| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Connections | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | March 31, | | Percent |
(in 000s) | | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change |
Broadband Connections | | | | | | | | |
Total Broadband and DSL Connections | | | | | | 13,949 | | | 14,148 | | | (1.4) | % |
Broadband | | | | | | | | 13,730 | | | 13,850 | | | (0.9) | |
Fiber Broadband Connections | | 7,487 | | | 6,281 | | | 19.2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Voice Connections | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Consumer Switched Access Lines | | | | | | 1,921 | | | 2,324 | | | (17.3) | |
U-verse Consumer VoIP Connections | | | | | | 2,212 | | | 2,628 | | | (15.8) | |
Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections | | | | 4,133 | | | 4,952 | | | (16.5) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadband Net Additions | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Percent |
(in 000s) | | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Broadband and DSL Net Additions | | | | | | | | (42) | | | (12) | | | — | % |
Broadband Net Additions | | | | | | | | (23) | | | 5 | | | — | |
Fiber Broadband Net Additions | | | | | | | | 272 | | | 289 | | | (5.9) | % |
|
Broadband revenues increased in the first quarter of 2023, driven by an increase in fiber customers, which we expect to continue as we invest further in building our fiber footprint, partially offset by declines in copper-based broadband services.
Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the continued decline in the number of customers.
Other service and equipment revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the continued decline in the number of VoIP customers.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Operations and support expenses increased in the first quarter, primarily driven by higher network and customer support costs and higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs and favorable compensation true-ups in the first quarter of 2022. Expense increases were offset by lower sales and advertising costs and lower HBO Max licensing fees.
Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades and expansion.
Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2023. Our Consumer Wireline operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 5.0% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023. Our Consumer Wireline EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 29.3% in 2022 to 29.5% in 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT | | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Percent Change |
Segment Operating Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service | | | | | | | | $ | 591 | | | $ | 490 | | | 20.6 | % |
Equipment | | | | | | | | 292 | | | 200 | | | 46.0 | |
Total Segment Operating Revenues | | | | | | | | 883 | | | 690 | | | 28.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations and support | | | | | | | | 738 | | | 631 | | | 17.0 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | 175 | | | 161 | | | 8.7 | |
Total Segment Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | 913 | | | 792 | | | 15.3 | |
Operating Income (Loss) | | | | | | | | $ | (30) | | | $ | (102) | | | 70.6 | % |
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mexico:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscribers | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | March 31, | | Percent |
(in 000s) | | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change |
Mexico Wireless Subscribers | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Postpaid | | | | | | | | 4,973 | | | 4,810 | | | 3.4 | % |
Prepaid | | | | | | | | 16,146 | | | 15,235 | | | 6.0 | |
Reseller | | | | | | | | 494 | | | 458 | | | 7.9 | |
Total Mexico Wireless Subscribers | | | | | | | | 21,613 | | | 20,503 | | | 5.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mexico Wireless Net Additions | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Percent |
(in 000s) | | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change |
Mexico Wireless Net Additions | | | | | | | | | | |
Postpaid | | | | | | | | 49 | | | 3 | | | — | % |
Prepaid | | | | | | | | (58) | | | 178 | | | — | |
Reseller | | | | | | | | 19 | | | (40) | | | — | |
Total Mexico Wireless Net Additions | | | | | | | | 10 | | | 141 | | | (92.9) | % |
Service revenues increased in the first quarter of 2023 reflecting favorable foreign exchange, higher wholesale revenues and growth in subscribers.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Equipment revenues increased in the first quarter of 2023 driven by higher equipment sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts.
Operations and support expenses increased in the first quarter of 2023 driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, increased equipment costs resulting from higher sales, and increased bad debt expense. Approximately 5% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the first quarter of 2023, driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Operating income improved in the first quarter of 2023. Our Mexico operating income margin in the first quarter increased from (14.8)% in 2022 to (3.4)% in 2023. Our Mexico EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 8.6% in 2022 to 16.4% in 2023.
