Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results
Company Modifies Quarterly Dividend Rate on Reduced Outlook and Announces Plan for $125 Million Multi-Year Investment In Fibre-to-the-Home in Manitoba
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer" later in this news release. This release discusses results from Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s continuing operations. The results, and the definitions of continuing operations and free cash flow, should be read in conjunction with Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s second quarter 2010 interim management's discussion and analysis dated August 5, 2010 (available at the Investors section of www.mtsallstream.com), which is incorporated by reference in this release.
The financial information contained herein has been reviewed by our Audit Committee and should be read in conjunction with the disclaimer "Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and the "Risks and Uncertainties" sections contained in our interim MD&A for the first and second quarters of 2010, as well as our 2009 annual MD&A.
Stock Symbol: MBT
WINNIPEG, Aug. 6 /CNW/ - Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (the "Company" or "MTS Allstream"), including its two primary operating units "MTS" and "Allstream", today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.
As discussed in greater detail below, MTS Allstream's results for the second quarter of 2010 were up marginally from the first quarter of 2010 and are consistent with the second half of 2009, but were lower for several key metrics when compared with the second quarter of 2009 and lower than management initially expected for 2010. These results continue to reflect the impact of the economic downturn on Allstream's operations and ongoing aggressive price competition from the main cable competitor in Manitoba.
MTS Allstream's Board of Directors has approved an update to the Company's 2010 financial outlook. Consistent with its statements made in February that the prior dividend level was based on the business performing according to its expectations, the Board of Directors set a new dividend payout ratio target of 70% to 80% of free cash flows(1) from its highly profitable MTS telecom operations in Manitoba, which have delivered stable and solid results over the last 10 years. As a result of the updated outlook and payout target, the Board revised the quarterly dividend to $0.425 per outstanding common share. This represents an annual dividend of $1.70 and a yield of 6.2%, based on the Company's closing share price August 5, 2010.
Commenting on the change in the Company's dividend policy, Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer, said, "The change to the dividend reflects the Company's current outlook and provides important funds for reinvestment in the Company's highly profitable Manitoba operations. The Board took great care to set the new dividend rate at a level that it believes is fully sustainable based on today's revised financial outlook and importantly leaves room for potential increases when major strategic investments are completed and/or business conditions improve. For now, MTS Allstream will continue to pay a very attractive dividend that is more in line with our peers, while significantly strengthening the Company's long-term strategic advantages in Manitoba."
MTS plans to invest $125 million over the next five years to accelerate its strategic investment in fibre-to-the-home technology across the province of Manitoba. By year-end 2015, the Company expects to provide fibre-to-the-home to close to 120,000 homes in many Manitoba communities, including areas of Winnipeg.
More importantly, this plan when completed would cover 65% of Manitoba households with either VDSL or fibre-to-the-home technology. This will enable MTS to provide customers with access to the most advanced high-speed Internet and television services. Based on announced plans across the industry, this would place MTS in a unique position with the greatest penetration of VDSL and FTTH services in Canada.
The Company also plans to invest surplus cash flows to fund the next phase of its integrated billing platform initiative during this time frame to consolidate its remaining TV, Internet and wireline customers. This is expected to result in significant future cost savings as well as an improved ability to serve and sell.
Over the past several years, MTS has proven to be one of the best equipped, and most successful telecommunications companies in Canada at defending its core business against cable competition and gaining share in the television market. This is in large part due to MTS's decision in 2003 to proactively build its broadband infrastructure in Manitoba and quintuple play offering. Today's announcement follows the same principle of market and technical leadership in Manitoba.
More details on this announcement can be found in the Company's news release on its fibre-to-the-home investment in Manitoba also issued today.
Updated 2010 Outlook
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MTS Allstream's updated 2010 financial outlook is intended to provide stakeholders with more clarity and transparency on its expectations for the second half of 2010. The updated outlook incorporates second quarter results and assumes a continuation of aggressive promotional pricing by MTS's main cable competitor in Manitoba for the remainder of 2010 and the slow recovery of the national enterprise market.
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2010 Financial Outlook - Continuing Operations(2)
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Updated 2010 outlook Original 2010 outlook
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$1.740 billion $1.780 billion
Revenues to $1.790 billion to $1.880 billion
$570 million $585 million
EBITDA(3) to $600 million to $635 million
EPS(4) $1.80 to $2.15 $2.00 to $2.50
$160 million $175 million
Free cash flow to $190 million to $225 million
Capital expenditures 14% to 16% of revenues 14% to 16% of revenues
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The Company expects its financial results to improve over time as competitive conditions stabilize in Manitoba and as enterprise customers begin to reinvest in telecommunications and information technology. Management continues to take action to drive better near term performance. The Company achieved $11.6 million in annualized savings in the second quarter from its cost reduction efforts. This brings the Company's total annualized cost savings to $29.2 million for the first six months of the year against a 2010 target of $30 million to $40 million.
In addition, in 2009, the federal government outlined a series of reform proposals intended to help federally regulated pension plan sponsors better manage their funding obligations, while also providing member benefit security. Although the enabling legislation has been passed, certain new regulations were not finalized and these proposals were not enacted by June 30, 2010 as had been expected. As a result the Company made a solvency funding payment of $7.3 million in July 2010. If the regulations are in place before the next quarterly payment is due, the Company expects to have no further solvency funding in 2010.
Allstream's long-term prospects are another key element of the Company's 2010 and multi-year outlook.
"We believe there is an achievable path to bring Allstream to a cash neutral position over the next few years," said Mr. Blouin. "We have been surprised by the slow pace of recovery in the national enterprise market, but continue to believe Allstream is well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for IP-based services. In the near-term, we are seeing promising returns on our strategy of extending fibre in select urban markets. We also believe the removal of foreign investment restrictions has significant potential to open up valuable new opportunities for Allstream." With more than 25% of its business generated from converged IP and a cumulative average growth rate in converged IP revenues of about 10% over the past three years, Allstream is actively positioning itself as a strong competitor in the fastest growing portion of Canada's $10 billion telecom enterprise market. Allstream's 2010 reported converged IP revenues have been below prior growth rates because they reflect sales made during the recession in 2009. This past June and July, however, sales returned to the level required to hit double-digit revenue growth rates, which bodes well for 2011.
Allstream's converged IP business, which today represents over $200 million of its annual revenues is projected to grow by 10% to 12% over the next three years, while its legacy suite of products (long distance and legacy data services) which had 2009 annual revenues of about $300 million is expected to decline by 9% to 11% over the same period. Other Allstream products are expected to remain relatively stable.
Q2 2010 Financial Results and Divisional Highlights
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Quarterly Financial Highlights*
2010 2009
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(in millions $,
except EPS) Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
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Revenue 443.1 442.0 453.8 452.3 452.8
EBITDA 149.3 145.3 146.8 157.7 159.5
EPS 0.54 0.46 0.59 0.68 0.66
Free cash flow 62.3 54.9 43.4 62.3 59.6
Capital expenditures/
revenue 13.3% 12.8% 16.1% 14.9% 14.0%
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* All financial metrics in this table are from continuing operations
MTS
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The aggressive promotional pricing actions from MTS's main cable competitor reduced margins in the second quarter and through the first six months of 2010, compared with a year earlier. Despite this competition, in the second quarter of 2010 MTS has grown its customer base in key strategic products, such as wireless, high-speed Internet and TV which grew by 5.3%, 3.1% and 7.0%, respectively, year-over-year.
"Our action plans to fight aggressive pricing pressures in Manitoba are delivering the results expected. We achieved strong results in our most important growth product lines and the number of customers utilizing our bundled services climbed by 10%," said Kelvin Shepherd, President of MTS. "Our Ultimate TV services continue to grow in popularity reflecting our product superiority over cable. We now have more than 25,000 customers using MTS Ultimate TV. Our wireless results were also very strong in the quarter, with revenues growing by more than 7% driven by growth in our subscriber base and a 58% increase in wireless data revenues."
During the quarter, MTS expanded the availability of its Ultimate TV service to more than 80% of Winnipeg households, and further advanced its HSPA network build and fibre-to-the-home deployment. MTS has already started its deployment of its fibre-to-the-home network in the City of Selkirk to the north of Winnipeg, and is on track to migrate 2,200 subscribers to its new fibre optic network by the end of 2010.
Allstream
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Through the second quarter of 2010, Allstream continued to show signs of stabilizing in a market that is recovering slowly. Revenues and EBITDA in the second quarter were lower than a year ago, reflecting the stronger economy in the second quarter of 2009, prior to the full impact of the recession. On a sequential basis compared to the first quarter of 2010, Allstream's revenues declined slightly and EBITDA improved by 2.3%. The sequential EBITDA improvement reflects the impact of cost cutting programs as well as the Company's focus on IP services where margins are the highest and on attracting and retaining customers that generate on-net revenues.
"Business conditions remain challenging for Allstream but we were pleased with the sales momentum we generated in June and July, and the success we are experiencing from our strategic investment in our national IP fibre network. We are confident that converged IP will return to delivering double-digit growth rates to support bringing back Allstream to a cash neutral position over the next few years," said Dean Prevost, President of Allstream.
Through the first half of 2010, Allstream continued to advance its three-year plan to extend fibre to 675 multi-tenant buildings where opportunities exist for multiple sales. This is an important part of a cost-effective strategy to expand Allstream's IP on-net capability to address a larger share of Canada's $10 billion enterprise market. The investment is intended to drive growth in higher-margin, on-net IP revenues in markets where Allstream has a proven track record of success. The results of this targeted, success-based investment continue to come in on plan. At the end of the second quarter, Allstream has earned 54 new IP contracts through this initiative, including multiple sales in the same connected buildings as well as a further 35 wins in Allstream's collocation footprint. Based on the sales cycle for enterprise customers, the Company anticipates the benefits from this program should begin to positively impact financial results in 2011.
MTS Allstream has submitted its position to Industry Canada as part of the national consultation on foreign investment restrictions supporting the removal of the restrictions in the Canadian telecom market.
Settlement agreement with Bell Mobility
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On August 5, 2010 the Company executed a comprehensive settlement agreement with Bell Mobility in respect of various historical disputes, including an arbitration proceeding relating to the provision of wireless services in Manitoba. Under this confidential settlement agreement, the Company is pleased to announce that it is receiving over $20 million of value from Bell Mobility and its affiliates, including a $10 million one-time cash payment received August 5, 2010.
