not to commit or agree to take any of
the foregoing actions or take any action that would have the
effect of preventing, impeding, interfering with or adversely
affecting its ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement. |
|
|
(c) Such Stockholder shall not, nor shall such Stockholder
permit any controlled affiliate of such Stockholder to, nor
shall such Stockholder act in concert with or permit any
controlled affiliate to act in concert with any person to make,
or in any manner participate in, directly or indirectly, a
solicitation (as such term is used in the rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission) of proxies or powers of
attorney or similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or
influence any person with respect to the voting of, any shares
of Common Stock intended to facilitate any Company Acquisition
Proposal or to cause stockholders of the Company not to vote to
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. Such Stockholder shall
not, and shall direct any investment banker, attorney, agent or
other adviser or representative of such Stockholder not to,
directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, agent or
otherwise, enter into, solicit, initiate, conduct or continue
any discussions or negotiations with, or knowingly encourage or
respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any
information to, any person, other than Spinco, relating to any
Company Acquisition Proposal. Each Stockholder hereby represents
that, as of the date hereof, it is not engaged in discussions or
negotiations with any party other than Spinco and AT Co. with
respect to any Company Acquisition Proposal. |
4. Stockholder
Capacity.
No Person executing this Agreement, or any officer, director,
partner, employee, agent or representative of such Person, who
is or becomes during the term of this Agreement a director or
officer of the Company shall be deemed to make any agreement or
understanding in this Agreement in such Persons capacity
as a
C-3
director or officer. Each Stockholder is entering into this
Agreement solely in his or her capacity as the record holder or
beneficial owner of, or the trustee of a trust whose
beneficiaries are the beneficial owners of, such
Stockholders Subject Shares and nothing herein shall limit
or affect any actions taken by a Stockholder in his or her
capacity as a director or officer of the Company.
5. Termination.
This Agreement shall terminate (i) upon the earlier of
(A) the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement at
the Company Stockholders Meeting, (B) provided that the
Company Stockholders Meeting shall have been held, the failure
of the stockholders of the Company to approve and adopt the
Merger Agreement at the Company Stockholders Meeting,
(C) the Merger Agreement is amended in a manner that is
materially disadvantageous to the Stockholders without the
Stockholders consent and (D) the termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms by any party
thereto for any reason, or (ii) at any time upon notice by
Spinco to the Stockholders. No party hereto shall be relieved
from any liability for intentional breach of this Agreement by
reason of any such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Section 6 and Sections 11 through 21, inclusive,
of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
6. Appraisal Rights.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Stockholder
hereby waives any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from
the Merger that it may have under applicable law.
7. Publication.
Each Stockholder hereby authorizes Spinco and the Company to
publish and disclose in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the
Registration Statement (including any and all documents and
schedules filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating thereto) its identity and ownership of shares of Common
Stock and the nature of its commitments, arrangements and
understandings pursuant to this Agreement.
8. Amendment of Company
Securityholders Agreement.
Each Stockholder shall take all action necessary, and shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause each other stockholder of
the Company party thereto, to cause the Securityholders
Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2005, by and among the
Company, the Stockholders and certain other stockholders of the
Company (the Company Securityholders Agreement) to
be amended effective as of the Effective Time (as defined in the
Merger Agreement), without any cost or liability to the Company,
such that from and after the Effective Time, the Company
Securityholders Agreement shall have substantially the terms set
forth on Exhibit G to the Merger Agreement.
9. Affiliate Letters.
Each Stockholder agrees to execute a Rule 145 Affiliate
Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit F
to the Merger Agreement, as soon as practicable after the date
hereof.
10. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to
the conflicts of law principles thereof.
11. Jurisdiction; Waiver of
Jury Trial.
(a) Each of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit
itself to the personal jurisdiction of any federal court located
in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court in the
event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees
that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal
jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such
court and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action
relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than a federal
or state court sitting in the State of Delaware.
C-4
(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives all right
to trial by jury in any action, suit, proceeding or counterclaim
(whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereto
in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement
hereof.
12. Specific
Performance.
The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties
shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms
and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United
States located in the State of Delaware or in Delaware state
court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
are entitled at law or in equity.
13. Amendment, Waivers,
Etc.
This Agreement may be amended by Spinco and the Stockholders at
any time before or after adoption of the Merger Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company; provided, however, that after such
adoption, no amendment shall be made that by Law or in
accordance with the rules of any relevant stock exchange or
automated inter-dealer quotation system requires further
approval by such stockholders without such further approval.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed by Spinco and the Stockholders. At any time prior
to the Effective Time, Spinco and the Stockholders may, to the
extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other
party; (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; and
(iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions of the other party contained herein; provided,
however, that no failure or delay by Spinco or the Stockholders
in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part of
Spinco or the Stockholders to any such extension or waiver shall
be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.
14. Assignment; No Third
Party Beneficiaries.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits or
obligations hereunder may be assigned by any of the parties
hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the
prior written consent of all of the other parties. Subject to
the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing
in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall
confer upon any Person (other than Spinco and the Stockholders
and their respective successors and permitted assigns) any legal
or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever
under or by reason of this Agreement, and no Person (other than
as so specified) shall be deemed a third party beneficiary under
or by reason of this Agreement.
15. Notices.
All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and
other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed validly given upon personal delivery
or one day after being sent by overnight courier service or by
telecopy (so long as for notices or other communications sent by
telecopy, the transmitting telecopy machine records electronic
conformation of the due transmission of the notice), at the
following address or telecopy number, or at such other address
or telecopy number as a party may designate to the other parties:
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If to Spinco, to: |
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AT Holding Corp. |
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One Allied Drive |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 |
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Attention: Chief Executive Officer |
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(with a copy to the Chairman) |
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Telecopy:
(501) 905-0962 |
C-5
If to any Stockholder, at the address set forth under such
Stockholders name on Schedule A hereto or to
such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given
may have furnished to the other parties in writing in accordance
herewith.
16. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or
unenforceable for any reason, it shall be adjusted rather than
voided, if possible, in order to achieve the intent of the
parties hereto to the maximum extent possible. In any event, the
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that
jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement, including that provision, in any other jurisdiction.
17. Integration.
This Agreement (together with the Merger Agreement to the extent
referenced herein), including Schedule A hereto,
constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof and supersedes any and all prior understandings or
agreements relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
18. Mutual Drafting.
Each party hereto has participated in the drafting of this
Agreement, which each party acknowledges is the result of
extensive negotiations between the parties.
19. Section Headings.
The section headings of this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and are not to be considered in construing this
Agreement.
20. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts
(including by facsimile), each of which shall be an original,
with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto
were upon the same instrument.
21. Definitions.
References in this Agreement (except as specifically otherwise
defined) to affiliates shall mean, as to any person,
any other person which, directly or indirectly, controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. As
used in this definition, control (including, with
its correlative meanings, controlled by and
under common control with) shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of management or policies of a person,
whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or
other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
C-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the day and date first above written.
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By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Name: Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Title: President |
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WCAS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION |
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By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Rather |
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Name: Jonathan M. Rather |
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Title: Treasurer |
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Russell L. Carson |
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Andrew M. Paul |
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Pondfield Holdings, L.P. |
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Thomas E. McInerney |
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Robert A. Municucci |
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Anthony J. de Nicola |
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Paul B. Queally |
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Lawrence B. Sorrel |
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D. Scott Mackesy |
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John Clark |
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Sean M. Traynor |
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John Almeida, Jr. |
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Sanjay Swani |
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Eric Lee |
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Jonathan M. Rather |
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By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Rather |
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Jonathan M. Rather, Individually and as |
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Attorney-in-Fact |
C-7
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THE PATRICK WELSH 2004 IRREVOCABLE |
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TRUST |
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Name: Carol Welsh |
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Title: Trustee |
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THE BRUCE K. ANDERSON 2004 |
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IRREVOCABLE TRUST |
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Name: Mary A. Anderson |
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Title: Trustee |
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/s/ Jill Hanau |
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JILL HANAU |
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/s/ Lauren Melkus |
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LAUREN MELKUS |
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ESTATE OF RUDOLPH E. RUPERT |
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By: |
/s/ Claudia de Dominicis |
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Claudia de Dominicis, Executor |
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WELSH CARSON ANDERSON & |
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STOWE IX, L.P. |
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By: |
WCAS IX Associates LLC, |
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By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Rather |
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Name: Jonathan M. Rather |
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Title: Managing Member |
C-8
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WCAS CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P. |
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By: |
WCAS CP III Associates LLC, |
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By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Rather |
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Name: Jonathan M. Rather |
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Title: Managing Member |
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WELSH CARSON ANDERSON & |
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STOWE VIII, L.P. |
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By: |
WCAS VIII Associates LLC, |
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By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Rather |
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/s/ Michael Donovan |
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MICHAEL DONOVAN |
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VESTAR CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P. |
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Vestar Associates III, L.P., |
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Vestar Associates Corporation III, |
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Name: Norman W. Alpert |
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Title: Managing Director |
C-9
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VESTAR CAPITAL PARTNERS IV, L.P., |
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By: |
Vestar Associates IV, L.P. |
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By: |
Vestar Associates Corporation IV, |
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Name: Norman W. Alpert |
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Title: Managing Director |
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VESTAR/ VALOR, LLC |
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By: |
Vestar Associates IV, L.P., |
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By: |
Vestar Associates Corporation IV, |
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/s/ Norman W. Alpert |
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NORMAN W. ALPERT |
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/s/ Frederico Pena |
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FREDERICO PENA |
C-10
Annex D-1
OPINION OF WACHOVIA SECURITIES
December 8, 2005
Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
200 E. John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 200
Irving, TX 75062
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have asked Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (Wachovia
Securities) to advise you with respect to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to Valor
Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Valor or the Company) and
its stockholders, of the Aggregate Merger Consideration (as
hereinafter defined) to be paid by the Company pursuant to that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
December 8, 2005 (the Agreement), by and
among the Company, Alltel Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(AT Co.), Alltel Holding Corp., a newly
formed Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AT
Co. (Spinco). Terms used, but not defined,
herein, shall have the meaning ascribed to them by the Agreement.
Pursuant to the Agreement and the Distribution Agreement entered
into by and between AT Co. and Spinco as of the date of the
Agreement, AT Co. will engage in the Preliminary Restructuring
(as defined in the Distribution Agreement) in order to separate
the Spinco Assets from the AT Co. Assets and in exchange for the
contribution to Spinco, directly or indirectly, of all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities
of the Spinco Subsidiaries, Spinco will issue to AT Co. the
Spinco Common Stock (as defined in the Distribution Agreement),
distribute to AT Co. the Spinco Exchange Notes (as defined in
the Distribution Agreement) and pay to AT Co. the Special
Dividend (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), all upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Distribution Agreement. On the Distribution Date, AT Co. will
distribute all of the issued and outstanding shares of Spinco
Common Stock to the Distribution Agent for the benefit of the
holders as of the Record Date (as defined in the Distribution
Agreement) of the outstanding AT Co. Common Stock. Pursuant to
the Agreement, at the Effective Time, Spinco shall be merged
with and into the Company (the Merger), the
separate existence of Spinco shall cease and the Company shall
continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger. The
Agreement further provides that all of the shares of Spinco
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive an
aggregate number of shares of the Company, par value $0.0001
(Company Common Stock), equal to the product
of (x) 5.6667 multiplied by (y) the aggregate number
of shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding, on a
Fully Diluted Basis, immediately prior to the Effective Time
(the Aggregate Merger Consideration) that
will result in the fully diluted Company Common Stock at the
Effective Time of the Merger being held 85% by the former AT Co.
stockholders and 15% by the stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. The terms
and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the
Agreement.
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things:
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Reviewed the Agreement, including the financial terms of the
Merger, and the agreements contemplated thereby; |
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Reviewed Annual Reports on
Form 10-K of AT
Co. for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2004;
Annual Reports on
Form 10-K of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004;
certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q of AT
Co. and the Company; and certain business, financial, and other
information regarding each of AT Co. and the Company that was
publicly available; |
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Reviewed certain business, financial, and other information
regarding the Company and its prospects that was furnished to us
by, and we have discussed with, the management of the Company; |
D-1-1
Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 2
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Reviewed certain business, financial, and other information
regarding AT Co. and Spinco and their prospects that were
furnished to us by, and we have discussed with, the management
of AT Co. and Spinco; |
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Reviewed the stock price and trading history of the Company
Common Stock; |
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Compared the available business, financial, and other
information regarding each of the Company and Spinco with
similar information regarding certain publicly traded companies
that we deemed relevant; |
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Compared the proposed financial terms of the Agreement with the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and
transactions that we deemed relevant; |
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Developed discounted cash flow models for each of the Company
and Spinco based upon estimates provided by the management of
each of the Company and Spinco, as to each of the Company and
Spinco respectively, and certain estimates discussed with the
management of the Company; |
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Reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the Merger on the
Companys financial statements; |
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Considered other information such as financial, economic and
market criteria that we deemed relevant; and |
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Participated in the discussions and negotiations among
representatives of the Company and AT Co. and their respective
financial and legal advisors that resulted in the Agreement. |
In connection with our review, we have assumed and relied upon
the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing financial and
other information we have obtained and reviewed for the purpose
of our opinion, and we have not assumed any responsibility for,
nor conducted, any independent verification of such information.
