Akamai Technologies Updates Partner Program

Akamai Technologies Updates Partner Program

Akamai Systems is rolling out new enhancements to its flagship lover method.

Akamai Associate Plan updates involve new pricing reductions, streamlined partner onboarding and offer management, and insider entry to Akamai industry experts and solution information, the business stated.

Akamai Updates Husband or wife System

The system, the most current variation of which was unveiled in January 2021, will offer further pricing discount rates for new specials to channel companions up-entrance, which the company says will assistance align monetary benefits with the targets of subject product sales gurus, ensuring that incentives are aligned. The streamlined onboarding method will let new channel companions entry the system extra rapidly, the firm reported.

In the coming months, Akamai suggests it will roll out a series of improvements that make it less complicated to sign-up and deal with new options and streamline enterprise setting up and husband or wife overall performance administration.

Lover content assets are also remaining current to be additional actionable, with extra consumable formats and simplified categorization, earning it simpler for associates to obtain the information they need to be productive.

Akamai’s Lover System Updates: Executive Commentary

Paul Joseph, EVP, International Sales and Companies, Akamai

Giovanni Cicu, CEO at Defenx and Fidogroup, an Akamai spouse, commented:

“We have liked a trustworthy and restricted romantic relationship with Akamai since 2004. Defenx commenced as a buyer, turning out to be an elite companion appropriate after that — we see our workforce as an extension of Akamai’s own. We have worked with Akamai to enter new markets and scale our small business globally, preserving our prospects and providing the finest encounter.”

Jose Dias, CEO, Arturai, a BV Tech business, an Akamai husband or wife, mentioned:

“We’ve enjoyed partnering with Akamai given that 2001. Jointly, we have a deep knowing of the market place and readily available alternatives, combining Cloud & Enterprise Safety with Cloud optimization platforms that allow us to aid online organizations give protected and optimized person activities. We’re enthusiastic to continue our collaboration and get edge of the enhancements to the Akamai Associate Plan.”

Paul Joseph, EVP, Worldwide Sales and Providers, Akamai, added:

“Our channel associates are vital to Akamai’s continued progress. These Spouse Method enhancements realize the potent joint price that buyers are noticing from our built-in choices. We are committed to remaining the associate of alternative in our industry and will proceed to evolve our Lover Method to assure we are fully aligned with the needs of our companions and their buyers.”

Lumen Technologies reports fourth quarter 2022 results

Lumen Technologies reports fourth quarter 2022 results

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights

  • Appointed Kate Johnson as president, chief executive officer, and a member of the company’s Board of Directors
  • Completed the $7.5 billion divestiture of its 20-state ILEC business to Apollo on Oct. 3
  • Announced an exclusive arrangement for the proposed sale of its EMEA business to Colt Technology Services for $1.8 billion
  • Repurchased 33 million shares of common stock for a total purchase price of $200 million
  • Reported Net Loss of $(3.069) billion for the fourth quarter 2022, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $3.271 billion, compared to reported Net Income of $508 million for the fourth quarter 2021
  • Reported diluted loss per share of ($3.08) for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.50 for the fourth quarter 2021. Excluding Special Items, Diluted EPS of $0.43 per share for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $0.51 per share for the fourth quarter 2021
  • Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $1.393 billion for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $2.088 billion for the fourth quarter 2021, excluding the effects of Special Items of $583 million and $19 million, respectively
  • Generated Modified1 Adjusted EBITDA of $1.393 billion for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $1.496 billion for the fourth quarter 2021, excluding the effects of Special Items of $583 million and $19 million, respectively
  • Reported Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $841 million for the fourth quarter 2022
  • Generated Free Cash Flow of $126 million for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $776 million for the fourth quarter 2021, excluding cash paid for Special Items of $118 million and $17 million, respectively

_____________________________________________

1 Modified amounts include adjustments to reflect (i) removal of the financial impacts related to the Latin American business divestiture completed Aug. 1, 2022 and the 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed Oct. 3, 2022, (ii) estimates of revenue that Lumen would have received under the post-closing agreements with the purchasers of the divested businesses, and (iii) removal of the financial impacts of the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II program, which lapsed on Dec. 31, 2021, each excluding the effects of special items. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided in the Financial Trending Schedule available on Lumen’s website at ir.lumen.com, along with additional modified information reported on this basis.


Full Year 2022 Financial Highlights

  • Generated $10.2 billion of gross proceeds from business divestitures2
  • Reduced Estimated Net Debt3 by $9.9 billion
  • Reported Net Loss of $(1.548) billion for the full year 2022, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $3.271 billion, compared to reported Net Income of $2.033 billion for the full year 2021
  • Reported diluted loss per share of ($1.54) for the full year 2022, compared to diluted earnings per share of $1.91 for the full year 2021. Excluding Special Items, Diluted EPS of $1.55 per share for the full year 2022, compared to $1.91 per share for the full year 2021
  • Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $6.858 billion for the full year 2022, compared to $8.440 billion for the full year 2021, excluding the effects of Special Items of $155 million and $16 million, respectively
  • Generated Modified1 Adjusted EBITDA of $5.540 billion for the full year 2022, compared to $6.092 billion for the full year 2021, excluding the effects of Special Items of $155 million and $16 million, respectively
  • Reported Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $4.735 billion for the full year 2022
  • Delivered Free Cash Flow of $2.260 billion for the full year 2022, compared to $3.742 billion for the full year 2021, excluding cash paid for Special Items of $541 million and $141 million, respectively

DENVER, Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) reported results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.

“This year brings significant change for Lumen as we pivot to growth with a new leadership team and an energized group of highly skilled employees to execute on our plan,” said Kate Johnson, president and CEO of Lumen. “In 2023 we will be investing in and optimizing Lumen as we drive our five core priorities: develop customer obsession, innovate and invest for growth, build a reliable execution engine, radically simplify Lumen, and further develop our culture.”

Total Revenue was $3.800 billion for the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $4.847 billion for the fourth quarter 2021 and compared to Modified1 Revenue of $4.022 billion for the fourth quarter 2021.

_______________________________________________

1 Modified amounts include adjustments to reflect (i) removal of the financial impacts related to the Latin American business divestiture completed Aug. 1, 2022 and the 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed Oct. 3, 2022, (ii) estimates of revenue that Lumen would have received under the post-closing agreements with the purchasers of the divested businesses, and (iii) removal of the financial impacts of the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II program, which lapsed on Dec. 31, 2021, each excluding the effects of special items. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided in the Financial Trending Schedule available on Lumen’s website at ir.lumen.com, along with additional modified information reported on this basis.


2 For the 20-state ILEC business divestiture, we received $7.5 billion of consideration, which was reduced by approximately $0.4 billion of closing adjustments and partially paid through purchaser’s assumption of approximately $1.5 billion of our long-term consolidated indebtedness, resulting in pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately $5.6 billion. For the Latin American business divestiture, we received pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately $2.7 billion.


