10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2021

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 1-8519

CINCINNATI BELL INC.

Ohio	31-1056105
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(513) 397-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares ($0.01 par value)	CBB	New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing 1/20 interest in a Share of 6 ¾% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value	CBB.PB	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ☒     No   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( § 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes   ☒     No   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ☐   No   ☒

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

At March 31, 2021, there were 50,920,546 common shares outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. Financial Information

Description		Page
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Deficit (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	33
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	33
	PART II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	34
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	34
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	34
Item 3.	Default upon Senior Securities	34
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure	34
Item 5.	Other Information	34
Item 6.	Exhibits	35
	Signatures	36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0
Costs and expenses
Cost of services and products, excluding items below		220.1			193.7
Selling, general and administrative, excluding items below		83.8			88.0
Depreciation and amortization		71.0			74.2
Restructuring and severance related charges		0.5			15.2
Transaction and integration costs		1.9			29.1
Total operating costs and expenses		377.3			400.2
Operating income (loss)		32.6			(20.2	)
Interest expense		32.4			33.7
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense		2.6			2.6
Other expense (income), net		0.2			(0.8	)
Loss before income taxes		(2.6	)		(55.7	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		0.4			(21.7	)
Net loss		(3.0	)		(34.0	)
Preferred stock dividends		2.6			2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners	$	(5.6	)	$	(36.6	)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.72	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Net loss	$	(3.0	)	$	(34.0	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)		1.0			(6.9	)
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of $0.2, ($3.0)		0.6			(10.1	)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net of tax of $0.5, $0.3		1.8			1.1
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service benefits included in net income, net of tax of ($0.1), ($0.1)		(0.5	)		(0.5	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income, net of tax of $1.4, $1.0		4.9			3.7
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		7.8			(12.7	)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	4.8		$	(46.7	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNERS' DEFICIT

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

	6 3/4 % Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares				Common Shares				Additional Paid-in			Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Loss			Total
Balance at December 31, 2020		3.1	$	129.4		50.7	$	0.5	$	2,670.3		$	(2,831.6	)	$	(159.7	)	$	(191.1	)
Net loss		—		—		—		—		—			(3.0	)		—			(3.0	)
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—		—			—			7.8			7.8
Shares issued under employee plans		—		—		0.2		—		—			—			—			—
Shares purchased under employee plans and other		—		—		—		—		(2.0	)		—			—			(2.0	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—		—		1.3			—			—			1.3
Dividends on preferred stock		—		—		—		—		(2.6	)		—			—			(2.6	)
Balance at March 31, 2021		3.1	$	129.4		50.9	$	0.5	$	2,667.0		$	(2,834.6	)	$	(151.9	)	$	(189.6	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		3.1	$	129.4		50.4	$	0.5	$	2,676.2		$	(2,776.0	)	$	(170.1	)	$	(140.0	)
Net loss		—		—		—		—		—			(34.0	)		—			(34.0	)
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—			—			(12.7	)		(12.7	)
Shares issued under employee plans		—		—		0.2		—		—			—			—			—
Shares purchased under employee plans and other		—		—		—		—		(1.1	)		—			—			(1.1	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—		—		1.7			—			—			1.7
Dividends on preferred stock		—		—		—		—		(2.6	)		—			—			(2.6	)
Balance at March 31, 2020		3.1	$	129.4		50.6	$	0.5	$	2,674.2		$	(2,810.0	)	$	(182.8	)	$	(188.7	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)  

	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.7		$	12.2
Receivables, less allowances of $18.7 and $23.0		308.1			369.6
Inventory, materials and supplies		38.6			35.5
Prepaid expenses		37.7			33.5
Other current assets		7.8			8.3
Total current assets		398.9			459.1
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,731.6			1,729.1
Operating lease right-of-use assets		36.6			37.4
Goodwill		162.0			161.5
Intangible assets, net		145.0			148.1
Deferred income tax assets		80.8			82.5
Other noncurrent assets		48.3			50.9
Total assets	$	2,603.2		$	2,668.6
Liabilities and Shareowners’ Deficit
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	$	23.1		$	21.8
Accounts payable		269.2			299.2
Unearned revenue and customer deposits		52.5			68.9
Accrued taxes		26.3			28.1
Accrued interest		24.5			26.7
Accrued payroll and benefits		43.0			50.5
Other current liabilities		47.5			50.9
Total current liabilities		486.1			546.1
Long-term debt, less current portion		1,952.5			1,949.9
Operating lease liabilities		33.1			33.6
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations		194.2			200.2
Pole license agreement obligation		36.4			36.7
Deferred income tax liabilities		10.6			10.9
Other noncurrent liabilities		79.9			82.3
Total liabilities		2,792.8			2,859.7
Shareowners’ deficit
Preferred stock, 2,357,299 shares authorized; 155,250 shares (3,105,000 depositary shares) of 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; liquidation preference $1,000 per share ($50 per depositary share)		129.4			129.4
Common shares, $.01 par value; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 50,920,546 and 50,680,605 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020		0.5			0.5
Additional paid-in capital		2,667.0			2,670.3
Accumulated deficit		(2,834.6	)		(2,831.6	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(151.9	)		(159.7	)
Total shareowners’ deficit		(189.6	)		(191.1	)
Total liabilities and shareowners’ deficit	$	2,603.2		$	2,668.6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(3.0	)	$	(34.0	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		71.0			74.2
Provision for loss on receivables		—			4.5
Noncash portion of interest expense		1.4			1.4
Deferred income taxes		(0.9	)		(20.3	)
Pension and other postretirement payments in excess of expense		(0.3	)		(0.2	)
Stock-based compensation		1.3			1.7
Other, net		(0.3	)		0.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in receivables		61.5			29.0
Increase in inventory, materials, supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets		(9.0	)		(0.5	)
Decrease in accounts payable		(33.9	)		(5.3	)
Decrease in accrued and other current liabilities		(30.8	)		(25.1	)
Decrease in other noncurrent assets		3.3			2.7
(Decrease) increase in other noncurrent liabilities		(0.5	)		0.6
Net cash provided by operating activities		59.8			29.1
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(60.7	)		(50.9	)
Other, net		0.1			—
Net cash used in investing activities		(60.6	)		(50.9	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days		5.8			31.1
Repayment of debt		(5.8	)		(6.2	)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(2.6	)		(2.6	)
Other, net		(2.0	)		(1.1	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(4.6	)		21.2
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(0.1	)		(0.4	)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(5.5	)		(1.0	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		17.2			11.6
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	11.7		$	10.6
Noncash investing and financing transactions:
Acquisition of property by assuming debt and other noncurrent liabilities	$	3.5		$	0.3
Acquisition of property on account	$	29.2		$	25.6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)  

1.    Description of Business and Accounting Policies

Description of Business — Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Cincinnati Bell," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") provide diversified telecommunications and technology services. The Company generates a large portion of its revenue by serving customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio and the islands of Hawaii. An economic downturn or natural disaster occurring in these, or a portion of these, limited operating territories could have a disproportionate effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows compared to similar companies of a national scope and similar companies operating in different geographic areas.

The Company has receivables with one customer, Verizon Communications Inc., which make up 16% and 20% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Revenue derived from foreign operations was approximately 6% and 5% of consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Basis of Presentation — The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, other comprehensive income, financial position and cash flows for each period presented.

The adjustments referred to above are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations for interim reporting.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates — Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Accounting Policies — The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — Cash consists of funds held in bank accounts. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash consists of funds held in an escrow account associated with the pending transaction to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Paniolo Cable Company, LLC (“Paniolo”). See Note 3 for further information related to this transaction. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:

(dollars in millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.7	$	12.2
Restricted cash included in Other noncurrent assets		5.0		5.0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	11.7	$	17.2

Restructuring Liability — As of March 31, 2021, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $2.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of the restructuring liabilities was included in “Other current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income and Operating Taxes

Income taxes — In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-270, the Company’s income tax provision for interim periods is determined through the use of an estimated annual effective tax rate applied to year-to-date ordinary income/loss plus or minus the tax effects of discrete items. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate benefit is lower than statutory rates primarily due to the effect of a valuation allowance applied against the deferred tax assets related to disallowed interest expense, as well as permanent items such as portions of officers’ compensation and meals and entertainment expenses that are not fully deductible for tax.

6

Operating taxes — Certain operating taxes such as property, sales, use, and gross receipts taxes are reported as expenses in operating income primarily within cost of services. These taxes are not included in income tax expense because the amounts to be paid are not dependent on our level of income. Liabilities for audit exposures are established based on management's assessment of the probability of payment. The provision for such liabilities is recognized as either property, plant and equipment, operating tax expense, or depreciation expense depending on the nature of the audit exposure. Upon resolution of an audit, any remaining liability not paid is released against the account in which it was originally recorded. Certain telecommunication taxes and surcharges that are collected from customers are also recorded as revenue; however, in accordance with ASC 606, revenue associated with these charges is excluded from the transaction price.

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments by recognizing derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and recognizing the resulting gains or losses as adjustments to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss." The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss" in stockholder's equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. The ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments by eliminating the cash conversion and beneficial conversion models. As compared with current U.S. GAAP, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument and the interest rate of more convertible debt instruments will be closer to the coupon interest rate. In addition, the ASU increases information related to disclosures for convertible instruments and aligns the consistency of diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") calculations for convertible instruments by requiring that (1) an entity use the if-converted method and (2) share settlement be included in the diluted EPS calculation for both convertible instruments and equity contracts when those contracts include an option of cash settlement or share settlement. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and plans to adopt for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. These amendments are effective as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within Income Taxes (740), and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities, and is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Most amendments within ASU 2019-12 are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2021. The Company has evaluated the amendments that must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis and concluded that no adjustments are necessary. The Company has applied all other amendments on a prospective basis, and the changes did not have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

7

2.    Earnings Per Common Share

Basic EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur upon issuance of common shares for awards under stock-based compensation plans or conversion of preferred stock, but only to the extent that they are considered dilutive.

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts)	2021			2020
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(3.0	)	$	(34.0	)
Preferred stock dividends		2.6			2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners - basic and diluted	$	(5.6	)	$	(36.6	)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		50.8			50.5
Stock-based compensation arrangements		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		50.8			50.5
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.72	)

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had a net loss available to common shareholders and, as a result, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, preferred stock convertible into 0.9 million common shares was excluded as it was anti-dilutive.

3. Mergers and Acquisitions

Pending Acquisition by MIP

On December 21, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time, the “Brookfield Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of the Brookfield Infrastructure Group (“Brookfield”), the infrastructure investment division of Brookfield Asset Management, which was subsequently amended. Pursuant to the amended Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company would be acquired by an affiliate of Brookfield for $14.50 per Common Share.

On March 13, 2020, the Company terminated the Brookfield Merger Agreement and entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). At the effective time of the MIP Merger (the “Effective Time”), each of our issued and outstanding Common Shares will be converted into the right to receive $15.50 in cash per Common Share, without interest, and the 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares will remain issued and outstanding as 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company, without par value, following the Effective Time.  

In connection with the termination of the Brookfield Merger Agreement in the first quarter of 2020, the Company paid to an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million as required by the terms of the Brookfield Merger Agreement. The termination fee is recorded in “Transaction and integration costs” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The consummation of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the MIP Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all outstanding Common Shares and 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a single class; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”), as amended, (iii) the receipt of any required consents or approvals from (a) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), (b) the Federal Communications Commission, (c) state public service and state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; and (iv) the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the MIP Merger. On May 7, 2020, the shareholders of the Company adopted the MIP Merger Agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders. In the first quarter of 2021, the waiting period under the HSR Act expired and the consummation of the MIP Merger was approved by CFIUS.

The MIP Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature.

8

The MIP Merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, although there can be no assurance that the MIP Merger will occur by that date. At the Effective Time, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company as a result of the completion of the MIP Merger.

Consent Solicitation for 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025

On June 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had commenced consent solicitations (the “Consent Solicitations”) with respect to certain proposed amendments to the change of control provisions contained in the (i) indenture, dated as of September 22, 2016 (as supplemented and amended, the “2024 Notes Indenture”) governing its 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and (ii) indenture, dated as of October 6, 2017 (as supplemented and amended, the “2025 Notes Indenture,” and together with the 2024 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”) governing its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes,” and together with the 2024 Notes, the “Notes”).

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the consent solicitation statement, dated June 15, 2020 (as supplemented and amended, the “Consent Solicitation Statement”), the Company solicited consents in order to (i) amend the definition of “Change of Control” in the Indentures so that the MIP Merger would not constitute a Change of Control and (ii) add a definition of, and designate certain persons, including MIP and its affiliates and Ares Management Corporation and its affiliates as, “Permitted Holders” (collectively, the “Proposed Amendments”).  

On July 2, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), following receipt of the requisite consents from holders of each series of Notes with respect to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Consent Solicitations, the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Regions Bank, as trustee, entered into a sixth supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) to the 2024 Notes Indenture and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 to the 2025 Notes Indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”, and together with the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”).

Subject to the terms and conditions in the Consent Solicitation Statement (including the consummation of the MIP Merger), holders who validly delivered (and did not validly revoke) their consents on or prior to the Effective Date are eligible to receive (i) with respect to the 2024 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $2,812,500, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2024 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked), and (ii) with respect to the 2025 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $1,050,000, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked). The Company expects to make this cash payment substantially concurrently with the consummation of the MIP Merger.

The Supplemental Indentures became effective upon execution thereof, but the Proposed Amendments will only become operative upon the occurrence of certain conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures, including payment of the consent fees pursuant to the Consent Solicitations. If the conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures are not satisfied, the Indentures will revert to the form in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement and upon satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, including the consummation of the MIP Merger, the Company will secure the Notes and the related guarantees on a pari passu basis (subject to certain exceptions) with the new senior secured credit facilities expected to be entered into in connection with the MIP Merger (the “Collateral”). Any Collateral granted by the Company (but not its subsidiaries) to secure the Notes will also secure the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 and any Collateral granted by the Company’s subsidiary Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”) to secure the Notes will also secure CBT’s 6.30% Senior Notes due 2028, in each case on an equal and ratable basis.

Pending Acquisition of Paniolo Fiber Assets

On November 30, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Paniolo Cable Company, LLC, currently held by the bankruptcy estate of Paniolo, which include inter-island submarine and middle-mile terrestrial fiber infrastructure assets in Hawaii. The Company plans to account for the Paniolo acquisition as an asset acquisition under ASC 805-10-55 “Business Combinations” because the assets to be acquired from Paniolo do not include an assembled workforce, and the gross value of the assets to be acquired meets the screen test in ASC 805-10-55-5A related to substantially all of the fair value being concentrated in a single asset or group of assets (i.e., the fiber infrastructure assets) and, thus, the assets are not considered a business. The acquisition of Paniolo’s assets will augment the Company’s existing backbone network and increase the Company’s total submarine and terrestrial fiber footprint by more than 400 miles.  

The aggregate purchase price to be paid upon closing of the Paniolo acquisition will be $50.0 million, consisting of $25.0 million in cash and $25.0 million in committed purchase money financing. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has funded $5.0 million to an escrow account to fund a portion of the purchase price and has entered into an agreement with Paniolo to maintain the Paniolo network prior to the close of the acquisition. This escrow amount is classified as restricted cash and recorded in “Other noncurrent assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The transaction which is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the bankruptcy court and federal regulatory authorities, is expected to close in the second half of 2021.  

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4.    Revenue

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services to both residential and commercial customers that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. The products and services within these three categories can be further categorized as either Data, Voice, Video or Other. Consumer/SMB and Legacy revenue include both residential and commercial customers. Enterprise Fiber revenue includes ethernet and dedicated internet access services that are provided to enterprise customers, as well as revenue associated with the Southeast Asia to United States (“SEA-US”) trans-Pacific submarine cable system.

Residential customers have implied month-to-month contracts. Commercial customers, with the exception of contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system, typically have contracts with a duration of one to five years and automatically renew on a month-to-month basis. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. Contracts for projects that are included within the Other revenue stream are typically short in duration and less than one year. Contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system typically range from 15 to 25 years and payment is prepaid.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides a full range of Information Technology ("IT") solutions, including Communications, Cloud and Consulting services. IT Services and Hardware customers enter into contracts that have a typical duration of one to five years, with varied renewal options at the end of the term. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. The IT Services and Hardware segment also provides enterprise customers with Infrastructure Solutions, which includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts. These contracts are typically satisfied in less than twelve months and revenue is recognized at a point in time.

