10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
	or
¨	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
	For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission File Number 001-35965

GTT Communications, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware	20-2096338
(State or Other Jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

7900 Tysons One Place

Suite 1450

McLean, Virginia 22102

(Address including zip code of principal executive offices)

(703) 442-5500

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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 þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

Large Accelerated Filer ¨	Accelerated Filer þ
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨	Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

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

As of October 31, 2017, 43,455,120 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the registrant were outstanding.

	Page
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1. Financial Statements	3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income	5
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity	6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	39
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	40
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION	41
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	41
Item 1A. Risk Factors	41
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	41
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	41
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	41
Item 5. Other Information	41
Item 6. Exhibits	42
SIGNATURES	43
CERTIFICATIONS

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GTT Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) 

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,799		$	29,748
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,831 and $2,656, respectively	123,332			76,292
Deferred costs	2,865			3,415
Prepaid expenses	18,575			5,765
Other assets	6,527			3,565
Total current assets	186,098			118,785
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	—			304,266
Property and equipment, net	494,501			43,369
Intangible assets, net	412,964			193,936
Goodwill	593,106			280,593
Other long-term assets	46,273			12,312
Total assets	$	1,732,942		$	953,261
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	23,063		$	11,334
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	92,889			36,888
Acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks	17,634			24,379
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,648			1,015
Current portion of long-term debt	7,000			4,300
Deferred revenue	61,608			17,875
Total current liabilities	203,842			95,791
Capital lease obligations, long-term portion	412			120
Long-term debt	1,108,885			725,208
Deferred revenue, long-term portion	112,042			3,416
Deferred tax liability	27,667			—
Other long-term liabilities	8,129			967
Total liabilities	1,460,977			825,502
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $.0001 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 43,439,282 and 37,228,144 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	4			3
Additional paid-in capital	351,280			197,326
Accumulated deficit	(75,374		)	(64,641		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,945		)	(4,929		)
Total stockholders’ equity	271,965			127,759
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,732,942		$	953,261

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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GTT Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Revenue:
Telecommunications services	$	198,858		$	131,851		$	567,439		$	385,201
Operating expenses:
Cost of telecommunications services	100,068			68,184			284,855			202,653
Selling, general and administrative expenses	51,966			37,177			151,595			105,311
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs	11,125			(625		)	21,848			870
Depreciation and amortization	32,847			14,880			94,670			46,139
Total operating expenses	196,006			119,616			552,968			354,973
Operating income	2,852			12,235			14,471			30,228
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(18,251		)	(7,123		)	(50,707		)	(21,620		)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(2,988		)	—			(8,647		)	(1,632		)
Other expense, net	220			(74		)	184			(542		)
Total other expense	(21,019		)	(7,197		)	(59,170		)	(23,794		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(18,167		)	5,038			(44,699		)	6,434
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(8,648		)	(89		)	(22,719		)	320
Net (loss) income	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127		$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14		$	(0.53	)	$	0.17
Diluted	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14		$	(0.53	)	$	0.16
Weighted average shares:
Basic	41,762,693			37,152,063			41,160,317			36,998,607
Diluted	41,762,693			37,785,921			41,160,317			37,481,414

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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GTT Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Net (loss) income	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127		$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	471			(215		)	984			(2,126		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(9,048	)	$	4,912		$	(20,996	)	$	3,988

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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GTT Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except for share data)

	Common Stock				Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total
	Shares		Amount
Balance, December 31, 2016	37,228,144		$	3	$	197,326		$	(64,641	)	$	(4,929	)	$	127,759
Share-based compensation for options issued	—		—		1,029			—			—			1,029
Share-based compensation for restricted stock issued	858,285		—		14,802			—			—			14,802
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units	(208,481	)	—		(3,217		)	—			—			(3,217		)
Stock issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	21,018		—		582			—			—			582
Stock issued in connection with acquisition	5,179,872		1		139,740			—			—			139,741
Stock options exercised	360,444		—		1,018			—			—			1,018
Cumulative effect of adjustment for unrecognized windfall benefits	—		—		—			11,247			—			11,247
Net loss	—		—		—			(21,980		)	—			(21,980		)
Foreign currency translation	—		—		—			—			984			984
Balance, September 30, 2017	43,439,282		$	4	$	351,280		$	(75,374	)	$	(3,945	)	$	271,965

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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GTT Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	94,670			46,139
Share-based compensation	15,960			10,896
Debt discount amortization	498			600
Loss on debt extinguishment	8,647			1,632
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,638			1,188
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(5,365		)	—
Deferred income taxes	(18,347		)	—
Non-cash deferred revenue	(28,018		)	(4,964		)
Non-cash deferred costs	4,253			1,999
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(7,375		)	(19,887		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,762			(1,180		)
Deferred costs and other assets	(500		)	(4,358		)
Accounts payable	(15,680		)	(8,816		)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,093			(3,605		)
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	(10,165		)	7,009
Net cash provided by operating activities	47,091			32,767
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(652,776		)	(14,146		)
Purchase of customer contracts	(14,943		)	(6,000		)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	304,266			—
Purchases of property and equipment	(26,865		)	(17,813		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(390,318		)	(37,959		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	—			33,000
Repayment of revolving line of credit	(20,000		)	(32,000		)
Proceeds from term loan	696,500			29,850
Repayment of term loan	(431,025		)	(3,150		)
Proceeds from senior note	159,000			—
Payment of earn-out and holdbacks	(22,646		)	(15,563		)
Debt issuance costs	(29,881		)	(904		)
Repayment of capital leases	(981		)	(1,433		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	453			1,045
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units	(3,217		)	(3,442		)
Exercise of stock options	1,018			468
Net cash provided by financing activities	349,221			7,871
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(943		)	(1,902		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,051			777
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	29,748			14,630
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	34,799		$	15,407
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	38,984		$	19,894
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$	587		$	408

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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GTT Communications, Inc. 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Organization and Business

GTT Communications, Inc. (“GTT” or the "Company") is a provider of cloud networking services to multinational clients. The Company offers a broad portfolio of global services including: private networking services, Internet services, optical transport, managed networking and security services, voice and unified communication services, and video transport services.

GTT's global Tier 1 IP network delivers connectivity to clients around the world. The Company provides services to leading multinational enterprise, carrier, and government customers.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 8, 2017. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and its results of operations. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year 2017 or for any other interim period. The December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet is condensed from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Reclassification Within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

As a result of policy alignments related to acquired businesses, certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation to better reflect the nature of these activities. The Company has reclassified $5.0 million from the "Deferred revenue and other liabilities" line to the "Non-cash deferred revenue" line and $2.0 million from the "Deferred costs and other assets" line to the "Non-cash deferred costs" line for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016. These reclassifications had no impact on the net change in cash and cash equivalents or cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for any periods presented.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used when establishing allowances for doubtful accounts and accruals for billing disputes, determining useful lives for depreciation and amortization and accruals for exit activities, assessing the need for impairment charges (including those related to intangible assets and goodwill), determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and estimating the grant date fair values used to compute the share-based compensation expense. Management evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and makes estimates based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Segment Reporting

The Company reports operating results and financial data in one operating and reporting segment. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and manages the Company as a single profit center in order to promote collaboration, provide comprehensive service offerings across its entire customer base, and provide incentives to employees based on the success

8

of the organization as a whole. Although certain information regarding selected products or services are discussed for purposes of promoting an understanding of the Company's complex business, the chief operating decision maker manages the Company and allocates resources at the consolidated level.

Revenue Recognition

The Company delivers six primary services to its customers — optical transport, WAN connectivity services, high bandwidth Internet connectivity services, managed network and security services, global communication and collaboration services, and video transport services. Certain of its current commercial activities have features that may be considered multiple elements, specifically when the Company sells its connectivity services in addition to customer premise equipment ("CPE"). The Company believes that there is sufficient evidence to determine each element’s fair value and, as a result, in those arrangements where there are multiple elements, the service revenue is recorded ratably over the term of the agreement and the equipment is accounted for as a sale, at the time of sale as long as collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company's services are provided under contracts that typically include an installation charge along with payments of recurring charges on a monthly basis for use of the services over a committed term. Its contracts with customers specify the terms and conditions for providing such services, including installation date, recurring and non-recurring fees, payment terms, and length of term. These contracts call for the Company to provide the service in question (e.g., data transmission between point A and point Z), to manage the activation process, and to provide ongoing support (in the form of service maintenance and trouble-shooting) during the service term. The contracts do not typically provide the customer any rights to use specifically identifiable assets. Furthermore, the contracts generally provide the Company with discretion to engineer (or re-engineer) a particular network solution to satisfy each customer’s data transmission requirement, and typically prohibit physical access by the customer to the network infrastructure used by the Company and its suppliers to deliver the services.

The Company recognizes revenue as follows:

Recurring Revenue. Recurring revenue represents the substantial majority of the Company's revenue, and consists of fees charged for ongoing services that are generally fixed in price and billed on a recurring monthly basis (one month in advance) for a specified term. At the end of the term, most contracts provide for a continuation of services on the same terms, either for a specified renewal period (e.g., one year) or on a month-to-month basis. The Company records recurring revenue based on the fees agreed to in each contract, as long as the contract is in effect.

Usage Revenue. Usage revenue represents variable charges for certain services, based on specific usage of those services, or usage above a fixed threshold, billed monthly in arrears. The Company records usage revenue based on actual usage charges billed using the rates and/or thresholds specified in each contract.

Non-recurring Revenue. Non-recurring revenue consists of charges for installation in connection with the delivery of recurring communications services, late payments, cancellation fees, early termination fees, and equipment sales. Fees billed for installation services are initially recorded as deferred revenue then recognized ratably over the contractual term of the recurring service. Fees charged for late payments, cancellation (pre-installation) or early termination (post-installation) are typically fixed or determinable per the terms of the respective contract, and are recognized as revenue when billed. In addition, from time to time the Company sells communications and/or networking equipment to its customers in connection with its data networking services. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of equipment at the contracted selling price when title to the equipment passes to the customer (generally F.O.B. origin).

Prepaid Capacity Sales and Indefeasible Right to Use. From time to time the Company sells capacity on a long-term basis, where a certain portion of the contracted revenue is prepaid upon acceptance of the service by the customer. This prepaid amount is initially recorded as deferred revenue and amortized ratably over the term of the contract. Certain of these prepaid capacity sales are in the form of Indefeasible Rights to Use ("IRUs"), where the customer has the right to use the capacity for the life of the fiber optic cable.  The Company records revenues from these prepaid leases of fiber optic cable IRUs over the term that the customer is given exclusive access to the assets, generally 20 years, consistent with our assumed useful life of the associated fiber optic cable.

The Company records revenue only when collectability is reasonably assured, irrespective of the type of revenue.

Universal Service Fund ("USF"), Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges

9

The Company is liable in certain cases for collecting regulatory fees and/or certain sales taxes from its customers and remitting the fees and taxes to the applicable governing authorities. Where the Company collects on behalf of a regulatory agency, the Company does not record any revenue. The Company records applicable taxes on a net basis.

Cost of Telecommunications Services

Cost of telecommunications services includes direct costs incurred in accessing other telecommunications providers’ networks in order to maintain the Company's global Tier 1 IP network and provide telecommunication services to the Company's customers, including access, co-location, and usage-based charges.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company issues three types of equity grants under its share-based compensation plan: time-based restricted stock, time-based stock options and performance-based restricted stock. The time-based restricted stock and stock options generally vest over a four-year period, contingent upon meeting the requisite service period requirement. Performance awards typically vest over a shorter period, e.g. one to two years, starting when the performance criteria established in the grant have been met.

The share price of the Company's common stock as reported on the NYSE MKT on the date of grant is used as the fair value for all restricted stock. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock options. Critical inputs into the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include the following: option exercise price; fair value of the stock; expected life of the option; annualized volatility of the stock; annual rate of quarterly dividends on the stock; and risk-free interest rate.

Implied volatility is calculated as of each grant date based on our historical stock price volatility along with an assessment of a peer group. Other than the expected life of the option, volatility is the most sensitive input to our option grants. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is determined by referencing the U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with the remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated based on our historical analysis of attrition levels. Forfeiture estimates are updated quarterly for actual forfeitures.

The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for performance awards when the Company considers the achievement of the performance criteria to be probable.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method pursuant to GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of the change. Further, deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected realization of available net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded on gross deferred tax assets when it is “more likely than not” that such asset will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings. The Company reviews its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required based upon these factors. Changes in the Company's assessment of the need for a valuation allowance could give rise to a change in such allowance, potentially resulting in additional expense or benefit in the period of change.

The Company's income tax provision includes U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and is based on pre-tax income or loss. In determining the annual effective income tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including its annual earnings and taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings were generated, the impact of state and local income taxes and its ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards.

Under GAAP for income taxes, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes.

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Comprehensive (Loss) Income

In addition to net (loss) income, comprehensive (loss) income includes certain charges or credits to equity occurring other than as a result of transactions with stockholders. For the Company, this consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

(Loss) Earnings Per Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted (loss) earnings per share reflect, in periods with earnings and in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.

The table below details the calculations of (loss) earnings per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):  

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – (loss) earnings available to common stockholders	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127	$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,152,063		41,160,317			36,998,607
Effect of dilutive securities	—			633,858		—			482,807
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,785,921		41,160,317			37,481,414
(Loss) earnings per share: basic	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.17
(Loss) earnings per share: diluted	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.16

All of the stock options were anti-dilutive as of September 30, 2017 due to the net loss incurred during the period. There were approximately 4,000 anti-dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of earnings per share as of September 30, 2016. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may include deposits with financial institutions as well as short-term money market instruments, certificates of deposit and debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in accordance with the terms and conditions of its Credit Agreement, which seeks to ensure both liquidity and safety of principal. The Company’s policy limits investments to instruments issued by the U.S. government and commercial institutions with strong investment grade credit ratings, and places restrictions on the length of maturity. As of September 30, 2017, the Company held no direct investments in auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles or non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted from operating use are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents. In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024. The proceeds of the private offering plus 60 days of prepaid interest, were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia Networks ("Hibernia") that occurred in January 2017. The proceeds were released from escrow at closing to fund the Hibernia acquisition.

Accounts Receivable, Net

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Accounts receivable balances are stated at amounts due from the customer net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit extended is based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and is granted to qualified customers on an unsecured basis.

The Company, pursuant to its standard service contracts, is entitled to impose a monthly finance charge of a certain percentage per month with respect to amounts that are past due. The Company’s standard terms require payment within 30 days of the date of the invoice. The Company treats invoices as past due when they remain unpaid, in whole or in part, beyond the payment date set forth in the applicable service contract.

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the customer’s payment history and current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy. Specific reserves are also established on a case-by-case basis by management. Credit losses have been within management's estimates. Actual bad debts, when determined, reduce the allowance, the adequacy of which management then reassesses. The Company writes off accounts after a determination by management that the amounts at issue are no longer likely to be collected, following the exercise of reasonable collection efforts, and upon management's determination that the costs of pursuing collection outweighs the likelihood of recovery. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.8 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Deferred Costs

Installation costs related to provisioning of recurring communications services that the Company incurs from independent third party suppliers, directly attributable and necessary to fulfill a particular service contract, and which would not have been incurred but for the occurrence of that service contract, are recorded as deferred costs and expensed ratably over the contractual term of service in the same manner as the deferred revenue arising from that contract. Based on historical experience, the Company believes the initial contractual term is the best estimate for the period of earnings. If any installation costs exceed the amount of corresponding deferred revenue, the excess cost is recognized in the current period.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.Depreciation on these assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Assets are recorded at acquired cost plus any internal labor to prepare the asset for installation to become functional. Assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lesser of the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets under lease. Leasehold improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease, excluding optional extensions, or the useful life. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciable lives used by the Company for its classes of assets are as follows:

Freehold Land and Buildings	30 years
Furniture and Fixtures	7 years
Fiber Optic Cable	20 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment	5 - 15 years
Leasehold Improvements	up to 10 years
Computer Hardware and Software	3-5 years

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset were to exceed its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be considered to be impaired. Impairment losses would then be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of, if any, are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Software Capitalization

Software development costs include costs to develop software programs to be used solely to meet the Company's internal needs. The Company capitalizes development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a function it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The Company capitalized software costs

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of $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually, in October, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs between impairment testing dates. There were no goodwill impairments identified for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017.

Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as acquired customer contracts and relationships, (collectively "customer relationships"), trade names, intellectual property or know-how, are initially recorded at fair value. The Company amortizes these intangible assets over the determined useful life which generally ranges from three to eight years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. There were no intangible asset impairments recognized for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017.

Business Combinations

The Company includes the results of operations of the businesses that it acquires commencing on the respective dates of acquisition. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Asset Purchases

Periodically the Company acquires customer contracts that it accounts for as an asset purchase and records a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its estimated useful life. No goodwill is recorded in an asset purchase. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, the Company acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $37.3 million, of which $14.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 at the acquisitions' respective closing dates. Of the remaining $22.4 million, $2.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $19.5 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017 and 2018, subject to any indemnification claims made through the final payment date. During 2016, the Company acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $41.3 million, of which $20.0 million was paid in 2016 at the respective closing dates, and $6.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Of the remaining $21.3 million, $18.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $3.3 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017, subject to any indemnification claims made through the final payment dates.

Accrued Supplier Expenses

The Company accrues estimated charges owed to its suppliers for services. The Company bases this accrual on the supplier contract, the individual service order executed with the supplier for that service, and the length of time the service has been active.

Disputed Supplier Expenses

In the normal course of business, the Company identifies errors by suppliers with respect to the billing of services. The Company performs bill verification procedures to ensure that errors in the Company's suppliers' billed invoices are identified and resolved. If the Company concludes that a vendor has billed inaccurately, the Company will record a liability only for the amount that it believes is owed. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had open disputes not accrued for of $4.2 million. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had open disputes not accrued for of $5.8 million.

Acquisition Earn-outs and Holdbacks

Acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks represent either contingent consideration subject to re-measurement to fair value, or fixed deferred consideration to be paid out at some point in the future, typically on the one-year anniversary of an acquisition. Contingent consideration is remeasured to fair value at each reporting period. The portion of the deferred consideration due within one year is recorded as a current liability until paid, and any consideration due beyond one year is recorded in other long-term liabilities.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was no contingent consideration subject to re-measurement outstanding.

Debt Issuance Costs

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Debt issuance costs represent costs that qualify for deferral associated with the issuance of new debt or the modification of existing debt facilities. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is presented as a reduction to the carrying value of long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized on the condensed consolidated statements of operations as interest expense. The unamortized debt issuance costs were $30.8 million and $9.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

Original issuance discounts and premiums ("OID") is the difference between the face value of debt and the amount of principal received when the loan was originated. When the debt reaches maturity, the face value of the debt is payable. The Company recognizes OID by accretion of the discount or premium as interest expense, net over the term of the debt. The unamortized portion of the OID was a $1.9 million net premium and a $7.0 million discount as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

For non-U.S. subsidiaries, the functional currency is evaluated at the time of the Company's acquisition of such subsidiaries and on a periodic basis for financial reporting purposes. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been reported in U.S. Dollars by translating asset and liability amounts of foreign subsidiaries at the closing currency exchange rate, equity amounts at historical rates, and the results of operations and cash flow at the average currency exchange rate prevailing during the periods reported. The net effect of such translation gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders' equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than a subsidiary's functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising upon settlement of a transaction are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other expense, net.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following hierarchy of fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that can be assessed at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Inputs reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument's valuation.

When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, management considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers risks, restrictions, or other assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amounts reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The table below presents the fair values for the Company's long-term debt as well as the input level used to determine these fair values as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The carrying amounts exclude any debt issuance costs or original issuance discount:

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					Fair Value Measurement Using
	Total Carrying Value in Consolidated Balance Sheet				Unadjusted Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (1) (Level 1)
(amounts in thousands)	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Liabilities not recorded at fair value in the Financial Statements:
Long-term debt, including the current portion:
Term loan	$	694,750	$	425,775	$	699,440	$	425,775
Senior notes	450,000		300,000		478,125		300,000
Total long-term debt, including current portion	$	1,144,750	$	725,775	$	1,177,565	$	725,775

⁽¹⁾ Fair value based on the bid quoted price.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill, tangible assets, and intangible assets. Such assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment indicators. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments potentially subject to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. At times during the periods presented, the Company had funds in excess of $250,000 insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or in excess of similar Deposit Insurance programs outside of the United States, on deposit at various financial institutions. Management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.

The Company's trade accounts receivable are generally unsecured and geographically dispersed. No single customer's trade accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 exceeded 10% of the Company's consolidated accounts receivable, net. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Newly Adopted Accounting Principles

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The ASU changes five aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; and (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits for share-based payments are now recognized against income tax expense rather than additional paid-in capital and are included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows. The recognition of excess tax benefits has been applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. As of January 1, 2017, the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-09 was an increase in deferred tax assets of $11.2 million and a decrease in accumulated deficit of $11.2 million as a result of recognizing $27.8 million previously unrecognized excess tax benefits from share-based compensation. The Company will continue to account for forfeitures as they occur. Cash paid by by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. Additionally, the Company has applied the provisions of ASU 2016-09 on a prospective basis in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and prior periods have not been adjusted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts

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with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The guidance includes indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. The new revenue recognition standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, with the option to early adopt it in the first quarter of 2017. The new standard also permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective method). The Company will adopt this new standard as of January 1, 2018 and currently expects to apply the modified retrospective method, which will require a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company has completed its initial assessment of the effect of adoption and is in the process of completing the assessment to quantify the impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Based on this initial assessment, the Company does not expect the standard to materially impact the amount and timing of revenue recognition. The new standard will require certain costs, primarily internal sales commissions, to be deferred rather than expensed, as they are currently. The new standard will also require additional disclosures for the estimate of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price for certain of our usage based contracts and contracts with price concessions. Additional disclosures will also be required regarding the judgments and changes in judgments for these estimates of the assets to be recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract and variable consideration. Both the Company’s initial impact assessment and its selected transition method may change depending on the results of the Company’s final assessment of the impact to its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year) to be recognized on the balance sheet as an asset and a lease liability. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method, whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The new standard will be effective for annual and interim periods, within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be presented using the modified retrospective method beginning with the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows in accordance with ASC 230. The ASU amends or clarifies guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, some of which include classification on debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but the Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard introduces a screen for determining when assets acquired are not a business and clarifies that a business must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that contribute to an output to be considered a business. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (Step 2) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (as determined in Step 1). The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of share-based equity awards must be accounted for as modifications. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award are not the same immediately before and after the modification. The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities

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for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 — BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Since its formation, the Company has consummated a number of transactions accounted for as business combinations as part of its growth strategy. The acquisitions of these businesses, which are in addition to periodic purchases of customer contracts, have allowed the Company to increase the scale at which it operates, which in turn affords the Company the ability to increase its operating leverage, extend its network, and broaden its customer base.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates. All of the acquisitions have been accounted for as a business combination. Accordingly, consideration paid by the Company to complete the acquisitions is initially allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based upon their estimated acquisition date fair values. The recorded amounts for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and subject to change during the measurement period, which is up to 12 months from the acquisition date.

In January 2017, the Company acquired Hibernia. The Company paid $529.6 million in cash consideration, of which $14.6 million was net cash acquired, and 3,329,872 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock, initially valued at $75.0 million on the date of announcement, and ultimately valued at $86.1 million at closing. The results of Hibernia have been included from January 1, 2017.

In June 2017, the Company acquired Perseus Telecom ("Perseus"). The Company paid $37.5 million in cash consideration and assumed $1.9 million in capital leases. $4.0 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. The results of Perseus have been included from June 1, 2017.

In September 2017, the Company acquired Global Capacity. The Company paid $104.0 million in cash consideration, of which $4.0 million was net cash acquired, and 1,850,000 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock valued at $53.6 million at closing. $10.0 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. The results of Global Capacity have been included from September 15, 2017.

The table below reflects the Company's provisional estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for its acquisitions over the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

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Purchase Price	Hibernia			Perseus			Global Capacity
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate	$	529,600		$	37,500		$	104,000
Common stock (1)	86,092			—			53,649
Purchase consideration	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649
Purchase Price Allocation
Assets acquired:
Current assets	$	49,119		$	1,792		$	25,838
Property, plant and equipment	432,911			5,255			30,451
Other assets	359			—			1,554
Intangible assets - customer lists	166,740			13,840			43,800
Intangible assets - tradename	720			40			200
Intangible assets - other	—			140			5,600
Goodwill	196,057			31,536			84,640
Total assets acquired	845,906			52,603			192,083
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities	(40,749		)	(11,301		)	(17,911		)
Capital leases, long-term portion	—			(1,906		)	—
Deferred revenue	(163,300		)	—			(16,108		)
Deferred tax liability	(26,165		)	(1,708		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—			(188		)	(415		)
Total liabilities assumed	(230,214		)	(15,103		)	(34,434		)
Net assets acquired	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649

(1) Common stock fair value for Hibernia equals the closing share price of $27.80 less a discount for lack of marketability. Common stock fair value for Global Capacity equals the closing share price of $30.85 less a discount for lack of marketability.

Intangible assets acquired related to the Hibernia acquisition include customer relationships and the Hibernia tradename. Intangible assets related to customer relationships and tradename are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted-average useful life of 10 years and the tradenames have a useful life of 2 years.

Intangible assets acquired related to Perseus include customer relationships and are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted-average useful life of 8 years.

Intangible assets acquired related to Global Capacity include customer relationships and are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted average useful life of 8 years.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets created as a result of the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions of $4.7 million and $13.8 million has been recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Estimated amortization expense related to these for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	7,297
2018	27,595
2019	24,176
2020	24,176
2021	24,176
2022 and beyond	109,843
Total	$	217,263

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Goodwill in the amount of $196.1 million, $31.5 million, and $84.6 million was recorded as a result of the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, respectively. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the estimated future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill will not be amortized but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if certain indicators of impairment are present.

For material acquisitions completed during 2016, 2015, and 2014, please refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Acquisition Method Accounting Estimates

The Company initially recognizes the assets and liabilities acquired from the aforementioned acquisitions based on its preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values. As additional information becomes known concerning the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, management may make adjustments to the opening balance sheet of the acquired company up to the end of the measurement period, which is no longer than a one year period following the acquisition date. The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed (and the related determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment.

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs describe the broad category of costs the Company incurs in connection with signed and/or closed acquisitions. There are two types of costs that the Company accounts for:

•Severance, restructuring and other exit costs

•Transaction and integration costs

Severance, restructuring and other exit costs include severance and other one-time benefits for terminated employees, termination charges for leases and supplier contracts, and other costs incurred associated with an exit activity. These costs are reported separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Refer to Note 9 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on severance, restructuring, and other exit costs.

Transaction and integration costs include expenses associated with legal, accounting, regulatory, and other transition services rendered in connection with acquisition, travel expense, and other non-recurring direct expenses associated with acquisitions. Transaction and integration costs are expensed as incurred in support of the integration. The Company incurred transaction and integration costs of $3.4 million and $0.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $13.8 million and $3.1 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Transaction and integration costs have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and in cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Pro forma Financial Information (Unaudited)

The pro forma results presented below include the effects of the Company's acquisitions during 2016 and 2017 as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016. The pro forma net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, includes adjustments to revenue and cost of telecommunication services to eliminate inter-company activity, adjustments to deferred revenue and deferred cost from the acquired companies and the elimination of certain taxes presented as revenue by the acquired companies. The pro forma adjustments are based on historically reported transactions by the acquired companies. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2016.

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	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
(Amounts in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenue	$	240,554		$	234,924	$	726,139		$	694,001
Net (loss) income	$	(13,482	)	$	4,716	$	(35,017	)	$	402
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Diluted	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,331,935		41,160,317			42,178,479
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,965,793		41,160,317			42,661,286

NOTE 3 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The goodwill balance was $593.1 million and $280.6 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Additionally, the Company's intangible asset balance was $413.0 million and $193.9 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The additions to both goodwill and intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 relate to the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity (refer to Note 2). The additions to intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also include the purchases of customer contracts.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Global Capacity		Perseus		Hibernia		Prior Year Acquisitions		Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	280,593	$	280,593
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	84,640		23,375		186,538		—		294,553
Adjustments to current year business combinations	—		8,161		9,519		—		17,680
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	—		—		—		280		280
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	84,640	$	31,536	$	196,057	$	280,873	$	593,106

The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

		September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Amortization Period	Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer contracts	3-10 years	$	529,810	$	137,735	$	392,075	$	267,755	$	91,136	$	176,619
Non-compete agreements	3-5 years	4,571		4,491		80		4,572		4,420		152
Point-to-point FCC license fees	3 years	1,697		1,697		—		1,695		1,268		427
Intellectual property	10 years	4,052		2,658		1,394		17,379		2,076		15,303
Trade name	3 years	22,979		3,564		19,415		3,092		1,657		1,435
		$	563,109	$	150,145	$	412,964	$	294,493	$	100,557	$	193,936

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Amortization expense was $17.0 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $49.6 million and $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2017 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	$	412,964

NOTE 4 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The following table summarizes the Company’s accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Compensation and benefits	$	12,657	$	10,035
Selling, general and administrative	5,861		4,492
Carrier costs	14,680		13,543
Restructuring	15,670		3,247
Interest	9,494		657
Fiber pair repurchase	20,000		—
Customer pass-through taxes	6,607		3,213
Other	7,920		1,701
	$	92,889	$	36,888

NOTE 5 — DEFERRED REVENUE

The total deferred revenue as of September 30, 2017 was $173.7 million, consisting of unamortized prepaid capacity sales, IRUs, deferred non-recurring revenue, and unearned revenue for amounts billed in advance to customers. Deferred revenue is recognized as current and noncurrent deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Prepaid capacity sales and IRUs represent $126.7 million of the total deferred revenue balance as of September 30, 2017 and remaining amortization at September 30, 2017 and in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

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	Capacity Sales and IRUs
2017 remaining	$	5,430
2018	15,681
2019	11,249
2020	10,919
2021	10,049
2022 and beyond	73,347
	$	126,675

NOTE 6     — DEBT

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, long-term debt was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Term loan	$	694,750		$	425,775
7.875% Senior unsecured notes	450,000			300,000
Revolving line of credit	—			20,000
Total debt obligations	1,144,750			745,775
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(30,806		)	(9,310		)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,941			(6,957		)
Carrying value of debt	1,115,885			729,508
Less current portion	(7,000		)	(4,300		)
Long-term debt less current portion	$	1,108,885		$	725,208

2017 Credit Agreement

On January 9, 2017, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") that provides a $700.0 million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving line of credit facility (which includes a $25.0 million letter of credit facility). In addition, the Company may request incremental term loan and/or incremental revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of $150.0 million and an unlimited amount that is subject to pro forma compliance with certain net secured leverage ratio tests provided, however, that incremental revolving loan commitments may not exceed $25.0 million. The term loan facility was issued at an original issuance discount of $3.5 million.

The maturity date of the term loan facility is January 9, 2024 and the maturity date of the revolving line of credit facility is January 9, 2022. The principal amount of the term loan facility is payable in equal quarterly installments of $1.8 million commencing on March 31, 2017 and continuing thereafter until the maturity date when the remaining balance of outstanding principal amount is payable in full. In addition to scheduled mandatory repayments, the Company is also required to repay an amount of up to 50% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). No such excess cash payments were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The Company may prepay loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement at any time, subject to certain notice requirements and LIBOR breakage costs.

