Commitments and Contingencies
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6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2012
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Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] | |
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block] |
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation, Disputes, and Regulatory Matters We are involved in various lawsuits, billing disputes, legal proceedings, and regulatory matters that have arisen from time to time in the normal course of business. While the ultimate results of these items cannot be predicted with certainty we do not expect, at this time, that the resolution of them will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In addition we are involved in the following matters:
Universal Service As an ETC, we receive support from the USF to provide wireline local access and wireless service in high cost areas. On November 29, 2011, the FCC published the High Cost Order which divided support to Alaska between Urban and Remote areas. Support for CETCs serving Urban areas that generally include Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will follow national reforms, had support per provider per service area capped as of January 1, 2012, and will commence a five-step phase-down on July 1, 2012. In addition to broader reforms, the FCC tailored revisions specifically for CETCs serving Remote Alaska, intended to address the unique challenges for serving these areas. Support to these locations will be capped and distributed on a per-line basis until the later of July 1, 2014, or the implementation of a successor funding mechanism. A further rulemaking to consider successor funding mechanisms is underway. We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its effect on Remote high cost support available to us, but our revenue for providing local services in these areas would be materially adversely affected by a substantial reduction of USF support.
Lifeline Support On February 6, 2012, the FCC released its Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to comprehensively reform and modernize the USF's Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) and is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. We participate in the Lifeline program and recognized $3.9 million and $8.0 million in Lifeline program support revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Following are the significant reforms included in the order:
The order adopted several other reforms but they are expected to have an insignificant or no impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.
In April 2012 the OMB rejected a requirement for biennial audits for all ETCs receiving more than $5.0 million annually from Lifeline.
As a related matter, in April 2012 the RCA issued a notice of inquiry to consider whether to modify the state-funded component of Lifeline support, which is currently $3.50 per month. In May 2012 we responded in favor of preserving the current level of support. We cannot predict the outcome of the support review proceedings or the impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.
Wireless Acquisition On June 4, 2012, we entered into an Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement (“Wireless Agreement”) by and among Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“ACS”), GCI, ACS Wireless, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ACS (“ACS Member”), GCI Wireless Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GCI, and The Alaska Wireless Network, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GCI (“AWN”), pursuant to which the parties have agreed to contribute the respective wireless network assets of GCI, ACS and their affiliates to AWN. We entered into this agreement to provide a robust, statewide network with the spectrum mix, scale, advanced technology and cost structure necessary to compete with Verizon and AT&T in Alaska. After the transaction closes AWN will provide wholesale services to GCI and ACS. GCI and ACS will use the AWN network in order to continue to sell services to their respective retail customers. GCI and ACS will continue to compete against each other and other wireless providers in the retail market.
Under the terms of the Wireless Agreement, we agreed to purchase certain wireless network assets from ACS and its affiliates for $100.0 million and we will contribute the purchased assets, our wireless network assets and certain Indefeasible Right to Use (“IRU”) capacity to AWN. ACS also agreed to contribute its remaining wireless network assets and certain IRU capacity to AWN. Upon the contribution of assets to AWN, ACS Member will own one-third of AWN and we will own two-thirds of AWN. ACS Member will be entitled to receive preferential cash distributions totaling $190.0 million over the first four years of AWN's operations and we will be entitled to all remaining cash distributions during that period. We anticipate that the $190.0 million preferential distributions to ACS will constitute approximately $60.0 million in distributions over the distributions otherwise attributable to their ownership percentage during such period. Following the initial four year period, we and ACS Member will receive distributions proportional to our ownership interests. We are evaluating the accounting treatment for this transaction.
The closing of the transactions is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required governmental and third party consents and approvals and the expiration of any applicable waiting periods under competition laws, including the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The transactions are expected to close by the second quarter of 2013.
IRU Non-monetary Exchange On June 4, 2012, we entered into an agreement to exchange IRU capacity with ACS. Under the agreement we will give to ACS a 10-gigabit wavelength of capacity on our Alaska United-West undersea fiber optic cable which extends from Alaska to the contiguous United States in exchange for a 10-gigabit wavelength of capacity on one of ACS' undersea fiber optic cables which extends from Alaska to the contiguous United States. Subject to sufficient capacity, another 10-gigabit wavelength of capacity on each undersea fiber optic cable will be exchanged annually for the following four years for a total possible exchange of a 50-gigabit wavelength of capacity. At June 30, 2012, we determined this to be an executory contract and expect to record the transaction when the exchange is complete in the third quarter of 2012. |