3 During the first half of 2023, we expect to pay approximately $900 million to $1 billion of cash taxes related to the 2022 divestitures of our Latin American and 20-state ILEC businesses. To provide comparability to prior periods, Estimated Net Debt reflects the payment of those cash taxes as though it had occurred on or prior to Dec. 31, 2022.


Financial Results

Metric, as reported

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

($ in millions, except per share data)

2022

2021

2022

2021

International and Global Accounts

$    797

1,025

$  3,645

4,083

Large Enterprise

804

931

3,409

3,771

Mid-Market Enterprise

585

647

2,465

2,649

Enterprise Channels

2,186

2,603

9,519

10,503

Wholesale

819

891

3,520

3,616

Business Segment Revenue

3,005

3,494

13,039

14,119

Mass Markets Segment Revenue

795

1,353

4,439

5,568

Total Revenue

$  3,800

4,847

$ 17,478

19,687

Cost of Services and Products

1,826

2,086

7,868

8,488

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

671

723

3,078

2,895

Gain on Sale of Businesses(1)

(180)

—

(773)

—

Loss on disposal groups held for sale

700

—

700

—

Stock-based Compensation Expense

27

31

98

120

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

810

2,069

6,703

8,424

Adjusted EBITDA, Excluding Special Items(2)(3)

1,393

2,088

6,858

8,440

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(2)

21.3 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.7 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

38.4 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.8 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Excluding Special Items(2)(3)

36.7 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

43.1 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

39.2 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.9 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

841

1,607

4,735

6,501

Capital Expenditures

833

848

3,016

2,900

Unlevered Cash Flow(2)

264

1,100

3,059

5,086

Unlevered Cash Flow, Excluding Cash Special Items(2)(4)

382

1,117

3,600

5,227

Free Cash Flow(2)

8

759

1,719

3,601

Free Cash Flow, Excluding Cash Special Items(2)(4)

126

776

2,260

3,742

Net (Loss) Income

(3,069)

508

(1,548)

2,033

Net Income, Excluding Special Items(2)(5)

425

522

1,564

2,039

Net Income per Common Share – Diluted

(3.08)

0.50

(1.54)

1.91

Net Income per Common Share – Diluted, Excluding Special Items(2)(5)

0.43

0.51

1.55

1.91

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in millions) – Diluted

995.6

1,015.5

1,007.5

1,066.8






(1) Reflects (i) the pre-tax gain of $597 million recorded in operating income as a result of our Latin American business divestiture completed Aug. 1, 2022 and (ii) the pre-tax gain of $176 million recorded in operating income as a result of our 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed Oct. 3, 2022, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

(2) See the attached schedules for definitions of non-GAAP metrics and reconciliations to GAAP figures.

(3) Excludes Special Items in the amounts of (i) $583 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, (ii) $19 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, (iii) $155 million for the full year 2022 and (iv) $16 million for the full year 2021.

(4) Excludes cash paid for Special Items of (i) $118 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, (ii) $17 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, (iii) $541 million for the full year 2022 and (iv) $141 million for the full year 2021.

(5) Excludes Special Items (net of the income tax effect thereof) in the amounts of (i) $3.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, (ii) $14 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, (iii) $3.1 billion for the full year 2022 and (iv) $6 million for the full year 2021.

Modified(1) Metrics

Fourth Quarter

YoY
Percent

Full Year

YoY
Percent

($ in millions)

2022

2021

Change

2022

2021

Change

Revenue By Sales Channel







Large Enterprise

$  1,217

1,272

(4) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

$  4,894

5,106

(4) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Mid-Market Enterprise

522

559

(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

2,144

2,297

(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Public Sector

431

500

(14) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

1,788

1,997

(10) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Enterprise Channels

2,170

2,331

(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

8,826

9,400

(6) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Wholesale

835

831

— {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

3,360

3,385

(1) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Business Segment Revenue

3,005

3,162

(5) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

12,186

12,785

(5) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Mass Markets Segment Revenue

795

860

(8) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

3,302

3,554

(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Total Revenue

$  3,800

4,022

(6) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

$ 15,488

16,339

(5) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Adjusted EBITDA, Excluding Special Items

$  1,393

1,496

(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

$  5,540

6,092

(9) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Excluding Special Items

36.7 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

37.2 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

(1) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

35.8 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

37.3 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

(4) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Capital Expenditures

$    833

681

22 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

$  2,691

2,325

16 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


(1) Modified amounts include adjustments to reflect (i) removal of the financial impacts related to the Latin American business divestiture completed Aug. 1, 2022 and the 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed Oct. 3, 2022, (ii) estimates of revenue that Lumen would have received under the post-closing agreements with the purchasers of the divested businesses, and (iii) removal of the financial impacts of the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II program, which lapsed on Dec. 31, 2021, each excluding the effects of special items. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided in the Financial Trending Schedule available on Lumen’s website at ir.lumen.com, along with additional modified information reported on this basis.


Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow, excluding Special Items, was $126 million in the fourth quarter 2022, compared to $776 million in the fourth quarter 2021.

As of Dec. 31, 2022, Lumen had cash and cash equivalents of $1.251 billion.

Goodwill Impairment
Each year, the company is required under GAAP to undertake a goodwill impairment analysis of all its reporting units. The analysis compares the fair value of the equity for each of the reporting units to the carrying value of equity for each reporting unit. The analysis takes into account weighted average cost of capital and market multiples, along with the company’s forecasts. Based on this analysis, in the fourth quarter of 2022 the company recorded an aggregate $3.271 billion non-cash goodwill impairment, primarily in our North America business reporting unit.

Update on the Divestiture of EMEA Business to Colt
Since we announced this transaction on Nov. 2, 2022, Colt has exercised its option to acquire our EMEA business following the completion of a French consultative process. The parties expect to enter into a definitive purchase agreement in the next couple of days. We expect to close this transaction on the terms previously announced as early as late 2023, following receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals in the U.S. and certain other countries where the EMEA business operates, as well as the satisfaction of other customary conditions.

2023 Financial Outlook

The company announced its full-year 2023 financial outlook which is detailed below:

Metric (1)(2)

Outlook(3)

Adjusted EBITDA

$4.6 to $4.8 billion

Free Cash Flow(4)(5)

$0 to $200 million

Net Cash Interest

$1.1 to $1.2 billion

GAAP Interest Expense

$1.200 billion

Capital Expenditures

$2.9 to $3.1 billion

Depreciation and Amortization

$2.9 to $3.1 billion

Stock-based Compensation Expense

~$125 million

Cash Income Taxes(5)

~$200 to $300 million

Full Year Effective Income Tax Rate

~26{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}



(1)  For definitions of non-GAAP metrics and reconciliations to GAAP figures, see the attached schedules and our Investor Relations website.

(2)  Outlook measures in this chart and the accompanying schedules (i) exclude the effects of Special Items, future changes in our operating or capital allocation plans, unforeseen changes in regulation, laws or litigation, and other unforeseen events or circumstances impacting our financial performance and (ii) speak only as of Feb. 7, 2023. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

(3)  Includes accounting impacts of assets and liabilities held for sale and assumes the proposed sale of Lumen’s EMEA business is not completed during 2023.

