Frontier Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (FYBR) reported strong financial performance in Q4 and full-year 2023, achieving the first full year of organic Adjusted EBITDA growth in over a decade. The company doubled its fiber footprint since 2020, reaching a milestone of two million fiber broadband customers. Frontier expects accelerated mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2024, showcasing a positive outlook for shareholders.

Positive

• Frontier achieved the first full year of organic Adjusted EBITDA growth in over a decade.
• The company doubled its fiber footprint since 2020, reaching two million fiber broadband customers.
• Frontier expects accelerated mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2024.
• Consumer fiber broadband revenues grew by more than 25% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Frontier passed 1.32 million new fiber locations in 2023, reaching a total of 6.5 million fiber locations.
• The company reported revenue of $5.75 billion, net income of $29 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.13 billion in 2023.
• Frontier completed $2.1 billion of fiber securitization transactions in 2023.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 36.7% to 38.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported Adjusted EBITDA growth for Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. is a significant indicator of the company's operational profitability, especially considering it's the first full year of organic growth in over a decade. This performance metric is crucial for investors as it excludes non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, providing a clearer picture of the company's cash-generating ability. The forecast for accelerated mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2024 suggests confidence in the company's future performance.

Moreover, the net leverage ratio of approximately 4.3x indicates the extent of the company's financial leverage, which is an essential factor for assessing risk. A ratio that is too high could imply a risky level of debt, but in this context, it appears manageable, especially with no long-term debt maturities until 2027. This provides a cushion for the company's capital structure and may be viewed positively by the market.

Market Research Analyst

The milestone of reaching two million fiber broadband customers and doubling the fiber footprint since 2020 demonstrates Frontier's strategic focus on expanding its fiber infrastructure, which is critical in the highly competitive broadband market. The shift towards fiber is a response to increasing consumer demand for high-speed internet and Frontier's position as the largest pure-play fiber internet company in America could provide a competitive edge. The growth in consumer fiber broadband revenues by over 25% is indicative of the successful uptake of their offerings.

However, the decline in copper-based products is a reminder of the ongoing industry transition from legacy systems to more advanced technologies. This transition period is pivotal and Frontier's ability to manage this shift while maintaining service quality and customer satisfaction will be essential for sustaining growth.

Telecommunications Industry Analyst

The Adjusted EBITDA margin increase to 38.5% from 36.7% is a reflection of Frontier's operational efficiency and cost management strategies. The telecommunications industry is capital-intensive and the ability to maintain high margins is indicative of strong operational discipline. This margin expansion, coupled with a decrease in customer churn and an increase in ARPU (Average Revenue Per User), suggests that Frontier is not only attracting but also retaining higher-value customers.

It is also worth noting the company's capital investment of $3.22 billion, which is a significant expenditure aimed at expanding and upgrading its network infrastructure. This investment is necessary to support the continued growth in fiber broadband customers and is a strong signal of commitment to future growth prospects.

• Delivered first full year of organic Adjusted EBITDA growth in more than 10 years
• Guides to accelerated mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2024
• Reached milestone of two million fiber broadband customers after doubling fiber footprint since 2020

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FYBR) (“Frontier”) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results today.

“Last year, we continued the relentless execution of our strategy, delivered strong financial performance, and achieved our first full year of EBITDA growth in more than a decade,” said Nick Jeffery, President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier. “In fact, Frontier has delivered the fastest EBITDA growth of any major player in the fixed broadband industry for two consecutive quarters. We believe this year marks a critical inflection point in our business and expect to continue to accelerate EBITDA growth in 2024.”

“We have steadily built a powerful fiber growth engine, and it’s clear that our strategy is working. As evidence, in the fourth quarter we grew consumer fiber broadband revenues by more than 25%, supported by solid customer and ARPU growth. As the largest pure-play fiber internet company in America, we are ideally positioned to enhance the value we provide customers and create sustainable long-term value for shareholders. The future is fiber, and I am excited for what’s ahead as we continue to unlock Frontier’s full potential.”

