UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
 
OR
 
 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from           to
 
Commission File No. 0-15279

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
State of Alaska
 
92-0072737
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S Employer
 
 
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 

 
2550 Denali Street
     
 
Suite 1000
     
 
Anchorage, Alaska
 
99503
 
 
(Address of principal
executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 

 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (907) 868-5600

 
Not Applicable
 
 
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.  Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer” and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's classes of common stock as of October 31, 2009 was:

51,899,000 shares of Class A common stock; and
3,187,000 shares of Class B common stock.

 
1

 


GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
Page No.
           
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
  3
           
Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
           
 
Item I.
Financial Statements
     
           
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2009 and
     
   
  December 31, 2008
      4
           
   
Consolidated Income Statements for the three and nine months ended
     
   
  September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008 (unaudited)
      6
           
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months
     
   
  ended September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008 (unaudited)
      7
           
   
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
      8
           
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
     
   
  and Results of Operations
      26
           
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
      48
           
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
      49
           
Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION
     
           
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
      50
           
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
      51
           
 
Other items are omitted, as they are not applicable.
   
           
SIGNATURES
      52


 
2

 




Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 
You should carefully review the information contained in this Quarterly Report, but should particularly consider any risk factors that we set forth in this Quarterly Report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In this Quarterly Report, in addition to historical information, we state our future strategies, plans, objectives or goals and our beliefs of future events and of our future operating results, financial position and cash flows. In some cases, you can  identify these so-called “forward-looking statements” by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “project,” or “continue” or the negative of these words and other comparable words. All forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives to differ materially from any future results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including those identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.  Those factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any of our forward-looking statements. For these forward looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement, and the related risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date on which they were originally made and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard to these statements or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict what factors will arise or when. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 
3

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 22,503       29,904  
                 
Receivables
    133,405       113,136  
Less allowance for doubtful receivables
    5,757       2,582  
Net receivables
    127,648       110,554  
                 
Deferred income taxes
    13,847       7,843  
Inventories
    8,111       7,085  
Prepaid expenses
    5,046       5,960  
Investment securities
    905       1,563  
Other current assets
    4,411       647  
Total current assets
    182,471       163,556  
                 
Property and equipment in service, net of depreciation
    815,450       793,051  
Construction in progress
    30,026       54,098  
Net property and equipment
    845,476       847,149  
                 
Cable certificates
    191,565       191,565  
Goodwill
    68,586       66,868  
Wireless licenses
    25,967       25,967  
Other intangible assets, net of amortization
    19,135       22,976  
Deferred loan and senior notes costs, net of amortization
    5,561       6,496  
Other assets
    20,413       10,724  
Total other assets
    331,227       324,596  
Total assets
  $ 1,359,174       1,335,301  

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          (Continued)
 
4

 

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Continued)

(Amounts in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Current liabilities:
           
Current maturities of obligations under long-term debt and capital leases
  $ 13,215       12,857  
Accounts payable
    29,743       40,497  
Deferred revenue
    22,021       22,095  
Accrued payroll and payroll related obligations
    20,287       22,632  
Accrued liabilities
    10,203       11,043  
Accrued interest
    2,973       10,224  
Subscriber deposits
    1,507       1,262  
Total current liabilities
    99,949       120,610  
                 
Long-term debt
    732,336       708,406  
Obligations under capital leases, excluding current maturities
    90,499       94,029  
Obligation under capital lease due to related party, excluding current maturity
    1,874       1,868  
Deferred income taxes
    98,713       86,187  
Long-term deferred revenue
    50,017       49,998  
Other liabilities
    16,940       15,288  
Total liabilities
    1,090,328       1,076,386  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock (no par):
               
Class A. Authorized 100,000 shares; issued 51,889 and 50,062 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively; outstanding 51,615 and 49,593 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    150,885       151,262  
Class B. Authorized 10,000 shares; issued 3,189 and 3,203 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively; outstanding 3,189 and 3,201 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively; convertible on a share-per-share basis into Class A common stock
    2,687       2,706  
Less cost of 274 and 469 Class A and Class B common shares held in treasury at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    (2,349 )     (2,462 )
Paid-in capital
    29,234       27,233  
Retained earnings
    88,389       80,176  
Total stockholders’ equity
    268,846       258,915  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,359,174       1,335,301  
 

 
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues
  $ 150,816       151,660       448,301       428,795  
                                 
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
    50,167       50,401       145,372       154,160  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    49,045       56,410       157,350       151,076  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    30,874       28,869       92,778       83,820  
Operating income
    20,730       15,980       52,801       39,739  
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees)
    (13,176 )     (14,134 )     (39,096 )     (34,820 )
Interest income
    49       386       68       869  
Other expense, net
    (13,127 )     (13,748 )     (39,028 )     (33,951 )
Income before income tax expense
    7,603       2,232       13,773       5,788  
Income tax expense
    3,267       1,548       6,519       4,758  
                                 
Net income
    4,336       684       7,254       1,030  
                                 
Net (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest
    ---       (419 )     ---       1,503  
                                 
Net income attributable to General Communication, Inc.
  $ 4,336       265       7,254       2,533  
                                 
Basic net income per common share
  $ 0.08       0.01       0.14       0.05  
                                 
Diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.08       0.00       0.13       0.05  

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008
(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
 
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
7,254
 
1,030
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided  by operating activities (net of effects of acquisitions):
           
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
92,778
 
83,820
 
Deferred income tax expense
   
6,519
 
3,426
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
1,897
 
5,547
 
Other noncash income and expense items
   
6,850
 
6,720
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition
   
(48,046
)
32,193
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
67,252
 
132,736
 
             
Cash flows from investing activities:
           
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(92,989
)
(172,572
)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
   
613
 
1,226
 
Purchase of marketable securities
   
(305
)
(879)
 
Purchase of business, net of cash received
   
(108
)
(64,945
)
Purchases of other assets and intangible assets
   
(2,513
)
(5,115
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(95,302
)
(242,285
)
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Borrowing on Senior Credit Facility
   
30,000
 
132,100
 
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations
   
(9,516
)
(3,996
)
Proceeds from common stock issuance
   
399
 
327
 
Issuance of long-term debt
   
---
 
2,161
 
Payment of debt issuance costs
   
---
 
(1,662
)
Other
   
(234
)
(47
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
20,649
 
128,883
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(7,401
)
19,334
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
29,904
 
13,074
 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
22,503
 
32,408
 

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of General Communication, Inc. (“GCI”) and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. They should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 23, 2009 as part of our annual report on Form 10-K.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for an entire year or any other period.

(l)      Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles
In the following discussion, GCI and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us” and “our.”

 
(a)
Business
GCI, an Alaska corporation, was incorporated in 1979. We offer the following services:
 
·
Origination and termination of traffic in Alaska for certain common carriers,
 
·
Cable television services throughout Alaska,
 
·
Competitive local access services throughout Alaska.
 
·
Incumbent local access services in rural Alaska,
 
·
Long-distance telephone service between Alaska and the remaining United States and foreign countries,
 
·
Sale of postpaid and prepaid wireless telephone services and sale of wireless telephone handsets and accessories,
 
·
Data network services,
 
·
Internet access services,
 
·
Wireless roaming for certain wireless carriers,
 
·
Broadband services, including our SchoolAccess® offering to rural school districts, our ConnectMD® offering to rural hospitals and health clinics, and managed video conferencing,
 
·
Managed services to certain commercial customers,
 
·
Sales and service of dedicated communications systems and related equipment,
 
·
Lease, service arrangements and maintenance of capacity on our fiber optic cable systems used in the transmission of interstate and intrastate data, switched message long-distance and Internet services within Alaska and between Alaska and the remaining United States and foreign countries, and
 
·
Distribution of white and yellow pages directories to residential and business customers in certain markets we serve and on-line directory products.

 
(b)
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 in which we were the primary beneficiary prior to August 18, 2008 when we acquired the remaining 18.1% equity interest and voting control of Alaska DigiTel. All significant intercompany transactions between non-regulated affiliates of our company are eliminated.   Intercompany revenue and expenses generated between regulated and non-regulated affiliates of the company are not eliminated in consolidation

 
 
(c)  
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 105 “Generally Accepted Accounting Principals” (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”).  Topic 105 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB and is to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the
 
(Continuned)
 
8

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification became effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The adoption of the Codification impacted our financial statement disclosures beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 as all references to authoritative accounting literature are referenced in accordance with the Codification. There is no change to the content of our financial statements or disclosures as a result of implementing the Codification.
 
On January 1, 2009 we adopted ASC Topic 810-10-65-1, “Consolidation” (formerly SFAS No. 160, “Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51”).  Topic 810-10-65-1 requires non-controlling interests to be treated as a separate component of equity, but apart from the parent’s equity, and not as a liability or other item outside of equity. This topic also specifies that consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to non-controlling interests be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. Previously, we had reported minority interests (non-controlling interests) as a reduction in arriving at income before income tax expense and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. In addition, this standard specifies that changes to the parent’s ownership interest while it retains a controlling financial interest should be accounted for as equity transactions. This topic also expands disclosure in the financial statements to include a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the equity attributable to the parent and non-controlling owners and a schedule showing the effects of changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary on the equity attributable to the parent. The presentation and disclosure requirements of this topic were applied retrospectively for all periods presented; as a result, our income statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were recast to reflect the adoption of this topic.

In June 2008, the FASB issued ASC Topic 260-10-45-60 “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method.”  ASC Topic 260-10-45-61A requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents as “participating securities” and include such securities in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method as described in ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share” (formerly SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”). Topic 260-10-45-61A became effective on January 1, 2009 and required all prior period earnings per share data presented to be adjusted retroactively. The adoption of Topic 260-10-45-61A effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on our computation of earnings per share.  See note 1(h) regarding adoption of this topic.
 
       (d)     Recently Issued but Not Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (“deliverables”) separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements”, for separating consideration in multiple-
 
(Continuned)
 
9

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
deliverable arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) estimates. This guidance also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. In addition, this guidance significantly expands required disclosures related to a vendor's multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements.  ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010.  The adoption of ASU 2009-13 is not expected to have a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” ("SFAS 167"). As of September 30, 2009, SFAS No. 167 has not been incorporated within the FASB ASC. SFAS No. 167 amends previous accounting related to the consolidation of variable interest entities ("VIE") to require an enterprise to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Also, SFAS No. 167 requires an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, and amends the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE. Enhanced disclosures are also required to provide information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. This statement will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new statement.

 
(e)
Goodwill
During the third quarter of 2009, we changed the date of our annual impairment test from the last day of the fiscal year to the last day of the tenth month of the fiscal year.  As we have grown, it has become increasingly difficult to complete the various impairment analyses in a timely manner, therefore, we believe the change in accounting principle related to the annual testing date is preferable as it provides us additional time to complete the impairment test and report the results of that test in our annual filing on Form 10-K.  We believe that the proposed change to the annual testing date will not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.  We believe that this change in accounting principle is preferable under the circumstances and will not result in adjustments to our financial statements.  The annual impairment test was last performed as of December 31, 2008 and will be performed again as of October 31, 2009, therefore, less than 12 months will have elapsed since our last impairment test.

 
(f)
Regulatory Accounting and Regulation
 
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 reductions of revenues.

 
(g)
Revenue Recognition
As an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier ("ETC"), we receive subsidies from the Universal Service Fund ("USF") to support the provision of local access service in high-cost areas.  On May 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") issued an order adopting the recommendation of the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service (“Joint Board”) to impose a state-by-state interim cap on high cost funds to be distributed to competitive ETCs.  As part of the revised policy, the FCC adopted a limited exception from the cap for competitive ETCs serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions.  While the operation of the cap will generally reduce the high cost fund amounts available to competitive ETCs as new competitive ETCs are designated and as existing competitive ETCs acquire new customers, providers like us who serve tribal lands or Alaska Native regions were provided some relief.  On March 5, 2009, the FCC issued an additional order waiving a previously adopted limitation to the exception, the result of which is to provide uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions during the time the interim cap is in effect.  The uncapped support for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions and the cap for all other regions will be in place until the FCC takes action on proposals for long term reform.  In the first quarter of 2009, we recognized $1.9 million of voice and wireless revenue from the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) related to services provided from August 2008 to December 2008 due to the March 2009 FCC order that provides uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  On April 8, 2009, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry to review aspects of its high cost support program.  Comments were filed on May 8, 2009, and replies were filed on June 8, 2009.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its affect on high cost support available to us.

