LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS INC, 10-Q filed on 5/8/2012
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
May 4, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
 
 
 
Entity Registrant Name
LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS INC 
 
 
Entity Central Index Key
0000794323 
 
 
Document Type
10-Q 
 
 
Document Period End Date
Mar. 31, 2012 
 
 
Amendment Flag
false 
 
 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
--12-31 
 
 
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Yes 
 
 
Entity Voluntary Filers
No 
 
 
Entity Current Reporting Status
Yes 
 
 
Entity Filer Category
Large Accelerated Filer 
 
 
Entity Public Float
 
 
$ 2.99 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
 
216,387,585 
 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2012 
 
 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q1 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Revenue
$ 1,586 
$ 914 
Total Costs and Expenses Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization shown separately below:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
657 
357 
Depreciation and Amortization
187 
203 
Selling, General and Administrative
622 
357 
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
1,470 
917 
Operating Income (Loss)
116 
(3)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest income
Interest expense
(189)
(157)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
(61)
(20)
Other, net
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(240)
(174)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(124)
(177)
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
(14)
(27)
Loss from Continuing Operations
(138)
(204)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
(1)
Net Loss
$ (138)
$ (205)
Loss per Share from Continuing Operations, Basic (in dollars per share)
$ (0.66)
$ (1.82)1
Loss per Share from Continuing Operations, Diluted (in dollars per share)
$ (0.66)
$ (1.82)1
Income (Loss) per Share from Discontinued Operations, Basic (in dollars per share)
$ 0.00 
$ (0.01)1
Income (Loss) per Share from Discontinued Operations, Diluted (in dollars per share)
$ 0 
$ (0.01)1
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share (in dollars per share)
$ (0.66)
$ (1.83)1
Shares Used to Compute Basic Loss per Share: (in shares)
209,759,000 
112,079,000 1
Shares Used to Compute Diluted Loss per Share: (in shares)
209,759,000 
112,079,000 1
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Net Loss
$ (138)
$ (205)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
 
 
Foreign Currency Translation
34 
42 
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on interest rate swaps
10 
Other, net
(1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
42 
51 
Income Tax Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
42 
51 
Comprehensive Loss
$ (96)
$ (154)
Supplementary Stockholders' Equity Information Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Total
Net Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other
Beginning Balance, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Dec. 31, 2011
$ (80)
$ 39 
$ (90)
$ (29)
Change In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
 
 
 
 
Change
42 
34 
Ending Balance, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Mar. 31, 2012
$ (38)
$ 73 
$ (83)
$ (28)
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
 
 
Receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts (in dollars)
$ 28 
$ 21 
Property, Plant and Equipment, accumulated depreciation (in dollars)
$ 7,871 
$ 7,678 
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
$ 0.01 
$ 0.01 
Preferred stock, authorized shares
10,000,000 
10,000,000 
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
$ 0.01 
$ 0.01 
Common stock, authorized shares
293,333,333 
293,333,333 
Common stock, shares issued
216,216,956 
207,913,428 
Common stock, shares outstanding
216,216,956 
207,913,428 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 748 
$ 918 
Restricted cash and securities
10 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $28 and $21, respectively
683 
648 
Other
164 
131 
Total Current Assets
1,603 
1,707 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $7,871 and $7,678, respectively
8,164 
8,136 
Restricted Cash and Securities
52 
51 
Goodwill
2,497 
2,541 
Other Intangibles, net
333 
358 
Other Assets, net
425 
395 
Total Assets
13,074 
13,188 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable
724 
747 
Current portion of long-term debt
227 
65 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
115 
209 
Accrued interest
165 
216 
Current portion of deferred revenue
259 
264 
Other
145 
157 
Total Current Liabilities
1,635 
1,658 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
8,199 
8,385 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
884 
885 
Other Liabilities
1,047 
1,067 
Total Liabilities
11,765 
11,995 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares: no shares issued or oustanding
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 293,333,333 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011: 216,216,956 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and 207,913,428 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011
Additional paid-in capital
13,918 
13,706 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(38)
(80)
Accumulated deficit
(12,573)
(12,435)
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,309 
1,193 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$ 13,074 
$ 13,188 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
Net Loss
$ (138)
$ (205)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
Net loss from continuing operations
(138)
(204)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
187 
203 
Non-cash compensation expense attributable to stock awards
24 
25 
Loss on extinguishments of debt, net
61 
20 
Accretion of debt discount and amortization of debt issuance costs
10 
13 
Accrued interest on long-term debt, net
(49)
(12)
Deferred income taxes
26 
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets
(2)
Other, net
Changes in working capital items:
 
 
Receivables
(26)
(29)
Other current assets
(27)
(9)
Payables
(33)
(5)
Deferred revenue
(13)
(3)
Other current liabilities
(78)
(24)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
(75)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(138)
(115)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and securities, net
(1)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
(132)
(114)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
880 
772 
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs
(847)
(198)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
34 
574 
Discontinued Operations:
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(1)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
(1)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(170)
463 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
918 
616 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
748 
1,079 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
Cash interest paid
228 
156 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt issued in exchange transaction
300 
Long-term debt retired in exchange transaction
295 
Long-term debt conversion into equity
100 
Premium on long-term debt conversion into equity
39 
Accrued Interest on conversion into equity
$ 2 
$ 0 
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(1) Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Level 3 Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Level 3") is a facilities based provider (that is, a provider that owns or leases a substantial portion of the plant, property and equipment necessary to provide its services) of a broad range of integrated communications services. The Company created its communications network by constructing its own assets and through a combination of purchasing other companies and purchasing or leasing facilities from others. Level 3's network is an international, facilities based communications network. The Company designed its network to provide communications services that employ and take advantage of rapidly improving underlying optical, Internet Protocol, computing and storage technologies.
Until November 2011, the Company also was engaged in coal mining through its two 50% owned joint-venture surface mines, one each in Montana and Wyoming. The Company completed the sale of its coal mining business on November 14, 2011. See Note 4 - Dispositions.

On October 4, 2011, a subsidiary of Level 3 completed its amalgamation with Global Crossing Limited ("Global Crossing"), which thereby became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company through a tax free, stock for stock transaction (the "Amalgamation"). See Note 2 - Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Level 3 Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. Prior to the disposition of the coal mining business during the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company's 50% owned mining joint ventures were consolidated on a pro rata basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").
As part of its consolidation policy, the Company considers its controlled subsidiaries, investments in the business in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary or does not have effective control but has the ability to significantly influence operating and financial policies, and variable interests resulting from economic arrangements that give the Company rights to economic risks or rewards of a legal entity.
The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, which was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2012 and for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2011. In the opinion of the Company’s management, these financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the interim periods presented herein. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations expected for a full fiscal year.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Effective after the close of trading on October 19, 2011, the Company completed a 1 for 15 reverse stock split as previously approved by the Company's stockholders. Proportional adjustments were made to the Company's outstanding convertible debt, warrants, equity awards and to its equity compensation plans to reflect the reverse stock split. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split, as stockholders who would otherwise hold a fractional share of common stock received a cash payment in lieu of that fractional share. All references herein to common stock and per share data have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior period consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing
Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing
Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing

On October 4, 2011, a subsidiary of Level 3 completed its amalgamation with Global Crossing, which became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company through a tax free, stock for stock transaction. As a result of the Amalgamation, (i) each issued and outstanding common share of Global Crossing was exchanged for 16 shares of Level 3 common stock (unadjusted for the 1 for 15 reverse stock split completed on October 19, 2011), including the associated rights under the Company’s Rights Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as rights agent (the “Amalgamation Consideration”) and (ii) each issued and outstanding share of Global Crossing’s 2% cumulative senior convertible preferred stock was exchanged for the Amalgamation Consideration, plus an amount equal to the aggregate accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. In addition, (i) the outstanding vested options to purchase Global Crossing common shares were modified into vested options to purchase a number of shares of Level 3's common stock equal to 16 times the number of Global Crossing common shares covered by such Global Crossing options and (ii) the issued and outstanding restricted stock units covering Global Crossing common shares, to the extent applicable in accordance with their terms, vested and settled for a number of shares of Level 3's common stock equal to 16 times the number of Global Crossing common shares covered by such restricted stock units.

In connection with the closing of the Amalgamation, Level 3 Financing, Inc. ("Level 3 Financing") amended its existing credit agreement to incur an additional $650 million of borrowings through an additional tranche (the "Tranche B II Term Loan."). In addition, the $1.2 billion of proceeds from the initial and additional issuance of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 in June and July 2011(see Note 8 — Long-Term Debt) by an indirect wholly owned subsidiary were deposited into an escrow account. On October 4, 2011, following the consummation of the Amalgamation and the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, the 8.125% Senior Notes were assumed by Level 3 Financing (the “Notes Assumption”), and the funds were released from the escrow account. The net aggregate proceeds from the Tranche B II Term Loan and 8.125% Senior Notes were used to refinance certain existing indebtedness of Global Crossing in connection with the closing of the Amalgamation and for general corporate purposes.

As a result of the Amalgamation, the Company issued approximately 88.53 million shares of common stock, adjusted for the October 19, 2011 1 for 15 reverse stock split, to former holders of Global Crossing common shares and Global Crossing’s 2% cumulative senior convertible preferred stock, and Level 3 caused the refinancing of approximately $1.36 billion of Global Crossing's outstanding consolidated debt.

Based on (i) the number of Level 3 shares issued (88.53 million as adjusted for the 1 for 15 reverse stock split completed on October 19, 2011), (ii) the closing stock price of Level 3 common stock as of October 3, 2011 ($21.15 as adjusted for the 1 for 15 reverse stock split completed on October 19, 2011), and (iii) the debt of Global Crossing refinanced ($1.36 billion), the Company estimates that the aggregate consideration for acquisition accounting, including assumed debt, approximated $3.4 billion. The restricted stock units covering Global Crossing common shares settled for Level 3 shares of common stock were reduced in settlement of employee income and payroll tax withholding obligations and the corresponding amounts of approximately $81 million were paid in cash. The premium paid by Level 3 in this transaction is attributable to strategic benefits, including a significantly expanded IP/optical network with global reach including South America, Asia and the Pacific region, an improved credit profile and reduced financial leverage attributed to enhanced financial and operational scale, and the opportunity for investment and network expansion. The Company has a comprehensive portfolio of voice, video, and data services, which operates on a unique global services platform anchored by subsea and terrestrial fiber optic networks in North America, Europe, and Latin America. The goodwill associated with this transaction is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The combined results of operations of Level 3 and Global Crossing are included in the Company's consolidated results of operations beginning in October 2011. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Global Crossing were recognized at their acquisition date fair value. The purchase price allocation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including the assignment of goodwill to reporting units, requires extensive analysis and is expected to be completed no later than October 4, 2012. The following is a preliminary allocation of purchase price based on information currently available. The final identification of all the intangible assets acquired and the determination of the purchase price allocation may be significantly different from the preliminary allocation reflected below.