We have relied upon the assurances of the management of the
Company and AT Co. that they are not aware of any facts or
circumstances that would make such information about the Company
or AT Co. inaccurate or misleading. We have been provided with
prospective financial information, including post-merger
synergies, for the Company and Spinco by each of their
managements, respectively. We have also been provided with
prospective financial information of Spinco by AT Co., including
cost allocations by AT Co. to Spinco. We have discussed such
prospective financial information, as well as the assumptions
upon which they are based, with the managements of the Company,
AT Co. and Spinco. We have assumed that the forecasts,
estimates, judgments, and all assumptions expressed by the
management of each of the Company, AT Co. and Spinco in such
projections have been reasonably formulated and that they are
the best currently available forecasts, estimates, judgments,
allocations and assumptions of each of the respective
managements of the Company, AT Co. and Spinco regarding such
projections. We assume no responsibility for the preparation or
verification of and express no view as to any such prospective
financial information or the assumptions upon which they are
based. We have also assumed that the cost allocations by AT Co.
to Spinco provided to us by AT Co. reflect the true standalone
costs that Spinco will experience following the Merger. We have
discussed certain estimates for the Company and for Spinco, and
the reasonableness of the assumptions upon which they are based,
with the management of the Company. You have not asked us to,
nor have we, explored or conducted a review of strategic
alternatives for the Company. In arriving at our opinion, we
have not conducted any physical inspection or assessment of the
facilities or assets of the Company, AT Co. or Spinco. In
addition, we have not made an independent evaluation or
appraisal of the assets and liabilities (including any
contingent, derivative or off-balance sheet assets and
liabilities) of the Company, AT Co. or Spinco or any of their
respective subsidiaries and have not been furnished with any
such evaluations or appraisals.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the Merger will
be consummated on the terms described in the Agreement and the
agreements contemplated thereby without waiver of any material
terms or conditions and that each party to the Agreement and the
agreements contemplated thereby will perform all of
D-1-2
Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 3
the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it
thereunder without any consents or waivers of the other parties
thereto. We have also assumed that in the course of obtaining
any necessary legal, regulatory or third party consents and/or
approvals, no restrictions will be imposed or delay will be
suffered that will have a material adverse effect on the
Company, or on the Merger or on other actions contemplated by
the Agreement in any way meaningful to our analysis. We have
further assumed that the Agreement and the agreements
contemplated thereby will not differ in any material respect
from the drafts furnished to and reviewed by us. In addition, we
have assumed that the Merger and the distribution to Spinco will
be tax-free, for federal income tax purposes.
Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial
and other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as
of, the date hereof. Although subsequent developments may affect
this opinion, we do not have any obligation to update, revise or
reaffirm this opinion. Our opinion does not address the merits
of the underlying decision by the Company to enter into the
Agreement, including the relative merits of the Merger compared
with other business strategies or transactions that may have
been considered by the Companys management, its Board of
Directors or any committee thereof. We are not expressing any
opinion herein with respect to the prices at which the Company
Common Stock will trade following the announcement of the Merger
or the prices at which the Company Common Stock will trade
following the consummation of the Merger.
Wachovia Securities is a trade name of Wachovia Capital Markets,
LLC, an investment banking subsidiary and affiliate of Wachovia
Corporation. We have been engaged to render certain financial
advisory services to the Board of Directors of the Company in
connection with the Merger, and will receive a fee for such
services, a portion of which is payable upon delivery of this
opinion, and the principal portion of which is payable upon
consummation of the Merger. In addition, the Company has agreed
to reimburse our expenses and indemnify us against certain
liabilities that may arise out of our engagement. Wachovia
Securities and our affiliates provide a full range of financial
advisory, securities and lending services in the ordinary course
of business for which we receive customary fees. In connection
with unrelated matters, Wachovia Securities and its affiliates
(including Wachovia Corporation and its affiliates) in the past
have provided financing services to the Company, certain of its
affiliates and AT Co. and may provide similar or other such
services to, and maintain relationships with, the Company,
certain of its affiliates and AT Co. in the future. Wachovia
Securities served as a co-Lead Arranger, Joint Book-Running
Manager and Syndication Agent in the Companys
$1.67 billion refinancing in October 2004, as a Senior
co-Manager for the Companys $440 million initial
public offering in February 2005 and as a co-Manager on the
Companys $400 million senior unsecured notes offering
in February 2005. Wachovia Securities and its affiliates
maintain banking, finance and investment relationships with
certain affiliates of the Company, including Welsh Carson
Anderson & Stowe, in certain of whose funds an
affiliate of Wachovia Securities invests, and Vestar Capital
Partners and certain of their respective portfolio companies.
Wachovia Securities or one of its affiliates is currently a
senior secured lender to AT Co. Additionally, in the ordinary
course of our business, we currently, and in the future may,
trade in the debt and equity securities (or related derivative
securities) of the Company and AT Co. for our own account and
for the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities. Wachovia
Securities maintains research coverage of the equity securities
of the Company and the equity and debt securities of AT Co.
This opinion is for the information and use of the Board of
Directors of the Company in connection with its consideration of
the Merger. This opinion does not and shall not constitute a
recommendation to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock
as to how such holder should vote in connection with the
Agreement or any other matter related thereto. Our opinion may
not be disclosed, summarized, excerpted from, or otherwise
publicly referred to without our prior written consent, except
that this opinion may be reproduced in full in any proxy
statement mailed or provided to the holders of Company Common
Stock.
D-1-3
Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 4
Subject to the foregoing and based upon our experience as
investment bankers, our work as described above, and other
factors we deem relevant, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Aggregate Merger Consideration to be paid by the
Company pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the Company and its stockholders.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ WACHOVIA CAPITAL
MARKETS, LLC
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D-1-4
Annex D-2
OPINION OF BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
December 8, 2005
The Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
201 E. John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 200
Irving, TX 75062
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Valor Communications Group, Inc.
(Valor), Alltel Corporation (Alltel) and
Alltel Holding Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alltel
(SpinCo), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of December 8, 2005 (the Merger
Agreement), pursuant to which SpinCo will merge with and
into Valor (the Merger) with Valor continuing as the
surviving corporation. We further understand that, pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, the stockholders of SpinCo will exchange
all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of
SpinCo for an aggregate number of shares of Valor common stock
equal to the product of (x) 5.6667 multiplied by
(y) the aggregate number of shares of Valor common stock
issued and outstanding, on a fully diluted basis taking into
account all shares subject to outstanding options, warrants, and
convertible securities, immediately prior to the effective time
of the Merger (the Aggregate Merger Consideration),
all as more fully described in the Merger Agreement. You have
provided us with a copy of the Merger Agreement in substantially
final form.
We understand that Alltel and SpinCo have entered into a
Distribution Agreement dated as of December 8, 2005 (the
Distribution Agreement) pursuant to which Alltel
will transfer or cause to be transferred to SpinCo or one or
more subsidiaries of SpinCo substantially all of the assets
primarily used in Alltels wireline telecommunications
business, along with certain specified assets, and that SpinCo
or one or more subsidiaries of SpinCo will assume substantially
all of the liabilities primarily relating to Alltels
wireline telecommunications business, along with certain
specified liabilities (collectively, the
Contribution), all as more fully described in the
Distribution Agreement. In addition, we understand that SpinCo
will enter into a credit agreement, make a cash distribution to
Alltel, effect an exchange of certain outstanding Alltel notes
for new SpinCo notes and enter into certain other ancillary
agreements related to the Contribution and the Distribution, all
as more fully described in the Distribution Agreement.
We understand that, prior to the effective time of the Merger
and pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Alltel will
distribute all of the issued and outstanding shares of SpinCo
common stock to the holders of Alltel common stock (the
Distribution), all as more fully described in the
Distribution Agreement. You have provided us a copy of the
Distribution Agreement in substantially final form.
You have asked us to render our opinion as to whether the
Aggregate Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point
of view, to Valor and the stockholders of Valor.
In the course of performing our review and analyses for
rendering this opinion, we have:
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reviewed the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement; |
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reviewed the Voting Agreement, dated as of December 8,
2005, among SpinCo and the stockholders of Valor named therein; |
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reviewed Valors Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004, its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005 and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
since January 1, 2005; |
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reviewed SpinCos Draft Audited Financial Statements for
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, its
unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet as of
September 30, 2005, and the related |
D-2-1
The Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 2
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unaudited interim consolidated income statement and statement of
cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005; |
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reviewed Alltels Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, its Quarterly
Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005 and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
since January 1, 2005; |
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reviewed certain operating and financial information relating to
Valors and SpinCos businesses and prospects (as
prepared and furnished to us by Valors and Alltels
senior managements, respectively), including projections for
Valor for the six years ended December 31, 2010 as prepared
by Valors senior management and projections for SpinCo for
the three years ended December 31, 2007 as prepared by
Alltels management as well as certain publicly available
research analyst projections for Alltel/ SpinCo for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (which research
analyst projections were reviewed by and discussed with the
senior management of Valor); |
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reviewed certain estimates of cost savings and other synergies
estimates expected to result from the Merger, as prepared and
provided to us by Valors senior management and discussed
with Alltels senior management, including persons who will
become members of SpinCos senior management; |
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met with certain members of Valors and Alltels
senior management, including persons who will become members of
SpinCos senior management, to discuss Valors and
SpinCos respective businesses, operations, historical and
projected financial results and future prospects; |
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reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading
volume of the common shares of Valor; |
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reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market
performance data and trading multiples of companies which we
deemed generally comparable to Valor and SpinCo, as appropriate; |
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reviewed the terms of recent mergers and acquisitions involving
companies which we deemed generally comparable to Valor; |
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performed discounted cash flow analyses based on the projections
for Valor and SpinCo and the synergy estimates for the combined
company, including certain tax attributes available to Valor and
SpinCo; |
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reviewed the pro forma financial results, financial condition
and capitalization of the combined company giving effect to the
Merger; and |
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conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and
investigations as we deemed appropriate. |
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and
other information provided to or discussed with us by Valor,
Alltel and SpinCo or obtained by us from public sources,
including, without limitation, the projections and synergy
estimates referred to above. With respect to the projections and
synergy estimates, we have relied on representations that they
have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the senior
management of each of Valor and Alltel, including persons who
will become members of SpinCos senior management,
respectively, as to the expected future performance of Valor,
SpinCo and the combined company. We have not assumed any
responsibility for the independent verification of any such
information, including, without limitation, the projections and
synergy estimates, and we have further relied upon the
assurances of the senior management of each of Valor and Alltel,
including persons who will become members of SpinCos
senior management, that they are unaware of any facts that would
make the information, projections and synergy estimates
incomplete or misleading.
D-2-2
The Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 3
In arriving at our opinion, we have not performed or obtained
any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of Valor and SpinCo, including assets
and liabilities that will be contributed to or assumed by SpinCo
or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, nor have we been furnished with any such appraisals.
We have assumed that the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free
distribution pursuant to Section 355 of the Internal
Revenue Code and the Merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. We have
assumed that the Contribution, the Distribution and all of the
transactions described in the Distribution Agreement will be
consummated in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms
of the Distribution Agreement, without any limitations,
restrictions, conditions, amendments or modifications,
regulatory or otherwise, that collectively would have a material
adverse effect on Valor or SpinCo. We have further assumed that
the Merger will be consummated in a timely manner and in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement without any
limitations, restrictions, conditions, amendments or
modifications, regulatory or otherwise, that collectively would
have a material adverse effect on Valor or SpinCo.
We do not express any opinion as to the price or range of prices
at which the shares of common stock of Valor may trade
subsequent to the announcement or consummation of the Merger.
We have been engaged by Valor to provide it with certain
financial advice and to render this letter. Bear Stearns has
previously provided certain investment banking and other
services to Valor for which we received customary fees. In
addition, Bear Stearns is currently engaged, and in the past has
been engaged, by affiliates of Alltel in matters unrelated to
the Merger. Furthermore, we may be currently engaged, and in the
past have been engaged, by Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe and Vestar Capital Partners or their affiliates
(collectively, the Financial Sponsors) to provide
certain investment banking and other services in matters
unrelated to the Merger. In addition, various individuals and
entities affiliated with us may have passive minority
investments in the Financial Sponsors. In the ordinary course of
business, Bear Stearns and its affiliates may actively trade the
equity and debt securities and/or bank debt of Valor, Alltel
and/or entities affiliated with the Financial Sponsors for our
own account and for the account of our customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities or bank debt.
It is understood that this letter is intended for the benefit
and use of the Board of Directors of Valor and does not
constitute a recommendation to the Board of Directors of Valor
or any holders of Valor common stock as to how to vote in
connection with the Merger or otherwise. This opinion does not
address Valors underlying business decision to pursue the
Merger, any financing or refinancing to be undertaken by SpinCo
or Valor in connection with the Distribution or the Merger, the
relative merits of the Merger as compared to any alternative
business strategies that might exist for Valor or the effects of
any other transaction in which Valor might engage. This letter
is not to be used for any other purpose, or be reproduced,
disseminated, quoted from or referred to at any time, in whole
or in part, without our prior written consent; provided,
however, that this letter may be included in its entirety in any
proxy statement or other regulatory filing to be distributed to
the holders of Valor common stock in connection with the Merger
or otherwise required to be filed by Valor and summaries of this
letter may be included in the proxy statement or any such
filing. Our opinion is subject to the assumptions and conditions
contained herein and is necessarily based on economic, market
and other conditions, and the information made available to us,
as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility for updating
or revising our opinion based on circumstances or events
occurring after the date hereof.
D-2-3
The Board of Directors
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
December 8, 2005
Page 4
Based on and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that,
as of the date hereof, the Aggregate Merger Consideration is
fair, from a financial point of view, to Valor and the
stockholders of Valor.
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Very truly yours, |
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BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Fred J. Turpin Jr. |
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Fred J. Turpin Jr. |
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Senior Managing Director |
D-2-4
Annex E
Form of
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
Windstream
ARTICLE
One
The name of the Corporation is [Name to Be Determined] (the
Corporation).
ARTICLE
Two
The address of the Corporations registered office in the
state of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,
Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of
New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is
Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE
Three
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE
Four
Section 1. Authorized
Shares. The total number of shares of capital stock
which the Corporation has authority to issue is
2,200,000,000 shares, consisting of:
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(a) 200,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value
$.0001 per share (Preferred Stock); and |
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(b) 2,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$.0001 per share (Common Stock). |
The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the rights,
preferences and limitations set forth below.
