Cincinnati Bell 1st Quarter 2010 Review May 6, 2010
Agenda 1. Performance Highlights Jack Cassidy, President & CEO 2. Operational Overview Brian Ross, Chief Operating Officer 3. Financial Overview Gary Wojtaszek, Chief Financial Officer 4. Q & A 2
Safe Harbor Certain of the statements and predictions contained in this presentation constitute forwardlooking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. In particular, statements, projections or estimates that include or reference the words believes, anticipates, plans, intends, expects, will, or any similar expression fall within the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or suggested by any such forward-looking statement for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: changing market conditions and growth rates within the telecommunications industry or generally within the overall economy; changes in competition in markets in which the company operates; pressures on the pricing of company products and services; advances in telecommunications technology; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to fund the company s business plan, repay the company s debt and interest obligations, and maintain its networks; the ability to refinance indebtedness when required on commercially reasonable terms; changes in the telecommunications regulatory environment; changes in the demand for the company s services and products; the demand for particular products and services within the overall mix of products sold, as the company s products and services have varying profit margins; the company s ability to introduce new service and product offerings on a timely and cost effective basis; work stoppage caused by labor disputes; restrictions imposed under various credit facilities and debt instruments; the company s ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; the company s ability to access capital markets and the successful execution of restructuring initiatives; changes in the funded status of the company s retiree pension and healthcare plans; disruption in operations caused by a health pandemic, such as the H1N1 influenza virus; changes in the company s relationships with current large customers, a small number of whom account for a significant portion of company revenue; and disruption in the company s back-office information technology systems, including its billing system. More information on potential risks and uncertainties is available in recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Cincinnati Bell s Form 10-K report, Form 10-Q reports and Form 8-K reports. The forward-looking statements included in this presentation represent company estimates as of May 5, 2010. Cincinnati Bell anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its estimates to change. 3
Performance Highlights Jack Cassidy President & CEO 4
2010 1st Quarter Accomplishments Overview Technology Solutions* Wireless Wireline* Adj EBITDA of $123M, highest since 2Q 05 Diluted EPS excluding special items up 20% Issued $625M of 8.75% Senior Sub Notes to redeem outstanding 8.375% Senior Sub Notes Grew Adjusted EBITDA by 46% Increased operating income by 68% Data center & mgd svcs revenue up 13% Increased utilized data center space by 14K sq ft from 4Q 09 Grew Adjusted EBITDA by 50% Adjusted EBITDA margin of 36% highest since 3Q 03 Postpaid data ARPU up 14% Lowest prepaid churn since 2Q 05 and prepaid ARPU up $1.89 Flat y/y Adj EBITDA margin Added 3K Fioptics entertainment subs and 4K high-speed internet subs Launched business VoIP products in new markets *In the first quarter 2010, the Company reclassified certain data center operations that were historically reported in the Wireline segment to the Technology Solutions segment. For the first quarter 2009, this change increased Technology Solutions segment revenue by $2 million and Technology Solutions operating income by $1 million, and decreased the Wireline results by the same amounts. 5
1Q10 Year-Over-Year Change in Revenue ($ s in millions) $326 1Q09 ($9) Wireline Voice $3 Wireline Data/Other ($3) $2 $4 $1 Wireless Hardware Data Eliminations Center/Prof Svc $324 1Q10 10% increase in Technology Solutions $2M / 7% increase in telecom and IT equipment $4M / 13% increase in data center & managed services Wireless ($3M) postpaid service revenue Wireline 6% LD and VoIP growth Added 3K fiber entertainment subs and 4K high-speed internet subs in quarter Access line loss was 7% driving voice revenue decline 6