(Continuned)
 
10

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
In the second quarter of 2009, we recognized $3.1 million of wireless revenue from the USAC for interstate common line support for a new local access area for which we received ETC status in May 2009 of which $690,000 and $1.7 million were related to first quarter of 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  Collectability was not reasonably assured until we were awarded ETC status, therefore, we deferred revenue recognition until such status was confirmed.

In the third quarter of 2009, we recognized $1.1 million upon a change in our estimate of support to be received from the USAC for interstate common line support.  We accrue estimated program revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate.

For a complete list of our revenue recognition policies, you should specifically refer to those identified under Part IV, Item 15, note 1(v) of our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.

 
(h)
Earnings per Common Share
 
We compute net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the “two class” method in accordance with ASC Topic 260-10-45-60.  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 year.  Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to GCI 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.

 
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.  Considering the terms of our Articles of Incorporation which provide that, 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 common stock and Class B common stock and that both classes of common stock have identical dividend rights and would share equally in our net assets in the event of liquidation, we have allocated undistributed earnings on a proportionate basis.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) is calculated utilizing the “two-class” method by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common stockholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. 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.  The adoption Topic 260-10-45-60 did not have a material impact on our calculation of earnings per share for the periods presented.

EPS and common shares used to calculate basic and diluted EPS consist of the following (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2009
 
2008
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class A
 
Class B
Basic net income per share:
             
Numerator:
             
Allocation of undistributed earnings attributable to GCI
4,077
 
259
 
248
 
17
               
Denominator:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
50,125
 
3,190
 
49,121
 
3,250
Basic net income per common share
0.08
 
0.08
 
0.01
 
0.01
 
 
(Continuned)
 
11

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 (Unaudited)
 
 
               
Diluted net income per share:
             
Numerator:
             
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation
4,077
 
259
 
248
 
17
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares
259
 
---
 
17
 
---
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding
---
 
(5
)
---
 
(1)
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
(54)
 
---
 
---
 
---
Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
4,282
 
254
 
265
 
16
               
Denominator:
             
Number of shares used in basic computation
50,125
 
3,190
 
49,121
 
3,250
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding
3,190
 
---
 
3,250
 
---
Unexercised stock options
273
 
---
 
934
 
---
Unvested restricted stock awards
---
 
---
 
13
 
---
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
240
 
---
 
---
 
---
Number of shares used in per share computations
53,828
 
3,190
 
53,318
 
3,250
Diluted net income per common share
0.08
 
0.08
 
0.00
 
0.00

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2009
 
2008
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class A
 
Class B
Basic net income per share:
             
Numerator:
             
Allocation of undistributed earnings attributable to GCI
6,816
 
438
 
2,376
 
157
               
Denominator:
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
49,705
 
3,197
 
49,064
 
3,253
Basic net income per common share
0.14
 
0.14
 
0.05
 
0.05
               
Diluted net income per share:
             
Numerator:
             
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation
6,816
 
438
 
2,376
 
157
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares
438
 
---
 
157
 
---
Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares outstanding
---
 
(22)
 
---
 
(2)
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
(296)
 
---
 
---
 
---
Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings and effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
6,958
 
416
 
2,533
 
155
 
 
(Continuned)
 
12

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
 
               
Denominator:
             
Number of shares used in basic computation
49,705
 
3,197
 
49,064
 
3,253
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding
3,197
 
---
 
3,253
 
---
Unexercised stock options
317
 
---
 
647
 
---
Unvested restricted stock awards
---
 
---
 
22
 
---
Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares
238
 
---
 
---
 
---
Number of shares used in per share computations
53,457
 
3,197
 
52,986
 
3,253
Diluted net income per common share
0.13
 
0.13
 
0.05
 
0.05

Weighted average shares associated with outstanding share options and awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, which have been excluded from the computations of diluted EPS (shares, in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Shares associated with anti-dilutive unexercised stock options
   
3,961
   
3,191
   
4,738
   
3,731
 
Shares associated with anti-dilutive unvested restricted share awards
   
---
   
248
   
---
   
10
 
Share-based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares the effect of which is anti-dilutive
   
---
   
291
   
---
   
133
 
Shares associated with unvested contingent options and awards for which the contingency has not been met
   
426
   
376
   
418
   
376
 

 
(i)
Common Stock
 
Following are the changes in issued common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (shares, in thousands):

 
 
Class A
 
 
Class B
 
Balances at December 31, 2007
 
50,437
   
3,257
 
Class B shares converted to Class A
 
10
   
(10
)
Shares issued under stock option plan
 
52
   
---
 
Shares issued under the Director Compensation Plan
 
20
   
---
 
Shares retired
 
(540
)
 
---
 
Other
 
(5
)
 
---
 
Balances at September 30, 2008
 
49,974
   
3,247
 
 
 
(Continuned)
 
13

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
Balances at December 31, 2008
 
50,062
   
3,203
 
Class B shares converted to Class A
 
12
   
(12
)
Shares issued under stock option plan
 
69
   
---
 
Share awards issued
 
1,965
   
---
 
Shares retired
 
(219
)
 
(2
)
Balances at September 30, 2009
 
51,889
   
3,189
 

We retired 219,000 and 2,000 shares of our Class A and Class B common stock, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, that were acquired to settle the minimum statutory tax-withholding requirements pursuant to restricted stock award vesting and the settlement of deferred compensation.

For discussion of the share awards issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 see note 5.

 
(j)
Investment Securities
Investment securities were $905,000 and $1.6 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and are classified as trading securities.  Our investments consist primarily of money market funds and U.S. government securities.  Trading securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in net income.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the change in net unrealized holding gains/losses in the trading portfolio included in earnings was a net loss of $12,000 and a net gain of $119,000, respectively.
 
(k)     Asset Retirement Obligations
Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amount of our asset retirement obligations at September 30, 2009 and 2008 (amounts in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 4,173  
Liability incurred
    644  
Accretion expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008
    123  
Additions upon acquisition of United Utilities Inc. (“UUI”), Unicom, Inc. (“Unicom”) , and Alaska Wireless, LLC (“Alaska Wireless”)
    803  
Liability settled
    (165 )
Balance at September 30, 2008
  $ 5,578  
         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 6,179  
Liability incurred
    957  
Accretion expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009
    352  
Liability settled
    (34 )
Balance at September 30, 2009
  $ 7,454  

Our asset retirement obligations are included in Other Liabilities.

 
(l)
Derivatives
We enter into derivative contracts to manage exposure to variability in cash flows from floating-rate financial instruments, particularly on our long-term debt instruments and credit facilities.  We do not apply hedge accounting to our derivative instruments and therefore treat these instruments as “economic hedges.”   Derivative instruments are accounted for at fair value as either assets or liabilities on
 
(Continuned)
 
14

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
the balance sheet.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in earnings each reporting period.

Derivative financial instruments are subject to credit risk and market risk.  Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract.  We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties.

Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a derivative instrument that results from a change in interest rates or other market variables.  The market risk associated with interest-rate contracts is managed by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken.
 
In the third quarter of 2008, we entered into two interest rate caps with a combined notional value of $180.0 million that mature on July 1, 2010.  The initial cost of the caps was $928,000.  These derivative instruments are being used to manage the interest rate risk on our Senior Credit Facility, which is indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR").

The following is a summary of the derivative contracts outstanding in the balance sheet at September 30, 2009 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Number of Contracts
 
Notional Value
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Interest rate caps
2
  $
180,000
 
Other Assets
  $
1
 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, our derivative financial instruments had the following effect on our consolidated income statements (amounts in thousands):

     
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
 
     
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Interest rate caps
Interest expense
  $ (8 )     (519 )     (6 )     (519 )

(m)    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 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 area program subsidy, share-based compensation, reserve for future customer credits, 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, the accrual of cost of goods sold exclusive of depreciation and amortization ("Cost of Goods Sold"), asset retirement obligations, and the accrual of contingencies and litigation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(Continuned)
 
15

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
(n)     Classification of Taxes Collected from Customers
We report sales, use, excise, and value added taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between us and a customer on a net basis in our income statement.  Following are certain surcharges on a gross basis in our income statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (amounts in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Surcharges reported gross
$
1,241
   
1,070
 
3,224
   
3,081
 
 
(o)     Reclassifications
Reclassifications have been made to the 2008 financial statements to make them comparable with the 2009 presentation.

(2)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures
 
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions, consists of (amounts in thousands):
 

Nine month period ended September 30,
 
2009
   
2008
 
Increase in accounts receivable
  $ (19,695 )     (3,014 )
Decrease in prepaid expenses
    1,288       1,026  
Increase in inventories
    (960 )     (1,759 )
Increase in other current assets
    (3,874 )     (118 )
Increase in other assets
    (11,251 )     ---  
Decrease in accounts payable
    (2,261 )     (1,484 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues
    (170 )     3,668  
Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and payroll related obligations
    (2,471 )     1,191  
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities
    (840 )     3,209  
Decrease in accrued interest
    (7,251 )     (6,021 )
Increase (decrease) in subscriber deposits
    245       (35 )
Increase (decrease) in long-term deferred revenue
    (1,562 )     36,272  
Increase (decrease) in components of other long-term liabilities
    756       (742 )
    $ (48,046 )     32,193  
 

We paid interest, exclusive of capitalized interest, totaling $45.0 million and $39.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

We paid $9,000 and $884,000 for income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  We received $911,000 and $0 in income tax refunds during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we capitalized interest of $582,000 and $3.5 million, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we had $957,000 and $644,000, respectively, in non-cash additions to property and equipment for assets added when recording asset retirement obligations.

(Continuned)
 
16

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 (Unaudited)
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we applied $465,000 of a warranty receivable to offset our cash obligation relating to a capital lease.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we had a $1.6 million non-cash increase to goodwill to record an adjustment for deferred revenue to the United Utilities, Inc. ("UUI") and Unicom, Inc. ("Unicom") purchase price allocations.

 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we financed $98.6 million for the use of satellite transponders through a capital lease obligation.  We also financed $1.3 million in capital expenditures through the extension of a previously existing capital lease.

 
In May 2008, we received net cash of $110.6 million from a $145.0 million term loan that we obtained. We used $30.0 million of the term loan to repay the revolver portion of our Senior Credit Facility and our loan proceeds were reduced by $2.9 million for an original issue discount and $1.6 million for bank and legal fees associated with the new term loan.  Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 we borrowed $20.0 million on the revolver portion of our Senior Credit Facility.

In June 2008 the Galaxy XR satellite was taken out of service resulting in the removal of the remaining $8.8 million net book value and the recognition of an $8.8 million warranty receivable.  We applied $4.8 million of the warranty receivable to offset our interest expense obligation of our capital lease and to reduce the principle amount of the capital lease with the same party during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, resulting in an outstanding warranty receivable of $4.0 million as of September 30, 2008.

 
We had $4.0 million and $15.1 million in non-cash additions to property and equipment due to unpaid purchases as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
We retired Class A common stock in the amount of $1.2 million and $5.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The Class A common stock retired in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was acquired to settle the minimum statutory tax-withholding requirements pursuant to restricted stock awards vesting and the settlement of deferred compensation.

(3)
Intangible Assets
Goodwill increased $1.7 million at September 30, 2009 as compared to December 31, 2008, primarily to record an adjustment for deferred revenue to the UUI and Unicom purchase price allocations.

Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets was as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Amortization expense
$
1,939
   
1,749
 
5,709
   
3,829
 

Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is estimated to be (amounts in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,
     
2009
  $ 7,666  
2010
    5,845  
2011
    3,777  
2012
    2,829  
2013
    1,553  
 
 
(Continuned)
 
17

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 (Unaudited)

 
 
For the period from January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009, the U.S. economy has been experiencing the effects of a recession.  Should economic conditions in the State of Alaska and other indicators deteriorate such that they impact our ability to achieve levels of forecasted operating results and cash flows, should our stock price and market capitalization decline below our book value for a sustained period of time, or should other events occur indicating the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets might be impaired, we would test our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment at that time and may recognize an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds such asset's fair value.  Any future impairment charges could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

(4)
Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
On June 30, 2009, we adopted ASC Topic 825 Subtopic 10 Section 65 paragraph 65-1, “Financial Instruments,” which describes the transition related to interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments.  Under this guidance, entities are required to disclose the fair value of all financial instruments within the scope of Topic 825 in all interim financial statements. Paragraph 65-1 also requires disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of those financial instruments.  The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. At September 30, 2009 and 2008 the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, net receivables, current portion of notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued payroll and payroll related obligations, accrued interest, accrued liabilities, and subscriber deposits approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
2009
 
2008
 
   
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Current and long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
837,924
   
790,408
 
814,199
   
730,689
 
Other liabilities
 
65,709
   
65,466
 
51,132
   
50,936
 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair values:

 
Current and long-term debt and capital lease obligations:  The fair value of our Senior Notes is estimated based on the quoted market price for the same issue. The fair value of our Senior Credit Facility is estimated to approximate the carrying value because these instruments are subject to variable interest rates. The fair value of the CoBank Mortgage Note Payable is valued at the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing on our Senior Credit Facility.  The fair value of the Rural Utilities Services Debt is valued at the discounted amount of future cash flows using a treasury rate that corresponds to the remaining term of the loan.  The fair value of our capital leases and capital lease due to related party are estimated based upon the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing on our Senior Credit Facility.

 
Other Liabilities:  Deferred compensation liabilities have no defined maturity dates, therefore the fair value is the amount payable on demand as of the balance sheet date. Asset retirement obligations are recorded at their fair value and, over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period. Lease escalation liabilities are valued at the discounted amount of future cash flows using the Senior Credit Facility interest rate at September 30, 2009. Our non-employee share-based compensation awards are reported at their fair value at each reporting period.
 
 
(Continuned)
 
18

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures under ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations. Level 1 inputs, the highest priority, are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs reflect other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either observable directly or through corroboration with observable market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, due to little or no market activity for the asset or liability, such as internally-developed valuation models.  We have applied the provisions of Topic 820 to our trading securities, the assets of our deferred compensation plan (primarily money market funds and mutual funds) and interest rate caps.

 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2009 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

           
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
 
Description
   
Balance as of September 30, 2009
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
Trading securities:
                         
Money market funds
   $ 7     7     ---     ---  
U.S. treasury notes
    423     423     ---     ---  
U.S. government securities
    475     475     ---     ---  
Deferred compensation plan assets (money market funds)
    1,451     1,451     ---     ---  
Derivative financial instruments
    1     ---     1     ---  
Total assets at fair value
   $ 2,357     2,356     1     ---  

The valuation of our marketable securities, money market funds, and mutual funds are determined using quoted market prices in active markets utilizing market observable inputs. Derivative financial instruments are valued using mid-market quotations in active markets that are based on actual bid/ask quotations shown on reliable electronic information screens as of September 30, 2009.

(5)     Share-Based Compensation
Our 1986 Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan"), as amended, provides for the grant of options and restricted stock awards (collectively "awards") for a maximum of 15.7 million shares of GCI Class A common stock, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations or certain other changes in corporate structure or capitalization. If an award expires or terminates, the shares subject to the award will be available for further grants of awards under the Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee of GCI’s Board of Directors administers the Stock Option Plan. Substantially all restricted stock awards granted vest over periods of up to three years. Substantially all options vest in equal installments over a period of five years and expire ten years from the date of
 
(Continuned)
 
19

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
grant. Options granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan are only exercisable if at the time of exercise the option holder is our employee, non-employee director, or a consultant or advisor working on our behalf. New shares are issued when stock option agreements are exercised and restricted stock awards are made.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the quoted price of our common stock.  We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options issued. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility. We have reviewed our historical pattern of option exercises and have determined that meaningful differences in option exercise activity existed among employee job categories. Therefore, for all stock options, we have categorized these awards into two groups for valuation purposes.

On August 6, 2009, we filed a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the “Exchange Offer”) with the SEC.  The Exchange Offer was an offer by us to eligible officers, employees and stakeholders, other than officers of GCI who also serve on our Board of Directors (“Participants”) to exchange, on a grant-by-grant basis, their outstanding eligible stock options that were granted under our Stock Option Plan, whether vested or unvested, for shares of restricted stock of GCI Class A common stock that we granted under the Stock Option Plan (“Restricted Stock”). Generally, eligible options included all options issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan between January 1, 1999, and February 15, 2009, excluding any options that vest based on EBITDA performance (“Eligible Options”).  We accepted for cancellation, Eligible Options to purchase 5,241,700 shares of GCI Class A common stock from 166 Participants, representing approximately 86% of the options eligible for exchange in the offer with a fair value of $6.2 million as of the date of the exchange.  We issued 1,908,890 shares of Restricted Stock to Participants, with a fair value of $7.1 million as of the date of the exchange, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.

In accordance with the terms of the Restricted Stock agreement, one-half of the Restricted Stock received in exchange for eligible options will vest on December 20, 2011 with the remainder vesting on February 28, 2012. The number of shares of Restricted Stock that were offered in exchange for each eligible option was equal to the lesser of (i) a number of shares of Restricted Stock having a fair value equal to 100% of the fair value of the eligible options exchanged for shares of Restricted Stock, or (ii) a number of shares of Restricted Stock equal to 40% of the number of shares issuable pursuant to the eligible options surrendered.

The exchange of stock options for Restricted Stock was treated as a modification of the stock options.  The remaining unamortized stock compensation expense related to the original options will continue to be amortized over the vesting period of the Restricted Stock.  The compensation expense for the incremental difference between the fair value of the Restricted Stock and the fair value of the original options on the date of modification, reflecting the current facts and circumstances on the modification date, will be amortized over the vesting period of the Restricted Stock.  We estimate the incremental stock-based compensation expense related to the modification, net of estimated forfeitures, will be approximately $940,000, of which $122,000 is expected to be expensed in the year ending December 31, 2009.

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $3.49 per share and $3.08 per share, respectively. The total fair value of options vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $103,000 and $2.6 million, respectively.

We have recorded share-based compensation expense of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, which consists of $4.5 million for employee share-based compensation expense, a $2.1 million decrease to shared-based compensation expense associated with performance based stock options and restricted stock awards that are no longer expected to vest, and a $502,000 decrease in the fair value of liability-classified awards.  We recorded share-based compensation expense of $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which consists of $5.4 million for employee share-based
 
(Continuned)
 
20

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
compensation expense and a $101,000 increase in the fair value of liability-classified awards. Share-based compensation expense is classified as selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated income statements.  Unrecognized share-based compensation expense was $8.6 million relating to 2.2 million restricted stock awards and $898,000 relating to 582,000 unvested stock options as of September 30, 2009.  We expect to recognize share-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of 1.9 years for stock options and 2.2 years for restricted stock awards.

The following is a summary of our Stock Option Plan activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

   
Shares
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding options and restricted stock awards at December 31, 2008
    7,205     $ 9.08  
                 
Options granted
    153     $ 6.65  
Restricted stock awards granted
    1,941     $ 4.44  
Options exercised
    (69 )   $ 5.76  
Restricted stock awards vested
    (128 )   $ 11.23  
Options forfeited and retired
    (5,257 )   $ 9.35  
Outstanding options and restricted stock awards at September 30, 2009
    3,845     $ 6.29  
                 
Available for grant at September 30, 2009
    4,113          

In January 2001 we entered into an aircraft operating lease agreement with a company owned by our President and CEO.  The lease was amended effective January 1, 2002 and February 25, 2005.  Upon signing the lease, the lessor was granted an option to purchase 250,000 shares of GCI Class A common stock at $6.50 per share that was not issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan.  150,000 shares remain available for purchase with a weighted average exercise price of $6.50 per share and expire on March 31, 2010.  We paid $675,000 in connection with this agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The total intrinsic values, determined as of the date of exercise, of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $96,000 and $155,000, respectively. We received $399,000 and $327,000 in cash from stock option exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(6)
Industry Segments Data
Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are each managed separately.

A description of our five reportable segments follows:

Consumer - We offer a full range of voice, video, data and wireless services to residential customers.

Network Access - We offer a full range of voice, data and wireless services to common carrier customers.

Commercial - We offer a full range of voice, video, data and wireless services to business and governmental customers.

(Continuned)
 
21

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Managed Broadband - We offer data services to rural school districts and rural hospitals and health clinics through our SchoolAccess® and ConnectMD® initiatives and managed video conferencing.

Regulated Operations - We offer voice, data and wireless services to residential, business, governmental, and common carrier customers in areas of rural Alaska.

Corporate related expenses including engineering, information technology, accounting, legal and regulatory, human resources, and other general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are allocated to our segments using segment margin for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Bad debt expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is allocated to our segments using a combination of specific identification and allocations based upon segment revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on earnings before depreciation and amortization expense, net interest expense, income tax expense, share-based compensation expense, and non-cash contribution adjustment (“adjusted EBITDA”). The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II of our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K. Intersegment sales are recorded at cost plus an agreed upon intercompany profit.

We earn all revenues through sales of services and products within the United States. All of our long-lived assets are located within the United States of America, except approximately 82% of our undersea fiber optic cable systems which transit international waters and all of our satellite transponders.

Summarized financial information for our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 follows (amounts in thousands):

Three months ended September 30,
 
Consumer
   
Network Access
   
Commercial
   
Managed
Broadband
   
Regulated Operations
   
Total Reportable Segments
 
2009
                                   
Revenues:
                                   
Intersegment
  $ ---       76       1,371       ---       50       1,497  
External
    75,021       30,263       27,780       11,715       6,037       150,816  
Total revenues
  $ 75,021       30,339       29,151       11,715       6,087       152,313  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 23,234       14,084       6,154       5,501       1,299       50,272  
                                                 
2008
                                               
Revenues:
                                               
Intersegment
  $ 33       336       1,428       ---       ---       1,797  
External
    66,485       38,778       30,166       10,293       5,938       151,660  
Total revenues
  $ 66,518       39,114       31,594       10,293       5,938       153,457  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 18,275       17,869       6,045       4,255       1,320       47,764  
 
 
(Continuned)
 
22

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
Consumer
   
Network Access
   
Commercial
   
Managed
 Broadband
   
Regulated Operations
   
Total Reportable Segments
 
2009
                                   
Revenues:
                                   
Intersegment
  $ ---       459       4,309       ---       154       4,922  
External
    219,139       94,582       82,683       33,323       18,574       448,301  
Total revenues
  $ 219,139       95,041       86,992       33,323       18,728       453,223  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 64,304       46,674       17,047       14,777       5,154       147,956  
                                                 
2008
                                               
Revenues:
                                               
Intersegment
  $ 50       804       4,346       ---       116       5,316  
External
    189,981       119,843       84,201       26,953       7,817       428,795  
Total revenues
  $ 190,031       120,647       88,547       26,953       7,933       434,111  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 43,952       59,682       16,066       9,870       1,679       131,249  

A reconciliation of reportable segment revenues to consolidated revenues follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Reportable segment revenues
  $ 152,313       153,457       453,223       434,111  
Less intersegment revenues eliminated in consolidation
    1,497       1,797       4,922       5,316  
Consolidated revenues
  $ 150,816       151,660       448,301       428,795  

 
A reconciliation of reportable segment earnings from adjusted EBITDA to consolidated income before income tax expense follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Reportable segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 50,272       47,764       147,956       131,249  
Less depreciation and amortization expense
    30,874       28,869       92,778       83,820  
Less (plus) share-based compensation expense
    (1,332 )     2,694       1,897       5,547  
Less non-cash contribution adjustment
    ---       640       480       640  
(Less net income) plus net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
    ---       (419 )     ---       1,503  
Consolidated operating income
    20,730       15,980       52,801       39,739  
Less other expense, net
    13,127       13,748       39,028       33,951  
Consolidated income before income tax expense
  $ 7,603       2,232       13,773       5,788  
 
 
(7)
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. In the opinion of management, the
 
(Continuned)
 
23

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
nature and disposition of these matters are considered routine and arising in the ordinary course of business.

