SBC Communications Inc.: Annual Report

SBC Communications Inc.
2003 ANNUAL REPORT

DSL Long Distance Cingular Wireless
Lines in millions Lines in millions Subscribers in millions
3.5
3.5 15 14.4 25 24.0
21.6 21.9
3.0
12 20
2.5
2.2
9 15
2.0
1.5 6.1
1.3 6 10
4.9
1.0
3 5
0.5
0.0 0 0
2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003
DEAR FELLOW INVESTOR:
2003 was a year of significant challenge for our industry and solid
achievement by our company.
Our 2003 results reaffirmed our business strategy. As the broadband through SBC Yahoo! DSL, wireless through Cingular
telecom arena continually redefines how individuals and Wireless and entertainment through SBC DISH Network.
businesses exchange ideas and information, our opportu-
DSL Internet
nities for growth in new markets are encouraging.
SBC Yahoo! DSL is the largest DSL provider in the country.
Our strategy is clear: Retain and expand our customer
Last year, we added 1.3 million lines for a total of 3.5 million.
base by offering the most complete, flexible bundle of high-
A major sales channel expansion we began in late 2003 is
quality communications solutions available anywhere in the
expected to increase our DSL momentum even more in 2004.
market, at a great value. Continually introduce new customer-
SBC Yahoo! DSL is now available through some 2,000 stores
friendly solutions and market them creatively. Stake out new
such as Best Buy, RadioShack and Sam’s Clubs — in addition
markets, particularly in the large-business sector. Maintain a
to our own company channels and online from Yahoo!
strong financial position. And always be on the lookout for
We also expanded our DSL coverage footprint in 2003 to
ways to be more efficient and cost effective.
reach 75 percent of our customer locations at year end, and we
This strategy yielded solid results in 2003:
expect to reach nearly 80 percent in the first quarter of 2004.
• 137 percent growth in long distance lines.
SBC Yahoo! DSL is currently rolling out a groundbreaking
• 60 percent growth in DSL lines.
Wi-Fi initiative called FreedomLinkSM. FreedomLinkSM will
• Strongest net adds from Cingular Wireless during
connect SBC customers to the Internet from the road via
the second half of 2003 in two years.
hot spots that are scheduled to be available in more than
• Four consecutive quarters of improving consumer
6,000 hotels, airports, convention centers and other venues
retail access line trends.
throughout the 13-state SBC territory by the end of 2006.
As 2004 unfolds, we have good reason to be optimistic,
which is why the Board of Directors in December increased Long Distance
SBC’s dividend by nearly 16 percent. By year end, we expect SBC more than doubled its long distance lines in 2003,
revenues to begin growing for the first time in three years. adding 8.3 million for a total of 14.4 million lines. This
We also expect operating margins throughout 2004 to be made SBC the fastest-growing long distance provider in
higher than fourth-quarter 2003 reported margin levels, the country last year. Our growth was spurred by launches
paving the way for increased profits in 2005. in California, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
and Wisconsin during 2003.
EXISTING MARKETS
Winning regulatory approvals in late 2003 to offer long
Bundling was the centerpiece of our consumer marketing
distance in the Midwest marked a crucial turning point for
effort last year, and we realized significant improvements in
SBC, because the region represents more than one-third, or
both access line trends and revenue per customer as a result.
about 20 million, of our total access lines. We’re already
Consumer access line retention increased 7 percent from the
seeing the same kind of access line retention impact in the
fourth quarter of 2002 to the
Annual Dividends Midwest that we saw in the West and Southwest when we
final quarter of 2003, spurred
per Common Share entered the long distance business in those regions. Now, for
by increased bundled offerings
(Declared) the first time in SBC’s history, we can offer long distance in
of long distance in California
all 50 states.
early in the year and in the Dollars per share
Midwest in the fall, and by Cingular Wireless
a major marketing push to $1.50 Wireless is a top growth area for SBC, and Cingular Wireless’
grow our DSL subscriber pending acquisition of AT&T Wireless will make SBC the
base. Product bundling majority owner of what promises to be the premier wireless
increased our average $1.41 provider in America. Coming on the heels of the strongest
monthly revenue per access $1.40 subscriber growth in two years, Cingular announced in February
line by approximately $2.25 2004 that it will buy No. 3 wireless provider AT&T Wireless.
over the same period. This combination will make Cingular a much stronger and more
We’ll strengthen our $1.30 efficient competitor in this highly competitive market.
bundle even further in March For Cingular customers, the combination will mean expanded
with the introduction of coverage to 97 of the top 100 markets, plus improved reliability,
SBC DISH Network satellite enhanced call quality and a wide array of new and innovative
television through an $1.20 services, including even faster wireless broadband services.
agreement with EchoStar. For our company and our stockholders, it provides much
With this launch, we will be greater exposure to one of the most important growth oppor-
the only major company in tunities in the telecom market today. The strong operational
$1.10 $1.08
the country to offer customers synergies Cingular expects to realize through this combination,
a complete bundle: local such as lower advertising expense, increased back-office
$1.03
and long distance calling, efficiencies and lower capital requirements, would allow
$1.00 Cingular to provide even better service at a lower cost.
2001 2002 2003
PAGE 2
Cingular made some important strides during 2003, including There are several important industry trends driving the
its conversion to the powerful GSM network technology in all its market, but one of the most significant is convergence. Talk
major markets. This conversion is enhancing service quality and to chief information officers of major companies today and
improving customer satisfaction. GSM, or Global System for one of the first things they mention is IP services and the need
Mobile Communications, is the world’s most popular wireless to converge voice and data networks. Among the many
network technology, offering the widest variety of handsets with advantages of convergence, it allows companies to save money
features like color screens, camera phones and Internet access. by putting their long distance voice on a data network.
To further integrate wireless and wireline, Cingular last fall SBC is ideally positioned to serve this market by simply
introduced FastForwardTM, a first-of-its-kind cradling device expanding our existing relationships. We stepped forward in
that allows subscribers to forward wireless calls to home or 2003 with PremierSERVSM, a powerful portfolio of managed
office lines. FastForwardTM gives customers the security of services that includes a new hosted Voice over Internet
wireline, the mobility of wireless and the convenience of Protocol service (VoIP) as well as IP-VPN services — flexible
combining both into one number. This also spells greater network connections that can support a broad spectrum of
customer savings, since calls to the wireless phone while IP applications, including VoIP.
cradled don’t count against wireless minutes. This market offers tremendous growth opportunities for
The initial impact of the much-anticipated “wireless local SBC, and with our early leadership position in the VoIP area,
number portability” rules implemented last November — we believe large-business customers will become a more
allowing customers to switch wireless carriers without changing important segment of our business over the next few years.
numbers or to move home numbers to wireless phones — was
Working for the Future
less dramatic than many had predicted. That was certainly the
With our strong broadband customer base, we’re also well-
case at Cingular.
positioned to deliver an industry-leading VoIP product to
The technology and spectrum enhancements under way at
consumers — as soon as several key regulatory and service-
Cingular, combined with the unique wireless/wireline integration
quality issues are resolved.
capabilities it offers, are two reasons we believe porting
Although a number of telecom companies have announced
represents a potential growth opportunity for Cingular in 2004.
plans to deploy VoIP for consumers, for the near term, we
NEW OPPORTUNITIES — 2004 AND BEYOND believe our current wireline offerings still provide better call
Our subscriber growth in all these consumer businesses was quality, features and pricing.
exceptional in 2003, and we expect another strong year in In the meantime, we’re working to solve the shortcomings
2004, as big gains in our newer offerings bring not only inherent with consumer VoIP services available today, such as
new revenue opportunities but greater stability in our 9-1-1 responders’ inability to locate the caller and service
wireline business. interruptions due to power failure. As the regulatory and
In long distance, we expect continued solid growth in technical uncertainties are resolved, we’ll be ready to move
2004, particularly in the West and Midwest. In wireless, aggressively to provide consumers not only with reliable
we expect to build on the strong momentum Cingular VoIP service but with value-added features.
generated last year. The conversion to GSM technology Across the country, we are continuing to migrate from
will not only improve voice quality but also allow Cingular a circuit-switched national network to a packet-switched IP
to offer new data services. We believe continued deployment network — moving from copper to fiber. This reflects the
of broadband technology will help keep the momentum ongoing shift in demand from mostly voice to mostly data,
building in our DSL business. and it provides the ability to integrate wireline and wireless.
But perhaps the highest-impact opportunity for the future SBC has been a leader for 125 years in technology
is in the large-business market, where we’re now able to development, and be assured that we will develop and
provide both voice and data services on a nationwide basis, provide solutions for the future to satisfy the exploding
providing an important new choice to business customers. demand for bandwidth to
Debt
handle our customers’ voice,
Business Markets In billions data and video needs.
SBC is poised to tap the enterprise business market, which
represents a sizable revenue opportunity over the next few $30
ENHANCING CUSTOMER
years. We achieved several milestones last year that position SERVICE, IMPROVING
us to be a strong competitor for large-business customers. $26 EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COST
First, we completed our national data and IP backbones $25
Providing top-quality, on-time
covering both our 13-state area and 30 additional major service is our heritage, and
$22
metropolitan areas. Next, we created a national sales force we’re investing in literally
more than 1,000 strong dedicated to developing new $20
hundreds of initiatives that
opportunities in the large-business market. $18 will not only help us serve our
Finally, winning the right to sell long distance in our final customers better, but do so
five Midwestern states gave us the critical traction we needed $15
more efficiently and at a lower
in our large-business push, since those states represent such cost. As a result of these
a large portion of our subscriber base. projects, last year our overall
Nearly half the Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered $10
on-time installation rate was
within our traditional 13-state service area, so our existing up, repair times were down,
customer relationships uniquely position us to compete for field technician productivity
their enterprisewide needs. Large businesses with more than $5
increased and customer evalu-
half their locations in our 13 states will spend an estimated ations of our service quality
$34 billion on telecom services this year, and they’re a showed steady improvement.
natural market for us. $0
2001 2002 2003
PAGE 3
These initiatives also will fundamentally transform our • 3.5 million high-speed Internet lines.
cost structure by standardizing, optimizing and consolidating • 24 million wireless customers, a wireless footprint with
various functions. Reducing cost is critical, as competition for the industry’s largest overlap of wireline assets and a
telecom customers intensifies. Productivity improvements pending acquisition that would make SBC a 60-percent
under way today are expected to save an estimated owner of America’s premier wireless provider.
$1.3 billion annually in expense and capital costs by 2006. • A nationwide IP backbone covering the nation’s
largest cities.
FINANCIALLY STRONG, FOCUSED ON STOCKHOLDER VALUE
• An integrated video entertainment offering.
Thanks to our disciplined financial management during one
• One of the world’s largest directory advertising
of the most difficult periods in our industry, SBC remains
companies.
financially very strong and well-equipped for the long term
• A broad set of international telecom assets.
to seize opportunities in this dynamic market. Strong cash
• A strong financial position.
flow allowed us to cut debt from $26 billion two years ago
The economy finally showed some signs of turning the
to $18 billion at the end of 2003, and we maintain the lowest
corner late last year, improving our prospects for growth
debt ratio in our industry.
both in the consumer and business markets. Gains in long
We continued to return value directly to stockholders, both
distance, broadband and wireless — combined with improving
through dividends and share repurchases. During 2003, our
access line trends — are expected to yield positive revenue
Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by a total
growth toward the end of this year. And the foundation
of 15.7 percent and declared three extra dividends totaling
we’re laying in the large-business market should yield
25 cents a share, in addition to the quarterly payout. This is the
additional growth in the years ahead.
19th consecutive year the Board has increased the dividend,
In addition, we saw competition-driven pressure on margins
and the increase is the largest in the company’s history. At year
flatten in the first quarter of this year, and we expect pension
end, SBC had the largest dividend yield in its peer group.
and post-retirement benefit costs to decline.
In December 2003, the Board also authorized a new share
Amid these encouraging signs, we’re continuing to focus
repurchase program of 350 million shares through 2008 —
on building market share and operating more cost effectively.
about 10 percent of outstanding stock.
We’ll keep running our business in a way that has won
These decisions to reduce debt, buy back shares and
us the respect of our employees, customers, partners and
increase our dividend were made in an environment in which
the communities we serve. Last year, SBC ranked No. 1 on
burdensome and uncertain regulatory rules continued to
Fortune’s list of the “Most Admired” telecom companies and
provide a disincentive to reinvest more of our cash into our
No. 7 on Fortune’s list of the top 50 companies for minorities.
traditional wireline business.
In addition, the company was recognized for having one of
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT the most diverse work forces, management teams and Board
The FCC’s Triennial Review Order that came out last August of Directors in corporate America.
provided some hope for regulatory relief in broadband, and Finally, we look forward to the safe return of the more
we are optimistic that the remaining uncertainty will be than 200 SBC military reservists who are currently serving
clarified shortly by the FCC or the Court of Appeals. We were around the world. These men and women are truly “going
disappointed, however, that onerous unbundling and pricing beyond the call” to protect America from the threat of
requirements that were overturned twice by the courts were international terrorism, and we salute their bravery and
not removed. At this writing, the United States Court of commitment to such important work.
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is still weighing As we look to the rest of 2004, SBC is more confident and
the industry’s appeal of the order on an expedited basis. committed than ever to delivering for our stockholders.
We’re hopeful this is a signal that the court intends to reform As we return to positive revenue growth, I’m confident our
once and for all the wholesale rules that have discouraged stock price will be rewarded by the market. Meanwhile,
new investment by the whole industry and put local phone we’ll work hard to build value today and in the future.
companies at a disadvantage.
In 2004, we will continue to press for rate reform at the Sincerely,
federal level. We will also participate in proceedings at the
state level to review the below-cost wholesale rates we are
currently forced to charge our competitors and continue
efforts to bring them more in line with our costs. Indiana’s
Edward E. Whitacre Jr.
recent decision to raise by approximately 30 percent the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
wholesale rate that competitor resellers pay us to lease our
February 18, 2004
network was a small step in the right direction, and we’re
hopeful other states will take notice.
We will also work with federal regulators to ensure a
level playing field for all companies that compete in the
broadband and VoIP markets.
A LOOK AHEAD
Looking ahead, I’m more optimistic about our future and our
competitive position than I’ve been in several years. No other
telecom company has our combination of assets:
• 55 million direct connections to homes and businesses
covering one-third of the United States, including the
headquarters of one-half of the Fortune 1000.
PAGE 4
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
At December 31 or for the year ended: 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Financial Data1
Operating revenues $ 40,843 $ 43,138 $ 45,908 $ 51,374 $ 49,531
Operating expenses $ 34,374 $ 34,515 $ 35,400 $ 40,904 $ 37,933
Operating income $ 6,469 $ 8,623 $ 10,508 $ 10,470 $ 11,598
Interest expense $ 1,241 $ 1,382 $ 1,599 $ 1,592 $ 1,430
Equity in net income of affiliates $ 1,253 $ 1,921 $ 1,595 $ 897 $ 912
Other income (expense) – net2 $ 1,817 $ 734 $ (236) $ 2,562 $ (354)
Income taxes $ 2,930 $ 2,984 $ 3,942 $ 4,816 $ 4,280
Income before extraordinary item and
cumulative effect of accounting changes $ 5,971 $ 7,473 $ 7,008 $ 7,800 $ 6,573
Net income3 $ 8,505 $ 5,653 $ 7,008 $ 7,800 $ 8,159
Earnings per common share:
cumulative effect of accounting changes $ 1.80 $ 2.24 $ 2.08 $ 2.30 $ 1.93
Net income3 $ 2.56 $ 1.70 $ 2.08 $ 2.30 $ 2.39
Earnings per common share – assuming dilution:
cumulative effect of accounting changes $ 1.80 $ 2.23 $ 2.07 $ 2.27 $ 1.90
Net income3 $ 2.56 $ 1.69 $ 2.07 $ 2.27 $ 2.36
Total assets $100,166 $ 95,057 $ 96,322 $ 98,651 $ 83,215
Long-term debt $ 16,060 $ 18,536 $ 17,133 $ 15,492 $ 17,475
Construction and capital expenditures $ 5,219 $ 6,808 $ 11,189 $ 13,124 $ 10,304
Dividends declared per common share4 $ 1.41 $ 1.08 $ 1.025 $ 1.015 $ 0.975
Book value per common share $ 11.57 $ 10.01 $ 9.82 $ 9.09 $ 7.87
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 6.54 6.36 5.94 6.81 6.52
Debt ratio 31.9% 39.9% 44.3% 45.0% 42.9%
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (000,000) 3,318 3,330 3,366 3,392 3,409
Weighted average common shares
outstanding with dilution (000,000) 3,329 3,348 3,396 3,433 3,458
End of period common shares
outstanding (000,000) 3,305 3,318 3,354 3,386 3,395
Operating Data
Network access lines in service (000) 54,683 57,083 59,532 61,258 60,697
Long-distance lines in service (000) 14,416 6,071 4,877 3,043 1,206
DSL lines in service (000) 3,515 2,199 1,333 767 115
Wireless customers (000) – Cingular/SBC5 24,027 21,925 21,596 19,681 11,151
Number of employees 168,950 175,980 193,420 220,090 204,530
1 Amounts in the above table have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted
the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (FAS 123) as amended by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” (FAS 148). In 2002, we restated our 2001
and 2000 results. We did not restate 1999 for our adoption of FAS 148, as allowed by the standard; however, had our results for 1999 been restated, net income for 1999
would have been reduced by $189, or $0.05 per share assuming dilution.
2 Amount for 2001 includes a loss of $28 which was reclassified from an extraordinary loss to an ordinary loss, related to the January 1, 2003 adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” (FAS 145).
FAS 145 rescinded FASB Statement No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 30”.
3 Amounts include the following extraordinary item and cumulative effect of accounting changes: 2003, extraordinary loss of $7 related to the adoption of Financial
Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (FIN 46) and
the cumulative effect of accounting changes of $2,541 which includes a $3,677 benefit related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143,
“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (FAS 143) and a $1,136 charge related to the January 1, 2003 change in the method in which we recognize revenues
and expenses related to publishing directories from the “issue basis” method to the “amortization” method; 2002, charges related to a January 1, 2002 adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”; 1999, gain on the sale of overlapping cellular properties and change in
directory accounting at Ameritech.
4 Dividends declared by SBC’s Board of Directors reflect the following: 2003, includes three additional dividends totaling $0.25 per share above our regular quarterly
dividend payout. 1999 does not include dividends declared and paid by Ameritech in 1999.
5 All periods exclude customers from the overlapping Ameritech wireless properties sold in 1999. Beginning in 2000, the number presented represents 100% of Cingular
Wireless’ (Cingular) cellular/PCS customers. Cingular is a joint venture in which we own 60% and is accounted for under the equity method.
PAGE 5
M A N A G E M E N T ’ S D I S C U S S I O N A N D A N A LYS I S O F
F I N A N C I A L C O N D I T I O N A N D R E S U LT S O F O P E R AT I O N S
Throughout this document, SBC Communications Inc. is You should read this discussion in conjunction with the
referred to as “we” or “SBC”. We are a holding company consolidated financial statements and the accompanying
whose subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communi- notes. A reference to a Note in this section refers to the
cations services industry. Our subsidiaries and affiliates accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial
provide wireline and wireless telecommunications services Statements. In our tables throughout this section,
and equipment and directory advertising services both percentage increases and decreases that exceed 100% are
domestically and worldwide. not considered meaningful and are denoted with a dash.
R E S U LT S O F O P E R AT I O N S
Consolidated Results
Our financial results are summarized in the table below. We then discuss factors affecting our overall results for the past three
years. These factors are discussed in more detail in our segment results. We also discuss our expected revenue and expense
trends for 2004 in the “Operating Environment and Trends of the Business” section.
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Operating revenues $40,843 $43,138 $45,908 (5.3)% (6.0)%
Operating expenses 34,374 34,515 35,400 (0.4) (2.5)
Operating income 6,469 8,623 10,508 (25.0) (17.9)
Income before income taxes 8,901 10,457 10,950 (14.9) (4.5)
cumulative effect of accounting changes 5,971 7,473 7,008 (20.1) 6.6
Extraordinary item1 (7) — — — —
Cumulative effect of accounting changes2,3 2,541 (1,820) — — —
Net income 8,505 5,653 7,008 50.5 (19.3)
Diluted earnings per share 2.56 1.69 2.07 51.5 (18.4)
1 2003 includes an extraordinary loss on our real estate leases related to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (FIN 46).
2 2003 includes cumulative effect of accounting changes of $2,541: a $3,677 benefit related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143,
“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (FAS 143); and a $1,136 charge related to the January 1, 2003 change in the method in which we recognize revenues
and expenses related to publishing directories from the “issue basis” method to the “amortization” method.
3 2002 includes a cumulative effect of accounting change related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets” (FAS 142).
Overview Our operating income declined $2,154, or The 2003 increase in our combined net pension and
25.0%, in 2003, and $1,885, or 17.9%, in 2002. The declines postretirement cost of $1,917 also contributed to the decline
in both 2003 and 2002 were due primarily to an increase in in operating income. Because of its size, this expense is
our combined net pension and postretirement cost and the discussed in more detail in “Operating expenses” below.
continued loss of revenues from declining retail access lines. The change in our method of accounting for publishing
The continuing decline in retail access lines has been directories from the “issue basis” method to the
primarily attributable to customers moving from our retail “amortization” method (see Note 1 and our “Directory
lines to competitors using our wholesale lines provided under Segment Results” section) increased operating income
the Unbundled Network Element-Platform (UNE-P) rules. approximately $80.
UNE-P rules require us to sell our lines and the end-to-end Our income before income taxes declined in 2002, but
services provided over those lines to competitors at below the decline was less than the decline in operating income
cost while still absorbing the costs of deploying, provisioning, due to increased gains on sales of international investments
maintaining and repairing those lines. Competitors can then in 2002. In addition, a lower effective tax rate and a decline
take advantage of these below-cost rates to offer services in our weighted average common shares outstanding
at lower prices. See our “Operating Environment and Trends favorably affected our diluted earnings per share in 2002.
of the Business” section for further discussion of UNE-P. Operating revenues Our operating revenues decreased
Additional factors contributing to the declines in retail access $2,295, or 5.3%, in 2003 and $2,770, or 6.0%, in 2002.
lines and revenues were the uncertain U.S. economy and The declines in both 2003 and 2002 were primarily due to
increased competition, including customers using wireless lower voice revenues resulting from the continued loss of
technology and cable instead of phone lines for voice and retail access lines to UNE-P wholesale lines, as well as the
data. Although retail access line losses have continued, the uncertain U.S. economy and increased competition. UNE-P
trend has slowed recently, reflecting our ability to now offer is discussed in greater detail in our “Wireline Segment
retail interLATA (traditional) long-distance in all of our Results” section. Additionally, in 2003, the change in
regions as well as the introduction of offerings combining directory accounting mentioned above also increased
multiple services for one fixed price (“bundles”). revenue approximately $47 (see Note 1).
PAGE 6
Operating expenses Our operating expenses decreased actuarial estimates of pension and postretirement benefit
$141, or 0.4%, in 2003 and $885, or 2.5%, in 2002. The 2003 expense and actuarial assumptions.
decrease was due to several factors. Costs were reduced Retirement Offers Operating expenses also include
primarily due to the decline in our workforce (down more expenses for enhanced pension and postretirement benefits
than 7,000 employees from 2002). Second, we recorded of approximately $44, $486 and $173 in 2003, 2002 and 2001
charges in 2002, which favorably affected comparisons with in connection with voluntary enhanced retirement programs
2003. Specifically, these 2002 charges included $813 related offered to certain management and nonmanagement
to a workforce reduction program (see Note 2) and employees as part of workforce reduction programs.
additional bad debt reserves of $125 as a result of the In September 2003, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
WorldCom Inc. (WorldCom) bankruptcy filing. Third, the increased the interest rate used to calculate pension plan
impact of the adoption of FAS 143 decreased our operating lump sums from 4.53% to 5.31%, effective for employees
expenses approximately $280 (see Note 1). Fourth, our who retired after September 30, 2003. The increase in this
stock option expense decreased approximately $207 (see interest rate resulted in smaller lump sum pensions for some
Note 12) primarily due to a decrease in options granted of our employees. We chose to extend the 4.53% rate to
during 2003. Additionally, the change in directory employees who retired before November 1, 2003. The exten-
accounting mentioned above decreased operating expenses sion of this lump sum benefit rate was accounted for as a
approximately $33. special termination benefit and increased our 2003 fourth-
The 2003 decreases were partially offset by increasing quarter pension benefit expense approximately $28.
costs related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans. Pension Settlement Gains/Losses Under U.S. generally
Our combined net pension and postretirement cost increased accepted accounting principles (GAAP), on a plan-by-plan
operating expenses approximately $1,917 in 2003 (see further basis, if lump sum benefit payments made to employees
discussion below). Also offsetting the decrease were increased upon termination or retirement exceed required thresholds,
expenses to enhance customer growth, including sales and we recognize a portion of previously unrecognized pension
advertising support for digital subscriber line (DSL) and gains or losses attributable to that plan’s assets and
long-distance marketing initiatives. In particular, our liabilities. Until 2002, we had an unrecognized net gain,
advertising expense increased approximately $435 in 2003. primarily because our actual investment returns exceeded
Operating expenses decreased in 2002 due to the decline our expected investment returns. During 2002 and 2001,
in our workforce (down over 17,000 employees from 2001). we made lump sum benefit payments in excess of the GAAP
2002 operating expenses also decreased due to our thresholds, resulting in the recognition of net gains,
adoption of FAS 142, whereby we stopped amortizing referred to as “pension settlement gains”. We recognized
goodwill (see Note 1). net pension settlement gains of approximately $29 and
Combined Net Pension and Postretirement Cost (Benefit) $1,363 in 2002 and 2001. Due to U.S. securities market
Operating expenses include our combined net pension and conditions, our plans experienced investment losses during
postretirement cost (benefit) of $1,835, $(82) and $(436) in 2002 and 2001 resulting in a decline in pension assets,
2003, 2002 and 2001. A decrease in our combined net causing us to have a net unrecognized loss. Net settlement
pension and postretirement benefit, as happened in 2003 gains in 2002 include settlement losses during the latter part
and 2002, causes our operating expense to increase. This of the year, reflecting the continued investment losses
increased expense of approximately $1,917 in 2003 was sustained by the plan. Settlement gains for 2001 were
primarily due to net investment losses and to pension settle- primarily related to a voluntary enhanced pension and
ment gains recognized in 2002 and previous years, which retirement program implemented in October 2000. We
reduced the amount of unrealized gains recognized in 2003. did not recognize any settlement gains or losses in 2003.
Four other factors also contributed to our increased Medical Cost Controls As a result of the continued
combined net pension and postretirement cost in 2003. increase in our combined net pension and postretirement
First, this cost increased approximately $343 due to our cost and the costs expected in 2004, discussed in “Operating
decision to lower our expected long-term rate of return on Environment and Trends of the Business”, we have taken
plan assets from 9.5% to 8.5% for 2003, based on our long- steps to implement additional cost controls. To reduce the
term view of future market returns. Second, the reduction increased medical costs mentioned above, in January 2003,
of the discount rate used to calculate service and interest we implemented cost-saving design changes in our
cost from 7.5% to 6.75%, in response to lower corporate management medical and dental plans including increased
bond interest rates, increased this cost approximately $163. participant contributions for medical and dental coverage
Third, higher-than-expected medical and prescription drug and increased prescription drug co-payments. These changes
claims increased expense approximately $152. Fourth, in reduced our postretirement cost approximately $229 in 2003.
response to rising claim costs, we increased the assumed In early 2004, nonmanagement retirees were notified of
medical cost trend rate in 2003 from 8.0% to 9.0% for medical coverage changes that will become effective on
retirees 64 and under and from 9.0% to 10.0% for retirees January 1, 2005. These changes include adjustments to
65 and over, trending to an expected increase of 5.0% in co-pays and deductibles for prescription drugs and a choice of
2009 for all retirees, prior to adjustment for cost-sharing medical plan coverage between the existing plans, including
provisions of the medical and dental plans for certain retired monthly contribution provisions or a plan with higher co-pays
employees. This increase in the medical cost trend rate and deductibles but no required monthly contribution from
increased our combined net pension and postretirement cost the retiree during 2005. We expect these changes to reduce
approximately $187. See Note 10 for further detail of our 2004 expenses in the range of $300 to $600.
PAGE 7
F I N A N C I A L C O N D I T I O N A N D R E S U LT S O F O P E R AT I O N S (CONTINUED)
2003 Accounting Changes as under the previous method (assuming the cost of removal
Directory Accounting Effective January 1, 2003, we would be the same under both methods).
changed our method of recognizing revenues and expenses 2002 Accounting Change The year 2001 included
related to publishing directories from the “issue basis” amortization expense related to goodwill and Federal
method to the “amortization” method. The issue basis Communications Commission (FCC) wireless licenses now
method recognizes revenues and expenses at the time the owned by Cingular Wireless (Cingular). Beginning in 2002,
initial delivery of the related directory title is completed. goodwill and these wireless licenses are no longer being
Consequently, quarterly income tends to vary with the amortized under FAS 142 (see Note 1).
number and size of directory titles published during a Interest expense decreased $141, or 10.2%, in 2003 and
quarter. The amortization method recognizes revenues and $217, or 13.6%, in 2002. The 2003 decrease was primarily
expenses ratably over the life of the directory title, which is related to lower debt levels, which decreased approximately
typically 12 months. Consequently, quarterly income tends to $4,102. During 2003 we called, prior to maturity,
be more consistent over the course of a year. We decided to approximately $1,743 of long-term debt obligations.
change methods because the amortization method has now The 2002 decrease was due to lower composite rates, a
become the more prevalent method used among significant lower outstanding balance of commercial paper and the
directory publishers. This change will allow a more meaning- elimination of interest expense associated with payables
ful comparison between our directory segment and other to Cingular, which was due to a 2001 agreement to net our
publishing companies (or publishing segments of larger notes payable with our notes receivable from Cingular.
companies). Our directory accounting change resulted in a Interest income increased $42, or 7.5%, in 2003 and
noncash charge of $1,136, net of an income tax benefit of decreased $121, or 17.7%, in 2002. The increase for 2003
$714, recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change was primarily due to an increase in average investment
on the Consolidated Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003. balances and from early settlement of our notes receivable
The effect of this change was to increase consolidated related to our 2002 sale of our investment in Bell Canada
pre-tax income and our directory segment income for 2003 Holdings Inc. (Bell Canada) to BCE, Inc. (BCE), which included
by $80 ($49 net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share). a pre-payment of interest of approximately $37. These
FAS 143 On January 1, 2003, we adopted FAS 143, increases were partially offset by a decrease in interest rates
which sets forth how companies must account for the costs charged to Cingular (see Note 15). The decrease in 2002 was
of removal of long-lived assets when those assets are no the result of the reduction of interest income associated
longer used in a company’s business, but only if a company with the reduced balance of notes receivable from Cingular
is legally required to remove such assets. FAS 143 requires as a result of the 2001 netting agreement discussed above.
that companies record the fair value of the costs of removal Equity in net income of affiliates decreased $668, or
in the period in which the obligations are incurred and 34.8%, in 2003 and increased $326, or 20.4%, in 2002.
capitalize that amount as part of the book value of the The 2003 decrease was due to lower results from our
long-lived asset. In connection with the adoption of FAS 143 international holdings, largely attributable to gains that
on January 1, 2003, we reversed all existing accrued costs occurred in 2002, and foregone equity income from the
of removal for those plant accounts where our estimated disposition of investments. The decrease was also due to
costs of removal exceeded the estimated salvage value. lower 2003 operating results from Cingular. Income from
The noncash gain resulting from this reversal was $3,684, our international holdings decreased approximately $546
net of deferred taxes of $2,249, recorded as a cumulative in 2003 compared to 2002. Our proportionate share of
effect of accounting change on the Consolidated Statement Cingular’s results decreased approximately $146 in 2003.
of Income as of January 1, 2003. In addition, TDC A/S (TDC), The 2002 increase was due to higher income of
the Danish national communications company in which we approximately $597 from our international holdings,
hold an investment accounted for on the equity method, primarily due to larger gains in 2002 than in 2001. The
recorded a loss upon adoption of FAS 143. Our share of that increase was partially offset by a decline in Cingular’s
loss was $7, which included no tax effect. This noncash results. Our proportionate share of Cingular’s results
charge of $7 was also recorded as a cumulative effect of decreased approximately $270 in 2002.
accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of We account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular
Income as of January 1, 2003 (see Note 1). under the equity method of accounting and therefore
Beginning in 2003, for those types of plant accounts include our proportionate share of Cingular’s results in
where our estimated costs of removal exceeded the our equity in net income of affiliates line item in our
estimated salvage value, we now expense all costs of Consolidated Statements of Income. Results from our
removal as we incur them (previously those costs had been international holdings are discussed in detail in
recorded in our depreciation rates). As a result, our “International Segment Results” and Cingular’s operating
depreciation expense will decrease immediately and our results are discussed in detail in the “Cingular Segment
operations and support expense will increase as these Results” section. (Our accounting for Cingular is described
assets are removed from service. The effect of this change in more detail in Note 6.)
was to increase consolidated pre-tax income and our Other income (expense) – net We had other income of
wireline segment income for 2003 by $280 ($172 net of $1,817 in 2003, $734 in 2002 and other expense of $236 in
tax, or $0.05 per diluted share). However, over the life of 2001. Results for 2003 include gains of approximately $1,574
the assets, total operating expenses recognized under this on the sale of our interest in Cegetel S.A. (Cegetel) and gains
new accounting method will be approximately the same of $201 on the sales of Yahoo! Inc. (Yahoo) and BCE shares.
PAGE 8
Results for 2002 primarily include gains of approximately On January 1, 2002, we adopted FAS 142. Adoption of
$603 on the redemption of our interest in Bell Canada and FAS 142 means that we stopped amortizing goodwill, and
gains of $191 on the sale of shares in equity investments, at least annually we will test the remaining book value of
consisting of the sale of shares of Teléfonos de Mexico, S.A. goodwill for impairment. Our total cumulative effect of
de C.V. (Telmex), América Móvil S.A. de C.V. (América Móvil) accounting change from adopting FAS 142 was a noncash
and Amdocs Limited (Amdocs). These gains and income were charge of $1,820, net of an income tax benefit of $5,
partially offset by a charge of approximately $75 related to recorded as of January 1, 2002 (see Note 1).
the decrease in value of our investment in WilTel
