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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in United States dollars, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").

On February 28, 2019 (the "Anova Acquisition Date"), the Company acquired the business and technology assets of Anova Data, Inc. ("Anova"). The financial results of Anova are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the Anova Acquisition Date.

On August 3, 2018 (the "Edgewater Acquisition Date"), the Company completed the acquisition of Edgewater Networks, Inc. ("Edgewater" and such acquisition, the "Edgewater Acquisition"). The financial results of Edgewater are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the Edgewater Acquisition Date.

On October 27, 2017 (the "Merger Date"), Sonus Networks, Inc. ("Sonus") consummated an acquisition as specified in an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Solstice Sapphire Investments, Inc. ("NewCo") and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, GENBAND Holdings Company, GENBAND Inc. and GENBAND II, Inc. (collectively, "GENBAND") pursuant to which, following a series of merger transactions (collectively, the "Merger"), Sonus and GENBAND each became a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo, with Sonus deemed the acquirer in the transaction for accounting purposes. Subsequently, on November 28, 2017, the Company changed its name from "Sonus Networks, Inc." to "Ribbon Communications Inc."

The consolidated financial statements of the Company represent the consolidated financial statements of Sonus, prior to the Merger Date, and the consolidated financial statements of Ribbon, on and after the Merger Date. The financial results of GENBAND are included in Ribbon's consolidated financial statements beginning on the Merger Date.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ribbon and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates and Judgments
Use of Estimates and Judgments

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 and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and judgments relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include accounting for business combinations, revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, inventory valuations, assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation, intangible assets and goodwill valuations, legal contingencies and recoverability of Ribbon's net deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowances. Ribbon regularly assesses these estimates and records changes in estimates in the period in which they become known. Ribbon bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications, net affecting previously reported net loss, have been made to the previously issued financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

Business Combinations
Business Combinations

The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed and represents the expected future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in the business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent that it identifies adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606" or the "New Revenue Standard") using the modified retrospective approach. As a result, the Company changed its accounting policy for revenue recognition, which is described below and in Note 14.

The Company derives revenue from two primary sources: products and services. Product revenue includes the Company's appliances and software that function together to deliver the products' essential functionality. Software and appliances are also sold on a standalone basis. Services include customer support (software updates, upgrades and technical support), consulting, design services, installation services and training. Generally, contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligations, consisting of products and services. For these contracts, the Company accounts for individual performance obligations separately if they are considered distinct.

When an arrangement contains more than one performance obligation, the Company will allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The Company utilizes the observable price of goods and services when they are sold separately to similar customers in order to estimate standalone selling price.

The Company's software licenses typically provide a perpetual right to use the Company's software. The Company also sells term-based software licenses that expire and Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS")-based software which are referred to as subscription arrangements. The Company does not customize its software nor are installation services required, as the customer has a right to utilize internal resources or a third-party service company. The software and appliances are delivered before related services are provided and are functional without professional services or customer support. The Company has concluded that its software licenses are functional intellectual property that are distinct, as the user can benefit from the software on its own. The product revenue is typically recognized upon transfer of control or when the software is made available for download, as this is the point that the user of the software can direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the functional intellectual property. The Company does not recognize software revenue related to the renewal of subscription software licenses earlier than the beginning of the subscription period. Appliance products are generally sold with software to provide the customer solution.

The Company offers warranties on its products. Certain of the Company's warranties are considered to be assurance-type in nature and do not cover anything beyond ensuring that the product is functioning as intended. Based on the guidance in ASC 606, assurance-type warranties do not represent separate performance obligations. The Company also sells separately-priced maintenance service contracts which qualify as service-type warranties and represent separate performance obligations. The Company does not allow and has no history of accepting product returns.

Services revenue includes revenue from customer support and other professional services. Customer support includes software updates on a when-and-if-available basis, telephone support, integrated web-based support and bug fixes or patches. The Company sells its customer support contracts at a percentage of list or net product price related to the support. Customer support revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the customer support agreement, which is typically one year.

The Company's professional services include consulting, technical support, resident engineer services, design services and installation services. Because control transfers over time, revenue is recognized based on progress toward completion of the performance obligation. The method to measure progress toward completion requires judgment and is based on the nature of the products or services to be provided. The Company generally uses the input method to measure progress for its contracts because it believes such method best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer, which occurs as the Company incurs costs for the contracts. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the progress toward completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. When the measure of progress is based upon expended labor, progress toward completion is measured as the ratio of labor time expended to date versus the total estimated labor time required to complete the performance obligation. Revenue is recorded proportionally as costs are incurred or as labor is expended. Costs to fulfill these obligations include internal labor as well as subcontractor costs.

