SureWest Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

ROSEVILLE, Calif., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SureWest Communications (NASDAQ: SURW) today announced operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

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Steve Oldham, SureWest's president and chief executive officer, said, "We experienced strong Broadband business and residential revenue growth during the quarter, driven by increased HDTV take rates, larger video packages and faster Internet speeds. Business services growth during the quarter reflects the success of the wireless backhaul service and higher ARPU for new and existing customers on our fiber networks.

"In April, we launched a new video product in our Kansas City market that features Whole Home DVR and an advanced user interface, and the initial response from customers has been excellent. We expect these new video features to help us achieve the success that was driven by the Advanced Digital TV service in the Sacramento market.

"The continued growth of our Broadband segment is a result of our investments in fiber-to-the-home networks and our suite of advanced products. Looking forward, we're excited about our future in light of our pending merger with Consolidated Communications, and we will continue to focus on obtaining the necessary approvals to close this transaction as expeditiously as possible. We expect Broadband revenues and adjusted EBITDA to continue increasing through the expansion of both our residential and business product offerings in the communities we serve."

The following table highlights financial results on a consolidated basis (dollars are in thousands):

First Quarter Financial Results

Consolidated revenues increased 4% year-over-year to $62.8 million as Broadband revenues grew by $4.6 million, or 10%, more than offsetting Telecom revenue declines of $2.4 million, or 16%. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1% year-over-year to $19.5 million, with Broadband adjusted EBITDA increasing 13% to account for 60% of total adjusted EBITDA.

Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased 15% year-over-year to $49 million. This increase was primarily due to $3.3 million in transaction costs related to the merger with Consolidated Communications and increases in advertising costs, residential video license fees and transport charges associated with commercial services growth.

Net loss for the quarter was $3.9 million, or a loss of $0.28 per share, compared to net loss of $1.6 million, or a loss of $0.12 per share, in the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to the transaction costs of $3.3 million in the current year quarter and a sequential reduction of $510 thousand in the California High Cost Fund (CHCF) subsidy, which is now phased out.

Capital expenditures totaled $16.1 million for the first quarter, an increase from $11.5 million in the same period last year. The 2012 capital plan prioritizes spending where the company has experienced the greatest return on investment. This includes continued business sales growth opportunities, residential RGU growth and increased residential penetration. SureWest added 2,000 new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) marketable homes during the quarter and 17,800 year-over-year. The company upgraded 1,000 ILEC territory copper homes with Advanced Digital TV service during the quarter and completed 9,000 upgrades year-over-year. These upgrades increased fiber and copper triple-play marketable homes in the ILEC to 67%, up from 57% in the first quarter of 2011. A total of 11,000 new fiber homes are planned for 2012 in Kansas City where the company has experienced superior penetration levels. SureWest is reiterating projected capital expenditures of $60-70 million in 2012.

Free cash flow, defined as net income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization less capital expenditures, was negative $4.1 million for the quarter, compared to positive $2.7 million in the first quarter 2011. This decline was expected as a result of transaction costs and the $3.5 million investment in network expansion in the first quarter 2012 compared to $1.4 million in first quarter 2011. Adjusted free cash flow, defined as free cash flow excluding capital investments in network expansion, decreased $4.6 million to negative $532 thousand primarily due to the transaction costs and increases in advertising costs, residential video license fees and transport charges associated with commercial services growth.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $1.2 million sequentially, from $4.2 million in the fourth quarter 2011 to $5.4 million. Total debt net of cash and cash equivalents (net debt) was $202.1 million, resulting in a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.40x.

Broadband Segment Results

Broadband revenues increased 10% year-over-year and accounted for 80% of the company's total revenues in the quarter, compared to 75% in the first quarter 2011. Broadband adjusted EBITDA increased 13% year-over-year and now represents 60% of the company's total adjusted EBITDA. Sequential Broadband adjusted EBITDA declined 1% due to increases in video license fees during the quarter. The resulting customer price increase is scheduled for the second quarter 2012.

