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GOVERNMENT GRANTS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
GOVERNMENT GRANTS |
GOVERNMENT GRANTS | 11. GOVERNMENT GRANTS Universal Service Fund ​ The Federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”) is a subsidy program managed by the FCC. USF funds are disbursed to telecommunication providers through four programs: the High Cost Program; Low Income Program; Schools and Libraries Program (“E-Rate”); and Rural Health Care Program. The Company participates in the High Cost Program, Low Income Program, Schools and Libraries Programs, and Rural Health Care Support programs as further described below. All of these funding programs are subject to certain operational and reporting compliance requirements. The Company believes it is in compliance with all applicable requirements. ​ The FCC’s Mobility Funds and Connect America Funds are administered through the High Cost Program. The High Cost Support program subsidizes telecommunications services in rural and remote areas. The FCC created the Phase I Mobility Fund (“Phase I Mobility Fund”), a one-time award meant to support wireless coverage in underserved geographic areas in the United States. ​ The Company received $21.1 million of Phase I Mobility Fund support to its wholesale wireless business (the “Mobility Funds”) to be used to expand voice and broadband networks in certain geographic areas in order to offer either 3G or 4G service. Of these funds, $7.2 million was recorded as an offset to the cost of the property, plant, and equipment associated with these projects and, consequentially, a reduction of future depreciation expense. The remaining $13.9 million received offset operating expenses from inception of the program through part of the third quarter of 2018. The Mobility Funds projects and their operating results are included within the Company’s US Telecom segment. As part of the receipt of the Mobility Funds, the Company committed to comply with certain additional FCC construction and other requirements. If the requirements are not met the funds may be subject to claw back provisions. The Company currently expects to comply with all applicable requirements related to these funds. ​ During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $16.4 million, $16.5 million, and $16.5 million, respectively, of revenue from High Cost Support in the Company’s International Telecom segment for its US Virgin Islands operations. Also, during each year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $1.2 million of High Cost Support revenue in its US Telecom segment. The Company is subject to certain operational, reporting and construction requirements as a result of this funding and the Company believes that it is in compliance with all of these requirements. In addition, the Company recorded revenue of $15.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, from additional funding authorized by the FCC following the Hurricanes. ​ In August 2018, the Company was awarded $79.9 million over 10 years under the Connect America Fund Phase II Auction. The funding began in the second quarter of 2019 and the Company is required to provide fixed broadband and voice services to certain eligible areas in the United States. The Company is subject to operational and reporting requirements under the program and the Company expects to incur additional capital expenditures to comply with these requirements. The Company determined the award is a revenue grant, and as a result the Company will record the funding as revenue upon receipt. The Company recorded $5.3 million of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2019 from the Connect America Fund Phase II program. ​ The E-Rate program provides discounted telecommunication access to eligible schools and libraries. The E-Rate program (i) awards special construction funding to build network connectivity for eligible participants, and (ii) pays for discounted recurring charges for eligible broadband services. The special construction funding is used to reimburse construction costs and is distributed upon completion of a project. As of December 31, 2019, the Company was awarded approximately $15.8 million of E-Rate grants with construction completion obligations beginning in June 2020. Once these projects are constructed the Company is obligated to provide service to the E-Rate program participants. The Company receives funds upon construction completion and is in various stages of constructing the networks. During 2019, the Company received $5.4 million of which $3.1 million was a reimbursement of capital expenditures and $2.3 million offset operating activities. The Company expects to meet all requirements associated with these grants. ​ The Company also receives funding to provide discounted telecommunication services to eligible customers under the E-Rate, Lifeline, and Rural Health Care Support Programs. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 the Company recorded revenue of $6.1 million, $8.2 million, and $10.2 million, respectively, in the aggregate from these programs. The Company is subject to certain operational and reporting requirements under the above mentioned programs and it believes that it is in compliance with all of these requirements. ​ Tribal Bidding Credit ​ As part of the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction, the FCC implemented a tribal lands bidding credit to encourage deployment of wireless services utilizing 600 MHz spectrum on the lands of federally recognized tribes. The Company received a bidding credit of $7.4 million under this program in 2018. A portion of these funds will be used to offset network capital costs and a portion will be used to offset the costs of supporting the networks. The Company’s current estimate is that it will use $5.4 million to offset capital costs and, consequently, reduce future depreciation expense and $2.0 million to offset the cost of supporting the network which will reduce future operating expense. The credits are subject to certain requirements, including deploying service by January 2021 and meeting minimum coverage metrics. If the requirements are not met the funds may be subject to claw back provisions. The Company currently expects to comply with all applicable requirements related to these funds. ​ ​

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