The Company has elected the practical expedient described in ASC 606-10-32-18 that allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the entity expects that the period of time between the transfer of a promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for such good or service will be one year or less. Customers are typically billed immediately upon the rendering of services or the delivery of products. Payment terms for customers are between 30 and 120 days. Subsequent to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco., Inc. ("Hawaiian Telcom"), the Company began recognizing a financing component associated with the up-front payments for services to be delivered under indefeasible right of use ("IRU") contracts for fiber circuit capacity. The IRU contracts are primarily associated with the SEA-US cable system. The IRU contracts typically have a duration ranging from 15 to 25 years.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, or a series of distinct goods or services, and is the unit of account defined in ASC Topic 606. The transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Contract modifications for changes to services provided are routine throughout the term of our contracts. In most instances, contract modifications are for the addition or reduction of services that are distinct, and price changes are based on the stand-alone selling price of the service and, as such, are accounted for on a prospective basis as a new contract.

Goods and services are sold individually, or a contract may include multiple goods or services. For contracts with multiple goods and services, the transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each performance obligation using the stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Certain customers of the Company may receive cash-based rebates based on volume of sales, which are accounted for as variable consideration. Potential rebates are considered at contract inception in our estimate of transaction price based on the projected volume of sales. Estimates are reassessed quarterly.

Performance obligations are satisfied either over time as services are performed or at a point in time. Substantially all of our service revenue is recognized over time. For services transferred over time, the Company has elected the practical expedient to recognize revenue based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are provided evenly over the month and are substantially the same over the life of the contract. As the Company has elected the practical expedients detailed at ASC 606-10-50-13, revenue for these unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

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As of March 31, 2021, our estimated revenue, including a financing component, expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) is $34.2 million. Approximately 80% of this revenue is related to IRU contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system. Certain IRU contracts extend for periods of up to 30 years and are invoiced at the beginning of the contract term. The revenue from such contracts is recognized over time as services are provided over the contract term. The expected revenue to be recognized for existing IRU contracts is as follows:

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	2.0
2022		2.6
2023		2.5
2024		2.6
2025		2.6
Thereafter		21.9

Entertainment and Communications

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the Entertainment and Communications segment, namely Data, Voice, Video and Other. For each of Data, Voice and Video, service is delivered to the customer continuously and in a substantially similar manner for each period of the agreement, the customer takes full control over the services as the service is delivered, and as such Data, Voice and Video are identified to be a series of distinct services. Services provided by the Entertainment and Communications segment can be categorized into three main categories that include Consumer/SMB, Enterprise Fiber and Legacy, each of which may include one or more of the aforementioned performance obligations. Data services include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, routed network services, SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU revenue. Voice services include traditional and fiber voice lines, switched access, digital trunking and consumer long distance calling. Video services are offered through our fiber network to residential and commercial customers based on various standard plans with the opportunity to add premium channels. To receive video services, customers are required to use the Company's set top boxes that are billed as part of the monthly recurring service. Set top boxes are not considered a separate performance obligation from video because the equipment is necessary for the service to operate and the customer has no alternative use for the equipment.

Services and products not included in Data, Voice or Video are included in Other revenue and are comprised of wire care, time and materials projects and advertising. Transfer of control of these services and products is evaluated on an individual project basis and can occur over time or at a point in time.

The Company uses multiple methods to determine stand-alone selling prices in the Entertainment and Communications segment. For Data, Video and Voice products in Consumer/SMB, market rate is the primary method used to determine stand-alone selling prices. For Data performance obligations under the Enterprise Fiber category, and Voice, Data and Other performance obligations under the Legacy category, stand-alone selling prices are determined based on a list price, discount off of list price, a tariff rate, a margin percentage range, or a minimum margin percentage.

IT Services and Hardware

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the IT Services and Hardware segment. These performance obligations are Communications, Cloud, Consulting and Infrastructure Solutions. Communications services are monthly services that include data and VoIP services, tailored solutions that include converged IP communications of data, voice, video and mobility applications, enterprise long distance, MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) and conferencing services. Cloud services include storage, backup, disaster recovery, SLA-based monitoring and management, cloud computing and cloud consulting. Consulting services provide customers with IT staffing, consulting and emerging technology solutions. Infrastructure Solutions includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts as well as installation projects.

For the sale of hardware, the Company evaluated whether it is the principal or the agent. The Company has concluded it acts as an agent because it does not control the inventory before it is transferred to customers, it does not have the ability to direct the product to anyone besides the purchasing customer, and it does not integrate the hardware with any of its own goods or services. Based on this assessment, the performance obligation is to arrange a sale of hardware between the vendor and the customer. In the instance where there is an issue with the hardware, the Company coordinates with the manufacturer to facilitate a return in accordance with the standard manufacturer warranty. Hardware returns are not significant to the Company.

Within the IT Services and Hardware segment, stand-alone selling prices for the four performance obligations are determined based on either a margin percentage range, minimum margin percentage or standard price list.

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For hardware sales, revenue is recognized net of the cost of product and is recognized when the hardware is shipped or delivered in accordance with the terms of the contract. For certain projects within Communications and Consulting, revenue is recognized when the customer communicates acceptance of the services performed. For contracts with freight on board shipping terms, management has elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the good, and therefore, has not evaluated whether shipping and handling activities are promised services to its customers.

Contract Balances 

The Company recognizes incremental fulfillment costs as an asset when installation expenses are incurred as part of performing the agreement for Voice, Video and Data product offerings in the Entertainment and Communications segment in which the contract life is longer than one year. These fulfillment costs are amortized ratably over the expected life of the customer, which is representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. The expected life of the customer is determined utilizing the average churn rate for each product. The Company calculates average churn based on the historical average customer life. We also recognize an asset for incremental fulfillment costs for certain Communications services in the IT Services and Hardware segment that require us to incur installation and provisioning expenses. The asset recognized for Communication services is amortized over the average contract life. Churn rates and average contract life are reviewed on an annual basis. Fulfillment costs are capitalized to “Other noncurrent assets.” The related amortization expense is recorded to “Cost of services and products.”

The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of acquiring a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs related to Voice, Video, Data and certain Communications and Cloud services meet the requirements to be capitalized. The contract asset established for the costs of acquiring a contract is recorded to “Other noncurrent assets.” Sales incentives are amortized ratably over the period that services are delivered using either an average churn rate or average contract term, both representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. Customer churn rates and average contract term assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The related amortization expense is recorded to “Selling, general and administrative.”

Management has elected to use the practical expedient detailed in ASC 340-40-25-4 to expense any costs to fulfill a contract and costs to obtain a contract as they are incurred when the amortization period would have been one year or less. This practical expedient has been applied to fulfillment costs that include installation costs associated with wiring projects and certain Cloud services. In addition, this practical expedient has been applied to acquisition costs associated with revenue from certain Communications projects.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $6.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively, of fulfillment costs were included in “Other noncurrent assets.” At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $18.9 million and $19.4 million, respectively, of costs of acquisition were included in “Other noncurrent assets.”

The Company recognizes a liability for cash received upfront for IRU contracts. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other current liabilities." At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $27.6 million and $26.2 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other noncurrent liabilities."

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Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by product and service lines:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Data	$	121.3		$	119.3
Video		48.6			48.7
Voice		65.9			68.0
Other		7.0			7.8
Total Entertainment and Communications		242.8			243.8
Consulting		65.5			41.9
Cloud		23.4			21.5
Communications		54.0			51.2
Infrastructure Solutions		30.9			27.7
Total IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment revenue		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by contract type:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Entertainment and Communications				IT Services and Hardware				Intersegment revenue elimination						Total
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021			2020			2021		2020
Products and Services transferred at a point in time	$	5.9	$	7.5	$	33.4	$	30.4	$	—		$	—		$	39.3	$	37.9
Products and Services transferred over time		232.1		231.4		138.5		110.7		—			—			370.6		342.1
Intersegment revenue		4.8		4.9		1.9		1.2		(6.7	)		(6.1	)		-		-
Total revenue	$	242.8	$	243.8	$	173.8	$	142.3	$	(6.7	)	$	(6.1	)	$	409.9	$	380.0

5.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the Company's goodwill consisted of the following:

(dollars in millions)	IT Services and Hardware		Entertainment and Communications		Total Company
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2020	$	149.1	$	12.4	$	161.5
Activity during the year:
Currency translations		0.5		—		0.5
Goodwill, balance as of March 31, 2021	$	149.6	$	12.4	$	162.0

No impairment losses were recognized in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

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Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2021							December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net
(dollars in millions)	Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Customer relationships	$	142.0	$	(41.5	)	$	100.5	$	141.6	$	(38.9	)	$	102.7
Trade names		41.9		(10.3	)		31.6		41.7		(9.4	)		32.3
Technology		10.0		(3.5	)		6.5		9.9		(3.2	)		6.7
Total		193.9		(55.3	)		138.6		193.2		(51.5	)		141.7
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
FCC licenses and spectrum usage rights		6.4		—			6.4		6.4		—			6.4
Total intangible assets	$	200.3	$	(55.3	)	$	145.0	$	199.6	$	(51.5	)	$	148.1

Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The change in gross carrying amounts for finite-lived intangible assets is due to foreign currency translation on finite-lived intangible assets denominated in foreign currency. No impairment losses were recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The estimated useful lives for each finite-lived intangible asset class are as follows:

Customer relationships	8 to 15 years
Trade names	10 to 15 years
Technology	10 years

The annual estimated amortization expense for future years is as follows:

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	10.8
2022		14.1
2023		13.8
2024		13.5
2025		13.3
Thereafter		73.1
Total	$	138.6

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6.    Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

	March 31,			December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Current portion of long-term debt:
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024	$	6.0		$	6.0
Other financing arrangements		1.3			1.9
Finance lease liabilities		15.8			13.9
Current portion of long-term debt		23.1			21.8
Long-term debt, less current portion:
Receivables Facility		183.9			182.0
Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility		71.0			67.0
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024		579.0			580.5
7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023		22.3			22.3
7% Senior Notes due 2024		625.0			625.0
8% Senior Notes due 2025		350.0			350.0
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone notes		87.9			87.9
Other financing arrangements		0.6			0.9
Finance lease liabilities		49.6			52.1
		1,969.3			1,967.7
Net unamortized premium		1.0			1.1
Unamortized note issuance costs		(17.8	)		(18.9	)
Long-term debt, less current portion		1,952.5			1,949.9
Total debt	$	1,975.6		$	1,971.7

Credit Agreement

The Company had $71.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $129.0 million available for borrowings as of March 31, 2021. The Credit Agreement expires in October 2022.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $183.9 million in borrowings and $13.9 million of letters of credit outstanding under the accounts receivable securitization facility ("Receivables Facility”), leaving $2.2 million remaining availability on the total borrowing capacity of $200.0 million. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility was $200.0 million in the aggregate at March 31, 2021. The available borrowing capacity is calculated monthly based on the quantity and quality of outstanding accounts receivable, and thus may be lower than the maximum borrowing limit. At March 31, 2021, the Receivables Facility, which is subject to renewal every 364 days, had a renewal date in May 2021 and termination date in May 2023.  

In April 2021, the Company executed amendments to its Receivables Facility, which replaced, amended and added certain provisions and definitions to increase the credit availability and renew the facility. While the Receivables Facility is subject to renewal every 364 days, the amendments extended the facility’s renewal date until June 2023 and the facility’s termination date to June 2024. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility was increased from $200.0 million to $215.0 million in the aggregate. In addition, the amendments removed the provision that the LIBOR rate for the Receivables Facility may not fall below 0.75%.

Under the Receivables Facility, certain U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, as originators, sell their respective trade receivables on a continuous basis to Cincinnati Bell Funding LLC (“CBF”) or Cincinnati Bell Funding Canada Ltd. ("CBFC"), wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Although CBF and CBFC are wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company, CBF and CBFC are legally separate from the Company and each of the Company’s other subsidiaries. Upon and after the sale or contribution of the accounts receivable to CBF or CBFC, such accounts receivable are legally assets of CBF and CBFC and, as such, are not available to creditors of other subsidiaries or the parent company. The Receivables Facility includes an option for CBF to sell, rather than borrow against, certain receivables on a non-recourse basis. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of certain accounts receivable sold was $3.3 million.

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7.    Leases

Lessee Disclosures

The Company primarily leases real estate for offices, retail stores and central offices, as well as equipment, cell towers and fleet vehicles. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company elected not to recognize leases with terms of one-year or less on the balance sheet.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Operating lease assets, net of amortization	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	36.6	$	37.4
Finance lease assets, net of amortization	Property, plant and equipment, net		26.5		28.0
Operating lease liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities		9.3		9.6
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liabilities		33.1		33.6
Total operating lease liabilities			42.4		43.2
Finance lease liabilities:
Current finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt		15.8		13.9
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, less current portion		49.6		52.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	65.4	$	66.0

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	0.5	$	1.1
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2.5	$	3.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	4.2	$	4.4
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
New operating leases	$	1.7	$	1.1
New finance leases	$	3.5	$	0.3

8.    Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the Company uses a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the use of observable inputs. The three levels are:

Level 1 — Quoted market prices for identical instruments in an active market;

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs); and

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that reflect management's determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including our own data.

The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment.

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Interest Rate Swaps

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to minimize its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt borrowings. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the underlying notional amounts between parties.

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into one forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swap with a notional amount of $300.0 million to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swap became effective in June 2018 and expires in June 2023. The interest rate swap results in interest payments based on an average fixed rate of 2.938% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into three forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $89.0 million each, to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swaps became effective in March 2019 and expire in March 2024. The interest rate swaps result in interest payments based on an average fixed rate per swap of 2.275%, 2.244% and 2.328% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $9.3 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps are impacted by the credit risk of both the Company and its counterparties. The Company has agreements with its derivative financial instrument counterparties that contain provisions providing that if the Company defaults on the indebtedness associated with its derivative financial instruments, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative financial instruments obligations. In addition, the Company minimizes nonperformance risk on its derivative instruments by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which are limited to major banks and financial institutions.

Upon inception, the interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815, with gains and losses, net of tax, measured on an ongoing basis recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The fair value of the interest rate swaps are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on well-recognized financial principles and available market data.

As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was $22.3 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	13.0	$	—	$	13.0	$	—

As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of the interest rate swap liability was $25.4 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	16.1	$	—	$	16.1	$	—

The amount of gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") net of reclassifications into earnings is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Interest Rate Swap	$	3.1	$	(11.7	)

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The amount of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings is as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Statement of Operations Location	2021			2020
Interest Rate Swap	Interest expense	$	(2.3	)	$	(1.4	)

Disclosure on Financial Instruments

The carrying values of the Company's financial instruments approximate the estimated fair values as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, except for the Company's long-term debt and other installment financing arrangements. The carrying and fair values of these items are as follows:  

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
(dollars in millions)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion*	$	1,926.1	$	1,976.6	$	1,921.8	$	1,973.4
Other installment financing arrangements		41.7		56.0		42.1		58.6

*Excludes finance leases, other financing arrangements and note issuance costs.

The fair value of our long-term debt was based on closing or estimated market prices of the Company’s debt at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, which is considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the other financing arrangements was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporates current borrowing rates for obligations of similar duration, which is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2021, the current borrowing rate was estimated by applying the Company's credit spread to the risk-free rate for a similar duration borrowing.

9.    Pension and Postretirement Plans

As of March 31, 2021, the Company sponsors three noncontributory defined benefit plans and a postretirement health and life insurance plan in Cincinnati (collectively the "Cincinnati Plans"), and one noncontributory defined benefit plan for union employees, one cash balance pension plan for nonunion employees, and two postretirement health and life insurance plans for Hawaiian Telcom employees (collectively the "Hawaii Plans").

In accordance with ASC 715, only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization, which was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, pension and postretirement costs (benefits) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
(dollars in millions)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement and Other Benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		3.8			4.8			0.6			0.9
Expected return on plan assets		(7.5	)		(7.3	)		—			—
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit		—			—			(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Actuarial loss		6.3			4.5			—			0.2
Pension / postretirement costs	$	2.6		$	2.0		$	0.1		$	0.6

Amortizations of prior service benefit and actuarial loss represent reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, contributions to both qualified and non-qualified pension plans were $0.7 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, contributions to qualified and non-qualified pension plans were $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Based on current assumptions, nominal additional contributions are expected to be made to the qualified pension plans in 2021. Contributions to the non-qualified pension plans in 2021 are expected to be approximately $3 million.

18

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, contributions to our postretirement plans were $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Management expects to make cash payments of approximately $8 million related to its postretirement health plans in 2021.

10.    Shareowners' Deficit

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Unrecognized Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost				Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedges, Net				Foreign Currency Translation Loss			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	(138.8	)		$	(19.7	)		$	(1.2	)	$	(159.7	)
Reclassifications, net		4.4		(a)		1.8		(b)		—			6.2
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				0.6		(c)		—			0.6
Foreign currency gain		—				—				1.0			1.0
Balance as of March 31, 2021	$	(134.4	)		$	(17.3	)		$	(0.2	)	$	(151.9	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	(152.0	)		$	(14.7	)		$	(3.4	)	$	(170.1	)
Reclassifications, net		3.2		(a)		1.1		(b)		—			4.3
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				(10.1	)	(c)		—			(10.1	)
Foreign currency loss		—				—				(6.9	)		(6.9	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	(148.8	)		$	(23.7	)		$	(10.3	)	$	(182.8	)

(a) These reclassifications are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense and represent amortization of prior service benefit and actuarial loss, net of tax. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense are recorded in "Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further disclosures.