 
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets:
 
  Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
$
226

  Property, Plant, and Equipment
3,098

  Goodwill
1,069

  Identifiable Intangibles
106

  Other Assets
680

Total Assets
5,179

 
 
Liabilities:
 
  Long-term Debt
(1,554
)
  Other Liabilities
(1,663
)
Total Liabilities
(3,217
)
Total Estimated Consideration
$
1,962


Level 3 entered into certain transactions with Global Crossing prior to completing the Amalgamation, whereby Level 3 received cash for communications services to be provided in the future, which it accounted for as deferred revenue. As a result of the Amalgamation, Level 3 can no longer amortize this deferred revenue into earnings and accordingly, reduced the purchase price applied to the net assets acquired in the Amalgamation by $77 million, the amount of the unamortized deferred revenue as of the acquisition date.

As a result of refinements to the preliminary purchase price allocation that were made during the first quarter of 2012, there were changes to the initial amount of goodwill determined in the fourth quarter of 2011, which have been reflected in the above table. The refinements were primarily a result of changes in the purchase price allocation for estimated tax valuation allowances and reserves.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of Level 3 and Global Crossing as if the completion of the Amalgamation had occurred as of January 1, 2010.

(dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Total Revenue
 
$
1,548

Net Loss
 
(232
)
Net Loss per share
 
$
(1.16
)


These results include certain adjustments, primarily due to a net decrease in depreciation and amortization expense due to the Company, in connection with the Amalgamation, increasing the estimated useful lives of the acquired conduit, fiber and certain transmission equipment while increasing the fair value of tangible and intangible assets, decreases in interest expense due to Level 3's issuance of incremental debt in order to redeem and refinance Global Crossing debt that had higher interest rates than the incremental financing, and to eliminate historical transactions between Level 3 and Global Crossing. The pro forma financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual results of operations of Level 3 that would have been reported had the Amalgamation been completed on January 1, 2010, nor is it representative of future operating results of the Company. The pro forma information does not include any operating efficiencies or cost savings that Level 3 may achieve with respect to combining the companies.

Acquisition related costs include transaction costs such as legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional services as well as integration costs such as severance and retention. Acquisition related costs have been recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Since the acquisition date, Level 3 incurred total acquisition related transaction costs of approximately $49 million through March 31, 2012. Since the acquisition date, Level 3 incurred total acquisition related integration costs of approximately $47 million through March 31, 2012. In addition, Level 3 expects to incur additional integration related costs through the remainder of 2012.

In April 2011, Level 3 adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan to protect its U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards from certain Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitations. This plan was designed to deter trading that would result in a change of control (as defined in that Code Section), and therefore protect the Company's ability to use its historical federal net operating loss carryforwards in the future.

Loss Per Share
Loss Per Share
Loss Per Share
The Company computes basic net loss per share by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and including the dilutive effect of common stock that would be issued assuming conversion or exercise of outstanding convertible notes, stock options, stock based compensation awards and other dilutive securities. The effect of approximately 35 million and 47 million shares issuable pursuant to the various series of convertible notes outstanding at March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, respectively, have not been included in the computation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive to the computation. In addition, the effect of the approximately 4 million and 3 million stock options, outperform stock options, restricted stock units and warrants outstanding at March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, respectively, have not been included in the computation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive to the computation.
Dispositions
Dispositions
Dispositions

Level 3, through its two 50% owned joint-venture surface mines, one each in Montana and Wyoming, sold coal primarily through long-term contracts with public utilities. In November 2011, Level 3 completed the sale of its coal mining business to Ambre Energy Limited as part of its long-term strategy to focus on core business operations. As a result of the transaction, all of the assets and liabilities associated with the coal mining business have been removed from Level 3's balance sheet and the Company recognized a gain on the transaction of approximately $72 million, which was included in the consolidated statements of operations within "Income from Discontinued Operations" in the fourth quarter of 2011. Results for 2011, exclusive of the gain on the transaction, were not significant. The financial results of the coal mining business were included in the Company's consolidated results of operations through the date of sale, and the period ended March 31, 2011 has been revised to reflect the presentation within discontinued operations.
The following amounts relate to the operations of the coal business and were derived from historical financial information and have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions):


 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Revenue
 
 
$
15

 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue
 
 
15

Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
1

Selling, General, and Administrative
 
 

Total Costs and Expenses
 
 
16

 
 
 
 
Operating Loss
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
Total Other Expense
 
 

Loss From Discontinued Operations, Net
 
 
$
(1
)



Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Intangible Assets

Identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
March 31, 2012
 

 
 

 
 

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Customer Contracts and Relationships
$
776

 
$
(588
)
 
$
188

Trademarks
55

 
(7
)
 
48

Patents and Developed Technology
158

 
(93
)
 
65

 
989

 
(688
)
 
301

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Vyvx Trade Name
32

 

 
32

 
$
1,021

 
$
(688
)
 
$
333

December 31, 2011
 

 
 

 
 

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Customer Contracts and Relationships
$
776

 
$
(571
)
 
$
205

Trademarks
55

 
(3
)
 
52

Patents and Developed Technology
158

 
(89
)
 
69

 
989

 
(663
)
 
326

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Vyvx Trade Name
32

 

 
32

 
$
1,021

 
$
(663
)
 
$
358



The gross carrying amount of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets in the table above is subject to change due to foreign currency fluctuations, as a portion of the Company's identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets are related to foreign subsidiaries.

Acquired finite-lived intangible asset amortization expense was $25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and $25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
At March 31, 2012, the weighted average remaining useful lives of the Company's acquired finite-lived intangible assets was 2.6 years for customer contracts and relationships, 4.7 years for patents and developed technology and 3.5 years for trademarks.
As of March 31, 2012, estimated amortization expense for the Company’s finite-lived acquisition-related intangible assets over the next five years and thereafter is as follows (dollars in millions):

2012 (remaining nine months)
$
66

2013
72

2014
61

2015
45

2016
27

2017
13

Thereafter
17

 
$
301



Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, interest rate swaps and long-term debt (including the current portion) as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, capital leases and other liabilities approximated their fair values at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The interest rate swaps are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. See Note 7 - Derivative Financial Instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion, reflects the original amounts borrowed net of unamortized discounts and premiums and was $8.4 billion and $8.5 billion as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance.

Fair Value Hierarchy

GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value measurement of each class of assets and liabilities is dependent upon its categorization within the fair value hierarchy, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement of each class of asset and liability. GAAP establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities.

The table below presents the fair values for each class of Level 3’s liabilities as well as the input levels used to determine these fair values as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Total
Carrying Value
in Consolidated
Balance Sheet
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(dollars in millions)
Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swap Liabilities (included in other non-current liabilities)
$
83

 
$
90

 
$

 
$

 
$
83

 
$
90

Total Derivative Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
$
83

 
$
90

 
$

 
$

 
$
83

 
$
90

Liabilities Not Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term Loans
$
2,568

 
$
2,567

 
$
2,591

 
$
2,518

 
$

 
$

Senior Notes
4,807

 
4,716

 
5,134

 
4,822

 

 

Convertible Notes
842

 
939

 
329

 
247

 
969

 
834

Commercial Mortgage
64

 
65

 

 

 
73

 
73

Capital Leases and Other
145

 
163

 

 

 
145

 
163

Total Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
$
8,426

 
$
8,450

 
$
8,054

 
$
7,587

 
$
1,187

 
$
1,070


The Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Derivatives

The interest rate swaps are measured in accordance with the GAAP Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures guidance using discounted cash flow techniques that use observable market inputs, such as LIBOR-based forward yield curves, forward rates, and the specific swap rate stated in each of the swap agreements.

Term Loans

The fair value of the Term Loans was approximately $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  The fair value of each loan is based on the March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 trading quotes as provided by large financial institutions that trade in the Company’s Term Loans. The pricing quotes provided by these market participants incorporate LIBOR curve expectations, interest spread, corporate and loan credit ratings, maturity date (March 2014 and September 2018) and liquidity, among other loan characteristics and relative value across other instruments of similar terms. The interest spread, for the $1.4 billion Tranche A Term Loan is LIBOR plus 2.25% (aggregate principal value) and LIBOR plus 4.25% with a LIBOR floor of 1.5% for the Tranche B II and Tranche B III Term Loans, respectively. See Note 8 - Long-Term Debt for details.

The Term Loans are secured by a pledge of the equity interests in certain U.S.-based subsidiaries of Level 3 Financing; 65% of the equity interests in each of Level 3 Financing’s Canadian subsidiary, and its Bermuda subsidiary that indirectly owns Global Crossing's non-U.S. subsidiaries; and liens on the assets of Level 3 Communications, Inc. and certain U.S.-based subsidiaries of Level 3 Financing.  In addition, Level 3 Communications, Inc. and certain U.S.-based subsidiaries of Level 3 Financing have provided full and unconditional guarantees of the obligations under the Term Loans.

Senior Notes

The estimated fair value of the Company’s Senior Notes approximated $5.1 billion and $4.8 billion at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, based on market prices. The fair value of each instrument was based on the March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 trading quotes as provided by large financial institutions that trade in the Company’s securities. The pricing quotes provided by these market participants incorporate spreads to the Treasury curve, security coupon (which ranges from LIBOR plus 2.25% to 11.875%), corporate and security credit ratings, maturity date (ranging from 2014 to 2020) and liquidity, among other security characteristics and relative value at both the borrower entity level and across other securities of similar terms.

The 11.875% Senior Notes due 2019 are obligations of the Company and are not guaranteed by its subsidiaries.  The remaining Senior Notes are obligations of Level 3 Financing, Inc. and as of April 30, 2012, are all fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Level 3 Communications, LLC.

Convertible Notes

The estimated fair value of the Company’s actively traded 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 was approximately $329 million at March 31, 2012 and $247 million at December 31, 2011. The fair value of the Company’s actively traded Convertible Notes is based on the trading quotes as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 provided by large financial institutions that trade in the Company’s securities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Notes that are not actively traded, such as the 7% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015, the 7% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015, Series B, and the 15% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013, approximated $969 million at March 31, 2012 and $834 million at December 31, 2011. A portion of the Company's 15% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 were exchanged for equity during the first quarter of 2012, as discussed in Note 8 - Long-Term Debt. To estimate the fair value of the Convertible Notes that are not actively traded, Level 3 used a Black-Scholes valuation model and an income approach using discounted cash flows. The most significant inputs affecting the valuation are the pricing quotes provided by market participants that incorporate spreads to the Treasury curve, security coupon (ranging from 7% to 15%), convertible optionality, corporate and security credit ratings, maturity date (ranging from 2013 to 2015), liquidity, and other equity option inputs, such as the risk-free rate, underlying stock price, strike price of the embedded derivative, estimated volatility and maturity inputs for the option component and for the bond component, among other security characteristics and relative value at both the borrower entity level and across other securities with similar terms. The fair value of each instrument is obtained by adding together the value derived by discounting the security’s coupon or interest payment using a risk-adjusted discount rate and the value calculated from the embedded equity option based on the estimated volatility of the Company’s stock price, conversion rate of the particular Convertible Note, remaining time to maturity, and risk-free rate. The Convertible Notes are unsecured obligations of Level 3 Communications, Inc. No subsidiary of Level 3 Communications, Inc. has provided a guarantee of the Convertible Notes.

Commercial Mortgage

The fair value of the Commercial Mortgage was approximately $73 million at both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, as compared to the carrying amounts of $64 million and $65 million, respectively.  The Commercial Mortgage is not actively traded and its fair value is estimated by management using a valuation model based on an income approach.  The significant inputs used to estimate fair value of this debt instrument using discounted cash flows include the anticipated scheduled mortgage payments and observable market yields on other actively traded debt of similar characteristics and collateral type.