COMPETITIVE AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Overview AT&T subsidiaries operating within the United States are subject to federal and state regulatory authorities. AT&T subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the markets where service is provided.
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act), Congress established a national policy framework intended to bring the benefits of competition and investment in advanced telecommunications facilities and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition and reducing or eliminating regulatory burdens that harm consumer welfare. Nonetheless, over the ensuing two decades, the FCC and some state regulatory commissions have maintained or expanded certain regulatory requirements that were imposed decades ago on our traditional wireline subsidiaries when they operated as legal monopolies. More recently, the FCC has pursued a more deregulatory agenda, eliminating a variety of antiquated and unnecessary regulations and streamlining its processes in a number of areas. We continue to support regulatory and legislative measures and efforts, at both the state and federal levels, to reduce inappropriate regulatory burdens that inhibit our ability to compete effectively and offer needed services to our customers, including initiatives to transition services from traditional networks to all IP-based networks. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that legacy regulations are not further extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition.
Communications Segment
Internet The FCC currently classifies fixed and mobile consumer broadband services as information services, subject to light-touch regulation. The D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s current classification, although it remanded three discrete issues to the FCC for further consideration. These issues related to the effect of the FCC’s decision to classify broadband services as information services on public safety, the regulation of pole attachments, and universal service support for low-income consumers through the Lifeline program. Because no party sought Supreme Court review of the D.C. Circuit’s decision to uphold the FCC’s classification of broadband as an information service, that decision is final.
In October 2020, the FCC adopted an order addressing the three issues remanded by the D.C. Circuit for further consideration. After considering those issues, the FCC concluded they provided no grounds to depart from its determination that fixed and mobile consumer broadband services should be classified as information services. An appeal of the FCC’s remand decision is pending.
Some states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders, including California, that would reimpose net neutrality rules similar to those repealed by the FCC. The California statute is now in effect, and challenges regarding other states’ net neutrality laws are pending. We expect that going forward additional states may seek to impose net neutrality requirements.
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law. The legislation appropriates $65,000 to support broadband deployment and adoption, including $42,500 administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) in state grants for broadband deployment projects, $1,000 for middle mile broadband infrastructure, and $1,500 for digital equity programs. The IIJA also appropriated $14,200 for establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an FCC-administered monthly, low-income broadband benefit program. The ACP provides qualifying customers up to thirty dollars per month (or seventy-five dollars per month for those on Tribal lands) to
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
assist with their internet bill. These funds are in addition to or replacements for other significant pandemic-related funds designated or that could be used for broadband deployment and subscription. AT&T is a participating provider in the ACP program and is participating in deployment programs where appropriate. Absent additional funding, at present pace the ACP fund will likely exhaust in 2024.
Privacy-related legislation continues to be adopted or considered in a number of jurisdictions, including at the federal level. Legislative, regulatory and litigation actions could result in increased costs of compliance, further regulation or claims against broadband internet access service providers and others, and increased uncertainty in the value and availability of data.
Wireless Industry-wide network densification and 5G technology expansion efforts, which are needed to satisfy extensive demand for video and internet access, will involve significant deployment of “small cell” equipment. This increases the importance of local permitting processes that allow for the placement of small cell equipment in the public right-of-way on reasonable timelines and terms. Between 2018 and 2020, the FCC adopted multiple Orders streamlining federal, state, and local wireless structure review processes that had the tendency to delay and impede deployment of small cell and related infrastructure used to provide telecommunications and broadband services. The key elements of these orders have been affirmed on judicial review. During 2020-2021, we deployed 5G nationwide on “low band” spectrum on macro towers. Executing on the recent spectrum purchase, we announced on-going construction and continuing deployment of 5G on C-band spectrum in 2022 and beyond. Additional spectrum will be needed industrywide for 5G and future services. The federal government is developing a national spectrum strategy but its ability and intent to make sufficient spectrum available to the industry in needed timeframes remains uncertain.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations for three months ended March 31, | 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 6,678 | | | $ | 7,630 | |
Cash used in investing activities | (3,818) | | | (12,458) | |
Cash used in financing activities | (3,711) | | | (5,550) | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, | | December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,821 | | | $ | 3,701 | |
Total debt | 137,484 | | | 135,890 | |
We had $2,821 in cash and cash equivalents available at March 31, 2023, decreasing $880 since December 31, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $1,034 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $1,787. Approximately $1,078 of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign entities in accounts predominantly outside of the U.S. and may be subject to restrictions on repatriation.