(b) These reclassifications are reported within "Interest expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

(c) The unrealized gain (loss), net on cash flow hedges represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments that occurred during the period, net of tax. The unrealized loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further disclosures.

11.    Business Segment Information

The Company’s segments are strategic business units that offer distinct products and services and are aligned with the Company's internal management structure and reporting. The Company operates two business segments identified as Entertainment and Communications and IT Services and Hardware.

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services that can be categorized as Data, Video, Voice or Other. Data products include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, SONET, dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU. Video services provide our customers access to over 400 entertainment channels, over 150 high-definition channels, parental controls, HD DVR, Video On-Demand and access to a live TV streaming application. Voice represents traditional voice lines as well as fiber voice lines, consumer long distance, switched access and digital trunking. Other services consist of revenue generated from wiring projects for enterprise customers, advertising, directory assistance, maintenance and information services.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides end-to-end solutions from consulting to implementation to ongoing optimization. These solutions include Cloud, Communications and Consulting services along with the sale, installation and maintenance of major branded Telecom and IT hardware reported as Infrastructure Solutions.

Certain corporate administrative expenses have been allocated to the segments based upon the nature of the expense and the relative size of the segment. Intercompany transactions between segments have been eliminated.

19

Selected financial data for the Company’s business segment information is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	242.8		$	243.8
IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0
Intersegment revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	4.8		$	4.9
IT Services and Hardware		1.9			1.2
Total intersegment revenue	$	6.7		$	6.1
Operating income (loss)
Entertainment and Communications	$	31.3		$	12.1
IT Services and Hardware		8.6			1.7
Corporate		(7.3	)		(34.0	)
Total operating income (loss)	$	32.6		$	(20.2	)
Expenditures for long-lived assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	55.0		$	44.4
IT Services and Hardware		5.7			6.5
Total expenditures for long-lived assets	$	60.7		$	50.9
Depreciation and amortization
Entertainment and Communications	$	60.8		$	63.9
IT Services and Hardware		10.1			10.3
Corporate		0.1			—
Total depreciation and amortization	$	71.0		$	74.2

	March 31,		December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	1,797.3	$	1,803.3
IT Services and Hardware		458.2		477.2
Corporate and eliminations		347.7		388.1
Total assets	$	2,603.2	$	2,668.6

20

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and results that are subject to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “may,” “will,” “proposes,” “potential,” “could,” “should,” “outlook” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of future financial performance, anticipated growth and trends in businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including but not limited to, the possible impacts of the current adverse economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 global health pandemic, are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned these forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, in particular, the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A, and those discussed in other documents the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Introduction

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis section provides an overview of Cincinnati Bell Inc.'s financial condition as of March 31, 2021 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Results for interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year or any other interim period.

Pending Acquisition by MIP

On December 21, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time, the “Brookfield Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of the Brookfield Infrastructure Group (“Brookfield”), the infrastructure investment division of Brookfield Asset Management, which was subsequently amended. Pursuant to the amended Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company would be acquired by an affiliate of Brookfield for $14.50 per Common Share.

On March 13, 2020, the Company terminated the Brookfield Merger Agreement and entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). At the effective time of the MIP Merger (the “Effective Time”), each of our issued and outstanding Common Shares will be converted into the right to receive $15.50 in cash per Common Share, without interest, and the 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares will remain issued and outstanding as 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company, without par value, following the Effective Time.  

In connection with the termination of the Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company paid an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 as required by the terms of the Brookfield Merger Agreement.

The consummation of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the MIP Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all outstanding Common Shares and 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a single class; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”), as amended; (iii) the receipt of any required consents or approvals from (a) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), (b) the Federal Communications Commission, (c) state public service and state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; and (iv) the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the MIP Merger. On May 7, 2020, the shareholders of the Company adopted the MIP Merger Agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders. In the first quarter of 2021, the waiting period under the HSR Act expired and the consummation of the MIP Merger was approved by CFIUS.

The MIP Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature. 

The MIP Merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, although there can be no assurance that the MIP Merger will occur by that date. Upon the closing of the MIP Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company.

21

Executive Summary

Segment results described in the Executive Summary and Consolidated Results of Operations sections are net of intercompany eliminations.

Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Cincinnati Bell," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") provide integrated communications and IT solutions that keep consumer and enterprise customers connected with each other and with the world. Through its Entertainment and Communications segment, the Company provides Data, Video, and Voice solutions to consumer and enterprise customers over an expanding fiber network and a legacy copper network. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States, Canada and Europe rely on the IT Services and Hardware segment for the sale and service of efficient, end-to-end communications and IT systems and solutions.

Consolidated revenue totaling $409.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased $29.9 million compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to strategic revenue growth in both segments offsetting declines in Legacy in both Cincinnati and Hawaii. IT Services and Hardware experienced revenue growth in all practices, most significantly in the Consulting practice in which revenue increased by 56% compared to the same period in the prior year. Consumer/SMB revenue increased $5.3 million as the Company continues to focus on high speed internet activations while Legacy revenue decreased $6.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the comparable period in 2020.

Operating income was $32.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, up $52.8 million compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition to revenue growth in the IT Services and Hardware segment and cost savings in SG&A in both segments, the increase in operating income was primarily due to lower transaction and integration charges compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 that included a termination fee of $24.8 million paid to an affiliate of Brookfield in the first quarter of 2020, as well as restructuring and severance related charges related to the voluntary severance program (“VSP”) finalized in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Loss before income taxes totaled $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 resulting in a decrease in the loss as compared to the comparable period in 2020 primarily due to the factors discussed previously.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in significant economic disruption and has and will likely continue to affect our business. As of the date of this filing, significant uncertainty exists concerning the magnitude of the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) called on broadband and telephone service providers to keep Americans connected as the country reacts to the serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Cincinnati Bell, on behalf of all of its affiliates, including Hawaiian Telecom, signed on to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge (the “Pledge”) and committed to waive late fees for, and not terminate service to, any of our consumer or small business customers who did not pay their bills timely due to an inability to pay caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The impacts to revenue as a result of these commitments to provide temporary financial relief to certain customers was limited in each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The Pledge expired on June 30, 2020, and customer accounts in the Cincinnati market that were not cured were disconnected during the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Balances associated with accounts that have been disconnected were fully reserved as of December 31, 2020 and were written off during the first quarter of 2021. In accordance with regulatory orders in Hawaii, the Pledge continues to be honored for certain regulated services.  

We expect the ultimate significance of the impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows will be dictated by the length of time that such circumstances continue, which will depend on the currently unknowable extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, effectiveness of the vaccine and timeliness that individuals receive the vaccine. COVID-19 also makes it more challenging for management to estimate future performance of our businesses, particularly over the near term. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders.

22

Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenue

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020		$ Change			% Change
Revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	238.0	$	238.9	$	(0.9	)		0	%
IT Services and Hardware		171.9		141.1		30.8			22	%
Total revenue	$	409.9	$	380.0	$	29.9			8	%

Entertainment and Communications revenue decreased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as the growth in Consumer/SMB revenue was unable to entirely offset the declines experienced in Legacy revenue. IT Services and Hardware revenue increased due to revenue growth in each of the practices, most significantly the Consulting practice which increased revenue by $23.6 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Operating Costs

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020		$ Change		% Change
Cost of services and products
Entertainment and Communications	$	108.1	$	106.6	$	1.5		1	%
IT Services and Hardware		112.0		87.1		24.9		29	%
Total cost of services and products	$	220.1	$	193.7	$	26.4		14	%

Entertainment and Communications costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year as lower payroll related costs due to fewer headcount as a result of restructuring activities executed in prior years were more than offset by increased contract services and operating taxes. The increase in contract services is primarily due to a significant general liability insurance claim incurred in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in operating taxes was due to lower operating taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to favorable audit results and lower regulatory fees.

IT Services and Hardware costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the comparable period in 2020 due to an increase in payroll related costs, contractor costs, software licensing costs and regulatory fees. The increase in payroll related and contractor costs is a result of additional resources utilized to support the revenue growth in the Communications and Consulting practices. Higher software licensing costs were also incurred to support the revenue growth in the Communications practice.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020		$ Change			% Change
Selling, general and administrative
Entertainment and Communications	$	40.6	$	45.0	$	(4.4	)		(10	)%
IT Services and Hardware		37.9		38.1		(0.2	)		(1	)%
Corporate		5.3		4.9		0.4			8	%
Total selling, general and administrative	$	83.8	$	88.0	$	(4.2	)		(5	)%

23

SG&A costs decreased in both Entertainment and Communications and IT Services and Hardware in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to favorable collections in the first quarter of 2021 resulting in lower bad debt expense and decreased employee related costs. Additionally, employee contract termination costs were recorded in the IT Services and Hardware segment in the three months ended March 31, 2020 that did not recur in 2021.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020		$ Change			% Change
Depreciation and amortization expense
Entertainment and Communications	$	60.8	$	63.9	$	(3.1	)		(5	)%
IT Services and Hardware		10.1		10.3		(0.2	)		(2	)%
Corporate		0.1		—		0.1		n/m
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	71.0	$	74.2	$	(3.2	)		(4	)%

Entertainment and Communications depreciation and amortization expense decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to a decrease in assets placed in service in connection with the expansion of our fiber network.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020		$ Change			% Change
Other operating costs
Restructuring and severance related charges	$	0.5	$	15.2	$	(14.7	)		(97	)%
Transaction and integration costs		1.9		29.1		(27.2	)		(93	)%
Total other operating costs	$	2.4	$	44.3	$	(41.9	)		(95	)%

Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2021 are associated with initiatives to reduce and contain costs in the IT Services and Hardware segment. Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2020 in the Entertainment and Communications segment are primarily related to a VSP for certain bargained and management employees in an effort to reduce costs associated with our copper field and network operations.

Transaction and integration costs incurred in 2021, recorded as a Corporate expense, are primarily associated with the MIP Merger Agreement.  Transaction and integration costs incurred in 2020, recorded as a Corporate expense, are primarily due to the termination fee of $24.8 million paid to an affiliate of Brookfield to terminate the Brookfield Merger Agreement. The Company also incurred transaction and integration costs in the first quarter of 2020 associated with the MIP Merger Agreement.

Non-operating Costs

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020			$ Change			% Change
Non-operating costs
Interest expense	$	32.4	$	33.7		$	(1.3	)		(4	)%
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense		2.6		2.6			—			0	%
Other expense (income), net		0.2		(0.8	)		1.0		n/m
Income tax expense (benefit)		0.4		(21.7	)		22.1		n/m

Interest expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year due to the decrease in the LIBOR rates.

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was an expense, compared to a larger income tax benefit in the same period in the prior year, due to a decrease in the loss before income taxes, a lower estimated annual effective tax rate applied in the first quarter of 2021, and a favorable net effect of several significant discrete items recorded in the first quarter of 2020. The estimated annual effective tax rate applied in the first quarter of 2021 is lower than the statutory rate due most notably to the valuation allowance applied to deferred tax assets related to disallowed interest expense. The CARES Act temporarily increased the Company’s capacity to deduct interest expense, but such provisions expired at the end of 2020.

24

Entertainment and Communications

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB Fiber in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB Fiber"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC ("CBT"), a subsidiary of the Company, is the incumbent local exchange carrier ("ILEC") for a geography that covers a radius of approximately 25 miles around Cincinnati, Ohio, and includes parts of northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. CBT has operated in this territory for over 145 years. Voice and data services in the Enterprise Fiber and Legacy categories that are delivered beyond the Company's ILEC territory, particularly in Dayton and Mason, Ohio, are provided through the operations of Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC ("CBET"), a subsidiary of CBT. On July 2, 2018, the Company acquired Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom is the ILEC for the State of Hawaii and the largest full-service provider of communications services and products in the state. Originally incorporated in Hawaii in 1883 as Mutual Telephone Company, Hawaiian Telcom has a strong heritage of over 135 years as Hawaii’s communications carrier. Its services are offered on all of Hawaii’s major islands, except its video service, which currently is only available on the island of Oahu.

Consumer/SMB Fiber products include high-speed internet access, voice lines and video. The Company is able to deliver speeds of up to 30 megabits or more to approximately 75% of Greater Cincinnati and up to 20 megabits or more to approximately 50% of Hawaii's total addressable market.

Enterprise Fiber products include metro-ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelength, IRU contracts, and wireless backhaul to macro-towers and small cell. As enterprise customers migrate from legacy products and copper-based technology, our metro-ethernet product becomes the preferred method of transport due to its ability to support multiple applications on a single physical connection.

Legacy products include traditional voice lines, consumer long distance, switched access, digital trunking, DSL, DS0, DS1, DS3 and other value-added services such as caller identification, voicemail, call waiting and call return.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020			Change			% Change
Revenue:
Data	$	121.3		$	119.3		$	2.0			2	%
Video		48.6			48.7			(0.1	)		0	%
Voice		65.9			68.0			(2.1	)		(3	)%
Other		7.0			7.8			(0.8	)		(10	)%
Total Revenue		242.8			243.8			(1.0	)		0	%
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of services and products		110.1			108.0			2.1			2	%
Selling, general and administrative		40.6			45.0			(4.4	)		(10	)%
Depreciation and amortization		60.8			63.9			(3.1	)		(5	)%
Restructuring and severance charges		—			14.8			(14.8	)	n/m
Total operating costs and expenses		211.5			231.7			(20.2	)		(9	)%
Operating income	$	31.3		$	12.1		$	19.2		n/m
Operating margin		12.9	%		5.0	%				7.9 pts
Capital expenditures	$	55.0		$	44.4		$	10.6			24	%

25

Entertainment and Communications, continued

	March 31,
Metrics information (in thousands):	2021		2020		Change			% Change
Cincinnati
Fioptics
Data
Internet FTTP*		244.4		224.3		20.1			9	%
Internet FTTN*		25.8		30.0		(4.2	)		(14	)%
Total Fioptics Internet		270.2		254.3		15.9			6	%
Video
Video FTTP*		106.0		111.2		(5.2	)		(5	)%
Video FTTN*		19.9		21.9		(2.0	)		(9	)%
Total Fioptics Video		125.9		133.1		(7.2	)		(5	)%
Voice
Fioptics Voice Lines		102.6		105.3		(2.7	)		(3	)%
Fioptics Units Passed
Units passed FTTP*		503.0		486.6		16.4			3	%
Units passed FTTN*		137.6		138.6		(1.0	)		(1	)%
Total Fioptics units passed		640.6		625.2		15.4			2	%
Enterprise Fiber
Data
Ethernet Bandwidth (Gb)		6,797		5,487		1,310			24	%
Legacy
Data
DSL		60.8		63.3		(2.5	)		(4	)%
Voice
Legacy Voice Lines		170.5		191.2		(20.7	)		(11	)%

*Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP), Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN)

26

Entertainment and Communications, continued

	March 31,
Metrics information (in thousands):	2021		2020		Change			% Change
Hawaii
Consumer / SMB Fiber
Data
Internet FTTP*		61.4		56.4		5.0			9	%
Internet FTTN*		10.3		12.4		(2.1	)		(17	)%
Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Internet		71.7		68.8		2.9			4	%
Video
Video FTTP*		30.0		29.6		0.4			1	%
Video FTTN*		9.8		11.5		(1.7	)		(15	)%
Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Video		39.8		41.1		(1.3	)		(3	)%
Voice
Consumer / SMB Fiber Voice Lines		29.4		29.9		(0.5	)		(2	)%
Consumer / SMB Fiber Units Passed **
Units passed FTTP*		189.3		174.9		14.4			8	%
Units passed FTTN*		69.3		72.5		(3.2	)		(4	)%
Total Consumer / SMB Fiber units passed		258.6		247.4		11.2			5	%
Enterprise Fiber
Data
Ethernet Bandwidth (Gb)		3,978		3,619		359			10	%
Legacy
Data
DSL		34.9		41.1		(6.2	)		(15	)%
Voice
Legacy Voice Lines		155.6		173.0		(17.4	)		(10	)%

* Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP), Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN)

** Includes units passed for both consumer and business on Oahu and neighboring islands.

27

Entertainment and Communications, continued

Revenue

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021						2020
	Cincinnati		Hawaii		Total		Cincinnati		Hawaii		Total
Revenue
Consumer / SMB Fiber *
Data	$	45.0	$	10.2	$	55.2	$	40.9	$	8.5	$	49.4
Video		39.4		9.2		48.6		38.8		9.9		48.7
Voice		8.6		2.9		11.5		8.9		2.7		11.6
Other		0.2		—		0.2		0.3		0.2		0.5
		93.2		22.3		115.5		88.9		21.3		110.2
Enterprise Fiber
Data		21.1		10.5		31.6		21.2		10.4		31.6
Legacy
Data		22.5		12.0		34.5		24.4		13.9		38.3
Voice		27.4		27.0		54.4		29.5		26.9		56.4
Other		3.6		3.2		6.8		3.2		4.1		7.3
		53.5		42.2		95.7		57.1		44.9		102.0
Total Entertainment and Communications revenue	$	167.8	$	75.0	$	242.8	$	167.2	$	76.6	$	243.8

* Represents Fioptics in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Fioptics and Hawaii Consumer/SMB Fiber (collectively, "Consumer/SMB Fiber")

Consumer/SMB Fiber revenue increased by $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year as the increase in the subscriber base for internet more than offset the decline in video and voice subscribers.  The internet subscriber base continues to increase as we focus our attention on growing the internet FTTP subscriber base.  Favorable churn in 2021 compared to 2020 has also contributed to the increased internet subscriber base.  In addition, the Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased for internet in both Cincinnati and Hawaii compared to 2020 primarily due to price increases and more customers subscribing to higher broadband tiers. In Cincinnati, Video revenue also increased as a result of a 7% increase in ARPU which more than offset the decline in subscribers. Video ARPU increases are related to price increases as well as the change in the mix of subscribers.