1Q10 Year-Over-Year Change in Adjusted EBITDA ($ s in millions) $9 $4 $1 $123 46% increase in Technology Solutions $4M / 13% increase in data center & managed services revenues 18.3% Adjusted EBITDA margin (4.5 percentage point improvement vs. prior year) $113 ($4) 50% increase in Wireless Lower costs from handset subsidies, roaming and lower other operating costs more than offset a $3M decrease in revenue Adjusted EBITDA margin of 36% is highest since 3Q 2003 1Q09 Wireline Wireless Technology Solutions Corp 1Q10 (4%) decrease in Wireline Cost saving programs partially offset $6M decline in revenue Adjusted EBITDA margin flat at 47% 7
Operational Overview Brian Ross Chief Operating Officer 8
Technology Solutions Revenue and EBITDA Total Revenue $88.7 $80.6 $71.6 $65.2 $68.6 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 Adjusted EBITDA $15.9 $13.0 $13.1 $11.0 $9.0 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 ($ s in millions) Increases in data center and managed services revenue 1Q 10 $3.7M increase, 13% Utilized space is up 5% vs. end of 1Q 09 Increase in hardware sales 1Q 10 $2.2M increase, 7% Customer demand increased that had been suppressed by economy in 2009 Increase in Adjusted EBITDA 1Q 10 $4.1M increase, 46% 2009 amounts have been revised to present certain data center operations in the Technology Solutions segment that were previously reported in the Wireline segment. 2009 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased by $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively 9
Data Center Utilization Update Data Center Capacity (sq ft in thousands) 86% 89% 88% 87% 90% 62 51 54 57 43 Space utilization of 90% 403K sq ft utilized at 1Q 10 compared to 389K at 4Q 09, a 4% increase 384 395 392 389 403 1Q09* 2Q09* 3Q09* 4Q09* 1Q10 at quarter end Utilized Available *2009 amounts have been revised to present certain data center operations in the Technology Solutions segment that were previously reported in the Wireline segment. 10
Fioptics Penetration Penetration Penetration Video Penetration Actual 22% 26% 12% 1 3 6 Months Internet Penetration Actual 21% 26% 11% 1 3 6 Months Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) build strategy targets entire ILEC footprint MDU build avoids cannibalizing our base and makes competitive response more difficult Reach ~5% of ILEC households Fioptics subscribers 49K units passed Approximately 30% video penetration for complexes constructed 6 months or longer 14K video subs 13K internet subs 10K voice subs 11
Wireline Adjusted EBITDA ($ s in millions) $92 ($9) $3 $3 $89 Adjusted EBITDA decrease of 4% 7.0% access line loss drove $9M voice revenue reduction Data/Other increased $3M primarily due to VoIP and Fioptics revenue $3M benefit from cost reduction initiatives reduced by higher network costs to support growth in VoIP and Fioptics revenues 1Q09 EBITDA Voice Rev Data/Other Cost Reductions and Other 1Q10 EBITDA 12
High-Speed Internet Subscriber Activity High-Speed Internet Net Adds (in thousands) 1 2 2 3 3 (1) (1) 3 1 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 Fiber Net Adds DSL Net Adds High-Speed Internet Customers (DSL & Fiber) (in thousands) 238 240 242 244 248 248K high-speed internet subscribers at end of 1Q 10 235K DSL customers 13K Fioptics customers 10K combined net adds, 4% growth, versus 1Q 09 DSL churn below 2% Lowest churn since 1Q 08 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 High-speed internet customers 13
Access Line Loss Consumer & Business ILEC Consumer Access Line Net Adds 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 (13) (10) (12) (10) (9) Business Access Line Net Adds 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 (2) (2) (2) Traditional Net Adds (3) (3) 7.0% access line loss 7.9% ILEC access line loss 8.9K consumer ILEC line loss in 1Q 10 improved by 3.9K versus 1Q 09 Business lines remain down Optimization, bankruptcies, moves, and VoIP drive line loss Well positioned for VoIP with evolve T1 and IP Centrex Expanded evolve products in Louisville, KY and Columbus, OH Churn remains well below 2% (in thousands) 14
Wireless Revenue and EBITDA Results Total Service Revenue Year-over-Year Growth Rates (1%) (1%) (4%) (2%) $71.2 $71.3 $71.6 $70.2 $68.9 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 (18%) $17.8 Total Adjusted EBITDA Year-over-Year Growth Rates 1% (8%) (2%) $21.1 $18.9 $19.4 (3%) 50% $26.7 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 (4%) Postpaid service revenue Data ARPU up 14% (3%) lower voice minutes of use per subscriber; (7%) lower subscribers 11% Prepaid service revenue 7% growth in ARPU and higher subscribers Other service revenue decreased $1.1M due to elimination of tower rent revenue from tower sale in 4Q 09 Wireless Adjusted EBITDA up 50% y/y and up 38% sequentially Adjusted EBITDA margin of 36% highest since 3Q 03 ($ s in millions) 15