Full-Year 2023 Highlights

• Passed 1.32 million new fiber locations to reach 6.5 million total fiber locations
• Added a record 318,000 fiber broadband customers, resulting in fiber broadband customer growth of 19% year-over-year
• Delivered revenue of $5.75 billion, net income of $29 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.13 billion¹
• Executed cash capital expenditures of $3.21 billion plus $4 million of vendor financing payments, for total capital investment of $3.22 billion²
• Generated net cash from operations of $1.34 billion
• Achieved $527 million of gross annualized cost savings, surpassing target of $500 million
• Completed landmark $2.1 billion of fiber securitization transactions

Fourth-Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Passed 333,000 new fiber locations
• Added 84,000 fiber broadband customers
• Revenue of $1.43 billion decreased 0.8% year-over-year as growth in fiber-based products was offset by declines in copper-based products
• Operating income of $120 million and net income of $17 million
• Adjusted EBITDA of $549 million increased 4.0% year-over-year, as revenue declines were offset by lower content expenses and cost savings¹
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 38.5% increased from 36.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022¹
• Executed cash capital expenditures of $329 million plus $4 million of vendor financing payments, for total capital investment of $333 million²
• Generated net cash from operations of $296 million

Fourth-Quarter 2023 Consumer Results

• Consumer revenue of $774 million increased 1.3% year-over-year as strong growth in fiber broadband was partly offset by declines in copper products
• Consumer fiber revenue of $484 million increased 11.0% year-over-year as growth in broadband was partly offset by declines in video, voice, and other
• Consumer fiber broadband revenue of $354 million increased 25.1% year-over-year driven by growth in both fiber broadband customers and ARPU
• Consumer fiber broadband customer net additions of 81,000 resulted in consumer fiber broadband customer growth of 19.2% year-over-year
• Consumer fiber broadband customer churn of 1.20% decreased from 1.32% in the fourth quarter of 2022
• Consumer fiber broadband ARPU of $64.16 increased 4.8% year-over-year, due to increased customer in-take ARPU and annual price increases

Fourth-Quarter 2023 Business and Wholesale Results

• Business and Wholesale revenue of $635 million decreased 3.6% year-over-year driven by declines in both fiber and copper
• Business and Wholesale fiber revenue of $278 million decreased 2.5% year-over-year as growth in data and voice was offset by declines in other, which were primarily driven by one-time benefits in the fourth quarter of 2022 that did not repeat
• Business and Wholesale fiber broadband customer net additions of 3,000 resulted in Business and Wholesale fiber broadband customer growth of 13.2% year-over-year
• Business and Wholesale fiber broadband customer churn of 1.17% decreased from 1.31% in the fourth quarter of 2022³
• Business and Wholesale fiber broadband ARPU of $98.86 decreased 6.2% year-over-year⁴

Capital Structure

As of December 31, 2023, Frontier had total liquidity of $3.2 billion, including a cash and short-term investments balance of approximately $2.2 billion, $0.5 billion of available borrowing capacity on its revolving credit facility, and $0.5 billion of available borrowing capacity on its variable funding notes facility, subject to customary drawing conditions. Frontier’s net leverage ratio on December 31, 2023, was approximately 4.3x⁵. Frontier has no long-term debt maturities prior to 2027.

2024 Outlook⁶

Frontier’s guidance for the full year 2024 is:

• Adjusted EBITDA of $2.20 - $2.25 billion¹
• New fiber passings of 1.3 million
• Cash capital investment of $3.00 - $3.20 billion²
• Cash taxes of approximately $20 million
• Net cash interest payments of approximately $750 million
• Pension and OPEB expense of approximately $40 million (net of capitalization)
• Cash pension and OPEB contributions of approximately $125 million

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, Frontier will host a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results today, February 23, 2024, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

The conference call webcast and presentation materials are accessible through Frontier’s Investor Relations website and will remain archived at this location.

About Frontier

Frontier (NASDAQ: FYBR) is the largest pure-play fiber provider in the U.S. Driven by our purpose, Building Gigabit America®, we deliver blazing-fast broadband connectivity that unlocks the potential of millions of consumers and businesses. For more information, visit www.frontier.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Frontier uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its performance, including EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, operating free cash flow, adjusted operating expenses, and net leverage ratio, each of which is described below. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to (i) assist in analyzing Frontier's underlying financial performance from period to period, (ii) analyze and evaluate strategic and operational decisions, (iii) establish criteria for compensation decisions, and (iv) assist in the understanding of Frontier's ability to generate cash flow and, as a result, to plan for future capital and operational decisions. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding Frontier’s financial condition and results of operations because these measures, when used in conjunction with related GAAP financial measures, (i) provide a more comprehensive view of Frontier’s core operations and ability to generate cash flow, (ii) provide investors with the financial analytical framework upon which management bases financial, operational, compensation, and planning decisions, and (iii) present measurements that investors and rating agencies have indicated to management are useful to them in assessing Frontier and its results of operations.

A reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP is included in the accompanying tables. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP, nor are they alternatives to GAAP measures, and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) less income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, investment and other income (loss), pension settlement costs, reorganization items, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by total revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, as described above, adjusted to exclude certain pension/OPEB expenses, restructuring costs and other charges, stock-based compensation, and certain other non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.

Management uses EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to assist it in comparing performance from period to period and as measures of operational performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information for investors in evaluating Frontier’s operational performance from period to period because they exclude depreciation and amortization expenses related to investments made in prior periods and are determined without regard to capital structure or investment activities. By excluding capital expenditures, debt repayments and dividends, among other factors, these non-GAAP financial measures have certain shortcomings. Management compensates for these shortcomings by utilizing these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures.

Management defines operating free cash flow as net cash provided from operating activities less capital expenditures, less payments on vendor financing related to capital expenditures. Management uses operating free cash flow to assist it in comparing liquidity from period to period and to obtain a more comprehensive view of Frontier’s core operations and ability to generate cash flow. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is useful to investors in evaluating cash available to service debt and pay dividends. This non-GAAP financial measure has certain shortcomings; it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, as items such as debt repayments are not deducted in determining such measure. Management compensates for these shortcomings by utilizing this non-GAAP financial measure in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted operating expenses is defined as operating expenses adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization, restructuring and other charges, certain pension/OPEB expenses, stock-based compensation, and certain other non-recurring items. Investors have indicated that this non-GAAP measure is useful in evaluating Frontier’s performance.

Net leverage ratio is calculated as net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments) divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent four quarters. Investors have indicated that this non-GAAP measure is useful in evaluating Frontier’s debt levels.

The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in Frontier’s documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" related to future events, including our 2024 outlook and guidance. Forward-looking statements address our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including, without limitation, our outlook with respect to future operating and financial performance, expected results from our implementation of strategic and cost savings initiatives, planned financings, capital expenditures, taxes, pension and OPEB obligations, and our ability to comply with the covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness and other matters. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions, as of the time the statements are made, regarding future events and performance and contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “may,” “will,” “would,” or “target.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. A wide range of factors could materially affect future developments and performance, including but not limited to: our significant indebtedness, our ability to incur substantially more debt in the future, and covenants in the agreements governing our current indebtedness that may reduce our operating and financial flexibility; declines in Adjusted EBITDA and revenue relative to historical levels that we are unable to offset; economic uncertainty, volatility in financial markets, and rising interest rates could limit our ability to access capital or increase the cost of capital needed to fund business operations, including our fiber expansion plans; our ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives, including our fiber buildout and other initiatives to enhance revenue and realize productivity improvements; our ability to secure necessary construction resources, materials and permits for our fiber buildout initiative in a timely and cost-effective manner; inflationary pressures on costs, including tight labor markets, increased fuel and electricity costs and potential disruptions in our supply chain, which could adversely impact our financial condition or results of operations and hinder our fiber expansion plans; our ability to effectively manage our operations, operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and cash paid for income taxes and liquidity; the impact of potential information technology or data security breaches or other cyber-attacks or other disruptions; the impact of laws and regulations relating to the handling of privacy and data protection; competition from cable, wireless carriers, satellite providers, wireline carriers, fiber “overbuilders” and over the top companies, and the risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis; our ability to successfully adjust to changes in the communications industry, including the effects of technological changes and competition on our capital expenditures, products and service offerings; our ability to retain or attract new customers and to maintain relationships with existing customers, including wholesale customers; our reliance on a limited number of key supplies and vendors; declines in revenue from our voice services, switched and nonswitched access and video and data services that we cannot stabilize or offset with increases in revenue from other products and services; our ability to secure, continue to use or renew intellectual property and other licenses used in our business; our ability to hire or retain key personnel; our ability to dispose of certain assets or asset groups or to make acquisition of certain assets on terms that are attractive to us, or at all; the effects of changes in the availability of federal and state universal service funding or other subsidies to us and our competitors and our ability to obtain future subsidies; our ability to comply with the applicable CAF II and RDOF requirements and the risk of penalties or obligations to return certain CAF II and RDOF funds; our ability to defend against litigation or government investigations and potentially unfavorable results from current pending and future litigation or investigations; our ability to comply with applicable federal and state consumer protection requirements; the effects of governmental legislation and regulation on our business, including costs, disruptions, possible limitations on operating flexibility and changes to the competitive landscape resulting from such legislation or regulation; the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; our ability to effectively manage service quality in the states in which we operate and meet mandated service quality metrics or regulatory requirements; the effects of changes in income tax rates, tax laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments, including the risk that such changes may benefit our competitors more than us, as well as potential future decreases in the value of our deferred tax assets; the effects of changes in accounting policies or practices; our ability to successfully renegotiate union contracts; the effects of increased medical expenses and pension and postemployment expenses; changes in pension plan assumptions, interest rates, discount rates, regulatory rules and/or the value of our pension plan assets; the impact of adverse changes in economic, political and market conditions in the areas that we serve, the U.S. and globally, including but not limited to, disruption in our supply chain, inflation in pricing for key materials or labor, or other adverse changes resulting from epidemics, pandemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases, natural disasters, economic or political instability, terrorist attacks and wars, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, or other adverse widespread developments; potential adverse impacts of climate change and increasingly stringent environmental laws, rules and regulations, and customer expectations and other environmental liabilities; market overhang due to substantial common stock holdings by our former creditors; certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation that may prevent efforts by our stockholders to change the direction or management of our company; and certain other factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC. This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative and is not intended to be exhaustive. You should consider these important factors, as well as the risks and other factors contained in Frontier’s filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in such forward-looking statements. We do not intend, nor do we undertake any duty, to update any forward-looking statements.