At the Company's election, the loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement may be made as either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans. The Eurodollar Loans are subject to a floor of 1.00%.

On July 10, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "Repricing Amendment") to the 2017 Credit Agreement. The Repricing Amendment, among other things, reduced the applicable margin on Tranche B Term Loans from 3.00% to 2.25% for Base Rate Loans and from 4.00% to 3.25% for Eurodollar Loans, and reduced the applicable margin on revolving loans from

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2.50% to 2.00% for Base Rate Loans and from 3.50% to 3.00% for Eurodollar Loans.  The amendment also established a soft call protection of 1.0% through January 10, 2018 for certain prepayments, refinancings, and amendments.

The effective interest rates on the term loan at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was4.6% and 5.8%, respectively.

The obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by the substantial majority of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and the guarantors.

The 2017 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the term loan facility, but includes a maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio applicable to the revolving credit facility in the event that utilization exceeds 30% of the revolving loan facility commitment.

The unused and available amount of the revolving line of credit facility at September 30, 2017 was as follows:

Committed capacity	$	75,000
Borrowings outstanding	—
Letters of credit issued	(3,296		)
Unused and available	$	71,704

On October 12, 2017, the Company entered into an Incremental Revolving Credit Assumption Agreement to increase its revolving line of credit facility from $75.0 million to $100.0 million.

7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes

In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "Original Notes"). The proceeds from the Original Notes were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia in January 2017. The Company recognized the proceeds from the private offering as restricted cash and cash equivalents in its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016. The funds were subsequently released with the closing of Hibernia. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $9.7 million, of which $0.5 million was incurred in 2016 and the remainder was incurred in 2017.

In June 2017, the Company completed a private offering of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "June 2017 Notes"). The June 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Company's Original Notes (together with the June 2017 Notes, the "Existing Notes").  The June 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Original Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The June 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $9.0 million. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $2.9 million.

On October 10, 2017, the Company completed a private offering of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "October 2017 Notes"). The October 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Existing Notes.  The October 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Existing Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The October 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $7.5 million. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $2.0 million.

Term Loan and 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes Contractual Maturities

The aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized OID) were as follows as of September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

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	Total debt
2017 remaining	$	1,750
2018	7,000
2019	7,000
2020	7,000
2021	7,000
2022 and beyond	1,115,000
	$	1,144,750

Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

The following table summarizes the debt issuance costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Revolving Line of Credit			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(7,765	)	$	(481	)	$	(1,064	)	$	(9,310	)
Debt issuance costs incurred	(14,467		)	(13,660		)	(1,754		)	(29,881		)
Amortization	1,622			812			204			2,638
Loss on debt extinguishment	5,397			—			350			5,747
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(15,213	)	$	(13,329	)	$	(2,264	)	$	(30,806	)

Debt issuance costs are presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Interest expense associated with the amortization of debt issuance costs was $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $2.6 million and $1.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table summarizes the original issuance discount and premium activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(6,957	)	$	—		$	(6,957	)
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium	(3,500		)	9,000			5,500
Amortization	781			(283		)	498
Loss on debt extinguishment	2,900			—			2,900
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(6,776	)	$	8,717		$	1,941

OID is presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Interest expense, net associated with the amortization of OID was $(27) thousand and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company expensed an aggregate of $3.0 million and $8.6 million of debt issuance costs and OID that did not qualify for deferral as a "Loss on debt extinguishment" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Previous Debt Agreement - October 2015 Credit Agreement

On October 22, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “October 2015 Credit Agreement”) that provided for a $400.0 million term loan facility and a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (which includes a $15.0 million letter of credit facility and a $10.0 million swingline facility). As of December 31, 2016, the Company had drawn $20.0 million under the revolving line

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of credit and had $29.5 million of borrowing capacity available. Amounts outstanding under October 2015 Credit agreement were paid in full at the closing of the 2017 Credit Agreement. The previous term loan was issued at an OID of $8.0 million.

NOTE 7 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Compensation Plan

The Company grants share-based equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, under the GTT Stock Plan. The GTT Stock Plan is limited to an aggregate 9,500,000 shares of which 8,174,240 have been issued and are outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

The GTT Stock Plan permits the granting of time-based stock options, time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock to employees and consultants of the Company, and non-employee directors of the Company.

Time-based options granted under the GTT Stock Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and expire no later than 10 years from the grant date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock option awards at the time of grant. The stock options generally vest over four years with 25% of the options becoming exercisable one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting 75% annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Time-based restricted stock granted under the GTT Stock Plan is valued at the GTT closing stock price on the date of grant. Time-based restricted stock generally vests over four years with 25% of the shares becoming unrestricted one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting 75% annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Performance-based restricted stock is granted under the GTT Stock Plan subject to the achievement of certain performance measures. Once achievement of these performance measures is considered probable, the Company starts to expense the fair value of the grant over the vesting period. The performance-based restricted stock is valued at the closing price on the date of grant. The performance grant vests quarterly over the vesting period once achievement of the performance measure has been met and approved by the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, as administrator of the GTT Stock Plan, has the discretion to authorize a different vesting schedule for any awards.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following tables summarize the share-based compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Stock options	$	354	$	446	$	1,029	$	1,178
Restricted stock	5,666		4,356		14,802		9,625
ESPP	38		42		129		93
Total	$	6,058	$	4,844	$	15,960	$	10,896

As of September 30, 2017, there was $47.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation awards. The following table summarizes the unrecognized compensation cost and the weighted average period over which the cost is expected to be amortized (amounts in thousands):

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	September 30, 2017
	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)
Time-based stock options	$	2,229	1.68
Time-based restricted stock	33,511		2.45
Performance-based restricted stock	11,349		1.39
Total	$	47,089	2.16

The following tables summarize the stock options and restricted stock granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands, except shares data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Time-based stock options granted	—		3,000		—		158,958
Fair value of stock options granted	$	—	$	30	$	—	$	971
Time-based restricted stock granted	258,088		100,059		949,896		629,362
Fair value of time-based restricted stock granted	$	8,076	$	1,846	$	28,066	$	9,170

Performance-based Restricted Stock

The Company granted $8.5 million of restricted stock during 2014 and early 2015 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2014 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2014 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the grant date. The Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants when the achievement of the performance criteria became probable, which was in the third quarter of 2015. The 2014 Performance Awards started vesting in the fourth quarter of 2015 when the performance criteria were met and they will continue to vest ratably through the third quarter of 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Performance Awards were fully vested.

The Company granted $17.4 million of restricted stock during 2015 and 2017 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2015 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2015 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the respective grant dates. Upon announcement of the Hibernia acquisition in November 2016, the achievement of two of the four performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, upon announcement of the Global Capacity acquisition in June 2017, the achievement of the final two performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to the 2015 Performance Awards of $1.5 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was recognized during the comparable 2016 period. As of September 30, 2017, unamortized compensation cost related to the unvested 2015 Performance Awards was $11.3 million.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") that permits eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at the lessor of the opening stock price or 85% of the closing stock price of the common stock during each of the three-month offering periods. The offering periods generally commence on the first day and the last day of each quarter. At September 30, 2017, 444,994 shares were available for issuance under the ESPP.

NOTE 8 — INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for the effect of discrete items arising in the quarter. Each quarter the Company update its estimate of the annual effective tax rate.

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The quarterly tax provision and the quarterly estimate of the Company's annual effective tax rate is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting pre-tax and taxable income (loss) and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, effects of acquisitions and integrations, audit-related developments, changes in the Company's stock price, foreign currency gains (losses), and tax law developments. Additionally, the Company's effective tax rate may be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss and impact of discrete items.

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $22.7 million, which included $5.4 million of net discrete tax benefits primarily attributable to excess tax benefits from share-based compensation.

NOTE 9 — SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING, AND OTHER EXIT COSTS

The Company incurred severance, restructuring and other exit costs associated with the acquisition of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity. These costs include employee severance costs, termination costs associated with facility leases and network agreements, and other exit costs related to the transactions.

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to the acquisitions mentioned above are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2016		Charges and Adjustments		Payments			Balance, September 30, 2017
Employee Termination Benefits	$	42	$	16,132	$	(7,349	)	$	8,825
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	859		3,491		(744		)	3,606
Other contract terminations	2,346		2,225		(1,332		)	3,239
	$	3,247	$	21,848	$	(9,425	)	$	15,670

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to prior year acquisitions are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2015		Charges and Adjustments			Payments			Balance, September 30, 2016
Employee Termination Benefits	$	1,903	$	870		$	(2,728	)	$	45
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	1,503		—			(838		)	665
Other contract terminations	3,427		(102		)	(586		)	2,739
	$	6,833	$	768		$	(4,152	)	$	3,449

NOTE 10 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Estimated annual commitments under contractual obligations are as follows at September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Network Supply		Office Space		Capital Leases		Other
2017 remaining	$	40,310	$	1,726	$	560	$	796
2018	115,656		5,774		1,277		628
2019	62,454		4,962		223		1,500
2020	21,314		3,974		—		1,500
2021	7,008		3,462		—		1,125
2022 and beyond	44,100		7,992		—		—
	$	290,842	$	27,890	$	2,060	$	5,549

Network Supply Agreements

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had purchase obligations of $290.8 million associated with the telecommunications services that the Company has contracted to purchase from its suppliers. The Company’s supplier agreements fall into two key categories, the Company's core network backbone and customer specific locations (also referred to as 'last mile' locations). Supplier agreements associated with the Company's core network backbone are typically contracted on a one-year term and do not relate to any specific underlying customer commitments. The short-term duration allows the Company to take advantage of favorable pricing trends.

Supplier agreements associated with the Company's customer specific locations, which represents the substantial majority of the Company's network spending are typically contracted so the terms and conditions in both the vendor and customer contracts are substantially the same in terms of duration and capacity. The back-to-back nature of the Company’s contracts means that its network supplier obligations are generally mirrored by its customers' commitments to purchase the services associated with those obligations.

Office Space and Leases

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The Company is currently headquartered in McLean, Virginia and has 17 other offices throughout North America, seven offices in Europe, one office in India, two offices in Hong Kong, and two offices in Brazil. The Company records rent expense using the straight-line method over the term of the respective lease agreement. Office facility rent expense was $1.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $3.2 million and $2.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. As of September 30, 2017, the Company does not believe that it is a party to any current or pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations and cash flows. 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other financial information included elsewhere in this Report, as well as the consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of our Annual Report. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below. For a more complete description of the risks noted above and other risks that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our current expectations, please see Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which we refer to as our Annual Report. We assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

Executive Summary

GTT Communications, Inc. is a provider of cloud networking services to multinational clients. We offer a broad portfolio of global services including: private networking services, Internet services, optical transport, managed networking and security services, voice and unified communication services, and video transport services.

Our global Tier 1 IP network delivers connectivity for our clients around the world. We provide services to leading multinational enterprise, carrier, and government customers in over 100 countries. We strive to differentiate ourselves from our competition by delivering service to our clients with simplicity, speed, and agility.

We deliver six primary service offerings to our customers:

Private Networking Services

We provide Layer 2 (Ethernet) and Layer 3 (MPLS and IP-VPN) private networking solutions to meet the growing needs of multinational enterprises, carriers, service providers, and content delivery networks regardless of location. We design and implement custom private, public, and hybrid cloud network solutions for our customers, offering bandwidth speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps per port with burstable and aggregate bandwidth capabilities. All services are available on a protected basis with the ability to specify pre-configured alternate routes to minimize the impact of any network disruption.

Through GTT's private networking services, clients can securely connect to cloud service providers in data centers and exchanges around the world. Our Cloud Connect feature provides private, secure, pre-established connectivity to leading cloud service providers. Clients can connect to GTT in one location and have access to a broad cloud service provider ecosystem from anywhere in the world.

Internet Services

We offer domestic and multinational customers scalable, high-bandwidth global Internet connectivity and IP transit with guaranteed availability and packet delivery. Our Internet services offer flexible connectivity with multiple port interfaces including Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet. We also offer broadband and wireless access services. We support a dual stack of IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, enabling the delivery of seamless IPv6 services alongside existing IPv4 services.

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Optical Transport

We provide a full suite of optical transport services over a core fiber network, enabling cloud-based applications and the transport of high volume data between data centers, large enterprise office locations, and media hubs. Our native wavelength product is designed to deliver scalable high performance optical connectivity over a state-of-the-art dense wave division multiplexing ("DWDM") platform. Our service is differentiated based on unique network diversity and low latency connections between major financial and commercial centers in North America and Europe. Our clients for these services include Internet-based technology companies and OTTs, large banks, and other service providers requiring network infrastructure.

Additionally, we provide low latency services between the major financial centers and exchanges, tailored to meet the requirements of proprietary trading firms for the fastest connections. Our service provides the industry leading lowest latency performance of the Express transatlantic subsea cable connecting North America and Europe, which is wholly owned and operated by GTT.

Managed Network and Security Services

We offer fully managed network services, including managed equipment, managed security services, and managed secure access, enabling customers to focus on their core business. These end-to-end services cover the design, procurement, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of a customer’s network.

• Managed CPE. Managed CPE provides a turnkey solution for the end-to-end management of customer premise equipment, from premises through the core network. This includes the design, procurement, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of equipment including routers, switches, servers, and Wi-Fi access points.

• Security Services. Our cloud-based and premises-based security services provide a comprehensive, multi-layered security solution that protects the network while meeting the most stringent security standards. Our Unified Threat Management (“UTM”) services include advanced firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, web filtering, and anti-spam. UTM services also cover a broad range of compliance requirements, offering customers Security-as-a-Service versions of managed logging, vulnerability scanning, and security information management that meet numerous security standards, including Payment Card Industry / Cardholder Information Security Program compliance.

• Managed Secure Access. Our Managed Secure Access service provides clients of all sizes with secure remote access to their network applications from any device, anywhere, anytime from any authorized user. Managed Secure Access extends network reach, allowing trusted users to establish a secure data connection from any browser or device using Transport Layer Security to encrypt all traffic and protect the network from unauthorized users.

• Managed Software Defined Wide Area Networking (“SD-WAN”). Leveraging our success to date in delivering hybrid WAN services, GTT’s Managed SD-WAN service provides our clients with optimized application performance and cost-effective network expansion, as well as dynamic bandwidth management, and the ability to integrate cost-effective network technologies into the corporate WAN.  With a Tier 1 IP network, extensive connectivity to leading cloud service providers across 300+ global points of presence, and a broad portfolio of diverse last mile connectivity options to any location in the world, GTT is well positioned to deliver managed SD-WAN services.

Voice and Unified Communication Services

Our SIP Trunking service is an enterprise-built unified communications offering that integrates voice, video, and chat onto a single IP connection, driving efficiency and productivity organization-wide. Our Enterprise PBX service allows clients to eliminate traditional voice infrastructure with communication services delivered through the cloud. The offering includes fully hosted and hybrid models for maximum flexibility.

Video Transport Services

We provide a suite of fully-managed video transport services. Our services are designed to support our clients' requirements for stringent broadcast quality, providing 100% quality of service for transmission of live events, sports entertainment, and news. Our service options include Dedicated, Occasional Use, and IP Video. We manage individual services, multicast distribution, and entire client networks, supporting all forms of signal management required for today's media workflow. GTT's video transport services are based on the core principle of "any signal, any format, anywhere." Our clients include many of the world's top broadcasters and cable programming providers.

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Customer and Network Contracts

Our customer contracts generally range from one to five years or more for the initial term. Following the initial term, these agreements typically provide for automatic renewal for specified periods ranging from one month to one year. Our prices are fixed for the duration of the contract, and we typically bill monthly in advance for such services. If a customer terminates its agreement, the terms of our customer contracts typically require full recovery of any amounts due for the remainder of the term or, at a minimum, our liability to any underlying suppliers.