Enterprise Fiber

Enterprise Fiber revenue was flat for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020. Increased revenue as a result of customers migrating from legacy product offerings to higher bandwidth fiber solutions, as evidenced by the 24% and 10% increases in Ethernet Bandwidth in Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively, was offset by pricing pressures to provide higher speeds at a lower cost.

Legacy

Legacy revenue decreased $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period a year ago due to the decline in voice lines and DSL subscribers. Voice lines declined by 11% and 10% in Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively, as the traditional voice lines become less relevant. DSL subscribers decreased by 4% and 15% in Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively, as subscribers demand the higher speeds that can be provided by fiber. In addition, declines in DS1, DS3 and digital trunking have contributed to the revenue decline for these products in 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year as customers migrate away from these solutions to fiber-based solutions.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of services and products increased $2.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the comparable period in the prior year as the decrease in payroll related costs was more than offset by increases in contract services and operating taxes. Payroll related costs decreased due to fewer headcount as a result of restructuring activities executed in prior years. The increase in contract services is primarily due to a significant general liability insurance claim incurred in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in operating taxes was due to lower operating taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to favorable audit results and lower regulatory fees.

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Entertainment and Communications, continued

SG&A expenses decreased $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to decreased bad debt expense. Bad debt expense was favorable in the period as a result of increased focus on collection efforts and favorable resolution of reserved balances associated with a customer that filed for bankruptcy in a prior period.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to fewer assets placed in service in connection with the expansion of our fiber network.

Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2020 are primarily related to a VSP for certain bargained and management employees in an effort to continue to reduce costs associated with our copper field and network operations.

Capital Expenditures

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021						2020
	Cincinnati		Hawaii		Total		Cincinnati		Hawaii		Total
Consumer / SMB Fiber capital expenditures *
Construction	$	6.5	$	4.8	$	11.3	$	3.3	$	2.8	$	6.1
Installation		11.2		3.1		14.3		8.9		3.7		12.6
Other		1.7		0.1		1.8		1.1		0.1		1.2
Total Consumer / SMB Fiber		19.4		8.0		27.4		13.3		6.6		19.9
Enterprise Fiber		8.9		3.7		12.6		2.6		2.7		5.3
Other		6.4		8.6		15.0		7.9		11.3		19.2
Total Entertainment and Communications capital expenditures	$	34.7	$	20.3	$	55.0	$	23.8	$	20.6	$	44.4

* Represents Fioptics in Cincinnati

Capital expenditures in Cincinnati are incurred to expand our Fioptics product suite, upgrade and increase capacity for our networks, and to extend the life of our fiber and copper networks. In the first quarter of 2021, we passed an additional 3,400 FTTP addresses in Cincinnati. As of March 31, 2021, the Company is able to deliver its Fioptics services with speeds up to 30 megabits or more to approximately 640,600 residential and commercial addresses, or approximately 75% of our operating territory in Cincinnati. Cincinnati construction capital expenditures increased $3.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year due to passing more addresses in 2021. Cincinnati installation capital expenditures are primarily related to the timing of expenditures for customer premise equipment (“CPE”) utilized for installations. In the three months ended March 31, 2021, Cincinnati installation capital expenditures increased $2.3 million compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to higher volume of CPE purchased.

Enterprise Fiber capital expenditures in Cincinnati are related to success-based fiber builds, including associated equipment, for enterprise and carrier projects to provide ethernet services as well as network refresh projects that ensure we continue to grow our capacity within the network core. Cincinnati Enterprise Fiber capital expenditures increased $6.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year due to increased spend associated with a scheduled network refresh project. Other capital expenditures are related to IT projects, cable and equipment maintenance and capacity additions, real estate upgrades and maintenance, plus other minor capital purchases.

Hawaii construction capital expenditures increased $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the comparable period in the prior year due to building out 4,300 new addresses in the first quarter of 2021, primarily in rural areas and on the neighbor islands. Hawaii installation capital expenditures decreased $0.6 million due to lower volume of CPE purchased and less video installations. Enterprise Fiber capital in Hawaii is primarily driven by new ethernet customers. Hawaii capital expenditures classified as Other include IT projects, real estate projects, road jobs or plant damage projects, and network upgrades or optimization projects.

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IT Services and Hardware

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides end-to-end IT solutions ranging from consulting to implementation to ongoing optimization of existing technology. These solutions include Cloud, Communications and Consulting services along with the sale and maintenance of major branded Telecom and IT hardware reported as Infrastructure Solutions. These services and products are provided through the Company's subsidiaries in various geographic areas throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. By offering a full range of equipment and strategic services in conjunction with the Company’s fiber and copper networks, the IT Services and Hardware segment provides our customers personalized solutions designed to meet their business objectives.

Cloud services include the design, implementation and ongoing management of the customer’s infrastructure. This includes on-premise, public cloud and private cloud solutions. The Company assists customers with the risk assessment phase through an in-depth understanding of the customer’s business as well as building and designing a solution, using either the customer's existing infrastructure or new cloud based options that transforms the way that the customer does business.

Communications solutions help to transform the way our customers do business by connecting employees, customers, and business partners. By upgrading legacy technologies through customized build projects and reducing customer costs, the Company helps to transform the customer’s business. These services include Unified Communications as a Service ("UCaaS"), Software-Defined Wide Area Network ("SD-WAN"), Network as a Service ("NaaS"), Contact Center and Collaboration.

Using our experience and expertise, Infrastructure Solutions are tailored to our customers’ organizational goals. We offer a complete portfolio of services that provide customers with efficient and optimized IT solutions that are agile and responsive to their business and are integrated, simplified and manageable. Through consulting with customers, the Company will build a solution using standard manufacturer equipment to meet our customers’ specific requirements.

Consulting services help customers assess their business and technology needs and provide the talent needed to ensure success. The Company is a premier provider of application services and IT staffing.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020			Change			% Change
Revenue:
Consulting	$	65.5		$	41.9		$	23.6			56	%
Cloud		23.4			21.5			1.9			9	%
Communications		54.0			51.2			2.8			5	%
Infrastructure Solutions		30.9			27.7			3.2			12	%
Total revenue		173.8			142.3			31.5			22	%
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of services and products		116.5			91.6			24.9			27	%
Selling, general and administrative		38.1			38.3			(0.2	)		(1	)%
Depreciation and amortization		10.1			10.3			(0.2	)		(2	)%
Restructuring and severance related charges		0.5			0.4			0.1			25	%
Total operating costs and expenses		165.2			140.6			24.6			17	%
Operating income (loss)	$	8.6		$	1.7		$	6.9		n/m
Operating margin		4.9	%		1.2	%				3.7 pts
Capital expenditures	$	5.7		$	6.5		$	(0.8	)		(12	)%

	March 31,
Metrics information (in thousands):	2021		2020		Change		% Change
Consulting
Billable Resources		1,867		1,222		645		53	%
Communications
NaaS Locations		5,979		4,593		1,386		30	%
SD - WAN Locations		3,534		2,337		1,197		51	%
Hosted UCaaS Profiles*		286,046		277,092		8,954		3	%

* Includes Hawaii Hosted UCaaS Profiles

30

IT Services and Hardware, continued

Revenue

IT Services and Hardware segment revenue increased $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in the prior year due to revenue growth in all practices. Consulting revenue increased due to obtaining new projects throughout 2020 which continue to bill and grow in 2021. Communications revenue increased as a result of customers migrating to newer technologies which has increased the Company’s Hosted UCaaS profiles, NaaS locations and SD - WAN locations. The increase in Cloud revenue is due to providing ongoing monitoring and management services to new customers obtained in 2020 that continue to bill in 2021. Higher Infrastructure Solutions revenue is due to increased hardware sales.

Operating Costs and Expenses

IT Services and Hardware cost of services and products increased $24.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to increases in payroll related costs and contractor costs and, to a lesser extent, software licensing costs and regulatory fees. The increase in payroll related costs and contractor costs is a result of additional headcount to support the growth in the Communications and Consulting practices. As a result of the new consulting projects obtained in 2020, billable headcount increased by 645 persons compared to March 31, 2020. Higher software licensing costs were also incurred to support the revenue growth in the Communications practice.

SG&A expenses decreased $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to savings realized in employee related costs as a result of strategies implemented in 2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business. The decrease was partially offset by higher payroll related costs in the three months ended March 31, 2021. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company also incurred employee contract termination costs and increased bad debt expense as a result of updating our estimate of the expected impact of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s receivables.

Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are associated with initiatives to reduce and contain costs.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures are dependent on the timing of success-based projects. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2021 were primarily related to projects supporting the Cloud and Communications practices. In addition to success-based projects, the Company incurred $0.6 million for implementation work associated with internal software projects in the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $1,975.6 million of outstanding indebtedness and an accumulated deficit of $2,834.6 million. A significant amount of the Company's accumulated deficit resulted from the purchase and operation of a national broadband business, which was sold in 2003.

The Company’s primary source of cash is generated by operations. The Company generated $59.8 million and $29.1 million of cash flows from operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $137.9 million of short-term liquidity, comprised of $6.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, $129.0 million of undrawn capacity on our Revolving Credit Facility, and $2.2 million available under the Receivables Facility.

The Receivables Facility permitted maximum borrowings of up to $200.0 million and was subject to annual renewal as of March 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, the Company had borrowings of $183.9 million and $13.9 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Receivables Facility on a borrowing capacity of $200.0 million.

The Company’s primary uses of cash are for capital expenditures and debt service and, to a lesser extent, to fund pension and retiree medical obligations and preferred stock dividends. In the first quarter of 2020, as a result of terminating the Brookfield Merger Agreement, we paid an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million. The Company believes that its cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and available funding under its credit facilities will be adequate to meet its cash requirements for the next twelve months.

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In April 2021, the Company executed amendments to its Receivables Facility, which replaced, amended and added certain provisions and definitions to increase the credit availability and renew the facility. While the Receivables Facility is subject to renewal every 364 days, the amendments extended the facility’s renewal date until June 2023 and the facility’s termination date to June 2024. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility was increased from $200.0 million to $215.0 million in the aggregate. In addition, the amendments removed the provision that the LIBOR rate for the Receivables Facility may not fall below 0.75%. Capacity on the AR facility is calculated and will continue to be calculated based on the quantity and quality of outstanding accounts receivables, therefore if the Company experiences declines in revenue or extends discounts to customers, the capacity could be negatively impacted and reduce our short term liquidity. Management is continuously monitoring liquidity to ensure sufficient cash is available. 

As of March 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants and ratios.

Cash Flows

Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $59.8 million, an increase of $30.7 million compared to the same period in 2020. The increase is due primarily to decreased transaction and termination costs in addition to lower restructuring and severance payments.

Cash flows used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $60.6 million, an increase of $9.7 million compared to the same period in 2020 due to the increase in capital expenditures.

Cash flows used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $4.6 million as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $21.2 million during the same period in the prior year. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company borrowed $1.8 million and $4.0 million on the Receivables Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, respectively. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company borrowed $33.1 million on the Receivables Facility and repaid $2.0 million on the Revolving Credit Facility.

Indentures

The Company’s Senior Notes are governed by indentures which contain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell, transfer, lease or dispose of assets and make investments or merge with another company. The Company is in compliance with all of its debt indentures as of March 31, 2021.

Share Repurchase Plan

In 2010, the Board of Directors approved a plan for the repurchase of the Company's outstanding common stock in an amount up to $150.0 million. In prior years, the Company repurchased and retired a total of 1.7 million shares at a total cost of $25.6 million dollars. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has the authority to repurchase its common stock with a value of up to $124.4 million under the plan approved by its Board of Directors, subject to satisfaction of the requirements under its bond indentures.

Regulatory Matters

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a complete description of regulatory matters.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates or judgments that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and information available as of the date of the financial statements. As this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates or judgments. The Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on recently issued accounting standards. The adoption of new accounting standards did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

32

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a description of the Company's market risks.

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such controls and procedures were effective.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter of 2021 and have concluded that there were no changes to Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2021 that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting. We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact to their design and operating effectiveness.

33

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

Cincinnati Bell and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings. Liabilities are established for legal claims when losses associated with the claims are judged to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. In many lawsuits and arbitrations, including most class action lawsuits, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to estimate the amount of the liability until the case is close to resolution, in which case a liability will not be recognized until that time. Based on information currently available, consultation with counsel, available insurance coverage and recognized liabilities, the Company believes that the eventual outcome of all claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a comprehensive listing of the Company’s risk factors. There are no material changes for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the three month period ended March 31, 2021, the Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities. The Company also had no purchases of its common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Item 3.     Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosure

None.

Item 5.     Other Information

No reportable items.

34

Item 6.     Exhibits

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Form	Filing Date	Exhibit No.	SEC File No.	Filed Herewith
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 13, 2020, by and among Cincinnati Bell Inc., Red Fiber Parent LLC and RF Merger Sub Inc.	8-K	3/13/2020	2.1	1-8519
3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.	8-K	4/30/2008	3.1	1-8519
3.2	Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.	8-K	10/5/2016	3.1	1-8519
3.3	Amended and Restated Regulations of Cincinnati Bell Inc.	10-Q	8/8/2018	3.3	1-8519
10.1	Cincinnati Bell Inc. Form of Long-Term Restricted Cash Retention Award					+
31.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.					+
31.2	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.					+
32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.					+
32.2	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.					+
101	The following financial statements from Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

The Company's reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K are available free of charge in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website: http://www.cincinnatibell.com. The Company will furnish any other exhibit at cost.

35

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		Cincinnati Bell Inc.
Date:	April 23, 2021	/s/ Andrew R. Kaiser
		Andrew R. Kaiser
		Chief Financial Officer
Date:	April 23, 2021	/s/ Suzanne E. Maratta
		Suzanne E. Maratta
		Chief Accounting Officer

36

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

CINCINNATI BELL INC.

LONG-TERM RESTRICTED CASH RETENTION AWARD

Name of Employee:	«First_Name» «Last_Name»
Award Date:	January 28, 2021
Restricted Cash Amount:	«Award_Value»

Under this agreement (this “Agreement”), and pursuant to the provisions of the Cincinnati Bell Inc. 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as in effect on the Award Date noted above (the “Plan”), which are incorporated herein by reference, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (“CBI” or “Company”) hereby awards you the Restricted Cash Amount set forth above (the “Award”).

This Agreement is subject to the following terms and to all of the terms of the Plan (other than Section 4 of the Plan).  In the case of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan or between this Agreement and any individual employment agreement between you and the Company as in effect on the Award Date, this Agreement shall control.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.  A copy of the Plan as in effect on the Award Date has been delivered to you.

1.Award Subject to this Agreement.  This Agreement is made with respect to the Restricted Cash Amount shown above. The Award constitutes a right that you (or, in the event of your death prior to payment, the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of your estate) will receive a cash payment if you vest in the Award pursuant to paragraph 2, 3, 4 or 5 hereof.  There are no other rights provided to you (or your estate or any other person) under this Agreement.  

2.Vesting Upon Passage of Time.  If you are continuously an “Employee” (as defined in paragraph 7 hereof) for the period that begins on the Award Date and ends on the third annual anniversary of the Award Date, then (i) on the last day of such period you shall be deemed fully vested in the Award; and (ii) CBI shall distribute to you (or, in the event of your death prior to payment, the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of your estate) a cash payment equal to the Restricted Cash Amount (subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements).  Such distribution shall be made within 60 days of the date that you become vested under this paragraph 2.    

3.Vesting Upon Death.  If you die while an Employee of CBI and prior to your being deemed vested in the Award pursuant to paragraph 2, 4 or 5 hereof, then (i) on the date of your death you shall be deemed vested in a pro rata portion of the Restricted Cash Amount that bears the same ratio to the total Restricted Cash Amount awarded you under this Agreement as the number of days in the period that begins on the Award Date and ends on the date of your death bears to the number of days in the period that begins on the Award Date and ends on the third annual anniversary of the Award Date; and (ii) within the 60

consecutive day period that begins on the date of your death, CBI shall distribute to the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of your estate a cash payment equal to the pro rata portion of the Restricted Cash Amountin which you have become vested under this paragraph 3(subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements).