Quarterly Dividend
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The Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.425 per share for the third quarter of 2010, which is payable on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
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In June 2010, the Company launched a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRIP") which provides shareholders with the option to have dividends automatically reinvested in additional common shares without incurring brokerage fees. The DRIP also provides shareholders with the option to make cash payments to purchase additional common shares. Since its launch, participation levels for the DRIP plan have been in line with the Company's peers, with the number of shares participating approximating about 3.3%.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
The following are various announcements made recently by the Company.
Corporate announcements
- On July 30, 2010, MTS Allstream filed its submission in the federal
government's consultation on how the commitment in the Speech from
the Throne to open up the telecommunications industry to global
investment can best be met. In its submission, MTS Allstream endorses
removal of the existing foreign investment restrictions which
continue to represent an impediment to investment, competition and
innovation and to Canadian leadership in the digital economy. MTS
Allstream recommends the government accept the advice it has received
from expert panels like the Competition Policy Review Panel and act
quickly to lift the restrictions.
- On June 22, 2010, MTS Allstream announced that it was the sole
telecommunications company to be named among the Best 50 Corporate
Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights Inc. in its annual ranking
survey. Companies who made the list were evaluated and ranked based
on pension health and quality, board and executive diversity,
executive compensation, community investment, and carbon footprint.
- On June 8, 2010, Pierre Blouin, CEO, MTS Allstream addressed the 2010
Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto, ON where he discussed the
importance of removing foreign investment restrictions which would
remove barriers to global investment in Canadian telecommunications
and present an opportunity for Canada to lead in the digital economy.
- On May 17, 2010, Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. announced that the
Toronto Stock Exchange approved the establishment of its Dividend
Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan for qualified holders of its
common shares.
MTS announcements
- On August 6, 2010, MTS announced its plans to invest $125 million
over the next five years as part of an accelerated deployment of its
fibre-to-the-home network named FiON in Manitoba.
- On July 30, 2010, MTS announced that it had been awarded a ten-year,
$100 million contract by the Government of Manitoba to provide IP
network services to government, health and other public sector
organizations. MTS will evolve the government from its current
Provincial Data Network to a suite of enhanced next generation
network services called the "Manitoba Network".
- On July 27, 2010, MTS announced that it had started the deployment of
its brand new fibre optic network "FiON" in the City of Selkirk and
is on track to migrate 2,200 subscribers by the end of the year.
- On May 31, 2010, MTS announced that it had renewed its sponsorship of
Manitoban athlete Adam Speirs, one of Canada's top professional
golfers.
- On May 13, 2010, MTS announced a three-year contract renewal with
Manitoba-based company New Flyer Industries Canada ULC, North
America's leading manufacturer of heavy-duty buses. MTS will support
New Flyer's wireless devices, voice and data services and long
distance calling.
Allstream announcements
- On June 15, 2010, Allstream announced that its contract with NAV
CANADA, Canada's civil air navigation services provider, had been
renewed for the next three years, with an option to renew for an
additional three years. The contract includes the enhancement of
business communication solutions and will allow NAV CANADA to take
full advantage of the latest WAN technology, such as managed multi
protocol label switching.
- On June 3, 2010, Allstream announced that the expansion of the
Allstream IP fibre network in targeted cities across Canada had been
gaining positive momentum and generating solid new sales with more
than 20 new contracts signed with enterprise customers such as
Williamson-Dickie Canada Co., First Financial Underwriting Services
Inc., Hibernia Atlantic, Delmar and OneConnect Services Inc.
- On May 11, 2010, Allstream announced that it had attained Vendor of
Record status with the Ontario Ministry of Government Services for
the provision of videoconferencing products, services and support.
Quarterly Conference Call
MTS Allstream's second quarter 2010 conference call with the investment community is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on August 6, 2010. Investors are invited to listen to the conference call. The dial-in number is 1-888-231-8191. A live audio Webcast of the investor conference call can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the MTS Allstream Web site (www.mtsallstream.com). A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight (Eastern time) on August 19, 2010, and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 or 1-416-849-0833 (access code 83887081).
Note
MTS Allstream's interim Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and supplementary financial information are available in the Investors section of the MTS Allstream Web site at www.mtsallstream.com.
About Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary MTS Allstream Inc., is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, providing innovative communications for the way Canadians live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 6,000 employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value as seen through the eyes of our customers. MTS Allstream has nearly two million customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national broadband and fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream services are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.
Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about our corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives, future financial results and performance and future cash flows and distributions to shareholders that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms.
Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section and elsewhere in our interim MD&A for the first quarter and second quarter of 2010, as well as our 2009 annual MD&A, and our Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. In addition, any future declaration of dividends is at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and is subject to applicable law.
Please note that forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as at the date hereof. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. This news release and the financial information contained herein have been reviewed by our Audit Committee and approved by our Board of Directors.
(1) Refer to MTS Allstream's second quarter 2010 interim MD&A for the
definition of free cash flow.
(2) Refer to MTS Allstream's second quarter 2010 interim MD&A for the
definition of continuing operations.
(3) EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, amortization, and other
income. EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating
income or to cash flows from operating activities (as determined in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles) as
a measure of liquidity.
(4) EPS is earnings per share.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Unless otherwise indicated, this Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of our financial results for the interim period ended June 30, 2010 is as at August 5, 2010. In preparing this MD&A, we have taken into account information available to us up to August 5, 2010. In this MD&A, "we", "our", and "us" refer to Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (the "Company" or "MTS Allstream"). This interim MD&A should be read in conjunction with our interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2010. We also encourage you to read the discussion and analysis that accompanies our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 (MTS Allstream's 2009 annual MD&A dated March 4, 2010), as well as our first quarter 2010 interim MD&A dated May 5, 2010. You will also find more information about us, including our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2009 dated March 4, 2010, on our Web site at www.mtsallstream.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
This MD&A comments on our operations, performance and financial conditions for the three months ("Q2") and six months ("YTD") ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars.
Regarding forward-looking statements
This interim MD&A includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about our corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives, future financial results and performance and future cash flows and distributions to shareholders that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms.
Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in this interim MD&A, our first quarter 2010 interim MD&A as well as our 2009 annual MD&A, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. In addition, any future declaration of dividends is at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and is subject to applicable law.
Please note that forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as at the date hereof. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. This interim MD&A and the financial information contained herein have been reviewed by our Audit Committee and approved by our Board of Directors.
NON-GAAP MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
In this MD&A, we provide information concerning continuing operations, EBITDA and free cash flow because we believe investors use them as measures of our financial performance. These measures do not have a standardized meaning as prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
- Continuing operations - We provide information that refers to our
performance from continuing operations to assist investors in
understanding the performance of our Company.
Continuing operations in 2010 excludes our non-telecommunications
information technology ("IT") consulting business, which has been
classified as discontinued operations; restructuring costs; costs
related to our high-speed packet access ("HSPA") deployment and
related billing implementation.
Continuing operations in 2009 excludes our non-telecommunications IT
consulting business, which has been classified as discontinued
operations; restructuring costs; the costs to transition certain
wireless service requirements away from Bell Mobility to new
suppliers and to our wireless platform; costs related to our HSPA
deployment and related billing implementation; costs related to
certain regulatory proceedings; certain costs associated with our
transition from Canadian GAAP to International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS"); a rebate related to use of deferral account funds
pursuant to Telecom Decision CRTC 2008-1 ("Decision 2008-1"); the
impact of changes in statutory income tax rates and other rate
adjustments on our tax asset; and solvency funding to our pension
plans.
- EBITDA - We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes,
amortization and other income. EBITDA should not be construed as an
alternative to operating income or to cash flows from operating
activities (as determined in accordance with Canadian GAAP) as a
measure of liquidity.
- Free cash flow - We define free cash flow as cash flow from operating
activities, less capital expenditures, and excluding changes in
working capital. Free cash flow is the amount of discretionary cash
flow that we have for purchasing additional assets beyond our annual
capital expenditure program, paying dividends, buying back shares
and/or retiring debt.
OVERVIEW
MTS Allstream is a leading national communications provider in Canada and the market leader in Manitoba. Our company is organized into two principal business segments, the MTS unit ("MTS") operating in Manitoba and the Allstream unit ("Allstream") operating nationally. Our common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT) and our Web site is www.mtsallstream.com.
MTS leads every telecommunications market segment in Manitoba, delivering a full suite of wireless, broadband (high-speed Internet and digital television), converged IP, unified communications, security, home alarm monitoring services, local access, as well as long distance and legacy data services. This complete range of products is unmatched by any other provider in the province. MTS serves both residential and business customers in Manitoba.
Allstream is a leading competitor in the national business and wholesale markets, offering small, medium and large businesses and government organizations a portfolio of telecommunications solutions tailored to meet their needs. Allstream's main products are Internet protocol ("IP")-based communications, unified communications, voice and data connectivity, and security services. Allstream operates an extensive national broadband fibre optic network that spans almost 30,000 kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic alliances and interconnection agreements with other international service providers.
STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES UPDATE
In summary, in the first six months of 2010, we made the following progress on our four strategic imperatives:
1. Drive profitable increases in our growth services including converged
IP, wireless, high-speed Internet and digital TV.
In the first six months of 2010, MTS's converged IP revenues were up
by 5.4% and digital television revenues increased by 7.5%. MTS's
wireless services revenues in the first half of the year were up by
5.6%, after adjusting for the impact of a one-time $3.4 million sale
of handsets to the City of Winnipeg in the first quarter of 2009. Our
high-speed Internet, digital television and wireless subscriber bases
rose by 3.1%, 7.0% and 5.3%, respectively. Allstream's converged IP
revenues continued to increase, climbing by 3.0% in the first six
months of 2010.
2. Continue to focus on delivering superior customer service while
achieving further cost reductions.
Building on the considerable progress we made in 2009 improving our
cost structure, we are targeting an additional $30 million to
$40 million in 2010 in annualized cost reductions through operational
efficiency and restructuring initiatives. We are on track to reach
the high end of our target having achieved $29.2 million in
annualized cost savings from these initiatives within the first six
months of the year. In 2009, we met and exceeded our customer
experience targets as measured through independent surveys. We remain
focused on achieving the same result in 2010.
3. Drive innovation in product and service development to exceed
customer expectations.