Section 2. Preferred
Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to
time and in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the
Corporation is authorized to determine or alter the powers,
preferences and rights (including voting rights), and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions granted to or
imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and
within the limitations or restrictions stated in any resolution
or resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the
number of shares constituting any series of Preferred Stock, to
increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any
such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding) the number of
shares of any such series of Preferred Stock, and to fix the
number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock. In the event
that the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall
be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall
resume the status which such shares had prior to the adoption of
the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such
series of Preferred Stock subject to the requirements of
applicable law.
Section 3. Common
Stock.
(a) Dividends. Except as otherwise provided by the
Delaware General Corporation Law or this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (this Certificate of
Incorporation), the holders of
E-1
Common Stock: (i) subject to the rights of holders of any
series of Preferred Stock, shall share ratably, on a per share
basis, in all dividends and other distributions payable in cash,
securities or other property of the Corporation as may be
declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out
of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available
therefor; and (ii) are subject to all the powers, rights,
privileges, preferences and priorities of any series of
Preferred Stock as provided herein or in any resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to
authority expressly vested in it by the provisions of
Section 2 of this ARTICLE FOUR.
(b) Conversion Rights. The Common Stock shall not be
convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class
or classes or of any other series of the same class of the
Corporations capital stock.
(c) Preemptive Rights. No holder of Common Stock
shall have any preemptive rights with respect to the Common
Stock or any other securities of the Corporation, or to any
obligations convertible (directly or indirectly) into securities
of the Corporation whether now or hereafter authorized.
(d) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by
the Delaware General Corporation Law or this Certificate of
Incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of any series
of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders
of the Corporation shall be vested in the holders of the Common
Stock, and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for
each share held by such holder on all matters voted upon by the
stockholders of the Corporation.
(e) Liquidation Rights. In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or
provision for payment of the Corporations debts and
subject to the rights of the holders of shares of Preferred
Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the
remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed
among holders of shares of Common Stock ratably on a per share
basis. A merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into
any other corporation or other entity, or a sale or conveyance
of all or any part of the assets of the Corporation (which shall
not in fact result in the liquidation of the Corporation and the
distribution of assets to its stockholders) shall not be deemed
to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this
Section 3(e).
(f) Registration or Transfer. The Corporation shall
keep or cause to be kept at its principal office (or such other
place as the Corporation reasonably designates) a register for
the registration of Common Stock. To the greatest extent
permitted by applicable Delaware law, the shares of the
Corporations Common Stock shall be uncertificated and
transfer of such shares shall be reflected by book entry. Upon
the surrender of any certificate representing shares of any
class of Common Stock, the Corporation shall forthwith cancel
such certificate and the holder thereof shall no longer be
entitled to a certificate or certificates representing the
shares of such class represented by the surrendered certificate.
Any shares represented by a surrendered certificate cancelled as
provided above shall be registered in the name and will
represent such number of shares of such class as is requested by
the holder of the surrendered certificate. Such book entry shall
be made without charge to the holders of the surrendered
certificates for any issuance tax in respect thereof or other
cost incurred by the Corporation in connection with such
issuance.
(g) Replacement. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Corporation (an affidavit of the registered
holder will be satisfactory) of the ownership and the loss,
theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate evidencing
one or more shares of any class of Common Stock that is
represented by a certificate, and in the case of any such loss,
theft or destruction, upon receipt of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to the Corporation (provided that if the holder is
a financial institution or other institutional investor, its own
agreement will be satisfactory), or, in the case of any such
mutilation upon surrender of such certificate, the Corporation
shall (at its expense) execute and deliver in lieu of such
certificate a new certificate of like kind representing the
number of shares of such class represented by such lost, stolen,
destroyed or mutilated certificate and dated the date of such
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate.
(h) Notices. All notices referred to herein shall be
in writing, shall be delivered personally or by first class
mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been given
when so delivered or mailed to the Corporation at its principal
executive offices and to any stockholder at such holders
address as it appears in
E-2
the stock records of the Corporation (unless otherwise specified
in a written notice to the Corporation by such holder).
(i) Fractional Shares. In no event will holders of
fractional shares be required to accept any consideration in
exchange for such shares other than consideration which all
holders of Common Stock are required to accept.
ARTICLE
Five
The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE
Six
Section 1. Number,
Election and Term of Office of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than
three nor more than fifteen members, the exact number of which
shall be fixed from time to time the affirmative vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors.
(b) The directors shall be divided into three classes,
designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each
class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third
of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board
of Directors. Pursuant to Section 4.4 of that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 8, 2005
(the Merger Agreement), among ALLTEL Corporation, a
Delaware corporation, ALLTEL Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation, and the Corporation, (i) the initial
Class I directors shall consist of three designees of
ALLTEL Corporation, each of whom shall be designated by written
notice to the other parties to the Merger Agreement in
accordance with the terms thereof, (ii) the initial
Class II directors shall consist of one designee of the
Company and two (2) designees of ALLTEL Corporation, each
of whom shall be designated by written notice to the other
parties to the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof and (iii) the initial Class III directors
shall consist of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, each as set forth in
the Merger Agreement, and one designee of ALLTEL Corporation,
who shall be designated by written notice to the other parties
to the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.
The term of the initial Class I directors shall terminate
on the date of the 2007 annual meeting; the term of the initial
Class II directors shall terminate on the date of the 2008
annual meeting; and the term of the initial Class III
directors shall terminate on the date of the 2009 annual
meeting. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders
beginning in 2007, successors to the class of directors whose
term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a
three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, any
increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so
as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly
equal as practicable, and any additional director of any class
elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such
class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the
remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in
the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent
director.
(c) A director shall hold office until the annual meeting
for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or
her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject,
however, to prior death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal from office.
(d) Subject to the rights, if any, of holders of any series
of Preferred Stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors that
results from an increase in the number of directors may be
filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office,
provided that a quorum is present, and any other vacancy
occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority
of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director elected to
fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of
directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his or
her predecessor. Subject to the rights, if any, of
E-3
the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any or all of the
directors of the Corporation may be removed from office at any
time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the
Corporations then outstanding capital stock entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or
series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have
the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect
directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the
election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other
features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of
this Restated Certificate applicable thereto, and such directors
so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this
ARTICLE SIX, unless expressly provided by such terms.
ARTICLE
Seven
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to
amend, alter, change or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.
Any amendment, alteration, change or repeal of the
Corporations Bylaws by the stockholders of the Corporation
shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote on such
amendment, alteration, change or repeal; provided, however, that
Section 11 of ARTICLE TWO and Sections 2, 3 and 4
of ARTICLE THREE and ARTICLE SEVEN of the
Corporations Bylaws shall not be amended, altered, changed
or repealed and no provision inconsistent therewith shall be
adopted without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two thirds of the combined voting power of all of the then
outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote on such
amendment, alteration, change or repeal.
ARTICLE
Eight
Section 1. Limitation
of Liability.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, no
director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages arising from a breach
of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph
by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely
affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation
existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Section 2. Right
to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise
involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (a proceeding), by reason of the fact
that he or she is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or, while a director, officer or other employee of
the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to an employee
benefit plan (an indemnitee), whether the basis of
such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a
director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a
director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by
the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be
amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such
indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors
and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided
in Section 3 of this ARTICLE EIGHT with respect to
proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the
Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection
with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee
only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the
Board of Directors of the
E-4
Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this
Section 2 of this ARTICLE EIGHT shall be a contract
right. In addition, the Corporation shall pay the expenses
incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its
final disposition (an advance of expenses);
provided, however, that, if and to the extent that the Delaware
General Corporation Law requires, an advance of expenses
incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director
or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was
or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made
only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an
undertaking), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to
repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
determined by final judicial decision from which there is no
further right to appeal (a final adjudication) that
such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such
expenses under this Section 2 or otherwise. The Corporation
may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide
indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with
the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing
indemnification of directors and officers.
Section 3. Procedure
for Indemnification. Any indemnification of a director
or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses under
Section 2 of this ARTICLE EIGHT shall be made
promptly, and in any event within forty-five days (or, in the
case of an advance of expenses, twenty days), upon the written
request of the director or officer. If a determination by the
Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE EIGHT is required,
and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a
written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed
to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a
written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in
whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request
is not made within forty-five days (or, in the case of an
advance of expenses, twenty days), the right to indemnification
or advances as granted by this ARTICLE EIGHT shall be
enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent
jurisdiction. Such persons costs and expenses incurred in
connection with successfully establishing his or her right to
indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall
also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to
any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim
for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required
pursuant to Section 2 of this ARTICLE EIGHT, if any,
has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not
met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to
indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of
such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of
the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent
legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination
prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by
the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent
legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met
such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the
action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the
applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for
indemnification of other employees and agents for whom
indemnification is provided pursuant to Section 2 of this
ARTICLE EIGHT shall be the same procedure set forth in this
Section 3 for directors or officers, unless otherwise set
forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing
indemnification for such employee or agent.
Section 4. Insurance.
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own
behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an
employee benefit plan, against any expense, liability or loss
asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any
such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the
power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability
or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 5. Service
for Subsidiaries. Any person serving as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other enterprise, at
least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Corporation
(a subsidiary for this ARTICLE EIGHT) shall be
conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the
request of the Corporation.
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Section 6. Reliance.
Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision
become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or
who, while a director, officer or other employee of the
Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or
agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have
relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other
rights contained in this ARTICLE EIGHT in entering into or
continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to
the advance of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE EIGHT
shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of
acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and
subsequent to the adoption hereof.
Section 7. Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the
advance of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE EIGHT shall
not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire under this Restated Certificate or under any
statute, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 8. Merger
or Consolidation. For purposes of this
ARTICLE EIGHT, references to the Corporation
shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any
constituent Corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its
separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or
agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall
stand in the same position under this ARTICLE EIGHT with
respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he or she
would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
Section 9. Savings
Clause. If this ARTICLE EIGHT or any portion hereof
shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent
jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify
each person entitled to indemnification under Section 2 of
this ARTICLE EIGHT as to all expense, liability and loss
(including attorneys fees and related disbursements,
judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, penalties
and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and
reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which
indemnification is available to such person pursuant to this
ARTICLE EIGHT to the full extent permitted by any
applicable portion of this ARTICLE EIGHT that shall not
have been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by
applicable law.
ARTICLE
Nine
Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State
of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the
Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in
the statutes) outside of the State of Delaware at such place or
places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of
Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE
Ten
For so long as any security of the Company is registered under
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
(i) the stockholders of the Corporation may not take any
action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, and must take
any actions at a duly called annual or special meeting of
stockholders and the power of stockholders to consent in writing
without a meeting is specifically denied; and (ii) special
meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only
by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by
the affirmative vote of the majority of the total number of
directors then in office.
E-6
ARTICLE
Eleven
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Restated
Certificate or any provision of law which might otherwise permit
a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative
vote of the holders of the capital stock required by law or this
Restated Certificate, the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the combined voting power of all of the then
outstanding shares of the Corporation eligible to be cast in the
election of directors shall be required to amend, alter, change
or repeal ARTICLES EIGHT, TEN or THIRTEEN hereof, or this
ARTICLE ELEVEN, or any provision thereof or hereof.
ARTICLE
Twelve
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or
repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate, in
the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all
rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to
this reservation.
ARTICLE
Thirteen
The Corporation expressly elects to be governed by
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
E-7
Annex F
Form of
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
Windstream
A Delaware Corporation
(Adopted as
of ,
2006)
ARTICLE I
Offices
Section
1. Registered
Office. The registered office of [Name to Be Determined]
(the Corporation) in the State of Delaware shall be
located at 2711 Centerville Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
The name of the Corporations registered agent at such
address shall be Corporation Service Company. The registered
office and/or registered agent of the Corporation may be changed
from time to time by action of the Board of Directors.
Section
2. Other
Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such
other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the
business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Stockholders
Section
1. Annual
Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be
held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from
time to time by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting,
stockholders shall elect Directors and transact such other
business as properly may be brought before the annual meeting
pursuant to Section 11 of ARTICLE II hereof.
Section
2. Special
Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may only
be called in the manner provided in ARTICLE TEN of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
Certificate of Incorporation). Business transacted
at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the
purposes stated in the notice.
Section
3. Place of
Meetings. The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the
place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special
meeting. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal
executive office of the Corporation.
Section
4. Notice.
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action
at a meeting, written or printed notice, or notice by electronic
transmission, stating the place, if any, date, time, if
applicable, the means of remote communications and, in the case
of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting,
shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such
meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the
date of the meeting. All such notices shall be delivered, either
personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, the chairman of the board, the president or the
secretary, and if mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be
delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address
as the same appears on the records of the Corporation.
Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the
express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to
the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened.
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Section
5. Stockholders
List. The officer having charge of the stock ledger of
the Corporation shall make, at least 10 days before every
meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders
entitled to vote at such meeting arranged in alphabetical order,
showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares
registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be
open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a
period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either
(i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided
that the information required to gain access to such list is
provided with the notice of meeting or (ii) during ordinary
business hours at the principal place of business of the
Corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the
time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and
may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section
6. Quorum. The
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock
entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders,
except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If
a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, and
entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to
another time and/or place. When a specified item of business
requires a vote by a class or series (if the Corporation shall
then have outstanding shares of more than one class or series)
voting as a class or series, the holders of a majority of the
shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum (as to
such class or series) for the transaction of such item of
business.
Section
7. Adjourned
Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time
and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which
the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the
Corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for
more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the
adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section
8. Vote
Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote
of the majority of shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter
shall be the act of the stockholders, unless (i) by express
provisions of an applicable law or of the Certificate of
Incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such
express provision shall govern and control the decision of such
question, or (ii) the subject matter is the election of
Directors, in which case Section 2 of ARTICLE III
hereof shall govern and control the approval of such subject
matter.
Section
9. Voting
Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, every stockholder shall at every
meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or
by proxy for each share of capital stock held by such
stockholder.