In the third quarter of 2008, Alaska DigiTel, LLC (“Alaska DigiTel”) received a request for documents pursuant to a notification of investigation from the FCC’s Office of the Inspector General in connection with its review of Alaska DigiTel’s compliance with program rules and requirements under certain USF programs. The request covers the period beginning January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2008, and relates to amounts received by Alaska DigiTel and its affiliates during that period.  Alaska DigiTel was an Alaska based wireless communications company of which we acquired an 81.9% equity interest on January 2, 2007 and the remaining 18.1% equity interest on August 18, 2008 and was subsequently dissolved in April 2009.  Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007.  We have been and intend to continue fully complying with this request on behalf of Alaska DigiTel and the GCI companies as affiliates.  This request has not had a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows but given the preliminary nature of this request we are unable to assess the ultimate resolution of this matter.

Alaska Communications Systems (“ACS”) Access Service Pricing
On May 22, 2006, the ACS subsidiary serving Anchorage filed a petition with the FCC, seeking forbearance from regulation of interstate broadband and access services. On August 20, 2007, the FCC granted in part and denied in part the requested relief, requiring that ACS comply with certain safeguards to ensure the relief granted would not result in harm to consumers or competition.  On October 22, 2008, ACS filed a petition to convert to price cap regulation the access services it provides in each of its operating areas.  The petition was granted on April 17, 2009, rescinding the forbearance relief previously granted.  The new ACS rates have reduced the cost of switched access services provided to us by ACS.

Universal Service
The USF pays subsidies to ETCs to support the provision of local service in high-cost areas. Under FCC regulations, we have qualified as a competitive ETC in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Matanuska Telephone Association (“MTA”), Mukluk, Ketchikan, Fort Wainwright/Eielson, Interior Telephone Company, Glacier State, Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative, Copper Valley, Kotzebue, Adak, UUI, United KUC, and Cordova study areas.  In addition, we have been granted conditional ETC status for the Nushagak study area, contingent on execution of an interconnection agreement with the ILEC.  Without ETC status, we would not qualify for USF subsidies in these areas or other rural areas where we propose to offer wireline and wireless local services, and our revenue for providing local services in these areas would be materially adversely affected.

On May 1, 2008, the FCC issued an order adopting the recommendation of the Joint Board to impose a state-by-state interim cap on high cost funds to be distributed to competitive ETCs.  As part of the revised policy, the FCC adopted a limited exception from the cap for competitive ETCs serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions.  While the operation of the cap will generally reduce the high cost fund amounts available to competitive ETCs as new competitive ETCs are designated and as existing competitive ETCs acquire new customers, providers like us who serve tribal lands or Alaska Native regions were provided some relief.  On March 5, 2009, the FCC issued an additional order waiving a previously adopted limitation to the exception, the result of which is to provide uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions during the time the interim cap is in effect.  The uncapped support for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions and the cap for all other regions will be in place until the FCC takes action on proposals for long term reform.  On April 8, 2009, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry to review aspects of its high cost support program.  Comments were filed on May 8, 2009, and replies were filed on June 8, 2009.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its affect on high cost support available to us.

(Continuned)
 
24

 
GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Dobson Resale Agreement
AT&T Mobility, LLC (“AT&T Mobility”) acquired Dobson Communications Corporation (“Dobson”), including its Alaska properties, on November 15, 2007. In December 2007 we signed an agreement with AT&T Mobility that provided for an orderly transition of our wireless customers from the Dobson/AT&T network in Alaska to our wireless facilities that we began building in 2008 and are expected to be substantially completed in 2010 or 2011.  The agreement required our customers to be on our wireless network by June 30, 2009, but allowed our customers to use the AT&T Mobility network for roaming during the transition period.  We successfully migrated all but 200 customers from the AT&T Mobility network to our network by the required transition date of June 30, 2009.  The four-year transition period, which expires June 30, 2012, provides us adequate time to replace the Dobson/AT&T network in Alaska with our own wireless facilities. Under the agreement, AT&T Mobility’s obligation to purchase network services from us terminated as of July 1, 2008. AT&T Mobility provided us with a large block of wireless network usage at no charge to facilitate the transition of our customers to our facilities.  We will pay for usage in excess of that base transitional amount.  Under the previous agreement with Dobson, our margin was fixed.  Under the new agreement with AT&T Mobility, we will pay for usage in excess of the block of no charge minutes on a per minute basis.  The block of wireless network usage at no charge is expected to substantially reduce our wireless product Cost of Goods Sold during the approximate four year period beginning June 4, 2008 and ending June 30, 2012.

Alaska Wireless Contingent Payment
On July 1, 2008 we completed the acquisition of all of the ownership interests in Alaska Wireless.  We made an initial payment on the acquisition date and we expect to make an additional payment of approximately $6.2 million in 2010 that is contingent on the achievement of certain financial conditions.

(8)
Subsequent Event
We have performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 6, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were issued.

On November 3, 2009, we closed on the issuance of $425.0 million of new 8 ⅝% Senior Notes due in 2019 at a price of 99.17% of the face value to be issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary, GCI, Inc.  The net proceeds of the offering will be used to retire our existing senior secured credit facility indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.


 
25

 


 
PART I.
ITEM 2.
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In the following discussion, General Communication, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us” and “our.”
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to the allowance for doubtful receivables, unbilled revenues, accrual of the USF high-cost area program subsidy, share-based compensation, reserve for future customer credits, 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, the accrual of cost of goods sold exclusive of depreciation and amortization ("Cost of Goods Sold"), depreciation, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. See also our “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

General Overview

Through our focus on long-term results, acquisitions, and strategic capital investments, we strive to consistently grow our revenues and expand our margins. We have historically met our cash needs for operations and regular and maintenance capital expenditures through our cash flows from operating activities. Historically, cash requirements for significant acquisitions and major capital expenditures have been provided largely through our financing activities.  The ongoing weakness in the national economy continues to negatively impact consumer confidence and spending. If these trends continue, they could lead to reductions in our customers’ spending which could impact our revenue growth.  We believe the Alaska economy continues to perform well compared to most other states at the current time. Mortgage foreclosure rates in Alaska are among the lowest in the nation and the commercial real estate market is steady. The majority of our revenue is driven by the strength of the Alaska economy which appears to be relatively well positioned to weather recessionary pressures. The State of Alaska has large cash reserves that should enable it to maintain its budget for at least the next two fiscal years. This is important for Alaska’s economy as the State is the largest employer and second largest source of gross state product. We cannot predict the impact the economic crisis may have on us.

Our five reportable segments are Consumer, Network Access, Commercial, Managed Broadband and Regulated Operations.  Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products, are each managed separately, and serve distinct types of customers.  The Network Access segment provides services to other common carrier customers and the Managed Broadband segment provides services to rural school districts, hospitals and health clinics.  Effective June 1, 2008, we purchased 100% of the outstanding stock of United Utilities, Inc. ("UUI") and Unicom, Inc. ("Unicom").  The financial results of the long-distance, local access, wireless and Internet services sold to consumer and commercial customers of certain of these acquired companies are reported in the Regulated Operations segment.  The financial results of the long-distance services sold to other common carrier customers and the managed broadband services components of certain of these acquired companies are included in the Network Access and Managed Broadband Services segments, respectively.  Effective July 1, 2008, we closed on our purchase of 100% of the ownership interests of Alaska Wireless whose results are included in the Consumer segment.
 
 
26

 
 
Following are our segments and the services and products each offers to its customers:

 
Reportable Segments
Services and Products
Consumer
Network Access
Commercial
Managed Broadband
Regulated Operations
Voice:
         
Long-distance
X
X
X
 
X
Local Access
X
X
X
 
X
Directories
   
X
   
           
Video
X
 
X
   
           
Data:
         
Internet
X
X
X
X
X
Data Networks
 
X
X
X
 
Managed Services
   
X
X
 
Managed Broadband Services
     
X
 
           
Wireless
X
X
X
 
X

An overview of our services and products follows.

Voice Services and Products
Long-distance
We generate long-distance services revenues from monthly plan fees and usage charges.

Factors that have the greatest impact on year-to-year changes in long-distance services revenues include the rate per minute charged to customers and usage volumes expressed as minutes of use.

Common carrier traffic routed to us for termination in Alaska is largely dependent on traffic routed to our common carrier customers by their customers. Pricing pressures, new program offerings, and market and business consolidations continue to evolve in the markets served by our other common carrier customers. If, as a result, their traffic is reduced, our traffic will also likely be reduced or, if their competitors’ costs to terminate or originate traffic in Alaska are reduced, our pricing may be reduced to respond to competitive pressures, consistent with federal law. Additionally, disruption in the economy resulting from terrorist attacks and other attacks or acts of war could affect our carrier customers. We are unable to predict the effect on us of such changes. However, given the materiality of other common carrier revenues to us, a significant reduction in traffic or pricing could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

AT&T Mobility, LLC (“AT&T Mobility”) acquired Dobson Communications Corporation (“Dobson”), including its Alaska properties, on November 15, 2007. In December 2007 we signed an agreement with AT&T Mobility that provided for an orderly transition of our wireless customers from the Dobson/AT&T network in Alaska to our wireless facilities that we began building in 2008 and are expected to be substantially completed in 2010 or 2011.  The agreement required our customers to be on our wireless network by June 30, 2009, but allowed our customers to use the AT&T Mobility network for roaming during the transition period.  We started transitioning our customers to our wireless facilities in November 2008.  We successfully migrated all but 200 customers from the AT&T Mobility network to our network by the required transition date of June 30, 2009.  The four-year transition period, which expires June 30, 2012, provides us adequate time to replace the Dobson/AT&T network in Alaska with our own wireless facilities. Under the agreement, AT&T Mobility’s obligation to purchase network services from us terminated as of July 1, 2008. AT&T Mobility provided us with a large block of wireless network usage at no charge to facilitate the transition of our customers to our facilities.  We will pay for usage in excess of that base transitional amount.  Under the previous agreement with Dobson, our margin was fixed.  Under the new agreement with AT&T Mobility, we will pay for usage in excess of the block of no charge minutes on a per minute basis.  The block of wireless network usage at no charge is expected to substantially reduce our wireless product Cost of Goods Sold during the approximate four year period beginning June 4, 2008 and ending June 30, 2012.

 
27

 
 
Due in large part to the favorable synergistic effects of our bundling strategy focused on consumer and commercial customers, long-distance services continue to be a significant contributor to our overall performance, although the migration of traffic from our voice products to our data and wireless products continues.

Our long-distance service faces significant competition from AT&T Alascom ("Alascom"), ACS, Matanuska Telephone Association ("MTA"), long-distance resellers, and certain smaller rural local telephone companies that have entered the long-distance market. We believe our approach to developing, pricing, and providing long-distance services and bundling different services will continue to allow us to be competitive in providing those services.

Local Access
We generate local access services revenues from five primary sources: (1) basic dial tone services; (2) data network and special access services; (3) Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") support; (4) origination and termination of long-distance calls for other common carriers; and (5) features and other charges, including voice mail, caller ID, distinctive ring, inside wiring and subscriber line charges.

The primary factors that contribute to year-to-year changes in local access services revenues include the average number of subscribers to our services during a given reporting period, the average monthly rates charged for non-traffic sensitive services, the number and type of additional premium features selected, the traffic sensitive access rates charged to carriers and support received from the USAC.

We estimate that our September 30, 2009 and 2008 total lines in service represent a statewide market share of 34% and 33%, respectively. At September 30, 2009 and 2008, 73% and 69%, respectively, of our lines are provided on our own facilities.

Our local access service faces significant competition in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and the Kenai Soldotna area from ACS, which is the largest incumbent local exchange carrier ("ILEC") in Alaska. In the Matanuska-Susitna Valley our local access service faces competition from MTA, the ILEC in this area.  We compete against other smaller ILECs in certain smaller communities.  We believe our approach to developing, pricing, and providing local access services and bundling different services will continue to allow us to be competitive in providing those services.

UUI and its subsidiary, United-KUC, Inc. ("United-KUC"), which we acquired effective June 1, 2008, are ILECs and therefore are subject to regulation by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”).  UUI and United-KUC do not face significant competition although we expect technological changes and wireless substitution will affect their results.

We plan to continue to deploy digital local phone service ("DLPS") lines which utilize our coaxial cable facilities. This service delivery method allows us to utilize our own cable facilities to provide local access service to our customers and avoid paying local loop charges to the ILEC.