In 2009, we launched one of the most advanced television products in
Canada, our MTS Ultimate TV service, which provides customers with
unique whole home personal video recorder functionality as well as
access to our fastest Internet speeds. Through the first six months
of 2010, we continued to roll out the service to more areas of
Winnipeg, which is now available to 80% of Winnipeg households, up
from 70% at the end of 2009, as well as 91% of households in Brandon
and also in Portage la Prairie. We expect to reach 96% coverage of
Winnipeg by the end of 2010. We are continuing to enhance the
attractiveness of our premium television offering. For example, at
the end of April, we introduced TV Call display to our MTS Ultimate
TV customers. TV Call Display gives customers the ability to see the
name and number of all incoming calls on their television screen. In
addition, this feature allows customers to view recent calls,
personalize their display settings and access the last call received.
Recently a leading global provider of business communications
applications, systems and services, Avaya, named Allstream a
Platinum-level Avaya Connect Channel Partner. The Avaya Connect
Platinum status is Avaya's endorsement that Allstream has the
comprehensive ability to help small-to-large size businesses
transform their operations with industry-leading unified
communications, collaboration and contact centre solutions. Achieving
Platinum status recognizes Allstream's solid track record for
providing business customers with top communications solutions.
Allstream continues to provide customers with the highest levels of
service and support.
4. Selectively and prudently investing in strategic initiatives to
broaden market reach and enhance leadership position.
We are making a number of targeted, focused investments in 2010 to
broaden our market reach and enhance our leadership position, both in
MTS in Manitoba and Allstream nationally.
In Manitoba, the deployment of our regional wireless HSPA network is
proceeding according to schedule. We continue to expect the network
to be operational by the end of 2010. We are also continuing the
evolution of our broadband network in Manitoba with a fibre-to-the-
home ("FTTH") build in the Waverley West neighbourhood of Winnipeg in
January, and through the balance of this year and 2011, in Selkirk
and adjoining communities north of Winnipeg. Customers on our new
FTTH network will have access to the most advanced consumer
telecommunications services that we offer today, including local
telephone service and high speed-Internet services with speeds up to
25 megabits per second and future speeds of more than 100 megabits
per second. This project will also allow for the future deployment of
our MTS Ultimate TV service in these areas.
Our business plan for 2010 includes the expansion of our national IP
fibre network, an investment we are making to improve the
profitability of Allstream and support future growth. We planned to
spend up to $15 million to expand Allstream's IP fibre network in
2010 in a targeted manner. This investment is part of a three-year
plan to extend fibre to 675 select multi-tenant buildings that are
within 200 metres of our existing national network and enhance our
Ethernet capabilities in our co-location areas. This investment will
extend our on-net reach and provide us with significant incremental
high margin revenue opportunities. In 2010, using a success-based
approach, we are targeting to extend fibre to approximately
185 buildings.
At the mid point of the year, the results of this initiative are
coming in ahead of plan. At the end of the second quarter, Allstream
has earned 54 new IP contracts through this initiative, including
multiple sales in the same connected buildings as well as a further
35 wins in Allstream's collocation footprint. Based on the sales
cycle for enterprise customers, we anticipate the benefits from this
program should begin to positively impact our financial results in
2011.
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On August 5, 2010, the Company executed a comprehensive settlement agreement with Bell Mobility in respect of various historical disputes, including an arbitration proceeding relating to the provision of wireless services in Manitoba. Under this confidential settlement agreement, the Company is pleased to announce that it is receiving over $20 million of value from Bell Mobility and its affiliates, including a $10 million one-time cash payment received on August 5, 2010.
2010 OUTLOOK UPDATE
This outlook and the financial information contained herein have been reviewed by our Audit Committee and should be read in conjunction with the "Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and the "Risks and Uncertainties" sections in this interim MD&A, as well as similar sections of our interim MD&A for the first quarter of 2010, our 2009 annual MD&A and our 2009 Annual Information Form.
On August 5, 2010, our Board of Directors approved an update to our 2010 financial outlook after our results in the second quarter came in lower than initially expected and based on our revised forecasts for the balance of 2010. Through the first six months of the year, our financial results reflect the impact of the economic downturn on Allstream's operations and ongoing aggressive price competition by our main cable competitor in Manitoba. As such, we have decided to update the ranges to provide stakeholders with more clarity and transparency on our expectations for the second half of 2010.
In addition, consistent with statements we made on February 4, 2010 that our prior dividend level was based on the business performing to our expectations, our Board of Directors also set a new dividend payout ratio target of 70% to 80% of free cash flows from our highly profitable MTS telecom operations in Manitoba, which have delivered stable and solid results over the last 10 years.
Our updated 2010 financial outlook is detailed in the following table:
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2010 Financial Outlook - Continuing Operations
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Updated 2010 outlook Original 2010 outlook
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$1.740 billion $1.780 billion
Revenues to $1.790 billion to $1.880 billion
$570 million $585 million
EBITDA to $600 million to $635 million
EPS $1.80 to $2.15 $2.00 to $2.50
$160 million $175 million
Free cash flow to $190 million to $225 million
Capital expenditures 14% to 16% of revenues 14% to 16% of revenues
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We expect our financial results will improve over time as competitive conditions stabilize in Manitoba and as enterprise customers begin to reinvest in telecommunications and information technology. We continue to take action to drive better near-term performance, achieving $11.6 million in annualized savings in the second quarter from our cost reduction efforts. This brings our total annualized cost savings to $29.2 million for the first six months of the year against a 2010 target of between $30 million and $40 million.
On February 4, 2010, we indicated that our business plan contemplated a quarterly dividend payout of $0.65 per share in 2010, assuming the business performed to our expectations. Given our updated outlook and multi-year forecasts as well as our new payout target, our Board revised the quarterly dividend to $0.425 per outstanding common share. This represents an annual yield of 6.2%, based on the Company's closing share price on August 5, 2010. The change to the dividend reflects our current outlook and provides important funds for investment in our Manitoba operations. Our dividend policy and payout ratio are now more in line with our incumbent telecom peers.
We plan to invest $125 million over the next five years to accelerate MTS's strategic investment in fibre-to-the-home technology across the province of Manitoba. By year-end 2015, we expect to provide fibre-to-the-home to close to 120,000 homes in many Manitoba communities, including areas of Winnipeg. More importantly, this plan when completed would cover 65% of Manitoba households with either VDSL or fibre-to-the-home technology. This will enable MTS to provide customers with access to the most advanced high-speed Internet and television services. Based on announced plans across the industry, this would place MTS in a unique position with the greatest penetration of VDSL and FTTH services in Canada. We also plan to invest surplus cash flows to fund the next phase of MTS's integrated billing platform initiative during this time frame to consolidate our remaining TV, Internet and wireline customers. This is expected to result in significant future cost savings as well as an improved ability to serve and sell. More details on MTS's fibre-to-the-home investment in Manitoba can be found in a press release we issued August 6, 2010.
Allstream's long-term prospects are another key element of our 2010 and multi-year outlook. We believe there is an achievable path to bring Allstream to a cash neutral position over the next few years. We continue to believe Allstream is well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for IP-based services. With more than 25% of Allstream's business generated from converged IP and a cumulative average growth rate in converged IP revenues of about 10% over the past three years, Allstream is actively positioning as a strong competitor in the fastest growing portion of Canada's $10 billion telecom enterprise market.
Starting in February this year, we also initiated a program to extend fibre into buildings with the goal of increasing Allstream's on-net revenues and improving profitability. This investment is intended to position Allstream to capture more of the opportunity in the business market IP space. Allstream's converged IP business, which today represents over $200 million of its annual revenues, is projected to grow by a range of 10% to 12% over the next three years while its legacy suite of products (long distance and legacy data), which had 2009 annual revenues of about $300 million is expected to decline by between 9% to 11% over the same period. Other product lines are expected to remain relatively stable.
We have been transitioning Allstream to an IP company for several years and we have a solid track record of delivering growth in IP. To date in 2010, our reported converged IP revenues have been below prior growth rates because they reflect sales made during the recession in 2009. This past June and July, however, sales returned to the level required to hit a double-digit revenue growth rate, which bodes well for 2011. We also expect to reduce Allstream's operating costs, with a focus on its legacy and telco costs.
In addition, in 2009, the federal government outlined a series of reform proposals intended to help federally regulated pension plan sponsors better manage their funding obligations, while also providing member benefit security. Although the enabling legislation has been passed, certain new regulations were not finalized and these proposals were not enacted by June 30, 2010 as had been expected. As a result, we made a solvency funding payment of $7.3 million in July 2010. If the regulations are in place before the next quarterly payment is due, we expect to have no further solvency funding in 2010.
Material Assumptions
We have made a number of assumptions in preparing our updated financial outlook and making certain other forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, the following assumptions:
Market Assumptions
We expect our consumer services in Manitoba, such as wireless, Internet, and digital television, to continue at similar levels to the first six months of 2010 for the balance of the year. We are assuming that there will not be any material changes to the continued growth of wireless services in 2010, notwithstanding anticipated changes to relationships and market dynamics. In addition, we continue to anticipate there will be no meaningful new entrant in wireless services in Manitoba in 2010. We expect ongoing competitive pressures in our local and long distance services. Revenues generated by the residential voice telecommunications market will continue to decrease due to competition and substitution. Although we expect competition from incumbent cable operators to continue in the Manitoba residential market, we are confident that we have prudently prepared our operations and strategies to counter these challenges. Through our broadband network and now fibre-to-the-home initiatives, our bundling leadership and our residential service offerings (which include wireless, Internet, digital television, local, long distance and alarm monitoring services), we believe that we are well-positioned to compete successfully. In 2010, we plan to strengthen our competitive advantage and leadership position in Manitoba by making further improvements to our broadband services, extending the coverage of our MTS Ultimate TV service to 96% of Winnipeg households, deploying fibre-to-the-home in certain areas of Manitoba, and launching our province-wide wireless HSPA network.
We expect Allstream to continue to face the challenges in the marketplace which emerged during the economic recession and we remain cautious after six months of results in 2010. Our updated outlook assumes that we will not see any significant impacts of a national economic recovery on our enterprise customers' revenues in 2010. The competitive pressures experienced in our legacy data connectivity and long distance services are anticipated to continue throughout the balance of the year. We expect that customers will continue to migrate from legacy services to IP based services. We expect to launch a converged wireless/wireline product suite on a targeted geographic footprint towards the end of 2010. To face the continued competition in the enterprise markets through 2010, we have been refining our market focus, creating innovative IP solutions, reducing our cost structure, refocusing our sales efforts, and investing selectively in higher-margin IP-related opportunities.