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Financial Data
		For the three months ended				For the three months ended					For the three months ended
($ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022
Statements of Income Data
Revenue		$	1,426			$	1,436				$	1,437
Operating expenses:
Cost of service			510				545					526
Selling, general, and administrative expenses			396				405					452
Depreciation and amortization			375				356					312
Restructuring costs and other charges			25				16					11
Total operating expenses			1,306				1,322					1,301
Operating income			120				114					136
Investment and other income, net			177				67					144
Pension settlement costs			-				-					(5	)
Interest expense			(193	)			(170	)				(136	)
Income before income taxes			104				11					139
Income tax expense (benefit)			87				-					(16	)
Net income		$	17			$	11				$	155
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic			245,799				245,761					245,010
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted			249,576				247,447					245,395
Basic net earnings per common share		$	0.07			$	0.05				$	0.63
Diluted net earnings per common share		$	0.07			$	0.05				$	0.63
Other Financial Data:
Capital expenditures		$	329			$	671				$	878

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Financial Data
		For the				For the
		year ended				year ended
		December 31,				December 31,
($ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)		2023				2022
Statements of Income Data
Revenue		$	5,751			$	5,787
Operating expenses:
Cost of service			2,125				2,169
Selling, general, and administrative expenses			1,646				1,745
Depreciation and amortization			1,415				1,182
Restructuring costs and other charges			73				99
Total operating expenses			5,259				5,195
Operating income			492				592
Investment and other income, net			278				554
Pension settlement costs			-				(55	)
Interest expense			(653	)			(492	)
Income before income taxes			117				599
Income tax expense			88				158
Net income		$	29			$	441
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic			245,517				244,781
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted			248,459				245,280
Basic net earnings per common share		$	0.12			$	1.80
Diluted net earnings per common share		$	0.12			$	1.80
Other Financial Data:
Capital expenditures		$	3,211			$	2,738

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Financial Data
		For the quarter ended
		December 31,				September 30,					December 31,
($ in millions)		2023				2023					2022
Selected Statement of Income Data
Revenue:
Data and Internet services		$	897			$	895				$	859
Voice services			329				341					362
Video services			97				104					122
Other			86				81					80
Revenue from contracts with customers			1,409				1,421					1,423
Subsidy and other revenue			17				15					14
Total revenue		$	1,426			$	1,436				$	1,437
Other Financial Data
Revenue:
Consumer		$	774			$	787				$	764
Business and wholesale			635				634					659
Revenue from contracts with customers		$	1,409			$	1,421				$	1,423
Fiber		$	762			$	760				$	721
Copper			647				661					702
Revenue from contracts with customers		$	1,409			$	1,421				$	1,423
		For the year ended				For the year ended
		December 31,				December 31,
($ in millions)		2023				2022
Selected Statement of Income Data
Revenue:
Data and Internet services		$	3,534			$	3,390
Voice services			1,373				1,498
Video services			430				520
Other			339				325
Revenue from contracts with customers			5,676				5,733
Subsidy and other revenue			75				54
Total revenue		$	5,751			$	5,787
Other Financial Data
Revenue:
Consumer		$	3,097			$	3,116
Business and wholesale			2,579				2,617
Revenue from contracts with customers		$	5,676			$	5,733
Fiber		$	2,997			$	2,769
Copper			2,679				2,964
Revenue from contracts with customers		$	5,676			$	5,733