Section
10. Proxies.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders
or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act
for him or her by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or
acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy
provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be
irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only
as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to
support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable
regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is
an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the
Corporation generally. Any proxy is suspended when the person
executing the proxy is present at a meeting of stockholders and
elects to vote, except that when such proxy is coupled with an
interest and the fact of the interest appears on the face of the
proxy, the agent named in the proxy shall have all voting and
other rights referred to in the proxy, notwithstanding the
presence of the person executing the proxy. At each meeting of
the stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies
filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and
examined by the secretary or a person designated by the
secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a
proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.
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Section
11. Business Brought
Before an Annual Meeting. At an annual meeting of the
stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall
have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly
brought before an annual meeting, business must be
(i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement
thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors,
(ii) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of
the Board of Directors or (iii) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly
brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such proposed
business, other than the nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors, must constitute a proper matter for
stockholder actions, and the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to
or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation, not less than 90 days nor more than
120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however,
that in the event that the annual meeting of stockholders is
called for a date that is not within 25 days before or
after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business
on the 10th day following the date on which notice of the
date of the annual meeting was mailed or public announcement of
such date was made, whichever occurs first. In no event shall
the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an
annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time
period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as
described above. A stockholders notice to the secretary
shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and
the text of the proposal or business, (ii) the name and
address, as they appear on the Corporations books, of the
stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and
number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned
by the stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business, (v) a representation that the
stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person
or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, and
(vi) a representation whether the stockholder or the
beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which
intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of
proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the
Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve
or adopt the proposal and/or (b) otherwise to solicit
proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal.
Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no
business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this section. The
presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was
not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with
the provisions of this section; if he should so determine, he
shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. For
purposes of this section, public announcement shall
mean disclosure in a press release reported by Dow Jones News
Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect any rights of
stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the
Corporations proxy statement pursuant to
Rule 14a-8
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
Exchange Act).
ARTICLE III
Directors
Section
1. General
Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors. In addition to such powers as are herein and in the
Certificate of Incorporation expressly conferred upon it, the
Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers of
the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the laws of
Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws.
Section
2. Number, Election
and Term of Office. The Directors shall be divided into
three classes, designated Class I, Class II and
Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be
possible, of one-third of the total number of Directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors. The terms of the
initial directors of each Class shall expire as provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation, and successors to the class of
Directors whose term expires at each annual meeting shall be
elected for a three-year term and until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. If the number of Directors is
changed, any increase or decrease shall be
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apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of
Directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any
additional Director of any class elected to fill a vacancy
resulting from an increase in such class or from the removal
from office, death, disability, resignation or disqualification
of a Director or other cause shall hold office for a term that
shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no
case will a decrease in the number of Directors have the effect
of removing or shortening the term of any incumbent Director.
Any Director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an
increase in the number of Directors shall have the same
remaining term as that of his or her predecessor. Except as
provided in Section 3 of this Article III, the
Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting
and entitled to vote in the election of directors.
Section
3. Vacancies.
Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred
Stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from
an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a
majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided that
a quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring on the
Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the Board of
Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy
not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall
have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor. Subject
to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock, any or all of the directors of the Corporation may be
removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of
the voting power of the Corporations then outstanding
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders
of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued
by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by
class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling
of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be
governed by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation
applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be
divided into classes pursuant to Article SIX of the
Certificate of Incorporation or this Section 3 unless
expressly provided by such terms.
Section
4. Nominations.
(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve
as Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board
of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of
stockholders (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who
was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice
provided for in these Bylaws, who is entitled to vote generally
in the election of Directors at the meeting and who shall have
complied with the notice procedures set forth below in
Section 4(b).
(b) In order for a stockholder to nominate a person for
election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a
meeting of stockholders, such stockholder shall have delivered
timely notice of such stockholders intent to make such
nomination in writing to the secretary of the Corporation. To be
timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to or
mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less
than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual
meeting is changed by more than 30 days from such
anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be
so received not later than the close of business on the
10th day following the day on which notice of the date of
the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting was
made, whichever occurs first, and (ii) in the case of a
special meeting at which Directors are to be elected, not later
than the close of business on the 10th day following the
day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or
public disclosure of the meeting was made, whichever occurs
first. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new
time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholders notice as described above. Such
stockholders notice shall set forth (i) as to each
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as
a Director at such meeting all information relating to such
person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in
each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act
(including such persons written consent to being named in
the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if
elected) and such persons written consent to being named
in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director
if elected; (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice
(A) the name and address, as
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they appear on the Corporations books, of such stockholder
and (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation
which are beneficially owned by such stockholder and also which
are owned of record by such stockholder; and (iii) as to
the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is
made, (A) the name and address of such person and
(B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by such person (C) a representation
that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to
appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such
nomination, and (D) a representation whether the
stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part
of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement
and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of
the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to
elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies
from stockholders in support of such nomination. At the request
of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of
Directors for election as a Director shall furnish to the
secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set
forth in a stockholders notice of nomination which
pertains to the nominee.
(c) No person shall be eligible to serve as a Director of
the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this section. The chairman of the
meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to
the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with
the procedures prescribed by this section, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded. A stockholder seeking to
nominate a person to serve as a Director must also comply with
all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules
and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth
in this section.
Section
5. Annual
Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held, without any notice other than this
Section 5, immediately after, and at the same place as, the
annual meeting of stockholders.
Section
6. Other Meetings and
Notice. Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting,
of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such
time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined
by resolution of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the
Board of Directors may be called by the chairman of the board,
the president (if the president is a Director) or, upon the
written request of a majority of the total number of Directors
then in office, the secretary of the Corporation on at least
24 hours notice to each Director, either personally, by
telephone, by mail or by telecopy.
Section
7. Chairman of the
Board, Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. The Board
of Directors shall elect, by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the total number of Directors then in office, a chairman of
the board, who shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
and Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall
have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe. If the chairman of
the board is not present at a meeting of the stockholders or the
Board of Directors, the president (if the president is a
Director and is not also the chairman of the board) shall
preside at such meeting, and, if the president is not present at
such meeting, a majority of the Directors present at such
meeting shall elect one of their members to so preside. A
majority of the total number of Directors then in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Unless by
express provision of an applicable law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws a different vote is required, the
vote of a majority of Directors present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If
a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of
Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting
from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the
meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section
8. Committees.
The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority
of the total number of Directors then in office, designate one
or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of
the Directors of the Corporation, which to the extent provided
in such resolution or these Bylaws shall have, and may exercise,
the powers of the Board of Directors in the management and
affairs of the Corporation, except as otherwise limited by law.
The Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors as
alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Such
committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be
determined from
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time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and
report the same to the Board of Directors upon request.
Section
9. Committee
Rules. Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix
its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as
provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a
resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee.
Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of
at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise provided in
such a resolution, in the event that a member and that
members alternate, if alternates are designated by the
Board of Directors, of such committee is or are absent or
disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any
meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such
member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting
in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section
10. Communications
Equipment. Members of the Board of Directors or any
committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of
such board or committee through the use of a conference
telephone or other communications equipment by means of which
all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with
each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this
section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section
11. Waiver of Notice
and Presumption of Assent. Any member of the Board of
Directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting
shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such
meeting except when such member attends for the express purpose
of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction
of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have
assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be
entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her
written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person
acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment
thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the
secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment
of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any
member who voted in favor of such action.
Section
12. Action by Written
Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken
at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee
thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of such
board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or
writings or electronic transmission are filed with the minutes
of proceedings of the board or committee.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section
1. Number. The
officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of
Directors and shall consist of a chairman of the board, a chief
executive officer, a president, one or more vice-presidents, a
secretary, a chief financial officer and such other officers and
assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by
the Board of Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the
same person, except that neither the chief executive officer nor
the president shall also hold the office of secretary. In its
discretion, the Board of Directors may choose not to fill any
office for any period as it may deem advisable, except that the
offices of president and secretary shall be filled as
expeditiously as possible.
Section
2. Election and Term
of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be
elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting
held after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon
thereafter as convenient. Vacancies may be filled or new offices
created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected
and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or
removal as hereinafter provided.
Section
3. Removal.
Any officer or agent elected by the Board of Directors may be
removed by the Board of Directors at its discretion, but such
removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if
any, of the person so removed.
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Section
4. Vacancies.
Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be
filled by the Board of Directors.
Section
5. Compensation.
Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the
Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a
Director of the Corporation; provided however, that compensation
of all executive officers may be determined by a committee
established for that purpose if so authorized by the Board of
Directors.
Section
6. Chairman of the
Board. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of
Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed to him or her by the Board of
Directors or provided in these Bylaws.
Section
7. Chief Executive
Officer. The chief executive officer shall have the
powers and perform the duties incident to that position. Subject
to the powers of the Board of Directors and the chairman of the
board, the chief executive officer shall be in the general and
active charge of the entire business and affairs of the
Corporation, and shall be its chief policy making officer. The
chief executive officer shall have such other powers and perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
or provided in these Bylaws. The chief executive officer is
authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts
requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except
where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and
executed and except where the signing and execution thereof
shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some
other officer or agent of the Corporation. Whenever the
president is unable to serve, by reason of sickness, absence or
otherwise, the chief executive officer shall perform all the
duties and responsibilities and exercise all the powers of the
president.
Section
8. The
President. The president of the Corporation shall,
subject to the powers of the Board of Directors, the chairman of
the board and the chief executive officer, have general charge
of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and
control over its officers, agents and employees. The president
shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of
Directors are carried into effect. The president is authorized
to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a
seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required
or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and
except where the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other
officer or agent of the Corporation. The president shall have
such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the chairman of the board, the chief executive
officer, the Board of Directors or as may be provided in these
Bylaws.
Section
9. Vice-Presidents.
The vice-president, or if there shall be more than one, the
vice-presidents in the order determined by the Board of
Directors or the chairman of the board, shall, in the absence or
disability of the president, act with all of the powers and be
subject to all the restrictions of the president. The
vice-presidents shall also perform such other duties and have
such other powers as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the
board, the chief executive officer, the president or these
Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe. The vice-presidents
may also be designated as executive vice-presidents or senior
vice-presidents, as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe.
Section
10. The Secretary and
Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend all
meetings of the Board of Directors, all meetings of the
committees thereof and all meetings of the stockholders and
record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or books to
be kept for that purpose or shall ensure that his or her
designee attends each such meeting to act in such capacity.
Under the chairman of the Board of Directors supervision,
the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices
required to be given by the Certificate of Incorporation, these
Bylaws or by applicable law; shall have such powers and perform
such duties as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the
board, the chief executive officer, the president or these
Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody
of the corporate seal of the Corporation. The secretary, or an
assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the corporate
seal to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may
be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such
assistant secretary. The Board of Directors may give general
authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the
Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.
The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, any of
the assistant secretaries, shall in the absence or disability of
the secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
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secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors, the chairman of the
board, the chief executive officer, the president, or secretary
may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section
11. The Chief
Financial Officer. The chief financial officer shall
have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall
keep full and accurate all books and accounts of the Corporation
as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with applicable
law or generally accepted accounting principles; shall deposit
all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the
credit of the Corporation as may be ordered by the chairman of
the board or the Board of Directors; shall cause the funds of
the Corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have
been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements; and shall render to the Board of Directors, at
its regular meeting or when the Board of Directors so requires,
an account of the Corporation; shall have such powers and
perform such duties as the Board of Directors, the chairman of
the board, the chief executive officer, the president or these
Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe. If required by the
Board of Directors, the chief financial officer shall give the
Corporation a bond (which shall be rendered every six years) in
such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be
satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful
performance of the duties of the office of chief financial
officer and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of
death, resignation, retirement or removal from office of all
books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever
kind in the possession or under the control of the chief
financial officer belonging to the Corporation.
Section
12. Other Officers,
Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers, assistant
officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are
provided for in these Bylaws, shall have such authority and
perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section
13. Absence or
Disability of Officers. In the case of the absence or
disability of any officer of the Corporation and of any person
hereby authorized to act in such officers place during
such officers absence or disability, the Board of
Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of
such officer to any other officer or to any Director, or to any
other person selected by it.
ARTICLE V
Certificates of Stock
Section
1. Form. To
the greatest extent permitted by applicable Delaware law, the
shares of the Corporations Common Stock shall be
uncertificated and transfer of such shares shall be reflected by
book entry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, every holder of stock
in the Corporation, if any, that is represented by a certificate
shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the
name of the Corporation by the chairman of the board, the chief
executive officer or the president and the secretary or an
assistant secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of
shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. If such a
certificate is countersigned (i) by a transfer agent or an
assistant transfer agent other than the Corporation or its
employee or (ii) by a registrar, other than the Corporation
or its employee, the signature of any such chairman of the
board, chief executive officer, president, secretary or
assistant secretary may be facsimiles. In case any officer or
officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or
signatures have been used on, any such certificate or
certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the
Corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise
before such certificate or certificates have been delivered by
the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may
nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or
persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose
facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not
ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation. All
certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or
otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares
represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and
date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.
Shares of stock of the Corporation shall only be transferred on
the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or
by such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, in
the case of certificated shares, upon surrender to the
Corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares
endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such
evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer,
authorization and other matters as the Corporation may
reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock
transfer stamps, or in the case of
8-F
uncertificated shares, upon delivery to the Corporation of
evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Corporation, demonstrating that the party requesting such
transfer is the record holder thereof or the holders
attorney duly authorized in writing. Upon the surrender of any
certificate representing shares of any class of Common Stock,
the Corporation shall forthwith cancel such certificate and the
holder thereof shall no longer be entitled to a certificate or
certificates representing the shares of such class represented
by the surrendered certificate. Any shares represented by a
surrendered certificate cancelled as provided above shall be
registered in the name and will represent such number of shares
of such class as is requested by the holder of the surrendered
certificate. Such book entry shall be made without charge to the
holders of the surrendered certificates for any issuance tax in
respect thereof or other cost incurred by the Corporation in
connection with such issuance. The Board of Directors may
appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent
or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any
class or series of securities of the Corporation.