On May 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") issued an order adopting the recommendation of the Joint Board to impose a state-by-state interim cap on high cost funds to be distributed to competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers ("ETC").  As part of the revised policy, the FCC adopted a limited exception from the cap for competitive ETCs serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions.  While the operation of the cap will generally reduce the high cost fund amounts available to competitive ETCs as new competitive ETCs are designated and as existing competitive ETCs acquire new customers, providers like us who serve tribal lands or Alaska Native regions were provided some relief.  On March 5, 2009, the FCC issued an additional order waiving a previously adopted limitation to the exception, the result of which is to provide uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions during the time the interim cap is in effect.  The uncapped support for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions and the cap for all other regions will be in place until the FCC takes action on proposals for long term reform.

The Joint Board has recommended for FCC consideration long-term options for reforming Universal Service Fund ("USF") support, including establishing separate funds for mobility and broadband support.  Separately, the FCC has issued two reform proposals for changing the basis for support amounts.  On April 8, 2009, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry to review aspects of its high cost support
 
 
28

 
 
program.  Comments were filed on May 8, 2009, and replies were filed on June 8, 2009.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of the FCC proceedings to consider USF reform proposals or their respective impacts on us.  Both these and any future regulatory, legislative, or judicial actions could affect the operation of the USF and result in a change in our revenue for providing local access services in new and existing markets and facilities-based wireless services in new markets.

Directories
We sell advertising in our yellow pages directories to commercial customers, distribute white and yellow pages directories to customers in certain markets we serve, and offer an on-line directory.

Video Services and Products
We generate cable services revenues from three primary sources: (1) digital programming services, including monthly basic and premium subscriptions, pay-per-view movies, video on demand and one-time events, such as sporting events; (2) equipment rentals; and (3) advertising sales.

Our cable systems serve 40 communities and areas in Alaska, including the state’s five largest population centers, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juneau.  We transmit an entirely digital signal for all cable television channels in all markets we serve.

The primary factors that contribute to period-to-period changes in cable services revenues include average monthly subscription rates and pay-per-view and video on demand buys, the mix among basic, premium and digital tier services, the average number of cable television subscribers during a given reporting period, set-top box utilization and related rates, revenues generated from new product offerings, and sales of cable advertising services.

Our cable service offerings are bundled with various combinations of our long-distance, local access, wireless, and Internet services. Value-added premium services are available for additional charges.

Our cable television systems face competition primarily from alternative methods of receiving and distributing television signals, including DBS and digital video over telephone lines, and other sources of news, information and entertainment, including Internet services.

Data Services and Products
Internet
We generate Internet services revenues from four primary sources: (1) access product services, including cable modem, dial-up, and dedicated access; (2) network management services; (3) wholesale access for other common carriers; and (4) usage charges.

The primary factors that contribute to year-to-year changes in Internet services revenues include the average number of subscribers to our services during a given reporting period, the average monthly subscription rates, the amount of bandwidth purchased by large commercial customers, and the number and type of additional premium features selected.

Marketing campaigns continue to be deployed featuring bundled products. Our Internet offerings are bundled with various combinations of our long-distance, cable, local access, and wireless services and provide free or discounted basic or premium Internet services. Value-added premium Internet features are available for additional charges.

We compete with a number of Internet service providers in our markets. We believe our approach to developing, pricing, and providing Internet services allows us to be competitive in providing those services.

Data Networks
We generate data network services revenue from two primary sources: (1) leasing capacity on our facilities that utilize voice and data transmission circuits dedicated to particular subscribers, which link a device in one location to another in a different location and (2) through the sale of Internet Protocol ("IP") based data services on a secured shared network to businesses linking multiple enterprise locations. The factor that has the greatest impact on year-to-year changes in data network services revenues is the number of data networks in use. We compete against Alascom, ACS and other local telecommunication service providers.

 
29

 
 
Managed Services
We design, sell, install, service and operate, on behalf of certain customers, communications and computer networking equipment and provide field/depot, third party, technical support, communications consulting and outsourcing services. We also supply integrated voice and data communications systems incorporating interstate and intrastate digital data networks, point-to-point and multipoint private network and small earth station services. There are a number of competing companies in Alaska that actively sell and maintain data and voice communications systems.

Our ability to integrate communications networks and data communications equipment has allowed us to maintain our market position based on “value added” support services rather than price competition. These services are blended with other transport products into unique customer solutions, including managed services and outsourcing.

Managed Broadband Services
We generate managed broadband services revenue through our SchoolAccess®, ConnectMD® and managed video conferencing products. Our customers may purchase end-to-end broadband services solutions blended with other transport and software products. There are several competing companies in Alaska that actively sell broadband services. Our ability to provide end-to-end broadband services solutions has allowed us to maintain our market position based on “value added” products and services rather than solely based on price competition.

SchoolAccess® is a suite of services designed to advance the educational opportunities of students in underserved regions of the country. Our SchoolAccess® division provides Internet and distance learning services designed exclusively for the school environment. The Schools and Libraries Program of the USF makes discounts available to eligible rural school districts for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. The program is intended to ensure that rural school districts have access to affordable services.

Our network, Internet and software application services provided through our Managed Broadband segment’s Medical Services Division are branded as ConnectMD®. Our ConnectMD® services are currently provided under contract to medical businesses in Alaska, Washington and Montana. The Rural Health Care Program of the USF makes discounts available to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. The program is intended to ensure that rural health care providers pay no more for telecommunications in the provision of health care services than their urban counterparts. Customers utilize ConnectMD® services to securely move data, images, or voice traffic, to include real time multipoint interactive video.

We offer a managed video conferencing product for use in distance learning, telemedicine and group communication and collaboration environments. The product is designed to offer customers enhanced communication services that support video, audio and data presentation. Our product benefits customers by reducing travel costs, improving course equity in education and increasing the quality of health services available to patients. The product bundles our data products, video conferencing services and optional rental of video conferencing endpoint equipment. Our video conferencing services include multipoint conferencing, Integrated Services Digital Network gateway and transcoding services, online scheduling and conference control, and videoconference recording, archiving and streaming. We provide 24-hour technical support via telephone or online.

Wireless Services and Products
We generate wireless services and equipment revenues from five primary sources: (1) monthly plan fees; (2) usage and roaming charges; (3) USAC support; (4) wireless Internet access; and (5) handset and accessory sales.

We offer wireless services by selling services over our own facilities and, primarily in 2008, we resold AT&T Mobility's services under the GCI brand name and by selling services over our own facilities under the Alaska DigiTel and Alaska Wireless brand names. We compete against AT&T Mobility, ACS, MTA, and resellers of those services in Anchorage and other markets.  The GCI and Alaska DigiTel brands compete against each other.

 
30

 
 
In December 2007 we signed an agreement with AT&T Mobility that provided for an orderly transition of our wireless customers from the AT&T Mobility network in Alaska to our wireless facilities. The agreement required our customers to be on our wireless network by June 30, 2009, but allowed our customers to use the AT&T Mobility network for roaming during the transition period.  We started transitioning our customers to our wireless facilities in November 2008.  We successfully migrated all but 200 customers from the AT&T Mobility network to our network by the required transition date of June 30, 2009.  The four-year transition period, which expires June 30, 2012, provides us adequate time to replace the AT&T Mobility network in Alaska with our own wireless facilities.

For a discussion of the FCC's action on proposals for long term reform of USF support, please see Part I – Item 2 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Voice Services and Products – Local Access.

Results of Operations

 
The following table sets forth selected Statements of Operations data as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (underlying data rounded to the nearest thousands):

   
Percent­age
   
Percent­age
 
Three Months Ended
Change 1
Nine Months Ended
Change 1
 
September 30,
2009
September 30,
2009
 
2009
2008
vs. 2008
2009
2008
vs. 2008
(Unaudited)
           
Statements of Operations Data:
           
Revenues:
           
Consumer segment
50%
44%
13%
49%
44%
15%
Network Access segment
20%
25%
(22%)
21%
28%
(21%)
Commercial segment
18%
20%
(8%)
19%
20%
(2%)
Managed Broadband segment
8%
7%
14%
7%
6%
24%
Regulated Operations segment
4%
4%
2%
4%
2%
138%
Total revenues
100%
100%
(1%)
100%
100%
5%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
33%
37%
(13%)
35%
35%
4%
Depreciation and amortization expense
20%
19%
7%
21%
20%
11%
Operating income
14%
11%
30%
12%
9%
33%
Other expense, net
9%
9%
(5%)
9%
8%
15%
Income before income tax expense
5%
2%
241%
3%
1%
138%
Net income
3%
1%
534%
2%
0%
604%
Net income attributable to GCI
3%
0%
1,536%
2%
1%
186%
                                                                 
1  Percentage change in underlying data. 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 (“third quarter of 2009”) Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 (“third quarter of 2008”)

Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
Total revenues decreased 1% from $151.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $150.8 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Revenue decreases in our Network Access and Commercial segments were partially off-set by increases in our Consumer, Managed Broadband and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

Total Cost of Goods Sold decreased $200,000 from $50.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $50.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. Cost of Goods Sold decreases in our Commercial and Network Access segments were partially off-set by increases in our Consumer, Managed Broadband and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.
 
 
 
31

 
 
Consumer Segment Overview
 
Consumer segment revenue represented 50% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated revenues. The components of Consumer segment revenue are as follow (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 12,487       11,582       8 %
Video
    27,612       26,241       5 %
Data
    12,726       10,745       18 %
Wireless
    22,196       17,917       24 %
Total Consumer segment revenue
  $ 75,021       66,485       13 %

Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 49% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 4,000       4,357       (8 %)
Video
    11,921       10,094       18 %
Data
    1,127       1,598       (29 %)
Wireless
    7,638       4,525       69 %
Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 24,686       20,574       20 %

Consumer segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 46% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Consumer segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 23,234       18,275       27 %

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:

   
September 30,
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice:
                 
Long-distance subscribers1
    89,900       89,300       1 %
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    28.0       31.2       (10 %)
Total local access lines in service2
    82,700       79,200       4 %
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities2
    72,700       64,300       13 %
                         
Video:
                       
Basic subscribers3
    129,600       131,200       (1 %)
Digital programming tier subscribers4
    77,600       70,100       11 %
HD/DVR converter boxes5
    77,000       62,900       22 %
Homes passed
    231,400       227,400       2 %
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber6
  $ 70.95     $ 67.00       6 %
                         
Data:
                       
Cable modem subscribers7
    97,900       92,100       6 %
                         
Wireless:
                       
Wireless lines in service8
    109,900       81,200       35 %
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber9
  $ 58.05     $ 55.21       5 %
 
 
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A long-distance customer is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
A basic cable subscriber is defined as one basic tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets purchased. On January 1, 2009, our Consumer segment transferred 2,900 basic cable subscribers to our Commercial segment.
A digital programming tier subscriber is defined as one digital programming tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets or digital programming tiers purchased. Digital programming tier subscribers are a subset of basic subscribers.
A high definition/digital video recorder (“HD/DVR”) converter box is defined as one box rented by a digital programming or basic tier subscriber. A digital programming or basic tier subscriber is not required to rent an HD/DVR converter box to receive service.
Quarter-to-date average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer video basic subscribers at the beginning and end of the period.
A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Cable modem subscribers may also be video basic subscribers though basic cable service is not required to receive cable modem service. On January 1, 2009, our Consumer segment transferred 1,400 cable modem subscribers to our Commercial segment.
A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
Quarter-to-date average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of the period.
 
   
Consumer Segment Revenues
The increase in voice revenue is primarily due to an increase in monthly recurring local service fee revenue and a $734,000 or 84% increase in recognized support from the USAC.  The increase in the monthly recurring local service fee revenue is due to increased subscribers.  The increase in USAC support is primarily due to increased local subscribers including increases in locations that qualify for higher support rates.  Additionally, in the third quarter of 2008 we recorded a decrease in recognized support from the USAC primarily due to a change in our revenue accrual estimation to more precisely consider changes in FCC reimbursement and to consider uncertainties we believed may impact the amount of reimbursement we received. In March 2009 an FCC order was issued, the result of which provided uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions and allowed us to discontinue recording a reserve against our USAC support revenue and, therefore, no such decrease was recognized in the third quarter of 2009.  The increase was partially offset by decreased long-distance billable minutes carried.