Our revenue is composed of three primary categories that include recurring revenue, non-recurring revenue, and usage revenue. Recurring revenue relates to contracted ongoing service that is generally fixed in price and paid by the customer on a monthly basis for the contracted term. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, recurring revenue was approximately 93% of our total revenue. Non-recurring revenue primarily includes the amortization of previously collected installation and equipment charges to customers, and one-time termination charges for customers who cancel their services prior to the contract termination date. Usage revenue represents variable revenue based on whether a customer exceeds its committed usage threshold as specified in the contract.

Our network supplier contracts do not have any market related net settlement provisions. We have not entered into, and do not plan to enter into, any supplier contracts which involve financial or derivative instruments. The supplier contracts are entered into solely for the direct purchase of telecommunications capacity, which is resold by us in the normal course of business.

Other than cost of telecommunication services provided, our most significant operating expenses are employment costs. As of September 30, 2017, we had 1,166 full-time equivalent employees. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, the total employee cash compensation and benefits represented approximately 12% of total revenue.

Recent Developments Affecting Our Results

Business Acquisitions

Since our formation, we have consummated a number of transactions accounted for as business combinations which were executed as part of our strategy of expanding through acquisitions. These acquisitions, which are in addition to our periodic purchases of customer contracts, have allowed us to increase the scale at which we operate which in turn affords us the ability to increase our operating leverage, extend our network, and broaden our customer base. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates.

Hibernia

In January 2017, we acquired Hibernia Networks ("Hibernia") for $529.6 million in cash consideration, of which $14.6 million was net cash acquired, and 3,329,872 unregistered shares of our common stock. The results of Hibernia have been included from January 1, 2017.

Perseus

In June 2017, we acquired Perseus Telecom ("Perseus") for $37.5 million in cash consideration and the assumption of approximately $1.9 million in capital leases. The results of Perseus have been included from June 1, 2017.

Global Capacity

In September 2017, we acquired Global Capacity for $104.0 million in cash consideration, of which $4.0 million was net cash acquired, and 1,850,000 unregistered shares of our common stock. The results of Global Capacity have been included from September 15, 2017.

Asset Purchases

Periodically we acquire customer contracts that we account for as an asset purchase and record a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its assumed useful life. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, we acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $37.3 million, of which $14.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 at the acquisitions' respective closing dates. Of the remaining $22.4 million, $2.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $19.5 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017 and 2018, subject to

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any indemnification claims made through the final payment date. During 2016, we acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $41.3 million, of which $20.0 million was paid in 2016 at the respective closing dates, and $6.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Of the remaining $21.3 million, $18.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $3.3 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017, subject to any indemnification claims made through the final payment dates.

Indebtedness

The following summarizes our long-term debt at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Term loan	$	694,750		$	425,775
7.875% Senior unsecured notes	450,000			300,000
Revolving line of credit	—			20,000
Total debt obligations	1,144,750			745,775
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(30,806		)	(9,310		)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,941			(6,957		)
Carrying value of debt	1,115,885			729,508
Less current portion	(7,000		)	(4,300		)
	$	1,108,885		$	725,208

2017 Credit Agreement

In January 2017, we entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") that provides a $700.0 million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving line of credit facility (which includes a $25.0 million letter of credit facility). In addition, we may request incremental term loan and/or incremental revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of $150.0 million and an unlimited amount that is subject to pro forma compliance with certain net secured leverage ratio tests provided, however, that incremental revolving loan commitments may not exceed $25.0 million.

The maturity date of the term loan facility is January 2024 and the maturity date of the revolving loan facility is January 2022. The principal amount of the term loan facility is payable in equal quarterly installments of $1.8 million, commencing on March 31, 2017 and continuing thereafter until the maturity date, when the remaining balance of outstanding principal amount is payable in full. In addition to scheduled mandatory repayments, the Company is also required to repay an amount of up to 50% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). No such excess cash payments were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

We may prepay loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement at any time, subject to certain notice requirements and LIBOR breakage costs.

At our election, the loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement may be made as either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans. The Eurodollar Loans are subject to a floor of 1.00%.

In July 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "Repricing Amendment") to the 2017 Credit Agreement. The Repricing Amendment, among other things, reduced the applicable margin on Tranche B Term Loans from 3.00% to 2.25% for Base Rate Loans and from 4.00% to 3.25% for Eurodollar Loans, and reduced the applicable margin on Revolving Loans from 2.50% to 2.00% for Base Rate Loans and from 3.50% to 3.00% for Eurodollar Loans.  The amendment also established a soft call protection of 1.0% through January 10, 2018 for certain prepayments, refinancings, and amendments.

In October 2017, we entered into an Incremental Revolving Credit Assumption Agreement to increase our revolving line of credit facility from $75.0 million to $100.0 million.

The 2017 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the term loan facility, but includes a maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio applicable to the revolving credit facility in the event that utilization exceeds 30% of the revolving loan facility commitment.

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7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes

In December 2016 we completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "Original Notes"). The proceeds of the Original Notes were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia in January 2017. We recognized the proceeds from the private offering as restricted cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016, which were subsequently released with the closing of Hibernia. In connection with the offering, we incurred debt issuance costs of $9.7 million, of which $0.5 million was incurred in 2016 and the remainder was incurred in 2017.

In June 2017, we completed a private offering of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "June 2017 Notes"). The June 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Company's Original Notes (together with the Original Notes, the "Existing Notes").  The June 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Original Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The June 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $9.0 million. In connection with the offering, we incurred debt issuance costs of $2.9 million.

In October 2017, we completed a private offering of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "October 2017 Notes"). The October 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Existing Notes. The October 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Existing Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The October 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $7.5 million. In connection with the offering, we incurred debt issuance costs of $2.0 million.

Previous Debt Agreement

In October 2015, we entered into the October 2015 Credit Agreement, which provided for a $400.0 million term loan facility and a $50.0 million revolving line of credit facility (which included a $15.0 million letter of credit facility and a $10.0 million swingline facility). As of December 31, 2016, we had drawn $20.0 million under the revolving line of credit and had $29.5 million of available borrowing capacity. Amounts outstanding under the October 2015 Credit Agreement were repaid in full in connection with the 2017 Credit Agreement. The previous term loan was issued at an OID of $8.0 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. For information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements contained therein. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in that report.

Results of Operations

Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016

Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

32

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			$ Variance			% Change
Revenue:
Telecommunications services	$	198,858		$	131,851		$	67,007		50.8	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of telecommunications services	100,068			68,184			31,884			46.8	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	51,966			37,177			14,789			39.8	%
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs	11,125			(625		)	11,750			(1,880.0	)%
Depreciation and amortization	32,847			14,880			17,967			120.7	%
Total operating expenses	196,006			119,616			76,390			63.9	%
Operating income	2,852			12,235			(9,383		)	(76.7	)%
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(18,251		)	(7,123		)	(11,128		)	156.2	%
Loss on debt extinguishment	(2,988		)	—			(2,988		)	*
Other expense, net	220			(74		)	294			(397.3	)%
Total other expense	(21,019		)	(7,197		)	(13,822		)	192.1	%
(Loss) income before income taxes	(18,167		)	5,038			(23,205		)	(460.6	)%
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(8,648		)	(89		)	(8,559		)	*
Net (loss) income	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127		$	(14,646	)	(285.7	)%
* - Not meaningful

Revenue

Our revenue increased by $67.0 million, or 50.8%, from $131.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $198.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, as well as rep-driven growth and the purchase of certain customer contracts.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2016, revenue would have been lower by $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Cost of Telecommunications Services Provided

Cost of telecommunications services provided increased by $31.9 million, or 46.8%, from $68.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $100.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Consistent with our increase in revenue, the increase in cost of telecommunications services provided was principally driven by the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, as well as rep-driven growth and the purchase of certain customer contracts.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2016, cost of telecommunications services provided would have been lower by $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Operating Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses increased by $14.8 million, or 39.8%, from $37.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $52.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The following table

33

summarizes the major categories of selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		$ Variance		% Change
Employee related compensation (excluding share-based compensation)	$	24,686	$	17,917	$	6,769	37.8	%
Share-based compensation	6,058		4,844		1,214		25.1	%
Transaction and integration expense	3,367		801		2,566		320.3	%
Other SG&A(1)	17,855		13,615		4,240		31.1	%
Total	$	51,966	$	37,177	$	14,789	39.8	%

⁽¹⁾ Includes bad debt expense, professional fees, marketing costs, facilities, and other general support costs.

Employee related compensation increased primarily due to the Hibernia acquisition. Share-based compensation expense increases were driven by the recognition of share-based compensation for performance awards and an increase in the aggregate value of employee equity awards. Transaction and integration costs increases were driven by final integration costs related to Hibernia and transaction costs associated with the acquisitions of Perseus and Global Capacity. Other SG&A expense increases were principally driven by the acquisition of Hibernia.

Severance, Restructuring and Other Exit Costs. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred restructuring charges of $11.1 million relating to the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we reversed restructuring charges of $0.6 million related to the February 2016 acquisition of Telnes Broadband ("Telnes").

Depreciation and Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets increased $6.9 million or 67.7%, from $10.1 million to $17.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets recorded in the Hibernia acquisition. Depreciation expense increased $11.1 million, or 233.9%from $4.8 million to $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the assets acquired from the Hibernia acquisition.

Other Expense. Other expense increased by $13.8 million to $21.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. This is primarily attributed to higher interest expense due to higher debt levels driven by the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions as well as a loss on debt extinguishment of $3.0 million incurred in connection with the Repricing Amendment.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2016, operating expenses would have been lower by $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses are the only operating expenses that would have been impacted by the change in exchange rates.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016

Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			$ Variance			% Change
Revenue:
Telecommunications services	$	567,439		$	385,201		$	182,238		47.3	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of telecommunications services	284,855			202,653			82,202			40.6	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	151,595			105,311			46,284			43.9	%
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs	21,848			870			20,978			2,411.3	%
Depreciation and amortization	94,670			46,139			48,531			105.2	%
Total operating expenses	552,968			354,973			197,995			55.8	%
Operating income	14,471			30,228			(15,757		)	(52.1	)%
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(50,707		)	(21,620		)	(29,087		)	134.5	%
Loss on debt extinguishment	(8,647		)	(1,632		)	(7,015		)	*
Other expense, net	184			(542		)	726			(133.9	)%
Total other expense	(59,170		)	(23,794		)	(35,376		)	148.7	%
(Loss) income before income taxes	(44,699		)	6,434			(51,133		)	(794.7	)%
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(22,719		)	320			(23,039		)	*
Net (loss) income	$	(21,980	)	$	6,114		$	(28,094	)	(459.5	)%
* - Not meaningful

Revenue

Our revenue increased by $182.2 million, or 47.3%, from $385.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $567.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, as well as rep-driven growth and the purchase of certain customer contracts.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenue would have been higher by $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Cost of Telecommunications Services Provided

Cost of telecommunications services provided increased by $82.2 million, or 40.6%, from $202.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $284.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Consistent with our increase in revenue, the increase in cost of telecommunications services provided was principally driven by the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, as well as rep-driven growth and the purchase of certain customer contracts.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cost of telecommunications services provided would have been higher by $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Operating Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses increased by $46.3 million, or 43.9%, from $105.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $151.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The following table

35

summarizes the major categories of selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		$ Variance		% Change
Employee related compensation (excluding share-based compensation)	$	70,438	$	51,838	$	18,600	35.9	%
Share-based compensation	15,960		10,896		5,064		46.5	%
Transaction and integration expense	13,794		3,124		10,670		341.5	%
Other SG&A(1)	51,403		39,453		11,950		30.3	%
Total	$	151,595	$	105,311	$	46,284	43.9	%

⁽¹⁾ Includes bad debt expense, professional fees, marketing costs, facilities, and other general support costs.

Employee related compensation increased primarily due to the Hibernia acquisition. Share-based compensation expense increases were driven by the recognition of share-based compensation for performance awards and an increase in the aggregate value of employee equity awards. Transaction and integration costs increases were driven by final integration costs related to Hibernia and transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Perseus and Global Capacity. Other SG&A expense increases were principally driven by the acquisition of Hibernia.

Severance, Restructuring and Other Exit Costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred restructuring charges of $21.8 million relating to the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions. We incurred $0.9 million related to the acquisition of Telnes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Depreciation and Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets increased $20.0 million or 67.9%, from $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $49.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets recorded in the Hibernia acquisition. Depreciation expense increased $28.5 million, or 171.5%from $16.6 million to $45.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the assets acquired from the Hibernia acquisition.

Other Expense. Other expense increased by $35.4 million to $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This is primarily attributed to higher interest expense due to higher debt levels driven by the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions as well as a loss on debt extinguishment of $8.6 million incurred in connection with the 2017 Credit Agreement and Repricing Amendment.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, operating expenses would have been higher by $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses are the only operating expenses that would have been impacted by the change in exchange rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operations, equity offerings, and debt financings. Our principal uses of cash have been for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service requirements. We anticipate that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital, and debt service.

Management monitors cash flow and liquidity requirements on a regular basis, including an analysis of the anticipated working capital requirements for the next 12 months. This analysis assumes our ability to manage expenses, capital expenditures, indebtedness, and the anticipated growth of revenue. If our operating performance differs significantly from our forecasts, we may be required to reduce our operating expenses and curtail capital spending, and we may not remain in compliance with our debt covenants. In addition, if we are unable to fully fund our cash requirements through operations and current cash on hand, we may need to obtain additional financing through a combination of equity and debt financings and/or renegotiation of terms of our existing debt. If any such activities become necessary, there can be no assurance that we would be successful in obtaining additional financing or modifying our existing debt terms.

As of September 30, 2017, we had approximately $34.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our current liabilities were $203.8 million, including $17.6 million of earn-outs and holdback obligations, $15.7 million of accrued severance and exit costs,

36

$17.2 million of deferred revenue associated with prior period capacity sales we acquired from Hibernia, and $41.3 million of unearned revenue for amounts billed in advance to customers.

Our capital expenditures increased by $9.1 million, or 50.8% from $17.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $26.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in capital expenditures was due to our growth and the acquisition of Hibernia. We anticipate that we will incur capital expenditures in the range of 5% to 6% of revenue for 2017. We continue to expect that our capital expenditures will be primarily success-based, i.e., in support of specific revenue opportunities.

We believe that our cash flows from operating activities, in addition to cash on-hand, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future, and in any event for at least the next 12 to 18 months. However, no assurance can be given that this will be the case.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the components of our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			$ Variance
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	47,091		$	32,767		$	14,324
Net cash used in investing activities	(390,318		)	(37,959		)	(352,359		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	349,221			7,871			341,350

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Our largest source of cash provided by operating activities is monthly recurring revenue from our customers. Our primary uses of cash are payments to network suppliers, compensation-related costs, and third-party vendors such as agents, contractors, and professional service providers.

Net cash flows from operating activities increased by $14.3 million, from $32.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity as well as rep-driven growth and the purchase of certain customer contracts partially offset by non-recurring cash payments for severance and exit costs and for transaction and integration costs.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Our primary uses of cash include acquisitions, purchases of customer contracts and capital expenditures.

Net cash flows used in investing activities increased by $352.4 million, from $38.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $390.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Cash used for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily consisted of $652.8 million for the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions as well as certain customer contract purchases for which we paid $14.9 million, and capital expenditures of approximately $26.9 million.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Our primary source of cash for financing activities is debt financing proceeds. Our primary use of cash for financing activities is the refinancing of our debt and repayment of principal pursuant to the debt agreements.

