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GOVERNMENT GRANTS | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2020
GOVERNMENT GRANTS |
GOVERNMENT GRANTS | 8. GOVERNMENT GRANTS ​ The Federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”) is a subsidy program managed by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). USF funds are disbursed to telecommunication providers through four programs: the High Cost Program; Low Income Program (“Lifeline Program”); Schools and Libraries Program (“E-Rate Program”); and Rural Health Care Program. The Company participates in the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, E-Rate Program, and Rural Health Care Support Program 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. ​ During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $4.1 million and $12.3 million, respectively, of revenue from the High Cost Program in its International Telecom segment. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $4.1 million and $12.3 million, respectively, of revenue from the High Cost Program in its International Telecom segment. Also, during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of High Cost Program revenue in its US Telecom segment. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of High Cost Program 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 August 2018, the Company was awarded $79.9 million over 10 years under the Connect America Fund Phase II Auction. 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. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $1.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of revenue from the Connect America Fund Phase II program. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $1.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of revenue from the program, as funding began in the second quarter of 2019. ​ The Company also receives construction grants to build network connectivity for eligible communities. The funding is used to reimburse construction costs and is distributed upon completion of a project. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has been awarded approximately $16.8 million of grants with construction completion obligations beginning in June 2020. Once these projects are constructed, the Company is obligated to provide service to the participants. The Company receives funds upon construction completion and is in various stages of constructing the networks. The Company did not receive any funds during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. 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 Program, Lifeline Program, and Rural Health Care Support Program. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded revenue of $2.2 million and $6.6 million, respectively, in the aggregate from these programs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded revenue of $1.5 million and $4.7 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, consequently reducing future depreciation expense and $2.0 million to offset the cost of supporting the network which will reduce future operating expense. Through September 30, 2020, the Company has spent $5.1 million on capital expenditures and has recorded $0.1 million in offsets to the cost of supporting the network. 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. ​ CBRS Auction ​ During the third quarter of 2020, the Company participated in the FCC’s Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) auction for Priority Access Licenses (PALs). These PALs are licensed on a county-by-county basis and are awarded for a 10-year renewable term. The Company bid on and was awarded PALs located strategically throughout the United States and made an investment of approximately $20.4 million. In connection with the awarded licenses, the Company will have to achieve certain CBRS spectrum build out obligations. The Company currently expects to comply with all applicable requirements related to these licenses. ​

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