Section
2. Lost
Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates, if any, to be issued in place of
any certificate or certificates previously issued by the
Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon
the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the
Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent
to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen
or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal
representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to
indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made
against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or
destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new
certificate.
Section
3. Fixing a Record
Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the
Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment
thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and
which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than
10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date
is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the
next day preceding the day on which notice is first given. A
determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any
adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of
Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section
4. Fixing a Record
Date for Other Purposes. In order that the Corporation
may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or
the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes
of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a
record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and
which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to
such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors
adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section
5. Registered
Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the Corporation
of the certificate or certificates, if any, for a share or
shares of stock with a request to record the transfer of such
share or shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner
as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive
notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and
powers of an owner. The Corporation shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not
it shall have express or other notice thereof.
Section
6. Subscriptions for
Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in the subscription
agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at
such time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall
be determined by the Board of Directors. Any call made by the
Board of Directors for payment on subscriptions shall be uniform
as to all shares of the same class or as to all shares of the
same series. In case of default in the
9-F
payment of any installment or call when such payment is due, the
Corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same
manner as any debt due the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
General Provisions
Section
1. Dividends.
Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may
be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting, in accordance with applicable law. Dividends may be
paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock,
subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of
any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or
sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet
contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or
maintaining any property of the Corporation, or any other
purpose and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve
in the manner in which it was created.
Section
2. Checks, Drafts or
Orders. All checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money by or to the Corporation and all notes and
other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the
Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent
or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or a duly
authorized committee thereof.
Section
3. Contracts.
In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant
to ARTICLE IV hereof, the Board of Directors may authorize
any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the
Corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver
any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation,
and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.
Section
4. Loans.
Subject to compliance with applicable laws, the Corporation may
lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise
assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of
its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a
Director of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in
the judgment of the Directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance
may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. The loan,
guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest,
and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of
Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge
of shares of stock of the Corporation. Nothing in this section
shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of
guaranty or warranty of the Corporation at common law or under
any statute.
Section
5. Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed
by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section
6. Corporate
Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a corporate
seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have
inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words
Corporate Seal, Delaware. The seal may be used by
causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
reproduced or otherwise. No seal shall be required by virtue of
this Section.
Section
7. Voting Securities
Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other
Corporation held by the Corporation shall be voted by the chief
executive officer, the president or a vice-president, unless the
Board of Directors specifically confers authority to vote with
respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to
specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any
person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to
appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.
Section
8. Inspection of Books
and Records. The Board of Directors shall have power
from time to time to determine to what extent and at what times
and places and under what conditions and regulations the
accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be
open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document
of the Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State
of Delaware, unless and until authorized so to do by resolution
of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the
Corporation.
10-F
Section
9. Section
Headings. Section headings in these Bylaws are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be given any
substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any
provision herein.
Section
10. Inconsistent
Provisions. In the event that any provision of these
Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware or any other applicable law, the provision of
these Bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such
inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal these
Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number
of Directors then in office. Any alteration or repeal of these
Bylaws by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote on such alteration or repeal;
provided, however, that Section 11 of ARTICLE II and
Sections 2, 3 and 4 of ARTICLE III and this
ARTICLE VII of these Bylaws shall not be altered, amended
or repealed and no provision inconsistent therewith shall be
adopted without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the combined voting power of all of the then
outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote on such
alteration or repeal.
11-F
Annex G
Windstream
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. Purpose of the Plan
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2. Definitions
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3. Shares Available Under the Plan
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G-4 |
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4. Option Rights
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5. Appreciation Rights
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6. Performance Units and Performance Shares
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7. Restricted Shares
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8. Restricted Stock Units
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9. Awards to Non-Employee Directors
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10. Other Awards
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11. Transferability
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12. Adjustments
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13. Fractional Shares
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G-9 |
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14. Withholding Taxes
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15. Foreign Employees
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G-10 |
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16. Administration of the Plan
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17. Amendments and Other Matters
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18. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code
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19. Applicable Laws
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20. Termination
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G-i
Windstream
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of this Plan is
to attract, retain and motivate directors, officers and other
key employees of Windstream (the Company) and its
Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives and
rewards for superior performance and contribution. This Plan
shall become effective as of the Effective Time as defined in
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 8,
2005 among ALLTEL Corporation, ALLTEL Holding Corp., and Valor
Communications Group, Inc.
2. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in this Section 2.
Applicable Laws means the requirements
relating to the administration of equity-based compensation
plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal
and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or
quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed or quoted
and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction
where awards are granted under this Plan.
Appreciation Right means a right granted
pursuant to Section 5 or Section 9 of this Plan, and
shall include both Tandem Appreciation Rights and Free-Standing
Appreciation Rights.
Base Price means the price to be used as the basis
for determining the Spread upon the exercise of a Free-Standing
Appreciation Right and a Tandem Appreciation Right.
Board means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
Change in Control means if at any time any of
the following events shall have occurred (except as may be
otherwise prescribed by the Board in an Evidence of Award):
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a. The acquisition by any individual, entity or
group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a
Person), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of voting securities of the
Company where such acquisition causes any such Person to own
fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the
Outstanding Voting Securities); provided, however,
that for purposes of this definition, any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph c.
below shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control; |
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b. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however,
that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date
hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least
a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall be considered as though such individual were a member of
the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the
election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other than the Board; or |
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c. The consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the assets of the Company (a Business
Combination), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Voting Securities immediately
prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result
of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all
of the Companys assets either directly or through one or
more subsidiaries), in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination
of the Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from
such Business Combination or any |
G-1
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employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such
corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%)
or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and
(iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of
the execution of the initial agreement, or the action of the
Board, providing for such Business Combination; or |
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d. Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
Common Shares means shares of common stock,
par value $0.0001, of the Company or any security into which
such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction
or event of the type referred to in Section 12 of this Plan.
Company means [ l
] and its successors. The Company is the surviving
corporation resulting from the merger between ALLTEL Holding
Corp. and Valor Communications Group, Inc. pursuant to the terms
of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 8,
2005, among ALLTEL Corporation, ALLTEL Holding Corp., and Valor
Communications Group, Inc.
Covered Employee means a Participant who is,
or is determined by the Board to be likely to become, a
covered employee within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).
Date of Grant means the date specified by the
Board on which a grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights,
Performance Units or Performance Shares or a grant or sale of
Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units, or awards granted
under Section 10 of this Plan shall become effective (which
date will not be earlier than the date on which the Board takes
action with respect thereto).
Director means a member of the Board.
Evidence of Award means an agreement,
certificate, resolution or other type or form of writing or
other evidence approved by the Board which sets forth the terms
and conditions of the Option Rights, Appreciation Rights,
Performance Units, Performance Shares, Restricted Shares,
Restricted Stock Units, or awards granted under Section 10
of this Plan. An Evidence of Award may be in an electronic
medium, may be limited to a notation on the books and records of
the Company and, with the approval of the Board, need not be
signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such
law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
Free-Standing Appreciation Right means an
Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 or
Section 9 of this Plan that is not granted in tandem with
an Option Right.
Incentive Stock Options means Option Rights that are
intended to qualify as incentive stock options under
Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
Management Objectives means the measurable
performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this
Plan for Participants who have received grants of Performance
Units or Performance Shares or, when so determined by the Board,
Option Rights, Appreciation Rights and Restricted Shares
pursuant to this Plan. Management Objectives may be described in
terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related
to the performance of the individual Participant or of the
Subsidiary, division, department, region or function within the
Company or Subsidiary in which the Participant is employed. The
Management Objectives may be made relative to the performance of
other corporations. The Management Objectives applicable to any
award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify for the
performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m)
of the Code shall be based on specified levels of or growth in
one or more of the following criteria: revenues, weighted
average revenue per unit, earnings from operations,
G-2
operating income, earnings before or after interest and taxes,
operating income before or after interest and taxes, net income,
cash flow, earnings per share, debt to capital ratio, economic
value added, return on total capital, return on invested
capital, return on equity, return on assets, total return to
stockholders, earnings before or after interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization or extraordinary or special items,
operating income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization or extraordinary or special items, return on
investment, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment
(discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, cash
flow in excess of cost of capital, operating margin, profit
margin, contribution margin, stock price and/or strategic
business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on
meeting specified product development, strategic partnering,
research and development, market penetration, geographic
business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction,
gross or net additional customers, average customer life,
employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and
employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information
technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures
of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Management
Objectives may be stated as a combination of the listed factors.
If the Board determines that a change in the business,
operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the
Company, or the manner in which it conducts its business, or
other events or circumstances (including those events and
circumstances described in Section 12 of this Plan) render
the Management Objectives unsuitable, the Board may in its
discretion modify such Management Objectives or the related
minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as
the Board deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of
a Covered Employee to the extent that such action would result
in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award
under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Market Value per Share means, as of any
particular date, (i) the closing sale price per Common
Share as reported on the principal exchange on which Common
Shares are then trading, or if there are no sales on such day,
on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred,
or (ii) if clause (i) does not apply, the fair market
value of a Common Share as determined by the Board.
Non-Employee Director means a Director who is
not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
Optionee means the optionee named in an
agreement evidencing an outstanding Option Right.
Option Price means the purchase price payable
on exercise of an Option Right.
Option Right means the right to purchase
Common Shares upon exercise of an option granted pursuant to
Section 4 or Section 9 of this Plan.
Participant means a person who is selected by
the Board to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the
time an officer or other key employee of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, or who has agreed to commence serving in any
such capacities within 90 days of the Date of Grant, and
shall also include each Non-Employee Director who receives an
award of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares,
Restricted Stock Units or any awards under Section 10 of
this Plan.
Performance Period means, in respect of a
Performance Unit or Performance Share, a period of time
established pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan within which
the Management Objectives relating to such Performance Share or
Performance Unit are to be achieved.
Performance Share means a bookkeeping entry
that records the equivalent of one Common Share awarded pursuant
to Section 6 of this Plan.
Performance Unit means a bookkeeping entry
that records a unit equivalent to $1.00 awarded pursuant to
Section 6 of this Plan.
Plan means this Valor Communications Group,
Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
Restricted Shares means Common Shares granted
or sold pursuant to Section 7 or Section 9 of this
Plan as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor
the prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 7
has expired.
G-3
Restricted Stock Units means an award of the
right to receive Common Shares at the end of a specified
Restriction Period made pursuant to Section 8 or
Section 9 of this Plan.
Restriction Period means the period of time
during which Restricted Stock Units are subject to deferral
limitations under Section 8 of this Plan.
Spread means the excess of the Market Value
per Share on the date when an Appreciation Right is exercised,
or on the date when Option Rights are surrendered in payment of
the Option Price of other Option Rights, over the per share
Option Price or per share Base Price provided for in the related
Option Right or Free-Standing Appreciation Right, respectively.
Subsidiary means a corporation, company or
other entity which is designated by the Board and in which the
Company has a direct or indirect ownership or other equity
interest, provided, however, that for purposes of determining
whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any
grant of Incentive Stock Options, the term
Subsidiary has the meaning given to such term in
Section 424 of the Code, as interpreted by the regulations
thereunder and applicable law.
Tandem Appreciation Right means an
Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 or
Section 9 of this Plan that is granted in tandem with an
Option Right.
3. Shares Available Under the Plan.
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a. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of
this Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be issued or
transferred (i) upon the exercise of Option Rights or
Appreciation Rights, (ii) as Restricted Shares,
(iii) in payment of Restricted Stock Units, (iv) in
payment of Performance Units or Performance Shares that have
been earned, (v) as awards to Non-Employee Directors,
(vi) in payment of awards granted under Section 10 of
this Plan or (vii) in payment of dividend equivalents paid
with respect to awards made under the Plan shall not exceed in
the aggregate 10,000,000 Common Shares, plus any shares relating
to awards that expire or are forfeited or are cancelled. Common
Shares covered by an award granted under the Plan shall not be
counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and
delivered to a Participant. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by
any award granted under the Plan, any Common Shares that were
covered by that award will be available for issue or transfer
hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein: (A) Common Shares tendered in payment of the Option
Price of an Option Right shall not be added to the aggregate
Plan limit described above; (B) Common Shares withheld by
the Company to satisfy the tax withholding obligation shall not
be added to the aggregate Plan limit described above;
(C) Common Shares that are repurchased by the Company with
Option Right proceeds shall not be added to the aggregate Plan
limit described above; and (D) all Common Shares covered by
an Appreciation Right, to the extent that it is exercised and
settled in Common Shares, and whether or not Common Shares are
actually issued to the Participant upon exercise of the right,
shall be considered issued or transferred pursuant to the Plan.