(4)  Assumes no discretionary pension plan contributions during 2023.

(5)  Excludes the estimated $900 million to $1 billion impact of taxes related to our divestitures completed on Aug. 1, 2022 and Oct. 3, 2022.


Investor Call

Lumen’s management team will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today, Feb. 7, 2023. The conference call will be streamed live over the Lumen website at ir.lumen.com. Additional information regarding fourth quarter 2022 results, including the presentation materials management will review during the conference call, will be available on the Investor Relations website prior to the call. If you are unable to join the call via the web, the call can be accessed live at +1 877-283-5145 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 312-281-1201 (International).

A telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 7, 2023, and ending May 8, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The replay can be accessed by dialing +1 800-633-8284 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 402-977-9140 (International), reservation code 22024860. A webcast replay of the call will also be available on our website beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 7, 2023, and ending May 8, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

About Lumen Technologies and the People of Lumen:

Lumen Technologies Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 400,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences.

Learn more about the Lumen network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly-owned affiliate of Lumen Technologies, Inc. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this release and other of our oral or written statements identified by words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements as defined by the federal securities laws, and are subject to the “safe harbor” protections thereunder. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, are inherently speculative, and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the effects of intense competition from a wide variety of competitive providers, including decreased demand for our more mature service offerings and increased pricing pressures; the effects of new, emerging or competing technologies, including those that could make our products less desirable or obsolete; our ability to successfully and timely attain our key operating imperatives, including simplifying and consolidating our network, simplifying and automating our service support systems, attaining our Quantum Fiber buildout plans, strengthening our relationships with customers and attaining projected cost savings; our ability to safeguard our network, and to avoid the adverse impact of possible cyber-attacks, security breaches, service outages, system failures, or similar events impacting our network or the availability and quality of our services; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including the outcome of legislative, regulatory or judicial proceedings relating to content liability standards, intercarrier compensation, universal service, service standards, broadband deployment, data protection, privacy and net neutrality; our ability to generate cash flows sufficient to fund our financial commitments and objectives, including our capital expenditures, operating costs, debt repayments, pension contributions and other benefits payments; our ability to effectively retain and hire key personnel and to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; changes in customer demand for our products and services, including increased demand for high-speed data transmission services; our ability to successfully maintain the quality and profitability of our existing product and service offerings and to introduce profitable new offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our ability to successfully and timely implement our corporate strategies, including our deleveraging and buildout strategies; our ability to successfully and timely consummate the pending divestiture of our European, Middle Eastern and African business, to successfully and timely realize the anticipated benefits from that divestiture and our divestitures completed in 2022, and to successfully operate and transform our retained business after such divestitures; changes in our operating plans, corporate strategies, or capital allocation plans, whether based upon changes in our cash flows, cash requirements, financial performance, financial position, market or regulatory conditions, or otherwise; the impact of any future material acquisitions or divestitures that we may transact; the negative impact of increases in the costs of our pension, healthcare, post-employment or other benefits, including those caused by changes in markets, interest rates, mortality rates, demographics or regulations; the potential negative impact of customer complaints, government investigations, security breaches or service outages impacting us or our industry; adverse changes in our access to credit markets on favorable terms, whether caused by changes in our financial position, lower credit ratings, unstable markets or otherwise; our ability to meet the terms and conditions of our debt obligations and covenants, including our ability to make transfers of cash in compliance therewith; our ability to maintain favorable relations with our security holders, key business partners, suppliers, vendors, landlords and financial institutions; our ability to timely obtain necessary hardware, software, equipment, services, governmental permits and other items on favorable terms; our ability to meet evolving environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) expectations and benchmarks, and effectively communicate and implement our ESG strategies; our ability to collect our receivables from, or continue to do business with, financially-troubled customers; our ability to continue to use or renew intellectual property used to conduct our operations; any adverse developments in legal or regulatory proceedings involving us; changes in tax, pension, healthcare or other laws or regulations, in governmental support programs, or in general government funding levels, including those arising from recently enacted legislation promoting broadband development; our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards in the amounts projected; the effects of changes in accounting policies, practices or assumptions, including changes that could potentially require additional future impairment charges; continuing uncertainties regarding the impact that COVID-19 and its aftermath could have on our business, operations, cash flows and corporate initiatives; the effects of adverse weather, terrorism, epidemics, pandemics, rioting, vandalism, societal unrest, or other natural or man-made disasters or disturbances; the potential adverse effects if our internal controls over financial reporting have weaknesses or deficiencies, or otherwise fail to operate as intended; the effects of changes in interest rates and inflation; the effects of more general factors such as changes in exchange rates, in operating costs, in public policy, in the views of financial analysts, or in general market, labor, economic or geopolitical conditions; and other risks referenced from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to unduly rely upon our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, regulatory, technological, industry, competitive, economic and market conditions, and our related assumptions, as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans without notice at any time and for any reason.

Reconciliation to GAAP

This release includes certain historical and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to Modified Revenue, Modified Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Modified Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Unlevered Cash Flow, and adjustments to GAAP and non-GAAP measures to exclude the effect of Special Items. This release also includes certain modified historical information, none of which has been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the company’s performance, we believe these above-described measurements assist investors in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial schedules. Reconciliation of modified historical information appearing herein and additional non-GAAP historical financial measures that may be discussed during the call described above, along with further descriptions of non-GAAP financial measures, will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the company’s website at http://ir.lumen.com. Non-GAAP measures are not presented to be replacements or alternatives to the GAAP measures, and investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Lumen may present or calculate its non-GAAP measures differently from other companies.

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions, except per share amounts; shares in thousands)



Three months ended
December 31,


(Decrease)
/ Increase


Twelve months ended
December 31,


(Decrease)
/ Increase



2022


2021



2022


2021


OPERATING REVENUE


$        3,800


4,847


(22) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


17,478


19,687


(11) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

OPERATING EXPENSES













Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)


1,826


2,086


(12) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


7,868


8,488


(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Selling, general and administrative


671


723


(7) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


3,078


2,895


6 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Gain on sale of businesses


(180)


—


nm


(773)


—


nm

Loss on disposal groups held for sale


700


—


nm


700


—


nm

Depreciation and amortization


796


877


(9) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


3,239


4,019


(19) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Goodwill impairment


3,271


—


nm


3,271


—


nm

Total operating expenses


7,084


3,686


92 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


17,383


15,402


13 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME


(3,284)


1,161


nm


95


4,285


(98) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME













Interest expense


(280)


(372)


(25) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


(1,332)


(1,522)


(12) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Other income (expense), net


382


(110)


nm


246


(62)


nm

Income tax benefit (expense)


113


(171)


(166) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


(557)


(668)


(17) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

NET (LOSS) INCOME


$      (3,069)


508


nm


$       (1,548)


2,033


(176) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}








BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE


$        (3.08)


0.50


nm


(1.54)


1.92


(180) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE


$        (3.08)


0.50


nm


(1.54)


1.91


(181) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}








WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING













Basic


995,573


1,006,846


(1) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


1,007,517


1,059,541


(5) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Diluted


995,573


1,015,472


(2) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


1,007,517


1,066,778


(6) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE


$              —


0.25


(100) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


0.75


1.00


(25) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}








Exclude: Special Items(1)


$        3,494


14


nm


3,112


6


nm

NET INCOME EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS


$           425


522


(19) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


1,564


2,039


(23) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS


$          0.43


0.51


(16) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


1.55


1.91


(19) {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}








(1) Excludes the Special Items described in the accompanying Non-GAAP Special Items table, net of the income tax effect thereof.

nm – Percentages greater than 200{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} and comparisons between positive and negative values are considered not meaningful.

