(3) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists of cash deposits held in global financial institutions. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition. Cash that has restrictions upon its usage has been excluded from cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash comprises bank deposits securing a line of credit (note 8). Restricted cash was $32 thousand and $4.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts. For accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms, the Company determines an allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, a specific customer’s ability to pay its obligations to us, and current economic conditions.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All of the Company’s derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive earnings and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. None of the Company’s derivatives are currently designated as hedges.

The fair value of certain of the Company’s derivative instruments are estimated using the Black Scholes Merton option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The Black-Scholes model incorporates a number of variables in determining such fair values, including expected volatility of the underlying security and an appropriate discount rate. The Company obtained volatility rates from pricing services based on the expected volatility of the underlying security over the remaining term of the derivative instrument. A discount rate was obtained at the inception of the derivative instrument and updated each reporting period, based on the Company’s estimate of the discount rate at which it could currently settle the derivative instrument. The Company considered its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties in estimating the discount rate. Management judgment was required in estimating the Black-Scholes variables. See note 4 for further discussion of fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Property and equipment is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is three years for computer equipment and five years for support equipment and furniture and fixtures.

Investments

All marketable debt and equity securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. Fair values are determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, arising from changes in fair value are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of shareholders’ equity.

GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as AFS securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity’s statements of operations (the “Fair Value Option”). Liberty Broadband has elected the fair value option for those of its AFS securities which it considers to be non-strategic (“Fair Value Option Securities”). Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Fair Value Option Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The total value of AFS securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option aggregated $438.9 million and $359.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company continually reviews its AFS securities not designated as Fair Value Option Securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the carrying value is other than temporary. The primary factors considered in this determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the carrying value, the severity of the decline, and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific; analysts’ ratings and estimates of 12 month share price targets for the investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the security is written down to fair value. In situations where the fair value of an investment is not evident due to a lack of public market price or other factors, the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to arrive at the estimated fair value of such investments. The Company’s assessment of the foregoing factors involves considerable management judgment and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the Company’s estimates and judgments. Writedowns of AFS securities would be included in the consolidated statements of operations as other than temporary declines in fair values of investments. There were no impairment charges recorded during 2015,  2014 or 2013.

For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company’s investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. The Company determines the difference between the purchase price of the investee and the underlying equity which results in an excess basis in the investment. This excess basis is allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of the Company’s investee through a purchase accounting exercise and is allocated within memo accounts used for equity accounting purposes.  Depending on the applicable underlying assets, these amounts are either amortized over the applicable useful lives or determined to be indefinite lived. We periodically evaluate our equity method investment to determine if decreases in fair value below our cost basis are other than temporary. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, we are required to reflect such decline in our consolidated statement of operations. Other than temporary declines in fair value of our equity method investment would be included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliate in our consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the Company’s proportionate share of the underlying equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity investee, are recognized in the statement of operations through the gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate line item.

As Liberty Broadband does not control the decision making process or business management practices of our affiliate accounted for using the equity method, Liberty Broadband relies on management of its affiliate to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty Broadband relies on the audit reports that are provided by the affiliate’s independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliates. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliate that would have a material effect on Liberty Broadband’s consolidated financial statements.

Leases

The Company, through its consolidated entities, leases facilities and certain equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable lease agreements. The terms of some of the lease agreements provide for rental payments on a graduated basis. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease period and accrued as rent expense incurred but not paid. The lease term begins on the date we become legally obligated for the rent payments or when we take possession of the office space, whichever is earlier.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company performs at least annually an assessment of the recoverability of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company utilizes a qualitative assessment for determining whether the quantitative impairment analysis is necessary. The accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it was more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of our reporting units. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company-specific performance in future periods.

If a step one test is considered necessary for goodwill impairment testing based on the qualitative factors, the Company compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the Company’s valuation analysis are based on management’s best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. For those reporting units whose carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second test is required to measure the impairment loss (the “Step 2 Test”). In the Step 2 Test, the fair value (Level 3) of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the reporting unit with any residual value being allocated to goodwill. Any excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over this allocated amount is recorded as an impairment charge.