Net cash flows from financing activities increased by $341.4 million, from $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $349.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, consisting primarily of net proceeds from the term loan and issuance of senior notes to fund the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations and Commitments

37

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Term loan	$	694,750	$	7,000	$	14,000	$	14,000	$	659,750
7.875% Senior unsecured note	450,000		—		—		—		450,000
Operating leases	27,890		6,115		9,360		6,768		5,647
Capital leases	2,060		1,648		412		—		—
Network supplier agreements	290,842		133,228		104,241		13,300		40,073
Other	5,549		986		3,063		1,500		—
	$	1,471,091	$	148,977	$	131,076	$	35,568	$	1,155,470

As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), from time to time we may use or publicly disclose certain "non-GAAP financial measures" in the course of our financial presentations, earnings releases, earnings conference calls, and otherwise. For these purposes, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) defines a "non-GAAP financial measure" as a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial positions, or cash flows that (i) exclude amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively exclude amounts, included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in financial statements, and (ii) include amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively include amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional information to investors to provide an alternative method for assessing our financial condition and operating results. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, when taken together with our GAAP financial measures, allow us and our investors to better evaluate our performance and profitability. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP, and may be different from or inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. These measures should be used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP, and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures.

Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, whenever we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure we will also generally present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure we reference with such comparable GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”)

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as income/(loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") adjusted to exclude severance, restructuring and other exit costs, acquisition-related transaction and integration costs, losses on extinguishment of debt, share-based compensation, and from time to time, other non-cash or non-recurring items.

We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance, and this financial measure is among the primary measures we use for planning and forecasting future periods. We further believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by management and makes it easier to compare our results with the results of other companies that have different financing and capital structures. The 2017 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the term loan facility, but includes a maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio that utilizes a modified EBITDA calculation. The modified EBITDA calculation is similar to our definition of Adjusted EBITDA; however it includes the pro forma Adjusted EBITDA of and expected cost synergies from the companies acquired by us during the applicable reporting period. Finally, Adjusted EBITDA results, along with other quantitative and qualitative information, are utilized by management and our compensation committee for purposes of determining bonus payouts to our employees.

Adjusted EBITDA Less Capital Expenditures

38

Adjusted EBITDA less purchases of property and equipment, which we also refer to as capital expenditures or capex, is a performance measure that we use to evaluate the appropriate level of capital expenditures needed to support our expected revenue, and to provide a comparable view of our performance relative to other telecommunications companies who may utilize different strategies for providing access to fiber-based services and related infrastructure. We use a “capex light” strategy, which means we purchase fiber-based services and related infrastructure from other providers on an as-needed basis, pursuant to our customers’ requirements. Many other telecommunications companies spend significant amounts of capital expenditures to construct their own fiber networks and data centers, and attempt to purchase as little as possible from other providers. As a result of our strategy, we typically have lower Adjusted EBITDA margins compared to other providers, but also spend much less on capital expenditures relative to our revenue. We believe it is important to take both of these factors into account when evaluating our performance.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA less Capital Expenditures from Net (loss) income:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Amounts in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Adjusted EBITDA
Net (loss) income	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127		$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(8,648		)	(89		)	(22,719		)	320
Interest and other expense, net	18,031			7,197			50,523			22,162
Loss on debt extinguishment	2,988			—			8,647			1,632
Depreciation and amortization	32,847			14,880			94,670			46,139
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs	11,125			(625		)	21,848			870
Transaction and integration costs	3,367			801			13,794			3,124
Share-based compensation	6,058			4,844			15,960			10,896
Adjusted EBITDA	56,249			32,135			160,743			91,257
Purchases of property and equipment	(9,113		)	(5,525		)	(26,865		)	(17,813		)
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures	$	47,136		$	26,610		$	133,878		$	73,444

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks. These risks, which include interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk, arise in the normal course of business rather than from trading activities.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates is primarily related to our outstanding term loans and revolving loans. As of September 30, 2017, we had $694.8 million in term loans with variable interest rates and no revolving loans. The interest expense associated with our term loan and revolving loan will vary with market rates.

For purposes of the following hypothetical calculations, we have used the 2017 Credit Agreement, which carries an interest rate equal to either Base Rate Loans with applicable margin at 2.25% or Eurodollar Loans at 3.25%, subject to a floor of 1.0%. Based on current rates, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in Eurodollar rate would increase annual interest expense by approximately $7.0 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount. A hypothetical increase of the Eurodollar rate to 4%, the average historical three-month rate, would increase annual interest expense by approximately $19.2 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount.

We do not currently use derivative financial instruments and have not entered into any interest rate hedging transactions, but we may do so in the future.

Exchange Rate Sensitivity

39

Our exposure to market risk for changes in foreign currency rate relates to our global operations. Our consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars, but a portion of our revenue, cost of telecommunications services provided and selling, general and administrative expenses are recorded in the local currency of our foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. Dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. Dollars for purposes of reporting consolidated financial results.

Approximately 23% of our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were generated by non-US entities, of which approximately 10% was recorded in GBP, approximately 10% was recorded in Euros and the remainder was recorded predominantly in Canadian dollars. Approximately 17% of our cost of telecommunications services provided and approximately 12% of our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were generated by the same non-US entities. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that changes in exchange rates would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

We do not currently use derivative financial instruments and have not entered into any foreign currency hedging transactions, but we may do so in the future.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management carried out an evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act (“Disclosure Controls”).

Based on our evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our evaluation excluded Hibernia which was acquired in January 2017. On a pro forma basis, as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2016, Hibernia represented approximately 38% of total assets and 23% of total revenue. These percentages did not differ significantly for the nine months post acquisition. In accordance with guidance issued by the SEC, companies are allowed to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal controls over financial reporting during the first year subsequent to the acquisition while integrating the acquired operations.

Our evaluation excluded Global Capacity which was acquired in September 2017. On a proforma basis, as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2016, Global Capacity represented approximately 17% of total assets and 24% of total revenue. These percentages did not differ significantly for the one month post acquisition. In accordance with guidance issued by the SEC, companies are allowed to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal controls over financial reporting during the first year subsequent to the acquisition while integrating the acquired operations.

The CEO and the CFO, with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017, and based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2017, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

40

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. We do not believe that we are party to any current or pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2017.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

41

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are filed herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference herein:

Exhibit
Number	Description of Document
10.1	Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 10, 2017, among GTT Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the borrower, the lenders party thereto, and KeyBank National Association, as the administrative agent and as the Additional Tranche B Term Loan Lender (previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 14, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2*	Incremental Revolving Credit Assumption Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2017, among GTT Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the borrower, KeyBank National Association, as the administrative agent, and the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders party hereto.
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*	The following financial statements and footnotes from GTT Communications, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited); (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

*	Filed herewith
+	Denotes a management or compensatory plan or arrangement

42

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		GTT Communications, Inc.
		By:	/s/ Richard D. Calder, Jr.
			Richard D. Calder, Jr.
			President, Chief Executive Officer and
			Director (Principal Executive Officer)
		By:	/s/ Michael T. Sicoli
			Michael T. Sicoli
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer)
		By:	/s/ Daniel M. Fraser
			Daniel M. Fraser
			Vice President and Controller
Date:	November 3, 2017		(Principal Accounting Officer)

43

EX-10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

INCREMENTAL REVOLVING CREDIT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This INCREMENTAL REVOLVING CREDIT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 12, 2017 (this “Agreement”), is entered into among GTT Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the borrower (the “Borrower”), KeyBank National Association, as the administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders (defined below) party hereto.

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2017 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 10, 2017, and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, various financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers identified therein and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms which are defined in the Credit Agreement and which are used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement provides that the Borrower may from time to time request Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments in accordance with Section 2.17 thereof; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower desires to obtain Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments as hereinafter set forth, and the Persons set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders”) are willing to provide Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.Pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower has requested Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000, which amount is permitted under the definition of “Incremental Facility Maximum Amount” set forth in the Credit Agreement, and that such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments become effective on the Effective Date, as defined below. The Borrower has also requested that the Administrative Agent waive the minimum 15 day time period required pursuant to Section 2.17(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments.

2.Pursuant and subject to Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement and this Agreement, each Incremental Revolving Credit Lender hereby severally and not jointly agrees to commit to provide its Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment set forth on Schedule A on the Effective Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. In addition, the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as such, hereby waives the minimum 15-day period for a notice requesting Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments required pursuant to Section 2.17(a) of the Credit Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments and agrees that the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments to be provided hereunder may be effective on the Effective Date.

3.Upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 below and the occurrence of the Effective Date, (i) each Incremental Revolving Credit Lender shall provide its

NAI-1503084440v6

Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment as set forth on Schedule A hereto to the Borrower on the Effective Date , (ii) such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Loans and other extensions made thereunder shall be “Revolving Credit Commitments” and “Revolving Loans” for all purposes under the Credit Agreement and shall have the same terms and conditions as the existing Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Loans under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to interest payable thereon and the maturity date thereof), and (iii) as of the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Commitments (including the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments to be made by the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders) are set forth on Schedule B hereto.

4.Upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent, the effective date for this Agreement shall be October 12, 2017 (the “Effective Date”):

(a)     the Administrative Agent shall have received an executed signature page hereto from the Borrower and each Incremental Revolving Credit Lender;

(b)    the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Revolving Note for the account of any Incremental Revolving Credit Lender requesting such a Revolving Note evidencing such Incremental Revolving Credit Lender’s respective Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment established hereby;

(c)    each of the Guarantors shall have acknowledged and agreed to the terms of this Agreement;

(d)    the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower (i) certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied immediately after giving effect to the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments referenced hereunder, (ii) certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, and (iii) attaching certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or similar governing body) of the Borrower approving this Agreement; and

(e)    the Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel to the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

5.The representations and warranties of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (or in the case of any representation or warranty subject to a materiality qualifier, true and correct) as of the date hereof, both before and after giving effect to this Agreement, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (or in the case of any representation or warranty subject to a materiality qualifier, true and correct) as of the date when made.

6.As of the date hereof, both before and after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Credit Agreement.

-2-

NAI-1503084440v6

7.This Agreement is a Loan Document delivered in connection with the Credit Agreement.

8.THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

[Signature Page Follows]

-3-

NAI-1503084440v6

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:

GTT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer

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KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as an Incremental Revolving Credit Lender

By:     /s/ Jeff Kalinowski                

Name:     Jeff Kalinowski

Title:     Senior Vice President

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Citizens Bank, NA as an Incremental Revolving Credit Lender

By:     /s/ Daniel Alfred                

Name:     Daniel Alfred

Title:     Director

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CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as an Incremental Revolving Credit Lender

By:     /s/ Christopher Day                

Name:     Christopher Day

Title:     Authorized Signatory

By:     /s/ Brandy Bingham                

Name:     Brandy Bingham

Title:     Authorized Signatory

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SUNTRUST BANK, as an Incremental Revolving Credit Lender

By:     /s/ Samantha Sanford                

Name: Samantha Sanford

Title:     Vice President

NAI-1503084440v6

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as an Incremental Revolving Credit Lender

By:     /s/ Jesse Mason                

Name: Jesse Mason

Title:     Director

NAI-1503084440v6

Acknowledged and agreed to:

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent

By:     /s/ Jeff Kalinowski                

Name:     Jeff Kalinowski

Title:     Senior Vice President

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Acknowledged and agreed to:

GTT AMERICAS, LLC

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer

GTT GLOBAL TELECOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

HIBERNIA ATLANTIC U.S. LLC

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

HIBERNIA ATLANTIC COMMUNICATIONS (CANADA) COMPANY

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

HIBERNIA ATLANTIC (UK) LIMITED

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

NAI-1503084440v6

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HIBERNIA INTERNATIONAL ASSETS INC.

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

HIBERNIA MEDIA (UK) LIMITED

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

HIBERNIA NETWORKS (NETHERLANDS) B.V.

By:     /s/ Michael T. Sicoli                

Name:     Michael T. Sicoli

Title:     Manager

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Schedule A

Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders	Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments
KeyBank National Association	$2,500,000
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch	$2,500,000
SunTrust Bank	$7,500,000
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association	$7,500,000
Citizens Bank, N.A.	$5,000,000
TOTAL	$25,000,000

NAI-1503084440v6

Schedule B

As of the Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Commitments (including the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments to be made by the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders) is $100,000,000.

NAI-1503084440v6

EX-31.1

  Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Richard D. Calder, Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of GTT Communications, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; and

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 3, 2017	/s/ Richard D. Calder, Jr.
		Richard D. Calder, Jr.
		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

     I, Michael T. Sicoli, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of GTT Communications, Inc.;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

     (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

     5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 3, 2017	/s/ Michael T. Sicoli
		Michael T. Sicoli
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of GTT Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Richard D. Calder, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my best knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 3, 2017	/s/ Richard D. Calder, Jr.
		Richard D. Calder, Jr.
		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of GTT Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael T. Sicoli, Chief Financial Officer of the Company certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my best knowledge:

     1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 3, 2017	/s/ Michael T. Sicoli
		Michael T. Sicoli
		Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GTT Communications, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001315255
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	gtt
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		43,455,120
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 34,799	$ 29,748
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,831 and $2,656, respectively	123,332	76,292
Deferred costs	2,865	3,415
Prepaid expenses	18,575	5,765
Other assets	6,527	3,565
Total current assets	186,098	118,785
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	304,266
Property and equipment, net	494,501	43,369
Intangible assets, net	412,964	193,936
Goodwill	593,106	280,593
Other long-term assets	46,273	12,312
Total assets	1,732,942	953,261
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	23,063	11,334
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	92,889	36,888
Acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks	17,634	24,379
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,648	1,015
Current portion of long-term debt	7,000	4,300
Deferred revenue	61,608	17,875
Total current liabilities	203,842	95,791
Capital lease obligations, long-term portion	412	120
Long-term debt	1,108,885	725,208
Deferred revenue, long-term portion	112,042	3,416
Deferred tax liability	27,667	0
Other long-term liabilities	8,129	967
Total liabilities	1,460,977	825,502
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.0001 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 43,439,282 and 37,228,144 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	4	3
Additional paid-in capital	351,280	197,326
Accumulated deficit	(75,374)	(64,641)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,945)	(4,929)
Total stockholders' equity	271,965	127,759
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,732,942	$ 953,261

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current	$ 3,831	$ 2,656
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	43,439,282	37,228,144
Common stock, shares, outstanding (in shares)	43,439,282	37,228,144

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenue:
Telecommunications services	$ 198,858	$ 131,851	$ 567,439	$ 385,201
Operating expenses:
Cost of telecommunications services	100,068	68,184	284,855	202,653
Selling, general and administrative expenses	51,966	37,177	151,595	105,311
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs	11,125	(625)	21,848	870
Depreciation and amortization	32,847	14,880	94,670	46,139
Total operating expenses	196,006	119,616	552,968	354,973
Operating income	2,852	12,235	14,471	30,228
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	(18,251)	(7,123)	(50,707)	(21,620)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(2,988)	0	(8,647)	(1,632)
Other expense, net	220	(74)	184	(542)
Total other expense	(21,019)	(7,197)	(59,170)	(23,794)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(18,167)	5,038	(44,699)	6,434
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(8,648)	(89)	(22,719)	320
Net (loss) income	$ (9,519)	$ 5,127	$ (21,980)	$ 6,114
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.14	$ (0.53)	$ 0.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.14	$ (0.53)	$ 0.16
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	41,762,693	37,152,063	41,160,317	36,998,607
Diluted (in shares)	41,762,693	37,785,921	41,160,317	37,481,414

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (9,519)	$ 5,127	$ (21,980)	$ 6,114
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	471	(215)	984	(2,126)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (9,048)	$ 4,912	$ (20,996)	$ 3,988

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		37,228,144
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 127,759	$ 3	$ 197,326	$ (64,641)	$ (4,929)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based compensation for options issued	1,029		1,029
Share-based compensation for restricted stock issued (in shares)		858,285
Share-based compensation for restricted stock issued	14,802		14,802
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)		(208,481)
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units	(3,217)		(3,217)
Stock issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		21,018
Stock issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	582		582
Stock issued in connection with acquisition (in shares)		5,179,872
Stock issued in connection with acquisition	139,741	$ 1	139,740
Stock options exercised (in shares)		360,444
Stock options exercised	1,018		1,018
Net loss	(21,980)			(21,980)
Foreign currency translation	984				984
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017		43,439,282
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	271,965	$ 4	$ 351,280	(75,374)	$ (3,945)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adjustment for unrecognized windfall benefits	$ 11,247			$ 11,247

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (21,980)	$ 6,114
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	94,670	46,139
Share-based compensation	15,960	10,896
Debt discount amortization	498	600
Loss on debt extinguishment	8,647	1,632
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,638	1,188
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(5,365)	0
Deferred income taxes	(18,347)	0
Non-cash deferred revenue	(28,018)	(4,964)
Non-cash deferred costs	4,253	1,999
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(7,375)	(19,887)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,762	(1,180)
Deferred costs and other assets	(500)	(4,358)
Accounts payable	(15,680)	(8,816)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,093	(3,605)
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	(10,165)	7,009
Net cash provided by operating activities	47,091	32,767
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(652,776)	(14,146)
Purchase of customer contracts	(14,943)	(6,000)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	304,266	0
Purchases of property and equipment	(26,865)	(17,813)
Net cash used in investing activities	(390,318)	(37,959)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	0	33,000
Repayment of revolving line of credit	(20,000)	(32,000)
Proceeds from term loan	696,500	29,850
Repayment of term loan	(431,025)	(3,150)
Proceeds from senior note	159,000	0
Payment of earn-out and holdbacks	(22,646)	(15,563)
Debt issuance costs	(29,881)	(904)
Repayment of capital leases	(981)	(1,433)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	453	1,045
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units	(3,217)	(3,442)
Exercise of stock options	1,018	468
Net cash provided by financing activities	349,221	7,871
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(943)	(1,902)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,051	777
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	29,748	14,630
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	34,799	15,407
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	38,984	19,894
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 587	$ 408

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ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Organization and Business

GTT Communications, Inc. (“GTT” or the "Company") is a provider of cloud networking services to multinational clients. The Company offers a broad portfolio of global services including: private networking services, Internet services, optical transport, managed networking and security services, voice and unified communication services, and video transport services.