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Operating Data
		As of and for the three months ended												For the year ended
		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Broadband customer metrics (1)
Broadband customers (in thousands)			2,943				2,913				2,868				2,943				2,868
Net customer additions			30				15				8				75				41
Consumer customer metrics
Customers (in thousands)			3,129				3,118				3,133				3,129				3,133
Net customer additions (losses)			11				(9	)			(9	)			(4	)			(32	)
Average monthly consumer
revenue per customer		$	82.54			$	83.99			$	81.13			$	82.53			$	82.30
Customer monthly churn			1.43	%			1.70	%			1.53	%			1.52	%			1.54	%
Employees			13,297				13,756				14,708				13,297				14,708
(1) Amounts presented include related metrics for our wholesale customers.

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
		(Unaudited)
($ in millions)		December 31, 2023						December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,125					$	322
Short-term investments			1,075						1,750
Accounts receivable, net			446						438
Other current assets			135						87
Total current assets			2,781						2,597
Property, plant and equipment, net			13,933						11,850
Other assets			3,979						4,177
Total assets		$	20,693					$	18,624
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt due within one year		$	15					$	15
Accounts payable and other current liabilities			2,260						2,280
Total current liabilities			2,275						2,295
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities			1,893						2,085
Long-term debt			11,246						9,110
Equity			5,279						5,134
Total liabilities and equity		$	20,693					$	18,624
		As of
		December 31, 2023
Leverage Ratio
Numerator:
Long-term debt due within one year		$	15
Long-term debt			11,246
Total debt		$	11,261
Less: Cash and cash equivalents			(1,125	)
Short-term investments			(1,075	)
Net debt		$	9,061
Denominator:
Adjusted EBITDA - last 4 quarters		$	2,127
Net Leverage Ratio			4.3x

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Data
		For the three				For the three
		months ended				months ended
		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
($ in millions)
Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:
Net income		$	17			$	155
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from
(used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			375				312
Pension settlement costs			-				5
Stock-based compensation			27				29
Amortization of premium			(4	)			(7	)
Bad debt expense			11				7
Other adjustments			3				(1	)
Deferred income taxes			79				(3	)
Change in accounts receivable			(8	)			(23	)
Change in long-term pension and other postretirement liabilities			(176	)			(129	)
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities			(46	)			(44	)
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes, and other assets			18				59
Net cash provided from operating activities			296				360
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(329	)			(878	)
Purchases of short-term investments (1)			(425	)			(1,125	)
Sale of short-term investments (1)			625				1,700
Purchases of long-term investments			1				-
Proceeds from sale of asset			18				9
Other			5				4
Net cash used by investing activities			(105	)			(290	)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Long-term debt payments			(4	)			(3	)
Payments of vendor financing			(5	)			-
Financing costs paid			(6	)			-
Finance lease obligation payments			(7	)			-
Proceeds from sale and lease-back transactions			9				(4	)
Taxes paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld			-				(1	)
Other			7				-
Net cash used by financing activities			(6	)			(8	)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			185				62
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period			1,054				260
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period		$	1,239			$	322
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	262			$	226
Income tax payments (refunds), net		$	(1	)		$	1
Non-cash investing activities:
Increase in capital expenditures due to
changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	188			$	366
Increase in capital expenditures due to
changes in vendor financing		$	255			$	-
			-				-
(1) Amounts represent cash movement to/from short-term investments. Given the long-term nature of the fiber build, we have invested cash in short-term investments to improve interest income while preserving funding flexibility.