Communications (WilTel) (formerly Williams Communications Segment Results
Group Inc.) combined with a loss on the sale of our web- Our segments represent strategic business units that
hosting operations. offer different products and services and are managed
Results for 2001 included gains on the full or partial sale of accordingly. As required by GAAP, our operating segment
investments of approximately $476, including our investments results presented in Note 4 and discussed below for each
in TransAsia Telecommunications, Smith Security, Amdocs segment follow our internal management reporting.
shares and other investments. An additional increase of $120 Under GAAP segment reporting rules, we analyze our
resulted from a reduction of a valuation allowance on a note various operating segments based on segment income.
receivable related to the sale of Ameritech’s security monitor- Interest expense, interest income, other income (expense) –
ing business. The 2001 income and gains were more than net and income tax expense are managed only on a total
offset by charges and losses, including combined expenses company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in
of approximately $401 related to valuation adjustments of consolidated results. Therefore, these items are not
WilTel and certain other cost investments accounted for under included in the calculation of each segment’s percentage
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 115, of our total segment income. We have five reportable
“Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity segments that reflect the current management of our
Securities” (FAS 115). These valuation adjustments resulted business: (1) wireline; (2) Cingular; (3) directory;
from an evaluation that the decline was other than (4) international; and (5) other.
temporary. We also recognized a charge of $341 indicated The wireline segment accounted for approximately
by a transaction pending as of December 31, 2001, to reduce 65% of our 2003 consolidated segment operating revenues
the direct book value of our investment in Telecom Américas Ltd. as compared to 66% in 2002 and 46% of our 2003
The transaction closed in early 2002. Additionally we consolidated segment income as compared to 51% in 2002.
recognized a loss of approximately $61 on the sale of We operate as both a retail and wholesale seller of
Ameritech’s cable television operations. communications services providing landline telecommuni-
Income taxes decreased $54, or 1.8%, in 2003 and $958, cations services, including local and long-distance voice,
or 24.3%, in 2002. The decrease in income tax in 2003 switched access, data and messaging services.
compared to 2002 was primarily due to lower income before The Cingular segment accounted for approximately 27%
income taxes and a lower effective tax rate in 2002. The of our 2003 consolidated segment operating revenues as
decrease in income taxes in 2002 compared to 2001 was compared to 26% in 2002 and 12% of our 2003 consolidated
primarily the result of lower income and also a lower segment income as compared to 11% in 2002. This segment
effective tax rate. The lower effective tax rate primarily reflects 100% of the results reported by Cingular, our wireless
related to lower state taxes including reductions due to one- joint venture and replaces our previously titled “wireless”
time changes in the legal forms of various entities, increased segment, which included 60% of Cingular’s revenues and
realization of foreign tax credits, adoption of FAS 142, and expenses. Although we analyze Cingular’s revenues and
a tax benefit from a restructuring of certain investments. expenses under the Cingular segment, we eliminate the
Extraordinary item in 2003 included an extraordinary loss Cingular segment in our consolidated financial statements.
of $7, net of taxes of $4, related to consolidation of real In our consolidated financial statements, we report our 60%
estate leases under FIN 46 (see Note 1). proportionate share of Cingular’s results as equity in net
Cumulative effect of accounting changes Effective income of affiliates. Cingular offers both wireless voice and
January 1, 2003, we changed our method of recognizing data communications services across most of the U.S.,
revenues and expenses related to publishing directories providing cellular and PCS services.
from the “issue basis” to the “amortization method”. Our The directory segment accounted for approximately 8%
directory accounting change resulted in a noncash charge of our 2003 and 2002 consolidated segment operating
of $1,136, net of an income tax benefit of $714, recorded revenues and 26% of our 2003 consolidated segment
as a cumulative effect of accounting change on the income as compared to 21% in 2002. This segment includes
Consolidated Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003 (see all directory operations, including Yellow and White Pages
“2003 Accounting Changes” above and Note 1). advertising and electronic publishing. In the first quarter of
On January 1, 2003, we adopted FAS 143, which changed 2003 we changed our method of accounting for revenues
the way we depreciate certain types of our property, plant and expenses in our directory segment. Results for 2003,
and equipment. The noncash gain resulting from adoption and going forward, will be reported under the amortization
was $3,677, net of deferred taxes of $2,249, recorded as a method. This means that revenues and direct expenses are
cumulative effect of accounting change on the Consolidated recognized ratably over the life of the directory title,
Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003 (see “2003 typically 12 months. This accounting change will affect only
Accounting Changes” above and Note 1). the timing of the recognition of a directory title’s revenues
PAGE 9
and direct expenses. It will not affect the total amounts The other segment includes all corporate and other
recognized for any directory title. operations as well as the equity income from our investment
All investments with primarily international operations in Cingular. Although we analyze Cingular’s revenues and
are included in the international segment, which accounted expenses under the Cingular segment, we record equity in
for less than 1% of our 2003 and 2002 consolidated segment net income of affiliates (from non-international investments)
operating revenues and 7% of our 2003 consolidated in the other segment.
segment income as compared to 9% in 2002. Most of our The following tables show components of results of
international interests are accounted for under the equity operations by segment. We discuss significant segment
method and therefore are reflected in segment income but results following each table. We discuss capital expenditures
not in segment revenue or expense. for each segment in “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Wireline
Segment Results
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Segment operating revenues
Voice $22,077 $24,716 $26,675 (10.7)% (7.3)%
Data 10,150 9,639 9,631 5.3 0.1
Long-distance voice 2,561 2,324 2,436 10.2 (4.6)
Other 1,616 1,713 1,948 (5.7) (12.1)
Total Segment Operating Revenues 36,404 38,392 40,690 (5.2) (5.6)
Segment operating expenses
Cost of sales 15,805 15,536 15,788 1.7 (1.6)
Selling, general and administrative 8,794 8,445 8,221 4.1 2.7
Depreciation and amortization 7,763 8,442 8,461 (8.0) (0.2)
Total Segment Operating Expenses 32,362 32,423 32,470 (0.2) (0.1)
Segment Income $ 4,042 $ 5,969 $ 8,220 (32.3)% (27.4)%
Our wireline segment operating income margin was 11.1% Environment and Trends of the Business”.) Additional factors
in 2003, compared to 15.5% in 2002 and 20.2% in 2001. contributing to the margin decrease were loss of revenues
The continued decline in our wireline segment operating from the uncertain U.S. economy, increased competition,
income margin was due primarily to the continued loss of increased combined net pension and postretirement cost,
revenues from a net decline in retail access lines (as shown the cost of our growth initiatives in long-distance and DSL,
in the following table) from 2002 to 2003 of 3,703,000, or and an increase in customers using wireless technology and
7.3%, and from 2001 to 2002 of 4,561,000, or 8.2%. This cable instead of phone lines for voice and data. Following
decline was primarily caused by our providing below-cost is a summary of our access lines at December 31, 2003,
UNE-P lines to competitors. (The UNE-P rules and their 2002 and 2001:
impact are discussed in “Overview” and in “Operating
Access Lines
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
(in 000s) 2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Retail – Consumer 28,842 31,359 34,517 (8.0)% (9.1)%
Retail – Business 18,264 19,450 20,853 (6.1) (6.7)
Retail Sub-total 47,106 50,809 55,370 (7.3) (8.2)
Percent of total switched access lines 86.1% 89.0% 93.0%
UNE-P 6,664 4,963 2,400 34.3 —
Resale 445 801 1,235 (44.4) (35.1)
Wholesale Sub-total 7,109 5,764 3,635 23.3 58.6
Payphones (retail and wholesale) 468 510 527 (8.2) (3.2)
Total Switched Access Lines 54,683 57,083 59,532 (4.2)% (4.1)%
PAGE 10
Total switched access lines in service at December 31, 2003, order that reduced UNE-P pricing. Revenue from “local plus”
declined 4.2%, from 2002 levels. During this same period, plans (expanded local calling area) declined $92 as more
wholesale lines increased 23.3%. The decline in total access customers chose broader long-distance and other bundled
lines reflects the continuing reluctance of U.S. businesses to offerings. Payphone revenues decreased approximately $99
increase their workforces, the disconnection of secondary in 2003 and $109 in 2002 due to a continued decline in
lines and continued growth in alternative communication usage. Reduced demand for voice equipment located on
technologies such as wireless, cable and other internet-based customer premises decreased revenues approximately $59
systems. As our ratio of wholesale lines to total access lines in 2003 and $248 in 2002. Revenues also decreased
continues to grow, additional pressure will be applied to our approximately $34 in 2003 and $86 in 2002 due to the
wireline segment operating margin, since the wholesale July 2000 Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance
revenue we receive is significantly less due to the various Service (CALLS) order which capped prices for certain services.
state UNE-P rates, but our cost to service and maintain Revenue was also lower in 2002 by approximately $117 due
wholesale lines is essentially the same as for retail lines. to the June 2001 Illinois legislation which increased 2001
Total switched access lines in service at December 31, 2002, revenues. This June 2001 legislation imposed new require-
declined 4.1%, from 2001 levels. During this same period, ments on Illinois telecommunications companies relating
wholesale lines increased by 58.6%. Wholesale lines to service standards, service offerings and competitors’
represented 10.1% of total access lines at December 31, 2002, access to our network. Revenue in 2002 was also lower by
compared to 6.1% of total lines a year earlier. approximately $66 due to the reversal of an accrual related
While retail access lines have continued to decline, the to an FCC rate-related issue which increased 2001 revenue.
trend has slowed recently in our West and Southwest Partially offsetting these revenue declines, demand for
regions reflecting our ability to now offer retail interLATA wholesale services, primarily UNE-P lines provided to
(traditional long-distance) service in those regions and the competitors, increased revenues approximately $478 in
introduction of bundled offerings in those regions (see 2003 and $200 in 2002.
“Long-distance voice” below). In late 2003, we began Revenue also decreased approximately $37 in 2003 and
offering retail interLATA service in our Midwest region (see increased approximately $47 in 2002 due to accruals related
our “Operating Environment and Trends of the Business”). to the 2002 approval by the Texas Public Utility Commission
Retail access lines for the Midwest region have decreased (TPUC) that allows us to collect higher local rates than we
10.1% since December 31, 2002, compared with declines of had previously billed in 32 telephone exchanges (retroactive
4.9% in the Southwest region and 6.7% in the West region to 1999). In 2002, we accrued revenue of $47 in connection
for the same period. As a result of our launch of interLATA with this issue and accrued an additional $10 in 2003. (These
long-distance service in the Midwest region in late 2003, we accruals represent previously earned revenue which we
expect that retail access line losses in this region will begin began collecting in the fourth quarter of 2003 and will
to moderate somewhat in future periods based on the continue to prospectively collect.) In addition to these
experience of our other regions. However, while we accruals, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2002 we began
experienced a decrease in UNE-P access line losses in the charging the higher local rates approved by the TPUC on
fourth quarter of 2003, the expected favorable impact from a going-forward basis. As a result of these higher rates,
offering interLATA long-distance service in the Midwest may revenue increased approximately $15 in 2003 and $3 in
be somewhat mitigated by the UNE-P rates in effect in those 2002. The net effect of the TPUC’s 2002 decision was to
states, which are generally lower than in our other states. decrease revenue approximately $22 in 2003 and increase
See further discussion of the details of our wireline segment revenue approximately $50 in 2002.
revenue and expense fluctuations below. Data revenues increased $511, or 5.3%, in 2003 and $8,
Voice revenues decreased $2,639, or 10.7%, in 2003 and or 0.1%, in 2002. The increases are primarily due to
$1,959, or 7.3%, in 2002 due primarily to the continued loss continued growth in DSL, our broadband internet-access
of retail access lines caused by providing below-cost UNE-P service, which increased approximately $484 in 2003 and
(see the table above). The uncertain U.S. economy and $326 in 2002. The number of DSL lines in service grew to
increased competition, including customers using wireless approximately 3,515,000 in 2003 as compared to 2,199,000
technology and cable instead of phone lines for voice and at the end of 2002 and 1,333,000 at the end of 2001.
data, also contributed to the decline in revenues. The contin- Our high-capacity transport services, which include DS1s
ued access line declines decreased revenues approximately and DS3s (types of dedicated high-capacity lines), and SONET
$1,416 in 2003 and $1,117 in 2002. A decline in demand for (a dedicated high-speed solution for multi-site businesses),
calling features (e.g., Caller ID and voice mail) decreased represented about 65% of our total data revenues in 2003
revenues approximately $329 in 2003 and $238 in 2002 due and 69% in 2002. Revenue from these high-capacity services
in part to the access line declines and an uncertain economy. was essentially flat in both 2003 and 2002 as increased
Pricing responses to competitors’ offerings and regulatory demand was mostly offset by price decreases and volume
changes reduced revenue approximately $398 in 2003 and discounts to respond to competition. These price decreases
$7 in 2002. Billing adjustments with our wholesale customers also included the impact of the continued implementation
also decreased revenues approximately $297 in 2003. of the 2000 federal CALLS order of approximately $82 in
Reduced demand for inside wire service agreements 2003 and $78 in 2002.
decreased revenues approximately $138 in 2003 and $118 in 2003 data revenues also increased approximately $45 as a
2002. Revenue also decreased approximately $210 in 2003 result of a settlement with WorldCom. This increase was
and $75 in 2002 due to an interim California regulatory partially offset by approximately $26 related to a prior-year
PAGE 11
WorldCom settlement, which increased 2002 revenue. In Revenue from wholesale long-distance services provided
2002, our e-commerce revenues increased approximately to Cingular, under a 2002 related-party agreement,
$152, primarily due to our acquisition of Prodigy increased approximately $24 in 2003 and $114 during 2002.
Communications Corp. (Prodigy) in late 2001. The 2002 However, this did not have a material impact on our net
increases in data transport and e-commerce were virtually income as the long-distance revenue was mostly offset when
offset by a decrease of approximately $537 in revenues from we recorded our share of equity income from Cingular.
data equipment sales and network integration services. Other operating revenues decreased $97, or 5.7%, in
Long-distance voice revenues increased $237, or 10.2%, 2003 and $235, or 12.1%, in 2002. Revenue from directory
in 2003 and decreased $112, or 4.6%, in 2002. The 2003 and operator assistance, billing and collection services
increase was primarily driven by increased sales of combined provided to other carriers, wholesale and other miscella-
long-distance and local calling fixed-fee offerings (referred neous products and services decreased approximately
to as bundling) in our West and Southwest regions as well $119 in 2003 and $127 in 2002. Various one-time billing
as strong early results in the Midwest, where we launched adjustments decreased revenues approximately $75 in 2003
long-distance service in late September and October 2003. and $49 in 2002, and adjustments to our deferred activation
Retail interLATA long-distance (traditional long-distance) revenues decreased revenues $77 in 2002. Partially offsetting
revenues increased approximately $385 reflecting our ability these decreases, price increases, primarily in directory
to now offer nationwide long-distance services. In addition assistance, increased revenue approximately $38 in 2003
to our previous entries into the Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and $63 in 2002. In addition, commissions paid by Cingular
Oklahoma and Texas (collectively, our “Southwest” region) for wireless sales from SBC sources increased revenue
and Connecticut long-distance markets, we entered the approximately $55 in 2003 and $7 in 2002. Recognition of
long-distance markets in California in December 2002; wireline deferred activation fees also increased revenues
Nevada in April 2003 (both, our “West” region); Michigan approximately $7 in 2003.
in late September 2003 and, most recently, Illinois, Indiana, Cost of sales expenses increased $269, or 1.7%, in 2003
Ohio and Wisconsin (all five, our “Midwest” region) in and decreased $252, or 1.6%, in 2002. Cost of sales consists
late October 2003. Also contributing to the increase was of costs we incur to provide our products and services,
continuing growth in our international calling bundles and our including costs of operating and maintaining our networks.
business long-distance service. Our retail international long- Costs in this category include our repair technicians and
distance revenue increased approximately $112 due to higher repair services, network planning and engineering, operator
call volumes that originate or terminate internationally. services, information technology, property taxes related to
Partially offsetting these increases was a decline of elements of our network, and payphone operations.
approximately $286 in retail intraLATA long-distance (local Pension and postretirement costs are also included to the
toll) revenues. The decrease in intraLATA revenues is due to extent that they are allocated to our network labor force
access line losses, a decline in minutes of use and price and other employees who perform the functions listed in
decreases caused by increased competition and our fixed-fee this paragraph.
bundling packages. IntraLATA revenues declined approxi- Our combined net pension and postretirement cost
mately $106 due to access line losses. Market-driven price (which includes certain employee-related benefits) increased
reductions decreased intraLATA revenues approximately approximately $824 in 2003 and $1,307 in 2002 due to
$53. The remainder of the intraLATA revenue decline was enhanced termination benefits, net investment losses,
primarily due to decreases in billed intraLATA minutes of varying levels of net settlement gains ($0 in 2003, $19 in
use. The decline in usage mainly related to the increased 2002 and $807 in 2001), the effect of previous recognition
sales of our fixed-fee bundles, which do not separately of pension settlement gains reducing the amount of
bill minutes of use. We expect these declining intraLATA unrealized gains recognized in the current year, a lower
revenue trends to continue. assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets and a
The 2002 decrease in long-distance revenue was due to a reduction in the discount rate (see Note 10). Salary and
decrease of approximately $381 in retail intraLATA revenues wage merit increases and other bonus accrual adjustments
primarily due to increased competition throughout our increased expense approximately $508 in 2003 and $175 in
13-state area. We were required to open our markets to 2002. Wage increases in 2002 were partially offset by
competition in order to gain approval to offer interLATA termination of most management vacation carry-over
long-distance service. The decline in local toll revenues was policies and reduction of employee bonuses. Reciprocal
only partially offset by increases in long-distance revenues in compensation expense (fees paid to connect calls outside
the six states where we were authorized to offer interLATA our network) for our long-distance lines increased
long-distance services for virtually all of 2002. In particular, approximately $248 in 2003 and $134 in 2002 due to a
intraLATA minutes of use declined approximately 19.6%, significant increase in minutes used from additional long-
which decreased revenues approximately $171. IntraLATA distance customers since we began service in California, and
revenues also decreased approximately $85 resulting from to the increased sales of fixed-fee plans with unlimited
access line losses. Partially offsetting the intraLATA revenue usage. Costs associated with equipment sales and related
decline was an increase in retail interLATA revenues of network integration services increased approximately $77
approximately $155, resulting from our 2001 entries into the in 2003, compared to a decrease of $652 in 2002, which
Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma long-distance was primarily due to previous efforts to de-emphasize
markets in addition to our previous entries into the Texas low-margin equipment sales.
and Connecticut markets.
PAGE 12
Partially offsetting the increases, lower employee levels $644 in 2002, due to enhanced termination benefits, net
decreased expenses, primarily salary and wages, investment losses, varying levels of net settlement gains
approximately $312 in 2003 and $559 in 2002. Expenses ($0 in 2003, $9 in 2002 and $397 in 2001), the effect of
decreased approximately $221 in 2003 due to lower previous recognition of pension settlement gains reducing
severance accruals, after increasing approximately $114 in the amount of unrealized gains recognized in the current
2002. Other employee-related expenses including travel, year, a lower assumed long-term rate of return on plan
training and conferences decreased approximately $34 in assets and a reduction in the discount rate (see Note 10).
2003 and $143 in 2002. Advertising expense increased approximately $368 in 2003
Nonemployee-related expenses such as contract services, and $94 in 2002, primarily driven by our launch of long-
agent commissions and materials and supplies costs distance service in new markets and bundling initiatives.
decreased approximately $545 in 2003 and $424 in 2002. In 2004, we expect advertising to remain flat from 2003
Reciprocal compensation expense related to our wholesale levels even as we promote the launch of interLATA long-
lines decreased approximately $212 in 2003 as the lower distance service in all five Midwest states, which began
rates that we have negotiated with other carriers have more in late 2003.
than offset the growth in minutes that our customers have Our provision for uncollectible accounts decreased
used outside of our network. In 2002, reciprocal compensa- approximately $479 in 2003 as we experienced fewer losses
tion expense on our wholesale lines increased approximately from our retail customers and a decrease in bankruptcy
$44 primarily due to growth in wireless and competitors’ filings by our wholesale customers. Contributing to this
local exchange carrier minutes of use on our network. decrease in 2003 was the 2003 reversal of WorldCom bad
Expenses decreased approximately $48 in 2002 due debt reserves of $86 as a result of a settlement reached with
primarily to one-time expenses incurred in 2001 to WorldCom (see “Other Business Matters”). Year-over-year
implement the Illinois legislation discussed in “Voice” comparisons were also affected by our recording in 2002
revenues above. Expenses also decreased approximately of an additional bad debt reserve of $125 as a result of the
$200 in 2002 due to costs recorded in 2001 from a WorldCom bankruptcy filing.
settlement with the Illinois Commerce Commission related Lower severance accruals decreased expenses approxi-
to a provision of the Ameritech merger. The amount mately $148 in 2003 and higher accruals increased expenses
represents an estimate of all future cost savings to be by approximately $49 in 2002. Additionally, lower employee
shared with our Illinois customers. levels decreased expenses, primarily salary and wages,
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $121 in 2003 and $165 in 2002. Other
$349, or 4.1%, in 2003 and $224, or 2.7%, in 2002. Selling, employee-related expenses including travel, training and
general and administrative expenses consist of our provision conferences decreased approximately $23 in 2003 and $127
for uncollectible accounts, advertising costs, sales and in 2002. Other nonemployee-related expenses such as
marketing functions, including our retail and wholesale contract services, agent commissions and materials and
customer service centers, centrally managed real estate costs, supplies costs also decreased approximately $120 in 2003
including maintenance and utilities on all owned and leased and $177 in 2002.
buildings, credit and collection functions and corporate Expenses decreased approximately $86 in 2002 due
overhead costs, such as finance, legal, human resources and primarily to one-time expenses incurred in 2001 to
external affairs. Pension and postretirement costs are also implement the Illinois legislation discussed in “Voice”
included to the extent they relate to employees who revenues above.
perform the functions listed in this paragraph. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $679,
Salary and wage merit increases and other bonus accrual or 8.0%, in 2003 and $19, or 0.2%, in 2002. The change in
adjustments increased expenses approximately $470 in 2003 our depreciation rates when we adopted FAS 143 decreased
and decreased expenses by approximately $6 in 2002. expenses approximately $340 in 2003. Reduced capital
Wage increases in 2002 were more than offset by termina- expenditures accounted for the remainder of the decrease.
tion of most management vacation carry-over policies and In 2002, amortization decreased approximately $161 as
reduction of employee bonuses. Our combined net pension goodwill was no longer amortized in accordance with FAS
and postretirement cost (which includes certain employee- 142 (see Note 1) which more than offset increased expense
related benefits) increased approximately $404 in 2003 and primarily related to amortization of software.
PAGE 13
Cingular
Segment Results
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Segment operating revenues
Service $14,223 $13,922 $13,229 2.2% 5.2%
Equipment 1,260 981 1,039 28.4 (5.6)
Total Segment Operating Revenues 15,483 14,903 14,268 3.9 4.5
Cost of services and equipment sales 5,683 5,106 4,564 11.3 11.9
Selling, general and administrative 5,422 5,426 5,235 (0.1) 3.6
Depreciation and amortization 2,089 1,850 1,921 12.9 (3.7)
Total Segment Operating Expenses 13,194 12,382 11,720 6.6 5.6
Segment Operating Income 2,289 2,521 2,548 (9.2) (1.1)
Interest Expense 856 911 822 (6.0) 10.8
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates (323) (265) (68) (21.9) —
Other, net (60) (94) 42 36.2 —
Segment Income $ 1,050 $ 1,251 $ 1,700 (16.1)% (26.4)%
We account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular customer care centers, to continue to increase during 2004.
under the equity method of accounting in our consolidated To the extent wireless industry churn remains higher than in
financial statements since we share control equally (i.e. the past, Cingular expects those costs to increase.
50/50) with our 40% economic partner in the joint venture. Cingular’s wireless networks use equipment with digital
We have equal voting rights and representation on the transmission technologies known as Global System for
board of directors that controls Cingular. This means that Mobile Communication (GSM) technology and Time Division
our consolidated reported results include Cingular’s results Multiple Access (TDMA) technology. Cingular substantially
in the “Equity in Net Income of Affiliates” line. However, completed upgrading its existing TDMA markets to use GSM
when analyzing our segment results, we evaluate Cingular’s technology in order to provide a common voice standard.
results on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, in the segment Cingular’s GSM network now covers approximately 93% of
table above, we present 100% of Cingular’s revenues and Cingular’s population of potential customers (referred to in
expenses under “Segment operating revenues” and the media as “POPs”) in areas Cingular provides wireless
“Segment operating expenses”. (Beginning with 2003, the service. Also, Cingular is adding high-speed technologies for
Cingular segment replaces our previously titled “wireless” data services known as General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)
segment, which included 60% of Cingular’s revenues and and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).
expenses.) Including 100% of Cingular’s results in our In August 2003, Cingular agreed to purchase from
segment operations (rather than 60% in equity in net income NextWave Telecom, Inc. (NextWave) FCC licenses for wireless
of affiliates) affects the presentation of this segment’s spectrum in 34 markets for $1,400. See “Expected Growth
revenues, expenses, operating income, nonoperating items Areas” for more detail.
and segment income, but does not affect our consolidated Our Cingular segment operating income margin was
reported net income. We are currently evaluating how the 14.8% in 2003, 16.9% in 2002 and 17.9% in 2001. The lower
provisions of FIN 46 will affect our accounting for Cingular. 2003 margin was caused by a number of factors. Cingular’s
FIN 46 will apply to our investment in Cingular starting with operating expenses increased primarily due to acquisition
its 2004 first-quarter results (see Note 1). costs related to higher customer additions, and extensive
On February 17, 2004, Cingular announced an agreement customer retention and customer service initiatives in
to acquire AT&T Wireless Services Inc. (AT&T Wireless). See anticipation of number portability. Network operating costs
“Other Business Matters” for more details. also increased due to ongoing growth in customer usage
The FCC adopted rules allowing customers to keep their and incremental costs related to Cingular’s GSM network
wireless number when switching to another company upgrade. Only partially offsetting these expense increases
(generally referred to as “number portability”). The FCC rules were modest revenue growth and slightly decreased costs
requiring number portability were effective on November 24, in other areas, including prior and ongoing system and
2003. For 2003 these rules had a minor impact on Cingular’s process consolidations. At December 31, 2003, Cingular had
customer turnover (“churn”) rate. During 2003 Cingular’s approximately 24 million wireless customers, as compared
cellular/PCS (wireless) churn was 2.7%, a slight improvement to 21.9 million at December 31, 2002 and 21.6 million at
from the 2.8% churn from 2002. Cingular has incurred costs December 31, 2001.
directed toward implementing these rules and minimizing Cingular’s 2002 slight decline in segment operating
customer churn and expects these costs, consisting primarily income margin of 1.0%, as compared to 2001, was primarily
of handset subsidies, selling costs and greater staffing of due to the higher network costs due to increased network
PAGE 14
minutes of use partially offset by increased revenues. The Cost of services and equipment sales expenses increased
continued decline in Cingular’s operating margin also $577, or 11.3%, in 2003 and $542, or 11.9%, in 2002. The
reflects continued customer shifts to all inclusive rate plans 2003 increase was primarily due to increased equipment
that include roaming, long-distance and “Rollover” minutes, costs of $496 as well as higher network costs. The increased
which allow customers to carry over unused minutes from equipment costs were driven primarily by higher handset
month to month for up to one year. See further discussion unit sales associated with the significant increase in
of the details of our Cingular segment revenues and customer additions and existing customers upgrading
expenses below. their units. Increased equipment costs also resulted from
In the fourth quarter of 2003, to be consistent with higher per-unit handset costs due to a shift to higher-end
emerging industry practices, Cingular changed its income handsets such as the dual-system TDMA/GSM handsets in
statement presentation for the current and prior-year use during Cingular’s GSM system conversion and newly
periods to record billings to customers for the Universal introduced GSM-only handsets. In addition, Cingular sold
Service Fund and other regulatory fees as “Service revenues” handsets below cost, through direct sales sources, to
and the payments by Cingular of these fees into the customers who committed to one-year or two-year contracts
regulatory funds as “Cost of services and equipment sales”. or in connection with other promotions. Network costs
This amount totaled $337 in 2003, $176 in 2002 and $160 increased due to a 19.1% increase in minutes of use for
in 2001. Operating income and net income for all periods 2003. Local network costs also increased due to system
were not affected. expansion and increased costs of redundant TDMA networks
Service revenues increased $301, or 2.2%, in 2003 and during the current GSM system upgrade.
$693, or 5.2%, in 2002. Cingular’s local service revenues The 2002 increase was primarily due to significant
increased approximately $487 in 2003 due to the significantly increases in minutes of use on the network and increased
higher customer net additions and greater local minutes of roaming and long-distance costs, which were driven by
use. Data services also increased, primarily in short messaging customer migrations to rate plans that include these
services; however, data services are not yet a significant services for no additional charge. Minutes of use increased
component of revenues. These increases were partially offset approximately 36% over 2001, which was primarily caused
by decreases of approximately $172 in roaming and long- by demand for digital plans with more included minutes
distance revenues, of which $57 were attributable to and off-peak promotions, which allow for a large number
Cingular customers continuing to migrate to all-inclusive of free minutes.
regional and national rate plans that include roaming and Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased
long-distance. Roaming revenues from other wireless carriers $4, or 0.1%, in 2003 and increased $191, or 3.6%, in 2002.
for use of Cingular’s network decreased approximately $115 Cingular’s 2003 expense was basically flat compared to 2002
in 2003, primarily due to lower negotiated roaming rates, due to lower billing, administrative and bad debt expenses
which offset the impact of increasing volumes. In addition, partially offset by increased selling expenses. The lower
approximately $35 of activation revenues from Cingular’s billing expenses reflect efficiencies gained from 2002 system
own sales sources were reclassified from local service conversions and related consolidations. The decreased
revenues to equipment sales as a result of the July 2003 administrative costs were due to reduced employee-related
adoption of Emerging Issues Task Force Interpretation costs and decreased information technology and develop-
No. 00-21 (EITF 00-21) (see Note 1). ment expenses resulting from a 2002 workforce reorgani-
The 2002 increase was primarily driven by customer zation. The decline in bad debt expense includes a $20
growth compared to 2001 and an increase in handset recovery of 2002 WorldCom write-offs. Partially offsetting
guaranty premiums. Partially offsetting the 2002 increase these declines were increased selling expenses of
were decreased long-distance and incollect roaming approximately $103 driven primarily by higher advertising
revenues, as customers shifted to rate plans that included costs and commissions expense. The commissions expense
these features for no additional charge. 2002 revenues also increase reflects the nearly 14% increase in total postpaid
decreased due to a 45.1% decrease in customers served and prepaid gross customer additions compared with 2002.
through reseller agreements. Reseller customers comprised Cingular’s higher 2002 costs were driven by increases of
approximately 3% of Cingular’s 2002 customer base. $135 related to maintaining and supporting its customer
Equipment revenues increased $279, or 28.4%, in 2003 base, $41 in administrative costs and $15 in selling expenses.
and decreased $58, or 5.6%, in 2002. For 2003, equipment The $135 expense increase for maintenance and support of
sales were driven by increased handset revenues primarily as Cingular’s customer base included higher residuals and
a result of significantly higher customer additions and upgrade commissions, increased customer retention costs
increases in existing customers upgrading their units, partially and bad debt expense. Bad debt expense increased $70,
offset by lower accessory revenues. Upgrade unit sales with over half of the increase attributable to WorldCom
reflect the GSM upgrade and Cingular’s efforts to increase write-offs in 2002. Partially offsetting these cost increases
the number of customers under contract. In addition, 2003 were savings related to lower billing and customer service
equipment revenues also increased $35 due to the July 2003 expenses, reflecting Cingular’s consolidation of call centers
adoption of EITF 00-21 mentioned above (see Note 1). and billing systems.
Cingular 2002 equipment revenues declined from 2001 Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $239,
primarily as a result of a 5.0% decline in non-reseller gross or 12.9%, in 2003 and decreased $71, or 3.7%, in 2002.
customer additions from 2001. The 2003 increase was primarily related to higher capital
PAGE 15
expenditures for network upgrades, including the GSM end of 2008. As a result of the change in estimate,
overlay, and increased depreciation on certain network depreciation expense increased $91 in 2003.
assets resulting from Cingular’s 2003 decision to shorten the The 2002 decline of $71 was primarily related to a $219
estimated remaining useful life of TDMA assets. Cingular decrease in amortization of goodwill and FCC licenses in
determined that a reduction in the useful lives of TDMA accordance with FAS 142 (see Note 1), which no longer allows
assets was warranted based on the projected transition amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets. This was
of network traffic to GSM technology. Useful lives were partially offset by increases in depreciation expense of $148
shortened to fully depreciate all TDMA equipment by the related to higher plant levels and Cingular’s GSM conversion.
Directory
Segment Results
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Total Segment Operating Revenues $4,254 $4,451 $4,468 (4.4)% (0.4)%
Cost of sales 896 920 895 (2.6) 2.8
Depreciation and amortization 21 30 36 (30.0) (16.7)
Total Segment Operating Expenses 1,953 1,961 1,938 (0.4) 1.2
Segment Income $2,301 $2,490 $2,530 (7.6)% (1.6)%
As previously discussed, effective January 1, 2003, we published in 2003, our directory segment income would
changed our method of recognizing revenues and expenses have been $2,205 and the operating margin would have
related to publishing directories from the “issue basis” been 52.7% in 2003, compared to $2,323, with an operating
method to the “amortization” method. As allowed by GAAP, margin of 54.5%, in 2002. The relative decrease in segment
we made this change prospectively; therefore, in the table income of $118 as well as the decreased operating margin
above, results in 2003 are shown on the amortization basis, was due primarily to increased employee-related costs
while results from 2002 and 2001 are shown on the issue combined with pressure on revenues from increased
basis method. This corresponds to the manner in which competition and lower demand from advertisers.
directory results are included in our consolidated results. The table below shows the estimated directory segment
Our directory segment income was $2,301 with an results for all years as if we had adopted the amortization
operating margin of 54.1% in 2003. In 2002, our directory method on January 1, 2001. This presentation allows us to
segment income was $2,490 with an operating margin of isolate the underlying business changes over the last
55.9%. If we were to eliminate the effects of the accounting three years.
change and shifts in the schedule of directory titles
Estimated Directory Results on Amortized Basis

Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Total Segment Operating Revenues $4,254 $4,313 $4,309 (1.4)% 0.1%
Cost of sales 896 942 887 (4.9) 6.2
Depreciation and amortization 21 30 36 (30.0) (16.7)
Total Segment Operating Expenses 1,953 1,997 1,924 (2.2) 3.8
Segment Income $2,301 $2,316 $2,385 (0.6)% (2.9)%
PAGE 16
Our directory segment income was $2,301 with an operating Cost of sales decreased $46, or 4.9%, in 2003 and
margin of 54.1% in 2003. If we had been using the increased $55, or 6.2%, in 2002. In 2003, cost of sales
amortization method, our directory segment income would decreased due to lower product related costs. Higher
have been approximately $2,316 in 2002, with an operating employee benefit related costs increased cost of sales
margin of 53.7% and $2,385 in 2001, with an operating in 2002.
margin of 55.3%. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased
Operating revenues decreased $59, or 1.4%, in 2003 and $11, or 1.1%, in 2003 and $24, or 2.4%, in 2002. Increased
increased $4, or 0.1%, in 2002. Revenues in 2003 decreased expenses in 2003 are primarily due to increased employee-
primarily as a result of competition from other publishers, related costs. The increase in expenses in 2002 is the result
other advertising media and continuing economic pressures of increased costs for advertising, employee-related
on advertising customers. Revenues in 2002 were essentially expenses and increased bad debt expense.
flat compared to 2001.
International
Segment Results
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Total Segment Operating Revenues $ 30 $ 35 $185 (14.3)% (81.1)%
Total Segment Operating Expenses 47 85 241 (44.7) (64.7)
Segment Operating Income (Loss) (17) (50) (56) 66.0 10.7
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates 606 1,152 555 (47.4) —
Segment Income $589 $1,102 $499 (46.6)% —
Our international segment consists almost entirely of equity Segment operating expenses decreased $38, or 44.7%,
investments in international companies, the income from in 2003 and $156, or 64.7%, in 2002. The decrease in 2003
which we report as equity in net income of affiliates. was primarily due to lower corporate-allocated charges.
Revenues from direct international operations are less than The decrease in 2002 was primarily due to the disposition
1% of our consolidated revenues. of AGGS.
Our earnings from foreign affiliates are sensitive to Our equity in net income of affiliates by major investment
exchange-rate changes in the value of the respective local at December 31, are listed below:
currencies. See Notes 1 and 8 for discussions of foreign
2003 2002 2001
currency translation and how we manage foreign-exchange
risk. Our foreign investments are recorded under GAAP, América Móvil $ 76 $ 60 $ (39)
which include adjustments for the purchase method of Belgacom 28 218 85
accounting and exclude certain adjustments required for Bell Canada1 — 53 176
local reporting in specific countries. In discussing “Equity in Cegetel1 — 88 94
Net Income of Affiliates”, all dollar amounts refer to the TDC 182 481 (157)
effect on our income. Telkom South Africa 121 31 54
Segment operating revenues decreased $5, or 14.3%, Telmex 196 219 325
in 2003 and $150, or 81.1%, in 2002. Revenues declined in Other 3 2 17
2003 primarily due to lower management-fee revenues. International Equity in Net
The decrease in 2002 was due to the September 2001 Income of Affiliates $ 606 $1,152 $ 555
disposition of Ameritech Global Gateway Services (AGGS), 1 Investment sold
our international long-distance subsidiary, and lower
management-fee revenues.
PAGE 17
Equity in net income of affiliates decreased $546, or 47.4%, a favorable exchange rate impact, improved operating
in 2003 and increased $597 in 2002. The decrease in 2003 results and a gain resulting from the significant reduction
was primarily due to transactions at Belgacom S.A. of an arbitration accrual.
(Belgacom), including a settlement loss on the transfer of The 2002 increase includes approximately $220 resulting
pension liabilities in 2003 and gains on a sale by Belgacom from the January 1, 2002 adoption of FAS 142, which
and TDC which occurred in 2002 and affected year-over-year eliminated the amortization of goodwill embedded in our
comparisons. The settlement loss in 2003 resulted from a investments in equity affiliates. Excluding the effects of
transfer of pension liabilities by Belgacom to the Belgian adopting FAS 142, our equity in net income of affiliates
government and included a loss of approximately $115 from would have increased $377, or 67.9%, in 2002.
Belgacom and TDC’s loss of $45 associated with the same The 2002 increase also included gains of approximately
transaction (see “Other Business Matters” for a discussion $180 from Belgacom, related to a sale of a portion of its
of the related Belgacom agreement and our equity interests Netherlands wireless operations and TDC’s gain of
in Belgacom and TDC). The 2002 gains included approxi- approximately $336 associated with that same sale. These
mately $180 from Belgacom, related to a sale of a portion 2002 gains were higher than similar gains in 2001, which
of its Netherlands wireless operations and TDC’s gain were approximately $46 and $17 from Belgacom and
of approximately $336 associated with that same sale. TDC respectively. Also contributing to the 2002 increase was
Additionally, comparisons for 2003 were affected by 2002 the prior-year charge of approximately $197 related to
gains of $17 from Belgacom, related to a merger involving TDC’s decision to discontinue nonwireless operations of its
one of its subsidiaries and TDC’s gain of approximately Talkline subsidiary and our impairment of goodwill we
$7 associated with that same transaction. allocated to Talkline at the time of our initial investment
Equity income for 2003 also decreased due to restruc- in TDC. A gain of approximately $28 from Bell Canada’s
turing charges of $39 at TDC and foregone equity income 2002 partial sale of an investment and the 2001 loss of
of approximately $88 and $53 from the sales of Cegetel approximately $32 on Belgacom’s sale of its French internet
and Bell Canada, respectively. Equity income from Telmex business also affected year-over-year comparisons.
decreased approximately $23 for 2003 due primarily to 2002 The 2002 increase was partially offset by the following
deferred tax adjustments and unfavorable exchange rates, three charges: approximately $101 and $58 for restructuring
partially offset by lower financing costs. costs at Belgacom and Bell Canada, respectively, and
The decrease for 2003 was partially offset by the year- approximately $58 related to impairments of TDC’s
over-year comparison of $101 from a 2002 restructuring investments in Poland, Norway and the Czech Republic.
charge at Belgacom, as well as a favorable exchange rate 2001 gains of approximately $53 on Cegetel’s sale of
impact at TDC of $28. Also offsetting the 2003 decrease AOL France and $49 on Bell Canada’s sale of Sympatico-Lycos
were improved operating results from Belgacom of $58 also affected year-over-year comparisons. Our 2002 equity
primarily driven by wireline and wireless operations and income from Bell Canada declined approximately $101 as
$32 at TDC primarily due to improved TDC Switzerland a result of our May 2002 change from the equity method
operations. Additionally, equity income from América Móvil to the cost method of accounting for that investment.
for 2003 increased approximately $15 resulting from Our removal from day-to-day management and the
improved operating results and lower financing, partially progression of negotiations to sell our interest in Bell
offset by tax adjustments. Equity income from Telkom for Canada resulted in this accounting change (see Note 2).
2003 increased approximately $89 resulting primarily from
Other
Segment Results
Percent Change
2003 vs. 2002 vs.
2003 2002 2001 2002 2001
Total Segment Operating Revenues $ 263 $ 389 $ 768 (32.4)% (49.3)%
Total Segment Operating Expenses 120 175 954 (31.4) (81.7)
Segment Operating Income (Loss) 143 214 (186) (33.2) —
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates 647 769 1,040 (15.9) (26.1)
Segment Income $ 790 $ 983 $ 854 (19.6)% 15.1%
Our other segment results in 2003 and 2002 primarily revenue from a capital leasing subsidiary. Revenue in 2002
consist of corporate and other operations. Results for decreased approximately $379 primarily due to the sale of
2001 include the Ameritech cable television operations, assets in 2001 that contributed approximately $362 of
Ameritech security monitoring business, and wireless revenue in 2001. Expenses also decreased as a result of the
properties that were not contributed to Cingular. All disposition of operating companies in 2001.
of these assets were sold in 2001. Substantially all of the Equity in Net Income of Affiliates
2003 revenues decreased as a result of lower operating represents the equity income from our investment in Cingular.
PAGE 18
O P E R AT I N G E N V I R O N M E N T A N D T R E N D S O F T H E B U S I N E S S Therefore, in accordance with the substantive plan provisions
required in accounting for postretirement benefits under
2004 Revenue Trends We expect our revenue loss trends to GAAP, through 2003, we did not account for the cap in the
stabilize and, by the end of 2004, we expect year-over-year value of our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
growth in revenues (after including our share of Cingular’s (i.e., we assumed the cap would be waived for all future
revenues) for the following reasons. 2004 marks the first contract periods). If we had accounted for the cap as written
year in which we can offer interLATA long-distance in the contracts, our postretirement benefit cost would have
nationwide (see “Long-Distance” in our “Regulatory been reduced by $884, $606 and $476 in 2003, 2002 and
Developments” section). As a result, we expect both 2001. In early 2004, nonmanagement retirees were informed
continued growth in long-distance and DSL and growth in of changes in their medical coverage beginning in 2005. We
the large business and national data market. We now have anticipate the changes could reduce postretirement benefit
the ability to effectively compete for national customers due cost as much $300 to $600 during 2004. In addition, we also
to the removal of restrictions on our providing them with expect to reduce our annual costs approximately $250 to $350
nationwide long-distance. Increasing competition in the due to recently passed Medicare legislation that partially
communications industry may pressure revenue as we subsidizes the cost to employers of providing prescription
respond to competitors’ pricing strategies. As discussed drug coverage for their retirees. For a comprehensive
below, many of our competitors are subject to less or no discussion of our pension and postretirement cost (benefit),
regulation, have subsidized costs due to UNE-P or have including a discussion of the actuarial assumptions, see Note 10.
emerged from bankruptcy with minimal debt and therefore
have significant cost advantages. However, we expect con- Cingular
tinued success with our bundling strategy to offset any such On February 17, 2004, Cingular announced an agreement
pressure by improving customer retention and slowing our to acquire AT&T Wireless. The transaction is subject to
access line losses. approval by shareholders of AT&T Wireless and federal
2004 Expense Trends We expect continued pressure on regulators. At this time we do not know if the acquisition
our operating margins during much of the year, driven by will close in 2004 and cannot therefore predict the impact
investment in growth areas such as the large business on Cingular’s 2004 subscriber, revenue or expense trends.
market. However, we expect these margins to stabilize by Even if the acquisition does not close in 2004, we expect
the end of 2004, due primarily to changing revenue trends continued customer subscriber growth at Cingular since we
as discussed above and continued cost control measures, expect continued success from our bundling strategy and
including pension and postretirement benefit costs, as
the overall U.S. wireless market to continue to expand.
noted below. We also assume no change in historical
We also expect that Cingular will continue to invest in
expense trends resulting from our negotiating new
improving its network performance and customer service
collective bargaining agreements during 2004.
with the goal of stabilizing to improving its customer
2004 Pension and Retiree Medical Cost Expense Trends
While medical and prescription drug costs continue to turnover rate. Assuming Cingular obtains the necessary
rise, we expect that 2003’s improved investment returns approvals and the acquisition is completed, we expect
combined with voluntary pre-funding of plan obligations Cingular will incur additional integration costs to achieve
in 2003 will lower our pension and postretirement costs in operating synergies and increased amortization expense
2004 (see Note 10). We expect combined net pension and from intangibles for several years. Cingular expects to
postretirement cost of between $1,000 and $1,400 in 2004, achieve significant operating synergies through this
compared to our combined net pension and postretirement acquisition by consolidating networks, distribution, billing,
expense of $1,835 in 2003. Approximately 10% of these procurement, marketing, advertising and other functions.
annual costs are capitalized as part of construction labor, As such, we expect initially a decrease in our net income
providing a reduction in the net expense recorded. Certain as a result of the acquisition until the positive impacts of
factors, such as investment returns, depend largely on trends the synergies are realized. We also expect an increase in
in the U.S. securities market and the general U.S. economy, financing costs to the extent additional debt is incurred
and we cannot control those factors. In particular, while to fund the acquisition.
we expect positive investment returns in 2004, uncertainty
in the securities markets and U.S. economy could result in Operating Environment Overview
investment volatility and significant changes in plan assets, The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act) was
which under GAAP we will recognize over the next several intended to promote competition and reduce regulation in
years. Additionally, should actual experience differ from U.S. telecommunications markets. Despite passage of the
actuarial assumptions, combined net pension and postretire- Telecom Act, the telecommunications industry, particularly
ment cost would be affected in future years. incumbent local exchange carriers such as our wireline
For the majority of our labor contracts that contain an subsidiaries, continue to be subject to significant regulation.
annual dollar value cap for the purpose of determining The expected evolution from an industry extensively
contributions required from nonmanagement retirees, we regulated by multiple regulatory bodies to a market-driven
have waived the cap during the relevant contract periods industry monitored by state and federal agencies has not
and thus not collected contributions from those retirees. occurred as quickly or as thoroughly as anticipated.
PAGE 19
Our wireline subsidiaries remain subject to extensive federal and state level that will help define the appropriate
regulation by state regulatory commissions for intrastate regulatory environment for broadband services.
services and by the FCC for interstate services. We continue Once this difficult and uncertain regulatory environment
to face a number of state regulatory challenges. For example, stabilizes, we expect that additional business opportunities,
certain state commissions, including those in California, especially in the broadband area, would be created. At the
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio have significantly same time, the continued uncertainty in the U.S. economy
lower wholesale rates, which are the rates we are allowed and increasing local competition from multiple wireline and
to charge competitors, including AT&T and MCI (formerly wireless providers in various markets presents significant
known as WorldCom) for leasing parts of our network challenges for our business.
(unbundled network elements, or UNEs) in a combined form
known as the UNE platform, or UNE-P. These mandated Expected Growth Areas
rates, which range from 30% to 55% below our economic We expect our primary wireline products and wireless services
cost, are contributing to continued declines in our access line to remain the most significant portion of our business and
revenues and profitability. As of December 31, 2003, we have also discussed trends affecting the segment’s in which
have lost 6.7 million customer lines to competitors through we report results for these products (see “Wireline Segment
UNE-P, approximately 1.7 million of which were lost during Results” and “Cingular Segment Results”). Over the next few
2003, as compared to 2.6 million lost in 2002. years we expect an increasing percentage of our revenues to
However, changes in the regulatory environment toward come from data, long-distance and Cingular’s wireless service.
the end of 2003 raise the possibility that the availability of Whether, or the extent to which, growth in these areas will
mandated below-cost priced UNE-P may be lessened. offset declines in other areas of our business is not known.
Following the FCC’s Triennial Review Order (TRO), issued in Data/Broadband In October 1999, we announced plans
August 2003, we took immediate legal action at the United to upgrade our network to make broadband services
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit available to approximately 80% of our U.S. wireline
(D.C. Circuit) to correct the flaws that the FCC’s order main- customers over the four years through 2003 (Project Pronto).
tained. (The TRO is discussed in detail in the “Regulatory Due to the weakening U.S. economy and an uncertain and
Developments” section of this document.) This is one of two adverse regulatory environment, in October 2001 we
courts that have already rejected the FCC’s earlier announced a scale-back in our broadband deployment
unbundling order. The court consolidated all pending law- plans. As discussed in greater detail below, in August 2003
suits into one proceeding and heard oral arguments in the FCC released its TRO, which appears to provide some
January 2004. The D.C. Circuit is expected to issue a decision relief from unbundling requirements for broadband and
on the TRO in the first half of 2004. new fiber facilities and equipment used to provide data
We continue to work toward UNE-P reform through and high-speed internet access services. However, because
proceedings in most of our states. Those states are now in the new broadband rules contain some ambiguities and
the process of determining whether or not we must offer have been appealed to the D.C. Circuit, and are subject to
access to our central office switches, a key component of petitions for reconsideration or clarification before the FCC,
UNE-P, to competitors in a given market at a government- we continue to face uncertainty regarding the regulatory
mandated price. In addition, there are parallel proceedings treatment of our broadband investments. Nevertheless, due
in several states in our 13-state area to reevaluate current to the increasing growth opportunities and competition,
UNE-P pricing and bring it more in line with our costs. State we have resumed Project Pronto related limited build-out
proceedings could be significantly altered, or even vacated and expect to have DSL available to nearly 80% of our
by a D.C. Circuit ruling on UNE-P. wireline customer locations in early 2004, up from 75% at
Despite a slightly more positive regulatory outlook, the December 31, 2003. Our DSL lines continue to grow and
current environment continues to exert pressure on our were approximately 3,515,000 at December 31, 2003,
operations. In 2003, we continued to eliminate full time compared to 2,199,000 at the end of 2002.
employee positions and in 2004, we expect to continue to The FCC has begun reviewing the rules governing
maintain our lower capital expenditure budget, targeting broadband services offered by cable, satellite and wireless
between $5,000 and $5,500. However, unfavorable operators in addition to traditional wireline offerings. The
regulations imposed by the FCC or state commissions may FCC tentatively concluded that wireline broadband internet
cause us to experience additional declines in access line access services are “information” services rather than
revenues, which, in turn, could reduce our invested capital “telecommunications” services, which would result in less
and result in further reductions in capital expenditures regulation. In October 2003, the United States Court of
and employment levels. Similarly, growth at higher-than- Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (9th Circuit) ruled that
anticipated levels could increase these expenditures. broadband internet access services provided by cable
At the national level, the debate is gradually shifting operators involve both an “information” service and a
from regulating voice to regulating broadband. But while “telecommunications” service. If this decision is upheld (the
the FCC’s TRO created a potentially more positive regulatory FCC has a request for rehearing pending before the 9th
environment for broadband services, several questions Circuit), the FCC may change its tentative conclusion that
remain unanswered as to whether or to what extent our wireline broadband internet access services are information
subsidiaries will be required to unbundle their broadband services, not telecommunications services. It is likely that the
networks or offer these services to competitors. We are FCC will not act in these proceedings until the 9th Circuit
actively participating in proceedings underway at both the rules on its request for rehearing. We are not certain of the
PAGE 20
effect the 9th Circuit’s decision will have on our operations Even with this acquisition, we expect that intense indus-
or financial statements. try competition and market saturation will likely cause the
Cable operators have no general obligation to provide wireless industry’s customer growth rate to moderate in
third-party Internet Service Providers (ISPs) access to their comparison with historical growth rates. While the wireless
broadband networks at this time, although the FCC has telecommunications industry does continue to grow, a high
begun a proceeding to consider the issue. The 9th Circuit’s degree of competition exists among six national carriers,
decision (discussed above) could support the imposition on their affiliates and smaller regional carriers. This competition
cable operators of some of the same regulations applicable and other factors, such as the implementation of wireless
to wireline companies, but it is unclear at this time whether local number portability, will continue to put pressure
the decision will have a significant impact on providers of upon pricing, margins and customer turnover as the carriers
cable modem services. compete for potential customers. Future carrier revenue
In December 2002, the FCC ruled that advanced services, growth is highly dependent upon the number of net
such as DSL, when provided through one of our separate customer additions a carrier can achieve and the average
subsidiaries, are not subject to tariff regulations and cost revenue per customer. The effective management of
study requirements. However, we are still required to retain customer turnover is also important in minimizing customer
cost data and offer our retail advanced services for resale acquisition costs and maintaining and improving margins.
at a discount. This ruling should allow us to respond more Cingular faces many challenges and opportunities in the
quickly to offerings by unregulated competitors. The FCC is future and is focused on the following key initiatives:
expected to complete its broadband review during 2004. • growing customer base profitably by offering wireless
The effect of the review on our results of operations and voice and data products and rate plans that customers
financial position cannot be determined at this time. desire;
Long-Distance We offer landline interLATA (traditional) • increasing the capacity, speed and functionality of the
long-distance services to customers in our 13-state area network through the completion of the GSM/ GPRS/
and to customers in selected areas outside our wireline EDGE network overlay and improving overall network
subsidiaries’ operating areas. We began offering interLATA coverage and performance;
long-distance to our customers in Nevada in April 2003, • increasing wireless data penetration and usage through
Michigan in September 2003 and Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin the development and promotion of advanced wireless
and Indiana in October 2003. All long-distance state data applications and interfaces;
entrances were approved by the FCC. We now have approval • improving the Cingular reputation in the industry by
to offer interLATA long-distance nationwide. focusing on all customer-facing aspects of the business
We expect increased competition for our wireline including network performance, sales, billing and
subsidiaries in our Midwest region, in particular, as we begin customer service;
offering interLATA long-distance service. However, ultimately • continuing the expansion of Cingular’s existing footprint
we expect that providing long-distance service in these five and network capacity by obtaining access to additional
states will help to mitigate the access line losses that we spectrum, primarily through spectrum exchanges,
have experienced as a result of the UNE-P rates for those purchases, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures; and
states, which are typically lower than our other eight states. • maintaining effective cost controls by continually
We expect that our entry into the long-distance markets in evaluating the cost structure of Cingular’s business and
our Midwest region will help to slow trends in access line leveraging its large size and national scope.
losses and may improve trends in customer winback and In September 2003, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the
retention, similar to those experienced in other states in Southern District of New York approved the sale of certain
our 13-state area where we previously obtained approval cellular licenses held by NextWave to Cingular for $1,400.
to offer interLATA long-distance. Cingular received FCC approval in February 2003, clearing
Wireless At December 31, 2003, Cingular served the way for Cingular to complete the license transfers. The
approximately 24.8 million customers and was the second- licenses cover approximately 83 million potential customers
largest provider of mobile wireless voice and data in 34 markets, primarily those markets where Cingular
communications services in the U.S., based on the number currently has voice and data operations. Cingular may
of wireless customers. Cingular has access to licenses to finance the purchase of these licenses with a combination
provide wireless communications services covering an of cash and debt. Cingular expects this transaction to close
aggregate population of potential customers, referred to during the first half of 2004.
as “POPs”, of approximately 236 million, or approximately In March 2003, Cingular and AT&T Wireless formed a
81% of the U.S. population, including 45 of the 50 largest joint venture to build out an EDGE network along a number
U.S. metropolitan areas. Including roaming agreements of major highways in order to reduce incollect roaming
with other carriers, Cingular provides GSM coverage to expenses paid to other carriers when customers travel on
approximately 90% of the U.S. As discussed in “Other those highways. In March 2003, Cingular contributed licenses
Business Matters”, on February 17, 2004, Cingular and assets having a value equal to the cash or assets
announced an agreement to acquire AT&T Wireless. At contributed by AT&T Wireless. At December 31, 2003,
December 31, 2003, AT&T Wireless served approximately Cingular had an investment in the venture totaling $21.
22 million customers. We expect that this acquisition will Cingular expects to spend less than $10 in 2004 for capital
enhance Cingular’s ability to compete by strengthening expenditures associated with the venture.
its network coverage and quality.
PAGE 21
In June 2003, Cingular completed the transfer of its charges. As discussed below, numerous legal challenges to
license and operations in Kauai, Hawaii and wireless licenses the TRO have been filed by SBC and others with the D.C.
in Alabama, Idaho, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Washington Circuit, which is expected to rule on these challenges in the
for AT&T Wireless’ licenses in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, first half of 2004.
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Set forth below is a summary of the most significant
In February 2004, Cingular acquired an operational aspects of the new rules. While these rules apply only to our
cellular system in Louisiana and other FCC licenses in wireline subsidiaries, the words “we” or “our” are used to
Louisiana and Texas from Unwired Telecom Corporation simplify the discussion. In addition, the following discussion
for approximately $28. Also in February 2004, Cingular is intended as a summary of issues in the TRO rather than a
completed an exchange transaction with Dobson Cellular precise legal description of all of those specific issues.
Systems, Inc. (Dobson). Cingular transferred approximately • UNE-P UNE-P is a combination of all of the network
$22 in cash and wireless property in Michigan to Dobson elements necessary to provide complete local service to
in exchange for wireless property in Maryland. a customer. The new rules state that if we are not
By the end of 2003, Cingular had launched GSM/GPRS required to provide any one of those network elements
technology in areas covering approximately 93% of its POPs then we will not be required to provide the below-cost
that carry service. Cingular is in the process of upgrading its UNE-P itself. From a practical perspective, the “switch-
network to third generation (3G) wireless data technology ing” network element is the most relevant component
by using EDGE. EDGE technology is Cingular’s choice for of the UNE-P, i.e., the element that routes a telephone
a 3G wireless communications standard that will allow call or data to its destination. In its TRO, the FCC
customers to access the Internet from their wireless devices declined to rule whether we must provide the switch-
at higher speeds than even GPRS. At December 31, 2003, ing element to competitors at regulated rates, instead
Cingular’s EDGE technology covered approximately 20% leaving this issue to each state commission to decide.
of its POPs. Cingular expects the GSM/GPRS/EDGE network Although the state commissions must decide this
overlay to be fully complete by the end of 2004. switching issue, the FCC did establish two presumptions
and a timetable for states to use in reaching their
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS decision. Specifically, the FCC presumed that unless
Wireline we provide unbundled local switching, competitors in
Federal Regulation A summary of significant 2003 federal a particular market (1) would face economic or
regulatory developments follows. operational barrier(s) to providing service to consumers
Long-Distance Under the Telecom Act, before being and all but the larger business customers that are
permitted to offer interLATA wireline long-distance service served by high-capacity facilities but (2) would not
in any state within the 12-state region encompassed by the face such barriers in their ability to serve these larger
regulated operating areas of Southwestern Bell Texas business customers. The TRO leaves the states broad
Holdings Inc., Pacific Bell Telephone Company, Ameritech discretion in defining the relevant markets.
and Nevada Bell (these areas with the addition of Southern The state commissions had 90 days from October 2,
New England Telecommunications Corp.’s area are referred 2003 to challenge the FCC’s presumption that barriers
to as our 13-state area), we were required to apply for and do not exist for providing service to larger business
obtain state-specific approval from the FCC. At the end customers, but no state commissions in our 13-state
of 2002, we offered long-distance service in seven of our area have done so. For all other customers, the states
13 states. In 2003, we received approval from the FCC to have nine months to complete their analysis. If a state
offer long-distance service in our remaining six states. commission concludes that operational or economic
See above under “Expected Growth Areas” for additional barriers do not exist in a market, we can stop
detail on the status of our approvals. providing below-cost UNE-P to competitors in that
Triennial Review Order On August 21, 2003, the FCC market after a three-year transition period.
released its TRO establishing new rules, which became • Enhanced Extended Links We must provide
effective October 2, 2003, concerning the obligations of combinations of unbundled high capacity loops and
incumbent local exchange carriers, such as our wireline transport elements (often referred to as “enhanced
subsidiaries, to make UNEs available. These rules are extended links” or EELs) to competitors in certain
intended to replace the FCC’s previous UNE rules, which circumstances. EELs are used to provide switched and
were vacated by the D.C. Circuit. With limited exceptions, dedicated services. The TRO revises the test for
the new rules are consistent with the FCC’s February 2003 determining when EELs must be made available. As
press release summarizing its review. a result of this change, long-distance carriers and
The TRO, rather than establishing a uniform national wireless companies may be able to purchase EELs at
structure for UNEs as we believe was mandated by the below-cost rates in place of special access services,
Telecom Act and by the D.C. Circuit, delegates key decisions which is a component of our wireline revenues. We
on UNEs to the states, including rules for below-cost UNE-P. expect that this aspect of the TRO could decrease our
In addition, the TRO revised rules regarding combinations wireline revenues as much as $500 until the FCC’s next
of unbundled local service (“loop”) and dedicated transport triennial review. However, to mitigate this potential
elements (see discussion of “enhanced extended links” impact, we are developing alternatives including new
below), which could allow competitors to access our wireline product bundles and new contract arrangements that
subsidiaries’ high-capacity lines without paying access could significantly reduce the $500.
PAGE 22
• Dedicated Transport The TRO redefines dedicated Although the TRO’s broadband and line sharing
transport (interoffice lines used by only a single provisions apparently provide some regulatory relief,
customer) to include only those transmission facilities we are currently in the process of evaluating them;
connecting our switches or central offices, thus therefore, the effects on our financial position and
eliminating unbundling of connections between our results of operations cannot be quantified at this time.
network and competitor networks. The TRO concludes • UNE Pricing Rules In September 2003, the FCC opened
that we must continue to provide access to dark fiber a proceeding to review how the cost structure under-
(unused fiber that must be equipped with electronics lying the UNE-pricing rules is determined. These rules
before it can transmit a communications signal) and determine the amounts we can charge for providing
DS3 and DS1 (line classifications) capacity transport as UNEs and have been based on hypothetical “forward-
UNEs, except where alternative wholesale facilities are looking costs”. The FCC tentatively concluded that
available. State commissions are to perform route- these forward-looking costs need to “more closely
specific analyses to determine if such alternative account for the real world attributes of the routing
wholesale facilities exist for each of these services. and topography of the incumbent’s network” rather
Dark fiber and DS3 transport services are also each than using hypothetical networks that may be more
subject to review by the state commissions to identify cost-efficient. The FCC will also review certain
whether competitors are able to provide their own assumptions used in determining these costs, including
facilities. If state analysis determines that there are network utilization factors.
no barriers, we will not be required to continue to • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) The TRO
provide below-cost transport services. opened a NPRM to seek comment on whether the FCC
• Broadband The TRO eliminates unbundling of certain should modify its “pick-and-choose” rule that permits
telecommunications technology that is primarily used requesting competitors to opt into individual portions
for transmitting data and high-speed internet access of interconnection agreements without accepting all
across telephone lines. For example, it eliminates the terms and conditions of the agreements.
unbundling of the packet-switching capabilities (a high- As the TRO is quite complex and its implementation may
ly efficient method of transmitting data) of our local be affected by FCC rulings on petitions for reconsideration,
loops and eliminates unbundling of certain fiber-to- state commission proceedings or court decisions, we cannot
the-home (FTTH) loops. FTTH loops are fiber-optic loops fully quantify the effects on our financial position or results
that connect directly from our network to customers’ of operations at this time. However, the new unbundling
premises. Traditional telephone lines are copper; fiber- rules will most likely create an even more uncertain and
optic lines are made of glass and can carry more more complex regulatory environment for our wireline
information over far longer distances than copper. subsidiaries, possibly resulting in further reductions in
Under the new rules, packet-switching and FTTH loops revenues, capital expenditures and employment levels.
are not subject to unbundling requirements; therefore, Because the new rules, in many cases, give each state
we will not be required to sell them to competitors at commission the authority to determine which network
below-cost UNE prices. However, we must continue to elements are to be unbundled, the rules will likely vary by
provide unbundled access to copper-loop and sub-loop state. The resulting state determinations will also be subject
lines. In areas where fiber-optic lines are installed in to implementation and federal appeal on a state-by-state
place of copper-loop lines, we will be required to basis rather than having uniform implementation require-
provide our competitors access either to the existing ments or review at the federal level. Although some relief
copper loop or a non-packetized transmission path appears to have been provided by the broadband provisions
capable of providing voice-grade service over the of the TRO, we continue to face uncertainty regarding the
fiber-optic lines. regulatory treatment of our broadband investments
Under a previous FCC order, we were required to because some of those provisions are ambiguous and they
share, on an unbundled basis, the high-frequency are under review by the courts and the FCC.
portion, which contains DSL, among other things, of We have filed two legal challenges to these new rules
local telephone lines with competitors. Under the TRO, with the D.C. Circuit. In August 2003, we, along with the
this high-frequency portion of the telephone line is no United States Telecom Association (USTA), Qwest
longer considered a UNE. Current line sharing arrange- Communications Inc. (Qwest), and BellSouth Corporation
ments are to be maintained until the FCC’s next biennial (BellSouth), filed a lawsuit asking the court to vacate those
review, which will commence in 2004. Competitors may rules governing the unbundling of both high-capacity
purchase new line sharing arrangements until October 2, facilities and switching serving non-large businesses. In
2004, and will be required to pay increasing amounts September 2003, we, along with the USTA, Qwest,
for such new line sharing arrangements over the next BellSouth, and Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon),
three years, at the end of which customers must be filed a lawsuit asking the same court to reject portions
transitioned to new arrangements. The California State of the new rules, including those concerning UNE-P and
Regulatory Commission has stated in a decision that it EELs. Other parties have challenged other aspects of the
has independent authority to decide whether the high- order, including the FCC’s decision to limit unbundling of
frequency portion of the local telephone line is a UNE broadband facilities. The court consolidated all pending
in disregard of the TRO, and we are challenging that lawsuits into one proceeding and heard oral arguments
decision in federal court. in January 2004.
PAGE 23
Voice over Internet Protocol Voice over Internet Protocol Number Portability The FCC has adopted rules allowing
(VoIP) is generally used to describe the transmission of voice customers to keep their wireline or wireless number when
and data using internet-based technology. A company using switching to another company (generally referred to as
this technology can provide services, although not necessarily “number portability”). While customers have been able for
of the same quality, often at a lower cost because a several years to retain their numbers when switching their
traditional network need not be constructed and maintained local service between wireline companies, the rules now
and because this technology has not been subject to require wireless companies to offer number portability
traditional telephone industry regulation. In 2003, the FCC to their customers.
announced its intention to open a rulemaking proceeding In October 2003, the FCC released an order addressing
on VoIP in early 2004. The rulemaking is expected to address many of the issues related to the moving of customer
whether and how a wide range of regulations should be numbers between wireless carriers. This order states that
applied to VoIP, including issues related to federal and state wireless companies cannot delay switching a customer to
jurisdiction, intercarrier compensation, universal service, collect early termination fees or other amounts owed by
public safety, consumer protection and other matters. that customer.
During 2003, a number of state commissions also began In November 2003, the FCC issued an order that enabled
proceedings to examine the regulatory treatment of VoIP. customers to move wireline telephone numbers to wireless
Notwithstanding the unresolved regulatory questions providers where coverage areas were overlapping. The FCC
before the FCC and the state commissions, numerous has begun a proceeding to resolve issues regarding moving
communications providers began providing various forms wireless numbers to wireline providers. The FCC is also
of VoIP in 2003, or announced their intentions to do so in considering whether to allow wireline companies to recover
the near future. These providers include both established their costs to implement wireless number portability (we
companies as well as new entrants. While the deployment estimate our total costs to be $55). Accordingly, we cannot
of VoIP will result in increased competition for our core currently determine the financial effects of all of these
wireline voice services, it also presents growth opportunities issues. In addition, there are legal challenges to these
for us to develop new products for our customers, both decisions pending in federal court.
within and outside of our 13-state area. Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service
• Access Charges In October 2002, AT&T filed a petition (CALLS) In September 2001, the United States Court of
with the FCC asking for a declaratory ruling that access Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (5th Circuit) ruled on appeal
charges (which are paid to telephone companies providing of the FCC’s May 2000 CALLS order restructuring federal
local service, including our wireline subsidiaries) do not price cap regulation. Although the 5th Circuit upheld the
apply to long-distance service that AT&T transports order in most key respects, it reversed and remanded to
for some distance using internet-based technology. the FCC two specific aspects of the order.
Although this service originates and terminates on the • The 5th Circuit held that the FCC failed to sufficiently
traditional telephone network, such as those operated justify an incremental $650 in universal service funding
by our wireline subsidiaries, and provides no new and remanded to the FCC for further explanation of
features or functionality relative to AT&T’s traditional the amount; and
long-distance service, AT&T claims that this service should • held that the FCC failed to show a rational basis for
be exempt from access charges. We have vigorously how it derived the 6.5% transitional mechanism, i.e.,
opposed AT&T’s petition. Should the FCC rule in AT&T’s the productivity factor used to reduce access rates
favor, we would face a significant decrease in our access until a targeted average rate is achieved, and
charge revenues, not only from AT&T but from other remanded to the FCC for an explanation of how
carriers that would likely begin to offer similar services. the percentage was derived.
At this time, however, we are not able to quantify the In response to the court’s remand, in July 2003 the FCC
potential access charge revenue decline that could result issued an order upholding its original determinations and
from an adverse FCC ruling. We are not certain as to the providing further justification for the $650 in universal
timing of an FCC response on AT&T’s petition. service funding and the transitional mechanism.
Special Access Pricing Flexibility In October 2002, AT&T Ameritech Merger In association with its approval of
requested the FCC revoke current pricing rules for special the October 1999 Ameritech merger, the FCC set specific
access services, a component of our wireline revenues. We performance and reporting requirements and enforcement
and other parties have challenged AT&T’s petition, which provisions that mandate approximately $2,000 in potential
remains pending before the FCC. In November 2003, AT&T payments through May 2004, if certain goals were not met.
and other competitors filed a petition with the D.C. Circuit, Associated with these conditions, we incurred approximately
asking the court to compel the FCC, within 45 days, to issue $14, $20 and $94 in 2003, 2002 and 2001 in additional
a notice of proposed rulemaking vacating these special expenses, including payments for failing to meet certain
access pricing rules. In January 2004, the FCC filed its performance measurements. Approximately $8 in potential
opposition to AT&T’s petition, and SBC and other carriers payments could still be triggered through May 2004.
filed a request to intervene in support of the FCC with the The effects of the FCC decisions on the above topics are
D.C. Circuit. The court has not yet ruled on AT&T’s petition. dependent on many factors including, but not limited to,
If AT&T’s petition is granted, it likely would have a significant the ultimate resolution of the pending appeals; the number
adverse impact on our special access revenues. and nature of competitors requesting interconnection,
unbundling or resale; and the results of the state regulatory
PAGE 24
commissions’ review and handling of related matters within alternative technologies (e.g., VoIP) has lowered costs for
their jurisdictions. Accordingly, we are not able to assess alternative providers. As a result, we face heightened
the total potential impact of the FCC orders and proposed competition as well as some new opportunities in significant
rulemakings. portions of our business.
State Regulation A summary of significant 2003 state Wireline
regulatory developments follows. Our wireline subsidiaries expect increased competitive
California Audit In August 2003, two alternate sets of pressure in 2004 and beyond from multiple providers in
proposed findings on the 1997-1999 audit of our California various markets, including facilities-based local competitors,
wireline subsidiary were presented to the California Public interexchange carriers and resellers. In some markets, we
Utility Commission (CPUC). The two proposed sets of compete with large cable companies such as Comcast
findings differed in many respects but both concluded that Corporation, Cox Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Inc.
our subsidiary should issue refunds, i.e., service credits, in for local and high-speed internet services customers and
amounts ranging from $162 to $661. Subsequent revisions long-distance companies such as AT&T and MCI for both
to those proposed findings have changed the range to $0 long-distance and local services customers. Substitution of
to $466. While the subsequent revisions have decreased the wireless and internet-based services for traditional local
range, we believe that both sets of findings still contain service lines also continues to increase. At this time, we are
errors and that the refunds should be eliminated. These unable to assess the effect of competition on the industry
two alternative findings are presently before the CPUC for as a whole, or financially on us, but we expect both losses
consideration. The CPUC may completely or partially accept of market share in local service and gains resulting from
or reject any of these proposed findings. We do not know new business initiatives, bundling of products and services,
when the CPUC will make a final decision or what its our new long-distance service areas and broadband.
decision will be. Our wireline subsidiaries remain subject to extensive
Illinois UNE Legislation In May 2003, the Illinois legis- regulation by state regulatory commissions for intrastate
lature passed legislation concerning wholesale prices our services and by the FCC for interstate services. In contrast,
Illinois wireline subsidiary can charge local service competitors, our competitors are often subject to less or no regulation
such as AT&T and MCI, for leasing its local telephone network in providing comparable voice and data services. State
(UNE rates). The new law directed the Illinois Commerce legislative and regulatory developments over the last several
Commission (ICC) to set wholesale rates based on actual years allow increased competition for local exchange
data, including our subsidiary’s actual network capacity and services. Under the Telecom Act, companies seeking to
actual depreciation rates shown on our financial statements. interconnect to our wireline subsidiaries’ networks and
In June 2003, the United States District Court for the Northern exchange local calls must enter into interconnection
District of Illinois Eastern Division issued a temporary order agreements with us. These agreements are then subject to
blocking implementation of this law. The order was made approval by the appropriate state commission. As noted in
final in July 2003. In November 2003, the United States Court the “Operating Environment Overview” section above, the
of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (7th Circuit) affirmed that mandated rates set by certain state commissions, including
the law was invalid as it only addressed two of the factors those in California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, are
required by the federal standards that instruct the states significantly below our cost and contribute substantially
how to set the UNE rates. However, the 7th Circuit also stated to our continued decline in access line revenues and profit-
that the current UNE rates in effect must be updated to ability. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, we had approxi-
comply with federal law as of 2003. The 7th Circuit instructed mately 445,000 and 801,000 access lines (approximately 0.8%
the ICC to quickly address these out-of-date rates and to and 1.4% of our total access lines) supporting services of
reinstate the UNE rate proceeding that had been previously resale competitors throughout our 13-state area, primarily
terminated by the law’s passage. The ICC UNE rate proceedings in Texas, California and Illinois. If current UNE-P regulations
are currently underway. remain in place, we would expect our resale access lines to
Indiana UNE-P In January 2004, the Indiana Utility continue to decrease as UNE-P lines replace resale lines,
Regulatory Commission (IURC) increased some of the whole- mitigated by the opportunities provided us by bundling.
sale prices our Indiana wireline subsidiary can charge local In addition to these wholesale rate and service regulations
service competitors, such as AT&T and MCI, for leasing its noted above, all of our wireline subsidiaries operate under
local telephone network (UNE rates). Although the IURC state-specific elective “price cap regulation” for retail services
increased UNE-P rates approximately 30%, they remain (also referred to as “alternative regulation”) that was either
below our cost of providing service. AT&T and MCI have legislatively enacted or authorized by the appropriate state
both indicated that they plan to appeal this decision. regulatory commission. Prior to price cap regulation, our
wireline subsidiaries were under “rate of return regulation”.
COMPETITION
Under rate of return regulation, the state regulatory
Competition continues to increase for telecommunications commissions determined an allowable rate of return we
and information services, and regulations, such as the UNE-P could earn on plant in service and set tariff rates to recover
rules, have increased the opportunities for alternative the associated revenues required to earn that return. Under
communications service providers. Technological advances price cap regulation, price caps are set for regulated services
have expanded the types and uses of services and products and are not tied to the cost of providing the services or to
available. In addition, lack of regulation of comparable rate of return requirements. Price cap rates may be subject
PAGE 25
to or eligible for annual decreases or increases and also may occurred in the three years ended December 31, 2003.
be eligible for deregulation or greater pricing flexibility if However, if all other factors were to remain unchanged,
the associated service is deemed competitive under some we expect a one-year increase in the useful lives of
state regulatory commission rules. Minimum customer three of the largest categories of our plant in service
service standards may also be imposed and payments (which accounts for approximately 60% of our total
required if we fail to meet the standards. plant in service) would result in a decrease of between
One of our responses to the multiple competitive $340 and $370 in our 2004 depreciation expense and
pressures discussed above was our fourth-quarter 2002 a one-year decrease would result in an increase of
launch of a single-brand packaging strategy that rewards between $420 and $450 in our 2004 depreciation
customers who consolidate their services (e.g., local and expense. Effective January 1, 2003, as required by
long-distance telephone, DSL and wireless) with us. Called FAS 143, we decreased our depreciation rates to
“SBC Connections”, the new initiative delivers integrated exclude costs of removal in certain circumstances.
bundles using a single bill. During 2004, we expect to This change is discussed further under “New
continue focusing on bundling wireline and wireless Accounting Standards” below.
services, including combined packages of minutes. In • Our bad debt allowance is estimated primarily based on
addition, we also plan to add to our bundled offerings analysis of history and future expectations of our retail
a video service through an agreement with EchoStar and our wholesale customers in each of our operating
Communications Corporation (EchoStar) (see “Other companies. For retail customers, our estimates are based
Business Matters” below). on our actual historical write-offs, net of recoveries,
and the aging of accounts receivable balances. Our
Cingular assumptions are reviewed at least quarterly and
Cingular faces substantial and increasing competition in all adjustments are made to our bad debt allowance as
aspects of the wireless communications industry. Under appropriate. For our wholesale customers, we use a
current FCC rules, six or more PCS licensees, two cellular statistical model based on our aging of accounts
licensees and one or more enhanced specialized mobile receivable balances. Our risk categories, risk percentages
radio licensees may operate in each of Cingular’s markets, and reserve balance assumptions built into the model
which has resulted in the presence of multiple competitors. are reviewed monthly and the bad debt allowance is
Cingular’s competitors are principally five national (Verizon adjusted accordingly. If uncollectibility of our billed
Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Sprint PCS, Nextel Communications revenue changes by 1%, we would expect a change
and T-Mobile) and a larger number of regional providers of in uncollectible expense of between $200 and $250.
cellular, PCS and other wireless communications services. • Our actuarial estimates of retiree benefit expense
See “Other Business Matters” for details on Cingular’s and the associated significant weighted-average
pending acquisition of AT&T Wireless. assumptions are discussed in Note 10. One of the most
Cingular may experience significant competition from significant of these is the return on assets assumption,
companies that provide similar services using other which was 8.5% for the year ending December 31, 2003.
communications technologies and services. While some of This assumption will remain unchanged for 2004.
these technologies and services are now operational, others If all other factors were to remain unchanged, we
are being developed or may be developed in the future. expect a 1% decrease in the expected long-term rate
Cingular competes for customers based principally on price, of return would cause 2004 combined pension and
service offerings, call quality, coverage area and customer postretirement cost to increase approximately $408
service. See discussion of EDGE technology in “Wireless” over 2003 (analogous change would result from a 1%
under “Expected Growth Areas” above. increase). The 10-year returns on our pension plan were
Directory 9.8% through 2003, including the adverse effects of
Our directory subsidiaries face competition from over 2000 through 2002. Under GAAP, the expected long-
100 publishers of printed directories in their operating areas. term rate of return is calculated on the market-related
Direct and indirect competition also exists from other value of assets (MRVA). GAAP requires that actual gains
advertising media, including newspapers, radio, television and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets
and direct-mail providers, as well as from directories offered be recognized in the MRVA equally over a period of up
over the Internet. to five years. We use a methodology, allowed under
GAAP, under which we hold the MRVA to within 20%
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND STANDARDS of the actual fair value of plan assets, which can have
the effect of accelerating the recognition of excess
Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates Because of
actual gains and losses into the MRVA in less than
the size of the financial statement line items they relate to,
five years. Due to investment losses on plan assets
some of our accounting policies and estimates have a more
experienced through 2002, this methodology
significant impact on our financial statements than others:
contributed approximately $605 to our combined net
• Our depreciation of assets, including use of composite
pension and postretirement cost in 2003 as compared
group depreciation and estimates of useful lives, is
with the methodology that recognizes gains and losses
described in Notes 1 and 5. We assign useful lives based
over a full five years. This methodology did not have a
on periodic studies of actual asset lives. Changes in
significant effect on our 2002 or 2001 combined net
those lives with significant impact on the financial
pension and postretirement benefit as the MRVA was
statements must be disclosed, but no such changes have
PAGE 26
almost equal to the fair value of plan assets. We do not Medicare Act. In order for us to receive the subsidy payment
expect this methodology to have a significant impact in under the Medicare Act, the value of our offered prescrip-
our combined net pension and postretirement costs in tion drug plan must be at least equal to the value of the
2004. Note 10 also discusses the effects of certain standard prescription drug coverage provided under
changes in assumptions related to medical trend rates Medicare Part D, referred to as actuarially equivalent. Due
on retiree health care costs. to our lower deductibles and better coverage of drug costs,
• Our estimates of income taxes and the significant items we believe that our plan is of greater value than Medicare
giving rise to the deferred assets and liabilities are Part D. Accordingly, we adopted FSP FAS 106-1 and account-
shown in Note 9 and reflect our assessment of actual ed for the Medicare Act as a plan amendment and recorded
future taxes to be paid on items reflected in the financial the adjustment in the amortization of our liability, from the
statements, giving consideration to both timing and date of enactment of the Medicare Act, December 2003.
probability of these estimates. Actual income taxes could Upon adoption, this decreased our accumulated post-
vary from these estimates due to future changes in retirement benefit obligation by $1,629, which, because it
income tax law or results from final IRS review of our was enacted during 2003, was calculated using our year end
tax returns. We have considered these potential changes 2002 assumed discount rate of 6.75%. Had, at the time of
and have provided amounts within our deferred tax adoption, we used our year end 2003 assumed discount
assets and liabilities that reflect our judgment of the rate of 6.25%, we would have decreased our accumulated
probable outcome of tax contingencies. We continue postretirement benefit obligation by $1,888. We expect
to believe that our tax return positions are fully future annual decreases in prescription drug expense of
supportable. Unfavorable settlement of any particular $250 to $350. Our accounting assumes that we are actuarially
issue could require use of our cash. Favorable resolution equivalent to Medicare Part D, that our plan will continue to
could be recognized as a reduction to our tax expense. be the primary plan for our retirees and that we will receive
We periodically review the amounts provided and adjust the subsidy. We do not expect that the Medicare Act will
them in light of changes in facts and circumstances, such have a significant effect on our retirees’ participation in our
as the progress of a tax audit. postretirement benefit plan. Specific authoritative guidance
• Our policy on valuation of intangible assets is described on the accounting for federal subsidy is still pending before
in Note 1. In addition, for cost investments, we evalu- the FASB and that guidance, when issued, could require us
ate whether mark-to-market declines are temporary to change our estimates.
and reflected in other comprehensive income, or other FAS 132 In December 2003, the FASB revised Statement
than temporary and recorded as an expense in the of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, “Employers’
income statement; this evaluation is based on the Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement
length of time and the severity of decline in the invest- Benefits” (FAS 132). FAS 132, as revised, retains the
ment’s value. Significant asset and investment valuation disclosure requirements provided by the original FAS 132
adjustments we have made are discussed in Note 2. and adds disclosure requirements for information describing
• We use the fair value recognition provisions of the types of plan assets, investment strategies, measurement
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, dates, plan obligations, cash flows and components of net
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (FAS 123) periodic benefit costs recognized during interim periods, for
to account for our stock option grants. The estimated statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003.
fair value of the options granted is amortized to FAS 132 addresses disclosure only; it does not address other
expense over the options’ vesting period. The fair value accounting issues such as measurement and recognition of
for these options was estimated at the date of grant, amounts (see Note 10).
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Two of the FIN 46 In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB
more significant assumptions used in this estimate are Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest
the expected option life and the expected volatility, Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin
which we estimate based on historical information. (ARB) No. 51” (FIN 46). FIN 46 provides guidance for
Had we not adopted the fair value recognition determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity
provisions of FAS 123 and chose to continue using the (VIE), and which equity investor of that VIE, if any, should
intrinsic value-based method of accounting, we would include the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. In
not have recorded any stock option expense in all December 2003, the FASB staff revised FIN 46 to clarify some
years presented. With the recent trend of reducing of the provisions. For certain VIEs, FIN 46 became effective
the number of options granted, we expect this policy for periods ending after December 15, 2003. In 2003, we
will become less significant in the future. recorded an extraordinary loss of $7, net of taxes of $4,
related to consolidation of real estate leases under FIN 46.
New Accounting Standards In addition, the revision delayed the effective date for appli-
FSP FAS 106-1 In January 2004, in response to the recently cation of FIN 46 by large public companies, such as us, until
passed federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and periods ending after March 15, 2004 for all types of VIEs
Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Act), the FASB issued other than special-purpose entities, including our investment
preliminary guidance on accounting for the Medicare Act in Cingular. We are currently evaluating how the provisions
(FSP FAS 106-1). In accordance with FSP FAS 106-1, a sponsor of FIN 46 will affect our accounting for Cingular.
of a postretirement health care plan that provides a FAS 143 On January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement
prescription drug benefit, such as us, may make a one-time of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for
election to defer accounting for the subsidy provided by the
PAGE 27
Asset Retirement Obligations” (FAS 143). FAS 143 sets forth The standard, among other changes, rescinded FASB
how companies must account for the costs of removal of Statement No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from
long-lived assets when those assets are no longer used in a Extinguishment of Debt, an amendment of APB Opinion
company’s business, but only if a company is legally required No. 30”. As a result, the criteria in APB Opinion No. 30,
to remove such assets. FAS 143 requires that companies “Reporting the Results of Operations — Reporting the Effects
record the fair value of the costs of removal in the period of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary,
in which the obligations are incurred and capitalize that Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Trans-
amount as part of the book value of the long-lived asset. actions,” now will be used to classify gains and losses from
To determine whether we have a legal obligation to remove extinguishment of debt. In accordance with the provisions
our long-lived assets, we reviewed state and federal law and of FAS 145, we have reclassified our 2001 loss of $18 (net of
regulatory decisions applicable to our subsidiaries, primarily taxes of $10) related to the early redemption of $1,000 of
our wireline subsidiaries, which have long-lived assets. Based our corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
on this review, we concluded that we are not legally securities of subsidiary trusts from an extraordinary loss to an
required to remove our long-lived assets, except in a few ordinary loss. The effect of this reclassification was to decrease
minor instances. our previously reported 2001 income before extraordinary
However, in November 2002 we were informed that the item and cumulative effect of accounting change by $18, or
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff concluded $0.01 per share, with no impact on our net income.
that certain provisions of FAS 143 require that we exclude
costs of removal from depreciation rates and accumulated OTHER BUSINESS MATTERS
depreciation balances in certain circumstances upon WorldCom Bankruptcy In July 2002, WorldCom and more
adoption, even where no legal removal obligations exist. than 170 related entities filed petitions for reorganization
In our case, this means that for plant accounts where our under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
estimated costs of removal exceed the estimated salvage (Bankruptcy Code). Our claims against WorldCom total
value, we are prohibited from accruing removal costs in approximately $661. Our claims include receivables, claims
those depreciation rates and accumulated depreciation for refunds that are the subject of litigation, and a variety
balances in excess of the salvage value. For our other of contingent and unliquidated items, including unbilled
long-lived assets, where our estimated costs of removal are charges. At December 31, 2003, we had approximately
less than the estimated salvage value, we will continue to $320 in receivables and reserves of approximately $56
accrue the costs of removal in those depreciation rates related to the WorldCom bankruptcy filing.
and accumulated depreciation balances. In addition to the reserves, we are withholding payments
Therefore, in connection with the adoption of FAS 143 on on amounts we owed WorldCom as of its bankruptcy filing
January 1, 2003, we reversed all existing accrued costs of date that equal or exceed our remaining net receivable.
removal for those plant accounts where our estimated costs These withholdings relate primarily to amounts collected
of removal exceeded the estimated salvage value. The non- from WorldCom’s long-distance customers in our role as
cash gain resulting from this reversal was $3,684, net of billing agent and other general payables. We estimate our
deferred taxes of $2,249, recorded as a cumulative effect of post-petition billing to WorldCom to be approximately
accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of $160 per month. To date, WorldCom generally has paid its
Income as of January 1, 2003. During the fourth quarter post-petition obligations to us on a timely basis.
of 2003, TDC recorded a loss upon adoption of FAS 143. On July 25, 2003, WorldCom agreed to pay us
Our share of that loss was $7, which included no tax effect. approximately $107 to settle many, but not all, of the
This noncash charge of $7 was also recorded as a cumulative issues that arose prior to WorldCom’s bankruptcy. As of
effect of accounting change on the Consolidated Statement December 31, 2003, WorldCom had paid us $39 and
of Income as of January 1, 2003. escrowed the remaining $68 of our $107 settlement sum.
Beginning in 2003, for those plant accounts where our This settlement was approved by the bankruptcy court on
estimated costs of removal previously exceeded the estimated August 5, 2003; however, most of the provisions are also
salvage value, we expense all costs of removal as we incur contingent upon WorldCom implementing its approved Plan
them (previously those costs had been recorded in our of Reorganization (POR) and emerging from bankruptcy. It
depreciation rates). As a result, our 2003 depreciation expense is anticipated that WorldCom will emerge from bankruptcy
decreased and our operations and support expense increased during the first half of 2004. This settlement does not
as these assets were removed from service. The effect of this include issues related primarily to reciprocal compensation
change was to increase consolidated pre-tax income and our we paid to WorldCom for ISP traffic and certain pre-
wireline segment income for 2003 by $280 ($172 net of tax, bankruptcy switched access charges not billed to WorldCom
or $0.05 per diluted share). However, over the life of the based on usage information provided by WorldCom.
assets, total operating expenses recognized under this new On July 26, 2003, the United States Attorney for the
accounting method will be approximately the same as under Southern District of New York announced an investigation
the previous method (assuming the cost of removal would with respect to recently disclosed information alleging
be the same under both methods). that WorldCom is committing access fraud in the manner
FAS 145 On January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement in which it routes and classifies long-distance calls. The
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145, “Rescission of impact of this investigation on WorldCom’s proposed
FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB reorganization is not yet clear.
Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” (FAS 145).
PAGE 28
Belgacom Agreement Both our investment and violation of federal and state law, maintained monopoly
TDC’s investment in Belgacom are held through ADSB power over local telephone service in all 13 states in which
Telecommunications B.V. (ADSB), of which we directly our subsidiaries are incumbent local exchange companies.
owned 35%. ADSB owned one share less than 50% of These cases have been consolidated under the first filed
Belgacom and is a consortium of SBC, TDC, Singapore case Twombly v. SBC Communications Inc. and were stayed
Telecommunications and a group of Belgian financial by agreement of the parties pending the United States
investors. Through our 35% ownership of ADSB and our Supreme Court’s (Supreme Court) decision in a similar case
41.6% ownership of TDC, we had a 24.4% economic against another incumbent local exchange company. In that
ownership of Belgacom (subsequently reduced to 23.5%, case, the Supreme Court held that violations of the Telecom
as discussed below). Act do not support an antitrust claim and that the plaintiff
In October 2003, ADSB announced that it had entered had not stated an antitrust claim and affirmed dismissal of
into an agreement with the Belgian government and the plaintiff’s antitrust claims. Verizon Communications Inc.
Belgacom to proceed with the preparations for a potential v. Law Offices of Curtis V. Trinko LLP, No. 02-682 (Jan. 13, 2004).
initial public offering (IPO) of Belgacom. As part of the In light of the Trinko outcome, we expect to move for
agreement, ADSB will have the exclusive right from dismissal or summary disposition of the complaints and to
January 1, 2004 until July 31, 2005, subject to certain oppose class certification if the plaintiffs do not voluntarily
restrictions, to sell shares in an IPO of Belgacom. In the dismiss these cases.
fourth quarter of 2003, as a condition to the IPO and In addition to the Connecticut class actions described
related transactions, Belgacom transferred to the Belgian above, two consumer antitrust class actions were filed in
government certain pension liabilities related to certain the United States District Court for the Southern District of
employees, proceeds from the sale of pension assets and New York against SBC, Verizon, BellSouth and Qwest alleging
cash sufficient to fully fund the obligations. This transfer that they have violated federal and state antitrust laws by
resulted in a one-time charge to our equity income from agreeing not to compete with one another and acting
Belgacom, which including our direct and indirect owner- together to impede competition for local telephone services
ship, reduced our fourth-quarter 2003 diluted earnings (Twombly v. Bell Atlantic Corp., et. al). In October 2003, the
per share by $0.03, determined on a GAAP basis. court granted the joint defendants’ motion to dismiss these
In the fourth quarter of 2003, also pursuant to the suits on the ground that the plaintiffs’ complaints failed to
agreement, Belgacom repurchased approximately 6% of state a claim under the antitrust laws. Plaintiffs have
the Belgacom shares held by ADSB. This fourth-quarter appealed.
repurchase decreased our economic ownership of Belgacom We continue to believe that an adverse outcome having
from 24.4% to 23.5%. Since the share price is subject to a material effect on our financial statements in any of these
adjustment as explained below, GAAP prohibits us from cases is unlikely but will continue to evaluate the potential
recording a gain (in 2003) on the 2003 sale of our shares back impact of these suits on our financial results as they progress.
to Belgacom. Based on our ADSB ownership percentage, our Subsequent Event – Cingular Acquisition On
portion of the proceeds, using the tentative share price, February 17, 2004, Cingular announced an agreement
would be approximately $148 and we have estimated that to acquire AT&T Wireless. Under the terms of the agreement,
our portion of the proceeds received would exceed our carry- shareholders of AT&T Wireless will receive cash of $15.00 per
ing value by approximately $59. As part of the October 2003 common share or approximately $41,000. The acquisition is
agreement, Belgacom had previously agreed to make a subject to approval by AT&T Wireless shareholders and
second buyback offer in the event of an IPO. Should the IPO federal regulators. Based on our 60% equity ownership of
occur, the price per share of both buybacks will be adjusted Cingular, we expect to provide approximately $25,000 of
to the IPO price, which will result in our recognition of a gain the purchase price. As a result, equity ownership and
or loss associated with the fourth-quarter 2003 sale and the management control of Cingular will not be impacted
sale associated with the IPO. If no IPO occurs before July 31, after the acquisition. Due to the deadline for printing this
2005, there will be no adjustment to the proceeds from the Annual Report, additional information related to the
first buyback. We cannot predict whether an IPO will occur. acquisition will be included in our 2003 Form 10-K.
EchoStar Agreement In July 2003, we announced an
agreement with EchoStar that will allow us to provide multi- LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
channel satellite television service as part of our bundled We had $4,806 in cash and cash equivalents available at
services (local phone service, long-distance, broadband, December 31, 2003. Cash and cash equivalents included
wireless and video together) throughout our 13-state area. cash of approximately $309, municipal securities of $356,
As part of the multi-year agreement, we will help fund variable-rate securities of $1,705, money market funds of
development of the co-branded bundled video services. $2,399 and other cash equivalents of $37.
We expect to launch the new “SBC DISH Network” enter- In addition, at December 31, 2003 we had other short-
tainment service in early 2004. In a separate transaction, term held-to-maturity securities of $378 and long-term
we also made a $500 investment in EchoStar in the form held-to-maturity securities of $84.
of debt convertible into EchoStar shares. In October 2003, we renewed our 364-day credit
Antitrust Litigation Eight consumer antitrust class agreement totaling $4,250 with a syndicate of banks
actions were filed in 2003 against us in the United States replacing our credit agreement of $4,250 that expired on
District Court for the District of Connecticut. The primary October 21, 2003. The expiration date of the current credit
claim in these suits is that our wireline subsidiaries have, in
PAGE 29
agreement is October 19, 2004. Advances under this lower revenue expectations, we expect total capital
agreement may be used for general corporate purposes, spending to be approximately $5,000 to $5,500, excluding
including support of commercial paper borrowings and Cingular, in 2004. We expect these expenditures to relate
other short-term borrowings. Under the terms of the primarily to our wireline subsidiaries’ networks, our
agreement, repayment of advances up to $1,000 may be broadband initiative (DSL) and support systems for our
extended two years from the termination date of the long-distance service.
agreement. Repayment of advances up to $3,250 may be In 2003, 2002 and 2001, our cash receipts from disposi-
extended to one year from the termination date of the tions exceeded cash expended on acquisitions (see Note 2).
agreement. There is no material adverse change provision Investing activities during 2003 also include proceeds of
governing the drawdown of advances under this credit approximately $2,270 relating to the sale of our interest
agreement. We had no borrowings outstanding under in Cegetel, $341 from the sale of a portion of our interest
committed lines of credit as of December 31, 2003. in Yahoo and $364 from the sale of the remaining portion
Our consolidated commercial paper borrowings of our investment in BCE. At December 31, 2003 we held
decreased $149 during 2003, and at December 31, 2003, approximately 7 million shares of Yahoo.
totaled $999, all of which was due within 90 days and issued Also in July 2003, we entered into a co-branded service
under a program initiated by a wholly owned subsidiary, agreement with EchoStar to offer satellite television service
SBC International, Inc., in the first quarter of 2002. This to our wireline customers. In July 2003, we invested $500 in
program was initiated in order to simplify intercompany debt, with a fair value of $441, which is convertible into
borrowing arrangements. EchoStar shares at an appreciated price at our option.
During 2003 our primary source of funds was cash from 2003 investing activities included the purchase of other
operating activities supplemented by cash from our held-to-maturity securities, with maturities greater than
disposition of Cegetel. 90 days, of $710.
Cash from Operating Activities Cash from Financing Activities

