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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies | (1) Description of Bu siness and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: (a)Description of Business: Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. is a provider of communications services in the United States, with approximately 3.1 million broadband subscribers and approximately 13,000 employees, operating in 25 states. We were incorporated in 1935, originally under the name of Citizens Utilities Company and was known as Citizens Communications Company until July 31, 2008. Frontier and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. (b)Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates: Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc., all consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For our financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2024, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for the application of allowance for credit losses, asset impairments, indefinite-lived intangibles, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others. (c) Going Concern: In accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)”, and ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements”, we have the responsibility to evaluate at each reporting period, including interim periods, whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to meet its future financial obligations. In its evaluation for this report, management considered our current financial condition and liquidity sources, including current funds available, forecasted future cash flows and our conditional and unconditional obligations due within one year following the date of issuance of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern and contemplate the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course business. (d)Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: We consider all liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash amounts represent cash collateral required for certain Letter of Credit obligations and utility vendors and collateral for debt arrangements. At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $161 million and $114 million, respectively, in restricted cash, and is included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheet. Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s securitized financing facility and secured fiber network revenue term notes, as described in Note 8, restricted cash is held in securitization escrow accounts. As of December 31, 2024, and 2023 approximately $56 million and $42 million, respectively, is current restricted cash, included in “Income taxes and other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet, held for the purpose of paying interest and certain fees. In addition, as of December 31, 2024, and 2023 approximately $105 million and $72 million, respectively, is noncurrent restricted cash held for the purpose of satisfying the required liquidity reserve amount. (e) Short-Term Investments: Given the long-term nature of our fiber build, we have invested cash into short-term investments to improve interest income while preserving funding flexibility. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had no short-term investments. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had short-term investments of $1,075 million. Other Investments In connection with the closing of the securitization transaction, approximately $63 million in the form of U.S. Treasuries was deposited in an escrow account established with a trustee, for the purpose of paying interest and principal on $47 million in remaining debt of our subsidiary Frontier Southwest Incorporated. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, this balance was approximately $57 million and $62 million, respectively, and is included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 11 for further details. (f)Revenue Recognition: Revenue for data and Internet services, voice services, video services and switched and non-switched access services is recognized as services are provided to customers. Services that are billed in advance include monthly recurring network access services (including data services), special access services, and monthly recurring voice, video, and related charges. Revenue is recognized by measuring progress toward the complete satisfaction of our performance obligations. The unearned portion of these fees is deferred as a component of “Advanced billings” on our consolidated balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided. Services that are billed in arrears include non-recurring network access services (including data services), switched access services, and non-recurring voice and video services. The earned but unbilled portion of these fees is recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and accrued in “Accounts receivable” on our consolidated balance sheet in the period that services are provided. Excise taxes are recognized as a liability when billed. Satisfaction of Performance Obligations We satisfy our obligations to customers by transferring goods and services in exchange for consideration received from the customer. The timing of our satisfaction of the performance obligation may differ from the timing of the customer’s payment. Bundled Service and Allocation of Discounts When customers purchase more than one service, revenue for each is determined by allocating the total transaction price based upon the relative stand-alone selling price of each service. We frequently offer service discounts as an incentive to customers, which reduce the total transaction price. Any incentives which are considered cash equivalents (e.g. gift cards) that are granted will similarly result in a reduction of the total transaction price. Cash equivalent incentives are accounted for on a portfolio basis and are recognized in the month they are awarded to customers. Customer Incentives In the process of acquiring and/or retaining customers, we may issue a variety of incentives aside from service discounts or cash equivalent incentives. Those incentives that have stand-alone value (e.g. gift cards not considered cash equivalents or free goods/services) are considered separate performance obligations. While these incentives are free to the customer, a portion of the consideration received from the customer is ascribed to them based upon their relative stand-alone selling price. These types of incentives are accounted for on a portfolio basis with both revenue and expense recognized in the month they are awarded to the customer. The earned revenue associated with these incentives is reflected in “Other” revenue while the associated costs are reflected in “Cost of Services”. Upfront Fees All non-refundable upfront fees assessed to our customers provide them with a material right to renew; therefore, they are deferred by creating a contract liability and amortized into “Data and Internet service revenue” for fees charged to our wholesale customers and “Other revenue” for fees charged to all other customers over the average customer life using a portfolio approach. Customer Acquisition Costs Sales commission expenses are recognized as incurred. According to ASC 606, incremental costs in obtaining a contract with a customer are deferred and recorded as a contract asset if the period of benefit is expected to be greater than one year. For our retail customers, this period of benefit has been determined to be less than one year. As such, we applied the practical expedient that allows such costs to be expensed as incurred. Taxes, Surcharges and Subsidies We collect various taxes, Universal Service Funds (USF) surcharges (primarily federal USF), and certain other surcharges from our customers and subsequently remits these taxes to governmental authorities. In June 2015, we accepted the FCC offer of support to price cap carriers under the Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II program, which was intended to provide long-term support for broadband build commitments in high cost unserved or underserved areas. The seven-year funding term ended on December 31, 2021. The Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) and the FCC are reviewing carriers’ CAF II program completion data, and if USAC or the FCC determines that we did not satisfy certain applicable CAF Phase II requirements, we could be required to return a portion of the funds previously received and may be subject to certain other penalties, requirements and obligations. In May 2022, we accepted the FCC offer under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) Phase I program, which provides funding over a ten-year period to support the construction of broadband networks in rural communities across the country. We accepted $37 million in annual support through 2032 in return for our commitment to make broadband available to households within the RDOF eligible areas. We will recognize the FCC’s RDOF Phase I subsidies into revenue on a straight-line basis over the ten-year funding term which will end March 31, 2032. We are required to complete the RDOF deployment by December 31, 2028. Thereafter, USAC and the FCC will review carriers’ RDOF program completion data, and if USAC or the FCC determines that we did not satisfy applicable FCC RDOF requirements, funding provided to us can be discontinued and we could be required to return a portion of the funds previously received and may be subject to certain other penalties, requirements and obligations. Fines and penalties could also be assessed to the extent Frontier were ever to decide to surrender RDOF locations previously awarded. We accrue for any potential shortfall in the household build commitment that we deem to be probable and reasonably estimated. On July 24, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that certain delegations of authority in the USF contribution system are unconstitutional. The court remanded the case to the FCC. The Fifth Circuit subsequently stayed the decision to allow the FCC to file a petition with, the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review. The stay allows for the continued collection of USF contributions while the Supreme Court considers the case. The precise impact of the case is unclear at this time, including the extent to which the decision applies to parties other than the petitioner. We cannot predict how this or future court decisions will impact the company’s ability to receive federal universal service funds in the future. (g)Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost, including capitalized interest. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. The gross book value of routine property, plant and equipment retired is charged against accumulated depreciation. (h)Definite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets: Intangible assets are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Customer relationship intangibles were established for business and wholesale customers. These intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over their assigned useful lives of between 11 and 16 years. Additionally, trademark and tradename assets established are amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 years. We review such intangible assets annually, or more often if indicators of impairment arise, to determine whether there is evidence that indicates an impairment condition may exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period. (i)Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of: We review long-lived assets to be held and used, including customer lists and property, plant and equipment, and long-lived assets to be disposed of for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Recoverability of assets held for sale is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair market value. If any assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value. Also, we periodically reassess the useful lives of our long-lived assets to determine whether any changes are required. (j)Lease Accounting: We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Right-of-use (ROU) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating and Finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating and finance lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms used in accounting for leases may reflect options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ROU assets for operating leases are recorded to “Other Assets”, and the related liabilities recorded to “Other current liabilities”, and “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets. Assets subject to finance leases are included in “Property, Plant & Equipment”, with corresponding liabilities recorded to “Other current liabilities”, and “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets. We assess potential impairments to our leases annually, or as indicators exist, if indicators of impairment arise to determine whether there is evidence that indicate an impairment condition may exist. We continue to review our real estate portfolio and, during the first quarter of 2022, determined to either terminate or market for sublease certain facilities leases, which triggered an impairment of $44 million for our finance and operating lease assets recorded as restructuring charges and other costs. See Note 10 for further details. (k)Income Taxes and Deferred Income Taxes: We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recorded for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we are not able to realize a portion of our net deferred tax assets in the future, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would increase the provision for income taxes. The tax effect of a change in tax law or rates included in income tax expense from continuing operations includes effect of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities initially recognized through a charge or credit to other comprehensive income (loss). The residual tax effects typically are released when the item giving rise to the tax effect is disposed of, liquidated, or terminated. (l) Stock Plans: We have one stock-based compensation plan under which grants are made and awards remain outstanding. Awards under this plan may be made to employees, directors or consultants of the Company or its affiliates, as determined by the Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Board. Awards may be made in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based awards, including awards with performance, market, and time-vesting conditions. The compensation cost recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. GAAP requires forfeitures to be estimated and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the business description and accounting policies concepts. Business description describes the nature and type of organization including but not limited to organizational structure as may be applicable to holding companies, parent and subsidiary relationships, business divisions, business units, business segments, affiliates and information about significant ownership of the reporting entity. Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/235/tableOfContent Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 275 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/275/tableOfContent + Details
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