4.Vesting Upon Disability.  If, prior to your being deemed vested in the Award pursuant to paragraph 2, 3 or 5 hereof, your employment with CBI and its subsidiaries is terminated due to Disability (as defined in subsection 2.9 of the Plan), then (i) you shall be deemed vested in a pro rata portion of the Restricted Cash Amount that bears the same ratio to the total Restricted Cash Amount awarded you under this Agreement as the number of days in the period that begins on the Award Date and ends on the date of such termination bears to the number of days in the period that begins on the Award Date and ends on the third annual anniversary of the Award Date; and (ii) within the 60 consecutive day period that begins on the date of such termination, CBI shall distribute to you a cash payment equal to the pro rata portion of the Restricted Cash Amount in which you have become vested under this paragraph 4 (subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements).

5.Change in Control.  

(a)If your employment with CBI and its subsidiaries is terminated by CBI and its subsidiaries without Cause (and not including due to your death or Disability) or due to your resignation for Good Reason, in either case, following a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Red Fiber Parent LLC and RF Merger Sub Inc., dated March 13, 2020), the Award shall become fully vested effective as of the date of such termination. CBI shall distribute to you, within 15 days after such date of termination, a cash payment equal to the Restricted Cash Amount (subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements).

(b)For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Cause” has the meaning set forth in any employment agreement or offer letter between you and the Company in effect as of the Award Date or, if you are not party to such agreement or offer letter or if Cause is not defined therein, means fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or misconduct constituting serious criminal activity and (ii) “Good Reason” means (x) a material reduction in your base salary as in effective immediately prior to the Change in Control or (y) the Company’s relocation of your principal place of employment by more than 50 miles from your principal place of employment as of immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided, however, Good Reason shall not exist unless and until (A) you notify the Company in writing describing in reasonable detail the condition which constitutes Good Reason within 30 days of its occurrence, (B) the Company fails to cure such condition within 30 days after the Company’s receipt of such written notice, and you have cooperated in good faith with the Company’s efforts to cure such condition and (C) you terminate your employment within 30 days after the end of such 30-day cure period.

6.Forfeiture.  If you cease to be an Employee, then, except as provided in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5 hereof, the Award shall be forfeited, and neither you nor your estate, or any other

Page 2 of 4

person attempting to claim rights under this Agreement through you shall have any rights to any distribution by reason of such forfeited Award.

7.Employment.  For purposes of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be an “Employee” while, and only while, you are in the employ of the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (including the Company’s successors or assigns) and considered such an employee under the policies and procedures (including the payroll and withholding procedures) of the Company and its subsidiaries. This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment and does not give you the legal right to be continued as an Employee.

8.Interpretation.  You acknowledge that, prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Compensation Committee has the authority to construe and interpret the terms of this Agreement if and when any questions of meaning arise under this Agreement, and any such construction or interpretation shall be binding on you, your heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives and any other persons having or claiming to have an interest in the Award.

9.  Withholding.

(a)If you become vested in the Award, then CBI shall distribute to you (or, in the event of your death before the payment, the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of your estate) the cash to which you are entitled under this Agreement (subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements).  

(b)Any taxes required to be withheld upon your (or the executor, administrator, or other personal representative of your estate) becoming entitled to any cash distribution in connection with the Award, must be paid in full at the time of such distribution.  The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 15 of the Plan.  

10.Section 409A.  The Award granted to you under this Agreement shall be construed and administered so that it either (i) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or (ii) satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  If the Company determines after the Award Date that an amendment to this Agreement is necessary to ensure the foregoing, in furtherance of subsection 20.2(b) of the Plan, it may make such amendment, effective as of the Award Date or any later date it so deems, without your consent (provided that any such amendment shall be narrowly tailored to achieve such compliance with as limited deviation from the intent of this Agreement as of the Award Date as is practicable).  

11.Notices.  All notices and other communications to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally or when deposited in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

Page 3 of 4

TO THE COMPANY:	Cincinnati Bell Inc.
	221 East Fourth Street
	Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
	Attention: Corporate Secretary

Any notice to the Employee or other person or persons succeeding to the Employee’s interest must be delivered to the Employee or such other person or persons at the Employee’s address on record with the Company or such other address as is specified in a notice filed with the Company.

12.Amendment.  Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing, signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company. The Compensation Committee reserves the right to amend this Agreement in any way it deems necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant or to comply with applicable laws or regulations or any future law, regulation, interpretation, ruling, or judicial decision.

13.Miscellaneous.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.  If any provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be invalid or void under any applicable law, the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.

IN ORDER TO GRANT THIS RESTRICTED CASH AMOUNT, the Company and the Employee have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the dates noted below and, by signing below, agree to all of the terms of this Agreement.

EMPLOYEE	CINCINNATI BELL INC.
«First_Name» «Last_Name»	Leigh R. Fox
	President and CEO
Date:	Date:	January 28, 2021

Page 4 of 4

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certifications

I, Leigh R. Fox, Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cincinnati Bell Inc;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure control and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	April 23, 2021	/s/ Leigh R. Fox
		Leigh R. Fox
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certifications

I, Andrew R. Kaiser, Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cincinnati Bell Inc;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure control and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	April 23, 2021	/s/ Andrew R. Kaiser
		Andrew R. Kaiser
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Leigh R. Fox, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Leigh R. Fox

Leigh R. Fox

Chief Executive Officer

April 23, 2021

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Andrew R. Kaiser, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Andrew R. Kaiser

Andrew R. Kaiser

Chief Financial Officer

April 23, 2021

XML

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CINCINNATI BELL INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000716133
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	50,920,546
Fractional Interest in Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares	0.05
Entity File Number	1-8519
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-1056105
Entity Address, Address Line One	221 East Fourth Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Cincinnati
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45202
City Area Code	513
Local Phone Number	397-9900
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	CBB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares ($0.01 par value)
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	CBB.PB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 409.9	$ 380.0
Costs and expenses
Cost of services and products, excluding items below	220.1	193.7
Selling, general and administrative, excluding items below	83.8	88.0
Depreciation and amortization	71.0	74.2
Restructuring and severance related charges	0.5	15.2
Transaction and integration cost	1.9	29.1
Total operating costs and expenses	377.3	400.2
Operating income (loss)	32.6	(20.2)
Interest expense	32.4	33.7
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense	2.6	2.6
Other expense (income), net	0.2	(0.8)
Loss before income taxes	(2.6)	(55.7)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0.4	(21.7)
Net loss	(3.0)	(34.0)
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners	$ (5.6)	$ (36.6)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$ (0.11)	$ (0.72)

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (3.0)	$ (34.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	1.0	(6.9)
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of $0.2, ($3.0)	0.6	(10.1)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net of tax of $0.5, $0.3	1.8	1.1
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service benefits included in net income, net of tax of ($0.1), ($0.1)	(0.5)	(0.5)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income, net of tax of $1.4, $1.0	4.9	3.7
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7.8	(12.7)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 4.8	$ (46.7)

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, tax	$ 0.2	$ (3.0)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, tax	0.5	0.3
Amortization of prior service benefits included in net income, tax	(0.1)	(0.1)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income, tax	$ 1.4	$ 1.0

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Deficit - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ (191.1)	$ (140.0)
Beginning Balance, Shares	3,105,000
Net loss	$ (3.0)	(34.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7.8	(12.7)
Shares issued under employee plans	0.0	0.0
Shares purchased under employee plans and other	(2.0)	(1.1)
Stock-based compensation	1.3	1.7
Dividends on preferred stock	(2.6)	(2.6)
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ (189.6)	(188.7)
Ending Balance, Shares	3,105,000
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ 129.4	$ 129.4
Beginning Balance, Shares	3,100,000	3,100,000
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ 129.4	$ 129.4
Ending Balance, Shares	3,100,000	3,100,000
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Beginning Balance, Shares	50,700,000	50,400,000
Shares issued under employee plans	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Shares issued under employee plans	200,000	200,000
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Ending Balance, Shares	50,900,000	50,600,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ 2,670.3	$ 2,676.2
Shares issued under employee plans	0.0	0.0
Shares purchased under employee plans and other	(2.0)	(1.1)
Stock-based compensation	1.3	1.7
Dividends on preferred stock	(2.6)	(2.6)
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	2,667.0	2,674.2
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	(2,831.6)	(2,776.0)
Net loss	(3.0)	(34.0)
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	(2,834.6)	(2,810.0)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	(159.7)	(170.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7.8	(12.7)
Ending Balance, Shareowners' Equity (Deficit)	$ (151.9)	$ (182.8)

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6.7	$ 12.2
Receivables, less allowances of $18.7 and $23.0	308.1	369.6
Inventory, materials and supplies	38.6	35.5
Prepaid expenses	37.7	33.5
Other current assets	7.8	8.3
Total current assets	398.9	459.1
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,731.6	1,729.1
Operating lease right-of-use assets	36.6	37.4
Goodwill	162.0	161.5
Intangible assets, net	145.0	148.1
Deferred income tax assets	80.8	82.5
Other noncurrent assets	48.3	50.9
Total assets	2,603.2	2,668.6
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	23.1	21.8
Accounts payable	269.2	299.2
Unearned revenue and customer deposits	52.5	68.9
Accrued taxes	26.3	28.1
Accrued interest	24.5	26.7
Accrued payroll and benefits	43.0	50.5
Other current liabilities	47.5	50.9
Total current liabilities	486.1	546.1
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,952.5	1,949.9
Operating lease liabilities	33.1	33.6
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	194.2	200.2
Pole license agreement obligation	36.4	36.7
Deferred income tax liabilities	10.6	10.9
Other noncurrent liabilities	79.9	82.3
Total liabilities	2,792.8	2,859.7
Shareowners' Deficit [Abstract]
Preferred stock, 2,357,299 shares authorized; 155,250 shares (3,105,000 depositary shares) of 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; liquidation preference $1,000 per share ($50 per depositary share)	129.4	129.4
Common shares, $.01 par value; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 50,920,546 and 50,680,605 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	0.5	0.5
Additional paid-in capital	2,667.0	2,670.3
Accumulated deficit	(2,834.6)	(2,831.6)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(151.9)	(159.7)
Total shareowners' deficit	(189.6)	(191.1)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	$ 2,603.2	$ 2,668.6

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for receivables	$ 18,700,000	$ 23,000,000.0
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	2,357,299	2,357,299
Preferred Stock, 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible, Shares Issued	155,250	155,250
Preferred Stock, 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible, Shares Outstanding	155,250	155,250
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares	3,105,000	3,105,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.75%	6.75%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock Liquidation Depositary Per Share	$ 50	$ 50
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	96,000,000	96,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	50,920,546	50,680,605
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	50,920,546	50,680,605

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (3.0)	$ (34.0)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	71.0	74.2
Provision for loss on receivables	0.0	4.5
Noncash portion of interest expense	1.4	1.4
Deferred income taxes	(0.9)	(20.3)
Pension and other postretirement payments in excess of expense	(0.3)	(0.2)
Stock-based compensation	1.3	1.7
Other, net	(0.3)	0.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in receivables	61.5	29.0
Increase in inventory, materials, supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(9.0)	(0.5)
Decrease in accounts payable	(33.9)	(5.3)
Decrease in accrued and other current liabilities	(30.8)	(25.1)
Decrease in other noncurrent assets	3.3	2.7
(Decrease) increase in other noncurrent liabilities	(0.5)	0.6
Net cash provided by operating activities	59.8	29.1
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(60.7)	(50.9)
Other, net	0.1	0.0
Net cash used in investing activities	(60.6)	(50.9)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days	5.8	31.1
Repayment of debt	(5.8)	(6.2)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(2.6)	(2.6)
Other, net	(2.0)	(1.1)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(4.6)	21.2
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(0.1)	(0.4)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(5.5)	(1.0)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	17.2	11.6
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	11.7	10.6
Noncash investing and financing transactions:
Acquisition of property by assuming debt and other noncurrent liabilities	3.5	0.3
Acquisition of property on account	$ 29.2	$ 25.6

XML

Description of Business and Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business and Accounting Policies

1.    Description of Business and Accounting Policies

Description of Business — Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Cincinnati Bell," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") provide diversified telecommunications and technology services. The Company generates a large portion of its revenue by serving customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio and the islands of Hawaii. An economic downturn or natural disaster occurring in these, or a portion of these, limited operating territories could have a disproportionate effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows compared to similar companies of a national scope and similar companies operating in different geographic areas.

The Company has receivables with one customer, Verizon Communications Inc., which make up 16% and 20% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Revenue derived from foreign operations was approximately 6% and 5% of consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Basis of Presentation — The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, other comprehensive income, financial position and cash flows for each period presented.

The adjustments referred to above are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations for interim reporting.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates — Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Accounting Policies — The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — Cash consists of funds held in bank accounts. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash consists of funds held in an escrow account associated with the pending transaction to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Paniolo Cable Company, LLC (“Paniolo”). See Note 3 for further information related to this transaction. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:

(dollars in millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.7	$	12.2
Restricted cash included in Other noncurrent assets		5.0		5.0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	11.7	$	17.2

Restructuring Liability — As of March 31, 2021, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $2.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of the restructuring liabilities was included in “Other current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income and Operating Taxes

Income taxes — In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-270, the Company’s income tax provision for interim periods is determined through the use of an estimated annual effective tax rate applied to year-to-date ordinary income/loss plus or minus the tax effects of discrete items. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate benefit is lower than statutory rates primarily due to the effect of a valuation allowance applied against the deferred tax assets related to disallowed interest expense, as well as permanent items such as portions of officers’ compensation and meals and entertainment expenses that are not fully deductible for tax.

Operating taxes — Certain operating taxes such as property, sales, use, and gross receipts taxes are reported as expenses in operating income primarily within cost of services. These taxes are not included in income tax expense because the amounts to be paid are not dependent on our level of income. Liabilities for audit exposures are established based on management's assessment of the probability of payment. The provision for such liabilities is recognized as either property, plant and equipment, operating tax expense, or depreciation expense depending on the nature of the audit exposure. Upon resolution of an audit, any remaining liability not paid is released against the account in which it was originally recorded. Certain telecommunication taxes and surcharges that are collected from customers are also recorded as revenue; however, in accordance with ASC 606, revenue associated with these charges is excluded from the transaction price.

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments by recognizing derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and recognizing the resulting gains or losses as adjustments to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss." The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss" in stockholder's equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. The ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments by eliminating the cash conversion and beneficial conversion models. As compared with current U.S. GAAP, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument and the interest rate of more convertible debt instruments will be closer to the coupon interest rate. In addition, the ASU increases information related to disclosures for convertible instruments and aligns the consistency of diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") calculations for convertible instruments by requiring that (1) an entity use the if-converted method and (2) share settlement be included in the diluted EPS calculation for both convertible instruments and equity contracts when those contracts include an option of cash settlement or share settlement. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and plans to adopt for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. These amendments are effective as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within Income Taxes (740), and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities, and is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Most amendments within ASU 2019-12 are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2021. The Company has evaluated the amendments that must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis and concluded that no adjustments are necessary. The Company has applied all other amendments on a prospective basis, and the changes did not have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

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Earnings Per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

2.    Earnings Per Common Share

Basic EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur upon issuance of common shares for awards under stock-based compensation plans or conversion of preferred stock, but only to the extent that they are considered dilutive.

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts)	2021			2020
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(3.0	)	$	(34.0	)
Preferred stock dividends		2.6			2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners - basic and diluted	$	(5.6	)	$	(36.6	)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		50.8			50.5
Stock-based compensation arrangements		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		50.8			50.5
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.72	)

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had a net loss available to common shareholders and, as a result, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, preferred stock convertible into 0.9 million common shares was excluded as it was anti-dilutive.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Mergers and Acquisitions

3. Mergers and Acquisitions

Pending Acquisition by MIP

On December 21, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time, the “Brookfield Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of the Brookfield Infrastructure Group (“Brookfield”), the infrastructure investment division of Brookfield Asset Management, which was subsequently amended. Pursuant to the amended Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company would be acquired by an affiliate of Brookfield for $14.50 per Common Share.

On March 13, 2020, the Company terminated the Brookfield Merger Agreement and entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). At the effective time of the MIP Merger (the “Effective Time”), each of our issued and outstanding Common Shares will be converted into the right to receive $15.50 in cash per Common Share, without interest, and the 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares will remain issued and outstanding as 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company, without par value, following the Effective Time.  