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND DECEMBER 31, 2021

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)


December 31, 2022


December 31, 2021

ASSETS




CURRENT ASSETS




Cash and cash equivalents

$                     1,251


354

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $85 and $114

1,477


1,544

Assets held for sale

1,889


8,809

Other

803


829

   Total current assets

5,420


11,536

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $19,886 and $19,271

19,166


20,895

GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS




Goodwill

12,657


15,986

Other intangible assets, net

6,166


6,970

Other, net

2,172


2,606

    Total goodwill and other assets

20,995


25,562

TOTAL ASSETS

$                   45,581


57,993

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY




CURRENT LIABILITIES




Current maturities of long-term debt

$                        154


1,554

Accounts payable

950


758

Accrued expenses and other liabilities




Salaries and benefits

692


860

Income and other taxes

1,158


228

Current operating lease liabilities

344


385

Interest

181


278

Other

277


232

Liabilities held for sale

451


2,257

Current portion of deferred revenue

596


617

    Total current liabilities

4,803


7,169

LONG-TERM DEBT

20,418


27,428

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES




Deferred income taxes, net

3,163


4,049

Benefit plan obligations, net

2,391


3,710

Other

4,369


3,797

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

9,923


11,556

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY




Common stock

1,002


1,024

Additional paid-in capital

18,080


18,972

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,099)


(2,158)

Accumulated deficit

(7,546)


(5,998)

Total stockholders’ equity

10,437


11,840

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$                   45,581


57,993

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)


Twelve months ended


December 31, 2022


December 31, 2021

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net (Loss) Income

$                             (1,548)


2,033

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

3,239


4,019

Goodwill impairment

3,271


—

Gain on sale of businesses

(773)


—

Loss on disposal groups held for sale

700


—

Deferred income taxes

(1,230)


598

Provision for uncollectible accounts

133


105

Net gain on early retirement of debt

(214)


(8)

Unrealized loss on investments

191


(138)

Stock-based compensation

98


120

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net

540


(691)

Retirement benefits

46


163

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net

258


283

Other, net

24


17

Net cash provided by operating activities

4,735


6,501

INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Capital expenditures

(3,016)


(2,900)

Proceeds from sale of businesses

8,369


—

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets

120


135

Other, net

3


53

Net cash used in investing activities

5,476


(2,712)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES




Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

—


1,881

Payments of long-term debt

(8,093)


(3,598)

Net (payments on) proceeds from revolving line of credit

(200)


50

Dividends paid

(780)


(1,087)

Repurchases of common stock

(200)


(1,000)

Other, net

(40)


(53)

Net cash used in financing activities

(9,313)


(3,807)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

898


(18)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

409


427

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$                               1,307


409





Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:




Cash and cash equivalents

$                               1,251


354

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash included in assets held for sale

44


40

Restricted cash

12


15

Total

$                               1,307


409

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

MODIFIED(1) OPERATING METRICS

(UNAUDITED)







Operating Metrics

4Q22


3Q22


4Q21







Mass Markets broadband subscribers






(in thousands)






Fiber broadband subscribers

832


813


735

Other broadband subscribers(2)

2,205


2,294


2,555

Mass Markets total broadband subscribers(3)

3,037


3,107


3,290







Mass Markets broadband enabled units(4)






(in millions)






Fiber broadband enabled units

3.1


3.0


2.5

Other broadband enabled units

18.7


18.8


18.8

Mass Markets total broadband enabled units

21.8


21.8


21.3







(1) Modified to remove the impacts of the 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed Oct. 3, 2022.

(2) Other broadband subscribers are customers that primarily subscribe to lower speed copper-based broadband services marketed under the CenturyLink brand.

(3) Mass Markets broadband subscribers are customers that purchase broadband connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables. Our methodology for counting our Mass Markets broadband subscribers includes only those lines that we use to provide services to external customers and excludes lines used solely by us and our affiliates. It also excludes unbundled loops and includes stand-alone Mass Markets broadband subscribers. We count lines when we install the service. Other companies may use different methodologies.    

(4) Represents the total number of units capable of receiving our broadband services at period end. Other companies may use different methodologies to count their broadband enabled units.


Description of Non-GAAP Metrics

Pursuant to Regulation G, the company is hereby providing definitions of non-GAAP financial metrics and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The following describes and reconciles those financial measures as reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) with those financial measures as adjusted by the items detailed below and presented in the accompanying news release. These calculations are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP. In keeping with its historical financial reporting practices, the company believes that the supplemental presentation of these calculations provides meaningful non-GAAP financial measures to help investors understand and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis.

We use the term Special Items as a non-GAAP measure to describe items that impacted a period’s statement of operations for which investors may want to give special consideration due to their magnitude, nature or both. We do not call these items non-recurring because, while some are infrequent, others may recur in future periods.

We use the term “Modified” basis on certain metrics herein, which reflect amounts modified to assume the Latin American business and 20-state ILEC business divestitures took place on January 1, 2021 and excluding financial impacts related to the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) Phase II program, which lapsed on December 31, 2021, each excluding the effects of special items. The modified historical financial information has not been prepared in conformity with Article XI of Regulation S-X and does not constitute pro forma financial information.

Adjusted EBITDA ($) is defined as net income (loss) from the Statements of Operations before income tax (expense) benefit, total other income (expense), depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and impairments.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin ({515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}) is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue.

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are relevant and useful metrics to provide to investors, as they are an important part of our internal reporting and are key measures used by management to evaluate profitability and operating performance of Lumen and to make resource allocation decisions. Management believes such measures are especially important in a capital-intensive industry such as telecommunications. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (and similarly uses these terms excluding Special Items) to compare our performance to that of our competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure from period to period our ability to fund capital expenditures, fund growth, service debt and determine bonuses. Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash stock compensation expense and impairments because of the non-cash nature of these items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes interest income, interest expense and income taxes, and in our view constitutes an accrual-based measure that has the effect of excluding period-to-period changes in working capital and shows profitability without regard to the effects of capital or tax structure. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the gain (or loss) on extinguishment and modification of debt and other income (expense), net, because these items are not related to the primary business operations of Lumen.

There are material limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. Additionally, by excluding the above-listed items, Adjusted EBITDA may exclude items that investors believe are important components of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (either with or without Special Items) should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

Unlevered Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures, plus cash interest paid and less interest income, all as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows or the Statements of Operations. Management believes that Unlevered Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, because it reflects the operational performance of Lumen and, measured over time, enables management and investors to monitor the underlying business’ growth pattern and ability to generate cash. Unlevered Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions and debt service and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.