Such Common Shares may be shares of original issuance or
treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing. |
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b. If, under this Plan, a Participant has elected to give
up the right to receive compensation in exchange for Common
Shares based on fair market value, such Common Shares will not
count against the number of shares available in
Section 3(a) above. |
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c. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or
elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary and subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 12 of this Plan,
(i) the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued
or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Incentive
Stock Options shall not exceed 10,000,000 Common Shares;
(ii) no Participant shall be granted Option Rights and
Appreciation Rights, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000
Common Shares during any calendar year; and (iii) the
number of shares issued as Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Shares and Restricted Stock Units (after taking forfeitures into
account) shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 8,500,000 Common
Shares. |
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d. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the
contrary, in no event shall any Participant in any calendar year
receive an award of (i) Performance Shares or Restricted
Shares that specify |
G-4
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Management Objectives, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000
Common Shares or (ii) Performance Units having an aggregate
maximum value as of their respective Dates of Grant in excess of
$12,000,000. |
4. Option Rights. The Board may, from time to time
and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine,
authorize the granting to Participants of Option Rights. Each
such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and
shall be subject to all of the limitations, contained in the
following provisions:
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a. Each grant shall specify the number of Common Shares to
which it pertains. |
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b. Each grant shall specify an Option Price per share,
which may not be less than the Market Value per Share on the
Date of Grant. |
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c. Each grant shall specify whether the Option Price shall
be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the
Company, (ii) by the actual or constructive transfer to the
Company of nonforfeitable, unrestricted Common Shares owned by
the Optionee having a value at the time of exercise equal to the
total Option Price, on such basis as the Board may determine,
(iii) in any other legal consideration that the Board may
deem appropriate, on such basis as the Board may determine, or
(iv) by a combination of such methods of payment. |
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d. To the extent permitted by law, any grant may
provide for (i) deferred payment of the Option Price from
the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker on a date
satisfactory to the Company of some or all of the shares to
which such exercise relates; (ii) payment of the Option
Price, at the election of the Optionee, in installments, with or
without interest, upon terms determined by the Board; or
(iii) any combination of such methods. |
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e. Successive grants may be made to the same Participant
whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such
Participant remain unexercised. |
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f. Each grant shall specify the period or periods of
continuous service by the Optionee with the Company or any
Subsidiary that is necessary before the Option Rights or
installments thereof will become exercisable and may provide for
the earlier exercise of such Option Rights in the event of a
Change in Control, retirement, death or disability of the
Optionee or other similar transaction or event as approved by
the Board. |
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g. Any grant of Option Rights may specify Management
Objectives that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise
of such rights. |
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h. Option Rights granted under this Plan may be
(i) options, including, without limitation, Incentive Stock
Options, that are intended to qualify under particular
provisions of the Code, (ii) nonqualified stock
options that are not intended so to qualify, or
(iii) combinations of the foregoing. Incentive Stock
Options may only be granted to Participants who meet the
definition of employees under Section 3401(c)
of the Code on the Date of Grant. |
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i. The exercise of an Option Right shall result in the
cancellation on a share-for-share basis of any Tandem
Appreciation Right authorized under Section 5 of this Plan. |
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j. No Option Right shall be exercisable more than
10 years from the Date of Grant. |
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k. Each grant of Option Rights shall be evidenced by an
Evidence of Award which shall contain such terms and provisions,
consistent with this Plan and applicable sections of the Code,
as the Board may approve. |
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l. The Board may, at the Date of Grant of any Option Rights
(other than Incentive Stock Options), provide for the payment of
dividend equivalents to the Optionee on either a current or
deferred or contingent basis or may provide that such
equivalents shall be credited against the Option Price. |
5. Appreciation Rights.
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a. The Board may authorize the granting (i) to any
Optionee, of Tandem Appreciation Rights in respect of Option
Rights granted hereunder, and (ii) to any Participant, of
Free-Standing Appreciation |
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Rights. A Tandem Appreciation Right shall be a right of the
Optionee, exercisable by surrender of the related Option Right,
to receive from the Company an amount determined by the Board,
which shall be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not
exceeding 100 percent) at the time of exercise. Tandem
Appreciation Rights may be granted at any time prior to the
exercise or termination of the related Option Rights; provided,
however, that a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded in relation to
an Incentive Stock Option must be granted concurrently with such
Incentive Stock Option. A Free-Standing Appreciation Right shall
be a right of the Participant to receive from the Company an
amount determined by the Board, which shall be expressed as a
percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100 percent) at the
time of exercise. |
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b. Each grant of Appreciation Rights may utilize any or all
of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the
requirements, contained in the following provisions: |
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(i) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may be paid by the Company in
cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may
either grant to the Participant or retain in the Board the right
to elect among those alternatives. |
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(ii) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed a maximum
specified by the Board at the Date of Grant. |
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(iii) Each grant shall specify the period or periods of
continuous service by the Participant with the Company or any
Subsidiary that is necessary before the Appreciation Right or
installments thereof will become exercisable and may provide for
the earlier exercise of such Appreciation Rights in the event of
a Change in Control, retirement, death or disability of the
Participant or other similar transaction or event as approved by
the Board. |
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(iv) Each grant of an Appreciation Right shall be evidenced
by an Evidence of Award, which shall describe such Appreciation
Right, identify any related Option Right, state that such
Appreciation Right is subject to all the terms and conditions of
this Plan, and contain such other terms and provisions,
consistent with this Plan and applicable sections of the Code,
as the Board may approve. |
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(v) Any grant may provide for the payment to the
Participant of dividend equivalents thereon in cash or Common
Shares on a current, deferred or contingent basis. |
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c. Any grant of Tandem Appreciation Rights shall provide
that such Rights may be exercised only at a time when the
related Option Right is also exercisable and at a time when the
Spread is positive, and by surrender of the related Option Right
for cancellation. |
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d. Regarding Free-Standing Appreciation Rights only: |
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(i) Each grant shall specify in respect of each
Free-Standing Appreciation Right a Base Price, which shall not
be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant; |
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(ii) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant
regardless of whether any Free-Standing Appreciation Rights
previously granted to the Participant remain
unexercised; and |
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(iii) No Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under
this Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the Date
of Grant. |
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e. Any grant of Appreciation Rights may specify Management
Objectives that must be achieved as a condition to exercise such
rights. |
6. Performance Units and Performance Shares. The
Board may also authorize the granting to Participants of
Performance Units and Performance Shares that will become
payable (or payable early) to a Participant upon achievement of
specified Management Objectives. Each such grant may utilize any
or all of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the
limitations, contained in the following provisions:
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a. Each grant shall specify the number of Performance Units
or Performance Shares to which it pertains, which number may be
subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or
other factors; provided, however, that no such adjustment shall
be made in the case of a Covered Employee where such |
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action would result in the loss of the otherwise available
exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. |
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b. The Performance Period with respect to each Performance
Unit or Performance Share shall be such period of time
commencing with the Date of Grant as shall be determined by the
Board at the time of grant. Each grant may provide for the
earlier lapse or other modification of such Performance Period
in the event of a Change in Control, retirement, or death or
disability of the Participant or other similar transaction or
event as approved by the Board. |
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c. Any grant of Performance Units or Performance Shares
shall specify Management Objectives which, if achieved, will
result in payment or early payment of the award, and each grant
may specify in respect of such specified Management Objectives a
minimum acceptable level of achievement and shall set forth a
formula for determining the number of Performance Units or
Performance Shares that will be earned if performance is at or
above the minimum level, but falls short of full achievement of
the specified Management Objectives. The grant of Performance
Units or Performance Shares shall specify that, before the
Performance Shares or Performance Units shall be earned and
paid, the Board must determine that the Management Objectives
have been satisfied. |
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d. Each grant shall specify the time and manner of payment
of Performance Units or Performance Shares that have been
earned. Any grant may specify that the amount payable with
respect thereto may be paid by the Company to the Participant in
cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof, and may
either grant to the Participant or retain in the Board the right
to elect among those alternatives. |
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e. Any grant of Performance Units may specify that the
amount payable or the number of Common Shares issued with
respect thereto may not exceed maximums specified by the Board
at the Date of Grant. Any grant of Performance Shares may
specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may not
exceed a maximum specified by the Board at the Date of Grant. |
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f. Each grant of Performance Units or Performance Shares
shall be evidenced by an Evidence of Award, which shall contain
such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan and
applicable sections of the Code, as the Board may approve. |
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g. The Board may, at the Date of Grant of Performance
Shares, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the
holder thereof on either a current or deferred or contingent
basis, either in cash or in additional Common Shares. |
7. Restricted Shares. The Board may also authorize
the grant or sale of Restricted Shares to Participants. Each
such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations,
and shall be subject to all of the limitations, contained in the
following provisions:
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a. Each such grant or sale shall constitute an immediate
transfer of the ownership of Common Shares to the Participant in
consideration of the performance of services, entitling such
Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights
(unless otherwise determined by the Board), but subject to the
substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer
hereinafter referred to. |
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b. Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such
Participant that is less than Market Value per Share at the Date
of Grant. |
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c. Each such grant or sale shall provide that the
Restricted Shares covered by such grant or sale shall be subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the
meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period to be
determined by the Board at the Date of Grant and may provide for
the earlier lapse of such substantial risk of forfeiture in the
event of a Change in Control, retirement, or death or disability
of the Participant or other similar transaction or event as
approved by the Board. |
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d. Each such grant or sale shall provide that during the
period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to
continue, the transferability of the Restricted Shares shall be
prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent
prescribed by the Board at the Date of Grant (which restrictions
may include, |
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without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the
Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a
continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any
transferee). |
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e. Any grant of Restricted Shares may specify Management
Objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or
early termination of the restrictions applicable to such shares.
Each grant may specify in respect of such Management Objectives
a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a
formula for determining the number of Restricted Shares on which
restrictions will terminate if performance is at or above the
minimum level, but falls short of full achievement of the
specified Management Objectives. |
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f. Any such grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require
that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon
during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred
and reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, which may be
subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award. |
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g. Each grant or sale of Restricted Shares shall be
evidenced by an Evidence of Award, which shall contain such
terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan and applicable
sections of the Code, as the Board may approve. Unless otherwise
directed by the Board, all certificates representing Restricted
Shares shall be held in custody by the Company until all
restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, together with a stock
power or powers executed by the Participant in whose name such
certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such
Shares. |
8. Restricted Stock Units. The Board may also
authorize the grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units to
Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of
the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the
requirements contained in the following provisions:
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a. Each such grant or sale shall constitute the agreement
by the Company to deliver Common Shares to the Participant in
the future in consideration of the performance of services, but
subject to the fulfillment of such conditions during the
Restriction Period as the Board may specify. |
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b. Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such
Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the
Date of Grant. |
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c. Each such grant or sale shall be subject to a
Restriction Period as determined by the Board at the Date of
Grant, and may provide for the earlier lapse or other
modification of such Restriction Period in the event of a Change
in Control, retirement, or death or disability of the
Participant or other similar transaction or event as approved by
the Board. |
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d. During the Restriction Period, the Participant shall
have no right to transfer any rights under his or her award and
shall have no rights of ownership in the Restricted Stock Units
and shall have no right to vote them, but the Board may, at the
Date of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on
such Restricted Stock Units on either a current or deferred or
contingent basis, either in cash or in additional Common Shares. |
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e. Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units shall be
evidenced by an Evidence of Award, which shall contain such
terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan and applicable
sections of the Code, as the Board may approve. |
9. Awards to Non-Employee Directors. The Board may,
from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may
determine, authorize the granting to Non-Employee Directors of
Option Rights under Section 4 of this Plan or Appreciation
Rights under Section 5 of this Plan, and may also authorize
the grant or sale of Restricted Shares under Section 7 of
this Plan, Restricted Stock Units under Section 8 of this
Plan or other awards under Section 10 of this Plan, or any
combination of the foregoing.
10. Other Awards.
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a. The Board is authorized, subject to limitations under
applicable law, to grant to any Participant such other awards
that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in
part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to,
Common Shares or factors that may influence the value of Common
Shares, including, without limitation, convertible or
exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible |
G-8
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or exchangeable into Common Shares, purchase rights for Common
Shares, awards with value and payment contingent upon
performance of the Company or business units thereof or any
other factors designated by the Board, and awards valued by
reference to the book value of Common Shares or the value of
securities of, or the performance of specified Subsidiaries or
affiliates or other business units of, the Company. The Board
shall determine the terms and conditions of such awards. Common
Shares delivered pursuant to an award in the nature of a
purchase right granted under this Section 10 shall be
purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by
such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation,
cash, Common Shares, other awards, notes or other property, as
the Board shall determine. |
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b. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other
award granted under this Plan, may also be granted pursuant to
this Section 10 of this Plan. |
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c. The Board is authorized to grant Common Shares as a
bonus, or to grant Common Shares or other awards in lieu of
obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary to pay cash or
deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or
compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be
determined by the Board. |
11. Transferability.
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a. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, no Option
Right, Appreciation Right or other derivative security granted
under the Plan shall be transferable by a Participant other than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as
otherwise determined by the Board, Option Rights and
Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable during the
Optionees lifetime only by him or her or by his or her
guardian or legal representative. |
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b. The Board may specify at the Date of Grant that part or
all of the Common Shares that are (i) to be issued or
transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Option Rights or
Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the Restriction
Period applicable to Restricted Stock Units or upon payment
under any grant of Performance Units or Performance Shares or
(ii) no longer subject to the substantial risk of
forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in
Section 7 of this Plan, shall be subject to further
restrictions on transfer. |
12. Adjustments. The Board may make or provide for
such adjustments in the numbers of Common Shares covered by
outstanding Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Performance
Shares, Restricted Stock Units and share-based awards described
in Section 10 of this Plan granted hereunder, in the Option
Price and Base Price provided in outstanding Option Rights and
Appreciation Rights, and in the kind of shares covered thereby,
as the Board, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith,
may determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the rights of Participants or Optionees that
otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change
in the capital structure of the Company, or (b) any merger,
consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up,
reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other
distribution of assets (including, without limitation, a special
or large non-recurring dividend), issuance of rights or warrants
to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate
transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the
foregoing. Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or
event, the Board, in its discretion, may provide in substitution
for any or all outstanding awards under this Plan such
alternative consideration (including cash) as it, in good faith,
may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may
require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so
replaced. The Board may also make or provide for such
adjustments in the numbers of shares specified in Section 3
of this Plan as the Board in its sole discretion, exercised in
good faith, may determine is appropriate to reflect any
transaction or event described in this Section 12;
provided, however, that any such adjustment to the number
specified in Section 3(c)(i) shall be made only if and to
the extent that such adjustment would not cause any Option
intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to fail so to
qualify.
13. Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be
required to issue any fractional Common Shares pursuant to this
Plan. The Board may provide for the elimination of fractions or
for the settlement of fractions in cash.
