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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - GCI, LLCincexhibit321.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - GCI, LLCincexhibit322.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - GCI, LLCincexhibit211.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - GCI, LLCincexhibit311.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - GCI, LLCincexhibit312.htm

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-K
 
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from             to           
 
Commission File No. 0-5890

 
GCI, INC.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
State of Alaska
 
91-1820757
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S Employer
 
 
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 

 
2550 Denali Street
     
 
Suite 1000
     
 
Anchorage, Alaska
 
99503
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (907) 868-5600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes o   No x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act.
 
Yes o   No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes x   No o
 
 
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o   No x

THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

 
 
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A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.
2011 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
Page No.
           
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
4
           
Part I
 
 
Item I.
Business
   
4
 
Item IA.
Risk Factors
   
28
 
Item IB.
Unresolved Staff Comments
   
34
 
Item 2.
Properties
   
34
 
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
   
34
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
   
   35
           
Part
II
       
 
Item 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
   
35
 
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
   
35
 
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
36
 
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
   
61
 
Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
   
61
 
Item 9.
Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
   
62
 
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
   
62
 
Item 9B.
Other Information
   
63
           
Part III
     
 
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are omitted per General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K
   
63
           
Part IV
     
Item 15.  Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules
   
64
       
SIGNATURES
 
    104


This Annual Report on Form 10-K is for the year ending December 31, 2011.  This Annual Report modifies and supersedes documents filed prior to this Annual Report.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents.  Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Annual Report.  In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Annual Report.

 
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report, but should particularly consider any risk factors that we set forth in this Annual Report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. In this Annual Report, in addition to historical information, we state our future strategies, plans, objectives or goals and our beliefs of future events and of our future operating results, financial position and cash flows.  In some cases, you can identify those so-called “forward-looking statements” by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “project,” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words.  All forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives to differ materially from any future results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  In evaluating those statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including those identified under “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.  Those factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any of our forward-looking statements.  For these forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  Further, any forward-looking statement, and the related risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date on which they were originally made and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard to these statements or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict what factors will arise or when.  In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Part I

Item 1. Business

General
In this Annual Report, “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” refer to GCI, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

GCI, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 to effect the issuance of Senior Notes as further described in note 6 to the accompanying "Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this Report.  GCI, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of General Communication, Inc. ("GCI"), received through its initial capitalization all ownership interests in subsidiaries previously held by GCI.  GCI was incorporated in 1979 under the laws of the State of Alaska and has its principal executive offices at 2550 Denali Street, Suite 1000, Anchorage, AK 99503-2781 (telephone number 907-265-5600).

GCI, Inc. is primarily a holding company and together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, is a diversified communications provider with operations primarily in the state of Alaska.

Availability of Reports and Other Information
Internet users can access information about the Company and its services at http://www.gci.com/, http://www.gci-industrialtelecom.com, http://www.unicom-alaska.com/ and http://www.alaskaunited.com/. The Company hosts Internet services at http://www.gci.net/, broadband delivery of ConnectMD® services at http://www.connectmd.com, and SchoolAccess® services at http://www.schoolaccess.net/. The Company hosts information about our TERRA-Southwest (“TERRA-SW”) and TERRA-Northwest (“TERRA-NW”) projects at http://terra.gci.com/.

We make available on the http://www.gci.com/ website, free of charge, access to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, GCI’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically submit such material to the SEC. In addition, the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov/. The SEC makes available on this website, free of charge, reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. Information on our websites or the SEC’s website is not part of this document.

 
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Financial Information about Industry Segments
Our five reportable segments are Consumer, Network Access, Commercial, Managed Broadband, and Regulated Operations.

For financial information about our reportable segments, see “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  Also refer to note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Narrative Description of our Business

General
We are the largest Alaska-based communications provider as measured by revenues. We offer facilities-based local and long-distance voice services, wireless telephone services, video services, data and Internet access to residential and business customers across the state under our GCI brand.  Due to the unique nature of the markets we serve, including harsh winter weather and remote geographies, our customers rely extensively on our systems to meet their communication and entertainment needs. We benefit from the attractive demographic and economic characteristics of Alaska.

Since GCI’s founding in 1979 as a competitive long distance provider, we have consistently expanded our product portfolio and facilities to become the leading integrated communication services provider in our markets. Our facilities include redundant and geographically diverse digital undersea fiber optic cable systems linking our Alaska terrestrial networks to the networks of other carriers in the lower 48 contiguous states. As of December 31, 2011, our cable systems passed 79% of Alaska’s households, and we have achieved 52% basic cable penetration of the homes we reach. We believe we offer superior video services relative to direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is limited by Alaska’s geographic location, challenging climate and terrain features.  At December 31, 2011, 80% of the local access lines we served were carried on our own last mile facilities. In recent years, we expanded our efforts in wireless and presently operate the only statewide wireless network. Our network provides access for both global system for mobile communications (“GSM”) and code division multiple access (“CDMA”) based devices, and fourth generation HSPA+ based wireless communications.

Our Consumer segment serves residential customers. Our Network Access segment serves other common carriers. Our Commercial segment serves small businesses, local, national and global businesses, governmental entities, and public and private educational institutions. Our Managed Broadband segment serves rural school districts, hospitals and health clinics. The financial results of the long-distance, local access and Internet services sold to consumer and commercial customers that we serve in the Bethel, Alaska area are reported in the Regulated Operations segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated consolidated revenues of $679.4 million. We ended the period with approximately 87,900 long-distance customers, 138,100 local access lines in service, 142,600 basic video subscribers, 139,900 wireless subscribers and 119,400 cable modem subscribers.

Development of our Business During the Past Fiscal Year
TERRA-SW Project.  In January 2010 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) approved our wholly owned subsidiary, United Utilities, Inc.’s (“UUI”) application for an $88.2 million loan/grant combination to extend terrestrial broadband service for the first time to Bristol Bay and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Alaska roughly the size of the state of North Dakota.  UUI began construction on TERRA-SW in 2010 and began offering service on this new facility on December 30, 2011.  TERRA-SW is now able to serve over 9,000 households and over 700 businesses in the 65 covered communities, as well as numerous public/non-profit/private community anchor institutions and entities, such as regional health care providers, school districts, and other regional and Alaska Native organizations.

TERRA-NW Project.  In August 2011, we entered into a financing arrangement under the New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program that provided $16.5 million in net cash to help fund the extension of terrestrial broadband service for the first time to rural Northwestern Alaska communities via a high capacity hybrid fiber optic and microwave network.  When completed, the project, called TERRA-NW, will connect to the TERRA-SW network and provide a high capacity backbone connection from the served communities to the Internet.

 
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In September 2011, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”) approved our application for a $5.3 million grant to help fund TERRA-NW.  The grant was increased to $6.3 million in January 2012.  The NMTC arrangement discussed above and this grant award partially fund backbone network facilities that we would not otherwise be able to construct within our return-on-investment requirements.  We plan to fund an additional $12.7 million for TERRA-NW and begin construction in 2012 and expect to complete the project in 2014 or earlier if possible.

Intrastate Access Reform.  On July 1, 2011, changes to the intrastate access charge regime published by the RCA went into effect.  These changes generally shifted revenue to incumbent local exchange carriers (“ILECs”) for transport of intrastate traffic from long distance carriers to the end-user customers through an increase in fees collected by regulated pools.

Universal Service Fund High Cost Support.  On November 29, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing Universal Service Fund ("USF") high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers.  Support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (“CETC”) serving areas that generally include Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will follow national reforms, capping support per provider per service area as of January 1, 2012, and commencing a five-step phase-down on July 1, 2012.  In addition to broader reforms, the FCC tailored revisions specifically for CETCs serving Remote Alaska, intended to address the unique challenges for serving these areas.  Support to these locations will be capped and distributed on a per-line basis until the later of July 1, 2014, or the implementation of a successor funding mechanism.  A further rulemaking to consider successor funding mechanisms is underway.

You should see “Part I — Item 1. Business — Regulation” for regulatory developments.

Business Strategy
We intend to continue to increase revenues using the following strategies:

Offer Bundled Products. We offer innovative service bundles to meet the needs of our consumer and commercial customers. We believe that bundling our services significantly improves customer retention, increases revenue per customer and reduces customer acquisition expenses. Our experience indicates that our bundled customers are significantly less likely to churn, and we experience less price erosion when we effectively combine our offerings. Bundling improves our top line revenue growth, provides operating cost efficiencies that expand our margins and drives our overall business performance. As a measure of success to date, over 91,700 of our residential customers subscribe to one of our service bundles that include two or more services.

Maximize Sales Opportunities. We successfully sell new and enhanced services and products between and within our business segments to our existing customer base to achieve increased revenues and penetration of our services. Through close coordination of our customer service and sales and marketing efforts, our customer service representatives suggest to our customers other services they can purchase or enhanced versions of services they already purchase. Many calls into our customer service centers or visits into one of our 37 retail stores result in sales of additional services and products.

Deliver Industry Leading Customer Service. We have positioned ourselves as a customer service leader in the Alaska communications market. We have organized our operations to effectively focus on our customers. We operate our own customer service department and maintain and staff our own call centers. We have empowered our customer service representatives to handle most service issues and questions on a single call. We prioritize our customer services to expedite handling of our most valuable customers’ issues, particularly for our largest commercial customers. We believe our integrated approach to customer service, including service set-up, programming various network databases with the customer’s information, installation, and ongoing service, allows us to provide a customer experience that fosters customer loyalty.

Leverage Communications Operations. We continue to expand and evolve our integrated network for the delivery of our services. Our bundled strategy and integrated approach to serving our customers creates efficiencies of scale and maximizes network utilization. By offering multiple services, we are better able to leverage our network assets and increase returns on our invested capital. We periodically evaluate our network assets and continually monitor technological developments that we can potentially deploy to increase network efficiency and performance.

 
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Expand Our Product Portfolio and Footprint in Alaska. Throughout our history, we have successfully added and expect to continue to add new products to our product portfolio. We have a demonstrated history of new product evaluation, development and deployment for our customers, and we continue to assess revenue-enhancing opportunities that create value for our customers. In addition to new services such as additional high definition television ("HDTV") channels, we are also expanding the reach of our core products to new markets. Where feasible and where economic analysis supports geographic expansion of our network coverage, we are currently pursuing or expect to pursue opportunities to increase the scale of our facilities, enhance our ability to serve our existing customers’ needs and attract new customers.

 
Make Strategic Acquisitions.  We have a history of making and integrating acquisitions of in-state telecommunications providers.  Our management team is adept at sourcing, acquiring and integrating acquired companies, and we will continue to actively pursue and buy companies that we believe fit with our strategy and networks and that enhance earnings.

Description of our Business by Reportable Segment

Overview
Our five reportable segments are Consumer, Network Access, Commercial, Managed Broadband, and Regulated Operations. Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products, are each managed separately, and serve distinct types of customers.

 Following are our segments and the services and products each offers to its customers:

 
 
Reportable Segments
Services and Products
Consumer
Network Access
Commercial
Managed Broadband
Regulated Operations
Voice:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-distance
X
X
X
 
X
 
Local Access
X
X
X
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Video
X
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internet
X
X
X
X
X
 
Data Networks
 
X
X
X
 
 
Managed Services
 
 
X
X
 
 
Managed Broadband Services
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wireless
X
X
X
 
 

Many of our networks and facilities are utilized by more than one segment to provide services and products to our customers. The following description of our business by reportable segment includes a comprehensive discussion within the Consumer segment section with references to that section if such common network and facility use exists in another segment. Similarly, many of the same services and products are sold to our customers in different segments.

The following discussion includes information about significant services and products, sales and marketing, facilities, competition and seasonality for each of our five reportable segments.  For a discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations please see “Part II – Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 
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Consumer Segment
Consumer segment revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
 
Total Consumer segment revenues1
$
352,574 
 
342,898 
 
294,925 
 

 
1  See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding the financial performance of our Consumer segment.


Services and Products
Our Consumer segment offers a full range of voice, video, data and wireless services and products to residential customers.

Voice Services and Products
Revenues derived from Consumer segment voice services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $52.1 million, $57.3 million, and $52.7 million, respectively, or 8%, 9%, and 9% of our total revenues, respectively.

Long-Distance
We are a full-service long-distance provider including intrastate, interstate and international calling.

Local Access
We offer local access services in many communities and areas in Alaska, including the state’s five largest population centers, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juneau.  Our own digital local phone service (“DLPS”) facilities and collocated remote facilities that access the ILEC unbundled network element ("UNE") loops allow us to offer full featured local service products to customers. In areas where we do not have our own DLPS facilities or access to ILEC UNE loop facilities, we offer service using total service resale of the ILEC’s local service or UNE platform.

Video Services and Products
Revenues derived from Consumer segment video services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $118.6 million, $118.5 million, and $111.0 million, respectively, or 17%, 18%, and 19% of our total revenues, respectively.

Our video systems serve 41 communities and areas in Alaska, including the state’s five largest population centers, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juneau.

We offer a full range of video services over our broadband cable systems. Our video service offerings include the following:

Basic cable. Our basic video service consists of digital basic service with access to between 13 and 21 channels of programming and an expanded digital basic service with access to between 40 and 102 additional channels of programming. These services generally consist of programming provided by national and local broadcast networks, national and regional cable networks, and governmental and public access programming.  We transmit an entirely digital signal for all cable television channels in all markets we serve.

High-definition television. Our high definition television ("HDTV") service provides our subscribers with improved, high-resolution picture quality, improved audio quality and a wide-screen, theater-like display. Our HDTV service offers a broad selection of high-definition programming with access of up to 114 high-definition channels including most major broadcast networks, leading national cable networks, premium channels and national sports networks.

 
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Digital video recorder. Our advanced digital video recorder ("DVR") service lets digital video subscribers select, record and store programs and play them at whatever time is convenient. DVR service also provides the ability to pause and rewind “live” television.

Premium channel programming. Our premium channel programming service, which includes cable networks such as Home Box Office, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, generally offers, without commercial interruption, feature motion pictures, live and taped sporting events, concerts and other special features.

Video on demand.  Our video on demand service permits our video subscribers to order at their convenience and for a separate fee, individual feature motion pictures and special event programs, on an unedited, commercial-free basis.

Pay-per-view programming. Our pay-per-view service permits our video subscribers to order, for a separate fee, scheduled individual feature motion pictures and special event programs, such as professional boxing, professional wrestling and concerts, on an unedited, commercial-free basis.

Data Services and Products
Revenues derived from Consumer segment data services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $72.0 million, $61.4 million, and $50.3 million, respectively, or 11%, 9%, and 8% of our total revenues, respectively.

Internet
We primarily offer high-speed cable modem service. Value-added Internet features, such as e-mail virus prevention, personal web site and domain hosting, and additional e-mail accounts, are available for additional charges. Our consumer high-speed cable modem Internet service offers up to 22 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds.

Wireless Services and Products
Revenues derived from Consumer segment wireless services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $109.9 million, $105.7 million, and $81.0 million, respectively, or 16%, 16%, and 14% of our total revenues, respectively.

We offer facilities-based mobile wireless voice and data services to our customers in the state’s largest population centers and many other small Alaska communities.