Economic Assumptions
MTS consumer services are expected to benefit from a Manitoba economy that is forecast to grow in real gross domestic product ("GDP") by 2.7% in 2010, according to the Manitoba Department of Finance. The Bank of Canada is forecasting real GDP growth for Canada in 2010 to be 3.5% and we expect that the benefit of this return to growth to our enterprise markets will lag several quarters as business customers recover and consolidate from the economic recession before resuming spending to levels prior to the recession.
Financial and Operational Assumptions
Our financial and operational assumptions for the balance of 2010 are discussed above.
Cost Reduction Assumptions
For 2010, we expect to achieve $30 million to $40 million in annualized cost reductions through operational efficiency and restructuring efforts. We expect to achieve our cost reductions for the year having reached $29.2 million in annualized savings in the first six months of 2010. Our restructuring costs for 2010 are anticipated to be between $35 million and $45 million.
Capital Resource and Liquidity Assumptions
We continue to invest in our core operations with a focus on our growth products and services to ensure success in the markets in which we operate. We have adopted a prudent expenditure and investment strategy that is scalable and provides flexibility to adjust the pace of investment according to economic conditions. In 2010, our capital program is expected to be 14% to 16% of our revenues from continuing operations (excluding HSPA), with the majority spent on wireless and IP-based services.
Tax Assumptions
We have been able to reduce our taxable income by utilizing our substantial CCA pools and available tax losses. By utilizing our deferred CCA deductions, we project that we will not pay cash taxes before 2019. The present value of our tax asset is approximately $320 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Quarterly metrics for the most recent five quarters
2010 2009
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(in millions $,
except EPS)* Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
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Revenue 443.1 442.0 453.8 452.3 452.8
EBITDA 149.3 145.3 146.8 157.7 159.5
EPS 0.54 0.46 0.59 0.68 0.66
Free cash flow 62.3 54.9 43.4 62.3 59.6
Capital expenditures/
revenue 13.3% 12.8% 16.1% 14.9% 14.0%
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* All financial metrics in this table are from continuing operations.
Our results in the second quarter of 2010 were in line on a sequential basis with the first quarter of 2010 and consistent with the second half of 2009. Our results through the first six months of 2010 continue to reflect the lingering impacts of the recession and the slow pace of economic recovery, which contributed to the year-over-year declines in most of the financial metrics listed in the above table. Additionally, aggressive price competition in the Manitoba market from our main cable competitor has impacted revenues, even though market shares for our digital television and high-speed Internet services have remained relatively stable. We remain well positioned to competitively deliver communications services to customers in Manitoba and across Canada, and to further improve our cost structure. To this end, we have already achieved $29.2 million in annualized cost reductions, of our target range of $30 million to $40 million for the year, by June 30, 2010.
Revenues by business segment (continuing operations)
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
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MTS revenues 233.0 235.1 (0.9) 460.7 468.3 (1.6)
Allstream revenues 210.1 217.7 (3.5) 424.4 454.3 (6.6)
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Total revenues 443.1 452.8 (2.1) 885.1 922.6 (4.1)
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Total revenues from continuing operations decreased by $9.7 million in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009. For the first six months of 2010, total revenues from continuing operations declined by $37.5 million compared to the same period last year. These results reflect continuing strong growth in our wireless, converged IP and digital TV lines of business, which were offset by declines in our unified communications, security and monitoring, local access, long distance and legacy data lines of business, as well as lower Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC") mandated local contribution revenue. Our results for the first six months of 2009 were also enhanced by a one-time $3.4 million wireless sale of FleetNet 800(TM) ("FleetNet") handsets in the first quarter of 2009. Further details on each of our main businesses' revenue performance (MTS and Allstream) are described below.
MTS Revenues
------------
Operating revenues (continuing operations)
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
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Wireless 81.0 75.5 7.3 157.6 152.7 3.2
Broadband and
converged IP
services 45.2 44.2 2.3 89.7 87.8 2.2
Unified
communications,
security &
monitoring 8.0 8.5 (5.9) 16.5 16.6 (0.6)
Local access 73.1 77.3 (5.4) 145.7 154.0 (5.4)
Long distance and
legacy data 25.7 29.6 (13.2) 51.2 57.2 (10.5)
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Total MTS operating
revenues 233.0 235.1 (0.9) 460.7 468.3 (1.6)
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Revenues from continuing operations at MTS were lower by $2.1 million as compared to the second quarter of 2009. These results reflect continued strong growth in our wireless, broadband and converged IP services which were offset by declines in our local access, long distance and legacy data services lines of business, as well as lower local contribution revenues. Total MTS operating revenues for the first six months of 2010 declined $7.6 million compared to the same period in 2009, reflecting the same factors identified above, as well as the one-time $3.4 million wireless FleetNet sale that occurred in the first quarter of 2009.
As an incumbent local exchange carrier ("ILEC") in the province of Manitoba, we receive a monthly subsidy per network access line for basic local access services we provide to customers in rural and remote parts of the province where the costs of providing service are higher. The CRTC reviews and adjusts ILEC subsidy rates annually. For 2010, the CRTC used a negative inflation rate in their calculation of subsidy rates, which had the effect of reducing our local contribution revenue by $1.2 million and $1.3 million in the first and second quarters of 2010, respectively. Excluding the impact of the one-time FleetNet sale in the first quarter of 2009 and lower local contribution revenues in 2010, MTS's revenues in the first six months of the year would have only been down by 0.4%.
Wireless services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 81.0 75.5 7.3
YTD 157.6 152.7 3.2
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Our wireless portfolio consists of cellular, wireless data, paging, and
group communications services that we offer in the Manitoba market to
both residential and business customers.
Our wireless services delivered very strong growth in the second quarter of 2010 with revenues increasing by $5.5 million. For the first six months of the year, our wireless revenues were up by $4.9 million. These strong levels of performance were driven mainly by solid growth in our subscriber base and significantly higher wireless data usage. In the first six months of the year, wireless revenue growth was partly offset by the fact that our wireless results in the first quarter of 2009 included a $3.4 million sale of FleetNet handsets to the City of Winnipeg. After adjusting for this sale, our wireless revenues increased by 5.6% in the first six months of 2010. At June 30, 2010, we had 469,744 wireless subscribers, up by 5.3% from June 30, 2009. Revenues from our wireless data services were also up strongly by 57.8% in the second quarter of 2010 and by 46.8% in the six months ended June 30, 2010.
The average revenue per user ("ARPU") of $56.06 increased by 0.8% or $0.47 for the six months ended June 30, 2010. This level of performance is mainly attributable to continued strong growth in our wireless data services and calling-feature utilization, partially offset by lower network charges resulting from the removal of system access fees on new plans, customer migration to these new richer, lower-priced plans, which contribute to lower airtime usage.
Broadband and converged IP services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 45.2 44.2 2.3
YTD 89.7 87.8 2.2
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Broadband and converged IP services include revenues earned from
providing high-speed Internet and digital television services to
residential customers in Manitoba, as well as IP-based connectivity to
business customers based in Manitoba.
Revenues from our broadband and converged IP services were up by $1.0 million and by $1.9 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively. These increases are mainly attributable to growth in revenues from our digital television and converged IP services, partly offset by lower high-speed Internet revenues.
Our digital television services revenues were ahead by $1.1 million or 8.1% in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009. For the first six months of 2010, digital television services revenues grew by 7.5% or $2.0 million. This growth reflects increased sales of our MTS Ultimate TV service together with increased purchases of pay-per-view events and video-on-demand services. This newer service, launched in March 2009 and rolled out gradually through the year, produces higher average revenue per subscriber and provides premium revenue potential for us compared to our basic television service, MTS Classic TV. At June 30, 2010, our MTS Ultimate TV service was available to approximately 80% of Winnipeg households as well as households in Brandon and Portage la Prairie. As we extend the service to more areas in Winnipeg we expect it to drive growth in our overall subscriber base. At the end of the second quarter, we had more than 25,000 subscribers on our MTS Ultimate TV service, as compared to 21,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2010. In total, we had 89,547 digital television subscribers at June 30, 2010, representing a 7.0% increase year-over-year.
Our high-speed Internet services revenues were down by $0.3 million in the second quarter of the year and down by $0.8 million for the first six months of 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009. These decreases reflect the effects of promotional pricing, partially offset by an increase in subscribers. At June 30, 2010, our high-speed Internet subscriber base totaled 184,525, up 3.1% from last year.
We continue to experience solid demand for our converged IP services within the enterprise market in Manitoba. Our converged IP revenues grew by 3.1% as compared to the second quarter of 2009 and by 5.4% for the first six months of 2010. At June 30, 2010, we were supporting 35 IP-virtual private network ("IP-VPN") customers in Manitoba, a 16.7% increase over last year.
Unified communications, security and monitoring services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 8.0 8.5 (5.9)
YTD 16.5 16.6 (0.6)
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Unified communications, security and monitoring services consist of
revenues earned from the provision of IP telephony products and services
to business customers in Manitoba. This line of business also includes
revenues earned from the installation and monitoring of alarm services to
residential and business customers in Manitoba.
Unified communications, security and monitoring services revenues declined by $0.5 million and by $0.1 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively. In the second quarter of 2010, this decline reflects slightly lower unified communications revenues and lower security revenues. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, lower unified communications, security and monitoring services revenues is mainly attributable to lower security and monitoring services revenues, almost completely offset by growth in unified communications revenues.
Local access services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 73.1 77.3 (5.4)
YTD 145.7 154.0 (5.4)
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Local access services include revenues earned for the provision of both
residential and business voice connectivity including calling features,
payphone revenue, and wholesale revenue within Manitoba.
Local access services revenues decreased by $4.2 million in the second quarter of 2010 and by $8.3 million in the first six months of the year. Lower local access services revenues in the second quarter and for the year-to-date mainly reflect decreased residential network access lines due to local competition and substitution, as well as lower local contribution revenue relating to high-cost serving areas.
As an ILEC in the province of Manitoba, we receive a monthly subsidy per network access line for basic local access services we provide to customers in rural and remote parts of the province where the costs of providing service are higher. The CRTC reviews and adjusts ILEC subsidy rates annually. For 2010, the CRTC used a negative inflation rate in their calculation of subsidy rates, which had the effect of reducing our contribution revenue by $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 and by $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2010, respectively.
Our year-over-year residential line loss continues to be among the lowest of ILECs facing cable competition in Canada at 5.5%, demonstrating the success of our service bundling strategies in Manitoba. As the market leading full service telecommunications provider in Manitoba with the ability to bundle up to five services, we believe we have positioned ourselves for long-term success in our markets. Our popular residential service bundles, which can include wireline, wireless, Internet, digital television and alarm monitoring services continue to provide a unique value proposition for our customers and cannot be matched by our competitors. Customers utilizing our bundled service offerings grew strongly by 10.1% in the second quarter of 2010. We expect to see improvement in our competitive position as we rollout our new fibre-to-the-home program.