Customer training includes courses offered by the Company. The related revenue is typically recognized as the training services are performed.
Financial Instruments
Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of Ribbon's financial instruments approximate their fair values and include cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, borrowings under a revolving credit facility, accounts payable and long-term debt.

All investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders' equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary, based on current and expected market conditions, are recognized in earnings. Declines in fair value determined to be credit-related are charged to earnings. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method.

Financial instruments with remaining maturities or that are due within one year from the balance sheet date are classified as current. Financial instruments with maturities or that are payable more than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as noncurrent.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are stated at fair value. Cash equivalents are liquid securities that have remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign Currency Translation

For foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the local currency, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during each period. Translation adjustments for these subsidiaries are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

For foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, monetary assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during each period. Translation adjustments for these subsidiaries are included in Other income (expense), net.

Realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the subsidiary's functional currency are reflected in earnings.

Effective on the Merger Date, the Company began to record its foreign currency gains (losses) as a component of Other income (expense), net. The Company did not reclassify amounts previously recorded within General and administrative expenses as the amounts were not material to the consolidated results of the Company.
Inventory
Inventory

Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out convention. The Company reduces the carrying value of inventory for those items that are potentially excess, obsolete or slow-moving based on changes in customer demand, technology developments or other economic factors.

Ribbon writes down evaluation equipment at the time of shipment to its customers, as it is probable that the inventory value will not be realized.

Deferred product costs represent deferred cost of revenue for product shipments to customers prior to satisfaction of Ribbon's revenue recognition criteria. The Company classifies inventory that is not expected to be consumed within one year from the balance sheet date as noncurrent and includes such inventory as a component of Other assets.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from two to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease term or five years. When an asset is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are eliminated, and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized in income (loss) from operations in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment in the same manner as intangible assets discussed below.

Software development costs associated with internal use software are incurred in three stages of development: the preliminary project stage, the application development stage and the post-implementation stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized as property and equipment. Internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of three years, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets are primarily comprised of certain intangible assets arising from the Merger and the Edgewater Acquisition. These intangible assets include a combination of in-process research and development, developed technology, customer relationships, trade names, and internal use software. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable based upon the estimated undiscounted cash flows. Recoverability of intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If these comparisons indicate that an asset is not recoverable, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds the related estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is based on either discounted future operating cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the asset. The Company amortizes its intangible assets over their respective useful lives, with the exception of in-process research and development, which has an indefinite life until the product is generally available, at which time such asset is typically reclassified to developed technology, and the Company begins to amortize this asset. See Note 9 for additional information regarding the Company's intangible assets.

Goodwill is recorded when the consideration for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, by comparing the fair value of the Company's reporting unit to its carrying value.

The Company's annual testing for impairment of goodwill is completed as of November 30. The Company operates as a single operating segment with one reporting unit and consequently evaluates goodwill for impairment based on an evaluation of the fair value of the Company as a whole. Based on the results of the Company's 2019 annual impairment test, the Company determined that its carrying value exceeded its fair value. The Company performed a fair value analysis using both an Income and Market approach which encompasses a discounted cash flow analysis and a guideline public company analysis using selected multiples. The Company recorded an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2019 of $164.3 million. The impairment charge is reported separately in the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company's stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value on the date of grant of stock options. The fair value of stock option awards is affected by the Company's stock price as well as valuation assumptions, including the volatility of Ribbon's stock price, expected term of the option, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The Company may grant performance-based stock units ("PSUs") that include a market condition to certain of its executives. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation approach to model future stock price movements based upon the risk-free rate of return, the volatility of each entity and the pair-wise covariance between each entity. These results are then used to calculate the grant date fair values of the PSUs.

Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk

The financial instruments that potentially subject Ribbon to concentrations of credit risk are cash, cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. The Company's cash equivalents and investments were managed by one financial institution at December 31, 2018. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant losses due to such bank depository concentration.