GTT's global Tier 1 IP network delivers connectivity to clients around the world. The Company provides services to leading multinational enterprise, carrier, and government customers.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 8, 2017. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and its results of operations. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year 2017 or for any other interim period. The December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet is condensed from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Reclassification Within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

As a result of policy alignments related to acquired businesses, certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation to better reflect the nature of these activities. The Company has reclassified $5.0 million from the "Deferred revenue and other liabilities" line to the "Non-cash deferred revenue" line and $2.0 million from the "Deferred costs and other assets" line to the "Non-cash deferred costs" line for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016. These reclassifications had no impact on the net change in cash and cash equivalents or cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for any periods presented.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used when establishing allowances for doubtful accounts and accruals for billing disputes, determining useful lives for depreciation and amortization and accruals for exit activities, assessing the need for impairment charges (including those related to intangible assets and goodwill), determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and estimating the grant date fair values used to compute the share-based compensation expense. Management evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and makes estimates based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Segment Reporting

The Company reports operating results and financial data in one operating and reporting segment. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and manages the Company as a single profit center in order to promote collaboration, provide comprehensive service offerings across its entire customer base, and provide incentives to employees based on the success of the organization as a whole. Although certain information regarding selected products or services are discussed for purposes of promoting an understanding of the Company's complex business, the chief operating decision maker manages the Company and allocates resources at the consolidated level.

Revenue Recognition

The Company delivers six primary services to its customers — optical transport, WAN connectivity services, high bandwidth Internet connectivity services, managed network and security services, global communication and collaboration services, and video transport services. Certain of its current commercial activities have features that may be considered multiple elements, specifically when the Company sells its connectivity services in addition to customer premise equipment ("CPE"). The Company believes that there is sufficient evidence to determine each element’s fair value and, as a result, in those arrangements where there are multiple elements, the service revenue is recorded ratably over the term of the agreement and the equipment is accounted for as a sale, at the time of sale as long as collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company's services are provided under contracts that typically include an installation charge along with payments of recurring charges on a monthly basis for use of the services over a committed term. Its contracts with customers specify the terms and conditions for providing such services, including installation date, recurring and non-recurring fees, payment terms, and length of term. These contracts call for the Company to provide the service in question (e.g., data transmission between point A and point Z), to manage the activation process, and to provide ongoing support (in the form of service maintenance and trouble-shooting) during the service term. The contracts do not typically provide the customer any rights to use specifically identifiable assets. Furthermore, the contracts generally provide the Company with discretion to engineer (or re-engineer) a particular network solution to satisfy each customer’s data transmission requirement, and typically prohibit physical access by the customer to the network infrastructure used by the Company and its suppliers to deliver the services.

The Company recognizes revenue as follows:

Recurring Revenue. Recurring revenue represents the substantial majority of the Company's revenue, and consists of fees charged for ongoing services that are generally fixed in price and billed on a recurring monthly basis (one month in advance) for a specified term. At the end of the term, most contracts provide for a continuation of services on the same terms, either for a specified renewal period (e.g., one year) or on a month-to-month basis. The Company records recurring revenue based on the fees agreed to in each contract, as long as the contract is in effect.

Usage Revenue. Usage revenue represents variable charges for certain services, based on specific usage of those services, or usage above a fixed threshold, billed monthly in arrears. The Company records usage revenue based on actual usage charges billed using the rates and/or thresholds specified in each contract.

Non-recurring Revenue. Non-recurring revenue consists of charges for installation in connection with the delivery of recurring communications services, late payments, cancellation fees, early termination fees, and equipment sales. Fees billed for installation services are initially recorded as deferred revenue then recognized ratably over the contractual term of the recurring service. Fees charged for late payments, cancellation (pre-installation) or early termination (post-installation) are typically fixed or determinable per the terms of the respective contract, and are recognized as revenue when billed. In addition, from time to time the Company sells communications and/or networking equipment to its customers in connection with its data networking services. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of equipment at the contracted selling price when title to the equipment passes to the customer (generally F.O.B. origin).

Prepaid Capacity Sales and Indefeasible Right to Use. From time to time the Company sells capacity on a long-term basis, where a certain portion of the contracted revenue is prepaid upon acceptance of the service by the customer. This prepaid amount is initially recorded as deferred revenue and amortized ratably over the term of the contract. Certain of these prepaid capacity sales are in the form of Indefeasible Rights to Use ("IRUs"), where the customer has the right to use the capacity for the life of the fiber optic cable.  The Company records revenues from these prepaid leases of fiber optic cable IRUs over the term that the customer is given exclusive access to the assets, generally 20 years, consistent with our assumed useful life of the associated fiber optic cable.

The Company records revenue only when collectability is reasonably assured, irrespective of the type of revenue.

Universal Service Fund ("USF"), Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges

The Company is liable in certain cases for collecting regulatory fees and/or certain sales taxes from its customers and remitting the fees and taxes to the applicable governing authorities. Where the Company collects on behalf of a regulatory agency, the Company does not record any revenue. The Company records applicable taxes on a net basis.

Cost of Telecommunications Services

Cost of telecommunications services includes direct costs incurred in accessing other telecommunications providers’ networks in order to maintain the Company's global Tier 1 IP network and provide telecommunication services to the Company's customers, including access, co-location, and usage-based charges.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company issues three types of equity grants under its share-based compensation plan: time-based restricted stock, time-based stock options and performance-based restricted stock. The time-based restricted stock and stock options generally vest over a four-year period, contingent upon meeting the requisite service period requirement. Performance awards typically vest over a shorter period, e.g. one to two years, starting when the performance criteria established in the grant have been met.

The share price of the Company's common stock as reported on the NYSE MKT on the date of grant is used as the fair value for all restricted stock. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock options. Critical inputs into the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include the following: option exercise price; fair value of the stock; expected life of the option; annualized volatility of the stock; annual rate of quarterly dividends on the stock; and risk-free interest rate.

Implied volatility is calculated as of each grant date based on our historical stock price volatility along with an assessment of a peer group. Other than the expected life of the option, volatility is the most sensitive input to our option grants. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is determined by referencing the U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with the remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated based on our historical analysis of attrition levels. Forfeiture estimates are updated quarterly for actual forfeitures.

The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for performance awards when the Company considers the achievement of the performance criteria to be probable.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method pursuant to GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of the change. Further, deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected realization of available net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded on gross deferred tax assets when it is “more likely than not” that such asset will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings. The Company reviews its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required based upon these factors. Changes in the Company's assessment of the need for a valuation allowance could give rise to a change in such allowance, potentially resulting in additional expense or benefit in the period of change.

The Company's income tax provision includes U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and is based on pre-tax income or loss. In determining the annual effective income tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including its annual earnings and taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings were generated, the impact of state and local income taxes and its ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards.

Under GAAP for income taxes, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

In addition to net (loss) income, comprehensive (loss) income includes certain charges or credits to equity occurring other than as a result of transactions with stockholders. For the Company, this consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

(Loss) Earnings Per Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted (loss) earnings per share reflect, in periods with earnings and in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.

The table below details the calculations of (loss) earnings per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):  

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – (loss) earnings available to common stockholders	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127	$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,152,063		41,160,317			36,998,607
Effect of dilutive securities	—			633,858		—			482,807
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,785,921		41,160,317			37,481,414
(Loss) earnings per share: basic	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.17
(Loss) earnings per share: diluted	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.16

All of the stock options were anti-dilutive as of September 30, 2017 due to the net loss incurred during the period. There were approximately 4,000 anti-dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of earnings per share as of September 30, 2016. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may include deposits with financial institutions as well as short-term money market instruments, certificates of deposit and debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in accordance with the terms and conditions of its Credit Agreement, which seeks to ensure both liquidity and safety of principal. The Company’s policy limits investments to instruments issued by the U.S. government and commercial institutions with strong investment grade credit ratings, and places restrictions on the length of maturity. As of September 30, 2017, the Company held no direct investments in auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles or non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted from operating use are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents. In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024. The proceeds of the private offering plus 60 days of prepaid interest, were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia Networks ("Hibernia") that occurred in January 2017. The proceeds were released from escrow at closing to fund the Hibernia acquisition.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable balances are stated at amounts due from the customer net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit extended is based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and is granted to qualified customers on an unsecured basis.

The Company, pursuant to its standard service contracts, is entitled to impose a monthly finance charge of a certain percentage per month with respect to amounts that are past due. The Company’s standard terms require payment within 30 days of the date of the invoice. The Company treats invoices as past due when they remain unpaid, in whole or in part, beyond the payment date set forth in the applicable service contract.

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the customer’s payment history and current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy. Specific reserves are also established on a case-by-case basis by management. Credit losses have been within management's estimates. Actual bad debts, when determined, reduce the allowance, the adequacy of which management then reassesses. The Company writes off accounts after a determination by management that the amounts at issue are no longer likely to be collected, following the exercise of reasonable collection efforts, and upon management's determination that the costs of pursuing collection outweighs the likelihood of recovery. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.8 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Deferred Costs

Installation costs related to provisioning of recurring communications services that the Company incurs from independent third party suppliers, directly attributable and necessary to fulfill a particular service contract, and which would not have been incurred but for the occurrence of that service contract, are recorded as deferred costs and expensed ratably over the contractual term of service in the same manner as the deferred revenue arising from that contract. Based on historical experience, the Company believes the initial contractual term is the best estimate for the period of earnings. If any installation costs exceed the amount of corresponding deferred revenue, the excess cost is recognized in the current period.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.Depreciation on these assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Assets are recorded at acquired cost plus any internal labor to prepare the asset for installation to become functional. Assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lesser of the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets under lease. Leasehold improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease, excluding optional extensions, or the useful life. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciable lives used by the Company for its classes of assets are as follows:

Freehold Land and Buildings	30 years
Furniture and Fixtures	7 years
Fiber Optic Cable	20 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment	5 - 15 years
Leasehold Improvements	up to 10 years
Computer Hardware and Software	3-5 years

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset were to exceed its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be considered to be impaired. Impairment losses would then be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of, if any, are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Software Capitalization

Software development costs include costs to develop software programs to be used solely to meet the Company's internal needs. The Company capitalizes development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a function it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The Company capitalized software costs of $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually, in October, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs between impairment testing dates. There were no goodwill impairments identified for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017.

Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as acquired customer contracts and relationships, (collectively "customer relationships"), trade names, intellectual property or know-how, are initially recorded at fair value. The Company amortizes these intangible assets over the determined useful life which generally ranges from three to eight years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. There were no intangible asset impairments recognized for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017.

Business Combinations

The Company includes the results of operations of the businesses that it acquires commencing on the respective dates of acquisition. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Asset Purchases

Periodically the Company acquires customer contracts that it accounts for as an asset purchase and records a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its estimated useful life. No goodwill is recorded in an asset purchase. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, the Company acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $37.3 million, of which $14.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 at the acquisitions' respective closing dates. Of the remaining $22.4 million, $2.9 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $19.5 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017 and 2018, subject to any indemnification claims made through the final payment date. During 2016, the Company acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $41.3 million, of which $20.0 million was paid in 2016 at the respective closing dates, and $6.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Of the remaining $21.3 million, $18.0 million was paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the remaining $3.3 million is expected to be paid in the remainder of 2017, subject to any indemnification claims made through the final payment dates.

Accrued Supplier Expenses

The Company accrues estimated charges owed to its suppliers for services. The Company bases this accrual on the supplier contract, the individual service order executed with the supplier for that service, and the length of time the service has been active.

Disputed Supplier Expenses

In the normal course of business, the Company identifies errors by suppliers with respect to the billing of services. The Company performs bill verification procedures to ensure that errors in the Company's suppliers' billed invoices are identified and resolved. If the Company concludes that a vendor has billed inaccurately, the Company will record a liability only for the amount that it believes is owed. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had open disputes not accrued for of $4.2 million. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had open disputes not accrued for of $5.8 million.

Acquisition Earn-outs and Holdbacks

Acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks represent either contingent consideration subject to re-measurement to fair value, or fixed deferred consideration to be paid out at some point in the future, typically on the one-year anniversary of an acquisition. Contingent consideration is remeasured to fair value at each reporting period. The portion of the deferred consideration due within one year is recorded as a current liability until paid, and any consideration due beyond one year is recorded in other long-term liabilities.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was no contingent consideration subject to re-measurement outstanding.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs represent costs that qualify for deferral associated with the issuance of new debt or the modification of existing debt facilities. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is presented as a reduction to the carrying value of long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized on the condensed consolidated statements of operations as interest expense. The unamortized debt issuance costs were $30.8 million and $9.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

Original issuance discounts and premiums ("OID") is the difference between the face value of debt and the amount of principal received when the loan was originated. When the debt reaches maturity, the face value of the debt is payable. The Company recognizes OID by accretion of the discount or premium as interest expense, net over the term of the debt. The unamortized portion of the OID was a $1.9 million net premium and a $7.0 million discount as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

For non-U.S. subsidiaries, the functional currency is evaluated at the time of the Company's acquisition of such subsidiaries and on a periodic basis for financial reporting purposes. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been reported in U.S. Dollars by translating asset and liability amounts of foreign subsidiaries at the closing currency exchange rate, equity amounts at historical rates, and the results of operations and cash flow at the average currency exchange rate prevailing during the periods reported. The net effect of such translation gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders' equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than a subsidiary's functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising upon settlement of a transaction are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other expense, net.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following hierarchy of fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that can be assessed at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Inputs reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument's valuation.