During 2003 our cash flow from operations remained Dividends declared by the Board of Directors of SBC totaled
relatively stable compared to 2002 as a large portion of the $1.41 per share in 2003, $1.08 per share in 2002 and $1.025
decrease in net income in 2003 was caused by the noncash per share in 2001. The $0.33 increase in dividends declared
increase in pension and postretirement expenses. Our during 2003 was due to two increases in the regular quarterly
primary source of funds for 2002 and 2001 was cash dividend and three additional dividends above our regular
generated from operating activities, as shown in the quarterly payout. There was no additional dividend in the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. fourth quarter of 2003. In March 2003, our Board of Directors
In December of 2003 we received proceeds of approxi- approved a 4.6% increase in the regular quarterly dividend
mately $240, which included interest of $37, related to and in December 2003 our Board of Directors approved a
the redemption of notes by BCE. 10.6% increase in the regular quarterly dividend to $0.3125
per share. Our additional dividends declared during 2003,
Cash from Investing Activities above our regular quarterly dividend, totaled $0.25 per share.
To provide high-quality communications services to our The total dividends declared were $4,674 in 2003, $3,591
customers we must make significant investments in property, in 2002, and $3,448 in 2001. Total cash paid for dividends
plant and equipment. The amount of capital investment is were $4,539 in 2003, $3,557 in 2002, and $3,456 in 2001.
influenced by demand for services and products, continued Our dividend policy considers both the expectations and
growth and regulatory commitments. requirements of shareowners, internal requirements of
Our capital expenditures totaled $5,219 for 2003, $6,808 SBC and long-term growth opportunities and all dividends
for 2002 and $11,189 for 2001. Capital expenditures in the remain subject to approval by our Board of Directors.
wireline segment, which represented substantially all of In July 2003, we announced our intention to resume
our total capital expenditures, decreased by 23.6% in 2003 our previously announced stock repurchase program. In
compared to 2002, due to continued pressure from the December 2003, our Board of Directors authorized the
uncertain U.S. economy, continued pressure from the repurchase of up to 350 million shares of SBC common stock.
regulatory environment and our resulting lower revenue The new authorization, which expires at the end of 2008,
expectations. The wireline segment capital expenditures replaced our two previous authorizations approved in
decreased by 38.9% in 2002 compared to 2001. November 2001 and January 2000 to repurchase up to
Substantially all of our capital expenditures are made in 200 million shares. During 2003 we had repurchased
the wireline segment. We expect to fund these expenditures approximately 21 million shares at a cost of $490 and as of
using cash from operations, depending on interest rate December 31, 2003 we repurchased 161 million shares of
levels and overall market conditions, and incremental the 200 million shares authorized by our Board of Directors
borrowings. Our international segment operations should in November 2001 and January 2000. At December 31, 2003
be self-funding as it is substantially equity investments and we have not repurchased any shares of the 350 million shares
not direct SBC operations. We expect to fund any directory authorized by our Board of Directors in December 2003.
segment capital expenditures using cash from operations. During 2003 we called, prior to maturity, approximately
We discuss our Cingular segment below. $1,743 of debt obligations with maturities ranging between
In response to the uncertain U.S. economy and continued February 2007 and March 2048, and interest rates ranging
pressure from regulatory environments and our resulting between 6.5% and 7.9%. Of the $1,743 called debt,
PAGE 30
approximately $264, with an average yield of 7.2% was expects to complete the purchase of FCC licenses for
called in July; $1,462, with an average yield of 7.4% was wireless spectrum from NextWave for $1,400, which they
called in June; and $17, with an average yield of 6.9% was may finance with a combination of cash and debt.
called in March. Funds from operations and dispositions As discussed in “Other Business Matters”, Cingular has
were used to pay off these notes. agreed to acquire AT&T Wireless for approximately $41,000
During 2003, approximately $1,259 of long-term debt in cash. Cingular expects to fund the acquisition with
obligations, and $1,000 of one-year floating rate securities contributions from us and BellSouth. Based on our 60%
matured. The long-term obligations carried interest rates equity ownership, we expect to contribute approximately
ranging from 5.8% to 9.5%, with an average yield of 6.1%. $25,000. We expect to pay this amount primarily with
The short-term notes paid quarterly interest based on the proceeds from debt, as well as cash on hand, cash to be
London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). Funds from operations generated from operations and asset sales.
and dispositions were used to pay off these notes.
Among the debt paid off during 2003 was all subsidiary CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS,
debt listed on public exchanges. Our subsidiaries currently COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
have no debt outstanding which would require them to Current accounting standards require us to disclose our
make periodic filings under the Exchange Act of 1934. material obligations and commitments to make future
We have approximately $880 of long-term debt that is payments under contracts, such as debt and lease
scheduled to mature in 2004. We expect to use funds from agreements, and under contingent commitments, such as
operations to repay these obligations. debt guarantees. We occasionally enter into third-party
Other debt guarantees, but they are not, nor are they reasonably
Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt likely to become, material. We disclose our contractual
maturing within one year) and shareowners’ equity. Our long-term debt repayment obligations in Note 7 and our
capital structure does not include debt issued by our operating lease payments in Note 5. In the ordinary course
international equity investees or Cingular. Total capital of business we routinely enter into commercial commit-
increased $947 in 2003 and decreased $3,845 in 2002. ments for various aspects of our operations, such as plant
The 2003 total capital increase was primarily due to our additions and office supplies. However, we do not believe
net income and cumulative effect of accounting changes, that the commitments will have a material effect on our
which was partially offset by lower borrowings, the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
increased dividend payouts previously mentioned, and the Below is a table of our contractual obligations as of
repurchase of common shares through our stock December 31, 2003. The purchase obligations listed below
repurchase programs. These 2003 accounting changes are those for which we have guaranteed funds and will be
increased equity $2,541, which decreased our debt ratio funded with cash provided by operations or through
approximately 150 basis points (1.5%). Our debt ratio incremental borrowings. Approximately 42% of our purchase
was 31.9%, 39.9% and 44.3% at December 31, 2003, 2002 obligations relate to our directory segment for paper and
and 2001. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors printing services and the remainder of our obligations are
that affect total capital. primarily in our wireline segment. Due to the immaterial
We are currently considering a possible voluntary value of our capital lease obligations, they have been included
contribution of assets, which may include cash and/or other with long-term debt. Our total capital lease obligations are
investments, to our pension and postretirement benefit $65, with approximately $32 to be paid in less than one year.
plans totaling $2,000 or more in 2004 (see Note 10). The table does not include the fair value of our interest rate
swaps of $90 and our other long-term liabilities because it is
Cingular not certain when our other long-term liabilities will become
Cingular’s future capital expenditures are expected to be due. Our other long-term liabilities are: deferred income
self-funded by Cingular since this segment is an equity taxes (see Note 9) of $15,079; postemployment benefit
investment and not a direct SBC operation. Cingular expects obligations (see Note 10) of $12,692; unamortized investment
2004 capital investments for completing network upgrades tax credits of $220; and other noncurrent liabilities of $3,607,
and funding other ongoing expenditures and equity invest- consisting primarily of supplemental retirement plans (see
ments will not materially differ from 2003 expenditures Note 10) and deferred lease revenue from our agreement
of $3,353. In addition, in the first half of 2004, Cingular with SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (see Note 5).
Contractual Obligations
Payments Due By Period
Less than 1-3 3-5 More than
Total 1 Year Years Years 5 Years
Long-term debt obligations $17,009 $ 880 $3,735 $2,612 $ 9,782
Commercial paper obligations 999 999 — — —
Operating lease obligations 1,365 321 492 314 238
Purchase obligations 2,296 901 962 232 201
Total Contractual Obligations $21,669 $3,101 $5,189 $3,158 $10,221
PAGE 31
MARKET RISK and market risk. The majority of our financial instruments
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in are medium- and long-term fixed rate notes and debentures.
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. In Fluctuations in market interest rates can lead to significant
managing exposure to these fluctuations, we may engage in fluctuations in the fair value of these notes and debentures.
various hedging transactions that have been authorized It is our policy to manage our debt structure and foreign
according to documented policies and procedures. We do exchange exposure in order to manage capital costs, control
not use derivatives for trading purposes, to generate income financial risks and maintain financial flexibility over the long
or to engage in speculative activity. Our capital costs are term. Where appropriate, we will take actions to limit the
directly linked to financial and business risks. We seek to negative effect of interest and foreign exchange rates,
manage the potential negative effects from market volatility liquidity and counterparty risks on shareowner value.
QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Sensitivity The principal amounts by expected maturity, average interest rate and fair value of our liabilities
that are exposed to interest rate risk are described in Notes 7 and 8. Following are our interest rate derivatives subject to
interest rate risk as of December 31, 2003. The interest rates illustrated in the interest rate swaps section of the table below
refer to the average expected rates we would receive and the average expected rates we would pay based on the contracts.
The notional amount is the principal amount of the debt subject to the interest rate swap contracts. The fair value represents
the amount we would receive if we exited the contracts as of December 31, 2003.
Maturity
After Fair Value
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 Total 12/31/03
Interest Rate Derivatives
Interest Rate Swaps:
Receive Fixed/Pay Variable Notional Amount — — $1,000 — — $2,500 $3,500 $90
Variable Rate Payable1 2.8% 4.2% 5.2% 6.1% 6.5% 7.0%
Weighted Average Fixed Rate Receivable 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 6.0% 6.0% 5.9%
Lease Obligations
Variable Rate Leases2 $53 — — — — — $ 53 $53
Average Interest Rate2 1.4% — — — — —
1 Interest payable based on current and implied forward rates for Three or Six Month LIBOR plus a spread ranging between approximately 64 and 170 basis points.
2 Average interest rate as of December 31, 2003 based on current and implied forward rates for One Month LIBOR plus 30 basis points. The lease obligations require
interest payments only until their maturity in March 2004.
In August 2003 we entered into $1,000 in variable interest QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK
rate swap contracts on our 5.875% fixed rate debt which
matures in August 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2003 we Foreign Exchange Risk From time to time, we make
entered into two variable rate swap contracts on our fixed investments in businesses in foreign countries, are paid
rate debt. We entered into $1,000 in variable rate swap dividends, receive proceeds from sales or borrow funds in
contracts on our 5.875% fixed rate debt which matures in foreign currency. Before making an investment, or in
February 2012 and $500 in variable rate swap contracts on anticipation of a foreign currency receipt, we often will
our 6.25% fixed rate debt which matures in March 2011. enter into forward foreign exchange contracts. The contracts
At December 31, 2003 we had interest rate swaps with a are used to provide currency at a fixed rate. Our policy is
notional value of $3,500 and a fair value of approximately to measure the risk of adverse currency fluctuations by
$90. All of our interest rate swaps were designed with calculating the potential dollar losses resulting from changes
exactly matching maturity dates of the underlying debt to in exchange rates that have a reasonable probability of
which they are related, allowing for perfectly effective occurring. We cover the exposure that results from changes
hedges. At December 31, 2002, we had interest rate swaps that exceed acceptable amounts. We do not speculate in
with a notional value of $1,000 and a fair value of foreign exchange markets.
approximately $79. Interest Rate Risk We issue debt in fixed and floating
In January 2004, we entered into $750 in variable interest rate instruments. Interest rate swaps are used for the
rate swap contracts on our 6.25% fixed rate debt that purpose of controlling interest expense by managing the
matures in March 2011. mix of fixed and floating rate debt. We do not seek to make
a profit from changes in interest rates. We manage interest
rate sensitivity by measuring potential increases in interest
expense that would result from a probable change in
interest rates. When the potential increase in interest
expense exceeds an acceptable amount, we reduce risk
through the issuance of fixed rate (in lieu of variable rate)
instruments and purchasing derivatives.
PAGE 32
C AU T I O N A RY L A N G UAG E C O N C E R N I N G • Our ability to absorb revenue losses caused by UNE-P
F O R WA R D - L O O K I N G S TAT E M E N T S requirements and increasing competition and to
Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking maintain capital expenditures.
statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. We • The extent of competition in SBC’s 13-state area and
claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking the resulting pressure on access line totals and wireline
statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation and wireless operating margins.
Reform Act of 1995. • Our ability to develop attractive and profitable product/
The following factors could cause our future results service offerings to offset increasing competition in our
to differ materially from those expressed in the forward- wireline and wireless markets.
looking statements: • The ability of our competitors to offer product/service
• Adverse economic changes in the markets served by offerings at lower prices due to adverse regulatory
SBC or in countries in which SBC has significant decisions, including state regulatory proceedings
investments. relating to UNE-Ps and non-regulation of comparable
• Changes in available technology and the effects of alternative technologies (e.g., VoIP).
such changes including product substitutions and • The outcome of current labor negotiations and its
deployment costs. effect on operations and financial results.
• Uncertainty in the U.S. securities market and adverse • The issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards
medical cost trends. Board or other accounting oversight bodies of new
• The final outcome of Federal Communications accounting standards or changes to existing standards.
Commission proceedings and re-openings of such • The impact of the wireless joint venture with BellSouth,
proceedings, including the Triennial Review and other known as Cingular, including marketing and product-
rulemakings, and judicial review, if any, of such development efforts, customer acquisition and
proceedings, including issues relating to access charges, retention costs, access to additional spectrum, tech-
availability and pricing of unbundled network elements nological advancements, industry consolidation and
and platforms (UNE-Ps) and unbundled loop and availability and cost of capital.
transport elements (EELs). • Changes in our corporate strategies, such as changing
• The final outcome of state regulatory proceedings in network requirements or acquisitions and dispositions,
SBC’s 13-state area and re-openings of such proceedings, to respond to competition and regulatory and
and judicial review, if any, of such proceedings, technology developments.
including proceedings relating to interconnection terms,
Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in
access charges, universal service, UNE-Ps and resale and
this report, although not enumerated here, also could
wholesale rates, SBC’s broadband initiative known as
materially impact our future earnings.
Project Pronto, performance measurement plans,
service standards and reciprocal compensation.
• Enactment of additional state, federal and/or foreign
regulatory laws and regulations pertaining to our
subsidiaries and foreign investments.
PAGE 33
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
2003 2002 2001