There are material limitations to using Unlevered Cash Flow to measure our cash performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Unlevered Cash Flow to that of some of our competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, currently generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Unlevered Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is an indicator of our ability to generate cash to service our debt. Free Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions, principal repayments and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.

There are material limitations to using Free Cash Flow to measure our performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Free Cash Flow to that of some of its competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to interest expense, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

For further information on our use of Modified Revenue and Modified Adjusted EBITDA, see page 1 and 2 of this release, our current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Jan. 27, 2023 and the Financial Trending Schedule available at ir.lumen.com.

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

Non-GAAP Special Items

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)






Actual QTD


Actual YTD

Special Items Impacting Adjusted EBITDA

4Q22

4Q21


4Q22

4Q21

Consumer and other litigation

$         —

(3)


$         (3)

16

Severance

10

3


12

3

Gain on sale of businesses(1)

(180)

—


(773)

—

Loss on disposal groups held for sale

700

—


700

—

Transaction and separation costs(2)

53

19


219

37

Real estate transactions(3)

—

—


—

(40)

Total Special Items impacting Adjusted EBITDA

$      583

19


$      155

16








Actual QTD


Actual YTD

Special Items Impacting Net (Loss) Income

4Q22

4Q21


4Q22

4Q21

Consumer and other litigation

$         —

(3)


$         (3)

16

Impairment of goodwill

3,271

—


3,271

—

Gain on sale of businesses(1)

(180)

—


(773)

—

Loss on disposal groups held for sale

700

—


700

—

Gain on early retirement of debt(4)

(205)

—


(214)

(8)

Severance

10

3


12

3

Transaction and separation costs(2)

53

19


219

37

Real estate transactions(3)

—

—


—

(40)

Income from transition and separation services(5)

(82)

—


(152)

—

Total Special Items impacting Net (Loss) Income

3,567

19


3,060

8

Income tax effect of Special Items(6)

(73)

(5)


52

(2)

Total Special Items impacting Net (Loss) Income, net of tax

$   3,494

14


$   3,112

6





(1) Reflects (i) the pre-tax gain of $597 million recorded in operating income as a result of our Latin American business divestiture completed August 1, 2022 and (ii) the pre-tax gain of $176 million recorded in operating income as a result of our 20-state ILEC business divestiture completed October 3, 2022, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

(2) Transaction and separation costs associated with (i) the sale of our Latin American business on August 1, 2022, (ii) the sale of our 20-state ILEC business on October 3, 2022, (iii) the exclusive arrangement to divest Lumen’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (the “EMEA business”) announced on November 2, 2022 and (iv) our evaluation of other potential transactions.

(3) Real estate transactions include the Q3 2021 (gain) on sale of real estate, net of impairment charges or acceleration of costs associated with our real estate rationalization program.

(4) Reflects a gain as a result of (i) $4.4 billion in early debt retirement in Q4 2022, (ii) $2.3 billion in early debt retirement in Q3 2022 and (iii) $1.1 billion in early debt retirement in Q1 2021. There were no comparable gains or losses during Q2 2022, Q1 2022, Q4 2021, Q3 2021, or Q2 2021.

(5) Income from transition and separation services includes charges we billed for transition services and IT professional services provided to the purchasers in connection with our divestitures.

(6) Tax effect calculated using the annualized effective statutory tax rate, excluding any non-recurring discrete items, which was 24.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} for all quarters of 2022 and 24.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} for all quarters of 2021.

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

Non-GAAP Cash Flow Reconciliation

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)


Actual QTD


Actual YTD


4Q22

4Q21


4Q22

4Q21

Net cash provided by operating activities

$           841

1,607


$       4,735

6,501

Capital expenditures

(833)

(848)


(3,016)

(2,900)

Free Cash Flow

8

759


1,719

3,601

Cash interest paid

273

343


1,365

1,487

Interest income

(17)

(2)


(25)

(2)

Unlevered Cash Flow

$           264

$       1,100


$       3,059

$       5,086







Free Cash Flow

$               8

$           759


$       1,719

$       3,601

Add back: Severance(1)

7

6


37

70

Add back: Consumer and other litigation(1)

—

(3)


—

47

Add back: Pension contributions(1)

—

—


319

—

Add back: Transaction and separation costs(1)

142

11


282

20

Add back: Real estate transactions(1)

—

3


—

4

Remove: Income from transition and separation services(1)

(31)

—


(97)

—

Free Cash Flow excluding cash Special Items

$           126

$           776


$       2,260

$       3,742







Unlevered Cash Flow

$           264

$       1,100


$       3,059

$       5,086

Add back: Severance(1)

7

6


37

70

Add back: Consumer and other litigation(1)

—

(3)


—

47

Add back: Pension contributions(1)

—

—


319

—

Add back: Transaction and separation costs(1)

142

11


282

20

Add back: Real estate transactions(1)

—

3


—

4

Remove: Income from transition and separation services(1)

(31)

—


(97)

—

Unlevered Cash Flow excluding cash Special Items

$           382

$       1,117


$       3,600

$       5,227







(1) Refer to Non-GAAP Special Items table for details of the Special Items impacting cash included above.



Lumen Technologies, Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA Non-GAAP Reconciliation

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)


Actual QTD


Actual YTD


4Q22

4Q21


4Q22

4Q21

Net (loss) income

$  (3,069)

508


$  (1,548)

2,033

Income tax (benefit) expense

(113)

171


557

668

Total other expense, net

(102)

482


1,086

1,584

Depreciation and amortization expense

796

877


3,239

4,019

Stock-based compensation expense

27

31


98

120

Goodwill impairment

3,271

—


3,271

—

Adjusted EBITDA

$       810

2,069


$    6,703

8,424







Add back: Severance(1)

$         10

3


$         12

3

Add back: Consumer and other litigation(1)

—

(3)


(3)

16

Remove: Gain on sale of businesses(1)

(180)

—


(773)

—

Add back: Loss on disposal groups held for sale

700

—


700

—

Add back: Transaction and separation costs(1)

53

19


219

37

Add back: Real estate transactions(1)

—

—


—

(40)

Adjusted EBITDA excluding Special Items

$    1,393

2,088


$    6,858

8,440







Total revenue

$    3,800

4,847


$ 17,478

19,687







Adjusted EBITDA margin

21.3 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.7 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


38.4 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.8 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding Special Items

36.7 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

43.1 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}


39.2 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

42.9 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}







(1) Refer to Non-GAAP Special Items table for details of the Special Items included above.






Outlook

To enhance the information in our outlook with respect to non-GAAP metrics, we are providing a range for certain GAAP measures that are components of the reconciliation of the non-GAAP metrics. The provision of these ranges is in no way meant to indicate that Lumen is explicitly or implicitly providing an outlook on those GAAP components of the reconciliation. In order to reconcile the non-GAAP financial metric to GAAP, Lumen has to use ranges for the GAAP components that arithmetically add up to the non-GAAP financial metric. While Lumen believes that it has used reasonable assumptions in connection with developing the outlook for its non-GAAP financial metrics, it fully expects that the ranges used for the GAAP components will vary from actual results. We will consider our outlook of non-GAAP financial metrics to be accurate if the specific non-GAAP metric is met or exceeded, even if the GAAP components of the reconciliation are different from those provided in an earlier reconciliation.