Wireless Adjusted EBITDA $3 $2 $2 Subsidy cost down $3M due to lower subscriber activations Roaming costs down $3M due to new roaming agreements and lower minutes of use ($1) $3 $27 Contract services decreased $2M due to outsourcing initiatives $18 Bad debts improved $1M due to prior year tightening of credit policies in 2008 and 2009 Advertising decreased $1M due to timing of spend 1Q09 Prepd/ postpd rev Subsidy Roaming Contract services ($ s in millions) Bad debt, Advert & other 1Q10 16
3G Smartphone Lineup Getting Better Google Nexus One Android Pharos 137 Windows Mobile Blackberry 9700 Cincinnati Bell Blaze Android Samsung Behold 2 Android Blackberry 9100 17
Smartphone Customers 50 Smartphone Customers (in thousands) 59 1 64 2 6 83 83 Strong smartphone plan growth Subs up 78% from 1Q 09, now 17% of subscribers 137% consumer subscriber growth, now 14% of consumer subs 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 Postpaid customers Prepaid customers 18
1Q Postpaid ARPU and Churn Postpaid ARPU $9.55 $9.87 $10.13 $10.56 $10.88 $38.46 $38.56 $39.14 $38.26 $38.29 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 Voice Data Postpaid Churn % 2.33% 1.95% 2.32% 2.15% 2.06% 2% Postpaid ARPU growth $1.33 increase in data ARPU Driven by smartphones and SMS ($0.17) voice ARPU driven by lower usage Postpaid churn decrease from 1Q 09 and sequentially due to: Lower involuntary churn from tightening of credit policy in 2008 and 2009 New handsets contributed to lower 1Q 2010 churn 2010 lineup improvements 3G Blackberry in 1Q 2010 Android and additional 3G handsets in 2Q and 3Q 2010 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 19
Prepaid Wireless Prepaid Service Revenue ($ s in millions) $13.4 $13.7 $12.8 $13.1 $12.4 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 Service revenue up 10% y/y and 2% sequentially Prepaid churn of 6.2% Lowest quarterly churn since 2Q 05 Prepaid ARPU $28.70 $29.07 $27.67 $28.00 $29.56 7% ARPU growth ARPU increased $1.89 y/y and $0.49 sequentially Marketing focus on high-value rate plans 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 20
Financial Overview Gary Wojtaszek Chief Financial Officer 21
1Q 10 and 09 Income Statement (Unaudited, $ s in millions except per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, Change 2010 2009 $ % Revenue $ 323.7 $ 325.5 $ (1.8) (1%) Costs and expenses Cost of services and products 133.9 139.0 (5.1) (4%) Selling, general and administrative 67.2 73.9 (6.7) (9%) Adjusted EBITDA 122.6 112.6 10.0 9% Depreciation and amortization 40.2 39.3 0.9 2% Restructuring gains - (7.0) 7.0 n/m Operating income 82.4 80.3 2.1 3% Interest expense 37.1 31.8 5.3 17% Other income, net (0.1) - (0.1) n/m Income before income taxes 45.4 48.5 (3.1) (6%) Income tax expense 22.6 19.7 2.9 15% Net income 22.8 28.8 (6.0) (21%) Preferred stock dividends 2.6 2.6-0% Net income applicable to common shareowners $ 20.2 $ 26.2 $ (6.0) (23%) Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.10 $ 0.12 22
Diluted Earnings Per Share Growth $0.12 $0.10 $0.10 $0.12 Diluted EPS before special items up 20% y/y Reduction of shares from recently completed stock buyback program had very favorable impact on diluted EPS Net income excluding special items increased 9% y/y Diluted EPS 1Q09 Diluted EPS excl SI 1Q10 23
1Q10 Free Cash Flow Growth $12 ($10) $18 $40 1Q FCF of $40M increased $30M y/y $10M increase in Adjusted EBITDA $10 $18M from timing of capital spending $10 $12M lower interest payments due primarily to timing of payments from refinancings ($10M) decrease from proceeds received on terminated swaps in 1Q 09 1Q09 FCF Adjusted EBITDA Capex Interest pmts '09 Proceeds from terminated sw aps 1Q10 FCF ($ s in millions) 24
Schedule of Debt Maturities after Refinancing ($MM) 700 600 500 400 300 560 500 625 200 100 0 248 248 151 51 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Thereafter Credit Facility Bonds New Unsecured Senior Subordinated Notes ($ s in millions) Excludes capital lease and other debt and unamortized call amounts related to terminated interest rate swaps. 25
2010 Guidance 2009 Actual 2010 Guidance Revenue $1.3B $1.3B Adjusted EBITDA $470M Approx. $460M* Free Cash Flow $164M Approx. $130M* *Plus or Minus 2 percent 26
Cincinnati Bell 1st Quarter 2010 Review May 6, 2010
Non-GAAP Reconciliations (please refer to the Earnings Financials) 28