Operating Revenues
Voice $22,134 $24,752 $26,694
Data 10,150 9,639 9,631
Long-distance voice 2,561 2,324 2,530
Directory advertising 4,317 4,504 4,518
Other 1,681 1,919 2,535
Total operating revenues 40,843 43,138 45,908
Operating Expenses
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization
shown separately below) 16,653 16,362 16,940
Selling, general and administrative 9,851 9,575 9,383
Depreciation and amortization 7,870 8,578 9,077
Total operating expenses 34,374 34,515 35,400
Operating Income 6,469 8,623 10,508
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense (1,241) (1,382) (1,599)
Interest income 603 561 682
Equity in net income of affiliates 1,253 1,921 1,595
Other income (expense) – net 1,817 734 (236)
Total other income (expense) 2,432 1,834 442
Income Before Income Taxes 8,901 10,457 10,950
Income taxes 2,930 2,984 3,942
Income Before Extraordinary Item and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes 5,971 7,473 7,008
Extraordinary item, net of tax (7) — —
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax 2,541 (1,820) —
Net Income $ 8,505 $ 5,653 $ 7,008
Earnings Per Common Share:
Income Before Extraordinary Item and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes $ 1.80 $ 2.24 $ 2.08
Net Income $ 2.56 $ 1.70 $ 2.08
Earnings Per Common Share – Assuming Dilution:
Income Before Extraordinary Item and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes $ 1.80 $ 2.23 $ 2.07
Net Income $ 2.56 $ 1.69 $ 2.07
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
PAGE 34
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
2003 2002
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,806 $ 3,567
Accounts receivable – net of allowances for uncollectibles of $914 and $1,427 6,178 8,540
Short-term investments 378 1
Prepaid expenses 760 687
Deferred income taxes 712 704
Other current assets 1,134 590
Total current assets 13,968 14,089
Property, Plant and Equipment – Net 52,128 48,490
Goodwill 1,611 1,643
Investments in Equity Affiliates 6,947 5,887
Investments in and Advances to Cingular Wireless 11,003 10,468
Other Assets 14,509 14,480
Total Assets $100,166 $95,057
Liabilities and Shareowners’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Debt maturing within one year $ 1,879 $ 3,505
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,870 9,413
Accrued taxes 478 870
Dividends payable 1,033 895
Total current liabilities 14,260 14,683
Long-Term Debt 16,060 18,536
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Deferred income taxes 15,079 10,726
Postemployment benefit obligation 12,692 14,094
Unamortized investment tax credits 220 244
Other noncurrent liabilities 3,607 3,575
Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities 31,598 28,639
Shareowners’ Equity
Preferred shares ($1 par value, 10,000,000 authorized: none issued) — —
Common shares ($1 par value, 7,000,000,000 authorized: issued
3,433,124,836 at December 31, 2003 and 2002) 3,433 3,433
Capital in excess of par value 13,010 12,999
Retained earnings 27,635 23,802
Treasury shares (127,889,010 at December 31, 2003 and 115,483,544 at December 31, 2002, at cost) (4,698) (4,584)
Additional minimum pension liability adjustment (1,132) (1,473)
Accumulated other comprehensive income — (978)
Total shareowners’ equity 38,248 33,199
Total Liabilities and Shareowners’ Equity $100,166 $95,057
PAGE 35
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Dollars in millions, increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2003 2002 2001

Operating Activities
Net income $ 8,505 $ 5,653 $ 7,008
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 7,870 8,578 9,077
Undistributed earnings from investments in equity affiliates (965) (1,586) (755)
Provision for uncollectible accounts 869 1,407 1,384
Amortization of investment tax credits (24) (30) (44)
Deferred income tax expense 3,444 2,472 1,971
Gain on sales of investments (1,775) (794) (498)
Extraordinary item, net of tax 7 — —
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax (2,541) 1,820 —
Retirement benefit funding (1,645) (3) —
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (154) (571) (672)
Other current assets (148) 486 (61)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 521 (1,943) (2,364)
Other – net (447) (279) (241)
Total adjustments 5,012 9,557 7,797
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 13,517 15,210 14,805
Investing Activities
Construction and capital expenditures (5,219) (6,808) (11,189)
Investments in affiliates – net — (139) 1,482
Purchases of marketable securities (710) — —
Maturities of marketable securities 248 — 510
Purchases of other investments (436) — —
Dispositions 3,020 4,349 1,254
Acquisitions (8) (731) (445)
Other — 1 1
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (3,105) (3,328) (8,387)
Financing Activities
Net change in short-term borrowings with original
maturities of three months or less (78) (1,791) (2,733)
Issuance of other short-term borrowings — 4,618 7,481
Repayment of other short-term borrowings (1,070) (7,718) (4,170)
Issuance of long-term debt — 2,251 3,732
Repayment of long-term debt (3,098) (1,499) (4,036)
Early extinguishment of corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts — — (1,000)
Purchase of treasury shares (490) (1,456) (2,068)
Issuance of treasury shares 102 147 323
Redemption of preferred shares of subsidiaries — — (470)
Issuance of preferred shares of subsidiaries — 43 —
Dividends paid (4,539) (3,557) (3,456)
Other — (56) 39
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (9,173) (9,018) (6,358)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,239 2,864 60
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year 3,567 703 643
Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Year $ 4,806 $ 3,567 $ 703
PAGE 36
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts
2003 2002 2001
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount
Common Stock
Balance at beginning of year 3,433 $ 3,433 3,433 $ 3,433 3,433 $ 3,433
Balance at end of year 3,433 $ 3,433 3,433 $ 3,433 3,433 $ 3,433
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Balance at beginning of year $12,999 $12,820 $12,611
Issuance of shares (181) (165) (281)
Stock option expense 183 390 380
Other 9 (46) 110
Balance at end of year $13,010 $12,999 $12,820
Retained Earnings
Balance at beginning of year $23,802 $21,737 $18,174
Net income ($2.56, $1.70 and $2.08 per share) 8,505 5,653 7,008
Dividends to shareowners
($1.41, $1.08 and $1.025 per share) (4,674) (3,591) (3,448)
Other 2 3 3
Balance at end of year $27,635 $23,802 $21,737
Treasury Shares
Balance at beginning of year (115) $ (4,584) (79) $ (3,482) (46) $ (2,071)
Purchase of shares (21) (490) (44) (1,456) (47) (2,068)
Issuance of shares 8 376 8 354 14 657
Balance at end of year (128) $ (4,698) (115) $ (4,584) (79) $ (3,482)
Additional Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment
Balance at beginning of year $ (1,473) $ — $ —
Required charge (net of taxes of $210 and $904) 341 (1,473) —
Balance at end of year $ (1,132) $ (1,473) $ —
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax
Balance at beginning of year $ (978) $ (1,589) $ (1,307)
Foreign currency translation adjustment,
net of taxes of $302, $309 and $(172) 561 628 (320)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $264, $(19) and $(35) 536 (38) (64)
Less reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses
included in net income (119) 7 5
Less reclassification adjustment for loss
included in deferred revenue — 14 97
Other comprehensive income (loss) 978 611 (282)
Balance at end of year $ — $ (978) $ (1,589)
Total Comprehensive Income
Net income $ 8,505 $ 5,653 $ 7,008
Additional minimum pension liability adjustment per above 341 (1,473) —
Other comprehensive income (loss) per above 978 611 (282)
Total Comprehensive Income $ 9,824 $ 4,791 $ 6,726
PAGE 37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include
ACCOUNTING POLICIES all highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less, and the carrying amounts approximate
Basis of Presentation – Throughout this document, SBC
fair value. In addition to cash, our cash equivalents include
Communications Inc. is referred to as “we” or “SBC”. The
municipal securities, money market funds and variable-
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
rate securities (auction rate and/or preferred securities
SBC and our majority-owned subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries
issued by domestic or foreign corporations, municipalities
and affiliates operate in the communications services industry
or closed-end management investment companies). At
both domestically and worldwide providing wireline and
December 31, 2003, we held $309 in cash, $356 in municipal
wireless telecommunications services and equipment as well
securities, $1,705 in variable-rate securities, $2,399 in money
as directory advertising and publishing services.
market funds and $37 in other cash equivalents.
All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated
Investment Securities – Investments in securities principally
in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships,
consist of held-to-maturity or available-for-sale instruments.
joint ventures, including Cingular Wireless (Cingular), and less
Short-term and long-term investments in money market
than majority-owned subsidiaries where we have significant
securities and other auction-type securities are carried as
influence are accounted for under the equity method. We
held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities
account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular under
consist of various debt and equity securities that are long-
the equity method since we share control equally (i.e., 50/50)
term in nature. Unrealized gains and losses on available-
with our 40% economic partner in the joint venture. We
for-sale securities, net of tax, are recorded in accumulated
have equal voting rights and representation on the board
other comprehensive income.
of directors that controls Cingular. Earnings from certain
Revenue Recognition – Revenues and associated expenses
foreign investments accounted for using the equity method
related to nonrefundable, upfront wireline service activation
are included for periods ended within up to three months
fees are deferred and recognized over the average customer
of our year end (see Note 6).
life of five years. Expenses, though exceeding revenue, are
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
only deferred to the extent of revenue.
(FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of
Certain revenues derived from local telephone, long-
Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting
distance, data and wireless services (principally fixed fees)
Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51” (FIN 46). FIN 46 provides
are billed monthly in advance and are recognized the
guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable
following month when services are provided. Other revenues
interest entity (VIE), and which equity investor of that VIE,
derived from telecommunications services, principally long-
if any, should include the VIE in its consolidated financial
distance and wireless airtime usage (in excess or in lieu of
statements. In December 2003, the FASB staff revised FIN 46
fixed fees) and network access, are recognized monthly as
to clarify some of the provisions. For certain VIEs, FIN 46
services are provided.
became effective for periods ending after December 15,
Prior to 2003, we recognized revenues and expenses
2003. In 2003, we recorded an extraordinary loss of $7, net
related to publishing directories on the “issue basis” method
of taxes of $4, related to consolidation of real estate leases
of accounting, which recognizes the revenues and expenses
under FIN 46. In addition, the revision delayed the effective
at the time the initial delivery of the related directory is
date for application of FIN 46 by large public companies, such
completed. See the discussion of our 2003 change in directory
as us, until periods ending after March 15, 2004 for all types
accounting in the “Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes”
of VIEs other than special-purpose entities, including our
section below.
investment in Cingular. We are currently evaluating how the
The Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), a task force
provisions of FIN 46 will affect our accounting for Cingular.
established to assist the FASB on significant emerging
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
accounting issues, has issued EITF 00-21, “Accounting for
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”
States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and
(EITF 00-21). EITF 00-21 addresses certain aspects of
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
accounting for sales that involve multiple revenue-
statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of
generating products and/or services sold under a single
probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ
contractual agreement. For us, this rule became effective
from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts
for sales agreements entered into beginning July 1, 2003
in prior-period financial statements to conform to the
and it did not have a material effect on our consolidated
current year’s presentation.
financial statements.
Income Taxes – Deferred income taxes are provided for
Allowance for Uncollectibles – Our bad debt allowance is
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of
estimated primarily based on analysis of history and future
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the
expectations of our retail and our wholesale customers in
amounts used for tax purposes. We provide valuation
each of our operating companies. For retail customers, our
allowances against the deferred tax assets for amounts
estimates are based on our actual historical write-offs, net
when the realization is uncertain.
of recoveries, and the aging of accounts receivable balances.
Investment tax credits earned prior to their repeal by the
Our assumptions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjust-
Tax Reform Act of 1986 are amortized as reductions in
ments are made to our bad debt allowance as appropriate.
income tax expense over the lives of the assets which gave
For our wholesale customers, we use a statistical model
rise to the credits.
based on our aging of accounts receivable balances. Our risk
PAGE 38
categories, risk percentages and reserve balance assumptions removal in the period in which the obligations are incurred
built into the model are reviewed monthly and the bad debt and capitalize that amount as part of the book value of the
allowance is adjusted accordingly. long-lived asset. To determine whether we have a legal
Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt obligation to remove our long-lived assets, we reviewed
On January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial state and federal law and regulatory decisions applicable
Accounting Standards No. 145, “Rescission of FASB State- to our subsidiaries, primarily our wireline subsidiaries, which
ments No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement have long-lived assets. Based on this review, we concluded
No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” (FAS 145). The standard, that we are not legally required to remove any of our
among other changes, rescinded FASB Statement No. 4, long-lived assets, except in a few minor instances.
“Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt, However, in November 2002, we were informed that the
an amendment of APB Opinion No. 30”. As a result, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff concluded
criteria in APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of that certain provisions of FAS 143 require that we exclude
Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment costs of removal from depreciation rates and accumulated
of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently depreciation balances in certain circumstances upon adoption,
Occurring Events and Transactions,” now will be used to even where no legal removal obligations exist. In our case,
classify gains and losses from extinguishment of debt. In this means that for plant accounts where our estimated costs
accordance with the provisions of FAS 145, we have reclassified of removal exceed the estimated salvage value, we are
our 2001 loss of $18 (net of taxes of $10) related to the prohibited from accruing removal costs in those depreciation
early redemption of $1,000 of our corporation-obligated rates and accumulated depreciation balances in excess of
mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary the salvage value. For our other long-lived assets, where
trusts from an extraordinary loss to an ordinary loss. The our estimated costs of removal are less than the estimated
effect of this reclassification was to decrease our previously salvage value, we will continue to accrue the costs of
reported 2001 income before extraordinary item and removal in those depreciation rates and accumulated
cumulative effect of accounting change by $18, or $0.01 depreciation balances.
per share, with no impact on our net income. Therefore, in connection with the adoption of FAS 143 on
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes January 1, 2003, we reversed all existing accrued costs of
Directory accounting Effective January 1, 2003, we removal for those plant accounts where our estimated costs
changed our method of recognizing revenues and expenses of removal exceeded the estimated salvage value. The
related to publishing directories from the “issue basis” noncash gain resulting from this reversal was $3,684, net of
method to the “amortization” method. The issue basis deferred taxes of $2,249, recorded as a cumulative effect of
method recognizes revenues and expenses at the time the accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of
initial delivery of the related directory is completed. Income as of January 1, 2003.
Consequently, quarterly income tends to vary with the During the fourth quarter of 2003, TDC A/S (TDC), the
number and size of directory titles published during a Danish national communications company in which we
quarter. The amortization method recognizes revenues and hold an investment accounted for on the equity method,
expenses ratably over the life of the directory, which is recorded a loss upon adoption of FAS 143. Our share of
typically 12 months. Consequently, quarterly income tends that loss was $7, which included no tax effect. This noncash
to be more consistent over the course of a year. We decided charge of $7 was also recorded as a cumulative effect of
to change methods because the amortization method has accounting change on the Consolidated Statement of
now become the more prevalent method used among Income as of January 1, 2003.
significant directory publishers. This change will allow a more Beginning in 2003, for those plant accounts where our
meaningful comparison between our directory segment and estimated costs of removal previously exceeded the estimated
other publishing companies (or publishing segments of salvage value, we expense all costs of removal as we incur
larger companies). them (previously those costs had been recorded in our
Our directory accounting change resulted in a noncash depreciation rates). As a result, our 2003 depreciation
charge of $1,136, net of an income tax benefit of $714, expense decreased and our operations and support expense
recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change on the increased as these assets were removed from service. The
Consolidated Statement of Income as of January 1, 2003. effect of this change was to increase consolidated pre-tax
The effect of this change was to increase consolidated income and our wireline segment income for 2003 by $280
pre-tax income and our directory segment income for 2003 ($172 net of tax, or $0.05 per diluted share). However, over
by $80 ($49 net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share). We the life of the assets, total operating expenses recognized
included the deferred revenue balance in the “Accounts under this new accounting method will be approximately
payable and accrued liabilities” line item on our balance sheet. the same as under the previous method (assuming the cost
Depreciation accounting On January 1, 2003, we of removal would be the same under both methods).
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Goodwill and other intangible assets accounting
No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” On January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial
(FAS 143). FAS 143 sets forth how companies must account Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other
for the costs of removal of long-lived assets when those Intangible Assets” (FAS 142). Adoption of FAS 142 means
assets are no longer used in a company’s business, but only if that we stopped amortizing goodwill, and at least annually
a company is legally required to remove such assets. FAS 143 we will test the remaining book value of goodwill for
requires that companies record the fair value of the costs of impairment. Any impairments subsequent to adoption will be
PAGE 39
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
recorded in operating expenses. We also stopped amortizing Year Ended December 31, 2003 2002 2001
goodwill recorded on our equity investments. This embedded Net income – as reported $ 8,505 $ 5,653 $ 7,008
goodwill will continue to be tested for impairment under Remove extraordinary item
the accounting rules for equity investments, which are based and cumulative effect of
on comparisons between fair value and carrying value. Our accounting changes (2,534) — —
total cumulative effect of accounting change from adopting Directory change, net of tax — (107) (145)
FAS 142 was a noncash charge of $1,820, net of an income Depreciation change, net of tax — 172 172
tax benefit of $5, recorded as of January 1, 2002. Goodwill amortization, net of tax — — 201
Adjusted results The amounts in the following table Equity method amortization,
have been adjusted assuming that we had retroactively net of tax — — 258
applied the new directory and depreciation accounting
Net income – as adjusted $ 5,971 $ 5,718 $ 7,494
methods, and goodwill and equity method amortization dis-
cussed above. (FAS 142 did not allow retroactive application Basic earnings per share:
of the new impairment accounting method, and did not Net income – as reported $ 2.56 $ 1.70 $ 2.08
allow these adjusted results to exclude the cumulative effect Remove extraordinary item
of accounting change from adopting FAS 142.) and cumulative effect of
accounting changes (0.76) — —
Year Ended December 31, 2003 2002 2001
Directory change, net of tax — (0.03) (0.04)
Income before extraordinary
Depreciation change, net of tax — 0.05 0.05
item and cumulative effect
Goodwill amortization, net of tax — — 0.06
of accounting changes –
Equity method amortization,
as reported $ 5,971 $ 7,473 $ 7,008
net of tax — — 0.08
Directory change, net of tax — (107) (145)
Depreciation change, net of tax — 172 172 Net income – as adjusted $ 1.80 $ 1.72 $ 2.23
Goodwill amortization, net of tax — — 201 Diluted earnings per share:
Equity method amortization, Net income – as reported $ 2.56 $ 1.69 $ 2.07
net of tax — — 258 Remove extraordinary item
Income before extraordinary and cumulative effect of
item and cumulative effect accounting changes (0.76) — —
of accounting changes – Directory change, net of tax — (0.03) (0.04)
as adjusted $ 5,971 $ 7,538 $ 7,494 Depreciation change, net of tax — 0.05 0.05
Basic earnings per share:
of accounting changes – Net income – as adjusted $ 1.80 $ 1.71 $ 2.21
as reported $ 1.80 $ 2.24 $ 2.08
as adjusted $ 1.80 $ 2.26 $ 2.23
Diluted earnings per share:

as reported $ 1.80 $ 2.23 $ 2.07
as adjusted $ 1.80 $ 2.25 $ 2.21
PAGE 40
Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equip- other nonvested stock units. We account for these plans
ment is stated at cost. The cost of additions and substantial using the preferable fair value recognition provisions of
improvements to property, plant and equipment is capitalized. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
The cost of maintenance and repairs of property, plant and “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (FAS 123).
equipment is charged to operating expenses. Property, plant Under this method, the estimated fair value of the options
and equipment are depreciated using straight-line methods granted is amortized to expense over the options’
over their estimated economic lives. Certain subsidiaries vesting period.
follow composite group depreciation methodology; accord- Pension and Postretirement Benefits – See Note 10 for a
ingly, when a portion of their depreciable property, plant and comprehensive discussion of our pension and postretirement
equipment is retired in the ordinary course of business, the benefit expense, including a discussion of the actuarial
gross book value is reclassified to accumulated depreciation; assumptions.
no gain or loss is recognized on the disposition of this plant.
Software Costs – It is our policy to capitalize certain costs NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSITIONS,
incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal A N D VA L U AT I O N A N D O T H E R A D J U S T M E N T S
use software. Capitalized software costs are included in Restructuring of Investments – In the fourth quarter of
Property, Plant and Equipment and are being amortized 2002, we internally restructured our ownership in several
over three years. Software costs that do not meet capitali- investments, including Sterling. As part of this restructuring,
zation criteria are expensed immediately. a newly created subsidiary borrowed $244 from an
Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of consideration independent party at an annual interest rate of 4.79%,
paid over net assets acquired in business combinations. repayable in five years (see Note 7). Additionally, a total
Beginning in 2002, goodwill is not amortized, but is tested of $43 of preferred securities in subsidiaries was sold to
annually for impairment (see above discussion under independent parties. The preferred interests receive
“Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes”). We have preferred dividends at a 5.79% annual rate, paid quarterly
completed our annual impairment testing for 2003 and (see Note 8). As we remain the primary beneficiary after the
determined that no impairment exists. During 2003, the restructuring, the preferred securities are classified as “Other
carrying amount of our goodwill decreased $32 primarily noncurrent liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets,
due to the third quarter 2003 sale of a division of our and no gain or loss was recorded on the transaction. As a
subsidiary Sterling Commerce Inc. (Sterling). result, we recognized in net income $280 of tax benefits
Advertising Costs – Advertising costs for advertising prod- on certain financial expenses and losses that were not
ucts and services or promoting our corporate image are previously eligible for deferred tax recognition (see Note 9).
expensed as incurred. Acquisitions – In November 2001, we acquired the shares
Foreign Currency Translation – Our foreign investments of Prodigy Communications Corporation (Prodigy) that we
generally report their earnings in their local currencies. We did not already own through a cash tender offer followed
translate our share of their foreign assets and liabilities at by a merger of a subsidiary into Prodigy. We paid approxi-
exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. We mately $470 and assumed debt of $105. This transaction
translate our share of their revenues and expenses using resulted in approximately $589 in goodwill. The majority of
average rates during the year. The resulting foreign currency the shares we bought in the cash tender offer were from
translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component persons or entities affiliated with Teléfonos de México, S.A.
of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accom- de C.V. (Telmex), of which we own approximately 8.0%.
panying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses Dispositions – In the fourth quarter of 2002, we agreed
resulting from exchange rate changes on transactions to sell our 15% interest in Cegetel S.A. (Cegetel) to
denominated in a currency other than the local currency are Vodafone Group PLC (Vodafone). The pending sale removed
included in earnings as incurred. our significant influence and required us to change our
Derivative Financial Instruments – We record derivatives accounting for Cegetel to the cost method from the equity
on the balance sheet at fair value. We do not invest in deriv- method. With this change, the value of our investment is
atives for trading purposes. We use derivatives from time to reflected in the “Other Assets” line on our December 31,
time as part of our strategy to manage risks associated with 2002, Consolidated Balance Sheet. The sale was completed
our contractual commitments. For example, we use interest in January 2003, and we received cash proceeds of $2,270
rate swaps to limit exposure to changes in interest rates on and recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $1,574.
our debt obligations and foreign currency forward-exchange In the second quarter of 2002, we entered into two
contracts to limit exposure to changes in foreign currency agreements with Bell Canada Holdings Inc. (Bell Canada):
rates for transactions related to our foreign investments (see (1) to redeem a portion of our ownership in Bell Canada and
Note 8). We include gains or losses from interest rate swaps (2) to give BCE, Inc. (BCE) the right to purchase our remaining
when paid or received in interest expense on our Consolidated interest in Bell Canada. In June 2002, we entered into an
Statements of Income. We include gains or losses from agreement to redeem a portion of our ownership in Bell
foreign currency forward exchange contracts as part of the Canada, representing approximately 4% of the company, for
transaction to which the forward exchange contract relates. an $873 short-term note, resulting in a pre-tax gain of
Stock-Based Compensation – As discussed more fully in approximately $148. Under the terms of the agreement, on
Note 12, under various plans, senior and other management July 15, 2002 when we received the proceeds from the short-
and nonmanagement employees and nonemployee directors term note, we purchased approximately 9 million shares of
have received stock options, performance stock units, and BCE, the majority shareholder of Bell Canada, for approxi-
PAGE 41
mately 250 Canadian dollars (CAD) ($164 at July 15, 2002 effect of reducing revenue recognized on the leases in the
exchange rates). In the second quarter of 2003, we sold future. In June 2002, with SpectraSite stock trading at
these BCE shares for $173 in cash and recorded a pre-tax approximately $0.18 per share, we recorded another other-
gain of approximately $9. In the fourth quarter of 2002, BCE than-temporary decline of $40 ($24 net of tax).
exercised its right to purchase our remaining 16% interest in We had cost investments in WilTel Communications
Bell Canada at a price of 4,990 CAD. We received proceeds (WilTel) (formerly Williams Communications Group Inc.) and
of $3,158, consisting of approximately 8.9 million shares of alternative providers of DSL services accounted for under
BCE stock and the remainder of $2,997 in cash and recognized Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
a pre-tax gain of approximately $455. In the third quarter of “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
2003, we sold the BCE stock for $191 in cash and recorded a Securities” (FAS 115). We periodically review the investments
pre-tax gain of approximately $31. to determine whether an investment’s decline in value is
In November 2001, we sold the assets of Ameritech’s other than temporary. If so, the cost basis of the investment is
cable television operation for approximately $205, resulting written down to fair value, which becomes the new cost basis.
in a pre-tax loss of $61. In the first quarter of 2001, in In the second quarter of 2001, we concluded that the
anticipation of the disposal of these cable operations and continued depressed market values for certain of our
in accordance with FAS 121, we evaluated these operations investments in other telecommunications companies, as
for impairment. We estimated that the future undiscounted well as difficulties experienced by many similar companies,
cash flows of these operations were insufficient to recover indicated the decline in value of our investments was other
their related carrying values. The impairment was measured than temporary. As a result of these reviews, we recognized
by comparing the book value to fair value of the assets as a combined charge of $401 ($261 net of tax) in the second
indicated by prevailing market prices. The resulting adjust- quarter of 2001 in other income (expense) – net, primarily
ment of approximately $316 ($205 net of tax) to reduce the related to our investment in WilTel.
book value of these assets, primarily writing down property, 2002 Workforce Reduction and Related Charges – During
plant and equipment, was recorded in the first quarter of 2002, our continuing review of staffing needs led to deci-
2001 as a charge to operating expenses. sions to further reduce our number of management and
In January 2001, we sold SecurityLink, our electronic nonmanagement employees. In 2002, we recorded charges
security services operations, for approximately $479. As a of approximately $356 ($224 net of tax) for severance and
result of the pending sale, as well as a general decline in the real estate costs related to workforce-reduction programs.
market value of companies in the security industry, we had As discussed in Note 10, these workforce-reduction programs
recognized impairments to the carrying value of SecurityLink also required us to record $486 in special termination benefits
of approximately $614 ($454 net of tax) in the fourth and net pension settlement gains of $29.
quarter of 2000. 2001 Comprehensive Review of Operations – During the
Valuation Adjustments – In January 2002, we purchased fourth quarter of 2001, we performed a comprehensive
from América Móvil S.A. de C.V. (América Móvil) its approxi- review of operations that resulted in decisions to reduce our
mately 50% interest in Cellular Communications of Puerto workforce, terminate certain real estate leases and shut down
Rico (CCPR) for cash and a note redeemable for our invest- certain operations. The charges related to those decisions,
ment in Telecom Américas Ltd. (Telecom Américas). We which we recorded as expense in 2001 are as follows:
retained the right to settle the note by delivering Telecom • Workforce reduction charges Our review of staffing
Américas shares. This represented a forward sale of our needs led to decisions to reduce our number of
interest in Telecom Américas. In connection with this management and nonmanagement employees. We
transaction, we reviewed the values at which we would carry recorded a charge of approximately $377 ($244 net of
CCPR and our interest in Telecom Américas and recognized a tax), related to severance costs under our existing plans
charge of $390 ($262 net of tax) for the reduction of our and an enhanced retirement benefit for certain
direct and indirect book values to the value indicated by the nonmanagement employees.
transaction. We based this valuation on a contemporaneous • Lease termination charges As part of a review of real
transaction involving CCPR and an independent third party. estate needs for our adjusted workforce, all company-
The charges were recorded in both other income (expense) – leased facilities were evaluated for probability of
net ($341) and equity in net income of affiliates ($49). future usefulness. For each lease having no substantive
América Móvil exercised its option to acquire our shares of future use or benefit to us, an accrual was made which
Telecom Américas in July 2002. represented either the buyout provisions of the lease,
As discussed in more detail in Note 5, in the third quarter a negotiated lease termination or future required
of 2001, we recognized an other-than-temporary decline of payments under the lease, net of anticipated sublease
$162 ($97 net of tax) in the value of SpectraSite Communi- rentals. We recorded a charge of approximately $138
cations Inc. (SpectraSite) shares we received as payment of ($90 net of tax) in relation to these leases.
future rents on land and wireless towers and related equip- • Asset impairments and other charges A review of
ment. As we were required to hold the shares, we determined certain nonstrategic operations indicated the need, in
that we needed to adjust the value of the total consideration some cases, for either impairment or shutdown. We
received from SpectraSite for entering into the tower leases recorded asset impairment and shutdown costs and other
to reflect actual realizable value. Accordingly, we reduced the charges of approximately $104 ($91 net of tax) for opera-
amount of deferred revenue that was recorded when these tions including exiting operations at InQuent Technologies
shares were originally received. This adjustment will have the Inc., the parent company of Webhosting.com.
PAGE 42
NOTE 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE N O T E 4 . S E G M E N T I N F O R M AT I O N
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of Our segments are strategic business units that offer different
basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for products and services and are managed accordingly. Under
income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of GAAP segment reporting rules, we analyze our various
accounting changes for the years ended December 31, 2003, operating segments based on segment income. Interest
2002 and 2001 are shown in the table below: expense, interest income, other income (expense) – net and
income tax expense are managed only on a total company
Year Ended December 31, 2003 2002 2001
basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated
Numerators results. Therefore, these items are not included in the
Numerator for basic earnings calculation of each segment’s percentage of our consolidated
per share: results. We have five reportable segments that reflect the
Income before extraordinary current management of our business: (1) wireline; (2)
item and cumulative effect Cingular; (3) directory; (4) international; and (5) other.
of accounting changes $5,971 $7,473 $7,008 The wireline segment provides landline telecommunications
Dilutive potential common shares: services, including local and long-distance voice, switched
Other stock-based compensation 9 7 6 access, data and messaging services.
Numerator for diluted The Cingular segment reflects 100% of the results
earnings per share $5,980 $7,480 $7,014 reported by Cingular, our wireless joint venture. Beginning
Denominators with 2003, the Cingular segment replaces our previously
Denominator for basic earnings titled “wireless” segment, which included 60% of Cingular’s
per share: revenues and expenses. Although we analyze Cingular’s
Weighted average number revenues and expenses under the Cingular segment, we
of common shares eliminate the Cingular segment in our consolidated financial
outstanding (000,000) 3,318 3,330 3,366 statements. In our consolidated financial statements, we
Dilutive potential common report our 60% proportionate share of Cingular’s results as
shares (000,000): equity in net income (loss) of affiliates. For segment reporting,
Stock options 1 8 21 we report this equity in net income (loss) of affiliates in our
Other stock-based compensation 10 10 9 other segment.
The directory segment includes all directory operations,
Denominator for diluted
including Yellow and White Pages advertising and electronic
earnings per share 3,329 3,348 3,396
publishing. In the first quarter of 2003 we changed our
Basic earnings per share method of accounting for revenues and expenses in our
Income before extraordinary directory segment. Results for 2003, and going forward, will
item and cumulative effect be shown under the amortization method. This means that
of accounting changes $ 1.80 $ 2.24 $ 2.08 revenues and direct expenses are recognized ratably over
Extraordinary item — — — the life of the directory, typically 12 months. This accounting
Cumulative effect of change will affect only the timing of the recognition of
accounting changes 0.76 (0.54) — revenues and direct expenses. It will not affect the total
Net income $ 2.56 $ 1.70 $ 2.08 amounts recognized.
Diluted earnings per share Our international segment includes all investments with
Income before extraordinary primarily international operations. The other segment
item and cumulative effect includes all corporate and other operations as well as the
of accounting changes $ 1.80 $ 2.23 $ 2.07 Cingular equity income (loss), as discussed above.
Extraordinary item — — — In the following tables, we show how our segment
Cumulative effect of results are reconciled to our consolidated results reported in
accounting changes 0.76 (0.54) — accordance with GAAP. The Wireline, Cingular, Directory,
International and Other columns represent the segment
Net income $ 2.56 $ 1.69 $ 2.07
results of each such operating segment. The Consolidation
and Elimination column adds in those line items that we
At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we had issued
manage on a consolidated basis only: interest expense,
options to purchase approximately 231 million, 229 million
interest income and other income (expense) - net. This
and 207 million SBC shares. Approximately 212 million,
column also eliminates any intercompany transactions
180 million and 62 million shares respectively were not used
included in each segment’s results. Since our 60% share of
to determine the dilutive potential common shares as the
the results from Cingular is already included in the Other
exercise price of these options was greater than the average
column, the Cingular Elimination column removes the results
market price of SBC common stock during the specified periods.
of Cingular shown in the Cingular segment. In the balance
sheet section of the tables below, our investment in Cingular
is included in the “Investment in equity method investees”
line item in the Other column ($5,118 in 2003, $4,583 in
2002 and $3,556 in 2001).
PAGE 43
Segment results, including a reconciliation to SBC consolidated results, for 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:
At December 31, 2003 Consolidation Cingular Consolidated
or for the year ended Wireline Cingular Directory International Other and Elimination Elimination Results
Revenues from
external customers $36,372 $15,483 $4,182 $ 30 $ 259 $ — $(15,483) $ 40,843
Intersegment revenues 32 — 72 — 4 (108) — —
Total segment
operating revenues 36,404 15,483 4,254 30 263 (108) (15,483) 40,843
Operations and
support expenses 24,599 11,105 1,932 47 34 (108) (11,105) 26,504
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 7,763 2,089 21 — 86 — (2,089) 7,870
Total segment
operating expenses 32,362 13,194 1,953 47 120 (108) (13,194) 34,374
Segment operating
income 4,042 2,289 2,301 (17) 143 — (2,289) 6,469
Interest expense — 856 — — — 1,241 (856) 1,241
Interest income — 14 — — — 603 (14) 603
Equity in net income
of affiliates — (323) — 606 647 — 323 1,253
Other income
(expense) – net — (74) — — — 1,817 74 1,817
Segment income before
income taxes 4,042 1,050 2,301 589 790 1,179 (1,050) 8,901
Segment assets 68,434 25,526 1,515 8,550 61,067 (39,400) (25,526) 100,166
Investment in equity
method investees — 2,288 22 6,747 5,296 — (2,288) 12,065
Expenditures for additions
to long-lived assets 5,147 2,734 1 — 71 — (2,734) 5,219

Revenues from
external customers $38,362 $14,903 $4,371 $ 35 $ 370 $ — $(14,903) $43,138
Intersegment revenues 30 — 80 — 19 (129) — —
Total segment
Operations and
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 8,442 1,850 30 — 106 — (1,850) 8,578
Total segment
Segment operating income 5,969 2,521 2,490 (50) 214 — (2,521) 8,623
Interest income — 29 — — — 561 (29) 561
of affiliates — (265) — 1,152 769 — 265 1,921
Other income
(expense) – net — (123) — — — 734 123 734
income taxes 5,969 1,251 2,490 1,102 983 (87) (1,251) 10,457
Segment assets 66,117 24,122 2,839 8,352 57,431 (39,682) (24,122) 95,057
method investees 124 2,316 28 5,668 4,650 — (2,316) 10,470
PAGE 44
Revenues from
external customers $40,660 $14,268 $4,382 $ 152 $ 714 $ — $(14,268) $45,908
Intersegment revenues 30 — 86 33 54 (203) — —
Total segment
Operations and
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 8,461 1,921 36 3 577 — (1,921) 9,077
Total segment
Segment operating income 8,220 2,548 2,530 (56) (186) — (2,548) 10,508
Interest income — 63 — — — 682 (63) 682
of affiliates — (68) — 555 1,040 — 68 1,595
Other income
(expense) – net — (21) — — — (236) 21 (236)
income taxes 8,220 1,700 2,530 499 854 (1,153) (1,700) 10,950
Segment assets 71,037 22,530 2,777 9,456 57,970 (44,918) (22,530) 96,322
method investees 120 2,023 21 8,196 3,630 — (2,023) 11,967
Geographic Information N O T E 5 . P R O P E R T Y, P L A N T A N D E Q U I P M E N T
Our investments outside of the United States are primarily
Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows at
accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
December 31:
Accordingly, we do not include in our operating revenues
and expenses the revenues and expenses of these individual Lives
(years) 2003 2002
investees. Therefore, less than 1% of our total operating
revenues for all years presented are from outside the United Land — $ 639 $ 627
States. Buildings 35-45 11,519 11,168
Long-lived assets consist primarily of net property, plant Central office equipment 3-10 55,120 54,774
and equipment; goodwill; and the book value of our equity Cable, wiring and conduit 10-50 52,076 50,665
investments, which are shown in the table below: Other equipment 5-15 9,590 9,997
Software 3 3,599 3,016
December 31, 2003 2002 Under construction — 1,380 1,508
United States $59,056 $54,934 133,923 131,755
Denmark 3,246 2,689 Accumulated depreciation and amortization 81,795 83,265
Belgium 1,236 1,122
Property, plant and equipment – net $ 52,128 $ 48,490
Mexico 1,079 945
South Africa 919 623 Our depreciation expense was $7,667 in 2003, $8,379 in 2002
Other foreign countries 268 290 and $8,596 in 2001.
Total $65,804 $60,603 Certain facilities and equipment used in operations are
leased under operating or capital leases. Rental expenses
under operating leases were $420 for 2003, $586 for 2002
and $799 for 2001. At December 31, 2003, the future
minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating
leases for the years 2004 through 2008 were $321, $279,
$213, $169 and $145 with $238 due thereafter. Capital leases
are not significant.
PAGE 45
SpectraSite Agreement NOTE 6. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

In August 2000, we reached an agreement with SpectraSite
We account for our nationwide wireless joint venture,
under which we granted SpectraSite the exclusive rights to
Cingular, and our investments in equity affiliates under the
lease space on a number of our communications towers.
equity method of accounting.
These operating leases were scheduled to close over a
Cingular – The following table is a reconciliation of our
period ending in 2002. SpectraSite would sublease space on
investments in and advances to Cingular as presented on our
the towers to Cingular and also agreed to build or buy new
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
towers for Cingular over the next five years. Cingular’s sub-
lease payments to SpectraSite reduce Cingular’s net income 2003 2002
and partially offset the rental income we receive from Beginning of year $10,468 $ 9,441
SpectraSite. Contributions — 299
Under the terms of the original agreement, we received Equity in net income 613 759
a combination of cash and stock as complete prepayment Other adjustments (78) (31)
of rent with the closing of each leasing agreement. The
End of year $11,003 $10,468
prepayments were initially recorded as deferred revenue,
and will be recognized in income as revenue over the life Undistributed earnings from Cingular were $2,481 and
of the leases. In November 2001, we received $35 from $1,868 at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
SpectraSite in consideration for amending the agreement, We account for our 60% economic interest in Cingular
to reduce the maximum number of towers subject to its under the equity method of accounting in our consolidated
terms, and to extend the schedule for tower closings until financial statements since we share control equally (i.e.,
first quarter of 2004. 50/50) with our 40% economic partner in the joint venture.
In the third quarter of 2001, we recognized an other-than- We have equal voting rights and representation on the
temporary decline of $162 ($97 net of tax) in the value of board of directors that controls Cingular. Cingular serves
SpectraSite shares we had received as part of the prepayment. approximately 24 million wireless customers, is the second-
This amount reflected the decline in the stock market price largest wireless operator in the U.S. in terms of customers
of SpectraSite shares below our carrying value. As we were and has approximately 236 million potential customers in
required to hold the shares, we determined that we needed 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the
to adjust the value of the total consideration received from U.S. Virgin Islands.
entering into the leases to reflect actual realizable value. The following table presents summarized financial
Accordingly, we reduced the amount of deferred revenue information for Cingular at December 31, or for the period
that was recorded when these shares were originally received. then ended:
A similar reduction of $40 ($24 net of tax) was made in
second quarter of 2002 with SpectraSite shares trading at 2003 2002 2001
approximately $0.18 per share. These adjustments will have Income Statements
the effect of reducing revenue recognized on the leases in Operating revenues $15,483 $14,903 $14,268
the future. Operating income 2,289 2,521 2,548
In late 2002, SpectraSite and certain of its senior debt holders Net income 1,022 1,207 1,692
agreed to restructure its debt. To effect the restructuring, Balance Sheets
SpectraSite filed a “pre-arranged” plan of reorganization Current assets $ 3,300 $ 2,731
under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Noncurrent assets 22,226 21,391
We agreed with SpectraSite, subject to completion of its Current liabilities 3,187 2,787
Chapter 11 reorganization, to decrease the number of Noncurrent liabilities 13,855 13,794
towers to be leased to SpectraSite and to extend the
schedule for tower closing until the third quarter of 2004. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, we had notes receivable
In addition, we exchanged all of our shares in SpectraSite from Cingular of $5,885. In July 2003, we renegotiated
for warrants to purchase shares representing less than 1% the terms of these advances to reduce the interest rate
of the restructured company with no significant financial from 7.5% to 6.0% and extended the maturity date of
impact on us. SpectraSite emerged from bankruptcy in 2003. the advances from March 31, 2005, to June 30, 2008.
The interest income from Cingular was approximately
$397 in 2003, $441 in 2002 and $555 in 2001. This interest
income does not have a material impact on our net income
as it is mostly offset when we record our share of equity
income in Cingular.
PAGE 46
Other Equity Method Investments – Our investments in In October 2003, ADSB announced that it had entered
equity affiliates include primarily international investments. into an agreement with the Belgian government and
The following table is a reconciliation of our investments in Belgacom to proceed with the preparations for a potential
equity affiliates as presented on our Consolidated Balance initial public offering (IPO) of Belgacom. As part of the
Sheets: agreement, ADSB will have the exclusive right from January
1, 2004 until July 31, 2005, subject to certain restrictions, to
2003 2002
sell shares in an IPO of Belgacom. In the fourth quarter of
Beginning of year $ 5,887 $ 8,411 2003, as a condition to the IPO and related transactions,
Additional investments — 268 Belgacom transferred to the Belgian government certain
Equity in net income 640 1,162 pension liabilities related to certain employees, proceeds
Dividends received (288) (335) from the sale of pension assets and cash sufficient to fully
Currency translation adjustments 867 962 fund the obligations. This transfer resulted in a one-time
Dispositions (89) (867) charge to our equity income from Belgacom which, including
Other adjustments (70) (3,714) our direct and indirect ownership, reduced our fourth-
End of year $ 6,947 $ 5,887 quarter 2003 diluted earnings per share by $0.03, determined
on a GAAP basis.
The currency translation adjustment for 2003 primarily In the fourth quarter of 2003, also pursuant to the
reflects the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our agreement, Belgacom repurchased approximately 6% of the
investments in TDC, Belgacom S.A. (Belgacom) and Telkom Belgacom shares held by ADSB. This fourth-quarter repurchase
S.A. Limited (Telkom). Dispositions for 2003 reflect the decreased our economic ownership of Belgacom from 24.4%
decrease in our ownership percentage of Belgacom. to 23.5%. Since the share price remains subject to adjustment
The currency translation adjustment for 2002 primarily as explained below, GAAP prohibits us from recording a gain
reflects the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our (in 2003) on the 2003 sale of our shares back to Belgacom.
investments in TDC, Belgacom and Telkom. Dispositions for Based on our ADSB ownership percentage, our portion of
2002 reflect the sale of shares of Bell Canada of $719 (see the proceeds, using the tentative share price, would be
Note 2), Telmex L shares of $98, América Móvil L shares of approximately $148 and we have estimated that our portion
$40 and Amdocs shares of $10. Other adjustments for 2002 of the proceeds received would exceed our carrying value by
include adjustments of $2,887 and $696 resulting from our approximately $59. As part of the October 2003 agreement,
change from the equity method to the cost method of Belgacom agreed to make a second buyback offer in the
accounting for investments in Bell Canada and Cegetel, event of an IPO. Should the IPO occur, the price per share of
respectively (see Note 2). Other adjustments for 2002 also both buybacks will be adjusted to the IPO price, which will
included a dividend from TDC that was treated as a return result in our recognition of a gain or loss associated with the
of capital due to TDC’s insufficient undistributed earnings. fourth-quarter 2003 sale and the sale associated with the
Undistributed earnings from equity affiliates were $2,496 IPO. If no IPO occurs before July 31, 2005, there will be no
and $2,195 at December 31, 2003 and 2002. adjustment to the proceeds from the first buyback.
As of December 31, 2003, our investments in equity In 2002, we entered into two agreements with Bell
affiliates included an 8.0% interest in Telmex, Mexico’s Canada: (1) to redeem a portion of our ownership in Bell
national telecommunications company; a 7.6% interest in Canada, representing approximately 4% of the company
América Móvil, primarily a wireless provider in Mexico, and (2) to give BCE the right to purchase our remaining
with telecommunications investments in the U.S. and interest in Bell Canada. BCE exercised its right to purchase
Latin America; a 41.6% interest in TDC, the national our remaining interest in Bell Canada during the fourth
communications provider in Denmark; a 16.9% interest quarter of 2002. See Note 2 for a more detailed discussion
in Belgacom, the national communications provider in on this divestiture.
Belgium; and an 18% interest in Telkom, a telecommuni- In 2002, we agreed to sell to Vodafone our 15% equity
cations company of South Africa. TDC also holds a 15.9% interest in Cegetel, a joint venture that owns 80% of the
interest in Belgacom, bringing our effective interest to 23.5%. second-largest wireless provider in France. The pending sale
Both our investment and TDC’s investment in Belgacom removed our significant influence and required us to change
are held through ADSB Telecommunications B.V. (ADSB), of our accounting for Cegetel to the cost method from the
which we directly owned 35%. ADSB owned one share less equity method. With this change, the value of our investment
than 50% of Belgacom and is a consortium of SBC, TDC, is reflected in the “Other Assets” line on our December 31,
Singapore Telecommunications and a group of Belgian 2002 Consolidated Balance Sheet. This transaction closed in
financial investors. Through our 35% ownership of ADSB the first quarter of 2003. (See Note 2)
and our 41.6% ownership of TDC, we had a 24.4% economic
ownership of Belgacom.
PAGE 47
The following table presents summarized financial NOTE 7. DEBT