Certain components and software licenses from third parties used in Ribbon's products are procured from single sources of supply. The failure of a supplier, including a subcontractor, to deliver on schedule could delay or interrupt Ribbon's delivery of products and thereby materially adversely affect Ribbon's revenue and operating results.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included as a component of Sales and marketing expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
Operating Segments
Operating Segments

The Company operates in a single segment, as the chief operating decision maker makes decisions and assesses performance at the company level. Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is utilized for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. To date, the chief operating decision maker has made such decisions and assessed performance at the company level, as one segment. The Company's chief operating decision makers are its Interim Co-Presidents and Chief Executive Officers.
Loss Contingencies and Reserves
Loss Contingencies and Reserves

Ribbon is subject to ongoing business risks arising in the ordinary course of business, including legal claims, that affect the estimation process of the carrying value of assets, the recording of liabilities and the possibility of various loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Ribbon regularly evaluates current information available to determine whether such amounts should be adjusted and records changes in estimates in the period they become known.

An allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on the Company's assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts.

Ribbon accrues for royalties for technology that it licenses from vendors based on established royalty rates and usage. Ribbon is periodically contacted by third parties who claim that Ribbon's products infringe on certain intellectual property of a third party. Ribbon evaluates these claims and accrues amounts when it is probable that the obligation has been incurred and the amounts are reasonably estimable.
Accounting for Leases
Accounting for Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new standard on accounting for leases, ASC 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). ASC 842 replaced existing lease accounting rules with a comprehensive lease measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements (see Note 17). ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and eliminates the current GAAP requirement for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification.

The Company elected to use the alternative transition method, which allowed entities to initially apply ASC 842 at the adoption date with no subsequent adjustments to prior period lease costs for comparability. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which provided that a company need not reassess whether expired or existing contracts contained a lease, the lease classification of expired or existing leases, and the amount of initial direct costs for existing leases.

In connection with the adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded additional lease assets of $43.9 million and additional lease liabilities of $47.8 million as of January 1, 2019. The difference between the additional lease assets and lease liabilities, net of the deferred tax impact, was due to the absorption of related balances into the right-of-use assets, such as deferred rent. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company's consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
Accounting for Income Taxes
Accounting for Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future consequences of events that have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards, using tax rates expected to be in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

The Company has provided for income taxes on the undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019, with the exception of the Company's Irish subsidiary, as the Company does not plan to permanently reinvest these amounts outside the United States. The repatriation of the undistributed earnings would result in withholding taxes imposed on the repatriation. Consequently, the Company has recorded a tax liability of $4.8 million, primarily consisting of withholding and distribution taxes, relating to undistributed earnings from these subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019. Had the earnings of the Irish subsidiary been determined to not be permanently reinvested outside the U.S., no additional deferred tax liability would be required due to no withholding taxes or income tax expense being imposed on such repatriation.

The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. If it is not more likely than not that a position will be sustained, no amount of the benefit attributable to the position is recognized. The tax benefit to be recognized of any tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon resolution of the contingency. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued the following accounting pronouncements, all of which became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and none of which had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements:

In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-09, Codification Improvements (“ASU 2018-09”), which contains amendments to clarify, correct errors in or make minor improvements to the FASB codification. ASU 2018-09 makes improvements to multiple topics, including but not limited to comprehensive income, debt, income taxes related to both stock-based compensation and business combinations, fair value measurement and defined contribution benefit plans.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"), to include all share-based payment arrangements related to the acquisition of goods and services from both nonemployees and employees. As a result, most of the guidance in ASC 718 associated with employee share-based payments, including most of its requirements related to classification and measurement, applies to nonemployee share-based payment arrangements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which amends ASC 220, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income, to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The Company did not elect to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to accumulated deficit.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which removes the prohibition in ASC 740, Income Taxes, against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory.

In addition, the FASB has issued the following accounting pronouncements, none of which the Company believes will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements:

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”), which provides guidance on implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (“CCA”) that is a service contract. ASU 2018-15 amends ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) to include in its scope implementation costs of a CCA that is a service contract and clarifies that a customer should apply the guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs should be capitalized in such a CCA. ASU 2018-15 was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”), which amends ASC 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the fair value measurement requirements of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020 for both interim and annual reporting.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), which adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under ASU 2016-13, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. In April and May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments ("ASU 2019-04") and ASU 2019-05 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief ("ASU 2019-05"), respectively. ASU 2019-04 provides transition relief for entities adopting ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-05 clarifies certain aspects of the accounting for credit losses, hedging activities and financial instruments in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2019-04 and ASU 2019-05 are effective with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, which was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020 for both interim and annual reporting periods.