In connection with the termination of the Brookfield Merger Agreement in the first quarter of 2020, the Company paid to an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million as required by the terms of the Brookfield Merger Agreement. The termination fee is recorded in “Transaction and integration costs” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The consummation of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the MIP Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all outstanding Common Shares and 6 ³/₄% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a single class; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”), as amended, (iii) the receipt of any required consents or approvals from (a) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), (b) the Federal Communications Commission, (c) state public service and state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; and (iv) the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the MIP Merger. On May 7, 2020, the shareholders of the Company adopted the MIP Merger Agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders. In the first quarter of 2021, the waiting period under the HSR Act expired and the consummation of the MIP Merger was approved by CFIUS.

The MIP Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature.

The MIP Merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, although there can be no assurance that the MIP Merger will occur by that date. At the Effective Time, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company as a result of the completion of the MIP Merger.

Consent Solicitation for 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025

On June 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had commenced consent solicitations (the “Consent Solicitations”) with respect to certain proposed amendments to the change of control provisions contained in the (i) indenture, dated as of September 22, 2016 (as supplemented and amended, the “2024 Notes Indenture”) governing its 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and (ii) indenture, dated as of October 6, 2017 (as supplemented and amended, the “2025 Notes Indenture,” and together with the 2024 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”) governing its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes,” and together with the 2024 Notes, the “Notes”).

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the consent solicitation statement, dated June 15, 2020 (as supplemented and amended, the “Consent Solicitation Statement”), the Company solicited consents in order to (i) amend the definition of “Change of Control” in the Indentures so that the MIP Merger would not constitute a Change of Control and (ii) add a definition of, and designate certain persons, including MIP and its affiliates and Ares Management Corporation and its affiliates as, “Permitted Holders” (collectively, the “Proposed Amendments”).  

On July 2, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), following receipt of the requisite consents from holders of each series of Notes with respect to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Consent Solicitations, the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Regions Bank, as trustee, entered into a sixth supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) to the 2024 Notes Indenture and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 to the 2025 Notes Indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”, and together with the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”).

Subject to the terms and conditions in the Consent Solicitation Statement (including the consummation of the MIP Merger), holders who validly delivered (and did not validly revoke) their consents on or prior to the Effective Date are eligible to receive (i) with respect to the 2024 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $2,812,500, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2024 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked), and (ii) with respect to the 2025 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $1,050,000, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked). The Company expects to make this cash payment substantially concurrently with the consummation of the MIP Merger.

The Supplemental Indentures became effective upon execution thereof, but the Proposed Amendments will only become operative upon the occurrence of certain conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures, including payment of the consent fees pursuant to the Consent Solicitations. If the conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures are not satisfied, the Indentures will revert to the form in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement and upon satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, including the consummation of the MIP Merger, the Company will secure the Notes and the related guarantees on a pari passu basis (subject to certain exceptions) with the new senior secured credit facilities expected to be entered into in connection with the MIP Merger (the “Collateral”). Any Collateral granted by the Company (but not its subsidiaries) to secure the Notes will also secure the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 and any Collateral granted by the Company’s subsidiary Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”) to secure the Notes will also secure CBT’s 6.30% Senior Notes due 2028, in each case on an equal and ratable basis.

Pending Acquisition of Paniolo Fiber Assets

On November 30, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Paniolo Cable Company, LLC, currently held by the bankruptcy estate of Paniolo, which include inter-island submarine and middle-mile terrestrial fiber infrastructure assets in Hawaii. The Company plans to account for the Paniolo acquisition as an asset acquisition under ASC 805-10-55 “Business Combinations” because the assets to be acquired from Paniolo do not include an assembled workforce, and the gross value of the assets to be acquired meets the screen test in ASC 805-10-55-5A related to substantially all of the fair value being concentrated in a single asset or group of assets (i.e., the fiber infrastructure assets) and, thus, the assets are not considered a business. The acquisition of Paniolo’s assets will augment the Company’s existing backbone network and increase the Company’s total submarine and terrestrial fiber footprint by more than 400 miles.  

The aggregate purchase price to be paid upon closing of the Paniolo acquisition will be $50.0 million, consisting of $25.0 million in cash and $25.0 million in committed purchase money financing. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has funded $5.0 million to an escrow account to fund a portion of the purchase price and has entered into an agreement with Paniolo to maintain the Paniolo network prior to the close of the acquisition. This escrow amount is classified as restricted cash and recorded in “Other noncurrent assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The transaction which is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the bankruptcy court and federal regulatory authorities, is expected to close in the second half of 2021.  

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Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Revenue

4.    Revenue

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services to both residential and commercial customers that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. The products and services within these three categories can be further categorized as either Data, Voice, Video or Other. Consumer/SMB and Legacy revenue include both residential and commercial customers. Enterprise Fiber revenue includes ethernet and dedicated internet access services that are provided to enterprise customers, as well as revenue associated with the Southeast Asia to United States (“SEA-US”) trans-Pacific submarine cable system.

Residential customers have implied month-to-month contracts. Commercial customers, with the exception of contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system, typically have contracts with a duration of one to five years and automatically renew on a month-to-month basis. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. Contracts for projects that are included within the Other revenue stream are typically short in duration and less than one year. Contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system typically range from 15 to 25 years and payment is prepaid.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides a full range of Information Technology ("IT") solutions, including Communications, Cloud and Consulting services. IT Services and Hardware customers enter into contracts that have a typical duration of one to five years, with varied renewal options at the end of the term. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. The IT Services and Hardware segment also provides enterprise customers with Infrastructure Solutions, which includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts. These contracts are typically satisfied in less than twelve months and revenue is recognized at a point in time.

The Company has elected the practical expedient described in ASC 606-10-32-18 that allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the entity expects that the period of time between the transfer of a promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for such good or service will be one year or less. Customers are typically billed immediately upon the rendering of services or the delivery of products. Payment terms for customers are between 30 and 120 days. Subsequent to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco., Inc. ("Hawaiian Telcom"), the Company began recognizing a financing component associated with the up-front payments for services to be delivered under indefeasible right of use ("IRU") contracts for fiber circuit capacity. The IRU contracts are primarily associated with the SEA-US cable system. The IRU contracts typically have a duration ranging from 15 to 25 years.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, or a series of distinct goods or services, and is the unit of account defined in ASC Topic 606. The transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Contract modifications for changes to services provided are routine throughout the term of our contracts. In most instances, contract modifications are for the addition or reduction of services that are distinct, and price changes are based on the stand-alone selling price of the service and, as such, are accounted for on a prospective basis as a new contract.

Goods and services are sold individually, or a contract may include multiple goods or services. For contracts with multiple goods and services, the transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each performance obligation using the stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Certain customers of the Company may receive cash-based rebates based on volume of sales, which are accounted for as variable consideration. Potential rebates are considered at contract inception in our estimate of transaction price based on the projected volume of sales. Estimates are reassessed quarterly.

Performance obligations are satisfied either over time as services are performed or at a point in time. Substantially all of our service revenue is recognized over time. For services transferred over time, the Company has elected the practical expedient to recognize revenue based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are provided evenly over the month and are substantially the same over the life of the contract. As the Company has elected the practical expedients detailed at ASC 606-10-50-13, revenue for these unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

As of March 31, 2021, our estimated revenue, including a financing component, expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) is $34.2 million. Approximately 80% of this revenue is related to IRU contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system. Certain IRU contracts extend for periods of up to 30 years and are invoiced at the beginning of the contract term. The revenue from such contracts is recognized over time as services are provided over the contract term. The expected revenue to be recognized for existing IRU contracts is as follows:

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	2.0
2022		2.6
2023		2.5
2024		2.6
2025		2.6
Thereafter		21.9

Entertainment and Communications

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the Entertainment and Communications segment, namely Data, Voice, Video and Other. For each of Data, Voice and Video, service is delivered to the customer continuously and in a substantially similar manner for each period of the agreement, the customer takes full control over the services as the service is delivered, and as such Data, Voice and Video are identified to be a series of distinct services. Services provided by the Entertainment and Communications segment can be categorized into three main categories that include Consumer/SMB, Enterprise Fiber and Legacy, each of which may include one or more of the aforementioned performance obligations. Data services include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, routed network services, SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU revenue. Voice services include traditional and fiber voice lines, switched access, digital trunking and consumer long distance calling. Video services are offered through our fiber network to residential and commercial customers based on various standard plans with the opportunity to add premium channels. To receive video services, customers are required to use the Company's set top boxes that are billed as part of the monthly recurring service. Set top boxes are not considered a separate performance obligation from video because the equipment is necessary for the service to operate and the customer has no alternative use for the equipment.

Services and products not included in Data, Voice or Video are included in Other revenue and are comprised of wire care, time and materials projects and advertising. Transfer of control of these services and products is evaluated on an individual project basis and can occur over time or at a point in time.

The Company uses multiple methods to determine stand-alone selling prices in the Entertainment and Communications segment. For Data, Video and Voice products in Consumer/SMB, market rate is the primary method used to determine stand-alone selling prices. For Data performance obligations under the Enterprise Fiber category, and Voice, Data and Other performance obligations under the Legacy category, stand-alone selling prices are determined based on a list price, discount off of list price, a tariff rate, a margin percentage range, or a minimum margin percentage.

IT Services and Hardware

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the IT Services and Hardware segment. These performance obligations are Communications, Cloud, Consulting and Infrastructure Solutions. Communications services are monthly services that include data and VoIP services, tailored solutions that include converged IP communications of data, voice, video and mobility applications, enterprise long distance, MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) and conferencing services. Cloud services include storage, backup, disaster recovery, SLA-based monitoring and management, cloud computing and cloud consulting. Consulting services provide customers with IT staffing, consulting and emerging technology solutions. Infrastructure Solutions includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts as well as installation projects.

For the sale of hardware, the Company evaluated whether it is the principal or the agent. The Company has concluded it acts as an agent because it does not control the inventory before it is transferred to customers, it does not have the ability to direct the product to anyone besides the purchasing customer, and it does not integrate the hardware with any of its own goods or services. Based on this assessment, the performance obligation is to arrange a sale of hardware between the vendor and the customer. In the instance where there is an issue with the hardware, the Company coordinates with the manufacturer to facilitate a return in accordance with the standard manufacturer warranty. Hardware returns are not significant to the Company.

Within the IT Services and Hardware segment, stand-alone selling prices for the four performance obligations are determined based on either a margin percentage range, minimum margin percentage or standard price list.

For hardware sales, revenue is recognized net of the cost of product and is recognized when the hardware is shipped or delivered in accordance with the terms of the contract. For certain projects within Communications and Consulting, revenue is recognized when the customer communicates acceptance of the services performed. For contracts with freight on board shipping terms, management has elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the good, and therefore, has not evaluated whether shipping and handling activities are promised services to its customers.

Contract Balances 

The Company recognizes incremental fulfillment costs as an asset when installation expenses are incurred as part of performing the agreement for Voice, Video and Data product offerings in the Entertainment and Communications segment in which the contract life is longer than one year. These fulfillment costs are amortized ratably over the expected life of the customer, which is representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. The expected life of the customer is determined utilizing the average churn rate for each product. The Company calculates average churn based on the historical average customer life. We also recognize an asset for incremental fulfillment costs for certain Communications services in the IT Services and Hardware segment that require us to incur installation and provisioning expenses. The asset recognized for Communication services is amortized over the average contract life. Churn rates and average contract life are reviewed on an annual basis. Fulfillment costs are capitalized to “Other noncurrent assets.” The related amortization expense is recorded to “Cost of services and products.”

The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of acquiring a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs related to Voice, Video, Data and certain Communications and Cloud services meet the requirements to be capitalized. The contract asset established for the costs of acquiring a contract is recorded to “Other noncurrent assets.” Sales incentives are amortized ratably over the period that services are delivered using either an average churn rate or average contract term, both representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. Customer churn rates and average contract term assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The related amortization expense is recorded to “Selling, general and administrative.”

Management has elected to use the practical expedient detailed in ASC 340-40-25-4 to expense any costs to fulfill a contract and costs to obtain a contract as they are incurred when the amortization period would have been one year or less. This practical expedient has been applied to fulfillment costs that include installation costs associated with wiring projects and certain Cloud services. In addition, this practical expedient has been applied to acquisition costs associated with revenue from certain Communications projects.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $6.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively, of fulfillment costs were included in “Other noncurrent assets.” At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $18.9 million and $19.4 million, respectively, of costs of acquisition were included in “Other noncurrent assets.”

The Company recognizes a liability for cash received upfront for IRU contracts. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other current liabilities." At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $27.6 million and $26.2 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other noncurrent liabilities."

Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by product and service lines:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Data	$	121.3		$	119.3
Video		48.6			48.7
Voice		65.9			68.0
Other		7.0			7.8
Total Entertainment and Communications		242.8			243.8
Consulting		65.5			41.9
Cloud		23.4			21.5
Communications		54.0			51.2
Infrastructure Solutions		30.9			27.7
Total IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment revenue		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by contract type:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Entertainment and Communications				IT Services and Hardware				Intersegment revenue elimination						Total
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021			2020			2021		2020
Products and Services transferred at a point in time	$	5.9	$	7.5	$	33.4	$	30.4	$	—		$	—		$	39.3	$	37.9
Products and Services transferred over time		232.1		231.4		138.5		110.7		—			—			370.6		342.1
Intersegment revenue		4.8		4.9		1.9		1.2		(6.7	)		(6.1	)		-		-
Total revenue	$	242.8	$	243.8	$	173.8	$	142.3	$	(6.7	)	$	(6.1	)	$	409.9	$	380.0

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

5.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the Company's goodwill consisted of the following:

(dollars in millions)	IT Services and Hardware		Entertainment and Communications		Total Company
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2020	$	149.1	$	12.4	$	161.5
Activity during the year:
Currency translations		0.5		—		0.5
Goodwill, balance as of March 31, 2021	$	149.6	$	12.4	$	162.0

No impairment losses were recognized in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2021							December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net
(dollars in millions)	Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Customer relationships	$	142.0	$	(41.5	)	$	100.5	$	141.6	$	(38.9	)	$	102.7
Trade names		41.9		(10.3	)		31.6		41.7		(9.4	)		32.3
Technology		10.0		(3.5	)		6.5		9.9		(3.2	)		6.7
Total		193.9		(55.3	)		138.6		193.2		(51.5	)		141.7
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
FCC licenses and spectrum usage rights		6.4		—			6.4		6.4		—			6.4
Total intangible assets	$	200.3	$	(55.3	)	$	145.0	$	199.6	$	(51.5	)	$	148.1

Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The change in gross carrying amounts for finite-lived intangible assets is due to foreign currency translation on finite-lived intangible assets denominated in foreign currency. No impairment losses were recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The estimated useful lives for each finite-lived intangible asset class are as follows:

Customer relationships	8 to 15 years
Trade names	10 to 15 years
Technology	10 years

The annual estimated amortization expense for future years is as follows:

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	10.8
2022		14.1
2023		13.8
2024		13.5
2025		13.3
Thereafter		73.1
Total	$	138.6

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Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

6.    Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

	March 31,			December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Current portion of long-term debt:
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024	$	6.0		$	6.0
Other financing arrangements		1.3			1.9
Finance lease liabilities		15.8			13.9
Current portion of long-term debt		23.1			21.8
Long-term debt, less current portion:
Receivables Facility		183.9			182.0
Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility		71.0			67.0
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024		579.0			580.5
7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023		22.3			22.3
7% Senior Notes due 2024		625.0			625.0
8% Senior Notes due 2025		350.0			350.0
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone notes		87.9			87.9
Other financing arrangements		0.6			0.9
Finance lease liabilities		49.6			52.1
		1,969.3			1,967.7
Net unamortized premium		1.0			1.1
Unamortized note issuance costs		(17.8	)		(18.9	)
Long-term debt, less current portion		1,952.5			1,949.9
Total debt	$	1,975.6		$	1,971.7

Credit Agreement

The Company had $71.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $129.0 million available for borrowings as of March 31, 2021. The Credit Agreement expires in October 2022.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $183.9 million in borrowings and $13.9 million of letters of credit outstanding under the accounts receivable securitization facility ("Receivables Facility”), leaving $2.2 million remaining availability on the total borrowing capacity of $200.0 million. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility was $200.0 million in the aggregate at March 31, 2021. The available borrowing capacity is calculated monthly based on the quantity and quality of outstanding accounts receivable, and thus may be lower than the maximum borrowing limit. At March 31, 2021, the Receivables Facility, which is subject to renewal every 364 days, had a renewal date in May 2021 and termination date in May 2023.  

In April 2021, the Company executed amendments to its Receivables Facility, which replaced, amended and added certain provisions and definitions to increase the credit availability and renew the facility. While the Receivables Facility is subject to renewal every 364 days, the amendments extended the facility’s renewal date until June 2023 and the facility’s termination date to June 2024. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility was increased from $200.0 million to $215.0 million in the aggregate. In addition, the amendments removed the provision that the LIBOR rate for the Receivables Facility may not fall below 0.75%.

