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For the telecommunications industry, 2002 was a year in which convoluted (and in some cases criminal) accounting
practices were exposed, slack demand continued to buffet growth and a flurry of mergers and bankruptcies staved
off outright closures for some big-name players.
It started bad. After years of feverish investment in fast, but pricey networks, carriers and equipment makers
limped into 2002 under the weight of staggering debts. Meanwhile, corporations and consumers remained
skeptical about economic recovery and delayed or canceled orders.
Carrier Woes
In January, Global Crossing, a provider of voice and data transport for carriers, retreated into Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection. Eight months later, the company agreed to sell its fiber-optic network to a team of
investors from Asia as the first step in a restructuring plan.
A government probe of Global Crossing’s books, also prompted questions about other telecoms, including Qwest
Communications, which eventually restated earnings from 1999 to 2001, slicing off nearly $1.1 billion of
transactions. The company, which serves 14 western states, incorrectly accounted for sales of optical capacity
assets as well as some equipment transactions. The revelations forced out CEO Joseph Naccio.
WorldCom followed a similar script. The nation’s second-largest long-distance carrier was probed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission for its accounting. Longtime CEO Bernie Ebbers left under a cloud of $366
million in loans and loan guarantees the company made to him in the days when WorldCom’s stock was flying
high.
Then in June, WorldCom, which also sells Internet services through its UUNet unit, disclosed it had overstated its
cash flow by a whopping $3.8 billion. Ultimately, the amount would mushroom to $9 billion. Its July, WorldCom’s
bankruptcy protection application earned it the dubious distinction of the largest filing in U.S. history.
Others who filed for bankruptcy include Williams Communications, 360networks, XO Communications, and
Winstar. Most recently, Genuity followed suit.
Bright Spots
The shakeout had some benefits and beneficiaries. A degree of clarity has been introduced into accounting
practices. Industry watchers know it will be months, if not years, before trust with investors can be restored,
however, changes in reporting revenues are a crucial first step.
Additionally, those companies who resisted the urge to overextend during the boom of the late 1990s had
cash to bargain shop in the aisles of bankruptcy courts. For example, Level 3 Communications used a war chest provided by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Group to pick up network assets and contracts from
Genuity.
Level 3 acquired Genuity’s Tier 1 network, its operations and its customer base, including its domestic contracts
with America Online and certain of its domestic contracts with Verizon, as well as a significant portion of Genuity’s
existing long-term operating agreements. A ruling from the FCC earlier this week, cleared the way for the Level 3,
Genuity purchase.
There were other encouraging signs. Digital subscriber line
The uptick coincides with several companies rolling out
bundled packages of high-speed Internet access and local and long-distance telephone service for residential and
small business customers. This should result in choices and savings for some consumers.
The expansion of broadband access is generally thought to be a boon for service providers as well as content
companies who believe they can sell additional services such as streaming audio and video to users with fast,
always-on connections.
The Year Ahead
So what does 2003 hold? Most likely a mixed bag again, analysts say.
Carriers will remain frugal, predicts Deutsche Bank Securities. Their capital expense budgets for network
upgrades and other large projects in North America will fall 20 percent to 25 percent in 2003, compared to 2002.
“Existing network capacity, relatively weak services demand, slowing data revenue growth and high carrier debt
levels remain inhibitors to (capital expense) spending,” a recent Deutsche Bank report said.
Because of these factors, as well as razor thin margins for equipment suppliers, the firm also sees more mergers
and acquisitions. Though it could be painful, such moves will ultimately make the industry stronger.
“The need for industry consolidation is stronger than ever before,” DB concluded, adding that the bankruptcy
courts approval of restructuring plans is allowing some unhealthy companies to survive.
Still the worst may be over. A survey of CIOs by Giga Information Group shows that U.S. businesses, especially
mid-tier companies, anticipate that their IT spending will remain flat or increase slightly in 2003.
“Nonetheless, customer demand for new telecom products and services will be highly selective,” Giga analyst Lisa
Pierce concludes.
Infrastructure that shows strong return-on-investments — especially virtual private network, local area networks
and network management products — is expected to sell respectively, Giga said. Wireless systems, though
promising, must still overcome implementation and security concerns before gaining widespread acceptance.