The accounting guidance also permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the qualitative assessment supports that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, exceeds its fair value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

See note 2 and note 7 for additional discussion regarding goodwill impairment losses recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Internal Use Software Development Costs

Certain costs incurred during the application development stage related to the development of internal use software are capitalized and included in other intangible assets. Capitalized costs include internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, and deemed by management to be significant. Costs related to the planning and post implementation phases of software development are expensed as these costs are incurred. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including those costs in the post-implementation stages) are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software resulting in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets are carried at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three to five and a half years. The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups, including property and equipment, to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets or asset groups might not be recoverable.

Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset group, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset group, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, the recoverability of the asset group is assessed by determining whether the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group over the remaining economic life of the asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset group, including its ultimate disposition, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such asset groups exceeds their fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of asset groups. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Asset groups to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company recorded a $16.8 million impairment loss of its intangible assets with definite lives during the year ended December 31, 2014 due to an anticipated decline in Skyhook’s operations as a result of the loss of one of Skyhook’s significant customers, as discussed in note 2. There was no indication of impairment of long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2013.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

The functional currency of the Company is the United States (“U.S.”) dollar. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses which are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss) as unrealized (based on the applicable period end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions.

Revenue Recognition

TruePosition earns revenue from the sale of hardware and licensing of software required to generate location records for wireless phones and other wireless devices on a cellular network and from the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of such hardware and software. In addition, TruePosition earns software maintenance revenue through the provision of ongoing technical and software support.

TruePosition’s tangible products contain software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible products’ essential functionality. Under the applicable accounting guidance, arrangements for such products are excluded from the scope of software revenue recognition guidance and are subject to the guidance for multiple-element arrangements. Accordingly, for multiple-element arrangements entered into or materially modified on or after January 1, 2011, the overall arrangement fee is allocated to each element (both delivered and undelivered items) based on their relative selling prices, regardless of whether those selling prices are evidenced by vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or third-party evidence of selling price or are based on the entity’s estimated selling price. The associated revenue for each element is recognized upon delivery assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met.

For arrangements which do not qualify for treatment under the new guidance, TruePosition continues to account for such arrangements consistent with the guidance for software revenue recognition. Under those policies, for revenue derived from multiple-element arrangements, if VSOE exists for each of the elements of the arrangement at the outset, the Company allocates the revenue to the various elements for recognition upon delivery of each element. If not, the revenue is deferred until the earlier of establishing sufficient VSOE for allocating revenue for recognition or delivery of all of the elements. If a multiple-element arrangement includes post-contract customer support (commonly referred to as maintenance), VSOE must exist for the maintenance in order to allocate revenue to all of the elements of the arrangement. If VSOE does not exist for the maintenance, revenue for the entire arrangement is recognized ratably over the contractual or expected term of the maintenance arrangement.

Direct costs related to multiple-element arrangements are deferred and recognized as the related revenue is recognized. Direct costs include installation services, hardware, and software costs.

TruePosition’s multiple-element arrangement with its significant customer also contemplates usage-based transaction fees for certain commercial uses of TruePosition’s hardware and software.

TruePosition also provides training, technical, and repair services under its multiple-element arrangements. Revenue is recognized upon delivery of the services.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the new standard may have on its revenue recognition and has not yet selected a transition method but does not believe the standard will significantly affect its financial statements and related disclosures.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Deferred Revenue and Deferred Costs

Deferred revenue represents billings in excess of revenue previously recognized. Deferred costs represent direct costs related to installation services, hardware, and software, which, to the extent not previously recognized, are recognized as the related revenue is recognized. As of December 31, 2014, the long-term portion of deferred revenue included $35.5 million of payments received from TruePosition’s largest customer, which were attributed to prepaid transaction fees. As discussed in note 2, TruePosition recognized this deferred revenue during December 2015, in connection with the expiration of this customer’s contract.

Stock -Based Compensation

As more fully described in note 11, Liberty Broadband has granted to its directors, employees and employees of certain of its subsidiaries options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to purchase shares of Liberty Broadband common stock (collectively, “Awards”). Liberty Broadband measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). Liberty Broadband measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date. Certain outstanding awards of Liberty were assumed by Liberty Broadband at the time of the Broadband Spin-Off.