We offer our customers a variety of post-paid and prepaid wireless rate plans so they can choose the plan that best fits their expected calling needs. Consumer voice service is generally offered on a contract basis for one or two year periods. Under the terms of these contracts, service is billed and provided on a monthly basis according to the applicable rate plan chosen. Our offerings include regional and national rate plans at a variety of pricing tiers. Our wireless voice plans generally combine a fixed monthly access charge, a designated number of minutes-of-use, per minute usage charges for minutes in excess of the included amount and additional charges for certain custom-calling features. Most of our plans include basic features such as voice messaging, caller ID, call forwarding and call waiting, and two-way text messaging.  Wireless data service is included in certain plans or can be purchased as a feature to a plan.

We sell a variety of handsets and personal computer wireless data cards manufactured by various suppliers for use with our wireless services. We also sell accessories, such as carrying cases, hands-free devices, batteries, battery chargers and other items. We provide contract subscribers substantial equipment subsidies to initiate, continue or upgrade service.

Bundled Services and Products
We combine one or more of our individual service and product offerings into bundles that we sell to our Consumer segment customers at attractive prices.  Our most popular bundled offering includes long-distance, cable television, cable modem Internet access and local access services.  In addition to several other bundled offerings, we also offer a bundle of wireless services, cable television and cable modem Internet access.

 
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Sales and Marketing
Our Consumer segment sales efforts are primarily directed toward increasing the number of subscribers we serve, selling bundled services, and generating incremental revenues through product and feature up-sell opportunities.

Facilities
We operate a modern, competitive communications network employing digital transmission technology over our fiber optic facilities within Alaska and between Alaska and the lower 48 states. Our facilities include three self-constructed digital undersea fiber optic cable systems linking our Alaska terrestrial networks to the networks of other carriers in the lower 48 states:

·  
Alaska United East was placed into service in 1999 and connects Whittier, Valdez and Juneau, Alaska and Seattle, Washington,
·  
Alaska United West was placed into service in 2004 and connects Seward, Alaska to Warrenton, Oregon, and
·  
Alaska United Southeast was placed into service in 2008 and connects Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Angoon and Sitka, Alaska to Alaska United West and Alaska United East.

The combination of our Alaska United East, Alaska United West and Alaska United Southeast systems provides us with the ability to provide fully protected geographically diverse routing of service between Alaska and the lower 48 states.

Our Alaska United Northwest self-constructed terrestrial fiber optic cable system connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska along the Parks Highway corridor and we own a terrestrial fiber optic cable system that extends from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Valdez, Alaska via Fairbanks, Alaska.

We have indefeasible rights to use ("IRU") capacity in the Kodiak-Kenai Cable Company, LLC’s undersea fiber optic cable system linking Anchorage to Kenai, Homer, Kodiak, Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island, and Seward, Alaska.

We serve many rural and remote Alaska locations solely via satellite communications. Each of our C-band and Ku-band satellite transponders is backed up on alternate spacecraft with multiple backup transponders. The primary spacecraft we use to provide voice, data and Internet services to our rural Alaska customers are Intelsat’s Galaxy 18 for C-band and Intelsat's Horizons 1 for Ku-band, but we also lease capacity on two other spacecraft, SES Americom’s AMC-7 and AMC-8.

We also lease one 36 MHz transponder on SES Americom's AMC-7 spacecraft.  We use this transponder to distribute multi-channel, digitally encoded video programming and services to remote locations within Alaska.  We may use this transponder along with four others that we reserve on AMC-7 to restore service during any fiber outage that may occur in our network.

We operate digital microwave systems to link Anchorage with the Kenai Peninsula, our Prudhoe Bay Earth Station with Deadhorse, Alaska, and to link Bethel, Alaska with 40 rural communities. Virtually all switched services are computer controlled, digitally switched, and interconnected by a packet switched SS7 signaling network.

Other facilities include major earth stations at Adak, Barrow, Bethel, Dillingham, Dutch Harbor, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Galena, King Salmon, Kodiak, Kotzebue, McGrath, Nome, Prudhoe Bay, Sitka, Unalakleet, and Yakutat, all in Alaska, serving the communities in their vicinity. The Eagle River earth station is linked to the Anchorage distribution center by fiber optic facilities.

We use a synchronous optical network ("SONET") as a service delivery method for our terrestrial metropolitan area networks and long-haul terrestrial and undersea fiber optic cable systems.

A fiber optic cable system from our Anchorage distribution center connects to the Matanuska Telephone Association (“MTA”), Eagle River central office and to our major hub earth station in Eagle River. We have digital microwave and fiber IRU facilities serving the Kenai Peninsula communities. We maintain earth stations in Fairbanks (connected via SONET fiber facilities), Anchorage (Benson earth station), and in Prudhoe Bay and Bethel as fiber network restoration earth stations. Our Benson earth station also uplinks our statewide video service; such service may be pre-empted if earth station capacity is needed to restore our fiber network between Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay, and Anchorage and TERRA-SW communities.

 
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We use our demand assigned multiple access ("DAMA") facilities to serve 69 additional locations throughout Alaska. DAMA is a digital satellite earth station technology that allows calls to be made between remote villages using only one satellite hop, thereby reducing satellite delay and capacity requirements while improving quality. In addition, 54 (for a total of 123) C-band facilities provide dedicated Internet access and private network services to rural public schools, hospitals, health clinics, and natural resource development industries throughout Alaska. Our network of 83 Ku-band facilities provides dedicated Internet access and private network services to rural public schools, hospitals, health clinics, and natural resource development industries throughout Alaska, and in ten locations in the lower 48 states.

Our Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau distribution centers contain electronic switches to route calls to and from local exchange companies and, in Seattle, to obtain access to other carriers to distribute our southbound traffic to the remaining 49 states and international destinations.  Our digital switching systems also provide local service in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and 13 smaller communities throughout Alaska. Our extensive metropolitan area fiber network in Anchorage supports cable television, Internet and telephony services. The Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau facilities also include digital access cross-connect systems, frame relay data switches, Internet platforms, and in Anchorage and Fairbanks, collocation facilities for interconnecting and hosting equipment for other carriers and commercial entities. We also maintain an operator and customer service center in Wasilla, Alaska. Our operator services traffic is processed by an integrated services platform that also hosts answering services, directory assistance, and internal conferencing services.

We utilize our coaxial cable facilities for DLPS. This delivery method allows us to utilize our own cable facilities to provide local access service to our customers and avoid paying local loop charges to the ILEC.

Our statewide cable systems consist of 3,097 miles of installed cable plant having 450 to 750 MHz of channel capacity. Our cable television businesses are located throughout Alaska and serve 41 communities and areas in Alaska, including the state’s five largest population centers, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juneau. Our facilities include cable plant and head-end distribution equipment. Some of our locations on the fiber routes are served from the head-end distribution equipment in Anchorage.  All of our cable systems are completely digital.

We provide access to the Internet using a platform that includes many of the latest advancements in technology. The physical platform is concentrated in Anchorage and is extended into many remote areas of the state. Our Internet platform includes the following:

·  
Our Anchorage facilities are connected to multiple Internet access points in Seattle through multiple, diversely routed networks;
·  
We use multiple routers on each end of the circuits to control the flow of data and to provide resiliency; and
·  
Our Anchorage facility consists of routers, a bank of servers that perform support and application functions, database servers providing authentication and user demographic data, layer 2 and layer 3 gigabit and 10 gigabit switch networks for intercommunications and broadband services.

Our dedicated Internet access and Internet protocol ("IP") data services are delivered to routers located at the multiple service points throughout our service area. Our Internet management platform constantly monitors these routers and continual communications are maintained with all of the core and distribution devices in the network. The availability and quality of service, as well as statistical information on traffic loading, are continuously monitored for quality assurance. The manage­ment platform has the capability to remotely access routers, servers and layer two switches, permitting changes in configuration without the need to be physically located at the service point.

We own statewide wireless facilities that cover 98% of the population providing service to urban and rural Alaska communities and we will continue to expand these networks throughout the terrestrially and satellite served portions of Alaska in 2012.  We own GSM/HSPA+ and CDMA/EVDO wireless facilities serving urban Alaska locations. Our urban network includes Ericsson and Nortel wireless switches located in Anchorage and 183 cell sites that serve the following areas of Alaska: Anchorage and Eagle River, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai Peninsula, Southeast, Kodiak and Fairbanks.  Our rural network consists of GSM facilities that are located throughout Alaska’s rural villages and communities. We extend our network coverage through roaming arrangements with other GSM and CDMA carriers.

 
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Competition
A discussion of competition by product and service in our Consumer segment follows.

Voice Services and Products Competition
Long-Distance
The long-distance industry is intensely competitive and based upon price and bundling.

In the intrastate, interstate and international long-distance market, we compete against AT&T Alascom, Inc. (“AT&T Alascom”), Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“ACS”), MTA, long-distance resellers, and certain smaller rural local telephone companies. AT&T Alascom, as a subsidiary of AT&T, Inc., has access to greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have. There is also the possibility that new competitors will enter the Alaska market. In addition, wireless and voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") services continue to grow as an alternative to wireline services as a means of reaching customers. Wireless local number portability allows consumers to retain the same phone number as they change service providers allowing for interchangeable and portable fixed-line and wireless numbers. Some consumers now use wireless service as their primary voice phone service for long-distance calling.

We have competed in the long-distance market by offering discounts from rates charged by our competitors and by providing desirable bundles of services.

Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the industry, including new services that may be introduced, changes in consumer preferences, demographic trends, economic conditions and pricing strategies.

Local Access
We compete against ACS, the ILEC in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and the Kenai Peninsula area; MTA, the ILEC in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and other smaller ILECs in other communities.

In the local telephone services market, the 1996 Telecom Act, judicial decisions, state and federal legislative and regulatory developments, and new technologies have increased the overall likelihood that barriers to local telephone competition will be substantially reduced or removed. These initiatives include requirements that ILECs negotiate with entities, including us, to provide interconnection to the existing local telephone network, to allow the purchase, at cost-based rates, of access to UNEs, to establish dialing parity, to obtain access to rights-of-way and to resell services offered by the ILEC. We have been able to obtain interconnection, access and related services from the ILECs, at rates that allow us to offer competitive services. However, if we are unable to continue to obtain these services and access at acceptable rates, our ability to offer local access services, and our revenues and net income, could be materially adversely affected. To date, we have been successful in capturing a significant portion of the local telephone market in the locations where we are offering these services. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be successful in attracting or retaining these customers.  In addition, wireless and VoIP services continue to grow as an alternative to wireline services as a means of reaching customers. Wireless local number portability allows consumers to retain the same phone number as they change service providers allowing for interchangeable and portable fixed-line and wireless numbers. Some consumers now use wireless service as their primary voice phone service for local calling.

We believe that we have certain advantages over ILECs in providing communications services, including awareness by Alaskan customers of the GCI brand name, our facilities-based communications network, and our prior experience in, and knowledge of, the Alaskan market.

See “Regulation — Wireline Voice Services and Products” below for more information.

Video Services and Products Competition
Our video systems face competition from alternative methods of receiving and distributing television signals, including DBS, digital video over telephone lines, broadband IP-based services, wireless and satellite master antenna television ("SMATV") systems, and from other sources of news, information and entertainment such as Internet services, off-air television broadcast programming, newspapers, movie theaters, live sporting events, interactive computer services, and home video products, including video disks. Our video systems also face competition from potential overbuilds of our existing cable systems by other cable television operators and municipally-owned cable systems, and alternative methods of receiving and distributing television signals. The extent to which our video systems are competitive depends, in part, upon our ability to provide quality programming and other services at competitive prices.

 
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We believe that the greatest source of potential competition for video services comes from the DBS industry. Two major companies, DIRECTV and DISH DBS Corporation, are currently offering nationwide high-power DBS services. The ILECs in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Ketchikan offer digital video service over telephone lines in limited areas. Their product offerings and price points are similar to our product offerings.  With the addition of Anchorage local broadcast stations, increased marketing, ILEC and DBS alliances, and emerging technologies creating new opportunities, competition from these sources has increased and will likely continue to increase.

Competitive forces will be counteracted by offering expanded programming through digital services.  Digital delivery technology is being utilized in all of our systems.  We have retransmission agreements with Anchorage broadcasters and provide for the uplink/downlink of their signals into all our systems, and local programming for our customers.

Other new technologies may become competitive with non-entertainment services that video systems can offer. The FCC has authorized television broadcast stations to transmit textual and graphic information useful to both consumers and businesses. The FCC also permits commercial and non-commercial FM radio stations to use their subcarrier frequencies to provide non-broadcast services including data transmissions. The FCC established an over-the-air interactive video and data service that will permit two-way interaction with commercial and educational programming along with informational and data services.  ILECs and other common carriers also provide facilities for the transmission and distribution to homes and businesses of interactive computer-based services, including the Internet, as well as data and other non-video services. The FCC has conducted spectrum auctions for licenses to provide personal communication services (“PCS”) as well as other services.  PCS and other services will enable license holders, including cable operators, to provide voice and data services.  We own a statewide PCS license in Alaska.

Video systems generally operate pursuant to franchises granted on a non-exclusive basis. The 1992 Cable Act gives local franchising authorities jurisdiction over basic video service rates and equipment in the absence of “effective competition.”  The 1992 Cable Act also prohibits franchising authorities from unreasonably denying requests for additional franchises and permits franchising authorities to operate video systems.  Well-financed businesses from outside the video industry (such as the public utilities that own certain of the poles on which cable is attached) may become competitors for franchises or providers of competing services.

We expect to continue to provide, at reasonable prices and in competitive bundles, a greater variety of communication services than are available off-air or through other alternative delivery sources. Additionally, we believe we offer superior technical performance and responsive community-based customer service.  Increased competition, however, may adversely affect our market share and results of operations from our video services product offerings.

Data Services and Products Competition
The Internet industry is highly competitive, rapidly evolving and subject to constant technological change. Competition is based upon price and pricing plans, service bundles, the types of services offered, the technologies used, customer service, billing services, and perceived quality, reliability and availability. We compete with other Alaska based Internet providers and domestic, non-Alaska based providers that provide national service coverage. Several of the providers headquartered outside of Alaska have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do.

With respect to our high-speed cable modem service, ACS and other Alaska telephone service providers are providing competitive high-speed data subscriber line services over their telephone lines in direct competition with our high-speed cable modem service.  DBS providers and local fixed wireless providers supply wireless high-speed Internet service in competition with our high-speed cable modem services.

Niche providers in the industry, both local and national, compete with certain of our Internet service products, such as web hosting, list services and e-mail.

 
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Wireless Services and Products Competition
We compete against AT&T Mobility, LLC (“AT&T Mobility”), ACS, MTA, and resellers of those services in Anchorage and other markets.  In November 2010, Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) acquired a license for 700 MHz wireless spectrum covering Alaska.  We expect Verizon will build a Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) network in 2012 and subsequently they will be an additional competitor where our markets overlap.

Regulatory policies favor robust competition in wireless markets. Wireless local number portability helps to maintain a high level of competition in the industry. Number portability allows subscribers to switch carriers without having to change their telephone numbers.

The communications industry continues to experience significant technological changes, as evidenced by the increasing pace of improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology, shorter cycles for new products and enhancements and changes in consumer preferences and expectations. Accordingly, we expect competition in the wireless communications industry to continue to be dynamic and intense as a result of the development of new technologies, services and products.

We compete for customers based principally upon price, bundled services, the services and enhancements offered, network quality, customer service, network coverage and capacity, the type of wireless handsets offered, and the availability of differentiated features and services. Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our marketing efforts and our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the industry.

