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Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 2. Significant Accounting Policies: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and are stated in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise noted. (a) Basis of presentation These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. (b) Use of estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its judgements and estimates, including those related to the allocation of MONOS platform service consideration between multiple performance obligations, the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets which requires judgement over qualitative indicators of impairment and loss contingencies. For acquired customer relationships, the Company estimates the fair value based on the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique that calculates the fair value of an intangible asset based on the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated over the remaining useful life of the asset. This valuation involves significant subjectivity and estimation uncertainty, including assumptions related to future revenues attributable to acquired customer relationships, attrition rates and discount rates. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, available market information as applicable, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time they are made. Under different assumptions or conditions, the actual results will differ, potentially materially, from those previously estimated. Many of the conditions impacting these assumptions and estimates are outside of the Company’s control. (c) Cash and cash equivalents All highly liquid investments, with an original term to maturity of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value. (d) Inventory Inventory primarily consists of Internet optical network terminals and customer installation equipment. All inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined based on actual cost of the mobile device, accessory shipped or optical network terminals. The net realizable value of inventory is analyzed on a regular basis. This analysis includes assessing obsolescence, sales forecasts, product life cycle, marketplace and other considerations. If assessments regarding the above factors adversely change, we may be required to write down the value of inventory. (e) Property and equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis so as to depreciate the cost of depreciable assets over their estimated useful lives at the following rates:
| Rate |
Asset |  |  |  |  |  |
Computer equipment |  |  | 30% |  |  |
Computer software | 331/3 |  | - |  | 100% |
Furniture and equipment |  |  | 20% |  |  |
Vehicles and tools |  |  | 20% |  |  |
Fiber network (years) |  |  | 15 |  |  |
Customer equipment and installations (years) |  |  | 3 |  |  |
Leasehold improvements | Over term of lease |
Capitalized internal use software (years) | 3 - 7 |
The Company reviews the carrying values of its property and equipment for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the group of assets and their eventual disposition is less than their carrying amount, they are considered to be impaired. The amount of the impairment loss recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, with fair value being determined based upon discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets. Additions to the fiber network are recorded at cost, including all material, labor, vehicle and installation and construction costs and certain indirect costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities. While the Company’s capitalization is based on specific activities, once capitalized, costs are tracked by fixed asset category at the fiber network level and not on a specific asset basis. For assets that are retired, the estimated historical cost and related accumulated depreciation is removed. Additions to land are recorded at cost, and include any direct costs associated with the purchase, as well as any direct costs incurred to bring it to the condition necessary for its intended use, such as legal fees associated with the acquisition and the cost of permanent improvements. Land is not depreciated. We capitalize costs for software to be used internally when we enter the application development stage. This occurs when we complete the preliminary project stage, management authorizes and commits to funding the project, and it is feasible that the project will be completed and the software will perform the intended function. We cease to capitalize costs related to a software project when it enters the post implementation and operation stage. Costs capitalized during the application development stage consist of payroll and related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and who devote time directly to, a project to develop software for internal use. External contractor costs who are directly associated with, and who devote time directly to, a project to develop software for internal use are also capitalized. Generally, we do not capitalize any general and administrative or overhead costs or costs incurred during the application development stage related to research and development, training or data conversion costs. Research and development costs and data conversion costs may be capitalized as Costs to fulfill a contract, if they relate to a specific professional services customer contract (see Note 11 - Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract). Costs related to upgrades and enhancements to internal-use software, if those upgrades and enhancements result in additional functionality, are capitalized. If upgrades and enhancements do not result in additional functionality, those costs are expensed as incurred. The capitalized software development costs are generally to be amortized using the straight-line method over a 3 to 7-year period. In determining and reassessing the estimated useful life over which the cost incurred for the software should be amortized, we consider the effects of obsolescence, technology, competition and other economic factors. (f) Derivative Financial Instruments The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange risk. The Company also uses pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a Canadian chartered bank to limit the potential interest rate fluctuations incurred on its future cash flows related to variable interest payments on the Credit facility. The Company accounts for these instruments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” ("Topic 815"), which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. Topic 815 also requires that changes in our derivative financial instruments’ fair values be recognized in earnings, unless specific hedge accounting and documentation criteria are met (i.e., the instruments are accounted for as hedges). The Company recorded the effective portions of the gain or loss on derivative financial instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For certain foreign currency contracts, the Company has not complied with the documentation standards required for its forward foreign exchange contracts to be accounted for as hedges and has, therefore, accounted for such forward foreign exchange contracts at their fair values with the changes in fair value recorded in net income. The fair value of the forward exchange contracts is determined using an estimated credit adjusted mark-to-market valuation which takes into consideration the Company's and the counterparty's credit risk. The valuation technique used to measure the fair values of the derivative instruments is a discounted cash flow technique, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data, as no quoted market prices exist for the derivative instruments. The discounted cash flow techniques use observable market inputs, such as foreign currency spot, SOFR rates, forward currency and interest rates. (g) Goodwill and Other Intangible assets Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired in business combinations. The Company does not amortize goodwill. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed annually in the fourth quarter of each year or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Impairment testing is performed at the operating segment level. The Company has determined that it has three operating segments, Ting, Wavelo and Tucows Domains . The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether there are events or circumstances which would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that goodwill has been impaired. If, after this qualitative assessment, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that goodwill has been impaired, then no further quantitative testing is necessary. In performance of the qualitative test, an evaluation is made of the impact of various factors to the expected future cash flows attributable to its operating segments and to the assumed discount rate which would be used to present value those cash flows. Consideration is given to factors such as macro-economic, industry and market conditions including the capital markets, the competitive environment, in addition to other internal factors including changes to our market capitalization, cash inflows, obligations and access to capital of our segments . In the event that the qualitative tests indicate that there may be impairment, quantitative impairment testing is required. If required to perform the quantitative test, the Company uses a discounted cash flow or income approach in which future expected cash flows at the operating segment level are converted to present value using factors that consider the timing and risk of the future cash flows. The estimate of cash flows used is prepared on an unleveraged debt-free basis. The discount rate reflects a market-derived weighted average cost of capital. The Company believes that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the Company’s expected long-term operating and cash flow performance for its operating segment. The projections are based upon the Company’s best estimates of projected economic and market conditions over the related period including growth rates, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, terminal value margin rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital. If assumptions and estimates used to allocate the purchase price or used to assess impairment prove to be inaccurate, future asset impairment charges could be required. Intangibles Assets Not Subject to Amortization Intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of surname domain names and direct navigation domain names. While the domain names are renewed annually, through payment of a renewal fee to the applicable registry, the Company has the exclusive right to renew these names at its option. Renewals occur routinely and at a nominal cost. Moreover, the Company has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of these domain names on an aggregate basis and accordingly treat the portfolio of domain names as indefinite life intangible assets. The Company re-evaluates the useful life determination for domain names in the portfolio each year to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. The Company reviews individual domain names in the portfolio for potential impairment throughout the fiscal year in determining whether a particular name should be renewed. Impairment is recognized for names that are not renewed. Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization Intangible assets subject to amortization, consist of brand, customer relationships, technology and network rights and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
| (in years)
Technology | 2 | - | 7
Brand |  | 7 |
Customer relationships | 3 | - | 7
Network rights |  | 15 |
The Company continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful lives of its intangible assets subject to amortization may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the asset is recoverable. (h) Revenue recognition See “Note 10 – Revenue” for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition policy and a further description of the principal activities – separated by reportable segments – from which the Company generates its revenue. (i) Contract balances The Company accounts for contract assets and liabilities (deferred revenue) on a contract-by-contract basis, with each contract presented as either a net contract asset or a net contract liability accordingly. Contract assets are recorded for services delivered under contracts, to the extent that the services delivered exceed the services which have been billed to the customer at the reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when the rights to consideration become unconditional. Contract assets primarily relate to long-term mobile platform services contracts. Deferred revenue primarily relates to the unearned portion of revenues received in advance related to the unexpired term of registration fees from domain name registrations and other domain related Internet services, on both a wholesale and retail basis, net of external commissions. To a lesser extent, deferred revenue also includes a portion of the transaction price received from other professional services. (j) Contract Costs See “Note 11 – Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract” for a description of the Company’s contract cost recognition policy. (k) Contract Modifications Contracts may be amended to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. Contract modifications exist when the amendment either creates new, or changes existing, enforceable rights and obligations. When contract modifications create new performance obligations and the increase in consideration approximates the standalone selling price for services related to such new performance obligations as adjusted for specific facts and circumstances of the contract, the modification is considered to be a separate contract. If a contract modification is not accounted for as a separate contract, the Company accounts for the promised services not yet transferred at the date of the contract modification (the remaining promised services) prospectively, as if it were a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, if the remaining services are distinct from the services transferred on or before the date of the contract modification. The Company accounts for a contract modification as if it were a part of the existing contract if the remaining services are not distinct and, therefore, form part of a single performance obligation that is partially satisfied at the date of the contract modification. In such case the effect that the contract modification has on the transaction price, and on the entity’s measure of progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) at the date of the contract modification (the adjustment to revenue is made on a cumulative catch-up basis). (l) Leases Under ASC 842, we determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Payments under our lease arrangements are primarily fixed. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We combine fixed payments for non-lease components with lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of our lease assets and liabilities. Certain lease agreements contain variable payments, which are expensed as incurred and not included in the lease assets and liabilities. These amounts include payments affected by payments contingent on the number of Ting internet subscribers connected to a leased fiber network, and payments for maintenance and utilities. We have elected to consider leases with a term of 12 months or less as short-term, and as such these have not been recognized on the balance sheet. We recognize lease expense for short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased asset is located. Our lease terms include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We generally use the base, non-cancelable, lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities. Lease assets also include any prepaid lease payments. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. (m) Accreditation fees payable In accordance with ICANN rules, the Company has elected to pay ICANN fees incurred on the registration of Generic Top-Level Domains on an annual basis. Accordingly, accreditation fees that relate to registrations completed prior to ICANN rendering a bill are accrued and reflected as accreditation fees payable. (n) Translation of foreign currency transactions The Company’s functional currency is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company and of its wholly owned subsidiaries that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the historical exchange rates. Transactions included in operations are translated at the rate at the date of the transactions. (o) Income taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in net income in the year that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is not likely that a deferred tax asset will be realized. The Company recognizes the impact of an uncertain income tax position at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority and includes consideration of interest and penalties. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified as non-current unless the liability is expected to be settled in cash within 12 months of the reporting date. (p) Redeemable preferred shares See "Note 13 - Redeemable preferred shares" for the description and treatment of the Company's Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement. (q) Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest, reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company recognizes stock based compensation for both public company stock and private subsidiary stock - see "Note 15. Stock Option Plans." (r) Earnings per common share Basic earnings per common share has been calculated on the basis of net income for the year divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding at the end of the year assuming that they had been issued, converted or exercised at the later of the beginning of the year or their date of issuance. In computing diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method is used to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the conversion of common share equivalents or the proceeds of the exercise of options. (s) Concentration of credit risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, forward foreign exchange contracts and pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap contracts. Cash equivalents consist of deposits with major commercial banks, the maturities of which are three months or less from the date of purchase. With respect to accounts receivable, the Company performs periodic credit evaluations of the financial condition of its customers and typically does not require collateral from them. The counterparty to any forward foreign exchange contracts is a major commercial bank which management believes does not represent a significant credit risk. Management assesses the need for allowances for potential credit losses by considering the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. (t) Fair value measurement Fair value of financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows: Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities Level 3—No observable pricing inputs in the market Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accreditation fees payable, customer deposits and accrued liabilities (level 2 measurements) approximate their carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments. The fair value of the derivative financial instruments is determined using an estimated credit-adjusted mark-to-market valuation (a level 2 measurement) which takes into consideration the Company and the counterparty credit risk. (u) Investments The Company accounts for investment in entities over which it has the ability to exert significant influence, but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary of, using the equity method of accounting. The Company includes the proportionate share of earnings (loss) of the equity method investees in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The proportional shares of affiliate earnings or losses accounted for under the equity method of accounting were not material for all periods presented. Equity investments without readily determinable fair value include ownership rights that do not provide the Company with control or significant influence. Such equity investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes as of the date that an observable transaction takes place. Subsequent adjustments are recorded in other income (expense), net. (v) Segment reporting The Company operates in three operating segments, Ting, Wavelo and Tucows Domains. No operating segments have been aggregated to determine our reportable segments. Our reportable operating segments and their principal activities consist of the following:
Ting | This segment derives revenue from the retail high speed Internet access to individuals and small businesses primarily through the Ting website. Revenues are generated in the United States
Wavelo | This segment derives revenue from platform and other professional services related to communication service providers, including Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers, and are primarily generated in the United States.
Tucows Domains | This segment includes wholesale and retail domain name registration services and value added services. The Company primarily earns revenues from the registration fees charged to resellers in connection with new, renewed and transferred domain name registrations; the sale of retail Internet domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses. Domain Services revenues are attributed to the country in which the contract originates, primarily Canada and the United States.
Our segmented results include shared services allocations, including a profit margin, from Tucows Corporate for Finance, Human Resources and other technical services, to the operating units. In addition, Wavelo charges Ting a subscriber based monthly charge services rendered. Financial impacts from these allocations and cross segment charges are eliminated as part of the Tucows Corporate results. The Company’s assets are primarily located in Canada, the United States and Europe. (w) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted None. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted None.

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