When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, management considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers risks, restrictions, or other assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amounts reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The table below presents the fair values for the Company's long-term debt as well as the input level used to determine these fair values as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The carrying amounts exclude any debt issuance costs or original issuance discount:

					Fair Value Measurement Using
	Total Carrying Value in Consolidated Balance Sheet				Unadjusted Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (1) (Level 1)
(amounts in thousands)	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Liabilities not recorded at fair value in the Financial Statements:
Long-term debt, including the current portion:
Term loan	$	694,750	$	425,775	$	699,440	$	425,775
Senior notes	450,000		300,000		478,125		300,000
Total long-term debt, including current portion	$	1,144,750	$	725,775	$	1,177,565	$	725,775

⁽¹⁾ Fair value based on the bid quoted price.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill, tangible assets, and intangible assets. Such assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment indicators. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments potentially subject to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. At times during the periods presented, the Company had funds in excess of $250,000 insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or in excess of similar Deposit Insurance programs outside of the United States, on deposit at various financial institutions. Management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.

The Company's trade accounts receivable are generally unsecured and geographically dispersed. No single customer's trade accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 exceeded 10% of the Company's consolidated accounts receivable, net. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Newly Adopted Accounting Principles

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The ASU changes five aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; and (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits for share-based payments are now recognized against income tax expense rather than additional paid-in capital and are included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows. The recognition of excess tax benefits has been applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. As of January 1, 2017, the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-09 was an increase in deferred tax assets of $11.2 million and a decrease in accumulated deficit of $11.2 million as a result of recognizing $27.8 million previously unrecognized excess tax benefits from share-based compensation. The Company will continue to account for forfeitures as they occur. Cash paid by by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. Additionally, the Company has applied the provisions of ASU 2016-09 on a prospective basis in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and prior periods have not been adjusted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The guidance includes indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. The new revenue recognition standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, with the option to early adopt it in the first quarter of 2017. The new standard also permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective method). The Company will adopt this new standard as of January 1, 2018 and currently expects to apply the modified retrospective method, which will require a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company has completed its initial assessment of the effect of adoption and is in the process of completing the assessment to quantify the impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Based on this initial assessment, the Company does not expect the standard to materially impact the amount and timing of revenue recognition. The new standard will require certain costs, primarily internal sales commissions, to be deferred rather than expensed, as they are currently. The new standard will also require additional disclosures for the estimate of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price for certain of our usage based contracts and contracts with price concessions. Additional disclosures will also be required regarding the judgments and changes in judgments for these estimates of the assets to be recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract and variable consideration. Both the Company’s initial impact assessment and its selected transition method may change depending on the results of the Company’s final assessment of the impact to its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year) to be recognized on the balance sheet as an asset and a lease liability. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method, whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The new standard will be effective for annual and interim periods, within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be presented using the modified retrospective method beginning with the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows in accordance with ASC 230. The ASU amends or clarifies guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, some of which include classification on debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but the Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard introduces a screen for determining when assets acquired are not a business and clarifies that a business must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that contribute to an output to be considered a business. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (Step 2) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (as determined in Step 1). The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of share-based equity awards must be accounted for as modifications. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award are not the same immediately before and after the modification. The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Since its formation, the Company has consummated a number of transactions accounted for as business combinations as part of its growth strategy. The acquisitions of these businesses, which are in addition to periodic purchases of customer contracts, have allowed the Company to increase the scale at which it operates, which in turn affords the Company the ability to increase its operating leverage, extend its network, and broaden its customer base.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates. All of the acquisitions have been accounted for as a business combination. Accordingly, consideration paid by the Company to complete the acquisitions is initially allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based upon their estimated acquisition date fair values. The recorded amounts for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and subject to change during the measurement period, which is up to 12 months from the acquisition date.

In January 2017, the Company acquired Hibernia. The Company paid $529.6 million in cash consideration, of which $14.6 million was net cash acquired, and 3,329,872 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock, initially valued at $75.0 million on the date of announcement, and ultimately valued at $86.1 million at closing. The results of Hibernia have been included from January 1, 2017.

In June 2017, the Company acquired Perseus Telecom ("Perseus"). The Company paid $37.5 million in cash consideration and assumed $1.9 million in capital leases. $4.0 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. The results of Perseus have been included from June 1, 2017.

In September 2017, the Company acquired Global Capacity. The Company paid $104.0 million in cash consideration, of which $4.0 million was net cash acquired, and 1,850,000 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock valued at $53.6 million at closing. $10.0 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. The results of Global Capacity have been included from September 15, 2017.

The table below reflects the Company's provisional estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for its acquisitions over the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Purchase Price	Hibernia			Perseus			Global Capacity
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate	$	529,600		$	37,500		$	104,000
Common stock (1)	86,092			—			53,649
Purchase consideration	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649
Purchase Price Allocation
Assets acquired:
Current assets	$	49,119		$	1,792		$	25,838
Property, plant and equipment	432,911			5,255			30,451
Other assets	359			—			1,554
Intangible assets - customer lists	166,740			13,840			43,800
Intangible assets - tradename	720			40			200
Intangible assets - other	—			140			5,600
Goodwill	196,057			31,536			84,640
Total assets acquired	845,906			52,603			192,083
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities	(40,749		)	(11,301		)	(17,911		)
Capital leases, long-term portion	—			(1,906		)	—
Deferred revenue	(163,300		)	—			(16,108		)
Deferred tax liability	(26,165		)	(1,708		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—			(188		)	(415		)
Total liabilities assumed	(230,214		)	(15,103		)	(34,434		)
Net assets acquired	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649

(1) Common stock fair value for Hibernia equals the closing share price of $27.80 less a discount for lack of marketability. Common stock fair value for Global Capacity equals the closing share price of $30.85 less a discount for lack of marketability.

Intangible assets acquired related to the Hibernia acquisition include customer relationships and the Hibernia tradename. Intangible assets related to customer relationships and tradename are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted-average useful life of 10 years and the tradenames have a useful life of 2 years.

Intangible assets acquired related to Perseus include customer relationships and are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted-average useful life of 8 years.

Intangible assets acquired related to Global Capacity include customer relationships and are subject to straight-line amortization. The customer relationships have a weighted average useful life of 8 years.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets created as a result of the Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity acquisitions of $4.7 million and $13.8 million has been recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Estimated amortization expense related to these for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	7,297
2018	27,595
2019	24,176
2020	24,176
2021	24,176
2022 and beyond	109,843
Total	$	217,263

Goodwill in the amount of $196.1 million, $31.5 million, and $84.6 million was recorded as a result of the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity, respectively. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the estimated future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill will not be amortized but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if certain indicators of impairment are present.

For material acquisitions completed during 2016, 2015, and 2014, please refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Acquisition Method Accounting Estimates

The Company initially recognizes the assets and liabilities acquired from the aforementioned acquisitions based on its preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values. As additional information becomes known concerning the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, management may make adjustments to the opening balance sheet of the acquired company up to the end of the measurement period, which is no longer than a one year period following the acquisition date. The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed (and the related determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment.

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs describe the broad category of costs the Company incurs in connection with signed and/or closed acquisitions. There are two types of costs that the Company accounts for:

•Severance, restructuring and other exit costs

•Transaction and integration costs

Severance, restructuring and other exit costs include severance and other one-time benefits for terminated employees, termination charges for leases and supplier contracts, and other costs incurred associated with an exit activity. These costs are reported separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Refer to Note 9 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on severance, restructuring, and other exit costs.

Transaction and integration costs include expenses associated with legal, accounting, regulatory, and other transition services rendered in connection with acquisition, travel expense, and other non-recurring direct expenses associated with acquisitions. Transaction and integration costs are expensed as incurred in support of the integration. The Company incurred transaction and integration costs of $3.4 million and $0.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $13.8 million and $3.1 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Transaction and integration costs have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and in cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Pro forma Financial Information (Unaudited)

The pro forma results presented below include the effects of the Company's acquisitions during 2016 and 2017 as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016. The pro forma net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, includes adjustments to revenue and cost of telecommunication services to eliminate inter-company activity, adjustments to deferred revenue and deferred cost from the acquired companies and the elimination of certain taxes presented as revenue by the acquired companies. The pro forma adjustments are based on historically reported transactions by the acquired companies. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2016.

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
(Amounts in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenue	$	240,554		$	234,924	$	726,139		$	694,001
Net (loss) income	$	(13,482	)	$	4,716	$	(35,017	)	$	402
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Diluted	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,331,935		41,160,317			42,178,479
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,965,793		41,160,317			42,661,286

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The goodwill balance was $593.1 million and $280.6 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Additionally, the Company's intangible asset balance was $413.0 million and $193.9 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The additions to both goodwill and intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 relate to the acquisitions of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity (refer to Note 2). The additions to intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also include the purchases of customer contracts.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Global Capacity		Perseus		Hibernia		Prior Year Acquisitions		Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	280,593	$	280,593
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	84,640		23,375		186,538		—		294,553
Adjustments to current year business combinations	—		8,161		9,519		—		17,680
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	—		—		—		280		280
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	84,640	$	31,536	$	196,057	$	280,873	$	593,106

The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

		September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Amortization Period	Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer contracts	3-10 years	$	529,810	$	137,735	$	392,075	$	267,755	$	91,136	$	176,619
Non-compete agreements	3-5 years	4,571		4,491		80		4,572		4,420		152
Point-to-point FCC license fees	3 years	1,697		1,697		—		1,695		1,268		427
Intellectual property	10 years	4,052		2,658		1,394		17,379		2,076		15,303
Trade name	3 years	22,979		3,564		19,415		3,092		1,657		1,435
		$	563,109	$	150,145	$	412,964	$	294,493	$	100,557	$	193,936

Amortization expense was $17.0 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $49.6 million and $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2017 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	$	412,964

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ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The following table summarizes the Company’s accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Compensation and benefits	$	12,657	$	10,035
Selling, general and administrative	5,861		4,492
Carrier costs	14,680		13,543
Restructuring	15,670		3,247
Interest	9,494		657
Fiber pair repurchase	20,000		—
Customer pass-through taxes	6,607		3,213
Other	7,920		1,701
	$	92,889	$	36,888

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DEFERRED REVENUE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]

DEFERRED REVENUE

DEFERRED REVENUE

The total deferred revenue as of September 30, 2017 was $173.7 million, consisting of unamortized prepaid capacity sales, IRUs, deferred non-recurring revenue, and unearned revenue for amounts billed in advance to customers. Deferred revenue is recognized as current and noncurrent deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Prepaid capacity sales and IRUs represent $126.7 million of the total deferred revenue balance as of September 30, 2017 and remaining amortization at September 30, 2017 and in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Capacity Sales and IRUs
2017 remaining	$	5,430
2018	15,681
2019	11,249
2020	10,919
2021	10,049
2022 and beyond	73,347
	$	126,675

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DEBT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

DEBT

DEBT

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, long-term debt was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Term loan	$	694,750		$	425,775
7.875% Senior unsecured notes	450,000			300,000
Revolving line of credit	—			20,000
Total debt obligations	1,144,750			745,775
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(30,806		)	(9,310		)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,941			(6,957		)
Carrying value of debt	1,115,885			729,508
Less current portion	(7,000		)	(4,300		)
Long-term debt less current portion	$	1,108,885		$	725,208

2017 Credit Agreement

On January 9, 2017, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") that provides a $700.0 million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving line of credit facility (which includes a $25.0 million letter of credit facility). In addition, the Company may request incremental term loan and/or incremental revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of $150.0 million and an unlimited amount that is subject to pro forma compliance with certain net secured leverage ratio tests provided, however, that incremental revolving loan commitments may not exceed $25.0 million. The term loan facility was issued at an original issuance discount of $3.5 million.

The maturity date of the term loan facility is January 9, 2024 and the maturity date of the revolving line of credit facility is January 9, 2022. The principal amount of the term loan facility is payable in equal quarterly installments of $1.8 million commencing on March 31, 2017 and continuing thereafter until the maturity date when the remaining balance of outstanding principal amount is payable in full. In addition to scheduled mandatory repayments, the Company is also required to repay an amount of up to 50% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). No such excess cash payments were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The Company may prepay loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement at any time, subject to certain notice requirements and LIBOR breakage costs.

At the Company's election, the loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement may be made as either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans. The Eurodollar Loans are subject to a floor of 1.00%.

On July 10, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "Repricing Amendment") to the 2017 Credit Agreement. The Repricing Amendment, among other things, reduced the applicable margin on Tranche B Term Loans from 3.00% to 2.25% for Base Rate Loans and from 4.00% to 3.25% for Eurodollar Loans, and reduced the applicable margin on revolving loans from 2.50% to 2.00% for Base Rate Loans and from 3.50% to 3.00% for Eurodollar Loans.  The amendment also established a soft call protection of 1.0% through January 10, 2018 for certain prepayments, refinancings, and amendments.

The effective interest rates on the term loan at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was4.6% and 5.8%, respectively.

The obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by the substantial majority of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and the guarantors.

The 2017 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the term loan facility, but includes a maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio applicable to the revolving credit facility in the event that utilization exceeds 30% of the revolving loan facility commitment.

The unused and available amount of the revolving line of credit facility at September 30, 2017 was as follows:

Committed capacity	$	75,000
Borrowings outstanding	—
Letters of credit issued	(3,296		)
Unused and available	$	71,704

On October 12, 2017, the Company entered into an Incremental Revolving Credit Assumption Agreement to increase its revolving line of credit facility from $75.0 million to $100.0 million.

7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes

In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "Original Notes"). The proceeds from the Original Notes were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia in January 2017. The Company recognized the proceeds from the private offering as restricted cash and cash equivalents in its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016. The funds were subsequently released with the closing of Hibernia. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $9.7 million, of which $0.5 million was incurred in 2016 and the remainder was incurred in 2017.

In June 2017, the Company completed a private offering of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "June 2017 Notes"). The June 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Company's Original Notes (together with the June 2017 Notes, the "Existing Notes").  The June 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Original Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The June 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $9.0 million. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $2.9 million.

On October 10, 2017, the Company completed a private offering of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the "October 2017 Notes"). The October 2017 Notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities with the Existing Notes.  The October 2017 Notes have identical terms as the Existing Notes, other than the issue date and offering price. The October 2017 Notes were issued at a premium of $7.5 million. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $2.0 million.

Term Loan and 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes Contractual Maturities

The aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized OID) were as follows as of September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Total debt
2017 remaining	$	1,750
2018	7,000
2019	7,000
2020	7,000
2021	7,000
2022 and beyond	1,115,000
	$	1,144,750

Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

The following table summarizes the debt issuance costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Revolving Line of Credit			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(7,765	)	$	(481	)	$	(1,064	)	$	(9,310	)
Debt issuance costs incurred	(14,467		)	(13,660		)	(1,754		)	(29,881		)
Amortization	1,622			812			204			2,638
Loss on debt extinguishment	5,397			—			350			5,747
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(15,213	)	$	(13,329	)	$	(2,264	)	$	(30,806	)

Debt issuance costs are presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Interest expense associated with the amortization of debt issuance costs was $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $2.6 million and $1.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table summarizes the original issuance discount and premium activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(6,957	)	$	—		$	(6,957	)
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium	(3,500		)	9,000			5,500
Amortization	781			(283		)	498
Loss on debt extinguishment	2,900			—			2,900
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(6,776	)	$	8,717		$	1,941

OID is presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Interest expense, net associated with the amortization of OID was $(27) thousand and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company expensed an aggregate of $3.0 million and $8.6 million of debt issuance costs and OID that did not qualify for deferral as a "Loss on debt extinguishment" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Previous Debt Agreement - October 2015 Credit Agreement

On October 22, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “October 2015 Credit Agreement”) that provided for a $400.0 million term loan facility and a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (which includes a $15.0 million letter of credit facility and a $10.0 million swingline facility). As of December 31, 2016, the Company had drawn $20.0 million under the revolving line of credit and had $29.5 million of borrowing capacity available. Amounts outstanding under October 2015 Credit agreement were paid in full at the closing of the 2017 Credit Agreement. The previous term loan was issued at an OID of $8.0 million.