Long distance and legacy data services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 25.7 29.6 (13.2)
YTD 51.2 57.2 (10.5)
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Long distance and legacy data services include revenues earned from the
provision of long distance calling along with traditional data services,
such as dial-up Internet connectivity, frame-relay networks, and private
line networks we offer to residential and business customers in Manitoba.
Revenues from our long distance and legacy data services decreased by $3.9 million for the second quarter of 2010 and by $6.0 million the six months ended June 30, 2010. Long distance service revenues declined mainly due to customer migration to lower-priced long distance plans, and reduced volumes. Our legacy data services revenues were also lower resulting from customers transitioning to broadband or other IP-based services.
Allstream Revenues
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Operating revenues (continuing operations)
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
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Converged IP 53.2 53.2 - 106.8 103.7 3.0
Unified
communications
& security 21.7 23.8 (8.8) 45.0 57.7 (22.0)
Local access 50.7 52.2 (2.9) 101.4 104.8 (3.2)
Long distance &
legacy data
services 84.5 88.5 (4.5) 171.2 188.1 (9.0)
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Total Allstream
operating revenues 210.1 217.7 (3.5) 424.4 454.3 (6.6)
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Revenues from continuing operations at Allstream in the three months ended June 30, 2010 were lower by $7.6 million as compared to the same period in 2009. These results include stable performance in converged IP services together with lower unified communications & security, local access, long distance and legacy data revenues all reflecting sales made during the recession in 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Allstream's revenues were down by $29.9 million reflecting continued growth in converged IP services, offset by declines in revenues from unified communications & security, local access, long distance and legacy data services.
Converged IP services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 53.2 53.2 -
YTD 106.8 103.7 3.0
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Converged IP services include revenues earned from the provision of
IP-based networking and related products and services to business
customers nationally.
Converged IP revenues in the second quarter of 2010 were flat compared to the first quarter of 2009. This reflects the delayed impact of slower sales during the economic downturn last year. For the first half of 2010, our converged IP revenues were up by $3.1 million. With the continuing recovery of the economy and enterprise market, our sales team has been more successful in winning service agreements with new customers in June and July of this year, returning our sales levels to the level required to hit double-digit growth rates in the future. Further, the capabilities of the suite of data products offered by Allstream continued to be demonstrated by growth in our IP-VPN customer base. As at June 30, 2010, Allstream had 344 IP-VPN customers, an 11.7% increase over last year.
Building on the strong growth we achieved in our Converged IP line of business in 2009, we are investing for future growth in 2010 and expanding our metropolitan Allstream IP fibre network in a targeted manner. This investment is part of a three-year plan to extend fibre to 675 select multi-tenant buildings that are within 200 metres of our existing national network and enhance our Ethernet capabilities in our co-location areas. This investment will extend our on-net reach and provide us with significant incremental high-margin revenue opportunities.
Through the first half of 2010, the results of this targeted, success-based investment continue to come in on plan. At the end of the second quarter, Allstream has earned 54 new IP contracts through this initiative, including multiple sales in the same connected buildings as well as a further 35 wins in Allstream's collocation footprint. We expect this investment to contribute to continuing strong revenue growth in converged IP revenues in 2011.
Unified communications and security services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 21.7 23.8 (8.8)
YTD 45.0 57.7 (22.0)
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Unified communications and security services include revenues earned from
the provision of IP telephony products and services along with revenues
from our IP-based security offerings to national business customers.
Unified communications and security services revenue declined by $2.1 million in the second quarter and by $12.7 million for the first six months of 2010. These decreases reflect lower revenues from both unified communications and security services, which is attributable to lower equipment and product sales. Revenues from these lines of business, however, were in line with the second half of 2009, which we believe is a more meaningful comparison than the first six months of 2009, given the impact of the recessionary economic conditions we experienced in the second half of last year. Beginning with the second quarter of 2009, Allstream's unified communications and security services have been affected by the recession and slow pace of economic recovery as many enterprise customers experienced lower business volumes and postponed capital investment decisions. We expect this line of business to start growing again as enterprise customers begin to reinvest in telecommunications and information technology.
Local access services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 50.7 52.2 (2.9)
YTD 101.4 104.8 (3.2)
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Local access services include revenues earned for the provision of
business voice connectivity including calling features to national
business and wholesale customers.
Local access services revenues declined by $1.5 million for the second quarter and by $3.4 million for the first six months of 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009. The decrease mainly reflects lower pricing, partially offset by growth in the number of small and medium sized business customers taking bundled services.
Long distance and legacy data services
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 84.5 88.5 (4.5)
YTD 171.2 188.1 (9.0)
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Long distance and legacy data services include revenues earned from the
provision of long distance calling along with traditional data services,
such as primary rate interfaces, frame-relay networks, and private line
networks to business customers nationally.
Revenues from Allstream's long distance and legacy data services declined by $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2010 and by $16.9 million in the first six months of the year. We experienced decreases in both of our long distance and legacy data service portfolios.
The decline in Allstream's long distance services revenues in the second quarter of 2010 is mainly attributable to lower international and domestic rates, partly offset by higher international volumes. Reduced business activity by our customers that are based or have operations in the U.S. continue to result in lower and cross-border long distance volumes. For the year-to-date June 30, 2010, lower long distance revenues primarily reflect lower international and domestic rates together with lower cross-border volumes, which were partly offset by higher international volumes. We have launched sales and marketing initiatives designed to identify new customers, retain our existing customer base, and encourage higher long distance usage to counter these impacts. Our legacy data services revenues continue to be affected by customers' transition to broadband and other IP-based services. In addition, the continuing migration of long distance and legacy data communications traffic by Rogers and AT&T to their respective networks has further impacted the year-over-year declines in these lines of business. Long distance and legacy data services revenues from these customers in the second quarter of 2010 totalled $14.6 million as compared to $17.2 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, long distance and legacy data services revenues from these customers were $30.9 million as compared to $35.4 million in 2009.
Consolidated Results
--------------------
EBITDA
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
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MTS EBITDA 122.9 129.5 (5.1) 242.7 257.7 (5.8)
Allstream EBITDA 26.6 29.8 (10.7) 52.6 64.7 (18.7)
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EBITDA* (continuing
operations) 149.3 159.5 (6.4) 294.6 322.8 (8.7)
Restructuring and
other costs 8.2 12.7 (35.4) 20.8 18.8 (10.6)
Wireless transition
costs - 6.3 n.m. - 13.7 n.m.
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EBITDA 141.1 140.5 0.4 273.8 290.3 (5.7)
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* Contains EBITDA from corporate operations.
Our EBITDA from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2010 was in line with our results for the last three quarters, but was lower by $10.2 million when compared to the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, EBITDA from continuing operations, at $294.6 million, was down by $28.2 million as compared to the same period in 2009. These decreases are attributable to lower revenues and increases in non-cash pension expense of $5.1 million in the second quarter and by $9.6 million for the year-to-date, which was partially offset by lower direct costs. Excluding the increases in non-cash pension expense, EBITDA from continuing operations for the second quarter would have been down 3.2% and for the first six months of the year would have declined by 5.8%. These levels of EBITDA performance reflect the impact of the economic downturn on Allstream's operations and continuing aggressive price competition from our main cable competitor in Manitoba. Consolidated EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2010 benefitted from lower restructuring costs to increase by $0.6 million over the same period last year.
On a segmented basis, MTS's EBITDA from continuing operations in the second quarter, at $122.9 million, was down by $6.6 million when compared to the prior year or by 1.9% when you exclude the $4.2 million increase in non-cash pension expense. The remaining decrease is primarily attributable to aggressive price competition from our main cable competitor in Manitoba. Although we have maintained our market shares overall, lower pricing has impacted MTS's performance in 2010. MTS's EBITDA margin in the second quarter of 2010 continues to be strong and market leading, at almost 52.7%. Allstream's EBITDA from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 was $26.6 million as compared to $29.8 million in the same quarter last year. On a sequential basis, Allstream's EBITDA improved by $0.6 million to $26.6 million, which is up from the division's first quarter 2010 EBITDA of $26.0 million. This sequential EBITDA improvement reflects the impact of cost cutting and is evidence, we believe, that Allstream's performance is stabilizing.
EPS
(in $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
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EPS (continuing
operations) 0.54 0.66 (18.2) 1.00 1.37 (27.0)
Restructuring and
other costs (0.08) (0.13) (38.5) (0.21) (0.20) 5.0
Discontinued
operations (0.02) - n.m. (0.04) - n.m.
Wireless transition
costs - (0.06) n.m. - (0.13) n.m.
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Basic EPS 0.44 0.47 (6.4) 0.75 1.04 (27.9)
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Note: EPS for the three months ended June 30 is based on weighted average
shares outstanding of 64.7 million for 2009 and for 2010.
On a year-over-year basis, EPS from continuing operations decreased by $0.12 to $0.54 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and by $0.37 to $1.00 for the first half of the year mainly as a result of lower EBITDA and higher debt charges. Basic EPS decreased to $0.44 and $0.75 in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively. These basic EPS results reflect the impact of the restructuring and other costs related to our cost savings initiatives, a loss from discontinued operations we incurred in connection with the portion of our non-telecommunications IT consulting business that we sold, as well as the transition of certain wireless service requirements away from Bell Mobility to new suppliers and our wireless platform.
Operating expenses
Operations expense (continuing operations)
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 293.8 293.3 0.2
YTD 590.5 599.8 (1.6)
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Operating expenses from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 were up by $0.5 million when compared to the same period in 2009 reflecting lower direct costs as well as savings from our ongoing cost reduction initiatives, which were more than offset by an increase in pension expense, in the amount of $5.1 million, and higher costs to fund certain growth lines of business.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, operating expenses from continuing operations were lower by $9.3 million as compared to the same period last year. This decrease reflects lower direct costs as well as savings from ongoing cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by a non-cash pension expense increase of $9.6 million and higher costs to fund certain growth lines of business.
We continue to work on removing costs from our business. For 2010, we set a target of achieving between $30 million and $40 million of annualized savings from our operational efficiency programs. We are on track to reach this target, having achieved $29.2 million of annualized savings in the first six months of the year.