Seasonality
Our Consumer segment services and products do not exhibit significant seasonality. Our ability to implement construction projects is hampered during the winter months because of cold temperatures, snow and short daylight hours.

Network Access Segment
Network Access segment revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
 
Total Network Access segment revenues1
$
105,456 
 
107,227 
 
122,072 


1  See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding the financial performance of our Network Access segment.


Services and Products
Our Network Access segment offers wholesale voice, data, and wireless services and products to other common carrier customers. We provide network transport, billing services and access to our network to other common carriers. These services allow other common carriers to provide services to their customers that originate or terminate on our network, or on the networks of other communication companies to which we connect.

Voice Services and Products
Revenues derived from Network Access segment voice services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $23.6 million, $29.0 million, and $49.8 million, respectively, or 3%, 4%, and 8% of our total revenues, respectively.

We are engaged in the transmission of interstate and intrastate-switched message telephone service. We terminate northbound message telephone service traffic for several large resellers who do not have facilities of their own in Alaska. We also provide origination of southbound calling card, toll-free services, and toll services for interexchange carriers. Services are generally provided pursuant to contracts.

 
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Data Services and Products
Revenues derived from Network Access segment data services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $62.5 million, $61.5 million, and $63.9 million, respectively, or 9%, 9%, and 11% of our total revenues, respectively.

Data network services include multi-protocol label switching, frame relay, private line and dedicated Internet service.

Wireless Services and Products
Revenues derived from Network Access segment wireless services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $19.4 million, $16.7 million, and $8.4 million, respectively, or 3%, 3%, and 1% of our total revenues, respectively.  We provide roaming services on our wireless network within Alaska to other GSM and CDMA wireless carriers.

Sales and Marketing
Our Network Access segment sales and marketing efforts are primarily directed toward increasing the number of other common carriers we serve, the number of billable minutes of long-distance and wireless traffic we carry over our network and the number of voice and data transmission circuits leased. We sell our voice, data and wireless services primarily through direct contact marketing.

Facilities
Our Network Access segment shares common facilities used for voice, data and wireless services by other segments. You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Facilities” above for additional information.

Major Customer
We had no major customer in 2011 or 2010.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, Verizon was a major customer.  Revenues attributed to our major customer during the year ended December 31, 2009, totaled $64.5 million, or 11% of total revenue for the year.

Competition
Our Network Access segment competes against AT&T Alascom, ACS, and certain smaller rural local telephone carriers. There is also the possibility that new competitors will enter the Alaska market.

Other common carrier traffic routed to us for termination in Alaska is largely dependent on traffic routed to our carrier customers by their customers. Pricing pressures, new program offerings, revised business plans, and market consolidation continue to evolve in the markets served by our carrier customers. If, as a result, their traffic is reduced, or if their competitors’ costs to terminate or originate traffic in Alaska are reduced, our traffic will also likely be reduced, and we may have to respond to competitive pressures. We are unable to predict the effect of such changes on our business.

Historically, we have competed in the Network Access segment market by offering rates comparable to or less than our competitors, by providing a comprehensive service model to meet the complete needs of our carrier customers, and by providing responsive customer service.

Another carrier operates a pair of fiber optic cable facilities connecting points in Alaska to the lower 48 states.  This additional fiber system provides direct competition to services we provide on our owned fiber optic cable facilities.

Seasonality
Network Access segment long-distance and wireless services revenues derived from our other common carrier customers have historically been highest in the summer months because of temporary population increases attributable to tourism and increased seasonal economic activity such as construction, commercial fishing, and oil and gas activities.  Our Network Access segment data services do not exhibit significant seasonality.

 
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Commercial Segment
We offer a full range of communications services and products to commercial and governmental customers. Commercial segment revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
 
Total Commercial segment revenues1
$
136,101 
 
128,458 
 
110,135 


1  See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding the financial performance of our Commercial segment.


Services and Products
Our Commercial segment offers a full range of voice, video, data, wireless and managed services and products to small businesses, local, national and global businesses, governmental entities, and public and private educational institutions.

Voice Services and Products
Revenues derived from Commercial segment voice services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $28.7 million, $31.7 million, and $30.8 million, respectively, or 4%, 5% and 5% of our total revenues, respectively.

Long-Distance
We are engaged in the transmission of interstate and intrastate-switched message telephone service between the major communities in Alaska, the remaining 49 states, and foreign countries. Our message toll services include intrastate, interstate and international direct dial, toll-free services, calling card, operator and enhanced conference calling services. Small business subscribers generally may cancel long-distance service at any time. Certain small business and most large business, governmental and educational institution customers generally contract with us for service over one to five year periods.

Local Access
We offer full featured local access service to our Commercial segment customers using our own fiber and coax facilities and collocated remote facilities that access the ILEC’s UNE loops and wholesale facilities. In areas where we do not have our own facilities or access to ILEC loop facilities, we offer service using total service resale of the ILEC’s local service or UNE platform.

Our package offerings are competitively priced and include popular features, including caller ID, voice messaging, three-way calling, call forwarding, and call waiting.  Small business subscribers generally may cancel local access service at any time. Certain small business and most large business, governmental and educational institution customers generally contract with us for service over one to five year periods.

Video Services and Products
Revenues derived from Commercial segment video services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $11.6 million, $11.2 million, and $9.2 million, respectively, or 2% of our total revenues for each year.

Commercial segment subscribers such as hospitals, hotels and motels are charged negotiated monthly service fees.  Our video on demand platform is available to hotels in Anchorage that are connected using our fiber facilities.  Programming services offered to our video systems subscribers differ by system as described in the Consumer segment Video Services and Products section above.  You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Services and Products” above for additional information.

Commercial segment also manages our advertising sales.  As part of our programming license agreements with programming networks, we generally receive an allocation of scheduled advertising time that we may sell to local, regional and national advertisers.  In most cases, the available advertising time is sold by our sales force.

 
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Data Services and Products
Revenues derived from Commercial segment data services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $86.0 million, $76.8 million, and $63.4 million, respectively, or 13%, 12%, and 11% of our total revenues, respectively.

Internet
We currently offer several Internet service packages for commercial use. Our business high-speed cable modem Internet service offers access of up to 22 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds, and free 24-hour customer service and technical support.  We also provide dedicated Internet access service to commercial and public organizations in Alaska.

Data Networks
Data network services utilize voice and data transmission circuits, dedicated to particular subscribers, which link a device in one location to another in a different location. Private IP, private lines, metro Ethernet and frame relay offer a secure solution for frequent communication of large amounts of data between sites.

Managed Services
We design, sell, install, service and operate, on behalf of certain customers, communications and computer networking equipment and provide field/depot, third party, technical support, communications consulting and outsourcing services. We supply integrated voice and data communications systems incorporating private IP, interstate and intrastate digital data networks, point-to-point and multipoint data network and small earth station services.

Wireless Services and Products
Revenues derived from Commercial segment wireless services and products in 2011, 2010, and 2009 totaled $9.8 million, $8.7 million, and $6.7 million, respectively, or 1% of our total revenues for each year.

Wireless services and products offered to our Commercial segment customers are the same as those described in the Consumer Wireless Services and Products section above. You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Services and Products” above for additional information.

Bundled Services and Products
We combine one or more of our individual service or product offerings into bundles that we sell to our Commercial segment customers at attractive prices as described further in the Consumer segment Services and Products section above. You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Services and Products” above for additional information.  Additionally, we use master service agreements with larger enterprise customers to capture the overall relationship.

Sales and Marketing
Our Commercial segment sales and marketing efforts focus on increasing the number of subscribers we serve, selling bundled services, and generating incremental revenues through product and feature up-sell opportunities. We sell our Commercial segment services and products primarily through direct contact marketing.

Facilities
Our Commercial segment uses many facilities to provide services and products that are common to the Consumer segment. You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Facilities” above for additional information.

We provide our own facilities-based local access services to many of Anchorage’s larger business customers through expansion and deployment of SONET, optical ethernet, and passive optical network fiber transmission facilities, digital loop carrier facilities, and leased facilities.
 
 
Our dedicated Internet access and Internet protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching data services are delivered to an Ethernet port located at the service point. Our management platform constantly monitors this port and continual communications are maintained with all of the core and distribution elements in the network. The availability and quality of service, as well as statistical information on traffic loading, are continuously monitored for quality assurance. The manage­ment platform has the capability to remotely access routers, servers and layer two switches, permitting changes in configuration without the need to physically be at the service point. This management platform allows us to offer network monitoring and management services to businesses and governmental entities. Many of the largest commercial networks in Alaska use this service, including the State government.

 
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Competition
Many of our Commercial segment voice, video, data and wireless services and products are also common to the Consumer segment. You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Competition” above for additional information.

We expect continued competition in commercial customer telephone access, Internet access, wireless and data markets. Competition is based upon price and pricing plans, the type of services offered, customer service, billing services, performance, and perceived quality, reliability and availability.

Presently, there are a number of competing companies in Alaska that actively sell and maintain data and voice communications systems. Our ability to integrate communications networks and data communications equipment has allowed us to maintain our market position based on customer support services rather than price competition alone. These services are blended with other transport products into unique customer solutions, including managed services and outsourcing.

Seasonality
Our Commercial segment voice, video, data and wireless services do not exhibit significant seasonality. Our ability to implement construction projects to expand our outside plant facilities is hampered during the winter months because of cold temperatures, snow and short daylight hours.

Managed Broadband Segment
Managed Broadband segment revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
 
Total Managed Broadband segment revenues1
$
63,248 
 
49,962 
 
44,875 


1  See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding the financial performance of our Managed Broadband segment.


Services and Products
Our Managed Broadband segment offers Internet access, data network and managed services to rural schools and health organizations.

SchoolAccess® is a suite of services designed to advance the educational opportunities of students in underserved regions of the country. Our SchoolAccess® division provides Internet and distance learning services designed exclusively for the school environment. The Schools and Libraries Program of the USF makes discounts available to eligible rural school districts for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. The program is intended to ensure that rural school districts have access to affordable services.

Our network, Internet and software application services provided through our Managed Broadband segment’s Medical Services division are branded as ConnectMD®.  The Rural Health Care Program of the USF makes discounts available to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. The program is intended to ensure that rural health care providers pay no more for telecommunication services in the provision of health care services than their urban counterparts. Customers utilize ConnectMD® services to securely move data and images, and for voice traffic and real time multipoint interactive video.

 
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We offer a managed video conferencing product for use in distance learning, telemedicine and group communication and collaboration environments. The product is designed to offer customers enhanced communication services that support video, audio and data presentation. Our product benefits customers by reducing travel costs, improving course equity in education and increasing the quality of health services available to patients. The product bundles our data products, video conferencing services and optional rental of video conferencing endpoint equipment. Our video conferencing services include multipoint conferencing, integrated services digital network gateway and transcoding services, online scheduling and conference control, and videoconference recording, archiving and streaming. We provide 24-hour technical support via telephone or online.

Our videoconferencing network is the largest in Alaska, and network coverage includes parts of the states of Washington and Montana. The network supports all H.323 IP videoconferencing standards including the newer H.264 standard, and supports call data rates from 128 Kb per second up to and including multi-megabit high definition calls.

Sales and Marketing
Our Managed Broadband segment sales and marketing efforts focus on increasing the number of subscribers we serve, selling bundled services, and generating incremental revenues through product and feature up-sell opportunities. We sell our Managed Broadband segment services and products primarily through direct contact marketing.

Facilities
Our Managed Broadband segment services and products are delivered using a platform including many of the latest advancements in technology through a locally available circuit, our existing lines, and/or satellite earth stations. Our Internet services are partially provisioned over a satellite based digital video broadcast carrier that reduces the requirement for new satellite transponder bandwidth to support growth in ConnectMD®, SchoolAccess® and other broadband services.

We employ a packet data satellite transmission technology for the efficient transport of broadband data in support of our ConnectMD® and SchoolAccess® initiatives. Our SchoolAccess® Internet service is delivered as follows:

·  
In communities where we have terrestrial interconnects or provide existing service over regional earth stations, we have configured intermediate distribution facilities. Schools that are within these service boundaries are connected locally to one of those facilities;
·  
In communities where we have extended communications services via our DAMA earth station program, SchoolAccess® is provided via a satellite circuit to an intermediate distribution facility at the Eagle River earth station; and
·  
In communities or remote locations to which we have not extended communications services, SchoolAccess® is provided via a dedicated (usually on premise) very small aperture terminal ("VSAT") satellite station. The VSAT connects to an intermediate distribution facility located in Anchorage.

Our facilities include TERRA-SW, a middle mile long haul broadband network.  TERRA-SW provides terrestrial telecommunication service to 65 remote rural Alaska communities located in southwest Alaska through a hybrid microwave and fiber optic network.  TERRA-SW includes 395 miles of fiber optic cable stretching from Homer, Alaska to Levelock, Alaska, microwave towers in certain communities and four remote mountaintop microwave repeaters.  We utilize TERRA-SW to support growth in wireless and broadband services including ConnectMD® and SchoolAccess®.

You should refer to “Consumer Segment — Facilities” above for additional information.

Competition
There are several competing companies in Alaska that actively sell broadband services. Our ability to provide end-to-end broadband services solutions has allowed us to maintain our market position based on “value added” services and products rather than solely based on price competition. These services are blended with other transport and software products into unique customer solutions, including SchoolAccess® and ConnectMD® applications such as video conferencing and unique web content services.

 
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Seasonality
Our Managed Broadband segment does not exhibit seasonality.

Regulated Operations Segment
Regulated Operations segment revenues for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
 
Total Regulated Operations segment revenues1
$
22,002 
 
22,705 
 
23,804 


1  See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 10 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding the financial performance of our Regulated Operations segment.


Services and Products
Our Regulated Operations segment offers wireline communications services, including local access and long-distance, and Internet services and products, to our residential and commercial customers in 60 rural communities primarily in Southwest Alaska.

Sales and Marketing
Our Regulated Operations segment sales efforts are primarily directed toward increasing the number of subscribers we serve. We sell our Regulated Operations segment services through local media advertising, retail stores, and through our website.

Facilities
Our Regulated Operations segment services are delivered by switching, outside plant, terrestrial microwave, and satellite facilities.  Our outside plant is primarily aerial and buried copper and fiber optic cables.

Competition
Our Regulated Operations segment has no competition for its local access services.

Seasonality
Our Regulated Operations segment services do not exhibit significant seasonality.

Sales and Marketing – Company-wide
Our sales and marketing strategy hinges on our ability to leverage (i) our unique position as an integrated provider of multiple communications, Internet and cable services, (ii) our well-recognized and respected brand names in the Alaskan marketplace and (iii) our leading market positions in the services and products we offer. By continuing to pursue a marketing strategy that takes advantage of these characteristics, we believe we can increase our customer market penetration and retention rates, increase our share of our customers’ aggregate voice, video, data and wireless services expenditures and achieve continued growth in revenues and operating cash flow.

Environmental Regulations
We may undertake activities that, under certain circumstances, may affect the environment. Accordingly, they are subject to federal, state, and local regulations designed to preserve or protect the environment. The FCC, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service are required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to consider the environmental impact before the commencement of facility construction.