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Data
		For the year ended				For the year ended
		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
($ in millions)
Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:
Net income		$	29			$	441
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from
(used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			1,415				1,182
Pension settlement costs			-				55
Stock-based compensation			108				82
Amortization of premium			(25	)			(28	)
Lease impairment			-				44
Bad debt expense			35				26
Other adjustments			12				-
Deferred income taxes			78				164
Change in accounts receivable			(43	)			(7	)
Change in long-term pension and other postretirement liabilities			(325	)			(656	)
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities			55				51
Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes, and other assets			5				47
Net cash provided from operating activities			1,344				1,401
Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(3,211	)			(2,738	)
Purchases of short-term investments (1)			(2,275	)			(4,350	)
Sale of short-term investments (1)			2,950				2,600
Purchases of long-term investments			(62	)			-
Proceeds on sale of assets			36				13
Other			6				7
Net cash used by investing activities			(2,556	)			(4,468	)
Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:
Long-term debt payments			(68	)			(14	)
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings			2,278				1,200
Payments of vendor financing			(5	)			-
Premium paid to retire debt			(10	)			-
Financing costs paid			(62	)			(17	)
Finance lease obligation payments			(25	)			(19	)
Proceeds from sale and lease-back transactions			30				70
Taxes paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld			(9	)			(8	)
Other			-				(1	)
Net cash provided from financing activities			2,129				1,211
Increase (Decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			917				(1,856	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period			322				2,178
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period		$	1,239			$	322
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	711			$	512
Income tax payments, net		$	-			$	8
Non-cash investing activities:
Increase (Decrease) in capital expenditures due to
changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	(326	)		$	797
Increase in capital expenditures due to
changes in vendor financing		$	255			$	-
(1) Amounts represent cash movement to/from short-term investments. Given the long-term nature of the fiber build, we have invested cash in short-term investments to improve interest income while preserving funding flexibility.

SCHEDULE A
Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Financial Data
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
			For the three months ended												For the year ended
			December 31,				September 30,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
($ in millions)			2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
Net income			$	17			$	11			$	155			$	29			$	441
Add back (subtract):
Income tax expense (benefit)				87				-				(16	)			88				158
Interest expense				193				170				136				653				492
Investment and other income, net				(177	)			(67	)			(144	)			(278	)			(554	)
Pension settlement costs				-				-				5				-				55
Operating income				120				114				136				492				592
Depreciation and amortization				375				356				312				1,415				1,182
EBITDA			$	495			$	470			$	448			$	1,907			$	1,774
Add back:
Pension/OPEB expense			$	10			$	9			$	11			$	41			$	61
Restructuring costs and other charges (1)				25				16				11				73				99
Rebranding costs				-				-				6				-				32
Stock-based compensation				27				30				28				108				82
Storm-related costs				-				1				7				6				7
Legal settlements (recoveries)				(8	)			-				17				(8	)			25
Adjusted EBITDA			$	549			$	526			$	528			$	2,127			$	2,080
EBITDA margin				34.7	%			32.7	%			31.2	%			33.2	%			30.7	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin				38.5	%			36.6	%			36.7	%			37.0	%			35.9	%
Free Cash Flow
Net cash provided from
operating activities			$	296			$	383			$	360			$	1,344			$	1,401
Capital expenditures				(329	)			(671	)			(878	)			(3,211	)			(2,738	)
Payment of vendor financing- capital
expenditures				(4	)			-				-				(4	)			-
Operating free cash flow			$	(37	)		$	(288	)		$	(518	)		$	(1,871	)		$	(1,337	)
(1) Includes $44 million of lease impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2022.

SCHEDULE B
Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Data
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
		For the three months ended										For the year ended
		December 31,				September 30,			December 31,			December 31,				December 31,
($ in millions)		2023				2023			2022			2023				2022
Adjusted Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses		$	1,306			$	1,322		$	1,301		$	5,259			$	5,195
Subtract:
Depreciation and amortization			375				356			312			1,415				1,182
Pension/OPEB expense			10				9			11			41				61
Restructuring costs and other charges (1)			25				16			11			73				99
Rebranding costs			-				-			6			-				32
Stock-based compensation			27				30			28			108				82
Storm-related costs			-				1			7			6				7
Legal settlements (recoveries)			(8	)			-			17			(8	)			25
Adjusted operating expenses		$	877			$	910		$	909		$	3,624			$	3,707
(1) Includes $44 million of lease impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2022.