Under the Receivables Facility, certain U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, as originators, sell their respective trade receivables on a continuous basis to Cincinnati Bell Funding LLC (“CBF”) or Cincinnati Bell Funding Canada Ltd. ("CBFC"), wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Although CBF and CBFC are wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company, CBF and CBFC are legally separate from the Company and each of the Company’s other subsidiaries. Upon and after the sale or contribution of the accounts receivable to CBF or CBFC, such accounts receivable are legally assets of CBF and CBFC and, as such, are not available to creditors of other subsidiaries or the parent company. The Receivables Facility includes an option for CBF to sell, rather than borrow against, certain receivables on a non-recourse basis. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of certain accounts receivable sold was $3.3 million.

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

7.    Leases

Lessee Disclosures

The Company primarily leases real estate for offices, retail stores and central offices, as well as equipment, cell towers and fleet vehicles. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company elected not to recognize leases with terms of one-year or less on the balance sheet.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Operating lease assets, net of amortization	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	36.6	$	37.4
Finance lease assets, net of amortization	Property, plant and equipment, net		26.5		28.0
Operating lease liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities		9.3		9.6
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liabilities		33.1		33.6
Total operating lease liabilities			42.4		43.2
Finance lease liabilities:
Current finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt		15.8		13.9
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, less current portion		49.6		52.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	65.4	$	66.0

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	0.5	$	1.1
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2.5	$	3.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	4.2	$	4.4
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
New operating leases	$	1.7	$	1.1
New finance leases	$	3.5	$	0.3

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

8.    Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the Company uses a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the use of observable inputs. The three levels are:

Level 1 — Quoted market prices for identical instruments in an active market;

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs); and

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that reflect management's determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including our own data.

The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to minimize its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt borrowings. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the underlying notional amounts between parties.

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into one forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swap with a notional amount of $300.0 million to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swap became effective in June 2018 and expires in June 2023. The interest rate swap results in interest payments based on an average fixed rate of 2.938% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into three forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $89.0 million each, to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swaps became effective in March 2019 and expire in March 2024. The interest rate swaps result in interest payments based on an average fixed rate per swap of 2.275%, 2.244% and 2.328% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $9.3 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps are impacted by the credit risk of both the Company and its counterparties. The Company has agreements with its derivative financial instrument counterparties that contain provisions providing that if the Company defaults on the indebtedness associated with its derivative financial instruments, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative financial instruments obligations. In addition, the Company minimizes nonperformance risk on its derivative instruments by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which are limited to major banks and financial institutions.

Upon inception, the interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815, with gains and losses, net of tax, measured on an ongoing basis recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The fair value of the interest rate swaps are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on well-recognized financial principles and available market data.

As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was $22.3 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	13.0	$	—	$	13.0	$	—

As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of the interest rate swap liability was $25.4 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	16.1	$	—	$	16.1	$	—

The amount of gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") net of reclassifications into earnings is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Interest Rate Swap	$	3.1	$	(11.7	)

The amount of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings is as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Statement of Operations Location	2021			2020
Interest Rate Swap	Interest expense	$	(2.3	)	$	(1.4	)

Disclosure on Financial Instruments

The carrying values of the Company's financial instruments approximate the estimated fair values as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, except for the Company's long-term debt and other installment financing arrangements. The carrying and fair values of these items are as follows:  

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
(dollars in millions)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion*	$	1,926.1	$	1,976.6	$	1,921.8	$	1,973.4
Other installment financing arrangements		41.7		56.0		42.1		58.6

*Excludes finance leases, other financing arrangements and note issuance costs.

The fair value of our long-term debt was based on closing or estimated market prices of the Company’s debt at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, which is considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the other financing arrangements was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporates current borrowing rates for obligations of similar duration, which is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2021, the current borrowing rate was estimated by applying the Company's credit spread to the risk-free rate for a similar duration borrowing.

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Pension and Postretirement Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Postretirement Plans

9.    Pension and Postretirement Plans

As of March 31, 2021, the Company sponsors three noncontributory defined benefit plans and a postretirement health and life insurance plan in Cincinnati (collectively the "Cincinnati Plans"), and one noncontributory defined benefit plan for union employees, one cash balance pension plan for nonunion employees, and two postretirement health and life insurance plans for Hawaiian Telcom employees (collectively the "Hawaii Plans").

In accordance with ASC 715, only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization, which was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, pension and postretirement costs (benefits) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
(dollars in millions)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement and Other Benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		3.8			4.8			0.6			0.9
Expected return on plan assets		(7.5	)		(7.3	)		—			—
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit		—			—			(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Actuarial loss		6.3			4.5			—			0.2
Pension / postretirement costs	$	2.6		$	2.0		$	0.1		$	0.6

Amortizations of prior service benefit and actuarial loss represent reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, contributions to both qualified and non-qualified pension plans were $0.7 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, contributions to qualified and non-qualified pension plans were $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Based on current assumptions, nominal additional contributions are expected to be made to the qualified pension plans in 2021. Contributions to the non-qualified pension plans in 2021 are expected to be approximately $3 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, contributions to our postretirement plans were $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Management expects to make cash payments of approximately $8 million related to its postretirement health plans in 2021.

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Shareowners' Deficit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Shareowners Deficit [Abstract]

Shareowners' Deficit

10.    Shareowners' Deficit

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Unrecognized Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost				Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedges, Net				Foreign Currency Translation Loss			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	(138.8	)		$	(19.7	)		$	(1.2	)	$	(159.7	)
Reclassifications, net		4.4		(a)		1.8		(b)		—			6.2
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				0.6		(c)		—			0.6
Foreign currency gain		—				—				1.0			1.0
Balance as of March 31, 2021	$	(134.4	)		$	(17.3	)		$	(0.2	)	$	(151.9	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	(152.0	)		$	(14.7	)		$	(3.4	)	$	(170.1	)
Reclassifications, net		3.2		(a)		1.1		(b)		—			4.3
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				(10.1	)	(c)		—			(10.1	)
Foreign currency loss		—				—				(6.9	)		(6.9	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	(148.8	)		$	(23.7	)		$	(10.3	)	$	(182.8	)

(a) These reclassifications are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense and represent amortization of prior service benefit and actuarial loss, net of tax. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense are recorded in "Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further disclosures.

(b) These reclassifications are reported within "Interest expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

(c) The unrealized gain (loss), net on cash flow hedges represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments that occurred during the period, net of tax. The unrealized loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further disclosures.

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Business Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business Segment Information

11.    Business Segment Information

The Company’s segments are strategic business units that offer distinct products and services and are aligned with the Company's internal management structure and reporting. The Company operates two business segments identified as Entertainment and Communications and IT Services and Hardware.

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services that can be categorized as Data, Video, Voice or Other. Data products include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, SONET, dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU. Video services provide our customers access to over 400 entertainment channels, over 150 high-definition channels, parental controls, HD DVR, Video On-Demand and access to a live TV streaming application. Voice represents traditional voice lines as well as fiber voice lines, consumer long distance, switched access and digital trunking. Other services consist of revenue generated from wiring projects for enterprise customers, advertising, directory assistance, maintenance and information services.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides end-to-end solutions from consulting to implementation to ongoing optimization. These solutions include Cloud, Communications and Consulting services along with the sale, installation and maintenance of major branded Telecom and IT hardware reported as Infrastructure Solutions.

Certain corporate administrative expenses have been allocated to the segments based upon the nature of the expense and the relative size of the segment. Intercompany transactions between segments have been eliminated.

Selected financial data for the Company’s business segment information is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	242.8		$	243.8
IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0
Intersegment revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	4.8		$	4.9
IT Services and Hardware		1.9			1.2
Total intersegment revenue	$	6.7		$	6.1
Operating income (loss)
Entertainment and Communications	$	31.3		$	12.1
IT Services and Hardware		8.6			1.7
Corporate		(7.3	)		(34.0	)
Total operating income (loss)	$	32.6		$	(20.2	)
Expenditures for long-lived assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	55.0		$	44.4
IT Services and Hardware		5.7			6.5
Total expenditures for long-lived assets	$	60.7		$	50.9
Depreciation and amortization
Entertainment and Communications	$	60.8		$	63.9
IT Services and Hardware		10.1			10.3
Corporate		0.1			—
Total depreciation and amortization	$	71.0		$	74.2

	March 31,		December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	1,797.3	$	1,803.3
IT Services and Hardware		458.2		477.2
Corporate and eliminations		347.7		388.1
Total assets	$	2,603.2	$	2,668.6

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Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, other comprehensive income, financial position and cash flows for each period presented.

The adjustments referred to above are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations for interim reporting.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies — The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — Cash consists of funds held in bank accounts. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash consists of funds held in an escrow account associated with the pending transaction to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Paniolo Cable Company, LLC (“Paniolo”). See Note 3 for further information related to this transaction. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:

(dollars in millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.7	$	12.2
Restricted cash included in Other noncurrent assets		5.0		5.0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	11.7	$	17.2

Restructuring Liability

Restructuring Liability — As of March 31, 2021, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $2.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of the restructuring liabilities was included in “Other current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Taxes

Income taxes — In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-270, the Company’s income tax provision for interim periods is determined through the use of an estimated annual effective tax rate applied to year-to-date ordinary income/loss plus or minus the tax effects of discrete items. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate benefit is lower than statutory rates primarily due to the effect of a valuation allowance applied against the deferred tax assets related to disallowed interest expense, as well as permanent items such as portions of officers’ compensation and meals and entertainment expenses that are not fully deductible for tax.

Operating Taxes

Operating taxes — Certain operating taxes such as property, sales, use, and gross receipts taxes are reported as expenses in operating income primarily within cost of services. These taxes are not included in income tax expense because the amounts to be paid are not dependent on our level of income. Liabilities for audit exposures are established based on management's assessment of the probability of payment. The provision for such liabilities is recognized as either property, plant and equipment, operating tax expense, or depreciation expense depending on the nature of the audit exposure. Upon resolution of an audit, any remaining liability not paid is released against the account in which it was originally recorded. Certain telecommunication taxes and surcharges that are collected from customers are also recorded as revenue; however, in accordance with ASC 606, revenue associated with these charges is excluded from the transaction price.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments by recognizing derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and recognizing the resulting gains or losses as adjustments to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss." The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss" in stockholder's equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. The ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments by eliminating the cash conversion and beneficial conversion models. As compared with current U.S. GAAP, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument and the interest rate of more convertible debt instruments will be closer to the coupon interest rate. In addition, the ASU increases information related to disclosures for convertible instruments and aligns the consistency of diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") calculations for convertible instruments by requiring that (1) an entity use the if-converted method and (2) share settlement be included in the diluted EPS calculation for both convertible instruments and equity contracts when those contracts include an option of cash settlement or share settlement. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and plans to adopt for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. These amendments are effective as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within Income Taxes (740), and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities, and is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Most amendments within ASU 2019-12 are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2021. The Company has evaluated the amendments that must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis and concluded that no adjustments are necessary. The Company has applied all other amendments on a prospective basis, and the changes did not have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur upon issuance of common shares for awards under stock-based compensation plans or conversion of preferred stock, but only to the extent that they are considered dilutive.

Revenue

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services to both residential and commercial customers that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. The products and services within these three categories can be further categorized as either Data, Voice, Video or Other. Consumer/SMB and Legacy revenue include both residential and commercial customers. Enterprise Fiber revenue includes ethernet and dedicated internet access services that are provided to enterprise customers, as well as revenue associated with the Southeast Asia to United States (“SEA-US”) trans-Pacific submarine cable system.

Residential customers have implied month-to-month contracts. Commercial customers, with the exception of contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system, typically have contracts with a duration of one to five years and automatically renew on a month-to-month basis. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. Contracts for projects that are included within the Other revenue stream are typically short in duration and less than one year. Contracts associated with the SEA-US cable system typically range from 15 to 25 years and payment is prepaid.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides a full range of Information Technology ("IT") solutions, including Communications, Cloud and Consulting services. IT Services and Hardware customers enter into contracts that have a typical duration of one to five years, with varied renewal options at the end of the term. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. The IT Services and Hardware segment also provides enterprise customers with Infrastructure Solutions, which includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts. These contracts are typically satisfied in less than twelve months and revenue is recognized at a point in time.

The Company has elected the practical expedient described in ASC 606-10-32-18 that allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the entity expects that the period of time between the transfer of a promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for such good or service will be one year or less. Customers are typically billed immediately upon the rendering of services or the delivery of products. Payment terms for customers are between 30 and 120 days. Subsequent to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco., Inc. ("Hawaiian Telcom"), the Company began recognizing a financing component associated with the up-front payments for services to be delivered under indefeasible right of use ("IRU") contracts for fiber circuit capacity. The IRU contracts are primarily associated with the SEA-US cable system. The IRU contracts typically have a duration ranging from 15 to 25 years.

Fair Value Measurement

The fair value of the interest rate swaps are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on well-recognized financial principles and available market data.The fair value of our long-term debt was based on closing or estimated market prices of the Company’s debt at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, which is considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the other financing arrangements was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporates current borrowing rates for obligations of similar duration, which is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

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Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows:

(dollars in millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6.7	$	12.2
Restricted cash included in Other noncurrent assets		5.0		5.0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	11.7	$	17.2

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Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts)	2021			2020
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(3.0	)	$	(34.0	)
Preferred stock dividends		2.6			2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners - basic and diluted	$	(5.6	)	$	(36.6	)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		50.8			50.5
Stock-based compensation arrangements		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		50.8			50.5
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.72	)

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Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Expected Revenue to be Recognized for Existing IRU Contracts

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	2.0
2022		2.6
2023		2.5
2024		2.6
2025		2.6
Thereafter		21.9

Schedule of Revenues Disaggregation by Product and Service Lines

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by product and service lines:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Data	$	121.3		$	119.3
Video		48.6			48.7
Voice		65.9			68.0
Other		7.0			7.8
Total Entertainment and Communications		242.8			243.8
Consulting		65.5			41.9
Cloud		23.4			21.5
Communications		54.0			51.2
Infrastructure Solutions		30.9			27.7
Total IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment revenue		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by contract type:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Entertainment and Communications				IT Services and Hardware				Intersegment revenue elimination						Total
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021			2020			2021		2020
Products and Services transferred at a point in time	$	5.9	$	7.5	$	33.4	$	30.4	$	—		$	—		$	39.3	$	37.9
Products and Services transferred over time		232.1		231.4		138.5		110.7		—			—			370.6		342.1
Intersegment revenue		4.8		4.9		1.9		1.2		(6.7	)		(6.1	)		-		-
Total revenue	$	242.8	$	243.8	$	173.8	$	142.3	$	(6.7	)	$	(6.1	)	$	409.9	$	380.0

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the Company's goodwill consisted of the following:

(dollars in millions)	IT Services and Hardware		Entertainment and Communications		Total Company
Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2020	$	149.1	$	12.4	$	161.5
Activity during the year:
Currency translations		0.5		—		0.5
Goodwill, balance as of March 31, 2021	$	149.6	$	12.4	$	162.0

Schedule of Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2021							December 31, 2020
	Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net
(dollars in millions)	Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
Intangible assets subject to amortization
Customer relationships	$	142.0	$	(41.5	)	$	100.5	$	141.6	$	(38.9	)	$	102.7
Trade names		41.9		(10.3	)		31.6		41.7		(9.4	)		32.3
Technology		10.0		(3.5	)		6.5		9.9		(3.2	)		6.7
Total		193.9		(55.3	)		138.6		193.2		(51.5	)		141.7
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
FCC licenses and spectrum usage rights		6.4		—			6.4		6.4		—			6.4
Total intangible assets	$	200.3	$	(55.3	)	$	145.0	$	199.6	$	(51.5	)	$	148.1

Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives for Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

The estimated useful lives for each finite-lived intangible asset class are as follows:

Customer relationships	8 to 15 years
Trade names	10 to 15 years
Technology	10 years

Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense

The annual estimated amortization expense for future years is as follows:

(dollars in millions)
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$	10.8
2022		14.1
2023		13.8
2024		13.5
2025		13.3
Thereafter		73.1
Total	$	138.6

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Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

	March 31,			December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Current portion of long-term debt:
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024	$	6.0		$	6.0
Other financing arrangements		1.3			1.9
Finance lease liabilities		15.8			13.9
Current portion of long-term debt		23.1			21.8
Long-term debt, less current portion:
Receivables Facility		183.9			182.0
Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility		71.0			67.0
Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024		579.0			580.5
7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023		22.3			22.3
7% Senior Notes due 2024		625.0			625.0
8% Senior Notes due 2025		350.0			350.0
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone notes		87.9			87.9
Other financing arrangements		0.6			0.9
Finance lease liabilities		49.6			52.1
		1,969.3			1,967.7
Net unamortized premium		1.0			1.1
Unamortized note issuance costs		(17.8	)		(18.9	)
Long-term debt, less current portion		1,952.5			1,949.9
Total debt	$	1,975.6		$	1,971.7

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Operating lease assets, net of amortization	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	36.6	$	37.4
Finance lease assets, net of amortization	Property, plant and equipment, net		26.5		28.0
Operating lease liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities		9.3		9.6
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liabilities		33.1		33.6
Total operating lease liabilities			42.4		43.2
Finance lease liabilities:
Current finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt		15.8		13.9
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, less current portion		49.6		52.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	65.4	$	66.0

Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	0.5	$	1.1
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2.5	$	3.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	4.2	$	4.4
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
New operating leases	$	1.7	$	1.1
New finance leases	$	3.5	$	0.3

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Interest rate Swaps Recorded in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was $22.3 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	13.0	$	—	$	13.0	$	—

As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of the interest rate swap liability was $25.4 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in active markets Level 1		Significant observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap	Other current liabilities	$	9.3	$	—	$	9.3	$	—
Interest Rate Swap	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	16.1	$	—	$	16.1	$	—

Amount of Gains (Losses) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net of Reclassification into Earnings

The amount of gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") net of reclassifications into earnings is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Interest Rate Swap	$	3.1	$	(11.7	)

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The amount of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings is as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)	Statement of Operations Location	2021			2020
Interest Rate Swap	Interest expense	$	(2.3	)	$	(1.4	)

Schedule of Carrying and Fair Values by Balance Sheet Grouping

The carrying and fair values of these items are as follows:  

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
(dollars in millions)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion*	$	1,926.1	$	1,976.6	$	1,921.8	$	1,973.4
Other installment financing arrangements		41.7		56.0		42.1		58.6

*Excludes finance leases, other financing arrangements and note issuance costs.