We believe that compliance with such regulations has had no material effect on our consolidated operations. The principal effect of our facilities on the environment would be in the form of construction of facilities and networks at various locations in Alaska and between Alaska, Seattle, Washington, and Warrenton, Oregon. Our facilities have been constructed in accordance with federal, state and local building codes and zoning regulations whenever and wherever applicable. Some facilities may be on lands that may be subject to state and federal wetland regulation.

 
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Uncertainty as to the applicability of environmental regulations is caused in major part by the federal government’s decision to consider a change in the definition of wetlands. Most of our facilities are on leased property, and, with respect to all of these facilities, we are unaware of any violations of lease terms or federal, state or local regulations pertaining to preservation or protection of the environment.

The engineered routes of our projects to construct terrestrial and undersea fiber optic cable facilities pass over wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. We believe our construction methods used for buried cable have a minimal impact on the environment. The agencies, among others, that are involved in permitting and oversight of our cable deployment efforts are the United States Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and the Alaska Office of the Governor-Governmental Coordination. We are unaware of any violations of federal, state or local regulations or permits pertaining to preservation or protection of the environment.

In the course of operating our cable television and communications systems, we have used various materials defined as hazardous by applicable governmental regulations. These materials have been used for insect repellent, paint used to mark the location of our facilities, and pole treatment, and as heating fuel, transformer oil, cable cleaner, batteries, diesel fuel, and in various other ways in the operation of those systems. We do not believe that these materials, when used in accordance with manufacturer instructions, pose an unreasonable hazard to those who use them or to the environment.

Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses
We do not hold patents, franchises or concessions for communications services or local access services. We do hold registered service marks, used by each of our reportable segments, for the letters GCI®, and for the terms SchoolAccess®, Alaska United Fiber Optic Cable System®, GCI ConnectMD®, ConnectMD®, GCI Hypernet®, My GCI®, MyGCI®, Keep Talking Alaska®, Digiminutes®, Unicom®, Cell-ID®, and United-KUC®.  The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, gives the FCC the authority to license and regulate the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for radio communications. We hold licenses through our subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. (“GCICC”) for our satellite and microwave transmission facilities for provision of long-distance services provided by our Consumer, Commercial and Network Access segments.

We hold the following licenses, among others:
·  
Two licenses for use of a 30 MHz block of spectrum, which together authorize provision of PCS services in Alaska. Both licenses have an expiration date of June 23, 2015.  Licenses may be revoked and license renewal applications may be denied for cause. We expect the PCS licenses will be renewed in due course when, at the end of the license period, a renewal application will be filed,
·  
A local multipoint distribution system ("LMDS") license which we acquired in 1998 for use of a 150 MHz block of spectrum in the 28 GHz Ka-band for providing wireless services. The LMDS license was renewed in 2008 for an additional 10-year term, following the grant of an extension until June 1, 2012 of the requirement to provide “substantial service” in the service region.  The commercial availability of equipment to illuminate this spectrum remains a challenge, and the prospects for renewal at this time are uncertain.
·  
25 MHz cellular licenses for sites located in the Wade Hampton AK-1 portion of CMA315 (A and B blocks) and in the Bethel AK-2 portion of CMA 316 (A block), and
·  
Several 25 MHz cellular B licenses are held by our subsidiary Unicom for sites located in the Wade Hampton AK-1 portion of CMA 315 and the Bethel AK-2 portion of CMA 316, and operated by GCICC pursuant to a de facto long-term spectrum lease.

Earth stations are licensed generally for fifteen years. The FCC also issues a single blanket license for a large number of technically identical earth stations (e.g., VSATs). Our operations may require additional licenses in the future.

 
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We are certified through the RCA to provide cable service by Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”). These CPCNs are nonexclusive certificates issued for each community.  Although CPCNs have no stated expiration date, they may be revoked due to cause.

Regulation
Our businesses are subject to substantial government regulation and oversight. The following summary of regulatory issues does not purport to describe all existing and proposed federal, state, and local laws and regulations, or judicial and regulatory proceedings that affect our businesses. Existing laws and regulations are reviewed frequently by legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and the courts and are subject to change. Any change in the Act that loosened regulatory oversight of ILECs’ control of bottleneck facilities could have an adverse impact on our businesses. We cannot predict at this time the outcome of any present or future consideration of proposed changes to governing laws and regulations.

Wireline Voice Services and Products
General. As an interexchange carrier, we are subject to regulation by the FCC and the RCA as a non-dominant provider of interstate, international, and intrastate long-distance services. As a state-certificated competitive local exchange carrier, we are subject to regulation by the RCA and the FCC as a non-dominant provider of local communications services. Military franchise requirements also affect our ability to provide communications services to military bases.

Rural Exemption and Interconnection. A Rural Telephone Company is exempt from compliance with certain material interconnection requirements under Section 251(c) of the 1996 Telecom Act, including the obligation to negotiate Section 251(b) and (c) interconnection requirements in good faith, unless and until a state regulatory commission lifts such “rural exemption” or otherwise finds it not to apply.  All ILECs in Alaska are Rural Telephone Companies except ACS in its Anchorage study area.  We have had to participate in numerous proceedings regarding the rural exemptions of various ILECs, including ACS for its Fairbanks and Juneau operating companies, MTA and Ketchikan, in order to achieve the necessary interconnection agreements with the remaining ILECs. In other cases the interconnection agreements were reached by negotiation without regard to the implications of the ILEC’s rural exemption.

We have completed negotiation and/or arbitration of the necessary interconnection provisions and the RCA has approved current wireline Interconnection Agreements between GCI and all of the major ILECs.  We have entered all of the major Alaskan markets with local access services.

See “Description of Our Business by Reportable Segment — Consumer — Competition — Voice Services and Products Competition” for more information.

Access Charges and Other Regulated Fees. The FCC regulates the fees that local telephone companies charge long-distance companies for access to their local networks. On November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to restructure and reduce over time originating interstate access charges, along with a proposal to adopt similar reforms applicable to terminating interstate access charges.  We do not anticipate that these changes, which will begin implementation starting in 2012, will have a material impact, except that the reduction of interstate access rates generally will result in a cost savings on access charges to us.  However, the details of implementation in general and between different classes of technology will be addressed over the coming year, and they could affect the economics of some aspects of our business.  We cannot predict at this time the impact of this implementation but we do not expect it to have a material impact on our operations.

Carriers also pay fees for switched wholesale transport services in and out of Alaska. The rates for such services offered by and to any provider were governed by a federal law that was effective through December 31, 2009.  The expiration of the applicable federal law has resulted in a decrease in the rates for services, resulting in a reduction of revenues, which may continue over time.

Access to Unbundled Network Elements. The ability to obtain UNEs is an important element of our local access services business. We cannot predict the extent to which existing FCC rules governing access to and pricing for UNEs will be sustained in the face of additional legal action and the impact of any further rules that are yet to be determined by the FCC. Moreover, the future regulatory classification of services that are transmitted over facilities may impact the extent to which we will be permitted access to such facilities.  Changes to the applicable regulations could result in a change in our cost of serving new and existing markets.

 
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Recurring and non-recurring charges for UNE loops and other UNEs may increase based on the rates adopted in RCA proceedings to establish new Interconnection Agreements or renew existing agreements. These increases could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Universal Service. The USF pays Eligible Telecommunications Carriers ("ETC") to support the provision of facilities-based wireline telephone service in high cost areas. Under FCC regulations and RCA orders, we are an authorized ETC for purposes of providing wireline local exchange service in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and the MTA study area (which includes the Matanuska-Susitna Valley) and other small areas throughout Alaska. Without ETC status, we would not qualify for USF support in these areas or other rural areas where we propose to offer facilities-based wireline telephone services, and our net cost of providing local telephone services in these areas would be materially adversely affected.

On November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers.  Support for CETC serving areas that generally include Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will follow national reforms, capping support per provider per service area as of January 1, 2012, and commencing a five-step phase-down on July 1, 2012.  In addition to broader reforms, the FCC tailored revisions specifically for CETCs serving Remote Alaska, intended to address the unique challenges for serving these areas.  Support to these locations will be capped and distributed on a per-line basis until the later of July 1, 2014, or the implementation of a successor funding mechanism. A further rulemaking to consider successor funding mechanisms is underway.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its effect on Remote high cost support available to us, but our revenue for providing local services in these areas would be materially adversely affected by a substantial reduction of USF support. 

On February 6, 2012, the FCC released its Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to comprehensively reform and modernize the USF’s Lifeline program.  The Lifeline program is administered by the USAC and is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.  Amongst several other less significant changes the order reduces on an interim basis the support previously available under Tier I through Tier III support mechanisms, requires an annual recertification of all Lifeline subscribers enrolled as of June 1, 2012 to be completed by the end of 2012, adopts a “one per household” rule with “household” defined as an “economic unit,” and requires biennial audits for all ETCs receiving more than $5.0 million annually from Lifeline.

Local Regulation. We may be required to obtain local permits for street opening and construction permits to install and expand our networks. Local zoning authorities often regulate our use of towers for microwave and other communications sites. We also are subject to general regulations concerning building codes and local licensing. The 1996 Telecom Act requires that fees charged to communications carriers be applied in a competitively neutral manner, but there can be no assurance that ILECs and others with whom we will be competing will bear costs similar to those we will bear in this regard.

Video Services and Products
General. Because cable communications systems use local streets and rights-of-way, they generally are operated pursuant to franchises (which can take the form of certificates, permits or licenses) granted by a municipality or other state or local government entity. The RCA is the franchising authority for all of Alaska. We believe that we have generally met the terms of our franchises, which do not require periodic renewal, and have provided quality levels of service. Military franchise requirements also affect our ability to provide video services to military bases.

The RCA is also certified under federal law to regulate rates for the Basic Service tier on our cable systems. Under state law, however, cable television service is exempt from regulation unless subscribers petition the RCA. At present, regulation of basic cable rates takes place only in Juneau. The RCA does not regulate rates for cable modem service.

Must Carry/Retransmission Consent. The 1992 Cable Act contains broadcast signal carriage requirements that allow local commercial television broadcast stations to elect once every three years to require a cable system to carry the station, subject to certain exceptions, or to negotiate for “retransmission consent” to carry the station.

 
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The FCC has adopted rules to require cable operators to carry the digital programming streams of broadcast television stations. The FCC requirement that cable operators carry both the analog and digital programming streams of broadcast television stations while broadcasters are transitioning from analog to digital transmission does not apply to all-digital systems like ours.  Further, the FCC has declined to require any cable operator to carry multiple digital programming streams from a single broadcast television station, but should the FCC change this policy, we would be required to devote additional cable capacity to carrying broadcast television programming streams, a step that could require the removal of other programming services.

Cable System Delivery of Internet Service. The FCC has defined high-speed Internet over cable as an “information service” not subject to local cable franchise fees, as cable service may be, or any explicit requirements for “open access.” The Supreme Court affirmed the FCC’s position in a decision issued in 2005.

Although there is at present no significant federal regulation of cable system delivery of Internet services, proposals previously have been advanced at the FCC and before Congress to require cable operators to provide access to unaffiliated Internet service providers and online service providers and to govern the terms under which content providers and applications are delivered by all broadband network operators.  If such requirements were imposed on cable operators, it could burden the capacity of cable systems and frustrate our plans for providing expanded Internet access services. These access obligations could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Segregated Security for Set-top Devices. The FCC mandated, effective July 1, 2007, that all new set-top video navigation devices must segregate the security function from the navigation function. The new devices are more expensive than existing equipment, and compliance would increase our cost of providing cable services. Subject to a waiver granted by the FCC on May 4, 2007, we may continue providing low-cost integrated set-top boxes to consumers to facilitate our all-digital cable networks.

AllVid Proceeding. On April 21, 2010, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry to consider ways to develop a standardized interface for accessing video content, as an alternative to set-top boxes.  Adoption of new rules or standards in this area could affect the manner in which we deliver video products to our customers.  We do not know if the FCC will propose rules for further consideration.

Pole Attachments. The Communications Act requires the FCC to regulate the rates, terms and conditions imposed by public utilities for cable systems’ use of utility pole and conduit space unless state authorities can demonstrate that they adequately regulate pole attachment rates. In the absence of state regulation, the FCC administers pole attachment rates on a formula basis. This formula governs the maximum rate certain utilities may charge for attachments to their poles and conduit by companies providing communications services, including cable operators. The RCA, however, does not use the federal formula and instead has adopted its own formula that has been in place since 1987. This formula could be subject to further revisions upon petition to the RCA.  In addition, on April 7, 2011, the FCC adopted an order to rationalize different pole attachment rates among types of services.  The order has no immediate impact on the terms under which we access poles; however, the order is currently subject to petitions for reconsideration.  Though the general purpose of rule changes was to ensure pole attachment rates as low and as uniform as possible, due to the pending reconsideration requests, we cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding.

Copyright. Cable television systems are subject to federal copyright licensing covering carriage of television and radio broadcast signals. In exchange for filing certain reports and contributing a percentage of their revenues to a federal copyright royalty pool that varies depending on the size of the system, the number of distant broadcast television signals carried, and the location of the cable system, cable operators can obtain blanket permission to retransmit copyrighted material included in broadcast signals. The possible modification or elimination of this compulsory copyright license is the subject of continuing legislative review.  We cannot predict the outcome of this legislative review, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain desired broadcast program­ming. Copyright clearances for non-broadcast programming services are arranged through private negotiations.

Internet-based Services and Products
General. There is no one entity or organization that governs the Internet. Each facilities-based network provider that is interconnected with the global Internet controls operational aspects of their own network. Certain functions, such as IP addressing, domain name routing, and the definition of the TCP/IP protocol, are coordinated by an array of quasi-governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental bodies. The legal authority of these bodies is not precisely defined.

 
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Although the FCC does not regulate the prices charged by Internet service providers or Internet backbone providers, the vast majority of users connect to the Internet over facilities of existing communications carriers. Those communications carriers are subject to varying levels of regulation at both the federal and state level. Thus, non-Internet-specific regulatory decisions exercise a significant influence over the economics of the Internet market.

Many aspects of the coordination and regulation of Internet activities and the underlying networks over which those activities are conducted are evolving. Internet-specific and non-Internet-specific changes in the regulatory environment, including changes that affect communications costs or increase competition from ILECs or other communications services providers, could adversely affect the prices at which we sell Internet-based services.

On November 20, 2011, FCC issued rules governing the activities of cable operators and other Internet service providers in connection with the provision of Internet service.  The rules generally prohibit blocking lawful content and prohibiting unreasonable discrimination, outside of reasonable network management, as well as imposing transparency and related disclosure requirements.  We do not believe at this time that these requirements represent significant federal regulation of cable system delivery of Internet services.  In addition, these rules are subject to court appeals.  Further legislative proposals under the banner of “net neutrality,” if adopted, could interfere with our ability to reasonably manage and invest in our broadband network, and could adversely affect the manner and price of providing service.

Wireless Services and Products
General. The FCC regulates the licensing, construction, interconnection, operation, acquisition, and transfer of wireless network systems in the United States pursuant to the Communications Act.  As a licensee of PCS, LMDS, and other wireless services, we are subject to regulation by the FCC, and must comply with certain build-out and other license conditions, as well as with the FCC’s specific regulations governing wireless services, including the PCS and LMDS services (described above). The FCC does not currently regulate rates for services offered by commercial mobile radio service providers.

