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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)
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9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2012
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of GCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in which we were the primary beneficiary, when on August 30, 2011, we provided certain loans and guarantees to Terra GCI Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF”). We also include in our consolidated financial statements non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which our ownership is less than 100 percent. All significant intercompany transactions between non-regulated affiliates of our company are eliminated. Intercompany transactions generated between regulated and non-regulated affiliates of our company are not eliminated in consolidation. |
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| Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Non-controlling Interest Non-controlling interests represent the equity ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries not owned by us. Non-controlling interest is adjusted for contributions, distributions, and earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest partners of the consolidated entities. Income and loss is allocated to the non-controlling interest based on the respective partnership agreements. |
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| New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU 2012-03, “Technical Amendments and Corrections to SEC Sections: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 114, Technical Amendments Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-9250, and Corrections Related to FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-22 (SEC Update)” amends various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of SAB No. 114. The adoption of ASU 2012-03 did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments include a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 on January 1, 2012, did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
ASU 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)” amended current guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and IFRS. The amendments generally represent clarification of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 on January 1, 2012, did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
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| Regulatory Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Regulatory Accounting We account for our regulated operations in accordance with the accounting principles for regulated enterprises. This accounting recognizes the economic effects of rate regulation by recording cost and a return on investment as such amounts are recovered through rates authorized by regulatory authorities. Accordingly, plant and equipment is depreciated over lives approved by regulators and certain costs and obligations are deferred based upon approvals received from regulators to permit recovery of such amounts in future years. Our cost studies and depreciation rates for our regulated operations are subject to periodic audits that could result in a change to recorded revenues. |
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| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Earnings per Common Share We compute net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the “two class” method. Therefore, basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The computation of the dilutive net income per share of Class A common stock assumes the conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, while the dilutive net income per share of Class B common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares. Additionally in applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities. Our restricted stock grants are entitled to dividends and meet the criteria of a participating security.
Undistributed earnings for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of Class A and Class B common shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed. In accordance with our Articles of Incorporation, if and when dividends are declared on our common stock in accordance with Alaska corporate law, equivalent dividends shall be paid with respect to the shares of Class A and Class B common stock. Both classes of common stock have identical dividend rights and would therefore share equally in our net assets in the event of liquidation. As such, we have allocated undistributed earnings on a proportionate basis. |
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| Common Stock Share Repurchases, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
The repurchased stock was constructively retired as of September 30, 2012.
The cost of the repurchased common stock reduced Common Stock on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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| Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Revenue Recognition As an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier ("ETC"), we receive support from the Universal Service Fund ("USF") to support the provision of wireline local access and wireless service in high cost areas. On November 29, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers (“High Cost Order”). The High Cost Order defined the division of support to Alaska between Urban and Remote areas. The High Cost Order was a significant program change that required a reassessment of our high cost support revenue recognition.
Prior to the High Cost Order program changes we accrued Remote and Urban estimated program revenue quarterly based on current line counts, the most current rates paid to us, our assessment of the impact of current FCC regulations, and our assessment of the potential outcome of FCC proceedings. Our estimated accrued revenue was subject to our judgment regarding the outcome of many variables and was subject to upward or downward adjustments in subsequent periods.
Remote High Cost Support The High Cost Order mandated that as of January 1, 2012, Remote high cost support is based upon the total 2011 support disbursed to all subject Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (“CETCs”) (“Statewide Support Cap”). On January 1, 2012, the rates paid in the Remote areas were mandated and frozen by the USF and cannot exceed $250 per line per month on a study area basis. Line count growth that causes the Statewide Support Cap to be exceeded triggers a pro rata support payment reduction to all subject Alaska CETCs until the support is reduced to the Statewide Support Cap amount.
In the Third Order on Reconsideration issued in May 2012 the FCC determined that Remote support will continue to be based on line counts until June 30, 2014, or the last full month prior to the establishment of a successor funding mechanism. If a successor funding mechanism is operational on July 1, 2014, a 20% annual phase down will commence decreasing support 20% each annual period until no support is paid starting July 1, 2018. If a successor funding mechanism is not operational on July 1, 2014, the phase down will not begin and the subject CETCs will continue to receive per-line based support (subject to the Statewide Support Cap) until a successor funding mechanism is operational. A subject CETC may not receive both phase down support and support from a successor funding mechanism; one program or the other must be selected. At this time we cannot predict the likelihood of a successor funding mechanism being operational on July 1, 2014, nor can we predict whether we can or will participate in a successor funding mechanism.
As a result of the High Cost Order program changes for the areas designated Remote by the FCC, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 we accrue estimated program revenue based on current line counts and the rates mandated and frozen by the FCC, reduced as needed by our estimate of the impact of the Statewide Support Cap. When determining the estimated program revenue accrual we also consider our assessment of the impact of current FCC regulations and of the potential outcome of FCC proceedings. Our estimated accrued revenue is subject to our judgment regarding the outcome of many variables and is subject to upward or downward adjustment in subsequent periods.
Urban High Cost Support The High Cost Order mandated that as of January 1, 2012, Urban high cost support payments are frozen at the monthly average of the subject CETC's 2011 annual support. A 20% annual phase down commenced July 1, 2012, decreasing support 20% each annual period until no support is paid starting July 1, 2016. If a successor funding mechanism is not operational on July 1, 2014, the phase down will stop at 60% and the subject CETCs will continue to receive annual support payments at the 60% level until a successor funding mechanism is operational. Urban high cost support is no longer dependent upon line counts.
As a result of the High Cost Order program changes for the areas designated as Urban by the FCC we apply the proportional performance revenue recognition method to account for the impact of the declining payments while our level of service provided and associated costs remain constant. Included in the calculation are the scheduled Urban high cost support payments from October 2011 through June 2014 net of our Urban accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2011. An equal amount of this result is recognized as Urban support revenue each period. At this time we cannot predict the likelihood of a successor funding mechanism being operational on July 1, 2014; therefore we have not included projected support payments beyond June 2014.
For both Remote and Urban high cost support revenue our ability to collect our accrued USF support is contingent upon continuation of the USF program and upon our eligibility to participate in that program, which is subject to change by future regulatory, legislative or judicial actions. We adjust revenue and the account receivable in the period the FCC makes a program change or we assess the likelihood that such a change has increased or decreased revenue. We do not recognize revenue until our ETC status has been approved by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”).
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| Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include the allowance for doubtful receivables, unbilled revenues, accrual of the USF high cost Remote area program support, share-based compensation, inventory at lower of cost or market, reserve for future customer credits, liability for incurred but not reported medical insurance claims, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, depreciable and amortizable lives of assets, the carrying value of long-lived assets including goodwill, cable certificates and wireless licenses, our effective tax rate, purchase price allocations, deferred lease expense, asset retirement obligations, the accrual of Cost of Goods Sold, depreciation and the accrual of contingencies and litigation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The accounting estimates related to revenues from the USF high cost Remote area program are dependent on various inputs including our estimate of the Statewide Support Cap, our assessment of the impact of new FCC regulations, and the potential outcome of FCC proceedings. These inputs are subjective and based on our judgment regarding the outcome of certain variables and are subject to upward or downward adjustment in subsequent periods. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2011, we changed our high cost support revenue recognition methodology due to the High Cost Order. See Note 1(i) “Revenue Recognition” above for information. |
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| Revenue Recognition of Excise and Sales Taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Classification of Taxes Collected from Customers We report sales, use, excise, and value added taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between us and a customer on a net basis in our Income Statements. The following are certain surcharges reported on a gross basis in our Consolidated Income Statements (amounts in thousands):
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