Additionally, TruePosition and Skyhook each sponsor a long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) which provide for the granting of phantom stock units (“PSUs”), and phantom stock appreciation rights (“PARs”) to employees, directors, and consultants of TruePosition and Skyhook, respectively. TruePosition also sponsors a Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”), which provides for the granting of stock options to employees, directors, and consultants of TruePosition. TruePosition measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost ratably over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the award). TruePosition measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of liability instruments (such as PSUs and PARs that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the award, and remeasures the fair value of the award at each reporting date. The consolidated statements of operations includes stock-based compensation related to TruePosition awards.

Included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2015,  2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which the Company operates for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance if the Company believes it more likely than not that such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider all relevant factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent earnings experience by jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, and the carryforward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, as well as assessing available tax planning strategies. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Due to inherent complexities arising from the nature of our businesses, future changes in income tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between our actual and anticipated operating results, we make certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

In November 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Under the new guidance, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The new guidance may be applied prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance retrospectively during the current period. Accordingly, all deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented as noncurrent in the financial statements for all periods presented. The adoption of the new guidance resulted in the reclassification of $11.3 million deferred income tax assets previously reported as current deferred income tax assets to be reclassified to noncurrent deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2014.

When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

We recognize in our consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon an examination, based on the technical merits of the position.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

The TruePosition business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on relationships with its customers. TruePosition has one significant customer whose contract expired on December 31, 2015. The loss of this customer is expected to have a material adverse effect on TruePosition’s business unless TruePosition is able to generate significant new business to replace the financial impact of this customer. For the years ended December 31, 2015,  2014 and 2013, this customer accounted for 85%, 83% and 85%, respectively, of TruePosition’s total revenue. As discussed in note 7, we recorded an impairment loss during December 2015 due to the expected decline in TruePosition’s operations from the loss of this customer.

Contingent Liabilities

Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. When (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record the estimated loss in our consolidated statements of operations. We provide disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be material to the financial statements. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability that a liability has been incurred and whether such liability is reasonably estimable. We base accruals made on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. The final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from the amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Comprehensive earnings (loss) consists of net income (loss), cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax and the Company’s share of the comprehensive earnings (loss) of our equity method affiliate.

Earnings per Share (EPS)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented.

The Company issued 85,761,332 common shares, which is the aggregate number of shares of Series A, Series B and Series C common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off on November 4, 2014. Additionally, as part of the recapitalization, Liberty Broadband distributed subscription rights, which were priced at a discount to the market value, to all holders of Liberty Broadband common stock (see further discussion in note 10).  The rights offering, because of the discount, is considered a stock dividend which requires retroactive treatment for prior periods for the weighted average shares outstanding based on a factor applied determined by the fair value per share immediately prior to the rights exercise and the theoretical fair value after the rights exercise. The number of shares issued upon completion of the Broadband Spin-Off, adjusted for the rights factor, was used to determine both basic and diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2013 and for the period from January 1, 2014 through the date of the Broadband Spin-Off, as no Company equity awards were outstanding prior to the Broadband Spin-Off. Basic EPS subsequent to the Broadband Spin-Off was computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding (“WASO”), adjusted for the rights factor, from the date of the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off through January 9, 2015, the date on which the rights offering was fully subscribed. Basic EPS subsequent to January 9, 2015 was computed using WASO. Diluted EPS subsequent to the Broadband Spin-Off was computed using the WASO from the date of the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off through January 9, 2015, adjusted for the rights factor and potentially dilutive equity awards outstanding during the same period. Subsequent to January 9, 2015, basic EPS was computed using the WASO during the period, and diluted EPS was computed using the WASO adjusted for potentially dilutive equity awards outstanding during the period.

 

Excluded from diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2015 are approximately 3 thousand potential common shares because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. 

Reclasses and adjustments

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers (i) application of the equity method of accounting for its affiliates, (ii) fair value of non-financial instruments, (iii) fair value of financial instruments, (iv) revenue recognition, and (v) accounting for income taxes to be its most significant estimates.