G-9
14. Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the
right to deduct from any payment or benefit realized under this
Plan an amount equal to the federal, state, local, foreign and
other taxes which in the opinion of the Company are required to
be withheld by it with respect to such payment or benefit. To
the extent that the amounts available to the Company for such
withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the
receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that
the Participant or other recipient make arrangements
satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such
taxes required to be withheld. At the discretion of the Board,
such arrangements may include relinquishment of a portion of
such benefit pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board from
time to time. The Company and a Participant or such other
recipient may also make similar arrangements with respect to the
payment of any taxes with respect to which withholding is not
required.
15. Foreign Employees. In order to facilitate the
making of any grant or combination of grants under this Plan,
the Board may provide for such special terms for awards to
Participants who are foreign nationals or who are employed by
the Company or any Subsidiary outside of the United States of
America as the Board may consider necessary or appropriate to
accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom.
Moreover, the Board may approve such supplements to or
amendments, restatements or alternative versions of this Plan as
it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes,
without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect
for any other purpose, and the Corporate Secretary or other
appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document
as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this
Plan. No such special terms, supplements, amendments or
restatements, however, shall include any provisions that are
inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect
unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such
inconsistency without further approval by the stockholders of
the Company.
16. Administration of the Plan.
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a. This Plan shall be administered by the Board, which may
from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority
under this Plan to the Compensation Committee (or a subcommittee
thereof), or such other committee as designated by the Board
performing similar functions as required by the listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange, as constituted from
time to time. To the extent of any such delegation, references
in this Plan to the Board shall be deemed to be references to
any such committee or subcommittee. A majority of the committee
(or subcommittee) shall constitute a quorum, and the action of
the members of the committee (or subcommittee) present at any
meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously
approved in writing, shall be the acts of the committee (or
subcommittee). |
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b. The interpretation and construction by the Board of any
provision of this Plan or of any Evidence of Award and any
determination by the Board pursuant to any provision of this
Plan or of any such Evidence of Award shall be final and
conclusive. No member of the Board shall be liable for any such
action or determination made in good faith. |
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c. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board or,
to the extent of any delegation as provided in
Section 16(a), the committee, may delegate to one or more
of its members or to one or more officers of the Company, or to
one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or
powers as it may deem advisable, and the Board, the committee,
or any person to whom duties or powers have been delegated as
aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice with
respect to any responsibility the Board, the committee or such
person may have under the Plan. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Board or the committee may, by resolution,
authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both
of the following on the same basis as the Board or the
committee: (i) designate employees to be recipients of
awards under this Plan; (ii) determine the size of any such
awards; provided, however, that (A) the Board or the
committee shall not delegate such responsibilities to any such
officer for awards granted to an employee who is an officer,
Director, or more than 10% beneficial owner of any class of the
Companys equity securities that is registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board
in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act;
(B) the resolution providing for such authorization sets
forth the total number of Common Shares such officer(s) may
grant; and (iii) the officer(s) shall report periodically
to the Board or the committee, as |
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the case may be, regarding the nature and scope of the awards
granted pursuant to the authority delegated. |
17. Amendments and Other Matters.
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a. The Board may at any time and from time to time amend
the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that any
amendment which must be approved by the stockholders of the
Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Shares are not
traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the principal national
securities exchange upon which the Common Shares are traded or
quoted, shall not be effective unless and until such approval
has been obtained. Presentation of this Plan or any amendment
thereof for stockholder approval shall not be construed to limit
the Companys authority to offer similar or dissimilar
benefits under other plans or otherwise with or without
stockholder approval. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Board may amend this Plan to eliminate provisions
which are no longer necessary as a result in changes in tax or
securities laws or regulations, or in the interpretation thereof. |
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b. The Board shall not, without the further approval of the
stockholders of the Company, authorize the amendment of any
outstanding Option Right or Appreciation Right to reduce the
Option Price or Base Price. Furthermore, no Option Right or
Appreciation Right shall be cancelled and replaced with awards
having a lower Option Price or Base Price, respectively, without
further approval of the stockholders of the Company. This
Section 17(b) is intended to prohibit the repricing of
underwater Option Rights and Appreciation Rights and
shall not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for
in Section 12 of this Plan. |
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c. The Board also may permit Participants to elect to defer
the issuance of Common Shares or the settlement of awards in
cash under the Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or
programs as it may establish for purposes of this Plan. The
Board also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements
include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or
interest on the deferral amounts. |
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d. The Board may condition the grant of any award or
combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the deferral
by the Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus
or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company or a
Subsidiary to the Participant. |
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e. If permitted by Section 409A of the Code, in case
of termination of employment by reason of death, disability or
normal or early retirement, or in the case of hardship or other
special circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option
Right or Appreciation Right not immediately exercisable in full,
or any Restricted Shares as to which the substantial risk of
forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not
lapsed, or any Restricted Stock Units as to which the
Restriction Period has not been completed, or any Performance
Shares or Performance Units which have not been fully earned, or
any other awards made pursuant to Section 10 subject to any
vesting schedule or transfer restriction, or who holds Common
Shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed pursuant to
Section 11(b) of this Plan, the Board may, in its sole
discretion, accelerate the time at which such Option Right,
Appreciation Right or other award may be exercised or the time
at which such substantial risk of forfeiture or prohibition or
restriction on transfer will lapse or the time when such
Restriction Period will end or the time at which such
Performance Shares or Performance Units will be deemed to have
been fully earned or the time when such transfer restriction
will terminate or may waive any other limitation or requirement
under any such award. |
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f. This Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any
right with respect to continuance of employment or other service
with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall it interfere in
any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would
otherwise have to terminate such Participants employment
or other service at any time. |
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g. To the extent that any provision of this Plan would
prevent any Option Right that was intended to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option from qualifying as such, that provision
shall be null and void with respect to such Option Right. Such
provision, however, shall remain in effect for other Option
Rights and there shall be no further effect on any provision of
this Plan. |
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h. Subject to Section 20, this Plan shall continue in
effect until the date on which all Common Shares available for
issuance or transfer under this Plan have been issued or
transferred and the Company has no further obligation hereunder. |
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i. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by
reason of participation in the Plan, acquire any right or title
to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary, including without limitation, any specific funds,
assets or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary may
set aside in anticipation of any liability under the Plan. A
Participant shall have only a contractual right to an award or
the amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any
assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained
in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any
benefits to any person. |
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j. This Plan and each Evidence of Award shall be governed
by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts or
choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer
construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive
law of another jurisdiction. |
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k. If any provision of the Plan is or becomes invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would
disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable
by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed
amended or limited in scope to conform to applicable laws or, in
the discretion of the Board, it shall be stricken and the
remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect. |
18. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan and any
grants made hereunder comply with the provisions of
Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and any grants made
hereunder shall be administrated in a manner consistent with
this intent, and any provision that would cause the Plan or any
grant made hereunder to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the
Code shall have no force and effect until amended to comply with
Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be
retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the
Code and may be made by the Company without the consent of
Participants). Any reference in this Plan to Section 409A
of the Code will also include any proposed, temporary or final
regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to
such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the
Internal Revenue Service.
19. Applicable Laws. The obligations of the Company
with respect to awards under the Plan shall be subject to all
Applicable Laws and such approvals by any governmental agencies
as the Board determines may be required.
20. Termination. No grant shall be made under this
Plan more than 10 years after the date on which this Plan
is first approved by the Board, but all grants effective on or
prior to such date shall continue in effect thereafter subject
to the terms thereof and of this Plan.
END OF DOCUMENT
G-12
Annex H
VALOR AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Valor Communications Group, Inc.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
This Audit Committee Charter was adopted by the Board of
Directors (the Board) of Valor Communications Group,
Inc. (the Company) on February 8, 2005 and
replaces any charter previously used by the committee.
Mandate
The Audit Committee (the Committee) assists the
Board in its oversight responsibilities relating to financial
matters including:
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(i) |
the integrity of the Companys financial statements; |
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(ii) |
the independent auditors qualifications and independence; |
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(iii) |
the performance of the Companys internal audit function
and independent auditors; |
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(iv) |
the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; and |
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(v) |
the preparation of an audit committee report as required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to be
included in the Companys annual proxy statement. |
In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee is not itself
responsible for the planning or conduct of audits, or for any
determination that the Companys financial statements and
disclosures are complete and accurate or are in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and
applicable rules and regulations. This is the responsibility of
the Companys management, internal auditor (or others
responsible for the internal audit function, including
contracted non-employee or audit or accounting firms engaged to
provide internal audit services) (the internal
auditor) and the Companys independent auditor.
Notwithstanding any thing to the contrary contained in this
charter, the Companys independent auditor is ultimately
accountable to the Committee and the Board. The Committee and
the Board have the ultimate authority and responsibility to
select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the
Companys independent auditor (or, as and when applicable,
to nominate the independent auditor to be proposed for approval
in any proxy statement of the Company).
Organization
The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three, but no
more than five, directors. The members and the Chair of the
Committee shall be appointed by the full Board on an annual
basis and may be re-appointed or replaced at the Boards
discretion at any time.
Each Committee member shall be financially literate, as
determined by the Board in its business judgment, or must become
financially literate within a reasonable period of time after
his or her appointment to the Committee. At least one member of
the Committee shall have accounting or related financial
management expertise, as the Board interprets such qualification
in its business judgment. In addition, at least one member of
the Committee shall be an audit committee financial
expert as defined in Item 401(h) of
H-1
Regulation S-K;
provided that if no member of the Committee is an audit
committee financial expert, then the Company shall
disclose in its periodic reports filed with the SEC pursuant to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange
Act) the reasons why at least one member of the Committee
is not an audit committee financial expert. A
determination by the Board that a member of the Committee is an
audit committee financial expert shall constitute a
determination by the Board that such member has accounting or
related financial management expertise.
Each Committee member shall satisfy the independence
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company
Manual Sections 303 and 303A and Exchange Act
Rule 10A-3, unless the Company avails itself of any
applicable exemption allowed under such rules and regulations.
The Company shall make any required disclosures relating to the
use of any such exemptions.
No Committee member may serve on the audit committee of more
than three public companies unless the Board has determined that
such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such
member to serve effectively on the Committee. Any such
determination shall be disclosed in the Companys annual
proxy statement or annual report.
The Chair of the Committee shall be responsible for calling
meetings of the Committee, developing the meeting agenda,
providing reading materials to Committee members relative to
agenda items and chairing the meetings.
The Committee shall meet at least four times a year. Meetings
may be in person or by conference call. A majority of the
Committee members must be in attendance for a quorum. The
Committee may also act by unanimous written consent. The
Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and report
regularly to the full Board on the Committees activities.
Such reports shall include, without limitation, the minutes as
required hereunder and a review of any issues that arise with
respect to the quality or integrity of the Companys
financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal
or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of
the Companys independent auditors, or the performance of
the internal audit function.
The Committee shall meet separately, periodically, with
management, with internal auditor (or other personnel
responsible for the internal audit function) and independent
auditor.
The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain any
independent counsel, experts or other advisors (accounting,
financial or otherwise) that the Committee believes to be
necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties. The Committee
may also use the services of the Companys legal counsel or
other advisors to the Company. The Company shall provide for
appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment
of (i) compensation to any registered public accounting
firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit
report or performing other audit, review or attestation services
for the Company, (ii) compensation to any advisors employed
by the Committee and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses
of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying
out its duties.
The Committee is empowered to conduct its own investigations
into issues related to its responsibilities.
H-2
Responsibilities
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Appointment and Oversight of Independent Auditor |
The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any
registered public accounting firm engaged (including resolution
of disagreements between Company management and the auditor
regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or
issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or
attestation services for the Company, and each such registered
public accounting firm shall report directly to the Committee.
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Appointment and Oversight of Additional Audit Firm |
The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight work of any other
registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of
preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or
performing other audit, review or attestation services for the
Company and such firm shall also report directly to the
Committee.
Before the Companys independent auditing firm is engaged
by the Company or its subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit
services, the Committee shall pre-approve the engagement. The
Committee may delegate to one or more members of the Committee
the authority to grant preapprovals, provided such approvals are
presented to the Committee at the next scheduled Committee
meeting.
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(i) |
Committee preapproval of audit and non-audit services will not
be required if the engagement for the services is entered into
pursuant to preapproval policies and procedures established by
the Committee regarding the Companys engagement of the
independent auditing firm; provided the policies and procedures
are detailed as to the particular service, the Committee is
informed of each service provided and such policies and
procedures do not include delegation of the Committees
responsibilities under the Exchange Act to the Companys
management. |
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(ii) |
Committee preapproval of non-audit services (other than review
and attestation services) also will not be required if such
services fall within an available exception established by the
SEC. |
The Committee shall, at least annually, evaluate the independent
auditors qualifications, performance and independence. In
making its evaluation, the Committee should take into account
the opinions of management and the Companys internal
auditors (or other personnel responsible for the audit function.
The Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the
independent auditor to the full Board. In conducting its
evaluation the Committee shall take the following steps:
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(i) |
the Committee shall obtain and review a report prepared by the
independent auditor describing (a) the independent auditing
firms internal quality-control procedures, (b) any
material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review, or peer review, of the independent
auditing firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by
governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding
five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by the independent auditing firm, and any steps taken to
deal with any such issues and (c) to assess the independent
auditing firms independence, all relationships between the
independent auditor and the Company; |
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(ii) |
the Committee shall obtain and review a formal written statement
prepared by the independent auditor describing the fees billed
in each of the last two fiscal years in each of the categories
required to be disclosed in the Companys annual proxy
statement; |
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(iii) |
the Committee shall (a) actively engage in dialogue with
the independent auditor with respect to any disclosed
relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and
independence of the independent auditor from the Company, and
obtain, (b) review on a periodic basis a formal written
statement prepared by the independent auditor delineating all
relationships between the indepen- |
H-3
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dent auditor and the Company, consistent with Independence
Standards Board Standard 1, and (c) recommend that the
Board take appropriate action in response to the independent
auditors report as may be necessary or advisable to comply
with applicable rules and regulations; |
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(iv) |
the Committee shall review and evaluate the qualifications,
performance and independence of the independent auditing firm,
including without limitation a review and evaluation of the lead
partner of the independent auditor; |
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(v) |
the Committee, in addition to assuring the regular rotation of
the lead audit partner as required by law, shall consider
whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, the
Company should adopt a regular rotation of the independent audit
firm; and |
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(vi) |
the Committee shall, if applicable, consider whether the
independent auditors provision of any permitted non-audit
services to the Company is compatible with maintaining the
independence of the independent auditor. |
Financial Statements and Disclosures
In connection with each annual audit, the Committee shall
discuss with management, the independent auditor and the
internal auditor the overall scope and plans for such audits,
including the adequacy of staffing and other factors that may
affect the effectiveness and timeliness of such audits.