The Commercial Mortgage is a secured obligation of HQ Realty, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. HQ Realty, Inc.’s obligations under the Commercial Mortgage are secured by a first priority lien on the Company’s headquarters campus located at 1025 Eldorado Boulevard, Broomfield, Colorado 80021 and certain HQ Realty, Inc. cash and reserve accounts.

The assets of HQ Realty, Inc. are not available to satisfy any third party obligations other than those of HQ Realty, Inc. In addition, the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries other than HQ Realty, Inc. are not available to satisfy the obligations of HQ Realty, Inc.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rate movements. The Company’s primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to decrease the volatility of its earnings and cash flows affected by changes in the underlying rates. To achieve this objective, the Company enters into financial derivatives, primarily interest rate swap agreements, the values of which change in the opposite direction of the anticipated future cash flows.  The Company has floating rate long-term debt (see Note 8 - Long-Term Debt). These obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense also decreases. The Company has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges. Swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the lives of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings, due to the fact that the interest rate swap agreements qualify as effective cash flow hedges. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

In March 2007, Level 3 Financing Inc., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into two interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest payments on $1 billion notional amount of floating rate debt. The two interest rate swap agreements are with different counterparties and are for $500 million each. The transactions were effective beginning in April 2007 and mature in January 2014. The Company uses interest rate swaps to convert specific variable rate debt issuances into fixed rate debt.  Under the terms of the interest rate swap transactions, the Company receives interest payments based on rolling three month LIBOR terms and pays interest at the fixed rate of 4.93% under one arrangement and 4.92% under the other.  The Company evaluates the effectiveness of the hedges on a quarterly basis. The Company measures effectiveness by offsetting the change in the variable portion of the interest rate swaps with the changes in interest expense paid due to fluctuations in the LIBOR-based interest rate. During the periods presented, these derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing obligations. The Company recognizes any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the hedged item in the consolidated statements of operations. All components of the interest rate swaps were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Hedge ineffectiveness for the Company’s cash flow hedges was not material in any period presented.

The Company is exposed to credit related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties. The counterparties to any of the financial derivatives the Company enters into are major institutions with investment grade credit ratings. The Company evaluates counterparty credit risk before entering into any hedge transaction and continues to closely monitor the financial market and the risk that its counterparties will default on their obligations. This credit risk is generally limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts, should any of these counterparties fail to perform as contracted.

Amounts in AOCI related to derivatives are indirectly recognized in earnings as periodic settlements occur throughout the term of the swaps, when the related interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

Interest Rate Derivative
 
Number of
Instruments
 
Notional
(dollars in millions)
Interest rate swaps
 
Two
 
$
1,000



The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as follows (dollars in millions):

 
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
83

 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
90



The amount of gains recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss consists of the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
$
7

 
$
10



The amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to Income/Loss (effective portions) consists of the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
Income Statement Location
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
Interest Expense
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(11
)


Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate, long-term debt obligations are reported in AOCI. These amounts subsequently are reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment of the hedged debt obligation in the same period in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings. Amounts currently included in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings prior to the settlement of these cash flow hedging contracts in 2014. The Company estimates that $44 million of net losses on the interest rate swaps (based on the estimated LIBOR curve as of March 31, 2012) will be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. The Company’s interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedging contracts qualify as effective hedge relationships, and as a result, hedge ineffectiveness was not material in any of the periods presented.

Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, long-term debt was as follows:

(dollars in millions)
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Senior Secured Term Loan*
 
$
2,600

 
$
2,600

Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 

 
807

Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2015 (4.506% as of March 31, 2012 and 4.202% as of December 31, 2011)
 
300

 
300

Senior Notes due 2017 (8.75%)
 
700

 
700

Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)
 
640

 
640

Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
605

 
605

Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
 
500

 
500

Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
1,200

 
1,200

Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
 
900

 

Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
 
172

 
272

Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
200

 
200

Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)
 
275

 
275

Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)
 
201

 
201

Commercial Mortgage due 2015 (9.86%)
 
64

 
65

Capital Leases
 
115

 
131

Other
 
30

 
32

Total Debt Obligations
 
8,502

 
8,528

Unamortized (Discount) Premium:
 
 
 
 
Discount on Senior Secured Term Loan
 
(32
)
 
(33
)
Premium on Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 

 
3

Discount on Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)
 
(10
)
 
(11
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Discount on Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Discount due to embedded derivative contracts
 
(4
)
 
(7
)
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
 
(76
)
 
(78
)
Carrying Value of Debt
 
8,426

 
8,450

Less current portion
 
(227
)
 
(65
)
Long-term Debt, less current portion
 
$
8,199

 
$
8,385


* The $1.4 billion Tranche A Term Loan due 2014 had an effective interest rate of 2.73% and 2.65% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, excluding the effect of the $1 billion notional amount interest rate swaps. The $650 million Tranche B II Term Loan due 2018 and the $550 million Tranche B III Term Loan due 2018 had an interest rate of 5.75% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.


First Quarter 2012 Debt Issuance and Related Redemption

8.625% Senior Notes due 2020

On January 13, 2012, Level 3 Financing completed the offering of $900 million aggregate principal of its 8.625% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "8.625% Senior Notes"). Debt issuance costs of approximately $20 million were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the 8.625% Senior Notes. In February 2012, a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the 8.625% Senior Notes were used to redeem all of Level 3 Financing's outstanding 9.25% Senior Notes due 2014 in aggregate principal amount of $807 million. The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $22 million in the first quarter of 2012 as a result of the redemption of the 9.25% Senior Notes due 2014.

The remaining net proceeds constitute purchase money indebtedness under the existing senior secured credit agreement and indentures of the Company and Level 3 Financing and are being used solely to fund the cost of construction, installation, acquisition, lease, development or improvement of any Telecommunications/IS assets (as defined in the existing senior secured credit agreement and indentures of Level 3), including cash purchase price of any past, pending or future acquisitions.

The 8.625% Senior Notes will mature on July 15, 2020. Interest on the notes will accrue from January 13, 2012 and will be payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2012. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsubordinated and unsecured basis by the Company and became fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, LLC in the second quarter of 2012 (see Note 13 - Subsequent Events). The notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Level 3 Financing, ranking equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of Level 3 Financing, and are senior in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness of Level 3 Financing expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes.

The 8.625% Senior Notes are subject to redemption at the option of Level 3 Financing in whole or in part, at any time before January 15, 2016 at the redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus a make-whole premium and accrued an unpaid interest. On and after January 15, 2016, Level 3 Financing may redeem all or part of the 8.625% Senior Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve months beginning January 15, of the years indicated below:

Year
Redemption
Price
2016
104.313
%
2017
102.156
%
2018
100.000
%


In addition, at any time or from time to time on or prior to January 15, 2015, Level 3 Financing may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes (including any additional 8.625% Senior Notes) at a redemption price equal to 108.625% of the principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Level 3 Financing of one or more private placements to persons other than Affiliates of Level 3 or underwritten public offerings of Common Stock of Level 3 resulting, in each case, in gross proceeds of at least $100 million in aggregate; provided, however, that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes (including any additional 8.625% Senior Notes) would remain outstanding immediately after giving effect to such redemption. Any such redemption shall be made within 90 days of such private placement or public offering upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice.
First Quarter 2012 Debt Exchange

On March 13, 2012, the Company entered into an exchange agreement for a portion of its 15% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013. Pursuant to the agreement, the holder of approximately $100 million aggregate principal amount of Level 3's outstanding 15% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 agreed to exchange that debt for approximately 3.7 million shares of Level 3's common stock into which the notes were convertible plus an additional 1.7 million shares for a total of approximately 5.4 million shares. The consideration was based on the market price for these notes plus an inducement premium and included a payment for accrued and unpaid interest from January 15, 2012 through March 15, 2012 of approximately $2 million. This transaction did not include the payment by the Company of any cash. The Company recognized a loss on inducement included in loss on extinguishment of debt of $39 million in the first quarter of 2012 as a result of the exchange of the 15% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013.

Long-Term Debt Maturities

Aggregate future contractual maturities of long-term debt and capital leases (excluding issue discounts, premiums and fair value adjustments) were as follows as of March 31, 2012 (dollars in millions):

2012 (remaining nine months)
 
$
47

2013
 
212

2014
 
1,425

2015
 
838

2016
 
207

2017
 
706

Thereafter
 
5,067

 
 
$
8,502



Stock-based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes non-cash compensation expense and capitalized non-cash compensation for three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
OSO
$
2

 
$
2

 
Restricted Stock Units and Shares
4

 
4

 
401(k) Match Expense
7

 
3

 
Restricted Stock Unit Bonus Grant
11

 
16

 
 
24

 
25

 
Capitalized Noncash Compensation

 

 
 
$
24

 
$
25

 


The Company capitalizes non-cash compensation for those employees directly involved in the construction of the network, installation of services for customers or development of business support systems. As of March 31, 2012, there were approximately 1 million outperform stock options (“OSOs”) outstanding. As of March 31, 2012, there were approximately 2 million nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) outstanding. In addition, as of March 31, 2012, there were approximately five hundred thousand non-qualified stock options outstanding.
Segment Information
Segment Information
Segment Information

Accounting guidance for the disclosures about segments of an enterprise defines operating segments as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and which is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. As a result of the integration of Global Crossing (see Note 2 - Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing) and the sale of the coal business during the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company reorganized its management reporting structure to reflect the way in which it allocates resources and assesses performance. As a result of these changes, the Company is now comprised of one reportable segment for financial reporting purposes, representing its communications services business. The prior year reportable segment information has been revised to conform with this presentation.

The Company evaluates performance based upon Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the Company, as net income (loss) from the consolidated statements of operations before (1) income tax benefit (expense), (2) total other income (expense), (3) non-cash impairment charges included within restructuring and impairment charges, (4) depreciation and amortization expense, (5) non-cash stock compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative expenses and (6) discontinued operations.
The data presented in the following table includes information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Information related to the acquired business is included from the date of acquisition, and information related to dispositions is included through the date of sale.
Total revenue consists of:

1)
Core Network Services revenue from colocation and data center services, transport and fiber, IP and data services, and voice services.

2)  
Wholesale Voice Services and Other revenue from long distance voice services, revenue from managed modem and its related intercarrier compensation services and revenue from the "SBC Master Services Agreement", which was obtained through an acquisition in 2005.

The following table provides revenue (dollars in millions):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Core Network Services
$
1,382

 
$
729

Wholesale Voice Services and Other
204

 
185

 
$
1,586

 
$
914



The prior year's revenue by service offering has been revised to conform to the current year's presentation.


Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities that individually or in the aggregate could materially affect its financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows. Amounts accrued for such contingencies aggregate $306 million and are included in “Other” current liabilities and “Other Liabilities” in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012. The establishment of an accrual does not mean that actual funds have been set aside to satisfy a given contingency. Thus, the resolution of a particular contingency for the amount accrued may have no effect on the Company's results of operations but could materially adversely affect its cash flows for the affected period.
In accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company accrues its estimate of a contingent liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and there is a range of expected loss for which no amount in the range is more likely than any other amount, the Company accrues at the low end of the range. The Company reviews its accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. In addition, adjustments to the accruals established for Global Crossing's contingent liabilities may be made in connection with the purchase price allocation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities under acquisition accounting, which is expected to be completed no later than October 4, 2012. Any such accrual adjustments would generally not affect results of operations but rather would result in an increase or decrease to goodwill associated with the Global Crossing acquisition.
Below is a description of material legal proceedings and other contingencies pending at March 31, 2012. Although the Company believes it has accrued for these matters in accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies, contingencies are inherently unpredictable and it is possible that results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected in any particular period by unfavorable developments in, or resolution or disposition of, one or more of these matters. For those contingencies in respect of which the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a loss may result that is materially in excess of the accrual (if any) established for the matter, the Company has below either provided an estimate of such possible loss or range of loss or included a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. In addition to the contingencies described below, the Company is party to many other legal proceedings and contingencies the resolution of which is not expected to materially affect its financial condition or future results of operations beyond the amounts accrued.

Rights-of-Way Litigation
The Company is party to a number of purported class action lawsuits involving its right to install fiber optic cable network in railroad right-of-ways adjacent to plaintiffs' land. In general, the Company obtained the rights to construct its networks from railroads, utilities, and others, and has installed its networks along the rights-of-way so granted. Plaintiffs in the purported class actions assert that they are the owners of lands over which the its fiber optic cable networks pass, and that the railroads, utilities, and others who granted the Company the right to construct and maintain its network did not have the legal authority to do so. The complaints seek damages on theories of trespass, unjust enrichment and slander of title and property, as well as punitive damages. The Company has also received, and may in the future receive, claims and demands related to rights-of-way issues similar to the issues in these cases that may be based on similar or different legal theories. The Company has defeated motions for class certification in a number of these actions but expects that, absent settlement of these actions, plaintiffs in the pending lawsuits will continue to seek certification of statewide or multi-state classes. The only lawsuit in which a class was certified against the Company, absent an agreed upon settlement, occurred in Koyle, et. al. v. Level 3 Communications, Inc., et. al., a purported two state class action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The Koyle lawsuit has been dismissed pursuant to a settlement reached in November 2010 as described further below.

The Company negotiated a series of class settlements affecting all persons who own or owned land next to or near railroad rights of way in which it has installed its fiber optic cable networks. The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Kingsborough v. Sprint Communications Co. L.P. granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement; however, on September 10, 2009, the court denied a motion for final approval of the settlement on the basis that the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction and dismissed the case.

In November 2010, the Company negotiated revised settlement terms for a series of state class settlements affecting all persons who own or owned land next to or near railroad rights of way in which the Company has installed its fiber optic cable networks. The Company is currently pursuing presentment of the settlement in applicable jurisdictions. The settlements affecting current and former landowners in the states of Idaho, Illinois, and Alabama have received final court approval and the parties are engaged in the claims process for those states. The settlement has been presented to federal courts in several additional states for approval.

Management believes that the Company has substantial defenses to the claims asserted in all of these actions and intends to defend them vigorously if a satisfactory settlement is not ultimately approved for all affected landowners.

Derivative Action

In March 2009, Level 3 Communications, Inc., as a nominal defendant, certain of its directors and its current officers, and a former officer, were named as defendants in purported stockholder derivative actions in the District Court, Broomfield County, Colorado, which have been consolidated as In  re Level 3 Communications, Inc. Derivative Litigation (Lead Case No. 2009CV59) (the “State Derivative Action”). The plaintiffs in the action allege that during the period specified in the complaints the named defendants failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's integration activities, business and operations. The complaint seeks damages on behalf of the Company based on purported breaches of fiduciary duties for disseminating false and misleading statements and failing to maintain internal controls; unjust enrichment; abuse of control; gross mismanagement; waste of corporate assets; and, with respect to certain defendants, breach of fiduciary duties in connection with the resignation of Kevin O'Hara. The plaintiffs are undertaking further assessment of the State Derivative Action following the final dismissal of a related securities class action lawsuit which was based upon similar allegations. In the event that this action proceeds forward, management believes that the complaint has numerous deficiencies, including that the plaintiffs failed to make a demand on the Company's Board of Directors before filing the suit, and intends to defend this action vigorously.

Peruvian Tax Litigation
Beginning in 2005, one of the Company's Peruvian subsidiaries received a number of assessments for tax, penalty and interest for calendar years 2001 and 2002. Peruvian tax authorities (SUNAT) took the position that the Peruvian subsidiary incorrectly documented its importations resulting in additional income tax withholding and value-added taxes (VAT). The total amount of the asserted claims, including potential interest and penalties, was $26 million, consisting of $3 million for income tax withholding in connection with the import of services for calendar years 2001 and 2002, $7 million in connection with VAT in connection with the import of services for calendar years 2001 and 2002, and $16 million in connection with the disallowance of VAT credits for periods beginning in 2005. Due to accrued interest and foreign exchange effects, and taking into account the developments described below, the total assessments have increased to $88 million.
The Company challenged the tax assessments during 2005 by filing administrative claims before SUNAT. During August 2006 and June 2007 SUNAT rejected the Company's administrative claims, thereby confirming the assessments. Appeals were filed in September 2006 and July 2007 in the Tax Court, which is the highest administrative authority. In October 2011, the Tax Court issued a ruling regarding VAT, associated penalties and penalties associated with withholding taxes, adjudicating the central issue underlying the assessments in the government's favor, while confirming the assessment in part and denying a portion of the assessment on procedural grounds. Other than an immaterial amount, all assessed items dismissed by the Tax Court in this ruling remain open for reassessment by SUNAT. While this Tax Court ruling applies only to 2002, the Company believes the Tax Court will issue a similar ruling with respect to 2001, and all material amounts likely to be waived due to procedural defects similarly remain open for reassessment.
In November 2011, the Tax Court issued a ruling with respect to assessed 2001 withholding tax, holding that the statute of limitations had run prior to assessment by SUNAT. The Company believes that this adjudication of the withholding tax issue is likely to be final, and the Company expects to win a similar verdict with respect to assessed 2002 withholding tax. Penalties with respect to withholding tax, however, are not time-barred, and were confirmed in the Tax Court's October 2011 ruling.
The Company has appealed the Tax Court's October 2011 decision to the judicial court in Peru. The Company has not received Tax Court rulings for all periods, but it has received adjudications of each substantive issue for at least one period. As a result, the Company expects decisions for the remaining open periods to be consistent with decisions already rendered. The Company intends to appeal any Tax Court verdict with respect to 2001 to the extent consistent with the October 2011 decision in the government's favor, and will protest any reassessment of amounts dismissed by the Tax Court on procedural grounds.
Employee Severance and Contractor Termination Disputes
A number of former employees and third-party contractors have asserted a variety of claims in litigation against certain Latin American subsidiaries of the Company for separation pay, severance, commissions, pension benefits, unpaid vacation pay, breach of employment contracts, unpaid performance bonuses, property damages, moral damages and related statutory penalties, fines, costs and expenses (including accrued interest, attorneys fees and statutorily mandated inflation adjustments) as a result of their separation from the Company or termination of service relationships. The Company is vigorously defending itself against the asserted claims, which aggregate to approximately $41 million.
Brazilian Tax Claims
In December 2004, March 2009 and April 2009, the São Paulo state tax authorities issued tax assessments against one of the Company's Brazilian subsidiaries for the Tax on Distribution of Goods and Services (“ICMS”) with respect to revenues from leasing movable properties (in the case of the December 2004 and March 2009 assessments) and revenues from the provision of internet access services (in the case of the April 2009 assessment), by treating such activities as the provision of communications services, to which the ICMS tax applies. In September 2002 and July 2009, the Rio de Janeiro state tax authorities issued tax assessments to the same Brazilian subsidiary on identical issues. The Company has filed objections to these assessments, arguing that the lease of assets and the provision of internet access are not communication services subject to ICMS. The objections to the December 2004 and September 2002 assessments have been rejected by the respective state administrative courts, and the Company has appealed those decisions to the judicial courts. The objections to the March, April and July 2009 assessments are still pending final administrative decisions.
The Company is vigorously contesting all such assessments in both states, and in particular, views the assessment of ICMS on revenues from leasing movable properties to be without merit. Nevertheless, the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that these assessments could result in a loss of up to $57 million in excess of the accruals established for these matters.
Customer Bankruptcy Claim
During 2007 one of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries commenced default and disconnect procedures against a customer for breach of a sales contract for termination of international and domestic wireless and wireline phone service based on the nature of the customer's traffic, which rendered the contract highly unprofitable to the Company. After the process was begun, the customer filed for bankruptcy protection, thereby barring the Company from taking further disconnection actions against it. The Company commenced an adversary proceeding in the bankruptcy court, asserting a claim for damages for the customer's alleged breaches of the contract and for a declaration that, as a result of these breaches, the customer was prohibited from assuming the contract in its reorganization proceedings.
The customer filed several counterclaims against the Company alleging various breaches of contract for attempting improperly to terminate service, for improperly blocking international traffic, for violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and for related tort-based claims. The Company notified the customer that the Company would be raising its rates for certain of the services and filed a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking additional adequate assurance for the rate change, or an order allowing the Company to terminate the customer's service. The customer amended its counter claims to assert claims for breach of contract based upon the rate increase. On July 3, 2008, the Court issued an opinion holding that the agreement did not permit the Company to increase the rates in the manner it did and that the Company: (a) breached the sales contract in so doing; and (b) was therefore not entitled to additional adequate assurance or an order terminating service. The Court did, however, permit the Company to amend its complaint to plead a rescission claim (which was filed on July 14, 2008) and to assert other defenses.
The Court dismissed the customer's bankruptcy case by order dated November 25, 2009, and retained the adversary proceeding (including the customer's counterclaim), which has continued. On December 26, 2009, the Company terminated service to the customer. The Company amended its complaint to include allegations relating to the manipulation of traffic data, so called “ANI stripping,” and the customer filed an amended answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims.
On January 14, 2011, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment asserting that the customer was not entitled to recover any damages (other than those based on rescission-type theories) by reason of a limitation of liability provision in the contract and applicable law. On July 22, 2011, the Court issued its decision on the motion. Although the Court held that the limitation of liability provision of the contract was valid and enforceable and barred the customer from pursuing all forms of lost profit damages, the Court refused to exclude the customer's claim for general damages at that point, and permitted that issue to proceed.
Discovery in the action is now concluded and the Court ordered trial to proceed in three separate phases. Trial of the first set of issues commenced on November 14, 2011. After the Court heard testimony from four witnesses, the matter was adjourned until January 23, 2012, at which time further testimony was taken for three days. The customer's most recent damage estimate ranged from approximately $150 million to approximately $450 million. While the final outcome of this matter was uncertain, the Company believed Global Crossing had good defenses that would have limited substantially the amount of damages recoverable by the customer, including defenses based upon the limitation of liability provisions in the contract. However, the precise effect of the application of these defenses was unclear, and the Company therefore elected to settle the case for an amount approximately equal to the accrual that the Company had established for the matter. The settlement agreement was entered into by the parties effective on April 11, 2012, and the parties filed a stipulation with the Court on April 13, 2012, pursuant to which the case was dismissed with prejudice.
Letters of Credit

It is customary for Level 3 to use various financial instruments in the normal course of business. These instruments include letters of credit. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued on behalf of Level 3 in accordance with specified terms and conditions. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Level 3 had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $31 million and $33 million, respectively, of which $29 million and $29 million, are collateralized by cash, that is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash. The Company does not believe it is reasonable to estimate the fair value of the letters of credit and does not believe exposure to loss is reasonably possible nor material.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Level 3 Financing, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has issued Senior Notes that are unsecured obligations of Level 3 Financing; however, they are also jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Level 3 Communications, LLC.