Lumen Technologies, Inc.

2023 OUTLOOK (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

(UNAUDITED)

($ in millions)





Adjusted EBITDA Outlook




Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023





Range


Low


High

Net income

$                     185


670

Income tax expense

65


235

Total other expense

1,100


900

Depreciation and amortization expense

3,100


2,900

Stock-based compensation expense

150


95

Adjusted EBITDA

$                  4,600


$                  4,800





Free Cash Flow Outlook




Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023





Range


Low


High

Net cash provided by operating activities

$                  2,900


3,300

Capital expenditures

(2,900)


(3,100)

Free Cash Flow

$                       —


200


(1) For definitions of non-GAAP metrics and reconciliation to GAAP figures, see the above schedules and our Investor Relations website.


(2) Outlook measures in this chart (i) exclude the effects of Special Items, future changes in our operating or capital allocation plans, unforeseen changes in regulation, laws or litigation, and other unforeseen events or circumstances impacting our financial performance and (ii) speak only as of Feb. 7, 2023. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”


(3) Includes accounting impacts of assets and liabilities held for sale and assumes the proposed sale of Lumen’s EMEA business is not completed during 2023.


(4) Assumes no discretionary pension plan contributions during 2023.


(5) Excludes the estimated $900 million to $1 billion impact of taxes related to our divestitures completed on Aug. 1, 2022 and Oct. 3, 2022.

SOURCE Lumen Technologies

Why Technologies that Help Restaurants Prioritize Health and Safety are Nothing to Sneeze At |

Why Technologies that Help Restaurants Prioritize Health and Safety are Nothing to Sneeze At |
Enhancing wellness and basic safety in your establishment is much easier than ever because of to advancing technologies that not only prevent concerns but can also predict what could become an challenge later on.


By Jori Hamilton, RTN Characteristic Author – 1.15.2022

It is no key that the very last couple years have been a tricky time for quite a few restaurateurs as COVID-19 compelled quite a few entrepreneurs to shut down their establishments although dropping an outstanding amount of money of business. Now that we are setting up to see a return to normalcy, there is a likelihood for restaurant proprietors to open their doors and prioritize the wellbeing and protection tactics that are so important to patrons soon after a worldwide pandemic.

Luckily, improving health and fitness and security in your institution is simpler than at any time because of to advancing systems that not only stop challenges but can also predict what could become an difficulty afterwards on. Right now, we will discuss about the tech that can assistance continue to keep your cafe thoroughly clean, avoid contamination, and make your staff truly feel safer although at work.

Meals Basic safety

If there is at any time a time to aim your endeavours on the cleanliness of your cafe, it is soon after the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrons want to know that they are ingesting in a sanitary establishment where they can appreciate their food with the assurance that anything has been washed and sanitized. Although COVID-19 is fading absent, we are however observing the emergence of seasonal flus and respiratory illnesses that are the outcome of variations in the climate, so there is always a likelihood to get ill, and eating places can do their section to retain the sickness from having even worse.

A important part of maintaining your patrons wholesome is ensuring that the foodstuff is kept at a appropriate temperature so it can not grow to be contaminated. We know this is a challenge, as a single in 6 Americans gets sick from food items contamination each and every 12 months. One particular concern at eating places is that food stuff is still left out or is not still left at a right temperature. This is a superior time to improve to a large-tech fridge that has an automated temperature checking program so you can be notified if the temp is dropping way too low. You can get more rapidly alerts by looking into a sensible refrigerator that can send out alerts directly to a manager’s mobile cellular phone, so they can jump into motion when necessary.

Quite a few eating places nevertheless use a manual system of examining the foods in the refrigerators and sorting out what is usable and what may be contaminated or nearing expiration. Though this style of procedure can operate a good deal of the time, humans are capable of problems, and you only will need to permit 1 client get ill in purchase to provide your cafe down. You can prevent these problems by moving into almost everything in your kitchen into a databases so you can have genuine-time alerts for when foods requirements to be improved out.

Of class, the refrigerator is not the only put exactly where food items want to be kept at correct temperatures. If you have a much larger institution with storage rooms and other parts, then you can also put in sensors all over your facility that can notify you when the temperature is at an unhealthy level.

Hold Workforce From Creating Patrons Unwell

A different challenge that a lot of restaurant patrons could have is the belief that if a unwell worker touches or is in the vicinity of their meals, then they can also get sick, and that is a authentic issue. Yet again, technological innovation can come to the rescue, and it can get started at the front of the residence.

In addition to continuing to dress in masks and socially distance, you can assistance to reduce buyers from getting ill even though buying by setting up self-purchasing kiosks that enable persons to buy their foods with out coming in get hold of with a different individual. Some of the more recent kiosks also enable prospects to talk their order, so they really don’t even will need to contact a display. Of course, all contact screens should really be cleaned by restaurant staff many occasions for each working day.

With COVID-19, the flu, and other diseases continue to generating the rounds, it is necessary that you do not enable sick workforce stay at perform. As soon as an staff commences their shift, they should be analyzed for likely ailment. Presently, there is excellent tech obtainable to aid, such as the Squadle Feeling Thermal Scanner, which is a machine that attaches to the wall. The employee just stands in entrance of it, and it will check their temperature and give the relevant suggestions. You can also ask your crew screening issues about their wellbeing about the final couple days to make an educated selection about getting them operate or not.

When you get the inevitable go to from the well being department, it is significant to be organized. You can remain one particular step ahead by employing predictive analytic application that will comb more than thousands and thousands of records of info about other places to eat in your place to determine potential risks that you could encounter as perfectly. You can then look into and choose the appropriate safeguards so you can go the inspection and maintain your prospects safe.

General Employee Basic safety

In addition to food stuff security, averting contamination, and preserving ill workers out of the kitchen area, there are other ways that you can use tech to aid your employees remain safe where ever they may be. For occasion, you ought to continue on to use hearth and carbon monoxide detectors through the cafe and examine them on a regular basis to ensure that they are in appropriate performing buy.

You can carry that concept a bit further by installing worry buttons in the areas in which your workers work and congregate the most. If an worker receives injured all through food prep, spots a fireplace, or feels threatened in any way, then they can hit the worry button, and your group can spring into motion. Mix that with a right stability method and cameras, and administration can usually be informed of likely threats.

Whilst engineering can do wonders to keep your crew safe and sound, it is important that you frequently prepare your personnel on how to use this tech and also how to respond adequately in the case of an emergency. Proceed to have daily protection meetings at the starting of the workday to go above all fast hazards and question your group if they have any concerns. Management need to always keep an open-doorway coverage and handle consumer concerns as shortly as they occur up.