information of our significant international investments
Long-term debt of SBC and its subsidiaries, including interest
accounted for using the equity method, taking into account
rates and maturities, is summarized as follows at December 31:
all adjustments necessary to conform to GAAP but excluding
our purchase adjustments, including goodwill, at December 31
2003 2002
or for the year then ended:
Notes and debentures1
2003 2002 2001 0.00% – 5.98% 2003 – 20382 $ 5,987 $ 6,666
Income Statements 6.03% – 7.85% 2003 – 20483 10,894 13,118
Operating revenues $34,747 $30,414 $44,773 8.85% – 9.50% 2005 – 2016 153 166
Operating income 9,067 8,102 10,617 17,034 19,950
Net income 4,689 6,493 5,981 Unamortized discount – net of premium (159) (203)
Balance Sheets Total notes and debentures 16,875 19,747
Current assets $11,282 $ 9,575 Capitalized leases 65 143
Noncurrent assets 40,895 32,613 Total long-term debt, including
Current liabilities 10,101 8,902 current maturities 16,940 19,890
Noncurrent liabilities 23,393 19,798 Current maturities of long-term debt (880) (1,354)
At December 31, 2003, we had goodwill of approximately Total long-term debt $16,060 $18,536
$1,682 related to our international investments in equity 1 In 2003, the $90 fair value of our variable rate interest rate swaps is reported with
its corresponding debt.
affiliates. 2 Includes $1,000 of 4.18% Puttable Reset Securities (PURS) maturing in 2021 with a
Based on the December 31, 2003 quoted market price put option by holder in 2004 and $250 of 5.95% debentures maturing in 2038
of TDC stock, the aggregate market value of our invest- with a put option by holder in 2005.
3 Includes $125 of 6.35% debentures maturing in 2026 with a put option by holder
ment in TDC was approximately $3,269. Based on the in 2006.
December 31, 2003 quoted market price of Telkom stock,
the aggregate market value of our investment in Telkom At December 31, 2003, the aggregate principal amounts of
was approximately $1,060. The fair value of our investment long-term debt and weighted average interest rate scheduled
in Telmex, based on the equivalent value of Telmex L for repayment for the years 2004 through 2008, excluding
shares at December 31, 2003, was approximately $1,607. the effect of interest rate swaps, were $880 (6.5%), $1,097
The fair value of our investment in América Móvil, based (6.7%), $2,638 (5.9%), $1,912 (5.2%) and $700 (6.3%) with
on the equivalent value of América Móvil L shares at $9,782 (6.6%) due thereafter. As of December 31, 2003,
December 31, 2003, was approximately $1,345. Belgacom we were in compliance with all covenants and conditions
was not publicly traded at December 31, 2003, and thus of instruments governing our debt. Substantially all of our
does not have a readily available market value. Our outstanding long-term debt is unsecured.
weighted average share of operating revenues shown
Financing Activities
above was 17% in 2003, 2002 and 2001.
During 2003, approximately $1,259 of long-term debt
obligations, and $1,000 of one-year floating rate securities
matured. The long-term obligations carried interest rates
ranging from 5.8% to 9.5%, with an average yield of 6.1%.
The short-term notes paid quarterly interest based on the
London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). Funds from operations
During 2003 we called, prior to maturity, approximately
$1,743 of debt obligations with maturities ranging between
February 2007 and March 2048, and interest rates ranging
between 6.5% and 7.9%. Of the $1,743 called debt, approxi-
mately $264, with an average yield of 7.2% was called in
July; $1,462, with an average yield of 7.4% was called in
June; and $17, with an average yield of 6.9% was called in
March. These included the remaining subsidiary notes that
were listed on public bond exchanges. Funds from operations
PAGE 48
Debt maturing within one year consists of the following three year period on a straight line basis. Our short-term
at December 31: investments, other short-term and long-term held-to-maturity
investments and customer deposits are recorded at amortized
2003 2002
cost, and the carrying amounts approximate fair values. The
Commercial paper $ 999 $1,148 fair value of more than 95% of our available-for-sale equity
Current maturities of long-term debt 880 1,354 securities was determined based on quoted market prices
Other short-term debt — 1,003 and the carrying amount of the remaining securities
Total $1,879 $3,505 approximates fair value. In addition, we held other short-
term held-to-maturity securities of $378 as compared to
The weighted average interest rate on commercial paper $1 at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2003 we held
debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was 1.08% and 1.43%. other long-term held-to-maturity securities of $84, which
In October 2003, we renewed our 364-day credit agreement mature within two years from the date of purchase, and
totaling $4,250 with a syndicate of banks replacing our credit $0 at December 31, 2002.
agreement of $4,250 that expired on October 21, 2003. Preferred Stock Issuances by Subsidiaries – In the fourth
The expiration date of the current credit agreement is quarter of 2002, we restructured our holdings in certain
October 19, 2004. Advances under this agreement may be investments, including Sterling. As part of this restructuring,
used for general corporate purposes, including support of a newly created subsidiary issued approximately $43 of
commercial paper borrowings and other short-term preferred stock. The preferred stock will accumulate dividends
borrowings. Under the terms of the agreement, repayment at an annual rate of 5.79% and can be converted, at the
of advances up to $1,000 may be extended two years from option of the holder, to common stock (but not a controlling
the termination date of the agreement. Repayment of interest) of the subsidiary at any time. (See Note 2)
advances up to $3,250 may be extended to one year from In June 1997 and December 1999, an SBC subsidiary issued
the termination date of the agreement. There is no $250 and $100 of preferred stock in private placements. The
material adverse change provision governing the drawdown holders of the preferred stock may require the subsidiary
of advances under this credit agreement. We had no to redeem the shares after May 20, 2004. Holders receive
borrowings outstanding under committed lines of credit as quarterly dividends based on a rolling three-month LIBOR.
of December 31, 2003 or 2002. The dividend rate for the December 31, 2003, payment
NOTE 8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS was 1.91%.
The preferred stock of subsidiaries discussed above is
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long- included in “Other noncurrent liabilities” on the
term debt, including current maturities and other financial Consolidated Balance Sheets.
instruments, are summarized as follows at December 31: Derivatives – We use interest rate swaps to manage
2003 2002
interest rate risk. Each swap matches exact maturity dates
of the underlying debt to which they are related, allowing
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
for perfectly effective hedges. The notional amounts,
Amount Value Amount Value
carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our derivative
Notes and debentures $16,875 $18,126 $19,747 $20,992 financial instruments are summarized as follows at
Commercial paper 999 999 1,148 1,148 December 31:
Cingular note receivable 5,885 5,885 5,885 5,885
Notional Carrying Fair
Available-for-sale equity
Amount Amount Value
securities 844 844 1,347 1,347
EchoStar note receivable 441 441 — — 2003
Preferred stock of Interest rate swaps $3,500 $90 $90
subsidiaries 393 393 393 393 2002
Interest rate swaps $1,000 $79 $79
The fair values of our notes and debentures were estimated
based on quoted market prices, where available, or on In August 2003 we entered into $1,000 in variable interest
the net present value method of expected future cash rate swap contracts on our 5.875% fixed rate debt which
flows using current interest rates. The carrying amount of matures in August 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2003 we
commercial paper debt approximates fair value. entered into two variable rate swap contracts on our fixed
Our notes receivable from Cingular are recorded at face rate debt. We entered into $1,000 in variable rate swap
value, and the carrying amounts approximate fair values. contracts on our 5.875% fixed rate debt which matures in
The fair value of our EchoStar note receivable was based on February 2012 and $500 in variable rate swap contracts on
the present value of cash and interest payments, which is our 6.25% fixed rate debt which matures in March 2011. At
accreted on the note up to the face value of $500 over a December 31, 2003 we had interest rate swaps with a notional
value of $3,500 and a fair value of approximately $90.
PAGE 49
N O T E 9 . I N C O M E TA X E S A reconciliation of income tax expense and the amount

computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate
Significant components of our deferred tax liabilities and
(35%) to income before income taxes, extraordinary items
assets are as follows at December 31:
and cumulative effect of accounting change is as follows:
2003 2002
2003 2002 2001
Depreciation and amortization $13,438 $ 9,231
Taxes computed at federal
Equity in foreign affiliates 945 643
statutory rate $3,115 $3,660 $3,832
Deferred directory expenses (93) 493
Increases (decreases) in
Other 4,416 4,611
income taxes resulting from:
Deferred tax liabilities 18,706 14,978 State and local income taxes –
Employee benefits 3,260 3,078 net of federal
Currency translation adjustments 228 519 income tax benefit 250 269 399
Allowance for uncollectibles 282 456 Restructuring/sale of
Unamortized investment tax credits 86 93 preferred interest — (280) —
Other 954 1,285 Effects of international
Deferred tax assets 4,810 5,431 operations (230) (354) (22)
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance 144 148 Goodwill amortization — — 86
Tax settlements (41) (171) —
Net deferred tax liabilities $14,040 $ 9,695
Contributions of
The decrease in the valuation allowance is the result of an appreciated investments — — (208)
evaluation of the uncertainty associated with the realization Other – net (164) (140) (145)
of certain deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is Total $2,930 $2,984 $3,942
maintained in deferred tax assets for certain unused federal
and state loss carryforwards. Effects of international operations include items such as
The components of income tax expense are as follows: foreign tax credits, sales of foreign investments and the effects
of undistributed earnings from international operations.
2003 2002 2001 Deferred taxes are not provided on the undistributed earnings
Federal: of subsidiaries operating outside the United States that have
Current $ (466) $ 377 $1,793 been or are intended to be permanently reinvested.
Deferred – net 3,043 2,251 1,587
Amortization of investment NOTE 10. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
tax credits (24) (30) (44) Pensions – Substantially all of our employees are covered by
2,553 2,598 3,336 one of various noncontributory pension and death benefit
State and local: plans. At December 31, 2003, management employees
Current (38) 116 206 participated in either cash balance or defined lump sum
Deferred – net 401 219 385 pension plans. Additionally, all management employees
Foreign 14 51 15 participated in a traditional pension benefit formula, stated
377 386 606 as a percentage of the employees’ adjusted career income.
The pension benefit formula for most nonmanagement
Total $2,930 $2,984 $3,942
employees is based on a flat dollar amount per year according
In the fourth quarter of 2002, we internally restructured our to job classification. Most employees can elect to receive
ownership in several investments, including Sterling (see their pension benefits in either a lump sum payment or
Note 2). The restructuring included the issuance of external annuity. We use a December 31 measurement date for
debt (see Note 7), and the issuance and sale of preferred calculating the values reported for plan assets and benefit
stock in subsidiaries (see Note 8). As we remain the primary obligations for our plans.
beneficiary after the restructuring, the preferred securities Our objective in funding the plans, in combination with
are classified as “Other noncurrent liabilities” on our the standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Consolidated Balance Sheet, and no gain or loss was recorded Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), is to accumulate assets
on the transaction. As a result of the sale of preferred stock, sufficient to meet the plans’ obligations to provide benefits
we recognized in net income $280 of tax benefits on certain to employees upon their retirement. Required funding is
financial expenses and losses that were not previously based on the present value of future benefits, which is
eligible for deferred tax recognition. similar to the projected benefit obligation discussed below.
PAGE 50
Any plan contributions, as determined by ERISA regulations, Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at
are made to a pension trust for the benefit of plan participants. December 31 are listed below and are discussed in the
In July 2003, we voluntarily contributed $500 to the pension fourth paragraph following these tables:
trust for the benefit of plan participants. No significant
2003 2002
cash contributions to the trust will be required under ERISA
regulations during 2004; however, we may make contributions Prepaid pension cost1 $ 8,455 $ 8,052
in excess of minimum funding requirements. We are consid- Additional minimum pension liability2 (2,720) (3,455)
ering a voluntary contribution of assets, which may include Intangible asset1 894 1,078
cash and/or other investments of $1,000 or more. Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,132 1,473
For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation Deferred tax asset 694 904
is the “projected benefit obligation”, the actuarial present Net amount recognized $ 8,455 $ 8,052
value, as of the measurement date, of all benefits attributed 1 Included in “Other Assets”.
by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered 2 Included in “Postemployment benefit obligation”.
to that date. The following table presents this reconciliation
and shows the change in the projected benefit obligation The following table presents the components of net pension
for the years ended December 31: cost (benefit) recognized in our Consolidated Statements
of Income (gains are denoted with parentheses and losses
2003 2002 are not):
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $26,148 $25,060 2003 2002 2001
Service cost – benefits earned Service cost – benefits earned
during the period 732 645 during the period $ 732 $ 645 $ 550
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 1,666 1,780 Interest cost on projected
Amendments 1 (33) benefit obligation 1,666 1,780 1,847
Actuarial loss 1,931 2,534 Expected return on plan assets (2,456) (3,429) (3,515)
Special termination benefits 71 456 Amortization of prior service cost
Benefits paid (2,932) (4,294) and transition asset 94 100 81
Benefit obligation at end of year $27,617 $26,148 Recognized actuarial gain 53 (233) (413)
Net pension cost (benefit) $ 89 $(1,137) $(1,450)
The following table presents the change in the value of
pension plan assets for the years ended December 31 and In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net
the pension plans’ funded status at December 31: pension cost (benefit), we used the following significant
weighted-average assumptions:
2003 2002
Fair value of plan assets at 2003 2002 2001
beginning of year $24,999 $32,715 Discount rate for determining
Actual return on plan assets 5,584 (3,442) projected benefit obligation
Employer contribution 500 — at December 31 6.25% 6.75% 7.50%
Transfer from Cingular1 — 6 Discount rate in effect for
Benefits paid (2,929) (4,280) determining net pension
Fair value of plan assets at end of year2 $28,154 $24,999 cost (benefit) 6.75% 7.50% 7.75%
Long-term rate of return on
Funded (unfunded) status
plan assets 8.50% 9.50% 9.50%
(fair value of plan assets
Composite rate of
less benefit obligation)3 $ 537 $ (1,149)
compensation increase 4.25% 4.25% 4.25%
Unrecognized prior service cost 1,397 1,642
Unrecognized net (gain) loss 6,588 7,777 Our assumed discount rate of 6.25% at December 31, 2003,
Unamortized transition asset (67) (218) reflects the hypothetical rate at which the projected benefit
Net amount recognized $ 8,455 $ 8,052 obligation could be effectively settled, or paid out to
1 Associated with the 2002 true-up of pension assets and liabilities based on final
participants, on that date. We determined our discount rate
valuations of the 2001 employee transfer to Cingular. based on a range of factors including the rates of return
2 Plan assets include SBC common stock of $6 at December 31, 2003, and $8 at on high-quality, fixed-income corporate bonds available at
December 31, 2002.
3 Funded (unfunded) status is not indicative of our ability to pay ongoing pension the measurement date. The reduction in the discount rate
benefits. Required pension funding is determined in accordance with ERISA at December 31, 2003 and 2002, by 0.50% and by 0.75%,
regulations. respectively, resulted in an increase in our pension plan
benefit obligation of approximately $1,081 and $1,480 at
December 31, 2003 and 2002. Should actual experience
differ from actuarial assumptions, the projected benefit
obligation and net pension cost (benefit) would be affected.
PAGE 51
Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of Shown below is a summary of our obligations and the
8.5% for 2003, reflects the average rate of earnings fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31,
expected on the funds invested, or to be invested, to 2003 and 2002.
provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit
2003 2002
obligations. We consider many factors that include, but are
not limited to historic returns on plan assets, current market Projected benefit obligation $27,617 $26,148
information on long-term returns (e.g., long-term bond Accumulated benefit obligation 25,249 24,223
rates) and current and target asset allocations between asset Fair value of plan assets 28,154 24,999
categories. The target asset allocation is determined based
During 2003, 2002 and 2001, as part of our workforce
on consultations with external investment advisors.
reduction programs, an enhanced retirement program was
As noted above, the projected benefit obligation is the
offered to eligible Pacific Telesis Group (PTG) nonmanagement
actuarial present value of all benefits attributed by the
employees. This program offered eligible employees who
pension benefit formula to previously rendered employee
voluntarily decided to terminate employment an enhanced
service. The calculation of the obligation generally consists
pension benefit and increased eligibility for postretirement
of estimating the amount of retirement income payments in
medical, dental and life insurance benefits. Employees that
future years after the employee retires or terminates service
accepted this offer and terminated employment totaled
and calculating the present value at the measurement date.
approximately 339 before the end of December 31, 2003.
The amount of benefit to be paid depends on a number of
Approximately 3,600 and 1,400 employees terminated
future events incorporated into the pension benefit formula,
before the end of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
including estimates of average life of employees/survivors
In addition to the net pension cost (benefit) reported in the
and average years of service rendered. It is measured based
tables above, enhanced pension benefits related to this
on assumptions concerning future interest rates and future
program were recognized as an expense of $42 in 2003,
employee compensation levels.
$456 in 2002, and $164 in 2001.
In contrast to the projected benefit obligation, the accu-
In September 2003, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
mulated benefit obligation represents the actuarial present
increased the interest rate applicable to fourth-quarter
value of benefits based on employee service and compensation
pension plan lump sum calculations from 4.53% to 5.31%.
as of a certain date and does not include an assumption
An increase in the interest rate had a negative impact on
about future compensation levels. On a plan-by-plan basis,
lump sum pension calculations for some of our employees.
if the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds plan assets
We chose to extend the 4.53% pension plan lump sum
and at least this amount has not been accrued, an additional
benefit payout rate through October 31, 2003. The
minimum liability must be recognized, partially offset by an
extension of the lump sum benefit payout rate was
intangible asset for unrecognized prior service cost, with the
accounted for as a special termination benefit and
remainder a direct charge to equity net of deferred tax
increased our fourth-quarter pension benefit expense
benefits. These items are included in the third table above
approximately $28 in 2003.
that presents the amounts recognized in our Consolidated
In October 2000, we implemented a voluntary enhanced
Balance Sheets at December 31. At December 31, 2003 and
pension and retirement program (EPR) to reduce the
2002, for three of our plans, the accumulated benefit
number of management employees. Approximately 7,000
obligation (aggregate balance of $13,724 for 2003 and
of the employees who accepted this offer terminated
$13,289 for 2002) exceeded plan assets (aggregate balance
employment before December 31, 2000; however, under
of $13,016 for 2003 and $11,525 for 2002). Because of our
the program, approximately 2,400 employees were retained
increased asset returns in 2003, during the fourth quarter
for up to one year. We recognized $940 in settlement gains
of 2003 we were able to reduce our minimum liability by
in 2001 primarily associated with the EPR program.
$735, which resulted in a direct increase to equity of $341
Also, in addition to the net pension cost (benefit)
(net of deferred taxes of $210). In 2002, our decreased
reported in the table disclosing the components of our
discount rate and lower asset returns, required us to record
net pension cost (benefit) and the aforementioned EPR
an additional minimum liability of $3,455 and a direct
settlement/curtailment gains, we recognized $29 in net
charge to equity of $1,473 (net of deferred taxes of $904)
settlement gains in 2002 and $423 in 2001. Net settlement
in the fourth quarter of 2002. This reclass, while adjusting
gains in 2002 include settlement losses during the latter
equity and comprehensive income, will not affect our
part of the year, reflecting the continued investment losses
future results of operations or cash flows.
sustained by the plan. We did not recognize any settlement
gains or losses in 2003.
PAGE 52
Plan assets consist primarily of private and public equity, Postretirement Benefits – We provide certain medical,
government and corporate bonds, index funds and real dental and life insurance benefits to substantially all retired
estate. We maintain asset allocations to meet ERISA require- employees under various plans and accrue actuarially
ments. Our principal investment objectives are: to ensure the determined postretirement benefit costs as active employees
availability of funds to pay pension benefits as they become earn these benefits. We maintain Voluntary Employee
due under a broad range of future economic scenarios; to Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trusts to partially fund these
maximize long-term investment return with an acceptable postretirement benefits; however, there are no ERISA or
level of risk based on our pension obligations; and to be other regulations requiring these postretirement benefit
broadly diversified across and within the capital markets to plans to be funded annually.
insulate asset values against adverse experience in any one For postretirement benefit plans, the benefit obligation
market. Each asset class has a broadly diversified style. is the “accumulated postretirement benefit obligation”, the
Substantial biases toward any particular investing style or actuarial present value as of a date of all future benefits
type of security are avoided by managing the aggregation attributed under the terms of the postretirement benefit
of all accounts with portfolio benchmarks. Asset and benefit plan to employee service rendered to that date.
obligation forecasting studies are conducted periodically, In January 2004, the FASB issued preliminary guidance
generally every two to three years, or when significant (referred to as FSP FAS 106-1) on how employers should
changes have occurred in benefits, participant demographics, account for provisions of the recently enacted Medicare
or funded status. Decisions regarding investment policy are Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of
made with an understanding of the effect of asset allocation 2003 (Medicare Act). The Medicare Act allows employers
on funded status, future contributions and pension expense. who sponsor a postretirement health care plan that provides
Our current asset allocation policy is based on a forecasting a prescription drug benefit to receive a subsidy for the cost
study conducted in 2002. of providing that drug benefit. In order for employers, such
Our pension plan weighted-average asset target and as us, to receive the subsidy payment under the Medicare
actual allocations, by asset category are as follows: Act, the value of our offered prescription drug plan must be
Percentage of at least equal to the value of the standard prescription drug
Plan Assets at coverage provided under Medicare Part D. Due to our lower
Target Allocation December 31, deductibles and better coverage of drug costs, we believe
2004 2003 2002
that our plan is of greater value than Medicare Part D.
Equity securities FSP FAS 106-1 permits us to recognize immediately this
Domestic 40% - 50% 49% 45% subsidy on our financial statements. Accordingly, our
International 12% - 18% 17 15 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation decreased by
Debt securities 25% - 35% 27 30 $1,629, which, because the Medicare Act was enacted in
Real estate 3% - 6% 3 3 2003, was calculated using our year end 2002 assumed
Other 4% - 7% 4 7 discount rate of 6.75%. Had, at the time of adoption, we
Total 100% 100% used our year end 2003 assumed discount rate of 6.25%,
we would have decreased our accumulated postretirement
Securities held include SBC common stock of approximately benefit obligation by $1,888. We accounted for the
$6 and $8 and SBC bonds of approximately $2 and $5 at Medicare Act as a plan amendment and recorded the
December 31, 2003 and 2002. Holdings in SBC securities adjustment in the amortization of our liability, from the
represented approximately 0.03% and 0.05% of total plan date of enactment of the Medicare Act, December 2003.
assets at December 31, 2003 and 2002. This decreased our 2003 postemployment benefit expense
At December 31, 2003, benefit payments expected to be approximately $22 and we expect an annual decrease in
paid for the years 2004 through 2008 were $2,463, $2,224, prescription drug expense of $250 to $350 in future years.
$2,290, $2,369 and $2,467 with $13,512 to be paid in the Our accounting assumes that our plan will continue to
five years thereafter. These expected benefit payments are provide drug benefits equivalent to Medicare Part D, that
estimated using the same assumptions used in determining our plan will continue to be the primary plan for our retirees
our benefit obligation at December 31, 2003. Because and that we will receive the subsidy. We do not expect that
benefit payments will depend on future employment and the Medicare Act will have a significant effect on our retirees’
compensation levels, average years employed at SBC and participation in our postretirement benefit plan. Specific
average life spans, among other factors, changes in any of authoritative guidance from the FASB on the accounting for
these factors could significantly affect these expected this federal subsidy is pending and that guidance, when
amounts. issued, could require us to change our estimates.
PAGE 53
The following table presents a reconciliation of the The following table presents the components of postretirement
beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation benefit cost recognized in our Consolidated Statements of
and shows the change in the accumulated postretirement Income (gains are denoted with brackets and losses are not):
benefit obligation for the years ended December 31:
2003 2002 2001
2003 2002
Service cost – benefits earned
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $24,564 $20,140
during the period $ 378 $ 293 $ 256
Service cost – benefits earned
Interest cost on accumulated
during the period 378 293
postretirement benefit obligation 1,602 1,430 1,316
Interest cost on accumulated
Expected return on assets (525) (689) (665)
postretirement benefit obligation 1,602 1,430
Amortization of prior service
Medicare Act initial recognition (1,629) —
cost (benefit) (122) (28) 94
Amendments (53) (1,110)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss 413 49 13
Actuarial loss 3,552 4,932
Special termination benefits 2 30 Postretirement benefit cost1 $1,746 $1,055 $1,014
Benefits paid (1,185) (1,151) 1 During 2003, the Medicare Act reduced postretirement benefit cost by $22. This
effect is included in several line items above.
Benefit obligation at end of year $27,231 $24,564
The fair value of plan assets allocated to the payment of life
In early 2004, nonmanagement retirees were notified of
insurance benefits was $535 and $516 at December 31, 2003
medical coverage changes that will become effective on
and 2002. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the accrued life
January 1, 2005. These changes include adjustments to
insurance benefits included in the accrued postretirement
co-pays and deductibles for prescription drugs and a choice
benefit obligation were $1,059 and $943.
of medical plan coverage between the existing plans, including
In addition to the postretirement benefit cost reported
monthly contribution provisions or a plan with higher co-pays
in the table above, enhanced benefits related to the PTG
and deductibles but no required monthly contribution from
nonmanagement early retirement program were recognized
the retiree during 2005. We expect this change to reduce
as an expense of $2, $30 and $9 in 2003, 2002 and 2001.
the benefit obligation in the range of $2,000 to $3,500
The medical cost trend rate in 2004 is 9.0% for retirees 64
in 2004.
and under and 10.0% for retirees 65 and over, trending to
The following table sets forth the change in the value
an expected increase of 5.0% in 2009 for all retirees, prior to
of plan assets for the years ended December 31, the plans’
adjustment for cost-sharing provisions of the medical and
funded status at December 31 and the accrued postretirement
dental plans for certain retired employees. The assumed
benefit obligation liability recognized in our Consolidated
dental cost trend rate in 2004 is 5.0%. A one percentage-
Balance Sheets at December 31:
point change in the assumed combined medical and dental
2003 2002 cost trend rate would have the following effects:
Fair value of plan assets at One Percentage- One Percentage-
beginning of year $ 4,917 $ 6,275 Point Increase Point Decrease
Actual return on plan assets 1,167 (802) Increase (decrease) in total
Employer contribution1 1,312 3 of service and interest
Benefits paid (429) (559) cost components $ 301 $ (239)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year2 $ 6,967 $ 4,917 Increase (decrease) in
Unfunded status (fair value of plan accumulated postretirement
assets less benefit obligation)3 $(20,263) $(19,647) benefit obligation 3,346 (2,731)
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit) (2,664) (1,109)
We used the same significant assumptions for the discount
Unrecognized net loss 12,788 10,335
rate, long-term rate of return on plan assets and composite
Accrued postretirement benefit obligation $(10,139) $(10,421) rate of compensation increase used in calculating the
1 2003 includes reimbursements from a VEBA trust to us of $167 for qualified claims accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and related
paid by us. At the time of reimbursement we made a contribution of $167 to a postretirement benefit costs that we used in developing the
different VEBA.
2 Plan assets include SBC common stock of $5 at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
pension information. The reduction in the discount rate at
3 (Unfunded) funded status is not indicative of our ability to pay ongoing December 31, 2003 and 2002 resulted in an increase in our
postretirement benefits. As noted above, while many companies do not, we postretirement benefit obligation of approximately $1,800
maintain trusts to partially fund these postretirement benefits; however, there
are no ERISA or other regulations requiring these postretirement benefit plans and $2,062, respectively. Should actual experience differ from
to be funded annually. the actuarial assumptions, the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation and postretirement benefit cost would be
affected in future years.
PAGE 54
For the majority of our labor contracts that contain an At December 31, 2003, benefit payments expected to be
annual dollar value cap for the purpose of determining paid for the years 2004 through 2008 were $1,341, $1,443,
contributions required from nonmanagement retirees, we $1,475, $1,567 and $1,651 with $9,235 to be paid in the five
have waived the cap during the relevant contract periods years thereafter. These expected benefit payments are esti-
and thus not collected contributions from those retirees. mated using the same assumptions used in determining our
Therefore, in accordance with the substantive plan provisions benefit obligation at December 31, 2003. Because benefit
required in accounting for postretirement benefits under payments will depend on future employment and compen-
GAAP, through 2003, we did not account for the cap in the sation levels, average years employed at SBC and average
value of our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation life spans, among other factors, changes in any of these
(i.e., we assumed the cap would be waived for all future factors could significantly affect these expected amounts.
contract periods). If we had accounted for the cap as written Combined Net Pension and Postretirement Cost
in the contracts, our postretirement benefit cost would have (Benefit) – The following table combines net pension
been reduced by $884, $606 and $476 in 2003, 2002 and cost (benefit) with postretirement benefit cost (gains are
2001. As noted above, the letters sent to nonmanagement denoted with parentheses and losses are not):
retirees informed them of changes in medical coverage
2003 2002 2001
beginning in 2005. We anticipate the changes will reduce
postretirement benefit cost in the range of $300 to $600 Net pension cost (benefit) $ 89 $(1,137) $(1,450)
during 2004. Postretirement benefit cost 1,746 1,055 1,014
Plan assets consist primarily of private and public equity, Combined net pension and
government and corporate bonds and index funds. Our postretirement cost (benefit) $1,835 $ (82) $ (436)
principal investment objectives are: to ensure the availability
of funds to pay postretirement benefits as they become Our combined net pension and postretirement benefit
due under a broad range of future economic scenarios; to decreased in 2003 primarily due to net investment losses and
maximize long-term investment return with an acceptable pension settlement gains recognized in 2002 and previous
level of risk; and to be broadly diversified across and within years, which reduced the amount of unrealized gains
the capital markets to insulate asset values against adverse recognized in 2003. (Under GAAP, if lump sum benefits paid
experience in any one market. from a plan to employees upon termination or retirement
Our postretirement benefit plan weighted-average exceed required thresholds, we recognize a portion of
asset target and actual allocations, by asset category are previously unrecognized pension gains or losses attributable
as follows: to that plan’s assets and liabilities. Until 2002, we had
unrecognized net gains, primarily because our actual
Percentage of investment returns exceeded our expected investment
Plan Assets at
Target Allocation December 31, returns. During 2002, we made lump sum benefit payments in
2004 2003 2002 excess of the GAAP thresholds, resulting in the recognition
Equity securities of net gains, referred to as “pension settlement gains”.)
Domestic1 50% - 60% 45% 58% The following four other factors also increased our
International 15% - 25% 16 16 combined net pension and postretirement cost in 2003:
Debt securities 20% - 30% 28 24 • Our decision to lower our expected long-term rate of
Real estate none — — return on plan assets from 9.5% to 8.5% for 2003,
Other 0% - 10% 11 2 based on our long-term view of future market returns,
Total 100% 100% increased costs approximately $343.
• The reduction of the discount rates used to calculate
1 At December 31, 2003, Domestic equity securities did not include the funds from service and interest cost from 7.5% to 6.75%, in
our late December 2003 voluntary VEBA contribution. Our subsequent investment
in January 2004 resulted in an allocation within the target range. response to lower corporate bond interest rates,
increased this cost approximately $163.
Securities held include SBC common stock of approximately • Higher-than-expected medical and prescription drug
$5, or 0.07% of plan assets, and $5, or 0.1% of plan assets, claims increased expense approximately $152.
at December 31, 2003 and 2002. • We increased the assumed medical cost trend rate in
While not required, we voluntarily contributed $445 and 2003 from 8.0% to 9.0% for retirees 64 and under and
$700 to the VEBA trusts to partially fund postretirement from 9.0% to 10.0% for retirees 65 and over, trending
benefits in the first and fourth quarters of 2003, respectively. to an expected increase of 5.0% in 2009 for all retirees,
We are currently considering a voluntary contribution of prior to adjustment for cost-sharing provisions of the
assets, which may include cash and/or other investments of medical and dental plans for certain retired employees,
$1,000 or more. in response to rising claim costs. This increase in the
medical cost trend rate increased our combined net
pension and postretirement cost approximately $187.
PAGE 55
As a result of this increase in our combined net pension approximately $605 to our combined net pension and
and postretirement cost, we have taken steps to implement postretirement cost in 2003 as compared with not using this
additional cost controls. To offset some of the increases in methodology. This methodology did not have a significant
medical costs mentioned above, in January 2003, we effect on our 2002 or 2001 combined net pension and
implemented cost-saving design changes in our management postretirement benefit as the MRVA was almost equal to the
health plans including increased participant contributions fair value of plan assets. Largely due to investment returns in
for health coverage and increased prescription drug co- 2003, we do not expect this methodology to have a significant
payments. These changes reduced our postretirement cost impact in our combined net pension and postretirement
approximately $229 in 2003. costs in 2004.
As previously discussed, in early 2004, the majority of Supplemental Retirement Plans – We also provide
nonmanagement retirees were informed of medical coverage senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified,
changes. Retirees have the option of continuing coverage on unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. These
their current plan, with the cap enforcement, or opting for plans include supplemental pension benefits as well as
coverage on an alternative plan with no required monthly compensation deferral plans, some of which include a
contribution from the retiree during 2005. We expect this corresponding match by us based on a percentage of the
change to reduce 2004 expenses in the range of $300 to compensation deferral. Expenses related to these plans were
$600 and the projected benefit obligation in the range of $142, $142 and $166 in 2003, 2002 and 2001. Liabilities of
$2,000 to $3,500. $1,718 and $1,629 related to these plans have been included
While we will continue our cost-cutting efforts discussed in “Other noncurrent liabilities” on our Consolidated
above, certain factors, such as investment returns, depend Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
largely on trends in the U.S. securities markets and the
general U.S. economy, and we cannot control these factors. N OT E 1 1 . E M P L OY E E S TO C K O W N E R S H I P P L A N S ( E S O P )
In particular, uncertainty in the securities markets and U.S. We maintain contributory savings plans that cover substan-
economy could result in investment volatility and significant tially all employees. Under the savings plans, we match a
changes in plan assets, which under GAAP we will recognize stated percentage of eligible employee contributions,
over the next several years. As a result of these economic subject to a specified ceiling.
impacts and assumption changes discussed above, we expect We extended the terms of certain ESOPs through previous
a combined net pension and postretirement cost of between internal refinancing of the debt, which resulted in approxi-
$1,000 and $1,400 in 2004. Approximately 10% of these mately 75 million of allocated SBC shares and significantly
costs will be capitalized as part of construction labor, less than 1 million unallocated SBC shares remaining in
providing a small reduction in the net expense recorded. one of those ESOPs at December 31, 2002. This internal
Additionally, should actual experience differ from actuarial refinancing of ESOP debt was paid off in December 2002
assumptions, combined net pension and postretirement cost with our matching contributions to the savings plan, dividends
would be affected in future years. paid on SBC shares and interest earned on funds held by the
The weighted average expected return on assets ESOPs. There were no debt-financed SBC shares held by the
assumption, which reflects our view of long-term returns, ESOPs, allocated or unallocated, at December 31, 2003.
is one of the most significant of the weighted average In 2003, our match of employee contributions to the
assumptions used to determine our actuarial estimates of savings plans was fulfilled with purchases of SBC’s stock on
pension and postretirement benefit expense. Based on our the open market. Prior to December 31, 2002, our match of
long-term expectation of market returns in future years, our employee contributions to the savings plan was fulfilled
long-term rate of return on plan assets is 8.5% for 2004. with shares of stock purchased with the proceeds of an ESOP
If all other factors were to remain unchanged, we expect a note and the purchases of SBC’s stock in the open market.
1% decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would Shares purchased with the proceeds of an ESOP note were
cause 2004 combined pension and postretirement cost to released for allocation to the accounts of employees as
increase approximately $408 over 2003 (analogous change employer-matching contributions were earned by participants
would result from a 1% increase). and paid to the ESOP by us. In 2003, the benefit cost was
Under GAAP, the expected long-term rate of return is based on the cost of shares allocated to participating
calculated on the market-related value of assets (MRVA). employees’ accounts. Prior to December 31, 2002, benefit
GAAP requires that actual gains and losses on pension and cost was based on a combination of the contributions to the
postretirement plan assets be recognized in the MRVA savings plans and the cost of shares allocated to participating
equally over a period of not more than five years. We use a employees’ accounts. Prior to December 31, 2002, both
methodology, allowed under GAAP, under which we hold the benefit cost and interest expense on the ESOP notes were
MRVA to within 20% of the actual fair value of plan assets, reduced by dividends on SBC’s shares held by the ESOPs and
which can have the effect of accelerating the recognition interest earned on the ESOPs’ funds.
of excess actual gains and losses into the MRVA to less
than five years. Due to investment losses on plan assets
experienced in recent years, this methodology contributed
PAGE 56
Information related to the ESOPs and the savings plans is The compensation cost that has been charged against
summarized below: income for these plans and our other stock-based
compensation plans is as follows:
2003 2002 2001
Benefit expense – net of 2003 2002 2001
dividends and interest income $300 $216 $185 Stock option expense
Total expense $300 $216 $185 under FAS 123 $183 $390 $380
Mark-to-market effect
Company contributions for ESOPs $ — $165 $177
on dividend equivalents 4 (36) (33)
Dividends and interest income Other 57 19 33
for debt service $ — $ 8 $ 58 Total $244 $373 $380
N O T E 1 2 . S T O C K - B A S E D C O M P E N S AT I O N The estimated fair value of the options when granted is

amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. The
Under our various plans, senior and other management and
weighted-average, fair value of each option granted during
nonmanagement employees and nonemployee directors
2003, 2002 and 2001 was $3.88, $6.57 and $8.37. The fair
have received stock options, performance stock units and
value for these options was estimated at the date of grant,
other nonvested stock units. Stock options issued through
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
December 31, 2003 carry exercise prices equal to the market
weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2003, 2002
price of the stock at the date of grant and have maximum
and 2001: risk-free interest rate of 3.64%, 4.33% and 4.51%;
terms ranging from five to ten years. Beginning in 1994 and
dividend yield of 4.40%, 3.04% and 2.37%; expected volatility
ending in 1999, certain Ameritech employees were awarded
factor of 22%, 23% and 24%; and expected option life of
grants of nonqualified stock options with dividend equivalents.
6.7, 4.4 and 4.0 years.
Depending upon the grant, vesting of stock options may
Information related to options is summarized below
occur up to five years from the date of grant, with most
(shares in millions):
options vesting on a graded basis over three years (1/3 of
the grant vests after one year, another 1/3 vests after two Weighted-
years and the final 1/3 vests after three years from the grant Average
date). Performance stock units are granted to key employees Number Exercise Price
based upon the common stock price at the date of grant Outstanding at January 1, 2001 156 $33.53
and are awarded in the form of common stock and cash at Granted 76 43.41
the end of a two- or three-year period, subject to the Exercised (13) 24.41
achievement of certain performance goals. Nonvested stock Forfeited/Expired (12) 43.09
units are valued at the market price of the stock at the date Outstanding at December 31, 2001
of grant and vest over a three- to five-year period. As of (109 exercisable at weighted-average
December 31, 2003, we were authorized to issue up to 80 price of $32.36) 207 37.21
million shares of stock (in addition to shares that may be
Granted 36 35.50
issued upon exercise of outstanding options or upon vesting
Exercised (7) 20.80
of performance stock units or other nonvested stock units)
Forfeited/Expired (7) 41.20
to officers, employees and directors pursuant to these
various plans. Outstanding at December 31, 2002
We use an accelerated method of recognizing compensa- (154 exercisable at weighted-average
tion cost for fixed awards with graded vesting, which price of $36.48) 229 37.31
essentially treats the grant as three separate awards, with Granted 15 24.71
vesting periods of 12, 24 and 36 months for those that vest Exercised (6) 19.64
over three years. As noted above, a majority of our options Forfeited/Expired (7) 37.09
vest over three years and for those we recognize approximately Outstanding at December 31, 2003
61% of the associated compensation expense in the first (181 exercisable at weighted-average
year, 28% in the second year and the remaining 11% in the price of $37.66) 231 $36.94
third year. As allowed by FAS 123, we accrue compensation
cost as if all options granted subject only to a service
requirement are expected to vest. The effects of actual
forfeitures of unvested options are recognized (as a
reversal of expense) as they occur.
PAGE 57
Information related to options outstanding at December 31, N O T E 1 4 . A D D I T I O N A L F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M AT I O N

2003:
December 31,
$14.62- $17.50- $30.00- $35.50- Balance Sheets 2003 2002
Exercise Price Range $17.49 $29.99 $35.49 $58.88
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Number of options
Accounts payable $ 3,108 $3,395
(in millions):
Advance billing and customer deposits 1,252 1,240
Outstanding 3 55 8 165
Compensated future absences 823 858
Exercisable 3 40 8 130 Accrued interest 364 446
Weighted-average Accrued payroll 1,178 764
exercise price: Other 4,145 2,710
Outstanding $15.57 $24.66 $33.97 $41.57
Total $10,870 $9,413
Exercisable $15.57 $24.65 $33.97 $42.48
Weighted-average
remaining Statements of Income 2003 2002 2001
contractual life 0.87 years 4.38 years 5.08 years 6.77 years Advertising expense $ 867 $ 432 $ 363
Interest expense incurred $1,278 $1,440 $1,718
As of December 31, additional shares available under stock
Capitalized interest (37) (58) (119)
options with dividend equivalents were approximately
1 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001. Total interest expense $1,241 $1,382 $1,599
Additionally, during 2003, 2002 and 2001, performance
stock (performance shares) units and other nonvested units Statements of Cash Flows 2003 2002 2001
of 2,942,591, 937,094 and 727,046 were issued with a
Cash paid during the year for:
weighted-average, grant-date fair value of $24.44, $35.30
Interest $1,359 $1,480 $1,546
and $46.63.
Income taxes, net of refunds 1,321 1,315 2,696
NOTE 13. SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
No customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated
From time to time, we repurchase shares of common stock revenues in 2003, 2002 or 2001.
for distribution through our employee benefit plans or in Approximately two-thirds of our employees are represented
connection with certain acquisitions. In December 2003, the by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) or the
Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 350 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The
million shares of SBC common stock. This replaced previous four largest collective bargaining agreements between the
authorizations from November 2001 and January 2000 that CWA and our subsidiaries, covering approximately 56% of
combined for up to 200 million shares. As of December 31, our employees, expire April 1, 2004 through April 3, 2004.
2003, we had repurchased a total of approximately 161 In an agreement announced on February 4, 2004, the CWA
million shares of our common stock of the 200 million agreed to give us 30 days notice before taking any strike
previously authorized to be repurchased. action if a settlement is not reached by contract expiration
In 2000 and 2001, we entered into a series of put options in early April, 2004. In turn, we agreed to continue to
on SBC stock which allowed institutional counterparties to provide health care benefits to employees in the event of a
sell us SBC shares at agreed-upon prices. The put options strike. The largest IBEW agreement covering approximately
were exercisable only at maturity, and we had the right to 7% of our employees expires on June 26, 2004.
settle the put options by physical settlement of the options
or by net share settlement using shares of SBC common
stock. At December 31, 2001, we had a maximum potential
obligation to purchase 9 million shares of our common stock
at a weighted average exercise price of $37.45 per share.
We received cash of $38 in 2001 and $65 in 2000 from these
transactions, which was credited to capital in excess of
par value in shareowners’ equity. During 2002, put options
representing 3 million shares expired unexercised.
Additionally in 2002, 6 million shares of our common stock
were put to us under these options at a weighted average
price of $39.14 per share, which was approximately $9 per
share over the then-market price of our stock. As settlement
of the obligation, we elected to purchase the shares instead
of using net share settlement. The excess cash paid of
approximately $55 was debited to capital in excess of par
value in shareowners’ equity. We had no put options
outstanding at December 31, 2003 or 2002.
PAGE 58
N O T E 1 5 . R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N S A C T I O N S NOTE 16. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
We have made advances to Cingular that totaled $5,885 at In addition to issues specifically discussed elsewhere, we
December 31, 2003 and 2002. We earned interest income on are party to numerous lawsuits, regulatory proceedings
these advances of $397 during 2003, $441 in 2002 and $555 and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business.
in 2001. In July 2003, we renegotiated the terms of these In our opinion, although the outcomes of these proceedings
advances with Cingular to reduce the interest rate from are uncertain, they should not have a material adverse
7.5% to 6.0% and extended the maturity date of the loan effect on the company’s financial position, results of
from March 2005 to June 2008. In addition, for access and operations or cash flows.
long-distance services sold to Cingular on a wholesale basis,
we generated revenue of $476 in 2003, $343 in 2002 and NOTE 17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
$120 in 2001. Also, under a marketing agreement with On February 17, 2004, Cingular announced an agreement
Cingular relating to Cingular customers added through SBC to acquire AT&T Wireless Services Inc. (AT&T Wireless).
sales sources, we received commission revenue of $63 in Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of AT&T
2003, $6 in 2002 and $0 in 2001. The offsetting expense Wireless will receive cash of $15.00 per common share or
amounts are recorded by Cingular, of which 60% flows back approximately $41,000. The acquisition is subject to approval
to us through Equity in Net Income of Affiliates. by AT&T Wireless shareholders and federal regulators.
Based on our 60% equity ownership of Cingular, we expect
to provide approximately $25,000 of the purchase price.
As a result, equity ownership and management control
of Cingular will not be impacted after the acquisition.
N O T E 1 8 . Q U A R T E R LY F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M AT I O N ( U N A U D I T E D )
Total Basic Diluted
Calendar Operating Operating Net Earnings Earnings Stock Price
Quarter Revenues Income Income Per Share Per Share High Low Close
2003
First $10,333 $1,898 $4,996 $ 1.50 $ 1.50 $31.65 $18.85 $20.06
Second 10,204 1,749 1,388 0.42 0.42 27.35 19.65 25.55
Third 10,239 1,610 1,216 0.37 0.37 26.88 21.65 22.25
Fourth 10,067 1,212 905 0.27 0.27 26.15 21.16 26.07
Annual $40,843 $6,469 $8,505 2.56 2.56
2002
First $10,522 $2,182 $ (193) $(0.06) $(0.06) $40.99 $34.29 $37.44
Second 10,843 2,164 1,782 0.53 0.53 38.40 27.85 30.50
Third 10,556 2,029 1,709 0.51 0.51 31.96 19.57 20.10
Fourth 11,217 2,248 2,355 0.71 0.71 29.10 19.80 27.11
Annual $43,138 $8,623 $5,653 1.70 1.69
The first quarter of 2003 includes cumulative effect of quarter 2003 adoption of FAS 143. The effect of this
accounting changes of $2,541 (income before cumulative noncash charge was to reduce our previously reported
effect of accounting changes was $2,455): a benefit of first-quarter 2003 net income by $7, or $0.01 per share.
$3,677, or $1.10 per share, related to the adoption of The fourth quarter of 2003 includes an extraordinary loss
FAS 143 and a charge of $1,136, or $0.34 per share, related of $7 (income before extraordinary loss was $912) related
to the change in the method in which we recognize to consolidation of real estate leases under FIN 46 (see
revenues and expenses related to publishing directories from Note 1). The first quarter of 2002 includes a cumulative
the “issue basis” method to the “amortization” method effect of accounting change of $1,820, or $0.54 per share
(see Note 1). The benefit of $3,677 included a charge of $7 (income before cumulative effect of accounting change
representing our share of the loss related to TDC’s fourth- was $1,627), from the adoption of FAS 142 (see Note 1).
PAGE 59
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in The Board of Directors and Shareowners
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in SBC Communications Inc.
the United States. The integrity and objectivity of the data
in these financial statements, including estimates and judg- We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance
ments relating to matters not concluded by year end, are sheets of SBC Communications Inc. (the Company) as of
the responsibility of management, as is all other information December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated
included in the Annual Report, unless otherwise indicated. statements of income, shareowners’ equity, and cash flows
The financial statements of SBC Communications Inc. for each of the three years in the period ended December
(SBC) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of
auditors. Management has made available to Ernst & Young the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
LLP all of SBC’s financial records and related data, as well as an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based
the minutes of shareowners’ and directors’ meetings. on our audits.
Furthermore, management believes that all representations We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing
made to Ernst & Young LLP during its audit were valid and standards generally accepted in the United States. Those
appropriate. standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
Management has established and maintains a system obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
of internal accounting controls that provides reasonable statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the financial includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
statements, the protection of assets from unauthorized amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
use or disposition and the prevention and detection of audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
fraudulent financial reporting. The concept of reasonable and significant estimates made by management, as well as
assurance recognizes that the costs of an internal accounting evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
controls system should not exceed, in management’s believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
judgment, the benefits to be derived. opinion.
Management maintains disclosure controls and procedures In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements
that are designed to ensure that information required to be referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
disclosed by SBC is recorded, processed, summarized and consolidated financial position of SBC Communications Inc.
reported within the time periods specified by the Securities at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its
and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in
Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and the period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with
integrity of its financial data by the careful selection of its accounting principles generally accepted in the United
managers, by organizational arrangements that provide an States.
appropriate division of responsibility and by communication As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
programs aimed at ensuring that its policies, standards and statements, in 2003 the Company changed its method of
managerial authorities are understood throughout the recognizing revenues and expenses related to publishing
organization. Management regularly monitors the system of directories, as well as the method of accounting for the costs
internal accounting controls for compliance. SBC maintains of removal of long-term assets. Also as discussed in Note 1
an internal auditing program that independently assesses to the consolidated financial statements, in 2002 the
the effectiveness of the internal accounting controls and Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill
recommends improvements thereto. and other intangibles.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets
periodically with management, the internal auditors and the
independent auditors to review the manner in which they
are performing their respective responsibilities and to discuss San Antonio, Texas
auditing, internal accounting controls and financial report- February 9, 2004
ing matters. Both the internal auditors and the independent except for Note 17, as to which the date is
auditors periodically meet alone with the Audit Committee February 19, 2004
and have access to the Audit Committee at any time.
Edward E. Whitacre Jr.

Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Randall Stephenson
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
PAGE 60
SBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(as of January 30, 2004)
Edward E. Whitacre Jr., 62 (2,4,5) Martin K. Eby Jr., 69 (1,6) Lynn M. Martin, 64 (5,7) Joyce M. Roché, 56 (5,7)
Chairman of the Chairman of the Board Chair of the Council President and Chief
Board and Chief The Eby Corporation for the Advancement Executive Officer
Executive Officer Wichita, Kansas of Women Girls Incorporated
SBC Communications Inc. SBC Director since Advisor to the Firm New York, New York
San Antonio, Texas June 1992 Deloitte & Touche LLP SBC Director since October 1998
SBC Director since October 1986 Background: General building Chicago, Illinois Southern New England
Background: Telecommunications construction SBC Director since October 1999 Telecommunications
Ameritech Director 1993-1999 Director 1997-1998
Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D., 61 (6,7) Herman E. Gallegos,* 73 (7)
Background: Consulting, former Background: Marketing
Senior Partner Independent
Congresswoman and
Sienna Ventures Management Ing. Carlos Slim Helú, 64 (5,7)
Secretary of Labor
Sausalito, California Consultant Chairman of the Board
SBC Director since Galt, California John B. McCoy, 60 (2,3) Carso Global Telecom,
February 2001 SBC Director since April 1997 Retired Chairman and S.A. de C.V.
Advisory Director 1997-2001 Pacific Telesis Director 1983-1997 Chief Executive Officer Chairman of the Board
Pacific Telesis Director 1995-1997 Background: Management BANK ONE CORPORATION Teléfonos de México, S.A. de C.V.
Background: Technology, consulting Columbus, Ohio Chairman of the Board
electronics engineering (1,3,4) SBC Director since October 1999 América Móvil, S.A. de C.V.
Jess T. Hay,* 73
Ameritech Director 1991-1999 Mexico City, Mexico
Clarence C. Barksdale, 71 (1,4,7) Chairman
Background: Banking SBC Director since September 1993
Retired Chairman of HCB Enterprises Inc
(3,7) Background: Telecommunications,
the Board and Chairman Mary S. Metz, Ph.D., 66
consumer goods, automobile parts,
Chief Executive Officer Texas Foundation for President
construction, retailing
Centerre Bancorporation Higher Education S. H. Cowell Foundation
St. Louis, Missouri Dallas, Texas San Francisco, California Dr. Laura D’Andrea Tyson, 56 (2,5)
SBC Director since October 1983 SBC Director since April 1986 SBC Director since Dean
Southwestern Bell Telephone Background: Financial services April 1997 London Business School
Director 1982-1983 (4,5,6) Pacific Telesis Director 1986-1997 London, England
James A. Henderson, 69
Background: Banking Background: Education, SBC Director since
Retired Chairman and
administration October 1999
James E. Barnes, 70 (2,6) Chief Executive Officer
Ameritech Director 1997-1999
Chairman of the Board Cummins Inc. Toni Rembe, Esq., 67 (2,7)
Background: Economics, education
and Chief Executive Columbus, Indiana Partner
Officer (Retired) SBC Director since October 1999 Pillsbury Winthrop LLP Patricia P. Upton, 65 (4,6,7)
MAPCO Inc. Ameritech Director 1983-1999 San Francisco, California President and
Tulsa, Oklahoma Background: Manufacturing SBC Director since Chief Executive Officer
SBC Director since November 1990 January 1998 Aromatique, Inc.
Admiral Bobby R. Inman,* 72(3,4,5)
Background: Diversified energy Advisory Director 1997-1998 Heber Springs, Arkansas
United States Navy,
(2,3) Pacific Telesis Director 1991-1997 SBC Director since June 1993
August A. Busch III, 66 Retired
Background: Law Background: Manufacturing
Chairman of the Board Austin, Texas
and marketing of decorative
Anheuser-Busch SBC Director since S. Donley Ritchey, 70 (1,3)
home fragrances
Companies, Inc. March 1985 Managing Partner
St. Louis, Missouri Background: Private investment, Alpine Partners Committees of the Board:
SBC Director since October 1983 education Retired Chairman and (1) Audit
Southwestern Bell Telephone (2,4,5) Chief Executive Officer (2) Corporate Development
Charles F. Knight, 68
Director 1980-1983 Lucky Stores, Inc. (3) Corporate Governance
Chairman of the Board
Background: Brewing, family Danville, California and Nominating
Emerson Electric Co.
entertainment, transportation, SBC Director since April 1997 (4) Executive
St. Louis, Missouri
manufacturer of aluminum Pacific Telesis Director 1984-1997 (5) Finance/Pension
SBC Director since
beverage containers Background: Diversified retail (6) Human Resources
October 1983
(7) Public Policy and Environmental
The Honorable Southwestern Bell Telephone
Affairs
William P. Clark, 72 (2,7) Director 1974-1983
Of Counsel Background: Electrical *Retiring effective April 30, 2004.
Clark, Cali and manufacturing
Negranti, LLP
San Luis Obispo, California
SBC Director since April 1997
Pacific Telesis Director 1985-1997
Background: Law, ranching
PAGE 61
EXECUTIVES OF SBC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
SBC Senior Executives David A. Cole, 55 David D. Kerr, 51 Joy Rick, 55

President-Industry Markets President-Kansas Vice President & Secretary
Edward E. Whitacre Jr., 62
SBC Telecommunications, Inc. SBC Kansas SBC Communications Inc.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
SBC Communications Inc. George K. Contopoulos, 58 Jonathan P. Klug, 48 Peter A. Ritcher, 43
Senior Vice President-SBC DISH Network Vice President-Finance Vice President-Corporate Finance
John H. Atterbury III, 55
SBC Operations, Inc. SBC International, Inc. SBC Communications Inc.
Group President-Operations
SBC Communications Inc. Catherine M. Coughlin, 46 Paul V. La Schiazza, 46 A. Dale Robertson, 55
President-Business President-Wisconsin Executive Vice President-Standardization
James W. Callaway, 57
Communications Services SBC Wisconsin SBC Operations, Inc.
Group President
SBC Midwest
SBC Communications Inc. Linda S. Legg, 53 Michael A. Rodriguez, 53
Patricia Diaz Dennis, 57 Vice President, General Senior Vice President-Human Resources
William M. Daley, 55
Senior Vice President, Counsel & Secretary SBC Operations, Inc.
President
General Counsel & Secretary SBC Directory Operations
SBC Communications Inc. Paul R. Roth, 45
SBC West
Michele M. Macauda, 47 President-Consumer Markets
James D. Ellis, 60
Richard C. Dietz, 57 President & Chief Executive Officer SBC Midwest
Senior Executive Vice President &
President & Chief Executive Officer SBC East
General Counsel Mark E. Royse, 44
SBC Data Services, Inc.
SBC Communications Inc. Robin G. MacGillivray, 49 Senior Vice President-Call Center
Maurice E. Drilling, 48 President-Business Transformation Project
Karen E. Jennings, 53
President-Arkansas Communications Services SBC Operations, Inc.
Senior Executive Vice President-
SBC Arkansas SBC West
Human Resources & Communications Charles E. Rudnick, 51
SBC Communications Inc. James M. Epperson, Jr., 48 Paul K. Mancini, 57 Senior Vice President-Business Marketing
Senior Vice President-State Senior Vice President & SBC Operations, Inc.
James S. Kahan, 56
Legislative & Political Affairs Assistant General Counsel
Senior Executive Vice President- Sylvia I. Samano, 48
SBC Telecommunications, Inc. SBC Telecommunications, Inc.
Corporate Development President-SBC Nevada
SBC Communications Inc. Robert E. Ferguson, 44 Mary T. Manning, 53 SBC Nevada
President-Global Markets Senior Vice President-
Forrest E. Miller, 51 James B. Shelley, 50
SBC Operations, Inc. Corporate Real Estate
Group President-Corporate Planning Senior Vice President-Marketing
SBC Services, Inc.
SBC Communications Inc. George S. Fleetwood, 50 Regulatory Enablement
President-Indiana Cynthia G. Marshall, 44 SBC Operations, Inc.
John T. Stankey, 41
SBC Indiana Senior Vice President-Regulatory
Senior Executive Vice President & Charles H. Smith, 60
& Constituency Relations
Chief Information Officer Andrew M. Geisse, 47 President & Chief Executive Officer
SBC California
SBC Communications Inc. Senior Vice President- SBC West
Enterprise Software Solutions Norma Martinez Lozano, 47
Randall L. Stephenson, 43 James C. Smith, 54
SBC Services, Inc. President-Diversified Businesses
Senior Executive Vice President & Senior Vice President-FCC
SBC Operations, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer Michael N. Gilliam, 51 SBC Telecommunications, Inc.
SBC Communications Inc. Vice President-Long Distance William B. McCullough, 52
Compliance Relief Vice President-Competitive Analysis John J. Stephens, 44
Rayford Wilkins, Jr., 52 Vice President & Controller
SBC Telecommunications, Inc. SBC Telecommunications, Inc.
Group President- SBC Communications Inc.
SBC Marketing & Sales Ynocencio Gonzalez, 46 Shawn M. McKenzie, 45
SBC Communications Inc. President President-SBCI South Africa Joyce M. Taylor, 46
SBC Long Distance SBC International, Inc. Senior Vice President-
External Affairs-North
Jose M. Gutierrez, 42 Timothy P. McKone, 39 SBC California
Other Executives Senior Vice President-Sales Senior Vice President-Federal Relations
SBC Directory Operations SBC Telecommunications, Inc. Van H. Taylor, 55
Dorothy T. Attwood, 44 President-Network Services
Senior Vice President- Michael Q. Hamilton, 48 Maureen P. Merkle, 54 SBC Southwest
Federal Regulatory Strategy & Integration President-Global Markets (West) President-Procurement
SBC Telecommunications, Inc. SBC Operations, Inc. SBC Services, Inc. W. Fred Taylor, 57
President
Terry D. Bailey, 47 Timothy S. Harden, 50 John T. Montford, 60 SBC DataComm, Inc.
President-Consumer Markets President President-External Affairs
SBC Southwest SBC Telecom, Inc. SBC Southwest Randy J. Tomlin, 44
Senior Vice President-Data Services
William A. Blase, Jr., 48 Scott C. Helbing, 49 Melba Muscarolas, 42 SBC Data Services, Inc.
President & Chief Executive Officer Senior Vice President-Consumer Marketing Senior Vice President-Legislative Affairs
SBC Southwest SBC Operations, Inc. SBC California Gail F. Torreano, 53
President-Michigan
Kirk R. Brannock, 46 Carrie J. Hightman, 46 Carmen P. Nava, 41 SBC Michigan
President-Network Services President-Illinois President-Consumer Markets
SBC Midwest SBC Illinois SBC West Michael J. Viola, 49
Vice President-Treasurer
Cynthia J. Brinkley, 44 Priscilla L. Hill-Ardoin, 52 Jan L. Newton, 50 SBC Communications Inc.
President-Missouri Senior Vice President- President-Texas
SBC Missouri Regulatory Compliance SBC Texas Joe W. Walkoviak, 56
SBC Telecommunications, Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer
Connie L. Browning, 50 David C. Nichols, 46 SBC Midwest
President-Ohio William C. Huber, 38 Senior Vice President-
SBC Ohio President-Network Services External Affairs-South Judy W. Walsh, 63
SBC West SBC California Senior Vice President-Government Affairs
Donald E. Cain, 50 SBC Telecommunications, Inc.
President-Oklahoma John D. Hull, 51 Dennis M. Payne, 51
SBC Oklahoma Regional President-San Diego President & Chief Executive Officer D. Wayne Watts, 50
SBC West SBC Directory Operations Senior Vice President &
Ramona S. Carlow, 41 Assistant General Counsel
Vice President-Regulatory Ross K. Ireland, 57 T. Michael Payne, 53 SBC Operations, Inc.
Affairs & Public Policy Senior Executive Vice President- Senior Vice President & General Counsel
SBC East Services & Chief Technology Officer SBC Operations, Inc. Lora K. Watts, 47
SBC Services, Inc. President-External Affairs
Louis R. Casali, 52 Richard P. Resnick, 38 SBC West
President Vicki D. Jones, 42 President-SBCI Mexico
SBC Advanced Solutions, Inc. Senior Vice President-Product SBC International, Inc. Stephen G. Welch, 60
Management & Development Senior Executive Vice President-
Margaret M. Cerrudo, 55 Christopher T. Rice, 46 Sales & Customer Experience
Senior Vice President- SBC Operations, Inc.
Senior Vice President-Network SBC Operations, Inc.
Human Resources Services Francis J. Jules, 47 Planning & Engineering
SBC Operations, Inc. President-Global Markets (East) SBC Services, Inc. Angiolina M. Wiskocil, 51
SBC Telecom, Inc. Senior Vice President-
Lea Ann Champion, 45 Alfred G. Richter, Jr., 53 Network Services Staff
Senior Executive Vice President- Mark A. Keiffer, 43 Senior Vice President, SBC Operations, Inc.
Chief Marketing Officer President-Business General Counsel & Secretary
SBC Operations, Inc. Communications Services SBC Southwest
Frederick R. Chang, 48 SBC Southwest
President-Technology Strategy
SBC Operations, Inc.
PAGE 62
STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
Toll-Free Stockholder Hotline The DirectSERVICE™ Investment Program Annual Meeting

Call us at 1-800-351-7221 between for Shareholders of SBC Communications The annual meeting of stockholders
8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time Monday Inc. is sponsored and administered by will be held at 9 a.m. Friday,
through Friday. TDD 1-888-403-9700 EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. The April 30, 2004, at:
For help with: program allows current stockholders to
Hyatt on Capitol Square
• Account inquiries reinvest dividends, purchase additional
75 E. State St.
• Requests for assistance, including SBC stock or enroll in an Individual
Columbus, Ohio 43215
stock transfers Retirement Account.
• Information on The DirectSERVICE™ Independent Auditor
For more information, call
Investment Program for Shareholders Ernst & Young LLP
1-800-351-7221.
of SBC Communications Inc. (sponsored 1900 Frost Bank Tower
and administered by EquiServe Trust Stock Trading Information 100 W. Houston
Company, N.A.) SBC is listed on the New York, Chicago San Antonio, Texas 78205
and Pacific stock exchanges as well as
Requests for 10-K
Written Requests The Swiss Exchange. SBC is traded on the
The SBC Form 10-K, filed with the
Please mail all account inquiries and London Stock Exchange through the
Securities and Exchange Commission,
other requests for assistance regarding SEAQ International Markets facility.
is available in paper form by request
your stock ownership to:
Ticker symbol (NYSE): SBC and also is available on our home
SBC Communications Inc. page on the World Wide Web:
Newspaper stock listing: SBC or
c/o EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. www.sbc.com/investor_relations.
SBC Comm
P. O. Box 43078
Investor Relations
Providence, RI 02940-3078 Information on the Internet
Securities analysts and other members
Information about SBC is available on
Please mail requests for transactions of the professional financial community
the Internet. Visit our home page on the
involving stock transfers or account may call the Investor Relations Hotline:
World Wide Web: www.sbc.com.
changes to: 210-351-3327
SBC Communications Inc. General Information – Corporate Offices

c/o EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. SBC Communications Inc.
P. O. Box 43070 175 E. Houston
Providence, RI 02940-3070 P. O. Box 2933
San Antonio, Texas 78299-2933
You also may reach the Transfer Agent
210-821-4105
for SBC at their e-mail address:
[email protected]
Printed on recycled paper
PAGE 63
SBC Communications Inc.
175 E. Houston
P. O. Box 2933
San Antonio, Texas 78299-2933
210-821-4105

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SBC Communications Inc.

2003 ANNUAL REPORT

Estimated Directory Results on Amortized Basis

Cash from Operating Activities Cash from Financing Activities

QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

2003 2002 2001

2003 2002 2001

2003 2002 2001

Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount

Diluted earnings per share:

At December 31, 2002 Consolidation Cingular Consolidated

SpectraSite Agreement NOTE 6. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

The following table presents summarized financial NOTE 7. DEBT

N O T E 9 . I N C O M E TA X E S A reconciliation of income tax expense and the amount

N O T E 1 2 . S T O C K - B A S E D C O M P E N S AT I O N The estimated fair value of the options when granted is

Information related to options outstanding at December 31, N O T E 1 4 . A D D I T I O N A L F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M AT I O N

Edward E. Whitacre Jr.

SBC Senior Executives David A. Cole, 55 David D. Kerr, 51 Joy Rick, 55

Toll-Free Stockholder Hotline The DirectSERVICE™ Investment Program Annual Meeting

SBC Communications Inc. General Information – Corporate Offices

Printed on recycled paper

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