For the first three months of 2023, cash inflows were primarily provided by cash receipts from operations, including cash from our sale and transfer of our receivables to third parties, issuance of commercial paper and long-term debt and distributions from DIRECTV. These inflows were exceeded by cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, repayment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, and dividend payments to stockholders. We maintain availability under our credit facilities and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.
Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
During the first three months of 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $6,678, compared to $7,630 for the first three months of 2022, reflecting timing of working capital, including fewer receivable sales.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for operating items to optimize the use of our cash. Among other things, we seek to make payments on 90-day or greater terms, while providing the suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payments at their cost (referred to as supplier financing program). In addition, for payments to suppliers of handset inventory, as part of our working capital initiatives, we have arrangements that allow us to extend the stated payment terms by up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (referred to as direct supplier financing). The net impact of direct supplier financing was to decrease cash from operating activities $432 and $95 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. All direct supplier financing payments are due within one year. (See Note 11)
Cash Used in or Provided by Investing Activities from Continuing Operations
For the first three months of 2023, cash used in investing activities totaled $3,818 and consisted primarily of $4,335 (including interest during construction) for capital expenditures. During the first three months of 2023, we received a return of investment of $774 from DIRECTV representing distributions in excess of cumulative equity in earnings from DIRECTV (see Note 10).
For capital improvements, we have negotiated favorable vendor payment terms of 120 days or more (referred to as vendor financing) with some of our vendors, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported as financing activities. For the first three months of 2023, vendor financing payments were $2,113, compared to $1,566 for the first three months of 2022. Capital expenditures for the first three months of 2023 were $4,335, and when including $2,113 cash paid for vendor financing, capital investment was $6,448 ($314 higher than the prior-year comparable period).
The vast majority of our capital expenditures are spent on our networks, including product development and related support systems. During the first three months of 2023, we placed $1,021 of equipment in service under vendor financing arrangements (compared to $954 in the prior-year comparable period). The amount of capital expenditures is influenced by demand for services and products, capacity needs and network enhancements.
Cash Provided by or Used in Financing Activities from Continuing Operations
For the first three months of 2023, cash used in financing activities totaled $3,711 and was comprised of debt issuances and repayments, vendor financing payments, and payments of dividends.
A tabular summary of our debt activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Three months ended March 31, 2023 |
Net commercial paper borrowings | | | | $ | 2,341 | |
Issuance of Notes and Debentures: | | | | |
USD notes | | | | $ | 1,750 | |
Euro notes | | | | 1,321 | |
Other | | | | 1,045 | |
Debt Issuances | | | | $ | 4,116 | |
| | | | |
Repayments: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
USD notes | | | | $ | (376) | |
Euro notes | | | | (1,626) | |
2025 Term Loan | | | | (2,500) | |
Other | | | | (1,443) | |
Repayments of long-term debt | | | | $ | (5,945) | |
The weighted average interest rate of our long-term debt portfolio, including the impact of derivatives, was approximately 4.1% as of March 31, 2023 and as of December 31, 2022. We had $132,260 of total notes and debentures outstanding at March 31, 2023. This also included Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, and Swiss franc denominated debt that totaled approximately $34,765.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
At March 31, 2023, we had $13,757 of debt maturing within one year, consisting of $3,258 of commercial paper borrowings, $750 of credit agreement borrowings and $9,749 of long-term debt issuances. The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding short-term borrowings was approximately 5.7% as of March 31, 2023 and 4.8% as of December 31, 2022.
For the first three months of 2023, we paid $2,113 of cash under our vendor financing program, compared to $1,566 in the prior-year comparable period. Total vendor financing payables included in our March 31, 2023 consolidated balance sheet were $5,003, with $3,531 due within one year (in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”) and the remainder predominantly due within five years (in “Other noncurrent liabilities”).