Commercial mobile radio service wireless systems are subject to Federal Aviation Administration and FCC regulations governing the location, lighting and construction of antenna structures on which our antennas and associated equipment are located and are also subject to regulation under federal environmental laws and the FCC’s environmental regulations, including limits on radio frequency radiation from wireless handsets and antennas on towers.

Interconnection.  We have completed negotiation and the RCA has approved current direct wireless interconnection agreements between GCI and all of the major Alaska ILECs.  These are in addition to indirect interconnection arrangements utilized elsewhere.

Universal Service. The USF pays ETCs to support the provision of facilities-based wireless telephone service in high cost areas. A wireless carrier may seek ETC status so that it can receive support from the USF. Several wireless carriers, including us, have successfully applied to the RCA for ETC status in Alaska.  Under FCC regulations and RCA orders, we are an authorized ETC for purposes of providing wireless telephone service in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and the MTA study area (which includes the Matanuska-Susitna Valley) and other small areas throughout Alaska. Without ETC status, we would not qualify for USF support in these areas or other rural areas where we propose to offer facilities-based wireless telephone services, and our net cost of providing wireless telephone services in these areas would be materially adversely affected.

See “Description of Our Business by Reportable Segment — Regulation — Wireline Voice Services and Products — Universal Service” for more information.

Emergency 911. The FCC has imposed rules requiring carriers to provide emergency 911 services, including enhanced 911 (“E911”) services that provide to local public safety dispatch agencies the caller’s communications number and approximate location. Providers are required to transmit the geographic coordinates of the customer’s location, either by means of network-based or handset-based technologies, within accuracy parameters recently revised by the FCC, to be implemented over a phase-in period.  We are assessing the application of such parameters in Alaska’s relatively low population and rural service areas.  Providers may not demand cost recovery as a condition of providing E911, although they are permitted to negotiate cost recovery if it is not mandated by the state or local governments.

 
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State and Local Regulation. While the Communications Act generally preempts state and local governments from regulating the entry of, and the rates charged by, wireless carriers, it also permits a state to petition the FCC to allow it to impose commercial mobile radio service rate regulation when market conditions fail to adequately protect customers and such service is a replacement for a substantial portion of the telephone wireline exchange service within a state. No state currently has such a petition on file, and all prior efforts have been rejected. In addition, the Communications Act does not expressly preempt the states from regulating the “terms and conditions” of wireless service.

Several states have invoked this “terms and conditions” authority to impose or propose various consumer protection regulations on the wireless industry. State attorneys general have also become more active in enforcing state consumer protection laws against sales practices and services of wireless carriers. States also may impose their own universal service support requirements on wireless and other communications carriers, similar to the contribution requirements that have been established by the FCC.

States have become more active in attempting to impose new taxes and fees on wireless carriers, such as gross receipts taxes. Where successful, these taxes and fees are generally passed through to our customers and result in higher costs to our customers.

At the local level, wireless facilities typically are subject to zoning and land use regulation. Neither local nor state governments may categorically prohibit the construction of wireless facilities in any community or take actions, such as indefinite moratoria, which have the effect of prohibiting construction. Nonetheless, securing state and local government approvals for new tower sites has been and is likely to continue to be difficult, lengthy and costly.

Financial Information about our Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales
Although we have several agreements to help originate and terminate international toll traffic, we do not have foreign operations or export sales. We conduct our operations throughout the western contiguous United States and Alaska and believe that any subdivision of our operations into distinct geographic areas would not be meaningful.

Company-Sponsored Research
We have not expended material amounts during the last three fiscal years on company-sponsored research activities.

Geographic Concentration and the Alaska Economy
We offer voice, data and wireless telecommunication services and video services to customers primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this geographic concentration, growth of our business and operations depends upon economic conditions in Alaska. The economy of Alaska is dependent upon the natural resource industries, and in particular oil production, as well as investment earnings, tourism, government, and United States military spending. Any deterioration in these markets could have an adverse impact on us. A significant part of the Alaska economy is the state government.  All of the federal funding and the majority of investment revenues are dedicated for specific purposes, leaving oil revenues as the primary source of general operating revenues for the State of Alaska. The State of Alaska reported in fiscal 2011 that oil revenues supplied 92% of the State's unrestricted revenues. In fiscal 2012 state economists forecast that Alaska’s oil revenues will supply 92% of the State’s projected unrestricted revenues.

The volume of oil transported by the TransAlaska Oil Pipeline System over its life to date has been as high as 2.011 million barrels per day in fiscal 1988. Production has been declining over the last several years with an average of 603,000 barrels produced per day in fiscal 2011. The State forecasts the production rate to decline from 574,000 barrels produced per day in fiscal 2012 to 458,000 barrels produced per day in fiscal 2021.

Market prices for North Slope oil averaged $94.49 in fiscal 2011 and are forecasted to average $109.33 in fiscal 2012. The closing price per barrel was $127.34 on March 1, 2012. To the extent that actual oil prices vary materially from the State’s projected prices, the State’s projected revenues and deficits will change. The production policy of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its ability to continue to act in concert represents a key uncertainty in the State’s revenue forecast.

 
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Should new oil discoveries or developments not materialize or the price of oil become depressed, the long term trend of continued decline in oil production from the Prudhoe Bay area is inevitable with a corresponding adverse impact on the economy of the State, in general, and on demand for telecommunications and cable television services, and, therefore, on us, in particular.  Royal Dutch Shell plc is working with regulators to secure all the required permits to begin drilling for oil in the Chukchi Sea in the summer of 2012.  Periodically there are renewed efforts to allow exploration and development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (“ANWR”). The United States Energy Information Agency has estimated that it could take nine years to begin oil field drilling after approval of ANWR exploration.

No assurance can be given that the driving forces in the Alaska economy, and in particular, oil production, will continue at appropriate levels to provide an environment for expanded economic activity.  The governor of the State of Alaska and the Alaska legislature continue to evaluate the state’s oil tax structure which may also affect the oil production industry in Alaska.

No assurance can be given that oil companies doing business in Alaska will be successful in discovering new fields or further developing existing fields which are economic to develop and produce oil with access to the pipeline or other means of transport to market. We are not able to predict the effect of changes in the price and production volumes of North Slope oil on Alaska’s economy or on us.

Deployment of a natural gas pipeline from the State of Alaska’s North Slope to the lower 48 states has been proposed to supplement natural gas supplies. Companies that have been studying the economic viability of a natural gas pipeline, which depends upon the price of and demand for natural gas, have not been able to secure adequate shipping bids to date.  Production of natural gas supplies, whether through a pipeline or other means, continues to be studied by government regulators and the involved parties.

The State of Alaska maintains the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (“CBRF”) that is intended to fund budgetary shortfalls. If the State’s current projections are realized and no surpluses are deposited into the CBRF it is projected that the fund would not be depleted before 2021. The date the CBRF is depleted is highly influenced by the price of oil. If the fund is depleted, aggressive state action will be necessary to increase revenues and reduce spending in order to balance the budget. The governor of the State of Alaska and the Alaska legislature continue to evaluate cost cutting and revenue enhancing measures.

We have, since our entry into the telecommunication marketplace, aggressively marketed our services to seek a larger share of the available market. The customer base in Alaska is limited, however, with a population of approximately 722,000 people. The State of Alaska’s population is distributed as follows:

·  
41% are located in the Municipality of Anchorage,
·  
14% are located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough,
·  
13% are located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough,
·  
8% are located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough,
·  
4% are located in the City and Borough of Juneau, and
·  
The remaining 20% are located in other communities across the State of Alaska.

Employees
We employed 1,702 persons as of December 31, 2011, and we are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements with our employees. We believe our future success will depend upon our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified employees. We believe that relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Other
No material portion of our business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of the federal government.

 
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Factors That May Affect Our Business and Future Results

Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

We face competition that may reduce our market share and harm our financial performance.

There is substantial competition in the telecommunications industry.  Through mergers and various service integration strategies, major providers are striving to provide integrated communications services offerings within and across geographic markets. We face increasing video services competition from DBS providers.

We expect competition to increase as a result of the rapid development of new technologies, services and products. We cannot predict which of many possible future technologies, products or services will be important to maintain our competitive position or what expenditures will be required to develop and provide these technologies, products or services. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on marketing and on our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the industry, including new services that may be introduced, changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions and pricing strategies by competitors. To the extent we do not keep pace with technological advances or fail to timely respond to changes in competitive factors in our industry and in our markets, we could lose market share or experience a decline in our revenue and net income. Competitive conditions create a risk of market share loss and the risk that customers shift to less profitable lower margin services. Competitive pressures also create challenges for our ability to grow new businesses or introduce new services successfully and execute our business plan. Each of our business segments also faces the risk of potential price cuts by our competitors that could materially adversely affect our market share and gross margins.

For more information about competition by segment, see the sections titled “Competition” included in “Item 1 — Business — Narrative Description of our Business — Description of our Business by Reportable Segment.”

Our business is subject to extensive governmental legislation and regulation. Applicable legislation and regulations and changes to them could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Wireless Services. The licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection arrangements of wireless communications systems are regulated by the FCC and, depending on the jurisdiction, state and local regulatory agencies. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to:
 
·  
How radio spectrum is used by licensees;
·  
The nature of the services that licensees may offer and how such services may be offered; and
·  
Resolution of issues of interference between spectrum bands.

The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, preempts state and local regulation of market entry by, and the rates charged by, commercial mobile radio service providers, except that states may exercise authority over such things as certain billing practices and consumer-related issues. These regulations could increase the costs of our wireless operations. The FCC grants wireless licenses for terms of generally ten years that are subject to renewal and revocation. FCC rules require all wireless licensees to meet certain build-out requirements and substantially comply with applicable FCC rules and policies and the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in order to retain their licenses. Failure to comply with FCC requirements in a given license area could result in revocation of the license for that license area. There is no guarantee that our licenses will be renewed.

The FCC has initiated a number of proceedings to evaluate its rules and policies regarding spectrum licensing and usage. Changes proposed by the FCC could adversely impact our utilization of our licensed spectrum and our operation costs.

 
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Commercial mobile radio service providers must implement E911 capabilities in accordance with FCC rules. Failure to deploy E911 service consistent with FCC requirements could subject us to significant fines.

The FCC, together with the Federal Aviation Administration, also regulates tower marking and lighting. In addition, tower construction is affected by federal, state and local statutes addressing zoning, environmental protection and historic preservation. The FCC adopted significant changes to its rules governing historic preservation review of projects, which makes it more difficult and expensive to deploy antenna facilities. The FCC is also considering changes to its rules regarding environmental protection as related to tower construction, which, if adopted, could make it more difficult to deploy facilities.

Video Services. The cable television industry is subject to extensive regulation at various levels, and many aspects of such regulation are currently the subject of judicial proceedings and administrative or legislative proposals. The law permits certified local franchising authorities to order refunds of rates paid in the previous 12-month period determined to be in excess of the reasonable rates. It is possible that rate reductions or refunds of previously collected fees may be required of us in the future. Currently, pursuant to Alaska law, the basic video rates in Juneau are the only rates in Alaska subject to regulation by the local franchising authority, and the rates in Juneau were reviewed and approved by the RCA in July 2010.

Proposals may be made before Congress and the FCC to mandate cable operators provide “open access” over their cable systems to Internet service providers. As of the date of this report, the FCC has declined to impose such requirements. If the FCC or other authorities mandate additional access to our cable systems, we cannot predict the effect that this would have on our Internet service offerings.

Other existing federal regulations, currently the subject of judicial, legislative, and administrative review, could change, in varying degrees, the manner in which video systems operate. Neither the outcome of these proceedings nor their impact upon the cable television industry in general, or on our activities and prospects in the cable television business in particular, can be predicted at this time. There can be no assurance that future regulatory actions taken by Congress, the FCC or other federal, state or local government authorities will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Internet Services. Changes in the regulatory environment relating to the Internet access market, including changes in legislation, FCC regulation, judicial action or local regulation that affect communications costs or increase competition from the ILEC or other communications services providers, could adversely affect the prices at which we sell Internet services.

Local Access Services. Our success in the local telephone market depends on our continued ability to obtain interconnection, access and related services from local exchange carriers on terms that are reasonable and that are based on the cost of providing these services. Our local telephone services business faces the risk of unfavorable changes in regulation or legislation or the introduction of new regulations. Our ability to provide service in the local telephone market depends on our negotiation or arbitration with local exchange carriers to allow interconnection to the carrier’s existing local telephone network, to establish dialing parity, to obtain access to rights-of-way, to resell services offered by the local exchange carrier, and in some cases, to allow the purchase, at cost-based rates, of access to UNEs. In some Alaska markets, it also depends on our ability to gain interconnection at economic costs. Future negotiations or arbitration proceedings with respect to new or existing markets could result in a change in our cost of serving these markets via the facilities of the ILEC or via wholesale offerings.

For more information about Regulations affecting our operations, see “Competition” contained in “Item 1 — Business — Regulation.”

Loss of our ETC status would disqualify us for USF support.

The USF pays support to ETCs to support the provision of facilities-based wireline and wireless telephone service in high cost areas. If we were to lose our ETC status in any of the study areas where we are currently an authorized ETC, we would be ineligible to receive USF support for providing service in that area. Loss of our ETC status could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 
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Revenues and accounts receivable from USF support may be reduced or lost.

We receive support from each of the various USF programs: high cost, low income, rural health care, and schools and libraries.  This support was 19%, 18%, and 14% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  We had USF net receivables of $69.8 million and $64.3 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The programs are subject to change by regulatory actions taken by the FCC or legislative actions.  For example, on November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers.  As described further in “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” the reform changes reduce our future high cost support revenue. Changes to any of the USF programs that we participate in could result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

See “Description of Our Business by Reportable Segment — Regulation — Wireline Voice Services and Products — Universal Service” for more information.

We may not be able to satisfy the requirements of our participation in a New Markets Tax Credit program for funding our TERRA-NW project.

In 2011 we entered into an arrangement under the NMTC program with US Bancorp to help fund our TERRA-NW project.  In connection with the NMTC transaction we received proceeds which are restricted for use on TERRA-NW.  The NMTC is subject to 100% recapture for a period of seven years as provided in the Internal Revenue Code.  We are required to be in compliance with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangement.  We have indemnified US Bancorp for any loss or recapture of its $30.7 million in NMTCs until such time as our obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved.   Non-compliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized by US Bancorp and could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  
 
Failure to complete development, testing and deployment of new technology that supports new services could affect our ability to compete in the industry.  In addition, the technology we use may place us at a competitive disadvantage.

