(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists of cash deposits held in global financial institutions. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition. Cash that has restrictions upon its usage has been excluded from cash and cash equivalents. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and corporate debt securities. The Company maintains some cash and cash equivalents balances with financial institutions that are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for credit losses is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company bases its estimates on the aging of its accounts receivable balances, financial health of specific customers, regional economic data, changes in its collections process, regulatory requirements and its customers’ compliance with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC")  rules. The Company reviews its allowance for credit losses methodology at least annually.

Depending upon the type of account receivable the Company’s allowance is calculated using a pooled basis with an allowance for all accounts greater than 120 days past due, a pooled basis using a percentage of related accounts, or a specific identification method. When a specific identification method is used, potentially uncollectible accounts due to bankruptcy or other issues are reviewed individually for collectability. Write-offs of accounts receivable balances occur when the Company deems the receivables are uncollectible. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

Allowance for credit losses was $4 million as of December 31, 2021 and was not material as of December 31, 2020. A summary of activity in the allowance for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows (amounts in millions):

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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All of the Company’s derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. None of the Company’s derivatives are currently designated as hedges, as a result, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings.

The fair value of certain of the Company’s derivative instruments are estimated using the Black Scholes Merton option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The Black-Scholes model incorporates a number of variables in determining such fair values, including expected volatility of the underlying security and an appropriate discount rate. The Company obtained volatility rates from pricing services based on the expected volatility of the underlying security over the remaining term of the derivative instrument. A discount rate was obtained at the inception of the derivative instrument and updated each reporting period, based on the Company’s estimate of the discount rate at which it could currently settle the derivative instrument. The Company considered its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties in estimating the discount rate. Management judgment was required in estimating the Black-Scholes variables. The Company had no outstanding derivative instruments at December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Investments in Equity Method Affiliates

For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company’s investment in, advances to and commitments for the equity method investee. The Company determines the difference between the purchase price of the equity method investee and the underlying equity which results in an excess basis in the investment. This excess basis is allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of the Company’s equity method investee through a purchase accounting exercise and is allocated within memo accounts used for equity method accounting purposes. Depending on the applicable underlying assets, these amounts are either amortized over the applicable useful lives or determined to be indefinite lived. Changes in the Company’s proportionate share of the underlying

equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity method investee, are recognized in the statement of operations through the gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate line item. We periodically evaluate our equity method investment to determine if decreases in fair value below our cost basis are other than temporary. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, we are required to reflect such decline in our consolidated statements of operations. Other than temporary declines in fair value of our equity method investment would be included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations.

The primary factors we consider in our determination of whether declines in fair value are other than temporary are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below our carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the equity method investee. In addition, we consider the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or equity method investee specific; analysts' ratings and estimates of 12 month share price targets for the equity method investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value.

As Liberty Broadband does not control the decision making process or business management practices of our affiliates accounted for using the equity method, Liberty Broadband relies on management of its affiliates to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty Broadband relies on the audit reports that are provided by the affiliates’ independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliate. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on Liberty Broadband’s consolidated financial statements. See note 6 for additional discussion regarding our investment in Charter.

Other Investments

All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are carried at fair value, generally based on quoted market prices and changes in the fair value of such securities are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company elected the measurement alternative (defined as the cost of the security, adjusted for changes in fair value when there are observable prices, less impairments) for its equity securities without readily determinable fair values.

The Company performs a qualitative assessment each reporting period for its equity securities without readily determinable fair values to identify whether an equity security could be impaired. When the Company’s qualitative assessment indicates that an impairment could exist, it estimates the fair value of the investment and to the extent the fair value is less than the carrying value, it records the difference as an impairment in the consolidated statements of operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at depreciated cost less impairments, if any. Construction costs of facilities are capitalized. Construction in progress represents transmission equipment and support equipment and systems not placed in service on December 31, 2021, that management intends to place in service when the assets are ready for their intended use. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based upon the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term, if applicable.

Net property and equipment consists of the following:

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Depreciation of property and equipment under finance leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $192 million and $9 million, respectively, and was not material for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Accumulated depreciation is removed and gains or losses are recognized at the time of sales or other dispositions of property and equipment.

Material interest costs incurred during the construction period of non-software capital projects are capitalized. Interest is capitalized in the period commencing with the first expenditure for a qualifying capital project and ending when the capital project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalized interest costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $2 million and were not material for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and its intangible assets (other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets) to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset group, including its ultimate disposition, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such asset groups exceeds its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar asset groups or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of asset groups. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Asset groups to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred in Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. When the liability is initially recorded, the Company capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, changes in the liability for an asset retirement obligation resulting from revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows are recognized. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, the Company either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement.