At March 31, 2023, we had approximately 144 million shares remaining from our share repurchase authorizations approved by the Board of Directors in 2014.
We paid dividends on common and preferred shares of $2,014 during the first three months of 2023, compared with $3,749 for the first three months of 2022.
Dividends on common stock declared by our Board of Directors totaled $0.2775 per share in the first three months of 2023 and 2022. Our dividend policy considers the expectations and requirements of stockholders, capital funding requirements of AT&T and long-term growth opportunities.
In April 2023, we expanded our September 2020 sale of Telco LLC cumulative preferred interests and issued an additional $5,250 of nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests (April preferreds). The April preferreds pay an initial preferred distribution of 6.85% annually, subject to declaration, and subject to reset on November 1, 2027, and every seven years thereafter. (See Note 13)
In April 2023, we also accepted the December 2022 put option notice from the AT&T pension trust and repurchased the remaining 213 million Mobility preferred interests for a purchase price, including accrued and unpaid distributions, of $5,414. At March 31, 2023, the Mobility preferred interests had a redemption value of $5,320, with approximately $2,650 recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” and $2,670 recorded in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” The repurchase was primarily funded with proceeds from the April 2023 issuances of Telco LLC preferred interests. (See Note 13)
Credit Facilities
The following summary of our various credit and loan agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to each agreement filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We use credit facilities as a tool in managing our liquidity status. We currently have one $12,000 revolving credit agreement that terminates on November 18, 2027 (Revolving Credit Agreement). No amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2023.
In November 2022, we entered into and drew on a $2,500 term loan agreement due February 16, 2025 (2025 Term Loan), with Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as agent. On March 30, 2023, the 2025 Term Loan was paid off and terminated.
We also utilize other external financing sources, which include various credit arrangements supported by government agencies to support network equipment purchases as well as a commercial paper program.
Each of our credit and loan agreements contains covenants that are customary for an issuer with an investment grade senior debt credit rating. Our Revolving Credit Agreement includes a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of not more than 3.75-to-1. Other loan agreements include a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter through June 30, 2023 a ratio of not more than 4.0-to-1, and a ratio of not more than 3.5-to-1 for any fiscal quarter thereafter. As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants for our credit facilities.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Collateral Arrangements
Most of our counterparty collateral arrangements require cash collateral posting by AT&T only when derivative market values exceed certain thresholds. Under these arrangements, which cover the majority of our approximate $40,300 derivative portfolio, counterparties are still required to post collateral. During the first three months of 2023, we received approximately $840 of cash collateral, on a net basis. Cash postings under these arrangements vary with changes in credit ratings and netting agreements. (See Note 7)
Other
Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt maturing within one year) and stockholders’ equity. Our capital structure does not include debt issued by our equity method investments. At March 31, 2023, our debt ratio was 55.9%, compared to 48.5% at March 31, 2022 and 56.1% at December 31, 2022. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors that affect total capital, and reflects our recent debt issuances, repayments and reclassifications related to redemption of noncontrolling interests.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At March 31, 2023, we had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $1,750 and a fair value of $7.
We have fixed-to-fixed and floating-to-fixed cross-currency swaps on foreign currency-denominated debt instruments with a U.S. dollar notional value of $37,908 to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These derivatives have been designated as cash flow or fair value hedges with a net fair value of $(5,440) at March 31, 2023. We had no rate locks at March 31, 2023.
We have foreign exchange contracts with a U.S. dollar notional value of $617 to provide currency at a fixed rate to hedge a portion of the exchange risk involved in foreign currency-denominated transactions. These foreign exchange contracts include fair value hedges with a total net fair value of $(20) at March 31, 2023.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2023
CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially. Many of these factors are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section herein and in our most recent Form 10-K. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The following factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
•The severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment, mitigation and other measures taken in response, including the potential impacts of these matters on our business and operations.
•Our inability to predict the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts will continue to impact our business operations, financial performance and results of operations.