Broadband Residential:

Broadband Residential revenues increased 9% year-over-year to $34.6 million as a result of 3% growth in RGUs and a 6% increase in ARPU, primarily driven by new triple-play Advanced Digital TV customers in the ILEC.

New products and features like Advanced Digital TV, increased Internet speeds, additional HD channels, home networking and Internet security software have continued to create enhanced subscriber value and some pricing power.

The April launch of Whole Home DVR in Kansas City is expected to positively impact subscriber and RGU growth. Initially, the new product is only being offered to new acquisitions and as a retention tool to manage inventory and capital expense.

In Sacramento, Advanced Digital TV continued to drive growth, increasing total net video RGUs by 5% year-over-year. SureWest served 23,771 Advanced Digital TV subscribers through the first quarter, representing 86% of the company's video RGUs in Sacramento. These subscribers have an ARPU of $144, with approximately 98% bundling Internet and 78% subscribing to a triple-play. ARPU for those triple-play subscribers is $151, compared to $140 in the same period last year.

Residential customer churn remained strong year-over-year and sequentially at 1.4% as a result of customer retention programs, value-added features and ongoing superior service levels.

To illustrate growth trends, Broadband RGUs and subscriber counts are detailed both year-over-year and sequentially in the table below:

Broadband Business:

Broadband Business revenues increased by $2 million, or 16%, year-over-year to $14.7 million. Business customers increased 8% year-over-year to 8,400 and ARPU grew 8% from the prior year to $584. The Kansas City market grew ARPU by 4% year-over-year while increasing customer counts by 11%. The Sacramento market grew customer counts by 6% and ARPU grew by 13% driven by wireless backhaul.

As of March 31, 2012, SureWest was billing for 366 wireless backhaul access points at annualized revenues of $4.4 million. The company currently has 398 contracts in place, and opportunities exist and are being pursued to serve additional connections in each region.

Small-to-medium business sales remained strong due to the benefits of SureWest's fiber network and IP-based services such as Internet, SIP Trunking and IPBX. First quarter revenue growth was driven by strong fiber network sales in the fourth quarter 2011, which continued in the first quarter. Broadband Business growth expectations remain high in both Sacramento and Kansas City.

Telecom Segment Results

Telecom revenues declined 16% year-over-year to $12.8 million consistent with the industry-wide trend of declines in access lines, minutes of use and access revenues. This was partially due to the decrease of $510 thousand in regulatory support revenues that were reduced as scheduled in the first quarter 2012.  The company's scheduled state regulatory support declines began in 2006 and are now fully phased out.

The Telecom segment has consistently generated adjusted EBITDA margins over 40% and continues to generate significant free cash flow, which is utilized to reduce debt and fund Broadband segment expansion. As the company focuses on growing its Broadband segment, the Telecom segment will continue to account for a smaller percentage of total revenues. For the first quarter 2012, Telecom revenues were 20% of total company revenues compared to 25% in the first quarter 2011.

Telecom Residential:

Telecom Residential revenues declined 22% year-over-year to $2.8 million resulting from a 21% decline in Telecom voice RGUs. However, of the 5,600 year-over-year Telecom Residential voice RGU losses, 2,500, or 45%, migrated to the SureWest Broadband VoIP service. The migration of existing Telecom ILEC access lines to Broadband VoIP enables the continued preservation of voice revenues on a consolidated basis.

Telecom Business:

Telecom Business revenues declined 6% year-over-year to $7.9 million as a result of a 4% decrease in business customers in the ILEC territory. The company is experiencing competitive pressure in the very small business customer segments; however, medium and large ILEC business customers remain stable. Telecom Business services revenues now represent 62% of the total Telecom segment revenues.

Telecom Access:

Telecom Access revenues decreased by $1.2 million year-over-year to $1.9 million primarily due to the scheduled reduction in the CHCF subsidy and a decline in interstate common line revenue related to NECA cost study settlements in the current year quarter. As planned and communicated, the final phase out of the CHCF occurred in the first quarter 2012, resulting in a $510 thousand quarterly access revenue decline. The annual CHCF subsidy was $2 million in 2011, a decrease from $4.1 million in 2010, and is zero in 2012.