Restructuring and transition costs
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
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Q2 8.2 19.0 (56.8)
YTD 20.8 32.5 (36.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We incurred restructuring costs in the amount of $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2010, as compared to $12.7 million last year. For the first six months of 2010, restructuring and transition costs declined by $11.7 million to $20.8 million. Please refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for further details on our restructuring and transition expenses.
Amortization expense
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 83.3 81.0 2.8
YTD 165.3 162.8 1.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization expense increased by $2.3 million in the second quarter and by $2.5 million for the first six months of 2010 when compared to the same periods last year, which is mainly attributable to a slight increase in depreciable assets.
Other income
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 4.4 2.4 83.3
YTD 3.3 3.3 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income for the second quarter was $4.4 million as compared to other income of $2.4 million for the same quarter in 2009 and is unchanged for the first six months of the year. In the second quarter of 2010, other income was favourably impacted by gains on foreign exchange hedging contracts.
Debt charges
(in millions $) 2010 2009 % change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 18.1 15.7 15.3
YTD 34.9 28.8 21.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt charges were higher by $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 and by $6.1 million for the first six months of 2010. These increased interest expenses are primarily associated with our higher levels of outstanding debt and higher average coupon rates, which is reflective of a greater proportion of our debt being long-term compared to the prior year.
Income tax expense
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax on
continuing
operations 17.1 22.2 (23.0) 32.8 45.6 (28.1)
Tax effect on
one-time items (2.6) (6.0) (56.7) (6.9) (10.4) (33.7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax 14.5 16.2 (10.5) 25.9 35.2 (26.4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2010 declined by $1.7 million compared to the same period in 2009 due to the decrease in net income from continuing operations and lower one-time adjustments. For the first six months of 2010, total income tax was lower by $9.3 million primarily due to lower net income from continuing operations.
We utilized the last of our available tax losses associated with the acquisition of Allstream during the first half of 2009 by deferring the use of our substantial capital cost allowance ("CCA") pools. By utilizing our deferred CCA deductions, we expect to fully offset our taxable income and not pay cash taxes before 2019 with the present value of our tax asset being approximately $320 million.
Consolidated quarterly financial data
Unaudited quarterly financial data for our eight most recently completed quarters is presented below:
(in millions $, except EPS) Q2/10 Q1/10 Q4/09 Q3/09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 443.1 442.0 453.8 438.8
Operating income 57.8 50.7 59.4 52.5
Net income before discontinued
operations 29.6 21.4 9.0 28.1
Net income and comprehensive income 28.2 20.4 6.7 27.9
EPS before discontinued operations 0.46 0.33 0.14 0.43
Diluted EPS before discontinued
operations 0.46 0.33 0.14 0.43
EPS 0.44 0.32 0.10 0.43
Diluted EPS 0.44 0.32 0.10 0.43
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions $, except EPS) Q2/09 Q1/09 Q4/08 Q3/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues 452.8 469.8 465.5 468.9
Operating income 59.5 68.0 52.6 69.3
Net income before discontinued
operations 30.0 36.8 14.8 39.4
Net income and comprehensive income 30.1 37.0 13.7 38.1
EPS before discontinued operations 0.47 0.57 0.23 0.61
Diluted EPS before discontinued
operations 0.47 0.57 0.23 0.61
EPS 0.47 0.57 0.21 0.59
Diluted EPS 0.47 0.57 0.21 0.59
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Our consolidated financial results for the eight most recently completed quarters reflect the ongoing performance of our business in the marketplace, as well as the recording of the following items:
- Restructuring costs for our ongoing cost reduction initiatives were
$11.7 million in the first quarter and $1.8 million in the second
quarter of 2010. For each of the four quarters of 2009 the amounts of
restructuring costs were $5.4 million, $12.3 million, $8.6 million,
and $5.3 million, listed chronologically. We also recorded
restructuring costs of $7.1 million and $13.7 million in the third
and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively.
- Costs related to our HSPA deployment and related billing
implementation were $0.8 million and $6.3 million in the first and
second quarters of 2010, respectively.
- Losses, net of tax, in the amounts of $1.0 million, and $1.4 million
in the first and second quarters of 2010, respectively, and a
$2.3 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2009 associated with
discontinued operations of our non-telecommunications IT consulting
business.
- Charges of $13.5 million for the deferral account rebate in relation
to Decision 2008-1 in the third quarter of 2009.
- Costs in relation to the transition of certain wireless service
requirements away from Bell Mobility and to new suppliers and to our
wireless platform in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of
2009, in the amounts of $7.4 million, $6.3 million, $0.7 million, and
$3.7 million, respectively. We recorded costs in the amounts of
$7.5 million and $9.3 million in the third and fourth quarters of
2008, respectively, for this transition and costs associated with the
AWS spectrum auction.
- Charges to reflect decreases in the value of our income tax asset as
a result of reductions in future income tax rates or rate
differential on temporary differences, consisting of $23.4 million in
the fourth quarter of 2009 and $9.0 million in the fourth quarter of
2008.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows from operating activities
(in millions $) 2010 2009 $ change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 103.7 56.4 47.3
YTD 203.6 103.2 100.4
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities refer to cash we generate from our
normal business activities.
Cash flows from operating activities were $103.7 million in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $56.4 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, cash flows from operating activities totalled $203.6 million, as compared to $103.2 million in the same period in 2009. These increases of $47.3 million and $100.4 million for each of these periods, respectively, are mainly due to changes in working capital and lower pension funding.
Cash flows used in investing activities
(in millions $) 2010 2009 $ change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 (79.4) (69.9) (9.5)
YTD (157.1) (127.1) (30.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities represent cash used for acquiring, and cash received
from disposing of, long-term assets and other long-term investments.
In the second quarter of 2010, we used $79.4 million of cash for investing activities as compared to $69.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the first six months of 2010, cash flows used in investing activities increased by $30.0 million over the same period in 2009. These increases are primarily attributable to higher capital expenditures for the deployment of our HSPA network in Manitoba.
Capital expenditures (continuing operations)
(in millions $) 2010 2009 $ change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 58.9 63.3 (4.4)
YTD 115.3 119.3 (4.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We continue to allocate our capital to fund our higher growth segments and to focus on spending capital prudently. Our capital expenditures from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 and first six months of the year were lower by $4.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
Free cash flow
(in millions $) Q2/10 Q2/09 % change YTD/10 YTD/09 % change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow
(continuing
operations) 62.3 59.6 4.5 117.2 127.8 (8.3)
Pension solvency
funding 0.9 8.8 (89.8) 0.9 17.5 (94.9)
HSPA & related
billing capital
expenditures 16.0 7.5 n.m. 34.3 7.5 n.m.
Restructuring and
other costs 8.2 12.7 (35.4) 20.8 18.8 10.6
Restructuring
capital
expenditures 3.9 0.4 n.m. 6.2 1.0 n.m.
Wireless transition
costs - 6.3 n.m. - 13.7 n.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated free
cash flow 33.3 23.9 39.3 55.0 69.3 (20.6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow refers to cash flow from operating activities, less
capital expenditures, and excluding changes in working capital.
Free cash flow from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 was $62.3 million as compared to $59.6 million in the second quarter last year. This increase is mainly attributable to lower capital expenditures, lower deferred wireless costs and higher other income, partly offset by lower EBITDA and higher debt charges. For the first six months of 2010, free cash flow from continuing operations was $117.2 million compared to $127.8 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease is primarily due to lower EBITDA and higher debt charges, offset by lower capital expenditures and deferred wireless costs.
Consolidated free cash flow was $33.3 million in the second quarter of this year and $55.0 million for the first six months of 2010 as compared to $23.9 million and $69.3 million in the comparable periods in 2009. Details of the items not included in continuing operations are included in the preceding table.
Cash flows (used in) from financing activities
(in millions $) 2010 2009 $ change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 (41.7) 23.1 (64.8)
YTD (83.0) 24.2 (107.2)
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities refer to actions we undertake to fund our operations
through equity capital and borrowings.
Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $41.7 million in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to cash flow from financing activities of $23.1 million in the second quarter of 2009. In the first six months of 2009, we issued long-term debt and repaid notes payable which resulted in net cash flow from financing activities. There have not been any similar issuances or repayments of debt in 2010. Our cash outflows include dividend payments of $42.1 million per quarter.
Credit facilities
utilized at
June 30,
(in millions $) capacity 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium term note program 500.0 200.0
Revolving credit facility 350.0 137.3
Accounts receivable securitization 150.0 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,000.0 337.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have arrangements in place that allow us to access the debt capital
markets for funding when required. Borrowings under these facilities
typically are used to fund new initiatives, refinance maturing debt, and
manage cash flow fluctuations.
We renewed our medium term note program on October 16, 2009 for $500.0 million and we utilized $200.0 million of this facility to issue debt in December 2009. We also have a $350.0 million revolving credit facility, of which $150.0 million is available to back stop our commercial paper program. At June 30, 2010, we utilized $137.3 million of our revolving credit facility for undrawn letters of credit. Of this amount, $110.2 million represents letters of credit issued under the Solvency Funding Relief Regulations enacted in 2006 under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (Canada), which permit the extension of pension solvency payments from a five-year amortization period to a 10 year amortization period for our defined benefit pension plans. In addition to these programs and facilities, we have a $150.0 million accounts receivable securitization program which was unutilized at June 30, 2010.
Capital structure
June 30, December 31,
(in millions $) 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Cash and cash equivalents) (83.1) (110.2)
Capital lease obligations, including
current portion 18.0 17.6
Long-term debt, including current portion 1,052.0 1,051.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt 986.9 958.9
Shareholders' equity 1,282.3 1,316.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total capitalization 2,269.2 2,275.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt to capitalization 43.5% 42.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our capital structure illustrates the amount of our assets that are financed by debt versus equity. Our debt to total capitalization ratio of 43.5% at June 30, 2010 continues to represent financial strength and flexibility.
Credit ratings
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB BBB
S&P - Senior debentures (stable) DBRS - Senior debentures (stable)
R-2
S&P - Commercial paper A-2 DBRS - Commercial paper (high)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two leading rating agencies, Standard & Poor's ("S&P") and DBRS Limited ("DBRS"), analyze us and assign ratings based on their assessments. We consistently have been assigned solid investment grade credit ratings. On July 29, 2010, S&P confirmed their credit ratings on our long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt at "BBB" and confirmed our commercial paper rating of "A-2". S&P also confirmed its outlook as stable. DBRS confirmed its ratings on January 18, 2010 for our senior debentures as "BBB" and our commercial paper "R-2 (high)". DBRS's outlook remained stable.