As you can see, know-how will carry on to influence the cafe sector and its influence on wellness and basic safety, both of those for your staff and the patrons. Go on to seem for approaches to evolve, and your eatery will make it by way of the bumpy times.

Jori Hamilton is a Feature Writer for Cafe Engineering News. She has around 8 many years of expertise in the cafe and high-quality eating field and has worked at a quantity of very well-recognised institutions more than the a long time. Jori covers a broad range of subjects but mainly because of her previous business experience, she will take a particular interest in masking matters linked to cafe efficiency, FOH and BOH administration, and cafe know-how. To find out a lot more, comply with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Are you an sector imagined chief with a issue of look at on cafe technologies that you would like to share with our viewers? If so, we invite you to review our editorial recommendations and post your article for publishing consideration.

 

Automotive technologies market size to grow by USD 151.8 million from 2021 to 2026: A descriptive analysis of customer landscape, vendor assessment, and market dynamics

Automotive technologies market size to grow by USD 151.8 million from 2021 to 2026: A descriptive analysis of customer landscape, vendor assessment, and market dynamics

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The global automotive technologies market size is estimated to increase by USD 151.8 million. The market’s growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 10.68{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Technologies Market

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Technologies Market

Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report – Request a sample report

Global automotive technologies market – Customer landscape
To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines –

Global automotive technologies market – Vendor analysis
Vendor Landscape – The global automotive technologies market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer automotive technologies in the market are Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Airbiquity Inc., Aptiv Plc, BlackBerry Ltd., Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Elektrobit Automotive GmbH, Faurecia SE, Hitachi Ltd., Infineon Technologies AG, Intel Corp., Microchip Technology Inc., Microsoft Corp., NVIDIA Corp., NXP Semiconductors NV, Renesas Electronics Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Valeo SA, Visteon Corp., and ZF Friedrichshafen AG and others.

The global automotive technologies market is at its growing stage. This implies that the market in focus is characterized by the rising adoption of ADAS features in vehicles, the integration of advanced safety technologies in luxury cars, and the rise in technological advances in automobiles.

Vendor offerings –

  • Advanced Micro Devices Inc: The company offers automotive technologies such as Automotive grade Zynq 7000 SoCs which feature programmable system integration, increased system performance, total power reduction, accelerated design productivity, and BOM cost reduction.

  • Continental AG: The company offers automotive technologies such as drum brakes, LiDAR, ultrasonic parking sensors, 3D displays, motion control, and remote garage parking.

  • DENSO Corp: The company offers automotive technologies such as air conditioning systems, power train systems, safety and cockpit system, and service stations.

  • Elektrobit Automotive GmbH: The company offers embedded software solutions and services for the automotive industry.

  • Faurecia SE: The company offers automotive technologies such as driver assistance systems, actuators, sensors, energy ­management, and lighting systems.

  • For Details on the vendor and its offerings – Buy the report!

Global automotive technologies market – Segmentation assessment

Segment overview
Technavio has segmented the market based on components (hardware, software, and services) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

  • The market share growth of the hardware segment will be higher than the other segments during the forecast period. The primary purpose of the car’s computer system is to monitor the engine and regulate it so that emissions are kept as low as feasible. The rising inclination of consumers toward lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles has encouraged manufacturers to develop advanced components made of materials such as carbon fiber, magnesium, and aluminum and install lightweight radars in vehicles.

Geography overview
By geography, the global automotive technologies market is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global automotive technologies market.

  • APAC will account for 49{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} of the market’s growth during the forecast period. The major markets in APAC for automotive technologies are China, Japan, and South Korea. Market growth in this region will be faster than the market growth in other regions. The market expansion for automotive technologies in APAC will be driven by the rising adoption of technologies and connected infotainment systems over the forecast period.

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Global automotive technologies market – Market dynamics

Leading drivers – The rising adoption of ADAS features in vehicles is one of the key drivers supporting the automotive technologies market growth. The applications of ADAS in automobiles have improved due to the quick adoption of software algorithms, CPUs, sensors, cameras, and advanced technology in mapping obstacles. As concerns over passenger security and safety have grown, governments in developing nations have set strict safety standards for automotive manufacturers to create vehicles with ADAS features. For instance, the government of India mandated the installation of a co-driver airbag in all vehicle segments. Such instances may drive market growth during the forecast period.

Key trends – Increasing developments in semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles are one of the key automotive technologies market trends contributing to the market growth. The deployment of infrastructure-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication technologies, along with the rapid advancement of sensor-processing technologies, high-definition mapping, adaptive algorithms, and other technologies, is driving several companies to increase their production capacities and raising the level of vehicle automation. Increasing the use of automated vehicles is predicted to lower vehicle running costs, improve travel comfort and convenience, and encourage longer commutes, all of which are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges – The lack of standard protocols is one of the factors hampering the automotive technologies market growth. Numerous governmental guidelines control the manufacturing of automobiles by limiting the creativity of engineers and designers. The main goal of these standards is to improve passenger and driver safety, both on the road and in terms of theft. Each nation has its own set of rules and automakers need to modify their production practices to sell their goods in various international marketplaces. The manufacturers suffer financial losses as a result of having to put up many assembly lines due to the changing norms in each nation. Such losses can prevent the market from growing during the projected period.

Driver, Trend & Challenges are the factor of market dynamics that states about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this automotive technologies market report?

  • CAGR of the market during the forecast period

  • Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the automotive technologies market between 2022 and 2026

  • Precise estimation of the size of the automotive technologies market and its contribution to the parent market

  • Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

  • Growth of the automotive technologies market across APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa

  • A thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

  • Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive technologies market vendors

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Automotive Technologies Market Scope

Report Coverage

Details

Page number

146

Base year

2021

Historic period

2017-2021

Forecast period

2022-2026

Growth momentum & CAGR

Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.68{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Market growth 2022-2026

USD 151.8 million

Market structure

Fragmented

YoY growth 2022-2023 ({515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502})

9.5

Regional analysis

APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa

Performing market contribution

APAC at 49{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Key countries

US, China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany

Competitive landscape

Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks

Key companies profiled

Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Airbiquity Inc., Aptiv Plc, BlackBerry Ltd., Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Elektrobit Automotive GmbH, Faurecia SE, Hitachi Ltd., Infineon Technologies AG, Intel Corp., Microchip Technology Inc., Microsoft Corp., NVIDIA Corp., NXP Semiconductors NV, Renesas Electronics Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Valeo SA, Visteon Corp., and ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Market dynamics

Parent Market Analysis; Market growth inducers and obstacles; Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis for the forecast period

Customization purview

If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Customization purview

If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Browse for Technavio “Consumer Discretionary” Research Reports

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Five Forces Analysis

5 Market Segmentation by Component

6 Customer Landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9 Vendor Landscape

10 Vendor Analysis

11 Appendix

About Us
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio’s report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio’s comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media & Marketing Executive
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UK: +44 203 893 3200
Email: media@technavio.com
Website: www.technavio.com/

Global Traumatic Brain Injury Assessment and Management Devices Market 2023-2027 (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

Global Traumatic Brain Injury Assessment and Management Devices Market 2023-2027 (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

Cision

Cision

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SOURCE Technavio

Exploring how new technologies are changing finance | MIT News

Exploring how new technologies are changing finance | MIT News

MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node held its annual financial technological know-how (fintech) entrepreneurship boot camp this summer time, connecting college learners with company companions to tackle true-planet small business troubles.  