In conjunction with the registration of the Senior Notes, other than the 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 and the 8.625% Senior Notes due 2020, the accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial statements of guarantors and affiliates whose securities collateralize an issue registered or being registered.” See Note 13 - Subsequent Events, for additional information.

The operating activities of the separate legal entities included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are interdependent. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of each legal entity and, on an aggregate basis, the other non-guarantor subsidiaries based on amounts incurred by such entities, and is not intended to present the operating results of those legal entities on a stand-alone basis. Level 3 Communications, LLC leases equipment and certain facilities from other wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. These transactions are eliminated in the consolidated results of the Company.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Revenue
$

 
$

 
$
626

 
$
1,023

 
$
(63
)
 
$
1,586

Costs and Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue

 

 
236

 
481

 
(60
)
 
657

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 
67

 
120

 

 
187

Selling, General and Administrative
1

 

 
401

 
223

 
(3
)
 
622

Restructuring Charges

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Total Costs and Expenses
1

 

 
704

 
828

 
(63
)
 
1,470

Operating Income (Loss)
(1
)
 

 
(78
)
 
195

 

 
116

Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Interest expense
(42
)
 
(139
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
(189
)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
245

 
399

 
(559
)
 
(85
)
 

 

Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(301
)
 
(539
)
 
36

 

 
804

 

Other income (expense), net
(39
)
 
(22
)
 
1

 
8

 

 
(52
)
Total Other Expense
(137
)
 
(301
)
 
(521
)
 
(85
)
 
804

 
(240
)
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
(138
)
 
(301
)
 
(599
)
 
110

 
804

 
(124
)
Income Tax Expense

 

 
(1
)
 
(13
)
 

 
(14
)
Net Income (Loss)
(138
)
 
(301
)
 
(600
)
 
97

 
804

 
(138
)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Income Taxes
42


42




35


(77
)

42

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(96
)

$
(259
)

$
(600
)

$
132


$
727


$
(96
)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
421

 
$
320

 
$

 
$
748

Restricted cash and securities

 

 
1

 
7

 

 
8

Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts

 

 
63

 
620

 

 
683

Due from (to) affiliates
13,748

 
14,850

 
(28,382
)
 
(216
)
 

 

Other
3

 
16

 
66

 
79

 

 
164

Total Current Assets
13,752

 
14,872

 
(27,831
)
 
810

 

 
1,603

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

 

 
2,833

 
5,331

 

 
8,164

Restricted Cash and Securities
18

 

 
19

 
15

 

 
52

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net

 

 
465

 
2,365

 

 
2,830

Investment in Subsidiaries
(10,972
)
 
(18,962
)
 
3,300

 

 
26,634

 

Other Assets, net
12

 
119

 
8

 
286

 

 
425

Total Assets
$
2,810

 
$
(3,971
)
 
$
(21,206
)
 
$
8,807

 
$
26,634

 
$
13,074

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1

 
$

 
$
22

 
$
701

 
$

 
$
724

Current portion of long-term debt
168

 

 
2

 
57

 

 
227

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

 
64

 
51

 

 
115

Accrued interest
49

 
114

 

 
2

 

 
165

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

 
109

 
150

 

 
259

Other

 
1

 
42

 
102

 

 
145

Total Current Liabilities
218

 
115

 
239

 
1,063

 

 
1,635

Long-Term Debt, less current portion
1,269

 
6,780

 
21

 
129

 

 
8,199

Deferred Revenue, less current portion

 

 
616

 
268

 

 
884

Other Liabilities
14

 
110

 
146

 
777

 

 
1,047

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,309

 
(10,976
)
 
(22,228
)
 
6,570

 
26,634

 
1,309

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$
2,810

 
$
(3,971
)
 
$
(21,206
)
 
$
8,807

 
$
26,634

 
$
13,074

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
$
(36
)
 
$
(184
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
219

 
$

 
$
(75
)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 

 
(61
)
 
(77
)
 

 
(138
)
Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 
(60
)
 
(72
)
 

 
(132
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs

 
880

 

 

 

 
880

Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs

 
(825
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(847
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
1

 

 

 

 

 
1

Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
34

 
129

 
(63
)
 
(100
)
 

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
35

 
184

 
(63
)
 
(122
)
 

 
34

Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(1
)
 

 
(197
)
 
28

 

 
(170
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
2

 
6

 
618

 
292

 

 
918

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
421

 
$
320

 
$

 
$
748


Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended March 31, 2011


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Revenue
$

 
$

 
$
560

 
$
406

 
$
(52
)
 
$
914

Costs and Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue

 

 
212

 
194

 
(49
)
 
357

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 
103

 
100

 

 
203

Selling, General and Administrative

 

 
307

 
53

 
(3
)
 
357

Restructuring Charges

 

 

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

 

 
622

 
347

 
(52
)
 
917

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 
(62
)
 
59

 

 
(3
)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense
(57
)
 
(98
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(157
)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
210

 
361

 
(516
)
 
(55
)
 

 

Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(337
)
 
(600
)
 
42

 

 
895

 

Other income (expense), net
(21
)
 

 
3

 
1

 

 
(17
)
Total Other Expense
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(472
)
 
(55
)
 
895

 
(174
)
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
4

 
895

 
(177
)
Income Tax Expense

 

 

 
(27
)
 

 
(27
)
Loss from Continuing Operations
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
(23
)
 
895

 
(204
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, Net

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Net Loss
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
(24
)
 
895

 
(205
)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Income Taxes
51

 
51

 

 
41

 
(92
)
 
51

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(154
)
 
$
(286
)
 
$
(534
)
 
$
17

 
$
803

 
$
(154
)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2011


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
$
(56
)
 
$
(77
)
 
$

 
$
134

 
$

 
$
1

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 

 
(44
)
 
(71
)
 

 
(115
)
Increase in restricted cash and securities, net

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
2

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

 

 
(43
)
 
(71
)
 

 
(114
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
292

 
480

 

 

 

 
772

Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs
(197
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(198
)
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
3

 
(403
)
 
472

 
(72
)
 

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
98

 
77

 
472

 
(73
)
 

 
574

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
42

 

 
429

 
(8
)
 

 
463

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
173

 
7

 
350

 
86

 

 
616

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
215

 
$
7

 
$
779

 
$
78

 
$

 
$
1,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2011

 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
618

 
$
292

 
$

 
$
918

Restricted cash and securities

 

 
1

 
9

 

 
10

Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts

 

 
59

 
589

 

 
648

Due from (to) affiliates
13,472

 
14,584

 
(28,092
)
 
36

 

 

Other
3

 
16

 
48

 
64

 

 
131

Total Current Assets
13,477

 
14,606

 
(27,366
)
 
990

 

 
1,707

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

 

 
2,823

 
5,313

 

 
8,136

Restricted Cash and Securities
18

 

 
19

 
14

 

 
51

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net

 

 
481

 
2,418

 

 
2,899

Investment in Subsidiaries
(10,718
)
 
(18,467
)
 
3,412

 

 
25,773

 

Other Assets, net
13

 
109

 
6

 
267

 

 
395

Total Assets
$
2,790

 
$
(3,752
)
 
$
(20,625
)
 
$
9,002

 
$
25,773

 
$
13,188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$

 
$

 
$
37

 
$
710

 
$

 
$
747

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 
2

 
63

 

 
65

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

 
116

 
93

 

 
209

Accrued interest
50

 
165

 

 
1

 

 
216

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

 
107

 
157

 

 
264

Other

 
1

 
52

 
104

 

 
157

Total Current Liabilities
50

 
166

 
314

 
1,128

 

 
1,658

Long-Term Debt, less current portion
1,533

 
6,688

 
22

 
142

 

 
8,385

Deferred Revenue, less current portion

 

 
612

 
273

 

 
885

Other Liabilities
14

 
116

 
146

 
791

 

 
1,067

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,193

 
(10,722
)
 
(21,719
)
 
6,668

 
25,773

 
1,193

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$
2,790

 
$
(3,752
)
 
$
(20,625
)
 
$
9,002

 
$
25,773

 
$
13,188

Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events

Debt Registrations

The 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 issued by Level 3 Financing, Inc. were not originally registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. During the second quarter of 2012, all of the originally placed notes were exchanged for a new issue of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 with identical terms and conditions, other than those related to registration rights, in a registered exchange offer and now are freely tradeable. The 8.125% Senior Notes became fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, LLC during the first quarter of 2012.

The 8.625% Senior Notes due 2020 issued by Level 3 Financing, Inc. were not originally registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a registered offer to exchange all of the originally placed notes for a new issue of freely tradeable 8.625% Senior Notes due 2020 with identical terms and conditions, other than those related to registration rights. The 8.625% Senior Notes became fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Level 3 Communications, LLC during the second quarter of 2012.


Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Level 3 Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. Prior to the disposition of the coal mining business during the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company's 50% owned mining joint ventures were consolidated on a pro rata basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").
As part of its consolidation policy, the Company considers its controlled subsidiaries, investments in the business in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary or does not have effective control but has the ability to significantly influence operating and financial policies, and variable interests resulting from economic arrangements that give the Company rights to economic risks or rewards of a legal entity.
Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing (Tables)
The following is a preliminary allocation of purchase price based on information currently available. The final identification of all the intangible assets acquired and the determination of the purchase price allocation may be significantly different from the preliminary allocation reflected below.

 
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets:
 
  Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
$
226

  Property, Plant, and Equipment
3,098

  Goodwill
1,069

  Identifiable Intangibles
106

  Other Assets
680

Total Assets
5,179

 
 
Liabilities:
 
  Long-term Debt
(1,554
)
  Other Liabilities
(1,663
)
Total Liabilities
(3,217
)
Total Estimated Consideration
$
1,962


The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of Level 3 and Global Crossing as if the completion of the Amalgamation had occurred as of January 1, 2010.

(dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Total Revenue
 
$
1,548

Net Loss
 
(232
)
Net Loss per share
 
$
(1.16
)


Dispositions (Tables)
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures
The following amounts relate to the operations of the coal business and were derived from historical financial information and have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions):


 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Revenue
 
 
$
15

 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue
 
 
15

Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
1

Selling, General, and Administrative
 
 

Total Costs and Expenses
 
 
16

 
 
 
 
Operating Loss
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
Total Other Expense
 
 

Loss From Discontinued Operations, Net
 
 
$
(1
)
Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)
Identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
March 31, 2012
 

 
 

 
 

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Customer Contracts and Relationships
$
776

 
$
(588
)
 
$
188

Trademarks
55

 
(7
)
 
48

Patents and Developed Technology
158

 
(93
)
 
65

 
989

 
(688
)
 
301

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Vyvx Trade Name
32

 

 
32

 
$
1,021

 
$
(688
)
 
$
333

December 31, 2011
 

 
 

 
 

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Customer Contracts and Relationships
$
776

 
$
(571
)
 
$
205

Trademarks
55

 
(3
)
 
52

Patents and Developed Technology
158

 
(89
)
 
69

 
989

 
(663
)
 
326

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

Vyvx Trade Name
32

 

 
32

 
$
1,021

 
$
(663
)
 
$
358

As of March 31, 2012, estimated amortization expense for the Company’s finite-lived acquisition-related intangible assets over the next five years and thereafter is as follows (dollars in millions):

2012 (remaining nine months)
$
66

2013
72

2014
61

2015
45

2016
27

2017
13

Thereafter
17

 
$
301

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)
Schedule of fair value of liabilities measured on a recurring basis
The table below presents the fair values for each class of Level 3’s liabilities as well as the input levels used to determine these fair values as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Total
Carrying Value
in Consolidated
Balance Sheet
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(dollars in millions)
Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swap Liabilities (included in other non-current liabilities)
$
83

 
$
90

 
$

 
$

 
$
83

 
$
90

Total Derivative Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
$
83

 
$
90

 
$

 
$

 
$
83

 
$
90

Liabilities Not Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term Loans
$
2,568

 
$
2,567

 
$
2,591

 
$
2,518

 
$

 
$

Senior Notes
4,807

 
4,716

 
5,134

 
4,822

 

 

Convertible Notes
842

 
939

 
329

 
247

 
969

 
834

Commercial Mortgage
64

 
65

 

 

 
73

 
73

Capital Leases and Other
145

 
163

 

 

 
145

 
163

Total Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
$
8,426

 
$
8,450

 
$
8,054

 
$
7,587

 
$
1,187

 
$
1,070


Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

Interest Rate Derivative
 
Number of
Instruments
 
Notional
(dollars in millions)
Interest rate swaps
 
Two
 
$
1,000

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as follows (dollars in millions):

 
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
83

 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
90

The amount of gains recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss consists of the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
$
7

 
$
10

The amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to Income/Loss (effective portions) consists of the following (dollars in millions):

 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
Income Statement Location
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
Interest Expense
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(11
)
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, long-term debt was as follows:

(dollars in millions)
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Senior Secured Term Loan*
 
$
2,600

 
$
2,600

Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 

 
807

Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2015 (4.506% as of March 31, 2012 and 4.202% as of December 31, 2011)
 
300

 
300

Senior Notes due 2017 (8.75%)
 
700

 
700

Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)
 
640

 
640

Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
605

 
605

Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
 
500

 
500

Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
1,200

 
1,200

Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
 
900

 

Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
 
172

 
272

Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
200

 
200

Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)
 
275

 
275

Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)
 
201

 
201

Commercial Mortgage due 2015 (9.86%)
 
64

 
65

Capital Leases
 
115

 
131

Other
 
30

 
32

Total Debt Obligations
 
8,502

 
8,528

Unamortized (Discount) Premium:
 
 
 
 
Discount on Senior Secured Term Loan
 
(32
)
 
(33
)
Premium on Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 

 
3

Discount on Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)
 
(10
)
 
(11
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Discount on Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Discount on Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Discount due to embedded derivative contracts
 
(4
)
 
(7
)
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
 
(76
)
 
(78
)
Carrying Value of Debt
 
8,426

 
8,450

Less current portion
 
(227
)
 
(65
)
Long-term Debt, less current portion
 
$
8,199

 
$
8,385


* The $1.4 billion Tranche A Term Loan due 2014 had an effective interest rate of 2.73% and 2.65% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, excluding the effect of the $1 billion notional amount interest rate swaps. The $650 million Tranche B II Term Loan due 2018 and the $550 million Tranche B III Term Loan due 2018 had an interest rate of 5.75% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
The 8.625% Senior Notes are subject to redemption at the option of Level 3 Financing in whole or in part, at any time before January 15, 2016 at the redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus a make-whole premium and accrued an unpaid interest. On and after January 15, 2016, Level 3 Financing may redeem all or part of the 8.625% Senior Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve months beginning January 15, of the years indicated below:

Year
Redemption
Price
2016
104.313
%
2017
102.156
%
2018
100.000
%

Aggregate future contractual maturities of long-term debt and capital leases (excluding issue discounts, premiums and fair value adjustments) were as follows as of March 31, 2012 (dollars in millions):

2012 (remaining nine months)
 
$
47

2013
 
212

2014
 
1,425

2015
 
838

2016
 
207

2017
 
706

Thereafter
 
5,067

 
 
$
8,502

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)
Schedule of non-cash compensation expense and capitalized non-cash compensation
The following table summarizes non-cash compensation expense and capitalized non-cash compensation for three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
OSO
$
2

 
$
2

 
Restricted Stock Units and Shares
4

 
4

 
401(k) Match Expense
7

 
3

 
Restricted Stock Unit Bonus Grant
11

 
16

 
 
24

 
25

 
Capitalized Noncash Compensation

 

 
 
$
24

 
$
25

 
Segment Information (Tables)
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services
The data presented in the following table includes information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Information related to the acquired business is included from the date of acquisition, and information related to dispositions is included through the date of sale.
Total revenue consists of:

1)
Core Network Services revenue from colocation and data center services, transport and fiber, IP and data services, and voice services.

2)  
Wholesale Voice Services and Other revenue from long distance voice services, revenue from managed modem and its related intercarrier compensation services and revenue from the "SBC Master Services Agreement", which was obtained through an acquisition in 2005.

The following table provides revenue (dollars in millions):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Core Network Services
$
1,382

 
$
729

Wholesale Voice Services and Other
204

 
185

 
$
1,586

 
$
914

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
 
 
 
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
 
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
 
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
 
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Revenue
$

 
$

 
$
626

 
$
1,023

 
$
(63
)
 
$
1,586

Costs and Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue

 

 
236

 
481

 
(60
)
 
657

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 
67

 
120

 

 
187

Selling, General and Administrative
1

 

 
401

 
223

 
(3
)
 
622

Restructuring Charges

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Total Costs and Expenses
1

 

 
704

 
828

 
(63
)
 
1,470

Operating Income (Loss)
(1
)
 

 
(78
)
 
195

 

 
116

Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Interest expense
(42
)
 
(139
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
(189
)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
245

 
399

 
(559
)
 
(85
)
 

 

Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(301
)
 
(539
)
 
36

 

 
804

 

Other income (expense), net
(39
)
 
(22
)
 
1

 
8

 

 
(52
)
Total Other Expense
(137
)
 
(301
)
 
(521
)
 
(85
)
 
804

 
(240
)
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
(138
)
 
(301
)
 
(599
)
 
110

 
804

 
(124
)
Income Tax Expense

 

 
(1
)
 
(13
)
 

 
(14
)
Net Income (Loss)
(138
)
 
(301
)
 
(600
)
 
97

 
804

 
(138
)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Income Taxes
42


42




35


(77
)

42

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(96
)

$
(259
)

$
(600
)

$
132


$
727


$
(96
)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended March 31, 2011


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Revenue
$

 
$

 
$
560

 
$
406

 
$
(52
)
 
$
914

Costs and Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenue

 

 
212

 
194

 
(49
)
 
357

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 
103

 
100

 

 
203

Selling, General and Administrative

 

 
307

 
53

 
(3
)
 
357

Restructuring Charges

 

 

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

 

 
622

 
347

 
(52
)
 
917

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 
(62
)
 
59

 

 
(3
)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense
(57
)
 
(98
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(157
)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
210

 
361

 
(516
)
 
(55
)
 

 

Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(337
)
 
(600
)
 
42

 

 
895

 

Other income (expense), net
(21
)
 

 
3

 
1

 

 
(17
)
Total Other Expense
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(472
)
 
(55
)
 
895

 
(174
)
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
4

 
895

 
(177
)
Income Tax Expense

 

 

 
(27
)
 

 
(27
)
Loss from Continuing Operations
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
(23
)
 
895

 
(204
)
Loss From Discontinued Operations, Net

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Net Loss
(205
)
 
(337
)
 
(534
)
 
(24
)
 
895

 
(205
)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Income Taxes
51

 
51

 

 
41

 
(92
)
 
51

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(154
)
 
$
(286
)
 
$
(534
)
 
$
17

 
$
803

 
$
(154
)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
421

 
$
320

 
$

 
$
748

Restricted cash and securities

 

 
1

 
7

 

 
8

Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts

 

 
63

 
620

 

 
683

Due from (to) affiliates
13,748

 
14,850

 
(28,382
)
 
(216
)
 

 

Other
3

 
16

 
66

 
79

 

 
164

Total Current Assets
13,752

 
14,872

 
(27,831
)
 
810

 

 
1,603

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

 

 
2,833

 
5,331

 

 
8,164

Restricted Cash and Securities
18

 

 
19

 
15

 

 
52

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net

 

 
465

 
2,365

 

 
2,830

Investment in Subsidiaries
(10,972
)
 
(18,962
)
 
3,300

 

 
26,634

 

Other Assets, net
12

 
119

 
8

 
286

 

 
425

Total Assets
$
2,810

 
$
(3,971
)
 
$
(21,206
)
 
$
8,807

 
$
26,634

 
$
13,074

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1

 
$

 
$
22

 
$
701

 
$

 
$
724

Current portion of long-term debt
168

 

 
2

 
57

 

 
227

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

 
64

 
51

 

 
115

Accrued interest
49

 
114

 

 
2

 

 
165

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

 
109

 
150

 

 
259

Other

 
1

 
42

 
102

 

 
145

Total Current Liabilities
218

 
115

 
239

 
1,063

 

 
1,635

Long-Term Debt, less current portion
1,269

 
6,780

 
21

 
129

 

 
8,199

Deferred Revenue, less current portion

 

 
616

 
268

 

 
884

Other Liabilities
14

 
110

 
146

 
777

 

 
1,047

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,309

 
(10,976
)
 
(22,228
)
 
6,570

 
26,634

 
1,309

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$
2,810

 
$
(3,971
)
 
$
(21,206
)
 
$
8,807

 
$
26,634

 
$
13,074

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2011

 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
618

 
$
292

 
$

 
$
918

Restricted cash and securities

 

 
1

 
9

 

 
10

Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts

 

 
59

 
589

 

 
648

Due from (to) affiliates
13,472

 
14,584

 
(28,092
)
 
36

 

 

Other
3

 
16

 
48

 
64

 

 
131

Total Current Assets
13,477

 
14,606

 
(27,366
)
 
990

 

 
1,707

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

 

 
2,823

 
5,313

 

 
8,136

Restricted Cash and Securities
18

 

 
19

 
14

 

 
51

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net

 

 
481

 
2,418

 

 
2,899

Investment in Subsidiaries
(10,718
)
 
(18,467
)
 
3,412

 

 
25,773

 

Other Assets, net
13

 
109

 
6

 
267

 

 
395

Total Assets
$
2,790

 
$
(3,752
)
 
$
(20,625
)
 
$
9,002

 
$
25,773

 
$
13,188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$

 
$

 
$
37

 
$
710

 
$

 
$
747

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 
2

 
63

 

 
65

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

 
116

 
93

 

 
209

Accrued interest
50

 
165

 

 
1

 

 
216

Current portion of deferred revenue

 

 
107

 
157

 

 
264

Other

 
1

 
52

 
104

 

 
157

Total Current Liabilities
50

 
166

 
314

 
1,128

 

 
1,658

Long-Term Debt, less current portion
1,533

 
6,688

 
22

 
142

 

 
8,385

Deferred Revenue, less current portion

 

 
612

 
273

 

 
885

Other Liabilities
14

 
116

 
146

 
791

 

 
1,067

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,193

 
(10,722
)
 