•Adverse economic, political and/or capital access changes or war or other hostilities in the markets served by us or in countries in which we have investments and/or operations, including inflationary pressures, the impact on customer demand and our ability and our suppliers’ ability to access financial markets at favorable rates and terms.
•Increases in our benefit plans’ costs, including increases due to adverse changes in the United States and foreign securities markets, resulting in worse-than-assumed investment returns and discount rates; adverse changes in mortality assumptions; adverse medical cost trends; and unfavorable or delayed implementation or repeal of healthcare legislation, regulations or related court decisions.
•The final outcome of FCC and other federal, state or foreign government agency proceedings (including judicial review, if any, of such proceedings) and legislative efforts involving issues that are important to our business, including, without limitation, pending Notices of Apparent Liability; the transition from legacy technologies to IP-based infrastructure, including the withdrawal of legacy TDM-based services; universal service; broadband deployment; wireless equipment siting regulations and, in particular, siting for 5G service; E911 services; rules concerning digital discrimination; competition policy; privacy; net neutrality; copyright protection; availability of new spectrum on fair and balanced terms; and wireless and satellite license awards and renewals.
•Enactment of additional state, local, federal and/or foreign regulatory and tax laws and regulations, or changes to existing standards and actions by tax agencies and judicial authorities including the resolution of disputes with any taxing jurisdictions, pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments, including laws and regulations that reduce our incentive to invest in our networks, resulting in lower revenue growth and/or higher operating costs.
•U.S. and foreign laws and regulations regarding intellectual property rights protection and privacy, personal data protection and user consent, which are complex and rapidly evolving and could result in adverse impacts to our business plans, increased costs, or claims against us that may harm our reputation.
•Our ability to compete in an increasingly competitive industry and against competitors that can offer product/service offerings at lower prices due to lower cost structures and regulatory and legislative actions adverse to us, including non-regulation of comparable alternative technologies and/or government-owned or subsidized networks.
•Disruption in our supply chain for a number of reasons, including, difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technology, inability to secure component parts, general business disruption, workforce shortage, natural disasters, safety issues, vendor fraud, economic and political instability, including the outbreak of war or other hostilities, and public health emergencies.
•The continued development and delivery of attractive and profitable wireless, and broadband offerings and devices; the extent to which regulatory and build-out requirements apply to our offerings; our ability to match speeds offered by our competitors; and the availability, cost and/or reliability of the various technologies and/or content required to provide such offerings.
•The availability and cost and our ability to adequately fund additional wireless spectrum and network development, deployment and maintenance; and regulations and conditions relating to spectrum use, licensing, obtaining additional spectrum, technical standards and deployment and usage, including network management rules.
•Our ability to manage growth in wireless data services, including network quality and acquisition of adequate spectrum at reasonable costs and terms.
•The outcome of pending, threatened or potential litigation (which includes arbitrations), including, without limitation, patent and product safety claims by or against third parties or claims based on alleged misconduct by employees.
•The impact from major equipment or software failures on our networks or cyber incidents; the effect of security breaches related to the network or customer information; our inability to obtain handsets, equipment/software or have handsets, equipment/software serviced in a timely and cost-effective manner from suppliers; or severe weather conditions or other climate related events including flooding and hurricanes, natural disasters including earthquakes and forest fires, pandemics, energy shortages, wars or terrorist attacks.
•The issuance by the FASB or other accounting oversight bodies of new accounting standards or changes to existing standards.
•Our response to competition and regulatory, legislative and technological developments.
•The uncertainty surrounding further congressional action regarding spending and taxation, which may result in changes in government spending and affect the ability and willingness of businesses and consumers to spend in general.
•Our ability to realize or sustain the expected benefits of our business transformation initiatives, which are designed to reduce costs, streamline distribution, remove redundancies and simplify and improve processes and support functions.
•Our ability to successfully complete divestitures, as well as achieve our expectations regarding the financial impact of the completed and/or pending transactions.
Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in this report, although not enumerated here, also could materially affect our future earnings.