SCHEDULE C
Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Selected Financial and Operating Data
(Unaudited)
				As of or for the three months ended														For the year ended
				December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022					December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Broadband Revenue ($ in millions)
Total Company	Fiber			$	391			$	377				$	318				$	1,458			$	1,218
	Copper				159				169					182					674				769
	Total			$	550			$	546				$	500				$	2,132			$	1,987
Estimated Fiber Passings (in millions)
Base Fiber Passings					3.2				3.2					3.2
Total Fiber Passings					6.5				6.2					5.2
Estimated Broadband Fiber % Penetration
Base Fiber Penetration					44.5	%			43.9	%				43.2	%
Total Fiber Penetration					30.9	%			31.2	%				32.6	%
Broadband Customers, end of period (in thousands)
Consumer	Fiber				1,878				1,797					1,575
	Copper				822				870					1,043
	Total				2,700				2,667					2,618
Business + Wholesale (1)	Fiber				129				126					114
	Copper				114				120					136
	Total				243				246					250
Broadband Net Adds (in thousands)
Consumer	Fiber				81				75					73
	Copper				(48	)			(58	)				(62	)
	Total				33				17					11
Business + Wholesale (1)	Fiber				3				4					4
	Copper				(6	)			(6	)				(7	)
	Total				(3	)			(2	)				(3	)
Broadband Churn
Consumer	Fiber				1.20	%			1.47	%				1.32	%				1.32	%			1.38	%
	Copper				1.86	%			2.18	%				1.88	%				1.90	%			1.79	%
	Total				1.41	%			1.72	%				1.55	%				1.52	%			1.56	%
Business + Wholesale (1)	Fiber				1.17	%			1.24	%				1.31	%				1.28	%			1.29	%
	Copper				1.73	%			1.68	%				1.81	%				1.74	%			1.66	%
	Total				1.44	%			1.46	%				1.59	%				1.52	%			1.50	%
Broadband ARPU
Consumer	Fiber			$	64.16			$	64.49				$	61.20				$	63.39			$	62.45
	Copper				54.22				54.62					48.70					52.43				48.13
	Total			$	61.02			$	61.15				$	56.06				$	59.52			$	56.05
Business + Wholesale (1)	Fiber			$	98.86			$	98.54				$	105.34				$	99.86			$	104.99
	Copper				59.87				59.87					60.18					60.39				59.03
	Total			$	80.17			$	79.35				$	80.28				$	79.85			$	78.39
Reconciliation: Broadband ARPU
Consumer Fiber Broadband ARPU				$	64.16			$	64.49				$	61.20				$	63.39			$	62.45
Gift card impact					0.17				0.16					2.10					0.83				1.56
Adjusted Consumer Fiber Broadband ARPU				$	64.33			$	64.65				$	63.30				$	64.22			$	64.01
(1) Business + Wholesale customers include our small, medium business, larger enterprise (SME) customers and wholesale subscribers.

__________________________
¹ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of performance. See “Non-GAAP Measures” for a description of this measure and its calculation. See Schedule A for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
² Cash capital investment includes capital expenditures and vendor financing payments for capital spend.
³ Business and Wholesale churn has been updated for new methodology which includes wholesale, excluding circuits or fiber-to-the-tower churn.
⁴ Business and Wholesale ARPU has been updated for new methodology which includes wholesale, excluding circuits or fiber-to-the-tower ARPU.
⁵ Net leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Measures” and the condensed consolidated balance sheet data contained herein for a description and calculation of net leverage ratio.
⁶ The operational and financial guidance expectations for 2024 comprise forward-looking statements related to future events. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below. Projected GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of projected non-GAAP financial measures are not provided herein because such GAAP financial measures are not available on a forward-looking basis and such reconciliations could not be derived without unreasonable effort.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223458985/en/

Investors

Spencer Kurn

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Chrissy Murray

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Source: Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.

FAQ

What is Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.'s ticker symbol?

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.'s ticker symbol is FYBR.

What were Frontier Communications' full-year 2023 revenue and net income figures?

Frontier Communications reported revenue of $5.75 billion and net income of $29 million for full-year 2023.

How many fiber broadband customers did Frontier Communications add in 2023?

Frontier Communications added a record 318,000 fiber broadband customers in 2023.

What was Frontier Communications' Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023?

Frontier Communications reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $549 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

What was the Consumer fiber broadband revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2023?

Consumer fiber broadband revenue grew by more than 25% in the fourth quarter of 2023.