Outstanding share data as at July 27, 2010
Authorized:
- Unlimited number of Preference Shares of two classes issuable in one
or more series
- Unlimited number of Common Shares of a single class
Issued:
Shares Number Book value (in millions $)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common 64,678,817 $1,267.2
Stock options:
Weighted average
Options Number exercise price per share
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding 3,100,210 $38.75
Exercisable 1,491,064 $41.32
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contractual obligations, financial instruments, off-balance sheet arrangements, and other financial arrangements
Our contractual obligations, financial instruments, off-balance sheet arrangements, and other financial arrangements remain substantially unchanged from those that were disclosed in our 2009 annual MD&A. For additional details, please consult our 2009 annual MD&A, which is available on our Web site at www.mtsallstream.com.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
Our critical accounting estimates and assumptions remain substantially unchanged from those that were disclosed in our 2009 annual MD&A. For additional details, please consult our 2009 annual MD&A, which is available on our Web site at www.mtsallstream.com.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES, INCLUDING INITIAL ADOPTION
International financial reporting standards ("IFRS")
The Canadian Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") adopted a strategic plan in 2006, outlining plans for the convergence of Canadian GAAP with IFRS over a five-year period. In February 2008, the AcSB confirmed January 1, 2011 as the date IFRS will replace current Canadian GAAP for publicly accountable enterprises. As a Canadian reporting issuer, we will begin reporting our financial results under IFRS in the first quarter of 2011, which will include the 2010 comparative period.
Our IFRS changeover plan
We started our IFRS changeover activities in 2008 with the development of a detailed IFRS changeover plan. Our plan consists of four phases, which represent the activities we are undertaking from 2008 until 2011 to ensure we have the systems, business processes and controls in place to report our financial results on an IFRS basis effective January 1, 2011, with comparative information for 2010. A description of each of the four phases of our plan is set out on page 26 of our 2009 Annual Report.
Progress towards completion of our IFRS changeover plan
Our progress to date on key activities of our changeover plan is summarized in the following table:
Key Activities Progress to Date
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial - Identify accounting and - We have identified
Statement disclosure differences accounting and disclosure
Preparation between IFRS and our differences.
existing policies. - We evaluated accounting
- Evaluate accounting policy policy alternatives and
options and select IFRS our senior management has
accounting policies, selected initial IFRS
including policy choices accounting policies,
under IFRS 1, First-time including IFRS 1 policy
Adoption of International choices. The Audit
Financial Reporting Committee of our Board of
Standards ("IFRS 1"). Directors reviewed these
- Develop IFRS-compliant selections.
financial statements and - We continue to monitor
note disclosure. the effects of new or
- Quantify the impact of amended IFRSs.
changeover to IFRS. - We have drafted our
preliminary IFRS
financial statement
format and note
disclosure.
- Quantification of the
impact of our IFRS
changeover is in
progress.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Systems and - Identify impacts of IFRS - We completed design and
Processes conversion on IT systems development activities
and accounting and related to IT system and
business processes. process changes resulting
- Design, test, and from differences in
implement IT solutions accounting standards for
and changes to accounting property, plant, and
and business processes. equipment. We tested and
- Design, test, and implement implemented this
a dual reporting system to solution.
maintain parallel records - We identified a dual
throughout 2010. reporting IT solution,
and tested and
implemented this
solution.
- We designed changes to
our accounting and
business processes and
are implementing these
changes during 2010.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Controls and - Assess impact of - We have assessed the
Procedures changeover on disclosure impact of changeover on
controls and procedures our DC&P and ICFR.
("DC&P") and internal - We are designing and
control over financial implementing new and
reporting ("ICFR"). revised controls
- Design and implement new throughout 2010.
or revised controls, as - We have developed plans
considered necessary, to evaluate the operating
resulting from effectiveness of our DC&P
implementation of ongoing and ICFR.
IFRS accounting policies
and our one-time
transition adjustments.
- Evaluate the operating
effectiveness of new and
revised DC&P and ICFR for
certification requirements
in 2010 and 2011.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communication - Communicate progress of - We provide updates on our
and Training IFRS changeover plan and changeover plan and
impacts of changeover to related impacts in our
internal and external MD&A on an ongoing basis.
stakeholders. - We provide regular
- Provide specific training updates to the Audit
to employees affected by Committee of our Board of
our IFRS changeover. Directors, our IFRS
- Provide general IFRS Steering Committee and
training to finance senior management on the
employees. progress made on our IFRS
changeover plan.
- We have completed
detailed training for
employees involved with
our IFRS changeover.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS and first-time adoption of IFRS
We have identified differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS that may impact our consolidated financial statements. On adoption of IFRS, companies are required to implement IFRS-compliant accounting policies on a retrospective basis. IFRS 1 includes certain mandatory exceptions and certain optional exemptions to this retrospective application. The key areas where we expect changes in our accounting policies and the significant optional exemptions we expect to apply are set out on pages 26 to 27 of our 2009 Annual Report. The differences in accounting policies we have identified are based on the accounting standards we expect to be in place in the year of our changeover to IFRS. The International Accounting Standards Board, however, has projects in progress that could have an impact on the differences we have currently identified. Changes in accounting standards and our assessments of the estimated impacts may affect our final accounting policy selection. We have activities underway to quantify the financial impacts of the differences we have currently identified, and while the financial impacts may be material, we expect them to be similar to those of our peers. We will provide further information regarding the quantification of the impacts as we move closer to the changeover date.
OUR REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The telecommunications and broadcast industries in which we operate are federally regulated pursuant to both the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act. The primary regulatory agency we are subject to is the CRTC. The Government of Canada ("the Government") through the Departments of Industry and Canadian Heritage, exercises legislative oversight of the CRTC. We are subject to policy decisions taken by the Government from time to time as well as any amendments to applicable legislation or regulatory instruments. We operate as an ILEC in Manitoba and as a competitive local exchange carrier outside of Manitoba. We also operate as a licensed broadcasting distribution undertaking ("BDU") in parts of Manitoba, including Winnipeg and the surrounding area. The following are significant updates to the Regulatory Environment sections described in our 2009 annual MD&A, and our first quarter 2010 interim MD&A, which are available on our Web site at www.mtsallstream.com.
Broadcasting policy
On May 6, 2010, the CRTC approved our application to extend our BDU licence to include the community of Selkirk, Manitoba. This will allow us to provide MTS TV service in Selkirk, in addition to our existing service areas in and around Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and Brandon, Manitoba.
The reference to the Federal Court of Appeal, described in our first quarter 2010 interim MD&A, to determine whether the CRTC has authority to require that cable companies pay broadcasters a fee for the carriage of local over the air signals, is scheduled to be heard on September 13, 2010. We will continue to monitor the Federal Court of Appeal referral process and support the view put forth by the larger BDUs that imposing a fee for carriage for over the air signals is beyond the jurisdiction of the CRTC.
On June 7, 2010 the Federal Court of Appeal issued a decision on a separate broadcasting issue, determining that Internet service providers are not acting as BDUs and are not subject to the Broadcasting Act when they provide Internet access, which includes broadcasting content via the Internet. The CRTC had asked the Federal Court of Appeal to decide this matter in order to determine whether or not it could impose a levy on the retail revenues of Internet service providers to support the production of Canadian broadcasting content for the Internet. The Court's decision means that such a levy cannot be imposed on the retail Internet access revenues of MTS Allstream and others. Opposing parties have until September 30, 2010 to seek leave to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Canada and we will continue to monitor and, if necessary, intervene in any further proceedings to argue that ISPs are not BDUs but rather are telecommunications carriers offering access to the Internet.
Removal of foreign investment restrictions
On June 11, 2010, the Government announced a public consultation to examine how, and to what extent, foreign investment restrictions applicable to telecommunications carriers should be removed. In addition, on June 16, 2010, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology issued its report on the foreign investment restrictions, properly characterizing the concentration of market share amongst the three largest service providers and the challenges faced by smaller providers to attract capital at a reasonable cost. Given the diverged views of the individual political parties, the Committee had two consensus views: i) that the government clarify the "control in fact" test; and ii) that the government remove the foreign ownership restrictions for satellite ownership and operation.
On July 30, 2010, we filed our submission in the federal government's consultation on how the commitment in the Speech from the Throne to open up the telecommunications industry to global investment can best be met. In its submission, we endorse removal of the existing foreign investment restrictions which continue to represent an impediment to investment, competition and innovation and to Canadian leadership in the digital economy. MTS Allstream recommends the government accept the advice it has received from expert panels like the Competition Policy Review Panel and act quickly to lift the restrictions.
Government digital economy strategy
On May 10, 2010, the federal government launched a consultation asking for comments and ideas on developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. We are advocating equitable wholesale access to the essential incumbent telecommunications carriers' network infrastructure and the elimination of the foreign direct investment restrictions on telecommunications carriers, which currently limit the ability of competitors to access the capital needed to expand their telecommunications infrastructure. In terms of broadband deployment to rural/remote communities, similar to the CRTC's proceeding on the basic service objective, we have highlighted the potential utility of a properly funded subsidy mechanism for the purpose of extending broadband access to rural and remote areas.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Our risks and uncertainties remain substantially unchanged from those that were disclosed in our 2009 annual MD&A and first quarter 2010 interim MD&A. For additional details, please consult our 2009 annual MD&A, and first quarter 2010 interim MD&A, which is available on our Web site at www.mtsallstream.com.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent interim period ended June 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
THIRD QUARTER DIVIDEND
On August 5, 2010, the Board of Directors of MTS Allstream declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.425 per share. The third quarter dividend is payable on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010.
Notes:
1. Supplementary financial information as well as slides are available
in the Investors section of the MTS Allstream Web site at
www.mtsallstream.com.
2. MTS Allstream's second quarter 2010 conference call with the
investment community is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on
August 6, 2010. The dial in number is 1-888-231-8191. A live audio
Webcast of the investor conference call can be accessed by visiting
the Investors section of the MTS Allstream Web site
(www.mtsallstream.com). A replay of the conference call will be
available until midnight August 19, 2010 and can be accessed by
dialing 1-800-642-1687 or 1-416-849-0833 (access code 83887081). The
audio webcast will be archived on MTS Allstream's Web site.
MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
For the periods
ended June 30 Three months ended Six months ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions, except
earnings per share) 2010 2009 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues $ 443.1 $ 452.8 $ 885.1 $ 922.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses
Operations 293.8 293.3 590.5 599.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring and
transition (Note 2) 8.2 19.0 20.8 32.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization 83.3 81.0 165.3 162.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
385.3 393.3 776.6 795.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 57.8 59.5 108.5 127.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income 4.4 2.4 3.3 3.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt charges (18.1) (15.7) (34.9) (28.8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 44.1 46.2 76.9 102.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense
Current 1.3 (0.1) 1.4 0.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future 13.2 16.3 24.5 35.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.5 16.2 25.9 35.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before discontinued
operations 29.6 30.0 51.0 66.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income from
discontinued operations,
net of tax (Note 3) (1.4) 0.1 (2.4) 0.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income and comprehensive
income for the period $ 28.2 $ 30.1 $ 48.6 $ 67.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted earnings
per share (Note 4)
Income before discontinued
operations $ 0.46 $ 0.46 $ 0.79 $ 1.03
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 0.44 $ 0.47 $ 0.75 $ 1.04
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (DEFICIT) RETAINED EARNINGS
(unaudited)
For the periods
ended June 30 Three months ended Six months ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2010 2009 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, beginning
of period $ 8.8 $ 91.8 $ 30.4 $ 96.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income for the period 28.2 30.1 48.6 67.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends declared (42.1) (42.0) (84.1) (84.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Deficit) retained earnings,
end of period $ (5.1) $ 79.9 $ (5.1) $ 79.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
June 30, December 31,
2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 83.1 $ 110.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts receivable 154.6 166.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 79.6 79.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other current assets 66.0 58.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets held for sale (Note 3) - 18.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
383.3 432.0
Capital assets
Property, plant and equipment 3,836.9 3,749.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets 535.2 505.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,372.1 4,254.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated amortization 2,716.1 2,611.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,656.0 1,643.3
Other assets 425.8 417.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 337.9 362.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 41.8 41.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,844.8 $ 2,896.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 339.8 $ 349.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advance billings and payments 53.6 52.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current portion of long-term debt 11.9 11.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current portion of capital lease obligations 5.9 4.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities related to assets held for
sale (Note 3) - 9.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
411.2 426.7
Long-term debt 1,040.1 1,039.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations 12.1 13.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred employee benefits 43.8 43.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other long-term liabilities 54.2 55.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 1.1 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,562.5 1,579.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Share capital (Note 5) 1,267.2 1,266.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed surplus 20.2 19.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Deficit) retained earnings (5.1) 30.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,282.3 1,316.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,844.8 $ 2,896.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
For the periods
ended June 30 Three months ended Six months ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2010 2009 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating
activities
Income before discontinued
operations $ 29.6 $ 30.0 $ 51.0 $ 66.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Add (deduct) items not
affecting cash
Amortization 83.3 81.0 165.3 162.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 13.2 16.3 24.5 35.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on sale of
intangible assets - (3.1) - (3.1)
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Deferred wireless costs (11.4) (13.3) (20.7) (25.4)
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Pension funding and net
pension credit (3.9) (16.8) (7.8) (33.6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, net 1.3 1.0 (1.5) (5.4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in non-cash working
capital (8.4) (38.7) (7.2) (93.9)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating
activities 103.7 56.4 203.6 103.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing
activities
Capital expenditures, net (78.8) (71.2) (155.8) (127.8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net proceeds from sale of
intangible assets - 1.4 - 1.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, net (0.6) (0.1) (1.3) (0.7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Cash flows used in
investing activities (79.4) (69.9) (157.1) (127.1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Cash flows from financing
activities
Dividends paid (42.1) (42.0) (84.1) (84.0)
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Issuance of long-term debt - 425.0 - 425.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repayment of long-term debt - (150.0) - (220.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repayment of notes payable,
net - (207.0) - (95.0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of share capital
(Note 5) 0.1 - 0.3 0.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, net 0.3 (2.9) 0.8 (2.6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows (used in) from
financing activities (41.7) 23.1 (83.0) 24.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows before
discontinued operations (17.4) 9.6 (36.5) 0.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from discontinued
operations (Note 3) - 1.7 9.4 0.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in cash and cash
equivalents (17.4) 11.3 (27.1) 0.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents
(bank indebtedness),
beginning of period 100.5 (4.3) 110.2 6.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents,
end of period $ 83.1 $ 7.0 $ 83.1 $ 7.0
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MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (All financial amounts
are in $ millions, except where noted)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The interim consolidated financial statements of Manitoba Telecom
Services Inc. (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These
interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using
the same accounting policies and methods of their application as the
Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2009.
These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.
2. RESTRUCTURING AND TRANSITION
The Company recorded net restructuring and transition expenses as
follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Workforce - 8.2 9.6 8.1
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Other 8.2 4.5 11.2 10.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
8.2 12.7 20.8 18.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless transition - 6.3 - 13.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
8.2 19.0 20.8 32.5
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
The liability for restructuring costs as at June 30, 2010 is as
follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance December 31, 2009 13.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 restructuring costs 20.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Less:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash payments (17.0)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustments to existing real estate facility
consolidation reserves (1.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance June 30, 2010 16.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring activities are aimed at achieving further process
improvements and overall expense reductions, and include costs for
severance and other employee-related expenses that supported
workforce reduction initiatives undertaken throughout the period,
real estate facility consolidation charges, as well as costs to
review and improve efficiencies in current processes. Also included
are other non-recurring amounts associated with the high-speed packet
access deployment and related billing implementation.
Wireless transition includes costs of transitioning certain wireless
service requirements away from Bell Mobility to new suppliers and to
the Company's wireless platform.
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On January 31, 2010, the Company sold the majority of its non-
telecommunications information technology consulting group, which is
a line of business within the Allstream unit, to
PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada ("PWC") for a preliminary purchase
price of $14.2 million. The initial purchase price review period of
120 days after the closing date of January 31, 2010 has been extended
by the Company and PWC to finalize the purchase price. Additional
provisions of $2.0 million have been recorded to reflect the
potential for adjustments to the preliminary purchase price. The
Company expects to finalize the purchase price in the third quarter.
The financial results attributable to this line of business have been
presented as discontinued operations.
The following table provides further information on the composition
of revenues and income (loss) related to discontinued operations:
2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 2.9 27.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
before income taxes (1.1) 0.5
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Loss on sale of discontinued operations
before income taxes (2.3) -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income tax recovery (expense) related
to discontinued operations 1.0 (0.2)
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(Loss) income from discontinued operations,
net of tax (2.4) 0.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table provides further information on the composition
of assets and liabilities held for sale:
June 30, December 31,
2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Assets - 17.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net - 0.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets held for sale - 18.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities - 9.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - 9.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table provides further information on cash flows
relating to discontinued operations:
2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows (used in) from operating activities (1.1) 0.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities 10.5 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from discontinued operations 9.4 0.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
The following table provides a reconciliation of the information used
to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:
2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income - basic and diluted
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before discontinued operations 51.0 66.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income from discontinued operations,
net of tax (2.4) 0.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 48.6 67.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- basic and diluted 64.7 64.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share - basic and diluted ($)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before discontinued operations 0.79 1.03
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss)income from discontinued operations,
net of tax (0.04) 0.01
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 0.75 1.04
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5. SHARE CAPITAL
As at June 30, 2010, share capital consists of 64,678,817 issued and
outstanding Common Shares (December 31, 2009 - 64,667,817).
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, 11,000 stock options to
purchase Common Shares were exercised for cash consideration of
$0.3 million, which was credited to share capital.
6. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
The Company's total net benefit expense for all of its defined
benefit and defined contribution pension plans, supplemental pension
arrangements, and other non-pension employee future benefits for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2010 is $3.5 million and
$6.4 million respectively.
7. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
On January 1, 2010, the Company announced changes to its
organizational structure. Under this new structure, the Company
renamed its reportable operating segments as the MTS unit and the
Allstream unit. The MTS unit provides a full range of wireless,
broadband Internet and data, digital television, wireline voice
services, and security and alarm monitoring services to residential
and business customers in Manitoba. The Allstream unit provides
Internet protocol-based communications, unified communications, voice
and data connectivity, and security services to business customers in
Canada. Accordingly, segmented information for 2010 and 2009 is
provided under this new basis of segmentation.
The Company evaluates performance based on EBITDA (earnings before
interest, taxes, amortization, and other income). EBITDA, as reported
below, includes intersegment revenues and expenses. The Company
accounts for intersegment revenues and expenses at either prices that
approximate current market prices or cost, depending on the type of
service.
The following table provides further segmented information:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended June 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allstream
MTS unit unit Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenue
External 233.0 235.1 210.1 217.7 - - 443.1 452.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal 0.1 0.1 - - 9.5 8.5 9.6 8.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 116.6 123.2 24.8 17.7 (0.3) (0.4) 141.1 140.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring and
transition 6.3 6.3 1.8 12.1 0.1 0.6 8.2 19.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended June 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allstream
MTS unit unit Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
-------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenue
External 460.7 468.3 424.4 454.3 - - 885.1 922.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal 0.2 0.2 - - 19.0 18.1 19.2 18.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA 235.6 244.0 39.1 47.2 (0.9) (0.9) 273.8 290.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring and
transition 7.1 13.7 13.5 17.5 0.2 1.3 20.8 32.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation to consolidated net income is as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total EBITDA 141.1 140.5 273.8 290.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization (83.3) (81.0) (165.3) (162.8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income 4.4 2.4 3.3 3.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt charges (18.1) (15.7) (34.9) (28.8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense (14.5) (16.2) (25.9) (35.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before discontinued
operations 29.6 30.0 51.0 66.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income from
discontinued operations (1.4) 0.1 (2.4) 0.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
28.2 30.1 48.6 67.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On August 5, 2010, the Company executed a comprehensive settlement
agreement with Bell Mobility in respect of various historical
disputes, including an arbitration proceeding relating to the
provision of wireless services in Manitoba. Included in this
confidential settlement agreement, the Company will receive various
services and benefits including a $10 million one-time cash payment
received on August 5, 2010.
9. COMPARATIVE FIGURES
The prior period figures have been reclassified when necessary to
conform to the current period's presentation.
%SEDAR: 00003357E
For further information: Investors: Paul Peters, Vice-President, Tax and Investor Relations, Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., (204) 941-6178, [email protected]; Media: Greg Burch, Director, Corporate and Employee Communications, Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., (416) 345-3576 or (204) 941-8576, [email protected]
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