(21,719
)
 
6,668

 
25,773

 
1,193

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$
2,790

 
$
(3,752
)
 
$
(20,625
)
 
$
9,002

 
$
25,773

 
$
13,188

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2012


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
$
(36
)
 
$
(184
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
219

 
$

 
$
(75
)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 

 
(61
)
 
(77
)
 

 
(138
)
Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 
(60
)
 
(72
)
 

 
(132
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs

 
880

 

 

 

 
880

Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs

 
(825
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(847
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
1

 

 

 

 

 
1

Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
34

 
129

 
(63
)
 
(100
)
 

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
35

 
184

 
(63
)
 
(122
)
 

 
34

Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(1
)
 

 
(197
)
 
28

 

 
(170
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
2

 
6

 
618

 
292

 

 
918

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
421

 
$
320

 
$

 
$
748


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2011


 
Level 3 Communications, Inc
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(dollars in millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
$
(56
)
 
$
(77
)
 
$

 
$
134

 
$

 
$
1

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures

 

 
(44
)
 
(71
)
 

 
(115
)
Increase in restricted cash and securities, net

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment and other assets

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
2

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

 

 
(43
)
 
(71
)
 

 
(114
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
292

 
480

 

 

 

 
772

Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portion and refinancing costs
(197
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(198
)
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
3

 
(403
)
 
472

 
(72
)
 

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
98

 
77

 
472

 
(73
)
 

 
574

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
42

 

 
429

 
(8
)
 

 
463

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
173

 
7

 
350

 
86

 

 
616

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
215

 
$
7

 
$
779

 
$
78

 
$

 
$
1,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)
0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Nov. 14, 2011
jointventures
Oct. 19, 2011
Description of Business
 
 
Number of joint-venture surface mines
 
Reverse stock split ratio (in shares)
 
15 
Montana
 
 
Description of Business
 
 
Number of joint-venture surface mines
 
Percentage of ownership of common stock in a joint-venture (as a percent)
50.00% 
 
Wyoming
 
 
Description of Business
 
 
Number of joint-venture surface mines
 
Percentage of ownership of common stock in a joint-venture (as a percent)
50.00% 
 
Events Associated with the Amalgamation of Global Crossing (Details) (USD $)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Oct. 19, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Oct. 4, 2011
Oct. 3, 2011
Oct. 31, 2011
Senior Secured Term Loan
Tranche B II Term Loan
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
Oct. 4, 2011
Common stock
Oct. 31, 2011
Common stock
Nov. 30, 2011
Global Crossing
Oct. 4, 2011
Global Crossing
Oct. 4, 2011
Global Crossing
2% Cumulative convertible preferred stock
Acquisition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amalgamation stock exchange ratio (in shares)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividend rate (as a percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.00% 
Additional principal amount of debt issued
 
 
 
 
 
$ 650,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 in June and July 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,200,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (as a percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.125% 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued in Amalgamation transaction (in shares)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
88,530,000 
 
 
 
Reverse stock split ratio (in shares)
15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of outstanding debt redeemed and refinanced
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,360,000,000 
 
 
Closing stock price
 
 
 
 
$ 21.15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated total Amalgamation transaction consideration
 
 
3,400,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Paid for Employee Income and Payroll Tax Witholdings
81,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
 
 
 
226,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment
 
 
 
3,098,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
 
1,069,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identifiable Intangibles
 
 
 
106,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Assets
 
 
 
680,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
 
 
5,179,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt
 
 
 
(1,554,000,000)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Liabilities
 
 
 
(1,663,000,000)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities
 
 
 
(3,217,000,000)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Estimated Consideration
 
 
 
1,962,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Reduction Due to Un Amortizable Deferred Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77,000,000 
 
Pro Forma Financial Information [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue
 
1,548,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Loss
 
(232,000,000)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Loss per share (in dollars per share)
 
$ (1.16)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition related costs incurred
 
 
49,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition related integration costs
 
 
$ 47,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss Per Share (Details)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Convertible notes
 
 
Loss per share
 
 
Securities not included in computation of diluted loss per share (in shares)
35 
47 
Stock options, restricted stock units and warrants
 
 
Loss per share
 
 
Securities not included in computation of diluted loss per share (in shares)
Dispositions (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Ownership Interest in Joint Venture Surface Mines
Mar. 31, 2011
Ownership Interest in Joint Venture Surface Mines
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax
 
 
$ 72 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
15 
Cost of Revenue
 
 
 
15 
Selling, General, and Administrative Costs
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
Total Operating Expenses
 
 
 
16 
Operating Loss
 
 
 
(1)
Other Income
 
 
 
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations
$ 0 
$ (1)
 
$ (1)
Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount
$ 989 
 
$ 989 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
(688)
 
(663)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
301 
 
326 
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset amortization expense
25 
25 
 
Total Acquired Intangible Assets
 
 
 
Total Intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount
1,021 
 
1,021 
Total intangible assets, Net
333 
 
358 
Estimated amortization expense of acquired finite-lived intangible asset
 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year
66 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Year One
72 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two
61 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three
45 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four
27 
 
 
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five
13 
 
 
Thereafter
17 
 
 
Total
301 
 
 
Vyvx Trade Name
 
 
 
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
32 
 
32 
Customer Contracts and Relationships
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount
776 
 
776 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
(588)
 
(571)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
188 
 
205 
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, amortization period (in years)
2.6 
 
 
Trademarks
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount
55 
 
55 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
(7)
 
(3)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
48 
 
52 
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, amortization period (in years)
3.5 
 
 
Patents and Developed Technology
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount
158 
 
158 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
(93)
 
(89)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
$ 65 
 
$ 69 
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, amortization period (in years)
4.7 
 
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Liabilities, Recurring (Details) (Recurring basis, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
 
 
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
Commercial Mortgage
$ 73 
$ 73 
Total Carrying Value in Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
 
Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
Interest Rate Swap Liabilities (included in other non-current liabilities)
83 
90 
Total Derivative Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
83 
90 
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
Senior Notes
4,807 
4,716 
Convertible Notes
842 
939 
Term Loans
2,568 
2,567 
Commercial Mortgage
64 
65 
Capital Leases and Other
145 
163 
Total Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
8,426 
8,450 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
 
Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
Interest Rate Swap Liabilities (included in other non-current liabilities)
Total Derivative Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
Senior Notes
5,134 
4,822 
Convertible Notes
329 
247 
Term Loans
2,591 
2,518 
Commercial Mortgage
Capital Leases and Other
Total Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
8,054 
7,587 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
 
Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
Interest Rate Swap Liabilities (included in other non-current liabilities)
83 
90 
Total Derivative Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
83 
90 
Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
 
 
Senior Notes
Convertible Notes
969 
834 
Term Loans
Commercial Mortgage
73 
73 
Capital Leases and Other
145 
163 
Total Long-term Debt, including the current portion:
$ 1,187 
$ 1,070 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Liabilities, Non Recurring (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Not actively traded convertible notes
Mar. 31, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Term Loans
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche A Term Loan
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche B Term Loan
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche B II Term Loan
Liabilities measured on a recurring basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
$ 8,426 
$ 8,450 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis of interest rate on debt
 
 
LIBOR 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIBOR 
LIBOR 
 
Interest spread on debt, low end of range
 
 
2.25% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest spread on debt, high end of range
 
 
11.875% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 1,400 
 
 
Security coupon rates used for valuation, lowest interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
7.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Security coupon rates used for valuation, highest interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
15.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (as a percent)
 
 
 
11.875% 
6.50% 
 
7.00% 
7.00% 
15.00% 
 
 
 
 
Interest spread on debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.25% 
 
4.25% 
Basis floor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.50% 
Collateral for debt, Equity interest in Level 3 Financing, Inc's Canadian subsidiary (as a percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
65.00% 
 
 
 
Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Other noncurrent liabilities
Dec. 31, 2011
Other noncurrent liabilities
Mar. 31, 2012
Interest Expense
Mar. 31, 2011
Interest Expense
Mar. 31, 2012
Interest Rate Swap
Mar. 31, 2007
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
derivatives
Mar. 31, 2007
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Interest Rate Swap, Agreement One
Mar. 31, 2007
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
Interest Rate Swap, Agreement Two
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives
$ 1,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 1,000 
$ 500 
$ 500 
Basis of interest payment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIBOR 
 
 
Fixed interest rate paid under agreement (as a percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.93% 
4.92% 
Interest Rate Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps, Number of Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value, Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
 
 
83 
90 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gains (losses) recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss, Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts
10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to Income/Loss (effective portions), Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedging contracts - Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
(11)
(11)
 
 
 
 
Net losses on the interest rate swaps that will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 44 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
$ 8,502 
$ 8,528 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(76)
(78)
Carrying Value of Debt
8,426 
8,450 
Less current portion
(227)
(65)
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
8,199 
8,385 
Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
9.25% 
 
Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
11.875% 
 
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.125% 
 
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.625% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
15.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
7.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
7.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
6.50% 
 
Other
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
30 
32 
Embedded derivative contracts
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(4)
(7)
Term Loans |
Senior Secured Term Loan
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
2,600 
2,600 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(32)
(33)
Term Loans |
Senior Secured Term Loan |
Tranche A Term Loan
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
1,400 
 
Term Loans |
Senior Secured Term Loan |
Tranche-A Term Loan One Billion Dollars
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
1,000 
 
Term Loans |
Senior Secured Term Loan |
Tranche-B II Term Loan Six Hundred Fifty Million Dollars
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
650 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End
5.75% 
5.75% 
Term Loans |
Senior Secured Term Loan |
Tranche-B III Term Loan Five Hundred Fifty Million Dollars
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
550 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End
5.75% 
5.75% 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
807 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
9.25% 
 
Senior Notes |
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2015 [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
300 
300 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End
4.506% 
4.202% 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2017 (8.75%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
700 
700 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.75% 
 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2018 (10.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
640 
640 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(10)
(11)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
10.00% 
 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2019 (11.875%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
605 
605 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(10)
(10)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
11.875% 
 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2019 (9.375%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
500 
500 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(9)
(9)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
9.375% 
 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
1,200 
1,200 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(9)
(9)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.125% 
 
Senior Notes |
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
900 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.625% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes |
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
172 
272 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
15.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes |
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (7.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
200 
200 
Total Unamortized (Discount) Premium
(2)
(2)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
7.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes |
Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 Series B (7.0%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
275 
275 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
7.00% 
 
Convertible Senior Notes |
Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 (6.5%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
201 
201 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
6.50% 
 
Commercial Mortgage |
Commercial Mortgage due 2015 (9.86%)
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
64 
65 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
9.86% 
 
Capital Leases
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
Total Debt Obligations
$ 115 
$ 131 
Long-Term Debt - Textuals (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 13, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
days
Jan. 13, 2012
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
Feb. 28, 2012
Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2014 (9.25%)
Mar. 13, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (15.0%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Prior to January 15 2016 [Member]
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Twelve Months Beginning January 15 2016 [Member]
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Twelve Months Beginning January 15 2017 [Member]
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
Mar. 31, 2012
Twelve Months Beginning January 15 2018 [Member]
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
Mar. 13, 2012
Shares issued upon conversion of debt instrument face amount [Member]
Mar. 13, 2012
Shares issued upon conversion of debt instrument premium [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Dec. 31, 2011
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche-A Term Loan One Billion Dollars
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche A Term Loan
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Mar. 31, 2012
Tranche A Term Loan including $1 billion and $400 million tranches [Member]
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Dec. 31, 2011
Tranche A Term Loan including $1 billion and $400 million tranches [Member]
Term Loans
Senior Secured Term Loan
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations by Maturity [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 (Remaining Months)
 