Making on the belief that impressive, creative remedies supply a lot more price and a better expertise, the MIT Entrepreneurship and Fintech Integrator (MEFTI) application showcased unique trouble statements proposed by Prudential Hong Kong and Openhive.

“These difficulties deliver suggestions and expertise alongside one another to deal with opportunities in the locations of electronic engagement, the metaverse, and leveraging different information and synthetic intelligence,” says Charles Sodini, the LeBel Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT and school director at the node. 

Embodying a blended fact

Company versions and the rules of engagement are evolving with switching shopper behaviors and rising new designs, opening a floodgate for organizations to seize prospects to innovate in the digital place.

For Nesu Nhamo, a junior at MIT studying laptop or computer science and engineering, this year’s problems ended up “a fantastic catalyst for wondering outside of the box and leveraging new systems,” he says. “Prudential, merged with the metaverse prompt, broadened my knowing of what a fintech application could be.”

His staff, consisting of students from MIT and from Hong Kong, built an incentive-primarily based social operating app to motivate millennials to preserve a healthier lifestyle. Differentiating from other applications on the sector, the app brings together health and fitness, partnership rewards, and social connectivity where ever runners are. The concept arrived when user interviews uncovered the obstacle of working out and executing physical functions with buddies encumbered by journey limitations.

Tackling market problems needs tests early and failing quickly. For Nhamo, who aspires to come to be an entrepreneur and angel investor, the disciplined entrepreneurship framework applied in MEFTI is “a constant way to recognize difficulties and quickly exam tips,” he claims.

A core function of the boot camp is to figure out what purchaser challenges exist and what problem to fix. Staying trustworthy to the framework, Nhamo included that his team “overcame this problem by building assumptions and testing them as a result of major industry investigation.” This method assisted distill the challenge and isolate an emerging prospect to integrate a blended-truth expertise into their proposal.

Reaching synergy among field and academia

There are remarkable rewards to supplying students obtain to providers as a sandbox for artistic difficulty-resolving. The exposure facilitates motion understanding by assisting students use principle into a simple context. But the mastering gains are mutual.

“We essentially realized a large amount from all people else all-around us and the college students,” claims Sam Lim MBA ’04, main operations and transformation officer at Prudential Hong Kong. A round model of engagement “in the spirit of collaboration and making community” enabled mentors to attract on the millennial electronic intelligence as effectively as give industry insights.

Jasmine Zeng ’22, who studied electrical engineering and laptop science at MIT, liked the opportunity to “work closely with marketplace associates — learning about their fears, main company logic, organization mission, and foreseeable future eyesight. It’s worthwhile to see how our remaining task met their anticipations in a way that they imagine is worthwhile and impressive.”

The 2022 showcase marked the fifth year of MEFTI, that includes an ensemble of industry specialists and business enterprise leaders who delivered opinions on these university student projects:

  • Z-Lion, a overall health and prosperity super-application plugin for millennials to raise recognition of economical understanding and engagement of economic solutions
  • Metasurance, an coverage solution supplying electronic asset homeowners defense from actual physical destruction to NFT wallets and cybersecurity threats
  • Metabolic, an incentive-based mostly social working app to inspire millennials to keep a balanced lifestyle featuring a combination of exercise, rewards, and social connectivity where ever runners are
  • Nexus, an on line system matching possible debtors to financial institution lenders utilizing predictive modeling methods drawing from different and common knowledge and
  • Eco-Hard cash, a lending platform furnishing micro financial loans to millennials to meet up with their fiscal targets, when prioritizing their investing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-targeted goods.

Lim, who was between the judges, hopes that students who are intrigued in entrepreneurship pursue their passion. “With that enthusiasm, you will uncover that you can seriously be successful in something you do,” he states.

News: Using quantum technologies to make communications secure, 27-Sep.-2022

News: Using quantum technologies to make communications secure, 27-Sep.-2022

Ground breaking assignments led by scientists in NATO and husband or wife nations are breaking new ground to harness the electric power of quantum to make communications extremely hard to intercept and hack. The application of these quantum systems in the security and defence sectors could help to future-proof the transmission of info, shielding it from significantly innovative hacking devices and contributing to NATO’s initiatives to keep its technological edge.

NATO Science for Peace and Stability (SPS) Programme exploration and advancement tasks have been analyzing the stability-associated applications of quantum systems, addressing their 3 key fields: computing, sensing and communications. Quantum computing and sensing are enhancing the capabilities of computer and distant measurement technologies to ranges that they are not traditionally ready to reach. In the industry of quantum communications, SPS functions are exhibiting the most promising effects. These initiatives create systems for the encryption and protected transmission of data using quantum key distribution (QKD) and submit-quantum cryptography (PQC). As a result of these approaches, they react to mounting protection fears relevant to new technologies – such as quantum computers, which can decipher magic formula communications – by protecting against unauthorised entry.

Testing quantum key distribution (QKD)

QKD is a quantum interaction approach to share decryption keys. In this procedure, an encrypted information is despatched above classic networks, while the keys to decrypt the data are transmitted by quantum usually means. This way, only the meant recipient can decode the information, building any eavesdropping extremely hard. By implementing this strategy, an SPS undertaking succeeded in connecting Italy and Malta with a prototypical QKD link applying submarine optical fibre cables for the initially time.

A further SPS-supported research initiative investigated QKD techniques to mail cryptographic keys from 1 endpoint to a different, which was situated hundreds of kilometres absent. In the meantime, researchers at a college in the Czech Republic are researching the software of QKD know-how on a 5G community to explore its probable to increase cyber safety in potential interaction units.

Demonstrating post-quantum cryptography (PQC)

Unlike QKD, which employs bodily quantum attributes to secure information and facts, PQC utilizes cryptography and mathematical capabilities as an substitute method to safe communications. An intercontinental team of scientists supported by SPS not long ago shown that, employing PQC, it is attainable to securely transmit info devoid of the chance of decryption by a hacker, even a person who has a quantum pc. Via a safe protocol, five investigation groups based mostly in Malta, Slovakia, Spain, the United States and NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, succeeded in speaking in a entirely secure room, absolutely free from the hazard of intrusion.

NATO’s new Strategic Concept, agreed by Allies at the 2022 Madrid Summit, recognises the vital function of technologies, and in distinct, rising and disruptive systems (EDTs), in shaping the potential of the Alliance. To take a look at the potential and pitfalls affiliated with EDTs, the SPS Programme is supporting investigation routines that deal with technological traits in EDTs, like synthetic intelligence, autonomy, bioengineering, and in particular quantum technologies. Long term SPS functions investigating quantum will glance at how to combine equally QKD and PQC to protected information and facts infrastructure in the ideal and most holistic way for the Alliance.