Windstream 2013 Annual Report Download - page 165

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• the uncertainty regarding the implementation of the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") rules on
intercarrier compensation adopted in 2011, and the potential for the adoption of further rules by the FCC or Congress
on intercarrier compensation and/or universal service reform proposals that result in a significant loss of revenue to us;
• unfavorable rulings by state public service commissions in proceedings regarding universal service funds, inter-carrier
compensation or other matters that could reduce revenues or increase expenses;
• material changes in the communications industry that could adversely affect vendor relationships with equipment and
network suppliers and customer relationships with wholesale customers;
• earnings on pension plan investments significantly below our expected long term rate of return for plan assets or a
significant change in the discount rate;
• unfavorable results of litigation or intellectual property infringement claims asserted against us;
• our ability to continue to pay dividends, which may be affected by changes in our cash requirements, capital spending
plan, cash tax payment obligations, or financial position, and which is subject to our capital allocation policy and may
be changed at any time at the discretion of our board of directors;
• unanticipated increases or other changes in our future cash requirements, whether caused by unanticipated increases in
capital expenditures, increases in pension funding requirements, or otherwise;
• the availability and cost of financing in the corporate debt markets;
• the potential for adverse changes in the ratings given to our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings
organizations;
• the risks associated with non-compliance by us with regulations or statutes applicable to government programs under
which we receive material amounts of end user revenue and government subsidies, or non-compliance by us, our
partners, or our subcontractors with any terms of our government contracts;
• the risks associated with the integration of acquired businesses or the ability to realize anticipated synergies, cost
savings and growth opportunities;
• the effects of federal and state legislation, and rules and regulations governing the communications industry;
• continued loss of consumer voice lines and consumer high-speed Internet customers;
• the impact of equipment failure, natural disasters or terrorist acts;
• the effects of work stoppages by our employees or employees of other communications companies on whom we rely
for service; and
• those additional factors under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this annual report and in subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially because of more general
factors including, among others, general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and
governmental and public policy changes.
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in the forward-looking statements should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and
uncertainties that may affect our future results included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.