We develop, test and deploy various new technologies and support systems intended to enhance our competitiveness by both supporting new services and features and reducing the costs associated with providing those services or features.  Successful development and implementation of technology upgrades depend, in part, on the willingness of third parties to develop new applications in a timely manner.  We may not successfully complete the development and rollout of new technology and related features or services in a timely manner, and they may not be widely accepted by our customers or may not be profitable, in which case we could not recover our investment in the technology.  Deployment of technology supporting new service offerings may also adversely affect the performance or reliability of our networks with respect to both the new and existing services.  Any resulting customer dissatisfaction could affect our ability to retain customers and may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

Unfavorable general economic conditions, including the current economic downturn in the United States, could negatively affect our business.  While it is often difficult for us to predict the impact of general economic conditions on our business, these conditions could adversely affect the affordability of and demand for some of our products and services and could cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forgo purchases of our products and services.  One or more of these circumstances could cause our revenue to decline.  Also, our customers may not be able to obtain adequate access to credit, which could affect their ability to make timely payments to us.  If that were to occur, we could be required to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, and the number of days outstanding for our accounts receivable could increase.  The government has taken various measures in an attempt to help improve the economy, however, we are unable to predict the success or outcome of such programs.  For these reasons, among others, if the current economic conditions persist or decline, this could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as our ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

 
30

 
Our business is geographically concentrated in Alaska. Any deterioration in the economic conditions in Alaska could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

We offer voice, data and wireless communication and video services to customers primarily in Alaska. Because of this geographic concentration, our growth and operations depend upon economic conditions in Alaska. The economy of Alaska is dependent upon natural resource industries, in particular oil production, as well as tourism, and government spending, including substantial amounts for the United States military. Any deterioration in these markets could have an adverse impact on the demand for communication and video services and on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the customer base in Alaska is limited. Alaska has a population of approximately 722,000 people, 54% of whom are located in the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough region. We have already achieved significant market penetration with respect to our service offerings in Anchorage and in other locations in Alaska.

We may not be able to continue to increase our market share of the existing markets for our services, and no assurance can be given that the Alaskan economy will continue to grow and increase the size of the markets we serve or increase the demand for the services we offer. As a result, the best opportunities for expanding our business may arise in other geographic areas such as the lower 49 states. There can be no assurance that we will find attractive opportunities to grow our businesses outside of Alaska or that we will have the necessary expertise to take advantage of such opportunities. The markets in Alaska for voice, data and wireless communications and video services are unique and distinct within the United States due to Alaska’s large geographical size, its sparse population located in a limited number of clusters, and its distance from the rest of the United States. The expertise we have developed in operating our businesses in Alaska may not provide us with the necessary expertise to successfully enter other geographic markets.

Natural disasters, terrorist attacks or breaches of network or information technology security could have an adverse effect on our business.

Our technical infrastructure (including our communications network infrastructure and ancillary functions supporting our network such as service activation, billing and customer care) is vulnerable to damage or interruption from technology failures, power surges or outages, natural disasters, fires, human error, terrorism, intentional wrongdoing or similar events. Unanticipated problems at our facilities or with our technical infrastructure, system or equipment failures, hardware or software failures or defects, computer viruses or hacker attacks could affect the quality of our services and cause network service interruptions. Unauthorized access to or use of customer or account information, including credit card or other personal data, could result in harm to our customers and legal actions against us, and could damage our reputation. In addition, earthquakes, floods, fires and other unforeseen natural disasters or events could materially disrupt our business operations or our provision of service in one or more markets. Costs we incur to restore, repair or replace our network or technical infrastructure, as well as costs associated with detecting, monitoring or reducing the incidence of unauthorized use, may be substantial and increase our cost of providing service.  Any failure in or interruption of systems that we or third parties maintain to support ancillary functions, such as billing, point of sale, inventory management, customer care and financial reporting, could materially impact our ability to timely and accurately record, process and report information important to our business. If any of the above events were to occur, we could experience higher churn, reduced revenues and increased costs, any of which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Prolonged service interruptions could affect our business.

We rely heavily on our network equipment, communications providers, data and software to support all of our functions. We rely on our networks and the networks of others for substantially all of our revenues. We are able to deliver services only to the extent that we can protect our network systems against damage from power or communication failures, computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized access and other disruptions. While we endeavor to provide for failures in the network by providing back-up systems and procedures, we cannot guarantee that these back-up systems and procedures will operate satisfactorily in an emergency. Should we experience a prolonged failure, it could seriously jeopardize our ability to continue operations. In particular, should a significant service interruption occur, our ongoing customers may choose a different provider, and our reputation may be damaged, reducing our attractiveness to new customers.

 
31

 
To the extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss or damage to our customers’ data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, we may incur liability and suffer from adverse publicity. In addition, we may incur additional costs to remedy the damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches.

If failures occur in our undersea fiber optic cable systems, our ability to immediately restore the entirety of our service may be limited and we could incur significant costs, which could lead to a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Our communications facilities include undersea fiber optic cable systems that carry a large portion of our traffic to and from the contiguous lower 48 states one of which provides an alternative geographically diverse backup communication facility to the other. If a failure of both sides of the ring of our undersea fiber optic facilities occurs and we are not able to secure alternative facilities, some of the communications services we offer to our customers could be interrupted which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  Damage to an undersea fiber optic cable system can result in significant unplanned expense which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

If a failure occurs in our satellite communications systems, our ability to immediately restore the entirety of our service may be limited.

Our communications facilities include satellite transponders that we use to serve many rural and remote Alaska locations. Each of our C-band and Ku-band satellite transponders is backed up using on-board transponder redundancy.  In the event of a complete spacecraft failure the services are restored using capacity on other spacecraft that are held in reserve.  If a failure of our satellite transponders occurs and we are not able to secure alternative facilities, some of the communications services we offer to our customers could be interrupted which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

We depend on a limited number of third-party vendors to supply communications equipment. If we do not obtain the necessary communications equipment, we will not be able to meet the needs of our customers.

We depend on a limited number of third-party vendors to supply video, Internet, DLPS, wireless and other telephony-related equipment. If our providers of this equipment are unable to timely supply the equipment necessary to meet our needs or provide them at an acceptable cost, we may not be able to satisfy demand for our services and competitors may fulfill this demand. Due to the unique characteristics of the Alaska communications markets (i.e., remote locations, rural, satellite-served, low density populations, and our leading edge services and products), in many situations we deploy and utilize specialized, advanced technology and equipment that may not have a large market or demand. Our vendors may not succeed in developing sufficient market penetration to sustain continuing production and may fail. Vendor bankruptcy, or acquisition without continuing product support by the acquiring company, may require us to replace technology before its otherwise useful end of life due to lack of on-going vendor support and product development.

We do not have insurance to cover certain risks to which we are subject, which could lead to the incurrence of uninsured liabilities that adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

As is typical in the communications industry, we are self-insured for damage or loss to certain of our transmission facilities, including our buried, undersea and above-ground transmission lines. If we become subject to substantial uninsured liabilities due to damage or loss to such facilities, our financial position, results of operations or liquidity may be adversely affected.

 
32

 
Our significant debt and capital lease obligations could adversely affect our business and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our Senior Notes, Senior Credit Facility, other debt or capital leases.

We have and will continue to have a significant amount of debt and capital lease obligations.  On December 31, 2011, we had total debt of $861.3 million and total capital lease obligations of $125.5 million.  Our high level of debt and capital lease obligations could have important consequences, including the following:

·  
Use of a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our Senior Notes, Senior Credit Facility, other debt and capital leases, which will reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities;
·  
Increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
·  
Limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
·  
Restrict us from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities;
·  
Make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Senior Notes, Senior Credit Facility, other debt and capital lease obligations;
·  
Place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt and capital lease obligations; and
·  
Limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets or pay cash dividends on GCI’s common stock.

We will require a significant amount of cash to service our debt and to meet other obligations. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control. If we are unable to meet our future capital needs it may be necessary for us to curtail, delay or abandon our business growth plans.  If we incur significant additional indebtedness to fund our plans, it could cause a decline in our credit rating and could increase our borrowing costs or limit our ability to raise additional capital.

We will continue to require a significant amount of cash to satisfy our debt service requirements and to meet other obligations.  Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt and to fund planned capital expenditures and acquisitions will depend on our ability to generate cash and to arrange additional financing in the future. These abilities are subject to, among other factors, our credit rating, our financial performance, general economic conditions, prevailing market conditions, the state of competition in our market, the outcome of certain legislative and regulatory issues and other factors that may be beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future borrowings may not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs.  We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity.  We may not be able to refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

The terms of our debt impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to successfully operate our business and our ability to make payments on the Senior Notes.

The indentures governing our Senior Notes and/or the credit agreements governing our Senior Credit Facility and other loans contain various covenants that could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs and to engage in other business activities that may be in our best interest.

All of these covenants may restrict our ability to expand or to pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and if such events occur, we cannot be sure that we will be able to comply. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under the indentures governing our Senior Notes and/or the Senior Credit Facility. If there were an event of default under the indentures for the Senior Notes and/or the Senior Credit Facility, holders of such defaulted debt could cause all amounts borrowed under these instruments to be due and payable immediately. Additionally, if we fail to repay the debt under the Senior Credit Facility when it becomes due, the lenders under the Senior Credit Facility could proceed against certain of our assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries that we have pledged to them as security. Our assets or cash flow may not be sufficient to repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments in the event of a default thereunder.

 
33

 
Concerns about health risks associated with wireless equipment may reduce the demand for our wireless services.

Portable communications devices have been alleged to pose health risks, including cancer, due to radio frequency emissions from these devices.  Purported class actions and other lawsuits have been filed against numerous other wireless carriers seeking not only damages but also remedies that could increase the cost of doing business.  We cannot be sure of the outcome of those cases or that the industry will not be adversely affected by litigation of this nature or public perception about health risks.  The actual or perceived risk of mobile communications devices could adversely affect us through a reduction in subscribers.  Further research and studies are ongoing, and we cannot be sure that additional studies will not demonstrate a link between radio frequency emissions and health concerns.

Additionally, new government regulations on the use of a wireless device while driving may affect us through a reduction in usage revenue.  Studies have indicated that using wireless devices while driving may impair a driver’s attention.  Many state and local legislative bodies, including Alaska’s, have passed or proposed legislation to restrict the use of wireless telephones while driving vehicles.  Concerns over safety and the effect of future legislation, if adopted and enforced in the areas we serve, could limit our ability to market and sell our wireless services.  Litigation relating to accidents, deaths or serious bodily injuries allegedly incurred as a result of wireless telephone use while driving could result in adverse publicity and further governmental regulation.  Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

A significant percentage of GCI’s voting securities are owned by a small number of shareholders and these shareholders can control shareholder decisions on very important matters.

As of December 31, 2011, our executive officers and directors and their affiliates owned 10% of GCI’s combined outstanding Class A and Class B common stock, representing 21% of the combined voting power of that stock.  These shareholders can significantly influence, if not control, our management policy and all fundamental corporate actions, including mergers, substantial acquisitions and dispositions, and election of directors to GCI’s Board.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

Item 2. Properties
Our properties do not lend themselves to description by location of principal units.  The majority of our properties are located in Alaska.  It is not practicable to allocate our properties to our reportable segments since many of our properties are employed by more than one segment to provide common services and products.  Additionally our properties are managed at the consolidated company level rather than at the segment level.

We lease our executive, corporate and administrative facilities and business offices. Our operating, executive, corporate and administrative properties are in good condition. We consider our properties suitable and adequate for our present needs and they are being fully utilized.

Our properties consist primarily of undersea and terrestrial fiber optic cable networks, switching equipment, satellite transponders and earth stations, microwave radio, cable and wire facilities, cable head-end equipment, wireless towers and equipment, coaxial distribution networks, connecting lines (aerial, underground and buried cable), routers, servers, transportation equipment, computer equipment, general office equipment, land, land improvements, landing stations and other buildings. Substantially all of our properties are located on or in leased real property or facilities.  Substantially all of our properties secure our Senior Credit Facility. See note 6 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various lawsuits, billing disputes, legal proceedings, and regulatory matters that have arisen from time to time in the normal course of business. While the ultimate results of these items cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect at this time for the resolution of them to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  In addition we are involved in the following matters:

 
34

 
·  
In September 2008, the FCC's Office of Inspector General ("OIG") initiated an investigation regarding Alaska DigiTel LLC’s (“Alaska DigiTel”) compliance with program rules and requirements under the Lifeline Program. The request covered the period beginning January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2008 and related to amounts received for Lifeline service.  Alaska DigiTel was an Alaska based wireless communications company of which we acquired an 81.9% equity interest on January 2, 2007 and the remaining 18.1% equity interest on August 18, 2008 and was subsequently merged with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries in April 2009. Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007. We responded to this request on behalf of Alaska DigiTel and the GCI companies as affiliates. On January 18, 2011 we reached an agreement with the FCC and the Department of Justice to settle the matter, which required us to contribute $1.6 million to the United States Treasury and granted us a broad release of claims including those under the False Claims Act.  The $1.6 million contribution, of which $154,000, $661,000 and $741,000 were recognized in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statements in the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was paid in January 2011; and
·  
In August 2010, a company-owned aircraft was involved in an accident resulting in five fatalities and injuries to the remaining four passengers on board.  We had aircraft and liability insurance coverage in effect at the time of the accident.  As of December 31, 2011, all claims paid out have been covered by insurance and were recorded net of these recoveries in our Consolidated Income Statements.  While some of the claims have been resolved, we cannot predict the likelihood or nature of the total remaining claims, including environmental remediation, related to the accident.

 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
 

Part II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock
All issued and outstanding shares of GCI, Inc's Class A common stock are held by GCI and are not publicly traded. GCI's Class A and Class B common stock are publicly traded.

Dividends
GCI and GCI, Inc. have never paid cash dividends on GCI’s common stock, and we have no present intention of doing so. Payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be determined by GCI’s Board of Directors in light of our earnings, financial condition and other relevant considerations. Our existing debt agreements contain provisions that limit payment of dividends on common stock, other than stock dividends (see note 6 included in “Part II — Item 8 — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information).

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare is GCI’s stock transfer agent and registrar.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table presents selected historical information relating to financial condition and results of operations over the past five years.

 
35

 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Revenues
  $ 679,381       651,250       595,811       575,442       520,311  
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ 13,086       18,443       7,452       (2,295 )     25,859  
Net income (loss)
  $ 5,601       8,955       3,516       (3,372 )     13,697  
Net loss attributable to
  non-controlling interest
  $ 238       -       -       1,503       36  
Net income (loss) attributable to GCI,
   Inc. common stockholder
  $ 5,839       8,955       3,516       (1,869 )     13,733  
Total assets
  $ 1,447,247       1,350,467       1,417,763       1,335,090       984,233  
Long-term debt, including current
  portion and net of unamortized
  discount
  $ 861,272       781,717       776,380       716,831       538,398  
Obligations under capital leases,
  including current portion
  $ 86,054       91,165       95,914       100,329       2,851  
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity
  $ 157,204       199,213       265,683       258,704       252,955  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ -       -       -       -       -  

The Selected Financial Data should be read in conjunction with “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In the following discussion, GCI, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us” and “our.”
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to the allowance for doubtful receivables, unbilled revenues, accrual of the USF high cost Remote area program support, share-based compensation, inventory at lower of cost or market, reserve for future customer credits, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, depreciable and amortizable lives of assets, the carrying value of long-lived assets including goodwill, cable certificates and wireless licenses, our effective tax rate, purchase price allocations, the accrual of cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense) ("Cost of Goods Sold"), depreciation, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. See also our “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

GCI, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Alaska in 1997 to affect the issuance of Senior Notes. GCI, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GCI, received through its initial capitalization all ownership interests in subsidiaries previously held by GCI. Shares of GCI’s Class A common stock are traded on the Nasdaq National Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol of GNCMA. Shares of GCI’s Class B common stock are traded on the Over-the-Counter market. Shares of GCI, Inc.’s common stock are wholly owned by GCI and are not publicly traded. The GCI and GCI, Inc. consolidated financial statements include substantially the same account activity.

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and supplementary data as presented in Part IV of this Form 10-K.