The increase in video revenue is primarily due to the following:

 
·
A 4% increase in programming services revenue to $21.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily resulting from an increase in digital programming tier subscribers in the third quarter of 2009 and a rate increase on certain cable service offerings beginning in August 2009, and
 
·
A 11% increase in equipment rental revenue to $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily resulting from our customers’ increased use of our HD/DVR converter boxes.

The increase in data revenue is primarily due to a 19% increase in cable modem revenue to $11.0 million due to increased subscribers and their selection of more value-added features.

The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers and recognition of $1.2 million upon a change in our estimate of support to be received from the USAC for interstate common line support of which $593,000 and $77,000 were related to the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  We accrue estimated program revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate.  The increase was partially off-set by receipt of $2.8 million in July 2008 from the USAC for retroactive interstate common line support at Alaska DigiTel for which revenue was recognized in the third quarter of 2008.

 
33

 
 
Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to cost savings resulting from the increased deployment of local access services DLPS lines on our own facilities during the last three months of 2008 and the first nine months of 2009 and decreased voice minutes carried.

The video Cost of Goods Sold increase is primarily due to increased channels offered to our subscribers, increased rates paid to programmers, increased costs associated with delivery of digital services offered over our HD/DVR converter boxes due to the increased number of boxes in service, an increase in digital programming tier subscribers, and the recognition of a $594,000 liability to settle a billing issue with a cable programmer.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to the transition of traffic to our own facilities from leased facilities and the addition of more peering partners for Internet traffic.

The increase in wireless Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased costs for wireless handset equipment sales associated with the increased number of wireless subscribers and the inclusion of premium wireless handsets which have higher costs in certain promotions offered in the third quarter of 2009.

Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The increase in adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to increased margin resulting from increased revenue as described above in "Consumer Segment Revenues" and a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Consumer segment primarily due to a decrease in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008.  The increase in adjusted EBITDA is partially off-set by increased Cost of Goods Sold as further described above in “Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the 2008 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based.

Network Access Segment Overview
Network access segment revenue represented 20% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated revenues. The components of Network Access segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 12,197       19,671       (38 %)
Data
    14,876       18,148       (18 %)
Wireless
    3,190       959       233 %
Total Network Access segment revenue
  $ 30,263       38,778       (22 %)

Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 15% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 4,406       6,529       (33 %)
Data
    2,792       3,456       (19 %)
Wireless
    338       516       (35 %)
Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 7,536       10,501       (28 %)

Network Access segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 28% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Network Access segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 14,084       17,869       (21 %)
 

 
 
34

 
 
See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
    224.6
 
   255.8
 
(12%)
             
Data:
           
Total Internet service provider access lines in service1
 
   1,700
 
 1,800
 
(6%)
   
1  An Internet service provider access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
   

Network Access Segment Revenues
The decrease in voice revenue is due in part to the June 4, 2008 implementation of the new distribution agreement with AT&T Mobility as described in "Part I – Item II – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Voice Services and Products – Long Distance."  The voice revenue decrease also resulted from a decrease in our average rate per minute on billable minutes carried for our common carrier customers and the transition of voice traffic to dedicated networks.  The average rate per minute decrease is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic and a 3.0% interstate rate decrease mandated by federal law.  Voice revenue continues to decline as expected due to increased competition in the Network Access business.  The increased competition will continue to compress the rates we may charge our customers and, therefore, we expect a continued decline in Network Access segment voice revenue.

The decrease in data revenue is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic resulting in IRU operating leases and service agreements replacing data network service agreements.  The nature of IRU operating leases and service agreements generally results in lower periodic revenue as compared to data network service agreements.

The increase in wireless revenue is due to increased roaming revenue in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to the construction of our state-wide GSM network starting in 2008 and the 2008 expansion of our Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") network.

Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to decreased long-distance minutes carried and the movement of more traffic onto our network in lieu of carrying traffic on third-party networks.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic resulting in IRU operating leases and service agreements replacing data network service agreements.

Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to decreased margin resulting from decreased revenue as described above in "Network Access Segment Revenues."  The adjusted EBITDA decrease is partially off-set by decreased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Network Access segment primarily due to a decrease in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008 and a decrease in the 2008 segment margin upon which the allocation is based.

Commercial Segment Overview
Commercial segment revenue represented 18% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated revenues. Commercial segment data revenue is comprised of monthly recurring charges for data services and charges billed on a
 
 
35

 
 
time and materials basis largely for personnel providing on-site customer support.  This latter category can vary significantly based on project activity.  The components of Commercial segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 7,688       7,597       1 %
Video
    2,320       2,999       (23 %)
Data
    15,801       18,140       (13 %)
Wireless
    1,971       1,430       38 %
Total Commercial segment revenue
  $ 27,780       30,166       (8 %)

Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 27% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 4,926       4,771       3 %
Video
    529       432       22 %
Data
    7,164       9,357       (23 %)
Wireless
    691       723       (4 %)
Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 13,310       15,283       (13 %)

Commercial segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 12% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
Third Quarter of
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Commercial segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 6,154       6,045       2 %

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

 
Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance subscribers1
 
9,700
 
10,200
 
(5%)
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
30.6
 
33.3
 
(8%)
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities 2
 
19,000
 
17,900
 
6%
Total local access lines in service2
 
47,300
 
46,200
 
2%
             
Data:
           
Cable modem subscribers3
 
10,600
 
9,000
 
18%
             
Wireless:
           
Wireless lines in service4
 
10,100
 
6,900
 
46%
             
1  A long-distance customer is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
2  A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
3  A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. On January 1, 2009, our Consumer segment transferred 1,400 cable modem subscribers to our Commercial segment.
 4  A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
   
 

 
 
36

 
 
Commercial Segment Revenues
The decrease in video revenue is primarily due to a decrease in sales of cable advertising services due to the summer Olympics programming and state and federal political advertising in the third quarter of 2008.

The decrease in data revenue is primarily due to a $2.1 million or 22% decrease in managed services project revenue.

The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to increased wireless subscribers.

Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to an $1.9 million or 28% decrease in managed services project Cost of Goods Sold.

Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The adjusted EBITDA increase was primarily due to a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Commercial segment largely due to a decrease in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008.  The adjusted EBITDA increase was partially off-set by a decrease in the third quarter of 2009 share-based compensation and non-cash contribution adjustments as compared to the third quarter of 2008.

Managed Broadband Segment Overview
Managed Broadband segment revenue, Cost of Goods sold and adjusted EBITDA represented 8%, 6% and 11% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and adjusted EBITDA, respectively.

Managed Broadband Segment Revenues
Managed Broadband segment revenue, which includes data products only, increased 14% to $11.7 million in third quarter of 2009 as compared to third quarter of 2008. The increase is primarily due to increased data network lines purchased by our Rural Health customers.

Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Managed Broadband segment Cost of Goods Sold increased 9% to $2.9 million primarily due to the increase in data network line costs.

Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Managed Broadband segment adjusted EBITDA increased 29% to $5.5 million in 2009 primarily due to an increase in the margin resulting from increased revenue as described above in "Managed Broadband Segment Revenues." The increase was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in "Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold" and an increase in selling, general and administrative that was allocated to our Managed Broadband segment primarily due to an increase in the 2008 segment margin upon which the allocation is based.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expense was partially off-set by a decrease in total consolidated selling, general and administrative expense .

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Regulated Operations Segment Overview
Regulated Operations segment revenue, Cost of Goods sold and adjusted EBITDA represented 4%, 3% and 3% of third quarter of 2009 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and adjusted EBITDA, respectively.

Selected key performance indicators for our Regulated Operations segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance subscribers1
 
600
 
900
 
(33%)
 
 
37

 
 
 
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
0.3
 
0.4
 
(25%)
Total local access lines in service (all on GCI facilities)2
 
11,300
 
12,300
 
(8%)
               
1  A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
2  A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.

Regulated Operations Segment Revenues
Regulated Operations segment revenues increased from $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Regulated Operations segment Cost of Goods Sold increased from $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Regulated Operations Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Regulated Operations segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 million during the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2008.

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 13% to $49.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to the following:

·  
A $4.0 million decrease in share-based compensation expense primarily due to the reversal of expense properly recognized in previous periods for certain performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards that are not expected to vest,
·  
The absence of $1.8 million to terminate a management agreement that was paid in 2008 upon the acquisition of our non-controlling interest in Alaska DigiTel, and
·  
The absence of a $960,000 contribution expense recognized upon the gift of an IRU to the University of Alaska that was recorded in the third quarter of 2008.

As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 33% in the third quarter of 2009 from 37% in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to the decreases described above without a proportional decrease in revenues.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 7% to $30.9 million in the third quarter of 2009. The increase is primarily due to our $322.3 million investment in equipment and facilities placed into service during 2008 for which a full year of depreciation will be recorded in 2009 and the $148.1 million investment in equipment and facilities placed into service during 2009 for which a partial year of depreciation will be recorded in 2009.  The increase is partially off-set by a $1.4 million depreciation charge in the third quarter of 2008 to change the estimated useful life of certain assets that were decommissioned at the end of 2008.

Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net of other income, decreased 5% to $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to a $1.0 million decrease in interest expense to $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The interest expense decrease is due to a decrease in the LIBOR rate between the third quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009 and the absence of a $519,000 loss that was recorded in the third quarter of 2008 relating to the fair value change on a derivative instrument.  These decreases were partially offset by a $990,000 decrease in capitalized interest to $181,000 due to decreased capital expenditures subject to interest capitalization.

 
38

 
 
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense totaled $3.3 million and $1.5 million in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our effective income tax rate decreased from 69% in 2008 to 43% in 2009 primarily due to a decrease in the permanent differences as compared to our net income before income tax expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 and the effect of non-deductible tax adjustments treated as discrete items in the third quarter.

At September 30, 2009, we have (1) tax net operating loss carryforwards of $185.1 million that will begin expiring primarily in 2019 if not utilized, and (2) alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $3.1 million available to offset regular income tax payable in future years.

We have recorded deferred tax assets of $75.9 million associated with income tax net operating losses that were generated from 1995 to 2009, and that expire from 2011 to 2029, and with charitable contributions that were converted to net operating losses in 2004 through 2007, and that expire in 2024 through 2027, respectively.

Tax benefits associated with recorded deferred tax assets are considered to be more likely than not realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. The amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced which would result in additional income tax expense. We estimate that our effective annual income tax rate for financial statement purposes will be 43% to 45% in the year ended December 31, 2009.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 (“2009”) Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 (“2008”)

Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
Total revenues increased 5% from $428.8 million in 2008 to $448.3 million in 2009.  Revenue increases in our Consumer, Managed Broadband and Regulated Operations segments were partially off-set by decreased revenue in our Network Access and Commercial segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

Total Cost of Goods Sold decreased 6% from $154.2 million in 2008 to $145.4 million in 2009. Cost of Goods Sold decreases in our Commercial, Network Access and Managed Broadband segments were partially off-set by an increase in our Consumer and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

Consumer Segment Overview
Consumer segment revenue represented 49% of 2009 consolidated revenues. The components of Consumer segment revenue are as follow (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 39,390       35,560       11 %
Video
    82,114       77,556       6 %
Data
    36,654       31,227       17 %
Wireless
    60,981       45,638       34 %
Total Consumer segment revenue
  $ 219,139       189,981       15 %

Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 50% of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 11,492       14,084       (18 %)
Video
    34,280       29,960       14 %
Data
    3,255       5,301       (39 %)
Wireless
    23,073       19,619       18 %
Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 72,100       68,964       5 %

 
 
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Consumer segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 43% of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Consumer segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 64,304       43,952       46 %

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:

   
September 30,
   
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice:
                 
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    85.9       96.8       (11 %)
                         
Video:
                       
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber1
  $ 69.61     $ 66.58       5 %
                         
Wireless:
                       
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber2
  $ 59.03     $ 56.37       5 %
   
Year-to-date average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer video basic subscribers at the beginning and end of the period.
Year-to-date average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of the period.
 
   
Please refer to our three-month results of operations discussion for additional selected key performance indicators for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008.