The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the
independent auditor: (i) major issues regarding accounting
principles and financial statement presentations, including any
significant changes in the Companys selection or
application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the
adequacy of the Companys internal controls and any special
audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;
(ii) analyses prepared by management and/or the independent
auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and
judgments made in connection with the preparation of the
Companys financial statements, including analyses of the
effects of alternative GAAP methods on the Companys
financial statements; (iii) the effect of regulatory and
accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures,
on the Companys financial statements and
(iv) managements and/or the independent
auditors judgment about the quality, not just
acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of
significant judgments, the clarity of the disclosures in the
financial statements and the adequacy of internal controls.
The Committee shall review and discuss the Companys annual
audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements
with management and the independent auditor, including the
Companys disclosures under Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
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Communication with Independent Auditors |
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(i) |
The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit
Committees, as then in effect. |
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(ii) |
The Committee shall regularly review with the independent
auditor any problems or difficulties the independent auditor may
have encountered during the course of audit work, including any
restrictions imposed on the scope of activities or access to
requested information, any significant disagreements with
management, and managements responses to such matters.
Among the items that the Committee should consider reviewing
with the independent auditor are: (a) any accounting
adjustments that were noted or proposed by the auditor but were
passed (as immaterial or otherwise); (b) any
communications between the independent audit team and the
independent auditing firms national office respecting
auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement; and
(c) any management or internal
control letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the |
H-4
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independent auditing firm to the Company. The review should also
include discussion of the responsibilities, budget and staffing
of the Companys internal audit function. |
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Review of Independent Auditor Report to Audit
Committee |
The Committee shall review the report that any registered public
accounting firm is required to make to the Committee regarding:
(i) all critical accounting policies and practices to be
used; (ii) all alternative treatments within GAAP that have
been discussed among Company management and the registered
public accounting firm, ramifications of the use of such
alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment
preferred by the registered public accounting firm; and
(iii) all other material written communications between the
registered public accounting firm and Company management, such
as any management letter, management representation letter,
reports on observations and recommendations on internal
controls, independent auditors engagement letter,
independent auditors independence letter, schedule of
unadjusted differences or a listing of adjustments and
reclassifications not recorded.
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Recommendation to Include Financial Statements in Annual
Report |
The Committee shall, based on its review and discussions
outlined in paragraphs above, determine whether to recommend to
the Board that the audited financial statements be included in
the Companys annual report.
Internal Audit Function
The Company shall maintain an internal audit function to provide
management and the Committee with ongoing assessments of the
Companys risk management and system of internal control.
The Committee shall meet periodically with the Companys
internal auditor (or others responsible for the internal audit
function, including contracted non-employee or audit or
accounting firms engaged to provide internal audit services) to
discuss the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the
Companys internal audit function and any issues that the
internal auditor believes warrant attention of the Committee or
the Board of Directors.
Compliance Oversight
The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent
auditor the Companys policies with respect to risk
assessment and risk management, the Companys major
financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to
limit, monitor and control such exposures. While the Committee
is not required to be the sole body responsible for risk
assessment and management, the Committee must discuss guidelines
and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and
management is undertaken.
The Committee shall report regularly to, and review with, the
Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or
integrity of the Companys financial statements, the
Companys compliance with legal or regulatory requirements,
the performance and independence of the Companys
independent auditor, the performance of the Companys
internal audit function or any other matter the Committee
determines is necessary or advisable to report to the Board.
The Committee shall approve guidelines for the Companys
hiring of employees or former employees of the independent
auditing firm.
The Committee shall obtain from the independent auditor
assurances that the independent auditor is not aware of any
matters required to be reported under Section 10A(b) of the
Exchange Act.
H-5
The Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the
receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the
Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters.
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Press Releases and Analyst Communications |
The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent
auditor the Companys earnings press releases, as well as
financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts
and rating agencies. The Committee shall also review the type
and presentation of information to be included in earnings press
releases (paying particular attention to any use of pro
forma, or adjusted non-GAAP, information. The
Committees discussion in this regard may be general in
nature (i.e., discussion of the types of information to be
disclosed and the type of presentation to be made) and need not
take place in advance of each earnings release or each instance
in which the Company may provide earnings guidance.
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Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
The Committee shall review with the Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Legal Officer and the Chief Financial Officer the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures and review
periodically managements conclusions about the efficacy of
such disclosure controls and procedures.
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Preparation of Audit Committee Report |
The Committee shall provide the full Board with the report of
the Committee with respect to the audited financial statements
for inclusion in each of the Companys annual proxy
statements.
The Committee shall review and discuss any reports concerning
material violations submitted to the Committee by the
Companys attorneys pursuant to SEC attorney professional
responsibility rules or otherwise.
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Committee Self-Assessment |
The Committee is responsible for developing and conducting an
annual self-assessment of its performance. The Committee will
work with the Nomination and Governance Committee to design and
coordinate the annual self-assessment in conjunction with the
overall Board assessment process. The Committee shall report to
the full Board on the results of its assessment each year and
shall make any appropriate recommendations to further enhance
the Committees performance.
The Committee shall also fulfill any other responsibilities that
may be assigned to the Committee by the Board from time to time.
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Charter Modifications/ Updating |
The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this
charter on an annual basis, and may recommend to the Board from
time to time any proposed changes to the charter and to any
other documents related to the responsibilities of the Committee.
H-6
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 13. |
Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other
than the underwriting discounts, payable by the registrant in
connection with the registration of its common stock. All
amounts are estimates except the Securities and Exchange
Commission registration fee.
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Amount to | |
Item |
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Be Paid* | |
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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
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$ |
0 |
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Blue Sky fees and expenses
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0 |
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Legal fees and expenses
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20,000 |
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Accounting fees and expenses
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0 |
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Printing expenses
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0 |
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Miscellaneous
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0 |
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Total
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$ |
20,000 |
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* |
This Registration Statement is filed contemporaneously with the
filing by Valor Communications Group, Inc. (Valor)
of a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 regarding
the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger between Valor, Alltel Corporation (Alltel)
and Alltel Holding Corp. (Spinco) and the
Distribution Agreement between Alltel and Spinco, each dated as
of December 8, 2005. There have been no incremental
expenses or fees incurred by Spinco relating solely to this
Registration Statement other than the legal fees listed herein. |
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Item 14. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
The DGCL permits a Delaware corporation to indemnify directors,
officers, employees, and agents under some circumstances, and
mandates indemnification under certain limited circumstances.
The DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify a director, officer,
employee, or agent for expenses actually and reasonably
incurred, as well as fines, judgments and amounts paid in
settlement in the context of actions other than derivative
actions, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the persons
conduct was unlawful. Indemnification against expenses incurred
by a present or former director or officer in connection with
his defense of a proceeding against such person for actions in
such capacity is mandatory to the extent that such person has
been successful on the merits. The DGCL grants express power to
a Delaware corporation to purchase liability insurance for its
directors, officers, employees, and agents, regardless of
whether any such person is otherwise eligible for
indemnification by the corporation. Advancement of expenses to
directors and officers is permitted, but a person receiving such
advances must provide an undertaking to repay those expenses if
it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to
indemnification.
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
Certificate) of Spinco provides for indemnification
of directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or
permitted by the DGCL, as amended from time to time. The right
to indemnification conferred by Article SEVENTH of the
Certificate includes the right to be paid by Spinco the expenses
incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition.
In addition, the directors and officers of Spinco may also be
indemnified by Alltel Corporation (Alltel), as a
subsidiary of Alltel to the same extent as a director of officer
of Alltel. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Alltel (the Alltel Certificate) provides for
indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as
amended from time to time. Under the Alltel Certificate, any
expansion of the protection afforded directors, officers,
employees, or agents by the DGCL will automatically extend to
Alltels directors, officers, employees, or agents, as the
case may be. Article VII of the Alltel Certificate provides
for the indemnification of
II-1
directors, officers, agents, and employees for expenses incurred
by them and judgments rendered against them in actions, suits or
proceedings in relation to certain matters brought against them
as such directors, officers, agents, and employees,
respectively. Article VII of the Alltel Certificate also
requires Alltel, to the fullest extent expressly authorized by
Section 145 of the DGCL, to advance expenses incurred by a
director or officer in a legal proceeding prior to final
disposition of the proceeding.
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Item 15. |
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities |
In connection with the registrants incorporation, on
November 2, 2005, the registrant issued 1,000 shares
of its common stock, par value $.01 per share, to Alltel
Corporation in consideration of an aggregate capital
contribution of $10.00 by Alltel Corporation. This issuance was
exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933
pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof because the issuance did
not involve any public offering of securities.
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Item 16. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
(a) Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or
the information is included in the financial statements or notes
thereto.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of
Registration Fee table in the effective registration
statement; and (iii) To include any material information
with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change
to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the
registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in
the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities
of such undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell
the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered
or sold to
II-2
such purchaser by means of any of the following communications,
the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and
will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such
purchaser:
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(i) |
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned
registrant relating to the offering required to be filed
pursuant to Rule 424; |
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(ii) |
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by
or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred
to by the undersigned registrant; |
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(iii) |
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating
to the offering containing material information about the
undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on
behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
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(iv) |
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by
the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on
Form S-1 to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on
May 2, 2006.
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By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Francis X. Frantz
Francis X. Frantz |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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May 2, 2006 |
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/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner
Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Director and President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
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May 2, 2006 |
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/s/ Brent K.
Whittington
Brent K. Whittington |
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Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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May 2, 2006 |
II-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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2 |
.1 |
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 8, 2005,
by and among Alltel Corporation, Alltel Holding Corp. and Valor
Communications Group, Inc. (included as Annex A to the
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus-Information Statement forming a part
of this registration statement). Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2)
of Regulation S-K, certain schedules, exhibits and similar
attachments to this Agreement have not been filed with this
exhibit. The schedules contain various items relating to the
assets of the business being acquired and the representations
and warranties made by the parties to the Agreement. The
Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally any omitted
schedule, exhibit or similar attachment to the SEC upon request. |
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2 |
.2 |
|
List of exhibits and schedules to Agreement and Plan of Merger. |
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3 |
.1 |
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Alltel
Holding Corp. |
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3 |
.2 |
|
Bylaws of Alltel Holding Corp. |
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4 |
.1 |
|
Form of Amended Securityholders Agreement by and among
Valor Communications Group, Inc., Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe and certain individuals affiliated
therewith, Vestar Capital Partners and individuals affiliated
therewith, and certain of other stockholders of Valor.* |
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|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Kutak Rock LLP as to the legality of the
Alltel Holding Corp. securities to be distributed in the
spin-off. |
|
|
8 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
regarding certain Federal income tax matters.* |
|
|
8 |
.2 |
|
Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP regarding certain
Federal income tax matters.* |
|
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Distribution Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2005,
between Alltel Corporation and Alltel Holding Corp. (attached as
Annex B to the proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement which is a part of this Registration Statement). |
|
|
10 |
.2 |
|
Employee Benefits Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2005,
between Alltel Corporation and Alltel Holding Corp. |
|
|
10 |
.3 |
|
Form of Tax Sharing Agreement among Alltel Corporation, Alltel
Holding Corp. and Valor Communications Group, Inc. |
|
|
10 |
.4 |
|
Form of Transition Services Agreement among Alltel Corporation
and Alltel Holding Corp. |
|
|
10 |
.5 |
|
Form of Reverse Transition Services Agreement between Alltel
Corporation and Alltel Holding Corp. |
|
|
10 |
.6 |
|
Commitment Letter, dated December 8, 2005, among Alltel
Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation. |
|
|
10 |
.7 |
|
Amendment to Commitment Letter, dated April 12, 2006, among
Alltel Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Capital
Corporation. |
|
|
10 |
.8 |
|
Consulting Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2006, between John
J. Mueller and Alltel Holding Corp. |
|
|
10 |
.9 |
|
Employment Offer Letter between Grant Raney and Alltel Holding
Corp. dated as of February 15, 2006. |
|
|
10 |
.10 |
|
Employment Offer Letter between Cindy Nash and Alltel Holding
Corp. dated as of February 15, 2006. |
|
|
21 |
.1 |
|
Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
|
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm of the wireline division of Alltel
Corporation. |
|
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm of Valor Communications Group,
Inc. |
|
|
23 |
.3 |
|
Consent of Kutak Rock LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
|
|
23 |
.4 |
|
Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
(included in Exhibit 8.1).* |
|
|
23 |
.5 |
|
Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in
Exhibit 8.2).* |
|
|
99 |
.1 |
|
Voting Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2005, between
Alltel Corporation and certain stockholders of Valor
Communications Group, Inc. named therein (included as
Annex C to the proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement forming a part of this registration statement). |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
99 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Wachovia Securities. |
|
|
99 |
.3 |
|
Consent of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. |
|
|
99 |
.4 |
|
Form of Opinion of Duff & Phelps, LLC as to the
solvency and adequacy of capitalization of Windstream
Corporation. |
|
|
99 |
.5 |
|
Consent of Duff & Phelps, LLC. |
|
|
* |
To be filed by amendment |