$ 47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
212 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
1,425 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
838 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
207 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
706 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thereafter
 
5,067 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
 
 
 
 
8.625% 
 
 
9.25% 
 
15.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued
5.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.7 
1.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued Interest on conversion into equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument Redemption Minimum Gross Proceeds from Equity Offering
 
 
 
 
100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfOriginalPrincipalPriortoJanuary152016
 
 
 
 
108.625% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodMaximumPriortoJanuary152016
 
 
 
 
90 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum percentage of princiapl that must remain outstanding after redemption
 
 
 
 
65.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument Redemption Period Notice Minimum Number of Days Prior to January 15 2016
 
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument Redemption Period Notice Maximum Number of Days Prior to January 15 2016
 
 
 
 
60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maximum Principal that can be redeemed prior to January 15 2015
 
 
 
 
35.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.00% 
104.313% 
102.156% 
100.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of Long-term Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
807 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
 
(61)
(20)
 
 
 
 
22 
 
39 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense
 
 
 
 
 
20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
 
 
 
 
 
900 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt, Gross
 
$ 8,502 
 
$ 8,528 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 2,600 
$ 2,600 
$ 1,000 
$ 1,400 
 
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.73% 
2.65% 
Stock-based Compensation - Non-cash compensation expensed and capitalized (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Stock- based compensation expense
$ 24 
$ 25 
Capitalized Noncash Compensation
Non-cash compensation expense
24 
25 
Number of OSOs outstanding as of the balance sheet date
1.0 
 
Number of RSUs outstanding as of balance sheet date
 
Outperform Stock Options
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Stock- based compensation expense
Restricted Stock Units and Shares
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Stock- based compensation expense
401(k) Match Expense
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Stock- based compensation expense
Restricted Stock Unit Bonus Grant
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Stock- based compensation expense
$ 11 
$ 16 
Non Qualified Stock Options
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
Number of OSOs outstanding as of the balance sheet date
0.5 
 
Segment Information - Calculation of EBITDA (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
 
 
Revenue
$ 1,586 
$ 914 
Core Network Service [Member]
 
 
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
 
 
Revenue
1,382 
729 
Wholesale Voice Services and Other [Member]
 
 
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
 
 
Revenue
$ 204 
$ 185 
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Lawsuits (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Loss Contingencies
 
Estimated Litigation Liability
$ 306 
Peruvian Tax Litigation |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
88 
Peruvian Tax Litigation, Before Interest |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
26 
Peruvian Tax Litigation, Income Taxwitholding 2001 and 2002 |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
Peruvian Tax Litigation, Disallowance of VAT in 2005 |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
16 
Peruvian Tax Litigation, Vat for 2001 and 2002 |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
Employee Severance and Contractor Termination Disputes |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Asserted Claim
41 
Customer Bankruptcy Claim |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum
150 
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum
450 
Maximum |
Brazilian Tax Claims |
Pending or Threatened Litigation
 
Loss Contingencies
 
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued
$ 57 
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items - Other Commitments (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
 
 
Amount outstanding under letters of credit
$ 31 
$ 33 
Collateralized Financings
$ 29 
$ 29 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details) (Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%))
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
Long-term debt
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
8.125% 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
$ 1,586 
$ 914 
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
657 
357 
Depreciation and Amortization
187 
203 
Selling, General and Administrative
622 
357 
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
1,470 
917 
Operating Income (Loss)
116 
(3)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
(189)
(157)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
Other income (expense), net
(52)
(17)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(240)
(174)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(124)
(177)
Income Tax Expense
(14)
(27)
Loss from Continuing Operations
(138)
(204)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
(1)
Net Loss
(138)
(205)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
42 
51 
Comprehensive Loss
(96)
(154)
Level 3 Communications, Inc.
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
Depreciation and Amortization
Selling, General and Administrative
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
(1)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
(42)
(57)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
245 
210 
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(301)
(337)
Other income (expense), net
(39)
(21)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(137)
(205)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(138)
(205)
Income Tax Expense
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
(205)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
 
Net Loss
(138)
(205)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
42 
51 
Comprehensive Loss
(96)
(154)
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
Depreciation and Amortization
Selling, General and Administrative
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
(139)
(98)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
399 
361 
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
(539)
(600)
Other income (expense), net
(22)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(301)
(337)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(301)
(337)
Income Tax Expense
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
(337)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
 
Net Loss
(301)
(337)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
42 
51 
Comprehensive Loss
(259)
(286)
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
626 
560 
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
236 
212 
Depreciation and Amortization
67 
103 
Selling, General and Administrative
401 
307 
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
704 
622 
Operating Income (Loss)
(78)
(62)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
(1)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
(559)
(516)
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
36 
42 
Other income (expense), net
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(521)
(472)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(599)
(534)
Income Tax Expense
(1)
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
(534)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
 
Net Loss
(600)
(534)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
Comprehensive Loss
(600)
(534)
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
1,023 
406 
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
481 
194 
Depreciation and Amortization
120 
100 
Selling, General and Administrative
223 
53 
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
828 
347 
Operating Income (Loss)
195 
59 
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
(8)
(1)
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
(85)
(55)
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
Other income (expense), net
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
(85)
(55)
Loss Before Income Taxes
110 
Income Tax Expense
(13)
(27)
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
(23)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
 
(1)
Net Loss
97 
(24)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
35 
41 
Comprehensive Loss
132 
17 
Eliminations
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Revenue
(63)
(52)
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
Cost of Revenue
(60)
(49)
Depreciation and Amortization
Selling, General and Administrative
(3)
(3)
Restructuring Charges
Total Costs and Expenses
(63)
(52)
Operating Income (Loss)
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
Interest Income
Interest expense
Interest income (expense) affiliates, net
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
804 
895 
Other income (expense), net
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
804 
895 
Loss Before Income Taxes
804 
895 
Income Tax Expense
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
895 
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
 
Net Loss
804 
895 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes
(77)
(92)
Comprehensive Loss
$ 727 
$ 803 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 748 
$ 918 
$ 1,079 
$ 616 
Restricted cash and securities
10 
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
683 
648 
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
 
 
Other
164 
131 
 
 
Total Current Assets
1,603 
1,707 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
8,164 
8,136 
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
52 
51 
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
2,830 
2,899 
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
 
 
Other Assets, net
425 
395 
 
 
Total Assets
13,074 
13,188 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
724 
747 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
227 
65 
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
115 
209 
 
 
Accrued interest
165 
216 
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
259 
264 
 
 
Other
145 
157 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
1,635 
1,658 
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
8,199 
8,385 
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
884 
885 
 
 
Other Liabilities
1,047 
1,067 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,309 
1,193 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
13,074 
13,188 
 
 
Level 3 Communications, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
215 
173 
Restricted cash and securities
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
13,748 
13,472 
 
 
Other
 
 
Total Current Assets
13,752 
13,477 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
18 
18 
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
(10,972)
(10,718)
 
 
Other Assets, net
12 
13 
 
 
Total Assets
2,810 
2,790 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
168 
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
 
 
Accrued interest
49 
50 
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
 
 
Other
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
218 
50 
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
1,269 
1,533 
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
 
 
Other Liabilities
14 
14 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
1,309 
1,193 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
2,810 
2,790 
 
 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and securities
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
14,850 
14,584 
 
 
Other
16 
16 
 
 
Total Current Assets
14,872 
14,606 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
(18,962)
(18,467)
 
 
Other Assets, net
119 
109 
 
 
Total Assets
(3,971)
(3,752)
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
 
 
Accrued interest
114 
165 
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
 
 
Other
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
115 
166 
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
6,780 
6,688 
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
 
 
Other Liabilities
110 
116 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
(10,976)
(10,722)
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
(3,971)
(3,752)
 
 
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
421 
618 
779 
350 
Restricted cash and securities
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
63 
59 
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
(28,382)
(28,092)
 
 
Other
66 
48 
 
 
Total Current Assets
(27,831)
(27,366)
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
2,833 
2,823 
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
19 
19 
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
465 
481 
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
3,300 
3,412 
 
 
Other Assets, net
 
 
Total Assets
(21,206)
(20,625)
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
22 
37 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
64 
116 
 
 
Accrued interest
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
109 
107 
 
 
Other
42 
52 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
239 
314 
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
21 
22 
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
616 
612 
 
 
Other Liabilities
146 
146 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
(22,228)
(21,719)
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
(21,206)
(20,625)
 
 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
320 
292 
78 
86 
Restricted cash and securities
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
620 
589 
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
(216)
36 
 
 
Other
79 
64 
 
 
Total Current Assets
810 
990 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
5,331 
5,313 
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
15 
14 
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
2,365 
2,418 
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
 
 
Other Assets, net
286 
267 
 
 
Total Assets
8,807 
9,002 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
701 
710 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
57 
63 
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
51 
93 
 
 
Accrued interest
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
150 
157 
 
 
Other
102 
104 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
1,063 
1,128 
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
129 
142 
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
268 
273 
 
 
Other Liabilities
777 
791 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
6,570 
6,668 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
8,807 
9,002 
 
 
Eliminations
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and securities
 
 
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
 
 
Due from (to) affiliates
 
 
Other
 
 
Total Current Assets
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
 
Restricted Cash and Securities
 
 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets, net
 
 
Investment in Subsidiaries
26,634 
25,773 
 
 
Other Assets, net
 
 
Total Assets
26,634 
25,773 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
 
 
Accrued interest
 
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
 
 
Other
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
 
 
Long-Term Debt, less current portion
 
 
Deferred Revenue, less current portion
 
 
Other Liabilities
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
26,634 
25,773 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
$ 26,634 
$ 25,773 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
$ (75)
$ 1 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(138)
(115)
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
(1)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
(132)
(114)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
880 
772 
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
(847)
(198)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
34 
574 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
(1)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(170)
463 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
918 
616 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
748 
1,079 
Level 3 Communications, Inc.
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
(36)
(56)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
292 
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
(197)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
 
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
34 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
35 
98 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
 
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(1)
42 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
173 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
215 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
(184)
(77)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
880 
480 
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
(825)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
 
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
129 
(403)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
184 
77 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
 
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
Level 3 Communications, LLC
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
(74)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(61)
(44)
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
(60)
(43)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
 
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
(63)
472 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
(63)
472 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
 
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(197)
429 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
618 
350 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
421 
779 
Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
219 
134 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(77)
(71)
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
(1)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
(72)
(71)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
(22)
(1)
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
 
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
(100)
(72)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
(122)
(73)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
 
(1)
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
28 
(8)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
292 
86 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
320 
78 
Eliminations
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash and securities, net
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities in Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
Payments on and repurchases of long-term debt, including current portions and refinancing costs
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
 
Increase (decrease) due from affiliates, net
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations
 
Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
$ 0 
$ 0 
Subsequent Events (Details)
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes due 2019 (8.125%)
 
Subsequent Event
 
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (as a percent)
8.125% 
Senior Notes due 2020 (8.625%)
 
Subsequent Event
 
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (as a percent)
8.625%