Merger Update

As announced on February 6, 2012, SureWest entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Consolidated Communications (Nasdaq: CNSL) will acquire all outstanding shares of SureWest in a cash and stock transaction valued at $23.00 per share, or a total of approximately $340.9 million, exclusive of debt. The consideration represents a 47% premium to SureWest's stock price as of the close on February 3, 2012. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including federal and state regulatory approvals and the approval by both Consolidated and SureWest shareholders, the transaction is expected to close at the end of the second quarter or in the third quarter of 2012. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

SureWest will hold a special meeting of its shareholders on June 12, 2012 at 10 a.m., Pacific time, at SureWest's corporate headquarters, 8150 Industrial Avenue, Building A, Roseville, California 95678. At the SureWest special meeting, SureWest's shareholders will be asked (i) to approve the Merger Agreement, (ii) to approve, by an advisory vote, the change in control severance payments to SureWest's named executive officers, and (iii) to adjourn or postpone the SureWest special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, for among other reasons, the solicitation of additional proxies.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) throughout this press release, the company has presented non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow and net debt. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) excluding amounts for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash pension and certain post-retirement benefits, non-cash stock compensation, transaction fees related to the merger with Consolidated Communications and all other non-operating income/expenses. Free cash flow represents net income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization less capital expenditures. Adjusted free cash flow represents free cash flow as defined above, excluding the network expansion capital investments. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are a measure of operating cash flows available for corporate purposes after providing sufficient fixed asset additions to maintain current productive capacity. Net debt represents total long-term debt (including current maturities) less cash and cash equivalents. Net debt can be used as a component in measuring leverage. The company believes these non-GAAP measures, viewed in addition to but not in lieu of its reported GAAP results, provide useful information to investors as they are an integral part of the internal evaluation of operating performance. In addition, they are measures that the company uses to evaluate management's effectiveness. Reconciliations to the comparable GAAP measures are provided in the accompanying financial and operating summaries. SureWest's non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Conference Call and Webcast

Due to the pending merger with Consolidated Communications, SureWest will not host an investor call with respect to the financial results.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

On April 27, 2012, Consolidated filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), a definitive proxy statement on Form DEF 14A in connection with the proposed merger transaction. On May 1, 2012, SureWest sent to its shareholders the definitive proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger transaction. SureWest urges investors and security holders to read the proxy statement/prospectus (including all amendments and supplements to it) and other documents relating to the merger transaction, because they contain important information about SureWest, Consolidated and the proposed transactions. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents relating to the merger transaction from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, SureWest's website at www.surw.com and Consolidated's website at www.consolidated.com. In addition, copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and such other documents may be obtained from SureWest free of charge by directing a request to SureWest Communications, P.O. Box 969, Roseville, CA 95661, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: (916) 786-1831

Important Merger Information and Additional Information

This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Participants in the Solicitation

SureWest and Consolidated, and certain of their respective directors and officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders in connection with the proposed acquisition transaction. Information regarding directors and executive officers of SureWest in the solicitation is set forth in the SureWest proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, previously filed with the SEC. Information regarding directors and executive officers of Consolidated in the solicitation is set forth in the Consolidated proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, previously filed with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. Investors should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

About SureWest

SureWest Communications is a leading integrated communications provider and the bandwidth leader in the markets it serves. Headquartered in Northern California for more than 95 years, SureWest offers bundled residential and commercial services in the greater Sacramento and Kansas City regions that include IP-based digital and high-definition television, high-speed Internet, Voice over IP, and local and long distance telephone. SureWest was the nation's first provider to launch residential HDTV over an IP network and offers one of the nation's fastest symmetrical Internet services with speeds of up to 50 Mbps in each direction on its fiber-to-the-home network. For up-to-date information on products and services, visit the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contacts:
Ron Rogers
Corporate Communications
916-746-3123
[email protected]

Misty Wells
Investor Relations
916-786-1799
[email protected]

SOURCE SureWest Communications