The majority of the Company’s asset retirement obligations are the estimated cost to remove telephony transmission equipment and support equipment from leased property. The asset retirement obligation is in Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amounts of the liability for asset retirement obligations (amounts in millions):

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Certain of the Company’s network facilities are on property that requires it to have a permit and the permit contains provisions requiring the Company to remove its network facilities in the event the permit is not renewed. The Company expects to continually renew its permits and therefore cannot reasonably estimate any liabilities associated with such agreements. A remote possibility exists that the Company would not be able to successfully renew a permit, which could result in it incurring significant expense in complying with restoration or removal provisions.

Intangible Assets

Internally used software, whether developed or purchased and installed as is, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of three to five years. The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with internally developed software such as payroll costs of employees devoting time to the projects, external direct costs for materials and services, and interest costs incurred. Costs associated with internally developed software to be used internally are expensed until the point the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The capitalization of software requires judgment in determining when a project has reached the development stage.

The Company has Software as a Service ("SaaS") arrangements which are accounted for as service agreements, and are not capitalized. Internal and other third party costs for SaaS arrangements are capitalized or expensed in accordance with the internal use software guidance as discussed in the preceding paragraph.

Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment upon certain triggering events. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are being amortized over 3 to 16 year periods with a weighted-average life of 13 years.

Goodwill, cable certificates (certificates of convenience and public necessity) and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Cable certificates represent certain perpetual operating rights to provide cable services. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in connection with a business acquisition. The Company’s annual impairment assessment of its indefinite-lived intangible assets is performed during the fourth quarter of each year.

The accounting guidance allows entities the option to perform a qualitative impairment test for goodwill. The entity may resume performing the quantitative assessment in any subsequent period. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it was more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of its reporting units. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these

factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis the Company also considers fair value determinations for certain reporting units that have been made at various points throughout the current year and prior year for other purposes. If based on the qualitative analysis it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs the quantitative impairment test.

The quantitative goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value and to the extent the carrying value is greater than the fair value, the difference is recorded as an impairment in the consolidated statements of operations. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the Company’s valuation analyses are based on management’s best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts.

The accounting guidance also permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired. The accounting guidance also allows entities the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. If the qualitative assessment supports that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, exceeds its fair value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Revenue Recognition

GCI Holdings

Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. GCI Holdings recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a product or service to a customer. Substantially all of GCI Holdings’ revenue is earned from services transferred over time. If at contract inception, GCI Holdings determines the time period between when it transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service is one year or less, it does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component.

Certain of GCI Holdings’ customers have guaranteed levels of service. If an interruption in service occurs, GCI Holdings does not recognize revenue for any portion of the monthly service fee that will be refunded to the customer or not billed to the customer due to these service level agreements.

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on, and concurrent with, a specific revenue-producing transaction that are collected by GCI Holdings from a customer, are excluded from revenue from contracts with customers.

Nature of Services and Products

Wireless

Wireless revenue is generated by providing access to, and usage of GCI Holdings’ network by consumer, business, and wholesale carrier customers. Additionally, GCI Holdings generates revenue by selling wireless equipment such as handsets and tablets. In general, access revenue is billed in advance, recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet, and recognized as the associated services are provided to the customer. Equipment sales revenue associated with the sale of wireless devices and accessories is generally recognized when the products are delivered to and control transfers to the customer. Consideration received from the customer is allocated to the service and products based on stand-alone selling prices when purchased together.

New and existing wireless customers have the option to participate in Upgrade Now, a program that provides eligible customers with the ability to purchase certain wireless devices in installments over a period of up to 36 months. Participating customers have the right to trade-in the original equipment for a new device after making the equivalent of 12 monthly installment payments, provided their handset is in good working condition. Upon upgrade, the outstanding balance of the wireless equipment installment plan is exchanged for the used handset. GCI Holdings accounts for this upgrade option as a right of return with a reduction of Revenue and Operating expense for handsets expected to be upgraded based on historical data.

Data

Data revenue is generated by providing data network access, high-speed internet services, and product sales. Monthly service revenue for data network access and high-speed internet services is billed in advance, recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet, and recognized as the associated services are provided to the customer. Internet service excess usage revenue is recognized when the services are provided. GCI Holdings recognizes revenue for product sales when a customer takes possession of the equipment. GCI Holdings provides telecommunications engineering services on a time and materials basis. Revenue is recognized for these services as-invoiced.