 
36

 
General Overview
Through our focus on long-term results, acquisitions, and strategic capital investments, we strive to consistently grow our revenues and expand our margins. We have historically met our cash needs for operations, regular capital expenditures and maintenance capital expenditures through our cash flows from operating activities. Historically, cash requirements for significant acquisitions and major capital expenditures have been provided largely through our financing activities.

The national economy continues to see persistent unemployment and slow economic growth and even once stabilized is not expected to return quickly to a period of strong growth.  Should the national economy deteriorate further, it could lead to reductions in consumer spending which could impact our revenue growth.  We believe the Alaska economy continues to perform well compared to most other states at the current time. The State of Alaska has large cash reserves that should enable it to maintain its budget for at least the short-term. This cash reserve is important for Alaska’s economy as the State is the largest employer and second largest source of gross state product. The majority of our revenue is driven by the strength of the Alaska economy which appears to have weathered the recessionary pressures relatively well to date. Nonetheless we cannot predict the impact the nation’s future economic situation may have on us in the future.

As part of an agreement signed in December 2007 with AT&T Mobility, AT&T Mobility has provided to us a large block of wireless network usage at no charge that we use for roaming.  This block of minutes expired in January 2012 and we expect our wireless Cost of Goods Sold to increase $4.8 million to $5.3 million before factoring in the impact of 2012 subscriber growth.  Our future wireless Cost of Goods Sold will depend on several factors including: the impact and timing of our wireless network build-out, the pattern of usage by our wireless subscribers, and negotiated rates with our roaming partners.

As an ETC, we receive support from the USF to support the provision of wireline local access and wireless service in high cost areas. On November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers (“High Cost Order”).  The High Cost Order divided support to Alaska between Urban and Remote areas.  Support for CETCs serving Urban areas that generally include Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will follow national reforms, capping support per provider per service area as of January 1, 2012, and commencing a five-step phase-down on July 1, 2012.  In addition to broader reforms, the FCC tailored revisions specifically for CETCs serving Remote Alaska, intended to address the unique challenges for serving these areas.  Support to these locations will be capped and distributed on a per-line basis until the later of July 1, 2014, or the implementation of a successor funding mechanism.  A further rulemaking to consider successor funding mechanisms is underway.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its effect on Remote high cost support available to us, but our revenue for providing local services in these areas would be materially adversely affected by a substantial reduction of USF support.

The High Cost Order Remote and Urban program changes decreased our revenue $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily impacting our Consumer segment.  The High Cost Order Remote and Urban program changes will decrease our 2012 revenue approximately $4.0 million as compared to 2011.  At December 31, 2011, we have $33.1 million and $8.5 million in Remote and Urban high cost accounts receivable, respectively.

In November 2010, Verizon acquired a license for 700 MHz wireless spectrum covering Alaska.  We expect Verizon will build an LTE network in 2012 and subsequently they will be an additional competitor where our markets overlap.  We cannot predict the potential impact this new competition may have on us in the future.

Results of Operations
The following table sets forth selected financial data as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (underlying data rounded to the nearest thousand):

 
37

 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
Percentage
   
Percentage
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
Change1
   
Change1
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
vs. 2010
   
vs. 2009
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
             
Statements of Operations Data:
   
 
   
 
             
Revenues:
 
 
   
 
   
 
             
 Consumer segment
    52 %     53 %     49 %     3 %     16 %
 Network Access segment
    16 %     16 %     21 %     (2 %)     (12 %)
 Commercial segment
    20 %     20 %     18 %     6 %     17 %
 Managed Broadband segment
    9 %     8 %     8 %     27 %     11 %
 Regulated Operations segment
    3 %     3 %     4 %     (3 %)     (5 %)
Total revenues
    100 %     100 %     100 %     4 %     9 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    35 %     35 %     36 %     3 %     8 %
Depreciation and amortization expense
    19 %     19 %     21 %     0 %     2 %
Operating income
    13 %     14 %     11 %     2 %     34 %
Other expense, net
    11 %     11 %     10 %     11 %     19 %
Income before income taxes
    2 %     3 %     1 %     (29 %)     147 %
Net income
    1 %     1 %     1 %     (37 %)     155 %
Net income attributable to GCI, Inc.
    1 %     1 %     1 %     (35 %)     155 %
 
                                       
Percentage change in underlying data
                                 

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on earnings before depreciation and amortization expense, net interest expense, income taxes, share-based compensation expense, accretion expense, loss attributable to non-controlling interest and non-cash contribution adjustment (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Management believes that this measure is useful to investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability as an analytical indicator of income generated to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, multiples of current or projected EBITDA are used to estimate current or prospective enterprise value. See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 (“2011”) Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010 (“2010”)

Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
Total revenues increased 4% from $651.3 million in 2010 to $679.4 million in 2011.  Revenue increases in our Consumer, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments were partially offset by decreased revenue in our Network Access and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

Total Cost of Goods Sold increased 9% from $207.8 million in 2010 to $227.4 million in 2011.  Cost of Goods Sold increased in all of our segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

Consumer Segment Overview
Consumer segment revenue represented 52% of 2011 consolidated revenues. The components of Consumer segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
 
38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
Change
 
Voice
$
52,052 
 
57,317 
 
(9%)
 
Video
 
118,635 
 
118,475 
 
0%
 
Data
 
71,977 
 
61,364 
 
17%
 
Wireless
 
109,910 
 
105,742 
 
4%
 
 
Total Consumer segment revenue
$
352,574 
 
342,898 
 
3%

Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 49% of 2011 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
Change
 
Voice
$
10,660 
 
12,042 
 
(11%)
 
Video
 
53,556 
 
51,246 
 
5%
 
Data
 
4,771 
 
3,781 
 
26%
 
Wireless
 
41,706 
 
37,412 
 
11%
 
 
Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold
$
110,693 
 
104,481 
 
6%

Consumer segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 50% of 2011 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
Change
 
Consumer segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
110,734 
 
114,716 
 
(3%)

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:

 
   
 
December 31,
 
Percentage
 
   
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-distance subscribers
 
 79,500 
 
 88,200 
 
(10%)
 
 
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
 
 94.7 
 
 106.9 
 
(11%)
 
 
Total local access lines in service
 
 77,600 
 
 84,800 
 
(8%)
 
 
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities
 
 72,000 
 
 77,400 
 
(7%)
 
 Video:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic subscribers
 
 125,000 
 
 130,000 
 
(4%)
 
 
Digital programming tier subscribers
 
 75,600 
 
 81,800 
 
(8%)
 
 
HD/DVR converter boxes
 
 89,400 
 
 88,100 
 
1%
 
 
Homes passed
 
 242,100 
 
 238,500 
 
2%
 
 
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber
 
$ 77.43
 
$ 75.83
 
2%
 
 Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cable modem subscribers
 
 108,300 
 
 105,700 
 
2%
 
 Wireless:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wireless lines in service
 
 124,600 
 
 124,900 
 
0%
 
 
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber
 
$ 68.34
 
$ 63.96
 
7%
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
 
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
 
A basic subscriber is defined as one basic tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets purchased.
 
A digital programming tier subscriber is defined as one digital programming tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets or digital programming tiers purchased. Digital programming tier subscribers are a subset of basic subscribers.
 
A high-definition/digital video recorder ("HD/DVR") converter box is defined as one box rented by a digital programming or basic tier subscriber. A digital programming or basic tier subscriber is not required to rent an HD/DVR converter box to receive service.
 
Average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer basic subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.
 
A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Cable modem subscribers may also be video basic subscribers though basic cable service is not required to receive cable modem service.
 
A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
 
Average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.

 
39

 
Consumer Segment Revenues
The increase in data revenue is primarily due to a 19% increase in cable modem revenue to $63.4 million due to increased subscribers, rate increases in May and August 2010 and in May 2011 and our subscribers’ selection of plans that offer higher speeds.

As discussed in the General Overview section of this Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” the FCC published the High Cost Order in November 2011.  The High Cost Order Remote and Urban program changes decreased our Consumer Segment Voice revenue $617,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, and decreased our Consumer Segment Wireless revenue $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.  The High Cost Order Remote and Urban program changes will result in decreased Consumer Segment Voice revenue of approximately $1.6 million and decreased Consumer Segment Wireless revenue of approximately $1.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2012.

On February 6, 2012, the FCC released its Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to comprehensively reform and modernize the USF’s Lifeline program.  The Lifeline program is administered by the USAC and is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.  We participate in the Lifeline program and recognized $16.9 million in Consumer Wireless Lifeline program support revenue during the year ended December 31, 2011.  Following are the reforms included in the order that we expect to impact 2012 Consumer Segment Wireless revenue:

·  
The order adopted on an interim basis a flat rate of $9.25 to replace the support previously available under Tier I through Tier III support mechanisms.  The replacement support reduces the wireless subscriber per line support $0.75 which we expect will result in a $300,000 reduction in our revenue for the year ending December 31, 2012.  The FCC intends to further investigate whether this support amount is reasonable over the long term in further rulemaking.
·  
The order adopted a requirement for annual recertification of all Lifeline subscribers enrolled as of June 1, 2012 to be completed by the end of 2012.  We are evaluating this requirement and possible processes and cannot predict whether this new rule will have a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.

Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The increase in video Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased channels offered to our subscribers, increased rates paid to programmers and increased costs associated with delivery of digital services offered through our HD/DVR converter boxes.  This increase was partially offset by decreased costs due to a decrease in subscribers.

The wireless Cost of Goods Sold increase is primarily due to increased costs for wireless handset equipment sales and a change in the allocation of network maintenance costs.  The increased wireless handset equipment sale costs are associated with an increased number of premium wireless handsets which have higher costs and an increased number of handsets issued to new customers and those extending their service.  The change in allocation of network maintenance costs resulted in an increase to our Consumer segment and a decrease to our Network Access, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments.

Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Consumer segment due to an increase in the 2010 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based and an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.  These increases are partially offset by increased revenue as described above in "Consumer Segment Revenues.”

 
40

 
Network Access Segment Overview
Network access segment revenue represented 16% of 2011 consolidated revenues. The components of Network Access segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 23,553       29,032       (19 %)
Data
    62,456       61,494       2 %
Wireless
    19,447       16,701       16 %
Total Network Access segment revenue
  $ 105,456       107,227       (2 %)

Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 13% of 2011 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 12,194       15,383       (21 %)
Data
    15,386       8,234       87 %
Wireless
    1,164       1,413       (18 %)
Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 28,744       25,030       15 %

Network Access segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 22% of 2011 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Network Access segment Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 50,209       50,259       0 %

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:
   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    760.5       785.4       (3 %)
 
                       
 Data:
                       
Total Internet service provider access lines in service
    1,700       1,700       0 %
                         
An Internet service provider access line is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network
 

Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to a $5.3 million Cost of Goods Sold classification change.  Prior to 2011 certain Cost of Goods Sold were classified as Network Access segment voice Cost of Goods Sold.  Beginning in 2011 these Cost of Goods Sold were reclassified to data Cost of Goods Sold for a more accurate presentation.

The increase in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to:

 
41

 
·  
A $5.3 million Cost of Goods Sold classification change.  Prior to 2011 certain Cost of Goods Sold were classified as Network Access segment voice Cost of Goods Sold.  Beginning in the 2011 these Cost of Goods Sold were reclassified to data Cost of Goods Sold for a more accurate presentation, and
·  
$1.8 million in Cost of Goods Sold related to special project work.

Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue and increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold.”  These changes are partially offset by a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Network Access segment primarily due to a decrease in the 2010 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based.

Commercial Segment Overview
Commercial segment revenue represented 20% of 2011 consolidated revenues. Commercial segment data revenue is comprised of monthly recurring charges for data services and charges billed on a time and materials basis largely for personnel providing on-site customer support.  This latter category can vary significantly based on project activity.  The components of Commercial segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 28,712       31,720       (9 %)
Video
    11,605       11,178       4 %
Data
    85,961       76,823       12 %
Wireless
    9,823       8,737       12 %
Total Commercial segment revenue
  $ 136,101       128,458       6 %

Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 29% of 2011 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 13,083       15,212       (14 %)
Video
    2,154       2,140       1 %
Data
    45,475       38,586       18 %
Wireless
    4,458       3,947       13 %
Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 65,170       59,885       9 %

Commercial segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 14% of 2011 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Commercial segment Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 31,222       30,871       1 %

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.


 
42

 

Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:

   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-distance subscribers
    8,300       9,100       (9 %)
Total local access lines in service
    49,700       48,300       3 %
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities
    27,300       21,200       29 %
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    111.8       116.0       (4 %)
 
                       
 Data:
                       
Cable modem subscribers
    11,100       10,700       4 %
 
                       
 Wireless:
                       
Wireless lines in service
    15,300       13,800       11 %
                         
A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
 
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
 
A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber.
 
A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
 

 
Commercial Segment Revenues
The increase in data revenue is primarily due to a $5.1 million or 13% increase in managed services project revenue due to special project work.

Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of goods Sold is primarily due to the Intrastate Access Reform Act (“Intrastate Access Reform”) which went into effect July 2011.  Intrastate Access Reform eliminated the ILECs’ ability to bill long distance carriers for certain intrastate line charges.  This decrease was partially offset by the absence of a $1.0 million favorable adjustment for refunds from several vendors in 2010.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled long-distance services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved.

The increase in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to a $4.7 million or 15% increase in managed services project Cost of Goods Sold related to the increased revenue described above in “Commercial Segment Revenues.”

Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA increase is primarily due to increased revenue as described above in “Commercial Segment Revenues.”  This increase was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Commercial segment primarily due to an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.

Managed Broadband Segment Overview
Managed Broadband segment revenue, Cost of Goods sold and Adjusted EBITDA represented 9%, 7% and 13% of 2011 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA, respectively.


 
43

 

Managed Broadband Segment Revenues
Managed Broadband segment revenue, which includes data products only, increased 27% to $63.2 million in 2011 as compared to 2010. The increase is primarily due to increased monthly contract revenue due to increased data network capacity purchased by our ConnectMD® and SchoolAccess® customers and absence of $1.7 million in denied funding from the USAC for one ConnectMD® customer for the funding year July 2008 to June 2009. We received the funding commitment letter, which outlined the denied portion, in the second quarter of 2010.  The denial has been appealed to the FCC and we cannot predict the likelihood of success.

Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Managed Broadband segment Cost of Goods Sold increased from $14.0 million in 2010 to $17.0 million in 2011 primarily due to the increase in data network capacity described above in “Managed Broadband Segment Revenues.

Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Managed Broadband segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 49% to $28.6 million in 2011 primarily due to an increase in revenue as described above in "Managed Broadband Segment Revenues," partially offset by an increase in the Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold,” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Managed Broadband segment.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expense is primarily due to an increase in the consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Regulated Operations Segment Overview
Regulated Operations segment revenue, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA represented 3%, 2% and 1% of 2011 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA, respectively.

A selected key performance indicator for our Regulated Operations segment follows:

   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total local access lines in service on GCI facilities
    9,100       10,000       (9 %)
                         
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
 

Regulated Operations Segment Revenues
Regulated Operations segment revenues decreased from $22.7 million in 2010 to $22.0 million in 2011.

Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Regulated Operations segment Cost of Goods Sold increased from $4.4 million in 2010 to $5.8 million in 2011.  Beginning July 1, 2011, our Regulated Segment began purchasing access to carry its traffic in certain regions from our Network Access Segment.  Prior to this the traffic in these regions was carried on its own network plant.  Under regulatory accounting these intercompany transactions are not eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

Regulated Operations Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Regulated Operations segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 55% to $2.8 million in 2011 primarily due to a decrease in revenue, an increase in Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was recorded in our Regulated Operations segment.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expense is primarily due to non-capitalizable TERRA-SW expenses recorded in 2011.

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

 
44

 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.7 million to $235.5 million in 2011.  Individually significant items contributing to the increase include:

·  
A $1.6 million increase in labor costs,
·  
A $1.2 million increase in health benefit costs, and
·  
A $1.2 million increase in bad debt expense primarily due to absence of settlements which resulted in the release of credit reserves in the third quarter of 2010.

These increases were partially offset by a $3.8 million decrease in our company-wide success sharing bonus accrual.  The remainder of the increase is comprised of individually insignificant items.

As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 35% in 2011 and 2010.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $372,000 to $125.7 million in 2011.

Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net of other income, increased 11% to $77.6 million in 2011 primarily due to a $9.1 million loss on extinguishment of debt.  On May 23, 2011, GCI, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, completed an offering of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes.  We used the net proceeds from this offering to repay and retire all of our outstanding 2014 Notes.  This increase was partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in interest expense to $68.3 million.  The interest expense decrease is primarily due to the issuance of the 2021 Notes, which have a lower interest rate than the interest rate paid on our 2014 Notes.

Income Tax Expense
GCI, Inc., as a wholly owned subsidiary and member of the GCI controlled group of corporations, files its income tax return as part of the consolidated group of corporations under GCI.  Accordingly, all discussions regarding income taxes reflect the consolidated group's activity.  Our income tax expense and deferred income tax assets and liabilities are presented herein using the separate-entity method.

Income tax expense totaled $7.5 million and $9.5 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our effective income tax rate increased from 51% in 2010 to 57% in 2011.

At December 31, 2011, we have income tax net operating loss carryforwards of $311.3 million that will begin expiring in 2019 if not utilized, and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $1.9 million available to offset regular income taxes payable in future years.

We have recorded deferred tax assets of $127.6 million associated with income tax net operating losses that were generated from 1999 to 2011 and that expire from 2019 to 2031, and with charitable contributions that were converted to net operating losses in 2004 through 2007, and that expire in 2024 through 2027, respectively.

Tax benefits associated with recorded deferred tax assets are considered to be more likely than not realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.  The amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced which would result in additional income tax expense.  We estimate that our effective annual income tax rate for financial statement purposes will be 45% to 50% in the year ending December 31, 2012, primarily due to the large amount of permanent differences expected in 2012 as compared to our net income before income tax expense.

Year Ended December 31, 2010 (“2010”) Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009 (“2009”)
 
Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
 
Total revenues increased 9% from $595.8 million in 2009 to $651.3 million in 2010.  Revenue increases in our Consumer, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments were partially offset by decreased revenue in our Network Access and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.

 
45

 
Total Cost of Goods Sold increased 7% from $193.7 million in 2009 to $207.8 million in 2010. Cost of Goods Sold increases in our Consumer, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments were partially offset by decreases in our Network Access and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.
 
Consumer Segment Overview
 
Consumer segment revenue represented 53% of 2010 consolidated revenues.  The components of Consumer segment revenue are as follow (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 57,317       52,654       9 %
Video
    118,475       110,986       7 %
Data
    61,364       50,327       22 %
Wireless
    105,742       80,958       31 %
Total Consumer segment revenue
  $ 342,898       294,925       16 %

Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 50% of 2010 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 12,042       14,952       (19 %)
Video
    51,246       45,350       13 %
Data
    3,781       4,367       (13 %)
Wireless
    37,412       32,225       16 %
Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 104,481       96,894       8 %

Consumer segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 52% of 2010 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Consumer segment Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 114,716       86,587       32 %

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:

 
46

 


   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-distance subscribers
    88,200       90,500       (3 %)
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    106.9       114.7       (7 %)
Total local access lines in service
    84,800       84,200       1 %
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities
    77,400       75,200       3 %
 Video:
                       
Basic subscribers
    130,000       130,500       0 %
Digital programming tier subscribers
    81,800       79,600       3 %
HD/DVR converter boxes
    88,100       81,500       8 %
Homes passed
    238,500       232,400       3 %
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber
  $ 75.83     $ 70.36       8 %
 Data:
                       
Cable modem subscribers
    105,700       100,200       6 %
 Wireless:
                       
Wireless lines in service
    124,900       115,100       9 %
Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber
  $ 63.96     $ 61.54       4 %
                         
A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
 
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
 
A basic subscriber is defined as one basic tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets purchased.
 
A digital programming tier subscriber is defined as one digital programming tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets or digital programming tiers purchased. Digital programming tier subscribers are a subset of basic subscribers.
 
A HD/DVR converter box is defined as one box rented by a digital programming or basic tier subscriber. A digital programming or basic tier subscriber is not required to rent an HD/DVR converter box to receive service.
 
Average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer basic subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.
 
A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Cable modem subscribers may also be video basic subscribers though basic cable service is not required to receive cable modem service.
 
A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
 
Average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.
 


Consumer Segment Revenues
The increase in voice revenue is primarily due to a $4.4 million or 54% increase in USAC support. We accrue estimated Rural and Urban high cost support revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate.  The increase in USF high cost support is primarily due to changes in the variables used to calculate our estimate and an increase in the number of local subscribers.  This increase was partially offset by an absence of $674,000 in support in 2009 related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  In March 2009, the FCC issued an order which provided uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands in Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  This revenue was for the additional support for the period August to December 2008.

 
47

 
The increase in video revenue is primarily due to the following:

·  
A 6% increase in programming services revenue to $93.9 million in 2010 primarily resulting from an increase in digital programming tier subscribers in 2010 and a rate increase on certain cable service offerings beginning in August 2009, and
·  
An 8% increase in equipment rental revenue to $23.4 million in 2010 primarily resulting from our customers’ increased use of our HD/DVR converter boxes.

The increase in data revenue is primarily due to a 23% increase in cable modem revenue to $53.4 million due to increased subscribers, rate increases in May and August 2010, our subscribers’ selection of plans that offer higher speeds, and an increase in charges for usage above plan limits.

The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to the following:

·  
A $19.8 million increase in USAC support to $51.4 million. This increase includes a $16.3 million increase in USF high cost support and a $3.5 million increase in USF low income support. We accrue estimated rural and urban high cost support revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate. The increase in USF high cost support is primarily due to changes in the variables used to calculate our estimate, an increase in the number of wireless subscribers and $1.0 million for amended line count filings for which the revenue recognition criteria was met in the third quarter of 2010.  The increase in USF low income support is due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers who qualify under this program; and
·  
A $7.9 million increase in plan fee revenue to $37.8 million due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers.

These increases were partially offset by the following:

·  
An absence of $1.7 million in support recorded in 2009 related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  The support was for a new local access area for which we received ETC status in May 2009.  Collectability was not reasonably assured until we were awarded ETC status, therefore we deferred revenue recognition until such status was confirmed, and
·  
An absence of $810,000 recorded in 2009 related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  In March 2009, the FCC issued an order which provided uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands in Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  This revenue was for the additional support for the period August to December 2008.

Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to decreased voice minutes carried, cost savings resulting from the increased deployment of local access services lines on our own facilities during 2010, and a $392,000 favorable adjustment based upon refunds from several vendors.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled long-distance services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved.

The increase in video Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased channels offered to our subscribers, increased rates paid to programmers, increased costs associated with delivery of digital services offered through our HD/DVR converter boxes due to the increased number of boxes in service, and an increase in digital programming tier subscribers.  The increases were partially offset by the absence of a $594,000 charge in 2009 to settle a billing issue with a cable programmer.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to the transition of traffic to our own facilities from leased facilities.

 
48

 
The increase in wireless Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased costs for wireless handset equipment sales associated with the increased number of wireless subscribers and an increased number of premium wireless handsets which have higher costs.

Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA increase is primarily due to increased revenue as described above in "Consumer Segment Revenues.” The increase was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Consumer segment. The increase in allocated selling, general and administrative expense is due primarily to an increase in the 2009 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based and an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.
 
Network Access Segment Overview
 
Network access segment revenue represented 16% of 2010 consolidated revenues. The components of Network Access segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 29,032       49,837       (42 %)
Data
    61,494       63,862       (4 %)
Wireless
    16,701       8,373       99 %
Total Network Access segment revenue
  $ 107,227       122,072       (12 %)

Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 12% of 2010 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 15,383       16,522       (7 %)
Data
    8,234       9,444       (13 %)
Wireless
    1,413       1,287       10 %
Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 25,030       27,253       (8 %)

Network Access segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 23% of 2010 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Network Access segment Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 50,259       57,563       (13 %)

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:

   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    785.4       840.0       (7 %)
 
                       
 Data:
                       
Total Internet service provider access lines in service
    1,700       1,700       0 %
                         
An Internet service provider access line is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network
 

 
49

 
Network Access Segment Revenues
The decrease in voice revenue is due to decreases in our average rate per minute on billable minutes carried for our common carrier customers and the transition of voice traffic to dedicated networks. Voice revenue continues to decline as expected due to increased competition in the Network Access business.  The decrease is partially offset by a $3.1 million increase from growth of services sold.

The decrease in data revenue is primarily due to decreased rates for capacity purchased by our common carrier customers.

The increase in wireless revenue is due to increased roaming revenue in 2010 primarily due to improved coverage and new roaming partners.

Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to decreased long-distance minutes carried, the movement of more traffic onto our network in lieu of carrying traffic on third party networks, and a $771,000 favorable adjustment based upon refunds from several vendors.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled long-distance services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved.  The decreases were partially offset by a $2.3 million increase from growth of services sold.

The decrease in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to the transition of traffic to our own facilities from leased facilities and a $724,000 favorable adjustment based upon refunds from several vendors.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled data services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved.  The decreases were partially offset by the absence of a $585,000 favorable adjustment in 2009 resulting from a refund of fiber repair costs.  The fiber repair costs were originally recognized in the first quarter of 2008.  Due to the uncertainty surrounding the refund of the fiber repair costs, we deferred recognition until collection of the refund was reasonably assured.

Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue as described in “Network Access Segment Revenues.”  This decrease is partially offset by decreased Cost of Goods Sold as described in “Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Network Access segment primarily due to a decrease in the 2009 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based.
 
Commercial Segment Overview
 
Commercial segment revenue represented 20% of 2010 consolidated revenues.  Commercial segment data revenue is comprised of monthly recurring charges for data services and charges billed on a time and materials basis largely for personnel providing on-site customer support.  This latter category can vary significantly based on project activity.  The components of Commercial segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 31,720       30,830       3 %
Video
    11,178       9,175       22 %
Data
    76,823       63,383       21 %
Wireless
    8,737       6,747       29 %
Total Commercial segment revenue
  $ 128,458       110,135       17 %

 
50

 
Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold represented 29% of 2010 consolidated Cost of Goods Sold.  The components of Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Voice
  $ 15,212       18,563       (18 %)
Video
    2,140       1,956       9 %
Data
    38,586       28,661       35 %
Wireless
    3,947       3,065       29 %
Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold
  $ 59,885       52,245       15 %

Commercial segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 14% of 2010 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
   
Percentage
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Commercial segment Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 30,871       23,174       33 %

See note 10 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to consolidated income before income taxes.

Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:

   
December 31,
   
Percentage
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
 Voice:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-distance subscribers
    9,100       9,500       (4 %)
Total local access lines in service
    48,300       47,700       1 %
Local access lines in service on GCI facilities
    21,200       19,600       8 %
Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)
    116.0       123.2       (6 %)
 
                       
 Data:
                       
Cable modem subscribers
    10,700       10,500       2 %
 
                       
 Wireless:
                       
Wireless lines in service
    13,800       10,300       34 %
A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.
 
A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.
 
A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber.
 
A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.
 

 
Commercial Segment Revenues
The increase in voice revenue is primarily due to the following:

·  
A $799,000 or 32% increase in USAC support. We accrue estimated USF Rural and Urban high cost support revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate.  The increase in USF high cost support is primarily due to changes in the variables used to calculate our estimate and an increase in the number of local subscribers, and
·  
A $493,000 or 3% increase in local plan fee revenue due to an increase in the number of lines in service.

 
51

 
These increases in voice revenue were partially offset by an $822,000 or 6% decrease in long-distance plan fee revenue due to a decrease in subscribers and minutes carried.

The increase in video revenue is primarily due to an increase in sales of cable advertising services due to state and federal political advertising and the return of seasonal tourism advertising which was negatively affected in 2009 by the general economic slowdown.

The increase in data revenue is primarily due to an $11.8 million or 41% increase in managed services project revenue due to special project work.

The increase in wireless revenue is primarily due to the following:

·  
A $995,000 or 90% increase in USAC support.  We accrue estimated USF Rural and Urban high cost support revenue quarterly and adjust our revenue as we obtain new information that changes the variables used to calculate our estimate.  The increase in USF high cost support is primarily due to changes in the variables used to calculate our estimate and an increase in the number of wireless subscribers; and
·  
An $812,000 or 54% increase in plan fee revenue mainly due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers.

Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold
The decrease in voice Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to the following:

·  
A $1.2 million cost saving from increased deployment of local access services lines on our own facilities during 2010,
·  
A $1.0 million favorable adjustment based upon refunds from several vendors.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled long-distance services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved; and
·  
A $700,000 or 7% decrease in long-distance costs related to the decrease in minutes carried.

The increase in data Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to an $11.1 million or 57% increase in managed services project Cost of Goods Sold related to the increased revenue described above in “Commercial Segment Revenues.”

The increase in wireless Cost of Goods Sold is primarily due to increased costs for wireless handset equipment sales associated with the increased number of wireless subscribers.

Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA increase was primarily due to increased revenue as described in “Commercial Segment Revenues.” This increase was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described in “Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold,” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Commercial segment primarily due to an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.

Managed Broadband Segment Overview
Managed Broadband segment revenue, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA represented 8%, 7% and 8% of 2010 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA, respectively.


 
52

 


Managed Broadband Segment Revenues
Managed Broadband segment revenue, which includes data products only, increased 11% to $50.0 million in 2010 as compared to 2009. The increase is primarily due to:

·  
A $3.8 million or 9% increase in monthly contract revenue due to increased data network capacity purchased by our ConnectMD® and SchoolAccess® customers, and
·  
A $1.2 million or 143% increase in product sales to our customers.

These increases are partially offset by the $1.7 million in denied funding from the USAC for one ConnectMD® customer for the funding year July 2008 to June 2009. We received the funding commitment letter, which outlined the denied portion, in the second quarter of 2010.  This denial is under appeal to the FCC.

Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold
Managed Broadband segment Cost of Goods Sold increased from $11.1 million in 2009 to $14.0 million in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to the increase in data network capacity described above in “Managed Broadband Segment Revenues.”  In addition, the product sales described above in “Managed Broadband Segment Revenues” resulted in a $756,000 or 99% increase in product sales Cost of Goods Sold.

Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Managed Broadband segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1% to $19.3 million in 2010 primarily due to an increase in the Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold,” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Managed Broadband segment primarily due to an increase in the consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.  These increases were partially offset by an increase in revenue as described above in "Managed Broadband Segment Revenues."