Consumer Segment Revenues
The increase in voice revenue is primarily due to a $3.5 million or 108% increase in recognized support from the USAC and an increase in monthly recurring local service fee revenue.  The increase in USAC support is primarily due to the following:

·  
An FCC order issued in March 2009, the result of which provided uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  The issuance of this order allowed us to recognize in the first quarter 2009 $674,000 in additional USAC support for services provided from August 2008 to December 2008 that is included in the revenue increase discussed above,
·  
Beginning in the third quarter of 2008 we recorded a decrease in recognized support from the USAC primarily due to a change in our revenue accrual estimation to more precisely consider changes in FCC reimbursement and to consider uncertainties we believed may impact the amount of reimbursement we receive. The issuance of the March 2009 FCC order discussed above allowed us to discontinue recording a reserve against our USAC support revenue and, therefore, no such decrease was recognized in the third quarter of 2009, and
·  
Increased local subscribers including increases in locations that qualify for higher support rates.

The increase in monthly recurring local service fee revenue is due to increased subscribers.  The increase in voice revenue was partially offset by decreased long-distance billable minutes carried.

The increase in video revenue is primarily due to the following:

 
·
A 5% increase in programming services revenue to $65.2 million in 2009 primarily resulting from an increase in digital programming tier subscribers in 2009 and a rate increase on certain cable service offerings beginning in August 2009, and
 
·
A 13% increase in equipment rental revenue to $16.0 million in 2009 primarily resulting from our customers’ increased use of our HD/DVR converter boxes.
 

 
 
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The increase in data revenue is primarily due to a 18% increase in cable modem revenue to $31.6 million due to increased subscribers and their selection of more value-added features.

The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to the following:

·  
An $8.9 million or 144% increase in recognized support from the USAC primarily due to the following:
o  
Increased wireless subscribers in areas that receive USAC support,
o  
Recognition of $3.1 million to be received from the USAC for interstate common line support for a new local access area for which we received ETC status in May 2009 of which $1.7 million was related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  Collectability was not reasonably assured until we were awarded ETC status, therefore, we deferred revenue recognition until such status was confirmed,
o  
Recognition of $1.1 million upon a change in our estimate of support to be received from the USAC for interstate common line support of which $593,000 and $77,000 were related to the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  We accrue estimated program revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate, and
o  
The FCC order issued in March 2009, the result of which provides uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  The issuance of this order allowed us to recognize $810,000 in additional USAC support from August 2008 to December 2008 in 2009 that is included in the revenue increase discussed above.
·  
An increase in the number of wireless subscribers.

The increase in wireless revenue was partially off-set by receipt of $2.8 million in July 2008 from the USAC for retroactive interstate common line support at Alaska DigiTel for which revenue was recognized in 2008.

Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to cost savings resulting from the increased deployment of local access services DLPS lines on our own facilities during the last three months of 2008 and first nine months of 2009 and decreased voice minutes carried.

The video Cost of Goods Sold increase is primarily due to increased channels offered to our subscribers, increased rates paid to programmers, increased costs associated with delivery of digital services offered over our HD/DVR converter boxes due to the increased number of boxes in service, an increase in digital programming tier subscribers, and the recognition of a $594,000 liability to settle a billing issue with a cable programmer.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to the transition of traffic to our own facilities from leased facilities and the addition of more peering partners for Internet traffic.

The increase in wireless Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased costs for wireless handset equipment sales associated with the increased number of wireless subscribers and the inclusion of premium wireless handsets which have higher costs in certain promotions offered in the third quarter of 2009.  The increase was partially off-set by decreased costs due to the June 4, 2008 implementation of the new distribution agreement with AT&T Mobility as described in "Part I – Item II – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Voice Services and Products – Long Distance."

Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The increase in adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to increased margin resulting from increased revenue as described above in "Consumer Segment Revenues."  The increased margin was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in "Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold" and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Consumer segment primarily due to an increase in the 2008 segment margin upon which the allocation is based and an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.

 
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Network Access Segment Overview
Network access segment revenue represented 21% of 2009 consolidated revenues. The components of Network Access segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 39,975       64,826       (38 %)
Data
    48,903       52,975       (8 %)
Wireless
    5,704       2,042       179 %
Total Network Access segment revenue
  $ 94,582       119,843       (21 %)

Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 14% of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 12,947       22,096       (41 %)
Data
    7,004       8,979       (22 %)
Wireless
    825       1,210       (32 %)
Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 20,776       32,285       (36 %)

Network Access segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 32% of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Network Access segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 46,674       59,682       (22 %)

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
640.6
 
896.6
 
(29%)

Please refer to our three-month results of operations discussion for additional selected key performance indicators for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008.

Network Access Segment Revenues
The decrease in voice revenue is due in part to the June 4, 2008 implementation of the new distribution agreement with AT&T Mobility as described in "Part I – Item II – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Voice Services and Products – Long Distance."  The voice revenue decrease also resulted from a decrease in our average rate per minute on billable minutes carried for our common carrier customers and the transition of voice traffic to dedicated networks.  The average rate per minute decrease is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic and a 3.0% interstate rate decrease mandated by federal law.  Voice revenue continues to decline as expected due to increased competition in the Network Access business.  The increased competition will continue to compress the rates we may charge our customers and, therefore, we expect a continued decline in Network Access segment voice revenue.

The decrease in data revenue is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic resulting in IRU operating leases and service agreements replacing data network service agreements.

 
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The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to increased roaming revenue in 2009 primarily due to the construction of our state-wide GSM network starting in 2008 and the 2008 expansion of our CDMA network.

Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to decreased long-distance minutes carried and the movement of more traffic onto our network in lieu of carrying traffic on third party networks.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to a change in the composition of traffic resulting in IRU operating leases and service agreements replacing data network service agreements and a $585,000 favorable adjustment resulting from a refund of fiber repair costs.  The fiber repair costs were originally recognized in the first quarter of 2008.  Due to the uncertainty surrounding the refund of the fiber repair costs, we deferred recognition until collection of the refund was reasonably assured.

Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to decreased margin resulting from decreased revenue as described above in "Network Access Segment Revenues."  The adjusted EBITDA decrease is partially off-set by decreased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Network Access segment primarily due to a decrease in the 2008 segment margin upon which the allocation is based.

Commercial Segment Overview
Commercial segment revenue represented 19% of 2009 consolidated revenues. Commercial segment data revenue is comprised of monthly recurring charges for data services and charges billed on a time and materials basis largely for personnel providing on-site customer support.  This latter category can vary significantly based on project activity.  The components of Commercial segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 23,373       22,091       6 %
Video
    6,591       6,968       (5 %)
Data
    47,725       50,933       (6 %)
Wireless
    4,994       4,209       19 %
Total Commercial segment revenue
  $ 82,683       84,201       (2 %)

Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 27% of 2009 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold. The components of Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 14,393       14,509       (1 %)
Video
    1,532       1,202       27 %
Data
    21,425       24,418       (12 %)
Wireless
    2,292       3,137       (27 %)
Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 39,642       43,266       (8 %)

Commercial segment adjusted EBITDA, representing 12% of 2009 consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Percentage
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Commercial segment adjusted EBITDA
  $ 17,047       16,066       6 %

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.
 
 
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Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
94.5
 
99.1
 
(5%)

Please refer to our three-month results of operations discussion for additional selected key performance indicators for the third quarter of 2009 and for the second quarter of 2008.

Commercial Segment Revenues
The increase in voice revenue is primarily due to increased local access lines in service and a $1.1 million or 144% increase in recognized support from the USAC primarily due to increased local subscribers and the FCC order issued in March 2009, the result of which provides uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands or Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  The issuance of this order allowed us to recognize $386,000 in additional USAC support from August 2008 to December 2008 in 2009 that is included in the revenue increase discussed above.  The increase in voice revenue was partially off-set by decreased long-distance subscribers and decreased voice minutes carried.

The decrease in data revenue is primarily due to a $3.6 million or 16% decrease in managed services project revenue partially off-set by an $1.0 million or 8% increase in Internet revenue primarily due to an increase in cable modem subscribers.

Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to a $2.8 million or 14% decrease in managed services project Cost of Goods Sold.

The decrease in wireless Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to decreased costs due to the June 4, 2008 implementation of the new distribution agreement with AT&T Mobility as described in "Part I – Item II – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Voice Services and Products – Long Distance."  The decrease was partially off-set by costs associated with the increased number of wireless subscribers.

Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The adjusted EBITDA increase was primarily due to increased margin resulting from decreased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold.”

Managed Broadband Segment Overview
Managed Broadband segment revenue, Cost of Goods sold and adjusted EBITDA represented 7%, 5% and 10% of 2009 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and adjusted EBITDA, respectively.

Managed Broadband Segment Revenues
Managed Broadband segment revenue, which includes data products only, increased 24% to $33.3 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. The increase is primarily due to increased circuits purchased by our Rural Health customers and a $5.8 million increase from our acquisition of Unicom effective June 1, 2008.  The increase is partially off-set by a $753,000 or 8% decrease in School Access revenue primarily due to the decision to temporarily stop revenue recognition for services provided to a certain continuing customer pending resolution of certain issues and a $678,000 or 58% decrease in product sales revenue.  Product sales revenue can vary depending upon activity.

Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Managed Broadband segment Cost of Goods Sold decreased from $8.0 million in 2008 to $7.9 million in 2009 primarily due to the decrease in costs associated with product sales partially off-set by an increase in costs associated with the increased revenue.

Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Managed Broadband segment adjusted EBITDA increased 50% to $14.8 million in 2009 primarily due to an increase in the margin resulting from increased revenue as described above in "Managed Broadband Segment Revenues."

 
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See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Regulated Operations Segment Overview
Regulated Operations segment revenue, Cost of Goods Sold and adjusted EBITDA represented 4%, 3% and 3% of 2009 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and adjusted EBITDA, respectively. The Regulated Operations segment includes voice, data and wireless services.

Selected key performance indicators for our Regulated Operations segment follow:

   
September 30,
 
Percentage
   
2009
 
2008
 
Change
Voice:
           
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
0.9
 
0.5
 
95%

Please refer to our three-month results of operations discussion for additional selected key performance indicators for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008.

Regulated Operations Segment Revenues
Regulated Operations segment revenues increased from $7.8 million in 2008 to $18.6 million in 2009 primarily due to our acquisition of UUI effective June 1, 2008.

Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Regulated Operations segment Cost of Goods Sold increased from $1.7 million in 2008 to $4.9 million in 2009 primarily due to our acquisition of UUI effective June 1, 2008.

Regulated Operations Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Regulated Operations segment adjusted EBITDA was $5.2 million in 2009 and $1.7 in 2008.

See note 6 in the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a reconciliation of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income tax expense.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4% to $157.4 million in 2009 primarily due to the following:

·  
A $6.2 million increase in labor costs,
·  
$4.1 million in additional expense resulting from our June 1, 2008, acquisition of UUI and Unicom,
·  
$1.2 million in additional expense incurred in 2009 for the conversion of our customers' wireless phones to our facilities, and
·  
A $1.2 million increase in our company-wide success sharing bonus accrual in 2009.

The increases were partially off-set by a $3.7 million decrease in share-based compensation expense primarily due to the reversal of expense properly recognized in previous periods for certain performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards that are not expected to vest and the absence of $1.8 million to terminate a management agreement that was paid in 2008 upon the acquisition of our non-controlling interest in Alaska Digitel.

As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses are 35% in 2009 and 2008.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 11% to $92.8 million in 2009. The increase is primarily due to our $322.3 million investment in equipment and facilities placed into service during 2008 for which a full year of depreciation will be recorded in 2009 and the $148.1 million investment in equipment and facilities placed into service during 2009 for which a partial year of depreciation will be recorded in 2009.  The increase is partially off-set by a $9.9 million depreciation charge in 2008 to change the estimated useful life of certain assets that were decommissioned at the end of 2008.

 
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Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net of other income, increased 15% to $39.0 million in 2009 primarily due to a $4.2 million increase in interest expense to $39.0 million in 2009 due to the following:

·  
$2.8 million in additional interest expense resulting from the Galaxy 18 capital lease commencing in May 2008, and
·  
A $1.3 million increase in interest expense on our Senior Credit Facility to $12.8 million resulting from additional debt from the Additional Incremental Term Loan agreement beginning in May 2008 and the increased interest rate on our Senior Credit Facility beginning in May 2008.  This increase is partially off-set by a $2.5 million decrease in capitalized interest to $510,000 in 2009 due to decreased capital expenditures subject to interest capitalization in 2009 and a decrease in the LIBOR rate between 2008 and 2009.