Video

Video revenue is generated primarily from residential and business customers that subscribe to GCI Holdings’ cable video plans. Video revenue is billed in advance, recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet, and recognized as the associated services are provided to the customer.

Voice

Voice revenue is for fixed monthly fees for voice plans as well as usage based fees for long-distance service usage. Voice plan fees are billed in advance, recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet, and recognized as the associated services are provided to the customer. Usage based fees are recognized as services are provided.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

Contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations as customers purchase multiple services and products within those contracts. For such arrangements, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price for each service or product within the contract. Standalone selling prices are generally determined based on the prices charged to customers.

Significant Judgments

Some contracts with customers include variable consideration, and may require significant judgment to determine the total transaction price, which impacts the amount and timing of revenue recognized. GCI Holdings uses historical customer data to estimate the amount of variable consideration included in the total transaction price and reassess its estimate at each reporting period. Any change in the total transaction price due to a change in the estimated variable consideration is allocated to the performance obligations on the same basis as at contract inception. Any portion of a change in transaction price that is allocated to a satisfied or partially satisfied performance obligation is recognized as revenue (or a reduction in revenue) in the period of the transaction price change. Variable consideration has been constrained to reduce the likelihood of a significant revenue reversal.

Often contracts with customers include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment.

Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation. Services and products are generally sold separately, and help establish standalone selling price for services and products GCI Holdings provides.

Remaining Performance Obligations

The Company expects to recognize revenue in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of December 31, 2021 of $249 million in 2022, $123 million in 2023, $72 million in 2024, $43 million in 2025 and $44 million in 2026 and thereafter.

The Company applies certain practical expedients as permitted and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less, information about revenue remaining from usage based performance obligations that are recognized over time as-invoiced, or variable consideration allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.

Contract Balances

The Company had receivables of $217 million and $351 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, the long-term portion of which are included in Other assets, net. The Company had deferred revenue of $32 million and $34 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, the long-term portion of which are included in Other liabilities. The receivables and deferred revenue are only from contracts with customers. GCI Holdings’ customers generally pay for services in advance of the performance obligation and therefore these prepayments are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue is recognized as revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as the services are provided. Changes in the contract liability balance for the Company during 2021 was not materially impacted by other factors.

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer

Management expects that incremental commission fees paid to intermediaries as a result of obtaining customer contracts are recoverable and therefore the Company capitalizes them as contract costs.

Capitalized commission fees are amortized based on the transfer of goods or services to which the assets relate which typically range from two to five years, and are included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The Company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. These costs are included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Revenue from contracts with customers, classified by customer type and significant service offerings follows:

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Advertising Costs

Advertising costs generally are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense aggregated $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and was not material for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Advertising costs are reflected in the selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation line item in our consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

As more fully described in note 12, Liberty Broadband has granted to its directors, employees and employees of certain of its subsidiaries, restricted stock and stock options to purchase shares of Liberty Broadband common stock (collectively, “Awards”). Liberty Broadband measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). Liberty Broadband measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.

Income Taxes

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

tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between our actual and anticipated operating results, we make certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

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

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

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Certain Risks and Concentrations

GCI Holdings offers wireless and wireline telecommunication services, data services, video services, and managed services to customers primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this geographic concentration, growth of GCI Holdings’ business and operations depends upon economic conditions in Alaska.

GCI Holdings receives support from each of the various Universal Service Fund ("USF") programs: rural health care, schools and libraries, high-cost, and lifeline. The programs are subject to change by regulatory actions taken by the FCC or legislative actions, therefore, changes to the programs could result in a material decrease in revenue that the Company has recorded. Historical revenue recognized from the programs was 32%, 29% and 24% of GCI Holdings’ revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company had USF net receivables of $148 million at December 31, 2021. See note 14 for more information regarding the rural health care receivables.

Contingent Liabilities

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

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Comprehensive earnings (loss) consists of net earnings (loss), comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments and the Company’s share of the comprehensive earnings (loss) of our equity method affiliate.

Earnings per Share (EPS)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (“WASO”) for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.

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Potential common shares excluded from diluted EPS because their inclusion would be antidilutive for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are approximately 694 thousand, 694 thousand and 309 thousand, respectively.

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Reclassifications

Reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the classifications used in the current year.

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Estimates

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

Recently Announced Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance which will require annual disclosures about certain government transactions that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model by analogy, including information about the nature of the transactions, the related policy used to account for the transactions, the amounts applicable to each financial statement line item and any significant terms and conditions of the transactions, including commitments and contingencies. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect a significant impact from the adoption of the standard but is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its financial disclosures.