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Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Pension and Postretirement Costs (Benefits)

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, pension and postretirement costs (benefits) were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
(dollars in millions)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement and Other Benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		3.8			4.8			0.6			0.9
Expected return on plan assets		(7.5	)		(7.3	)		—			—
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit		—			—			(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Actuarial loss		6.3			4.5			—			0.2
Pension / postretirement costs	$	2.6		$	2.0		$	0.1		$	0.6

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Shareowners' Deficit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Shareowners Deficit [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:

(dollars in millions)	Unrecognized Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost				Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedges, Net				Foreign Currency Translation Loss			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	(138.8	)		$	(19.7	)		$	(1.2	)	$	(159.7	)
Reclassifications, net		4.4		(a)		1.8		(b)		—			6.2
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				0.6		(c)		—			0.6
Foreign currency gain		—				—				1.0			1.0
Balance as of March 31, 2021	$	(134.4	)		$	(17.3	)		$	(0.2	)	$	(151.9	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	(152.0	)		$	(14.7	)		$	(3.4	)	$	(170.1	)
Reclassifications, net		3.2		(a)		1.1		(b)		—			4.3
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		—				(10.1	)	(c)		—			(10.1	)
Foreign currency loss		—				—				(6.9	)		(6.9	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	(148.8	)		$	(23.7	)		$	(10.3	)	$	(182.8	)

(a) These reclassifications are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense and represent amortization of prior service benefit and actuarial loss, net of tax. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense are recorded in "Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further disclosures.

(b) These reclassifications are reported within "Interest expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

(c) The unrealized gain (loss), net on cash flow hedges represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments that occurred during the period, net of tax. The unrealized loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further disclosures.

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Business Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Selected Financial Data for the Company's Business Segment Information

Selected financial data for the Company’s business segment information is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021			2020
Revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	242.8		$	243.8
IT Services and Hardware		173.8			142.3
Intersegment		(6.7	)		(6.1	)
Total revenue	$	409.9		$	380.0
Intersegment revenue
Entertainment and Communications	$	4.8		$	4.9
IT Services and Hardware		1.9			1.2
Total intersegment revenue	$	6.7		$	6.1
Operating income (loss)
Entertainment and Communications	$	31.3		$	12.1
IT Services and Hardware		8.6			1.7
Corporate		(7.3	)		(34.0	)
Total operating income (loss)	$	32.6		$	(20.2	)
Expenditures for long-lived assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	55.0		$	44.4
IT Services and Hardware		5.7			6.5
Total expenditures for long-lived assets	$	60.7		$	50.9
Depreciation and amortization
Entertainment and Communications	$	60.8		$	63.9
IT Services and Hardware		10.1			10.3
Corporate		0.1			—
Total depreciation and amortization	$	71.0		$	74.2

	March 31,		December 31,
(dollars in millions)	2021		2020
Assets
Entertainment and Communications	$	1,797.3	$	1,803.3
IT Services and Hardware		458.2		477.2
Corporate and eliminations		347.7		388.1
Total assets	$	2,603.2	$	2,668.6

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Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) Customer	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Customer
Description of Business and Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of customers, exceeds 10% of total accounts receivable | Customer	1		1
Revenue derived from foreign operations	6.00%	5.00%
Restructuring liabilities included in other current liabilities | $	$ 2.5		$ 4.5
Verizon Communications Inc. [Member]
Description of Business and Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from one customer greater than 10%, percentage	16.00%		20.00%

XML

Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Schedule of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6.7	$ 12.2
Restricted cash included in Other noncurrent assets	$ 5.0	$ 5.0
Restricted Cash, Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other noncurrent assets	Other noncurrent assets
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$ 11.7	$ 17.2	$ 10.6	$ 11.6

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Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Numerator:
Net loss	$ (3.0)	$ (34.0)
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net loss applicable to common shareowners - basic and diluted	$ (5.6)	$ (36.6)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	50.8	50.5
Stock-based compensation arrangements	0.0	0.0
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	50.8	50.5
Basic and diluted net loss per common share	$ (0.11)	$ (0.72)

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Earnings Per Common Share - Narratives (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0.9	0.9

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Mergers and Acquisitions - Narratives (Details)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 13, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares	Nov. 30, 2020 USD ($) mi	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 05, 2020 $ / shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			6.75%	6.75%
Funded to escrow account			$ 5,000,000.0	$ 5,000,000.0
Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			7.00%
Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			8.00%
Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			7.25%
Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member] | Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (CBT) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			6.30%
Brookfield Infrastructure Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common shares price per share as stock consideration | $ / shares					$ 14.50
Termination fee	$ 24,800,000
MIP Merger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common shares price per share as stock consideration | $ / shares	$ 15.50
MIP Merger [Member] | Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate cash payment on pro rata basis			$ 2,812,500
MIP Merger [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate cash payment on pro rata basis			1,050,000
Paniolo Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price		$ 50,000,000.0
Cash consideration		25,000,000.0
Business combination, committed purchase amount		$ 25,000,000.0
Funded to escrow account			$ 5,000,000.0
Paniolo Acquisition [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fiber route miles | mi		400

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Revenue - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Payment terms for customers, lower range	30 days
Payment term for customers, upper range	120 days
Total	$ 34.2
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage	80.00%
Unearned revenue and customer deposits	$ 52.5	$ 68.9
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Unearned revenue and customer deposits	1.7	1.6
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract liabilities, recognized, noncurrent	27.6	26.2
Fulfillment Costs [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Capitalized contract cost, net	6.7	7.4
Cost of Acquisition [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Capitalized contract cost, net	$ 18.9	$ 19.4
Minimum [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer contract term	1 year
SEA-US contract term	15 years
Indefeasible right of use of contract term	15 years
Maximum [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer contract term	5 years
SEA-US contract term	25 years
Indefeasible right of use of contract term	25 years
Indefeasible Right of Use, Maximum, in Years	30 years

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Revenue - Schedule of Expected Revenue to be Recognized for Existing IRU Contracts (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 34.2
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-04-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 2.0
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 2.6
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 2.5
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 2.6
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2025-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 2.6
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2026-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected revenue to be recognized	$ 21.9
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period

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Revenue - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregation by Product and Service Lines (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 409.9	$ 380.0
Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	242.8	243.8
Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	173.8	142.3
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	(6.7)	(6.1)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4.8	4.9
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1.9	1.2
Data [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	121.3	119.3
Video [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	48.6	48.7
Voice [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	65.9	68.0
Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	7.0	7.8
Consulting [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	65.5	41.9
Cloud [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	23.4	21.5
Communications [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	54.0	51.2
Infrastructure Solutions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 30.9	$ 27.7

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Revenue - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregation by Contract Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 409.9	$ 380.0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	(6.7)	(6.1)
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	39.3	37.9
Transferred at Point in Time [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0.0	0.0
Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	370.6	342.1
Transferred over Time [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0.0	0.0
Entertainment and Communications [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	242.8	243.8
Entertainment and Communications [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4.8	4.9
Entertainment and Communications [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	5.9	7.5
Entertainment and Communications [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	232.1	231.4
IT Services and Hardware [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	173.8	142.3
IT Services and Hardware [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1.9	1.2
IT Services and Hardware [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	33.4	30.4
IT Services and Hardware [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 138.5	$ 110.7

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 161.5
Currency translations	0.5
Goodwill, ending balance	162.0
IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	149.1
Currency translations	0.5
Goodwill, ending balance	149.6
Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	12.4
Currency translations	0.0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 12.4

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment losses recognized in goodwill	$ 0	$ 0
Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets	3,600,000	3,600,000
Impairment of intangible assets, finite-lived	$ 0	$ 0

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	$ 193.9	$ 193.2
Accumulated amortization	(55.3)	(51.5)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net amount	138.6	141.7
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	200.3	199.6
Intangible assets, net amount	145.0	148.1
FCC Licenses and Spectrum Usage Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	6.4	6.4
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	142.0	141.6
Accumulated amortization	(41.5)	(38.9)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net amount	100.5	102.7
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	41.9	41.7
Accumulated amortization	(10.3)	(9.4)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net amount	31.6	32.3
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	10.0	9.9
Accumulated amortization	(3.5)	(3.2)
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net amount	$ 6.5	$ 6.7

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives for Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	8 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Nine months ended December 31, 2021	$ 10.8
2022	14.1
2023	13.8
2024	13.5
2025	13.3
Thereafter	73.1
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net amount	$ 138.6	$ 141.7

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Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 23.1	$ 21.8
Other Financing Arrangements, Current Portion	1.3	1.9
Finance lease liabilities, current	15.8	13.9
Receivables Facility	183.9	182.0
Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility	71.0	67.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,952.5	1,949.9
Other Financing Arrangements, Non-Current Portion	0.6	0.9
Finance lease liabilities, Noncurrent	49.6	52.1
Long-term debt gross	1,969.3	1,967.7
Net unamortized premium	1.0	1.1
Unamortized note issuance costs	(17.8)	(18.9)
Total debt	1,975.6	1,971.7
Tranche B Term Loan due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt	6.0	6.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	579.0	580.5
Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	22.3	22.3
Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	625.0	625.0
Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	350.0	350.0
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 87.9	$ 87.9

XML

Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2021
Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.25%
Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.00%
Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	8.00%

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Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 71,000,000.0	$ 67,000,000.0
Borrowing capacity		129,000,000.0
Receivables facility amount outstanding		183,900,000	$ 182,000,000.0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		13,900,000
Receivables Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity		2,200,000
Receivables Facility Maximum Borrowing Availability		200,000,000.0
Receivables facility maximum borrowing capacity		$ 200,000,000.0
Accounts Receivable Facility, Renewal Term		364 days
Accounts Receivable Facility, Expiration Year And Month		2023-05
Accounts Receivable Facility, Renewal Term, Month and Year		2021-05
Accounts Receivable Sold		$ 3,300,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Receivables facility maximum borrowing capacity	$ 215,000,000.0
Accounts Receivable Facility, Renewal Term	364 days
Accounts Receivable Facility, Expiration Year And Month	2024-06
Accounts Receivable Facility, Renewal Term, Month and Year	2023-06
Subsequent Event [Member] | Receivables Facilities [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt instrument expiration date		2022-10

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Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease assets, net of amortization	$ 36.6	$ 37.4
Finance lease assets, net of amortization	$ 26.5	$ 28.0
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Property, plant and equipment, net	Property, plant and equipment, net
Current operating lease liabilities	$ 9.3	$ 9.6
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other current liabilities	Other current liabilities
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	$ 33.1	$ 33.6
Total operating lease liabilities	42.4	43.2
Current finance lease liabilities	$ 15.8	$ 13.9
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Current portion of long-term debt	Current portion of long-term debt
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities	$ 49.6	$ 52.1
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Long-term debt, less current portion	Long-term debt, less current portion
Total finance lease liabilities	$ 65.4	$ 66.0

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Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$ 0.5	$ 1.1
Operating cash flows from operating leases	2.5	3.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases	4.2	4.4
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
New operating leases	1.7	1.1
New finance leases	$ 3.5	$ 0.3

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
2.938% Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 300,000,000.0
Average fixed interest rate		2.938%
Interest rate swap expiration date		2023-06
2.275% Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 89,000,000.0
Average fixed interest rate	2.275%
Interest rate swap expiration date	2024-03
2.244% Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 89,000,000.0
Average fixed interest rate	2.244%
Interest rate swap expiration date	2024-03
2.328% Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 89,000,000.0
Average fixed interest rate	2.328%
Interest rate swap expiration date	2024-03
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of interest rate swaps				$ 22,300,000	$ 25,400,000
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Estimates in reclassified an increase to interest expense			$ 9,300,000

XML

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Interest rate Swaps Recorded in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] - Interest Rate Contract [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Current	$ 9.3	$ 9.3
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Noncurrent	13.0	16.1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Current	0.0	0.0
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Noncurrent	0.0	0.0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Current	9.3	9.3
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Noncurrent	13.0	16.1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Current	0.0	0.0
Interest Rate Swap Liability, Noncurrent	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Amount of Gains (Losses) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net of Reclassification into Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Interest Rate Swap	$ 3.1	$ (11.7)

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Interest Rate Swap	$ (2.3)	$ (1.4)

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Carrying and Fair Values by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	$ 1,926.1	$ 1,921.8
Other installment financing arrangements		41.7	42.1
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	1,976.6	1,973.4
Other installment financing arrangements		$ 56.0	$ 58.6

[1] Excludes finance leases, other financing arrangements and note issuance costs.

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Pension and Postretirement Plans - Schedule of Pension and Postretirement Costs (Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	3.8	4.8
Expected return on plan assets	(7.5)	(7.3)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit	0.0	0.0
Actuarial loss	6.3	4.5
Pension / postretirement costs	2.6	2.0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	0.1	0.1
Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	0.6	0.9
Expected return on plan assets	0.0	0.0
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(0.6)	(0.6)
Actuarial loss	0.0	0.2
Pension / postretirement costs	$ 0.1	$ 0.6

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Pension and Postretirement Plans - Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Contributions to pension plans	$ 1.7	$ 1.5
Expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year	8.0
Qualified Plan [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Contributions to pension plans	0.7	0.8
Nonqualified Plan [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Contributions to pension plans	0.7	$ 0.6
Expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year	$ 3.0

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Shareowners' Deficit - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (159.7)	$ (170.1)
Reclassifications, net		6.2	4.3
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		0.6	(10.1)
Foreign currency gain (loss)		1.0	(6.9)
Ending balance		(151.9)	(182.8)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(138.8)	(152.0)
Reclassifications, net	[1]	4.4	3.2
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		0.0	0.0
Foreign currency gain (loss)		0.0	0.0
Ending balance		(134.4)	(148.8)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Including Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(19.7)	(14.7)
Reclassifications, net	[2]	1.8	1.1
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net	[3]	0.6	(10.1)
Foreign currency gain (loss)		0.0	0.0
Ending balance		(17.3)	(23.7)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(1.2)	(3.4)
Reclassifications, net		0.0	0.0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net		0.0	0.0
Foreign currency gain (loss)		1.0	(6.9)
Ending balance		$ (0.2)	$ (10.3)

[1] These reclassifications are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense and represent amortization of prior service benefit and actuarial loss, net of tax. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense are recorded in "Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further disclosures.

[2] These reclassifications are reported within "Interest expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

[3] The unrealized gain (loss), net on cash flow hedges represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments that occurred during the period, net of tax. The unrealized loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further disclosures.

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Business Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

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Business Segment Information - Selected Financial Data for the Company's Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 409.9	$ 380.0
Operating income (loss)	32.6	(20.2)
Expenditures for long-lived assets	60.7	50.9
Depreciation and amortization	71.0	74.2
Assets	2,603.2		$ 2,668.6
Operating Segments [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	242.8	243.8
Operating income (loss)	31.3	12.1
Expenditures for long-lived assets	55.0	44.4
Depreciation and amortization	60.8	63.9
Assets	1,797.3		1,803.3
Operating Segments [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	173.8	142.3
Operating income (loss)	8.6	1.7
Expenditures for long-lived assets	5.7	6.5
Depreciation and amortization	10.1	10.3
Assets	458.2		477.2
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(6.7)	(6.1)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Entertainment and Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	4.8	4.9
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1.9	1.2
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(7.3)	(34.0)
Depreciation and amortization	0.1	0.0
Corporate and Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	347.7		$ 388.1
Sales [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 6.7	$ 6.1