The interest expense increase is partially off-set by the absence of a $519,000 loss that was recorded in 2008 relating to the fair value change on a derivative instrument and a $615,000 decrease in loan and senior note fees due to the 2008 modification of our Senior Credit Facility resulting in $1.2 million of other third party costs and bank fees.

Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense totaled $6.5 million and $4.8 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our effective income tax rate decreased from 82% in 2008 to 47% in 2009 primarily due to a decrease in the permanent differences as compared to our net income before income tax expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 and the effect of non-deductible tax adjustments treated as discrete items in 2009.

Multiple System Operator Operating Statistics
Our operating statistics include customer information from our Consumer and Commercial segments which offer services utilizing our cable services’ facilities.

The standardized definition of a customer relationship is the number of customers that receive at least one level of service utilizing our cable service facilities, encompassing voice, video, and data services, without regard to which services customers purchase. At September 30, 2009 and 2008 we had 133,000 and 131,400 customer relationships, respectively.

The standardized definition of a revenue generating unit is the sum of all primary digital video, high-speed data, and telephony customers, not counting additional outlets. At September 30, 2009 and 2008 we had 339,000 and 322,100 revenue generating units, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of current liquidity are cash and cash equivalents. We believe, but can provide no assurances, that we will be able to meet our current and long-term liquidity and capital requirements and fixed charges through our cash flows from operating activities, existing cash, cash equivalents, credit facilities, and other external financing and equity sources. Should operating cash flows be insufficient to support additional borrowings and principal payments scheduled under our existing credit facilities, capital expenditures will likely be reduced.

Global capital and credit markets have experienced increased volatility and disruption. Despite this volatility and disruption, we continue to have full access to our Senior Credit Facility.  Although there can be no assurances in these difficult economic times that financial institutions will continue to provide financing, we believe that the lenders participating in our credit facilities will be willing and able to provide financing to us in accordance with their legal obligations under our credit facilities. While our short-term and long-term financing abilities are believed to be adequate as a supplement to internally generated cash flows to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions as opportunities arise, the decline in the global financial markets may negatively impact our ability to access the capital markets in a timely manner and on attractive terms, which may have a negative impact on our ability to grow our business.

 
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We monitor the third-party depository institutions that hold our cash and cash equivalents on a daily basis. Our emphasis is primarily on safety of principal and secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds.

Our net cash flows provided by and (used for) operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, are summarized as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating activities
  $ 67,252       132,736  
Investing activities
    (95,302 )     (242,285 )
Financing activities
    20,649       128,883  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (7,401 )     19,334  

Operating Activities
The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities is due primarily to the absence of cash received up-front for IRU operating leases and service agreement in 2009 compared to 2008, a $15.0 million contractually required payment in 2009, and an increase in cash payments to reduce accounts payable and accrued payroll liabilities that was partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense for 2009 compared to 2008.

Investing Activities
The decrease in cash flows used for investing activities is due primarily to a decrease in spending for property and equipment, including construction in progress in 2009 and the absence of any business acquisitions in 2009 compared to 2008.

Capital Expenditures
Our expenditures for property and equipment, including construction in progress, totaled $85.6 million and $288.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 2009 expenditures do not include $12.1 million for additions of property and equipment that had been accrued at December 31, 2008 and paid for during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 net of $3.6 million of additions of property and equipment that were accrued as of September 30, 2009.  The 2008 expenditures include additions of $21.4 million for property and equipment that are accrued at September 30, 2008 net of $6.1 million that had been accrued at December 31, 2007 and paid for during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Our capital expenditure requirements in excess of approximately $25.0 million per year are largely success driven and are a result of the progress we are making in the marketplace. We expect our 2009 expenditures for property and equipment for our core operations, including construction in progress to total $115.0 million to $120.0 million, depending on available opportunities and the amount of cash flow we generate during 2009.

Alaska Wireless Contingent Payment
On July 1, 2008 we completed the acquisition of all of the ownership interests in Alaska Wireless.  We made an initial payment on the acquisition date and we expect to make an additional payment of approximately $6.2 million in 2010 that is contingent on the achievement of certain financial conditions.

Financing Activities
The decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities is due primarily to reduced borrowing on our Senior Credit Facility in 2009.

Senior Notes and Senior Credit Facility
At September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all our Senior Notes and Senior Credit Facility loan covenants.

On November 3, 2009, we closed on the issuance of $425.0 million of new 8 ⅝% Senior Notes due in 2019 at a price of 99.17% to be issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary, GCI, Inc.  The net proceeds of the offering will be used to retire our existing senior secured credit facility indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

The long-distance, local access, cable, Internet and wireless services industries continue to experience substantial competition, regulatory uncertainty, and continuing technological changes.  Our future results of operations will be affected by our ability to react to changes in the competitive and regulatory environment and by our ability to fund and implement new or enhanced technologies.  We are unable to determine how
 
 
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competition, economic conditions, and regulatory and technological changes will affect our ability to obtain additional financing under acceptable terms and conditions.  A complete discussion of our liquidity and capital resources can be found in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting and reporting policies comply with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The financial position and results of operations can be affected by these estimates and assumptions, which are integral to understanding reported results. Critical accounting policies are those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results, and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective or complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates are significant to the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information including third parties or available prices, and sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative accounting methods may be utilized under U.S. GAAP. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Management has discussed the development and the selection of critical accounting policies with our Audit Committee.

Those policies considered to be critical accounting policies for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment and useful lives of intangible assets, accruals for unbilled costs, and the valuation allowance for net operating loss deferred tax assets.  A complete discussion of our critical accounting policies can be found in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.

During the third quarter of 2009, we changed the date of our annual impairment test from the last day of the fiscal year to the last day of the tenth month of the fiscal year.  As we have grown, it has become increasingly difficult to complete the various impairment analyses in a timely manner, therefore, we believe the change in accounting principle related to the annual testing date is preferable as it provides us additional time to complete the impairment test and report the results of that test in our annual filing on Form 10-K.  We believe that the proposed change to the annual testing date will not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.  We believe that this change in accounting principle is preferable under the circumstances and will not result in adjustments to our financial statements when applied retrospectively.  The annual impairment test was last performed as of December 31, 2008 and will be performed again as of October 31, 2009, therefore, less than 12 months will have elapsed since our last impairment test.

Other significant accounting policies, not involving the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important to an understanding of the financial statements. Policies related to revenue recognition, share-based compensation expense, and financial instruments require difficult judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple sources of authoritative guidance. Certain of these and other matters are among topics currently under reexamination by accounting standards setters and regulators. No specific conclusions reached by these standard setters appear likely to cause a material change in our accounting policies, although outcomes cannot be predicted with confidence. A complete discussion of our significant accounting policies can be found in note 1 included in Part II of our December 31, 2008 annual report on Form 10-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of business, including the impact of interest rate changes. We do not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

Our Senior Credit Facility carries interest rate risk. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.25% or less depending upon our Total Leverage Ratio (as defined). Should the LIBOR rate change, our interest expense will increase or decrease accordingly. In July 2008, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement with a two year term to limit the LIBOR rate on $180.0 million of variable interest rate
 
 
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debt to 4.5%.  The agreement is being accounted for as a derivative under SFAS 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  As of September 30, 2009, we have borrowed $387.9 million subject to interest rate risk. On this amount, each 1% increase in the LIBOR interest rate would result in $3.9 million of additional gross interest cost on an annualized basis.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined below) under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer.  Based on that evaluation and as described below under “Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting” (Item 4(b)), we identified material weaknesses in our "internal control over financial reporting" (as defined in Item 4(b) below).  Because of these material weaknesses, which are in the process of being remediated as described below under “Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting” (Item 4(b)), our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2009, which is the end of the period covered by this report.

Our "disclosure controls and procedures" are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The certifications attached as Exhibits 31 and 32 to this report should be read in conjunction with the disclosures set forth herein.

 
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our entity-level control related to the selection and application of accounting policies in accordance with U.S. GAAP was not designed to include policies and procedures to periodically review our accounting policies to ensure ongoing U.S. GAAP compliance. This led to ineffective procedures for recording depreciation expense that were identified in the second quarter of 2008, which caused material errors in interim financial reporting which were corrected through the restatement of our 2007 interim financial information.  Although we began to remediate this material weakness in June 2008, by expanding our accounting policy documentation, we have not had sufficient time to fully implement the control changes necessary to ensure that a misstatement of interim or annual financial reporting does not occur. We continued to work towards remediation of this deficiency during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and will continue to remediate this deficiency during the remainder of 2009 by implementing policies and procedures to periodically review our accounting policies to ensure ongoing U.S. GAAP compliance.

The internal control over financial reporting at Alaska DigiTel did not include i) activities adequate to timely identify changes in financial reporting risks, ii) activities adequate to monitor the continued effectiveness of controls, and iii) staff with adequate technical expertise to ensure that policies and procedures necessary for reliable interim and annual financial statements were selected and applied. Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007. These control deficiencies in our Alaska DigiTel business represented material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and led to the failure to timely identify and respond to triggering events which necessitated a change in useful life of depreciable assets to ensure reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These material weaknesses led to errors in our interim financial reporting which were corrected through the restatement of our interim financial information for the
 
 
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March 31 and June 30, 2008 quarterly periods. We made progress towards remediation with the acquisition of the Alaska DigiTel minority interest on August 18, 2008, which gave us 100% ownership and control over this subsidiary.  During the fourth quarter of 2008 we made progress towards integrating Alaska DigiTel into our financial reporting process by replacing the accounting management with GCI accounting management.  During the first quarter of 2009 we integrated Alaska DigiTel’s general ledger into our general ledger system.  During the nine months ended September 30, 3009, we have been integrating Alaska DigiTel’s accounting processes into our internal control over financial reporting and will continue this integration during the remainder of 2009.  Additionally, Alaska DigiTel will become subject to the improvements we anticipate due to the fourth quarter 2008 expansion of our accounting policy documentation and the 2009 implementation of a procedure to periodically review our accounting policies to ensure ongoing U.S. GAAP compliance.  Although we have taken the steps noted above to remediate this material weakness, we have not had sufficient time to fully implement the control changes necessary to ensure that a misstatement of interim or annual financial reporting does not occur.

Except as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

A company's "internal control over financial reporting" is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, a company's principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by a company's board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

We may enhance, modify, and supplement internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures based on experience.


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Except as set forth in this item, neither the Company, its property nor any of its subsidiaries or their property is a party to or subject to any material pending legal proceedings. We are parties to various claims and pending litigation as part of the normal course of business. We are also involved in several administrative proceedings and filings with the FCC and state regulatory authorities. In the opinion of management, the nature and disposition of these matters are considered routine and arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the FCC's Office of Inspector General has initiated an investigation of our compliance with program rules and requirements under certain USF programs.  The request covers the period beginning January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2008, and relates to amounts received by Alaska DigiTel and its affiliates during that period.  Alaska DigiTel was an Alaska based wireless communications company of which we acquired an 81.9% equity interest on January 2, 2007 and the remaining 18.1% equity interest on August 18, 2008 and was subsequently dissolved in April 2009.  Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007.  This request has not had a material impact on our statement of operations, financial position or cash flows but given the preliminary nature of this request we are unable to assess the ultimate resolution of this matter.

 
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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
10.161
First Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated February 15, 2008 #
10.162
Second Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated April 9, 2008 #
10.163
Third Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 4, 2008 #
10.164
Fourth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 4, 2008 #
10.165
Fifth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated September 30, 2008 #
10.166
Sixth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated October 31, 2008 #
10.167
Seventh Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated November 6, 2008 #
10.168
Eighth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 8, 2009 #
10.169
Fifteenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated May 5, 2009 #
18.1
Letter regarding change in accounting principle
31.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our President and Director
31.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our President and Director
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
   
#
CONFIDENTIAL PORTION has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment by us to, and the material has been separately filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each omitted Confidential Portion is marked by three asterisks.
   


 
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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.


Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
         
  /s/ Ronald A. Duncan  
President and Director
    November 6, 2009
Ronald A. Duncan
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
  /s/ John M. Lowber  
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
    November 6, 2009
John M. Lowber
 
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
         
  /s/ Lynda L. Tarbath  
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
    November 6, 2009
Lynda L. Tarbath
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
   
 


 
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