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Compensation Plan

The Company grants share-based equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, under the GTT Stock Plan. The GTT Stock Plan is limited to an aggregate 9,500,000 shares of which 8,174,240 have been issued and are outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

The GTT Stock Plan permits the granting of time-based stock options, time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock to employees and consultants of the Company, and non-employee directors of the Company.

Time-based options granted under the GTT Stock Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and expire no later than 10 years from the grant date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock option awards at the time of grant. The stock options generally vest over four years with 25% of the options becoming exercisable one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting 75% annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Time-based restricted stock granted under the GTT Stock Plan is valued at the GTT closing stock price on the date of grant. Time-based restricted stock generally vests over four years with 25% of the shares becoming unrestricted one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting 75% annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Performance-based restricted stock is granted under the GTT Stock Plan subject to the achievement of certain performance measures. Once achievement of these performance measures is considered probable, the Company starts to expense the fair value of the grant over the vesting period. The performance-based restricted stock is valued at the closing price on the date of grant. The performance grant vests quarterly over the vesting period once achievement of the performance measure has been met and approved by the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, as administrator of the GTT Stock Plan, has the discretion to authorize a different vesting schedule for any awards.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following tables summarize the share-based compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Stock options	$	354	$	446	$	1,029	$	1,178
Restricted stock	5,666		4,356		14,802		9,625
ESPP	38		42		129		93
Total	$	6,058	$	4,844	$	15,960	$	10,896

As of September 30, 2017, there was $47.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation awards. The following table summarizes the unrecognized compensation cost and the weighted average period over which the cost is expected to be amortized (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017
	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)
Time-based stock options	$	2,229	1.68
Time-based restricted stock	33,511		2.45
Performance-based restricted stock	11,349		1.39
Total	$	47,089	2.16

The following tables summarize the stock options and restricted stock granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands, except shares data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Time-based stock options granted	—		3,000		—		158,958
Fair value of stock options granted	$	—	$	30	$	—	$	971
Time-based restricted stock granted	258,088		100,059		949,896		629,362
Fair value of time-based restricted stock granted	$	8,076	$	1,846	$	28,066	$	9,170

Performance-based Restricted Stock

The Company granted $8.5 million of restricted stock during 2014 and early 2015 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2014 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2014 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the grant date. The Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants when the achievement of the performance criteria became probable, which was in the third quarter of 2015. The 2014 Performance Awards started vesting in the fourth quarter of 2015 when the performance criteria were met and they will continue to vest ratably through the third quarter of 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Performance Awards were fully vested.

The Company granted $17.4 million of restricted stock during 2015 and 2017 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2015 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2015 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the respective grant dates. Upon announcement of the Hibernia acquisition in November 2016, the achievement of two of the four performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, upon announcement of the Global Capacity acquisition in June 2017, the achievement of the final two performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to the 2015 Performance Awards of $1.5 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was recognized during the comparable 2016 period. As of September 30, 2017, unamortized compensation cost related to the unvested 2015 Performance Awards was $11.3 million.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") that permits eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at the lessor of the opening stock price or 85% of the closing stock price of the common stock during each of the three-month offering periods. The offering periods generally commence on the first day and the last day of each quarter. At September 30, 2017, 444,994 shares were available for issuance under the ESPP.

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INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for the effect of discrete items arising in the quarter. Each quarter the Company update its estimate of the annual effective tax rate.

The quarterly tax provision and the quarterly estimate of the Company's annual effective tax rate is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting pre-tax and taxable income (loss) and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, effects of acquisitions and integrations, audit-related developments, changes in the Company's stock price, foreign currency gains (losses), and tax law developments. Additionally, the Company's effective tax rate may be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss and impact of discrete items.

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $22.7 million, which included $5.4 million of net discrete tax benefits primarily attributable to excess tax benefits from share-based compensation.

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SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER EXIT COSTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER EXIT COSTS

SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING, AND OTHER EXIT COSTS

The Company incurred severance, restructuring and other exit costs associated with the acquisition of Hibernia, Perseus, and Global Capacity. These costs include employee severance costs, termination costs associated with facility leases and network agreements, and other exit costs related to the transactions.

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to the acquisitions mentioned above are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2016		Charges and Adjustments		Payments			Balance, September 30, 2017
Employee Termination Benefits	$	42	$	16,132	$	(7,349	)	$	8,825
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	859		3,491		(744		)	3,606
Other contract terminations	2,346		2,225		(1,332		)	3,239
	$	3,247	$	21,848	$	(9,425	)	$	15,670

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to prior year acquisitions are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2015		Charges and Adjustments			Payments			Balance, September 30, 2016
Employee Termination Benefits	$	1,903	$	870		$	(2,728	)	$	45
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	1,503		—			(838		)	665
Other contract terminations	3,427		(102		)	(586		)	2,739
	$	6,833	$	768		$	(4,152	)	$	3,449

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Estimated annual commitments under contractual obligations are as follows at September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Network Supply		Office Space		Capital Leases		Other
2017 remaining	$	40,310	$	1,726	$	560	$	796
2018	115,656		5,774		1,277		628
2019	62,454		4,962		223		1,500
2020	21,314		3,974		—		1,500
2021	7,008		3,462		—		1,125
2022 and beyond	44,100		7,992		—		—
	$	290,842	$	27,890	$	2,060	$	5,549

Network Supply Agreements

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had purchase obligations of $290.8 million associated with the telecommunications services that the Company has contracted to purchase from its suppliers. The Company’s supplier agreements fall into two key categories, the Company's core network backbone and customer specific locations (also referred to as 'last mile' locations). Supplier agreements associated with the Company's core network backbone are typically contracted on a one-year term and do not relate to any specific underlying customer commitments. The short-term duration allows the Company to take advantage of favorable pricing trends.

Supplier agreements associated with the Company's customer specific locations, which represents the substantial majority of the Company's network spending are typically contracted so the terms and conditions in both the vendor and customer contracts are substantially the same in terms of duration and capacity. The back-to-back nature of the Company’s contracts means that its network supplier obligations are generally mirrored by its customers' commitments to purchase the services associated with those obligations.

Office Space and Leases

The Company is currently headquartered in McLean, Virginia and has 17 other offices throughout North America, seven offices in Europe, one office in India, two offices in Hong Kong, and two offices in Brazil. The Company records rent expense using the straight-line method over the term of the respective lease agreement. Office facility rent expense was $1.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $3.2 million and $2.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. As of September 30, 2017, the Company does not believe that it is a party to any current or pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations and cash flows.

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ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 8, 2017. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and its results of operations. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year 2017 or for any other interim period. The December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet is condensed from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Reclassification Within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Reclassification Within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

As a result of policy alignments related to acquired businesses, certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation to better reflect the nature of these activities. The Company has reclassified $5.0 million from the "Deferred revenue and other liabilities" line to the "Non-cash deferred revenue" line and $2.0 million from the "Deferred costs and other assets" line to the "Non-cash deferred costs" line for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016. These reclassifications had no impact on the net change in cash and cash equivalents or cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for any periods presented.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used when establishing allowances for doubtful accounts and accruals for billing disputes, determining useful lives for depreciation and amortization and accruals for exit activities, assessing the need for impairment charges (including those related to intangible assets and goodwill), determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and estimating the grant date fair values used to compute the share-based compensation expense. Management evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and makes estimates based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company reports operating results and financial data in one operating and reporting segment. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and manages the Company as a single profit center in order to promote collaboration, provide comprehensive service offerings across its entire customer base, and provide incentives to employees based on the success of the organization as a whole. Although certain information regarding selected products or services are discussed for purposes of promoting an understanding of the Company's complex business, the chief operating decision maker manages the Company and allocates resources at the consolidated level.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company delivers six primary services to its customers — optical transport, WAN connectivity services, high bandwidth Internet connectivity services, managed network and security services, global communication and collaboration services, and video transport services. Certain of its current commercial activities have features that may be considered multiple elements, specifically when the Company sells its connectivity services in addition to customer premise equipment ("CPE"). The Company believes that there is sufficient evidence to determine each element’s fair value and, as a result, in those arrangements where there are multiple elements, the service revenue is recorded ratably over the term of the agreement and the equipment is accounted for as a sale, at the time of sale as long as collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company's services are provided under contracts that typically include an installation charge along with payments of recurring charges on a monthly basis for use of the services over a committed term. Its contracts with customers specify the terms and conditions for providing such services, including installation date, recurring and non-recurring fees, payment terms, and length of term. These contracts call for the Company to provide the service in question (e.g., data transmission between point A and point Z), to manage the activation process, and to provide ongoing support (in the form of service maintenance and trouble-shooting) during the service term. The contracts do not typically provide the customer any rights to use specifically identifiable assets. Furthermore, the contracts generally provide the Company with discretion to engineer (or re-engineer) a particular network solution to satisfy each customer’s data transmission requirement, and typically prohibit physical access by the customer to the network infrastructure used by the Company and its suppliers to deliver the services.

The Company recognizes revenue as follows:

Recurring Revenue. Recurring revenue represents the substantial majority of the Company's revenue, and consists of fees charged for ongoing services that are generally fixed in price and billed on a recurring monthly basis (one month in advance) for a specified term. At the end of the term, most contracts provide for a continuation of services on the same terms, either for a specified renewal period (e.g., one year) or on a month-to-month basis. The Company records recurring revenue based on the fees agreed to in each contract, as long as the contract is in effect.

Usage Revenue. Usage revenue represents variable charges for certain services, based on specific usage of those services, or usage above a fixed threshold, billed monthly in arrears. The Company records usage revenue based on actual usage charges billed using the rates and/or thresholds specified in each contract.

Non-recurring Revenue. Non-recurring revenue consists of charges for installation in connection with the delivery of recurring communications services, late payments, cancellation fees, early termination fees, and equipment sales. Fees billed for installation services are initially recorded as deferred revenue then recognized ratably over the contractual term of the recurring service. Fees charged for late payments, cancellation (pre-installation) or early termination (post-installation) are typically fixed or determinable per the terms of the respective contract, and are recognized as revenue when billed. In addition, from time to time the Company sells communications and/or networking equipment to its customers in connection with its data networking services. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of equipment at the contracted selling price when title to the equipment passes to the customer (generally F.O.B. origin).

Prepaid Capacity Sales and Indefeasible Right to Use. From time to time the Company sells capacity on a long-term basis, where a certain portion of the contracted revenue is prepaid upon acceptance of the service by the customer. This prepaid amount is initially recorded as deferred revenue and amortized ratably over the term of the contract. Certain of these prepaid capacity sales are in the form of Indefeasible Rights to Use ("IRUs"), where the customer has the right to use the capacity for the life of the fiber optic cable.  The Company records revenues from these prepaid leases of fiber optic cable IRUs over the term that the customer is given exclusive access to the assets, generally 20 years, consistent with our assumed useful life of the associated fiber optic cable.

The Company records revenue only when collectability is reasonably assured, irrespective of the type of revenue.

Universal Service Fund ("USF"), Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges

The Company is liable in certain cases for collecting regulatory fees and/or certain sales taxes from its customers and remitting the fees and taxes to the applicable governing authorities. Where the Company collects on behalf of a regulatory agency, the Company does not record any revenue. The Company records applicable taxes on a net basis.

Cost of Telecommunications Services

Cost of telecommunications services includes direct costs incurred in accessing other telecommunications providers’ networks in order to maintain the Company's global Tier 1 IP network and provide telecommunication services to the Company's customers, including access, co-location, and usage-based charges.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company issues three types of equity grants under its share-based compensation plan: time-based restricted stock, time-based stock options and performance-based restricted stock. The time-based restricted stock and stock options generally vest over a four-year period, contingent upon meeting the requisite service period requirement. Performance awards typically vest over a shorter period, e.g. one to two years, starting when the performance criteria established in the grant have been met.

The share price of the Company's common stock as reported on the NYSE MKT on the date of grant is used as the fair value for all restricted stock. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock options. Critical inputs into the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include the following: option exercise price; fair value of the stock; expected life of the option; annualized volatility of the stock; annual rate of quarterly dividends on the stock; and risk-free interest rate.

Implied volatility is calculated as of each grant date based on our historical stock price volatility along with an assessment of a peer group. Other than the expected life of the option, volatility is the most sensitive input to our option grants. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is determined by referencing the U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with the remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated based on our historical analysis of attrition levels. Forfeiture estimates are updated quarterly for actual forfeitures.

The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for performance awards when the Company considers the achievement of the performance criteria to be probable.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method pursuant to GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of the change. Further, deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected realization of available net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded on gross deferred tax assets when it is “more likely than not” that such asset will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings. The Company reviews its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required based upon these factors. Changes in the Company's assessment of the need for a valuation allowance could give rise to a change in such allowance, potentially resulting in additional expense or benefit in the period of change.

The Company's income tax provision includes U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and is based on pre-tax income or loss. In determining the annual effective income tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including its annual earnings and taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings were generated, the impact of state and local income taxes and its ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards.

Under GAAP for income taxes, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

In addition to net (loss) income, comprehensive (loss) income includes certain charges or credits to equity occurring other than as a result of transactions with stockholders. For the Company, this consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

(Loss) Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted (loss) earnings per share reflect, in periods with earnings and in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may include deposits with financial institutions as well as short-term money market instruments, certificates of deposit and debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in accordance with the terms and conditions of its Credit Agreement, which seeks to ensure both liquidity and safety of principal. The Company’s policy limits investments to instruments issued by the U.S. government and commercial institutions with strong investment grade credit ratings, and places restrictions on the length of maturity. As of September 30, 2017, the Company held no direct investments in auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles or non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted from operating use are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents. In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024. The proceeds of the private offering plus 60 days of prepaid interest, were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia Networks ("Hibernia") that occurred in January 2017. The proceeds were released from escrow at closing to fund the Hibernia acquisition.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable balances are stated at amounts due from the customer net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit extended is based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and is granted to qualified customers on an unsecured basis.

The Company, pursuant to its standard service contracts, is entitled to impose a monthly finance charge of a certain percentage per month with respect to amounts that are past due. The Company’s standard terms require payment within 30 days of the date of the invoice. The Company treats invoices as past due when they remain unpaid, in whole or in part, beyond the payment date set forth in the applicable service contract.

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the customer’s payment history and current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy. Specific reserves are also established on a case-by-case basis by management. Credit losses have been within management's estimates. Actual bad debts, when determined, reduce the allowance, the adequacy of which management then reassesses. The Company writes off accounts after a determination by management that the amounts at issue are no longer likely to be collected, following the exercise of reasonable collection efforts, and upon management's determination that the costs of pursuing collection outweighs the likelihood of recovery.

Deferred Costs, Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issue Discount

Deferred Costs

Installation costs related to provisioning of recurring communications services that the Company incurs from independent third party suppliers, directly attributable and necessary to fulfill a particular service contract, and which would not have been incurred but for the occurrence of that service contract, are recorded as deferred costs and expensed ratably over the contractual term of service in the same manner as the deferred revenue arising from that contract. Based on historical experience, the Company believes the initial contractual term is the best estimate for the period of earnings. If any installation costs exceed the amount of corresponding deferred revenue, the excess cost is recognized in the current period.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs represent costs that qualify for deferral associated with the issuance of new debt or the modification of existing debt facilities. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is presented as a reduction to the carrying value of long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized on the condensed consolidated statements of operations as interest expense.

Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

Original issuance discounts and premiums ("OID") is the difference between the face value of debt and the amount of principal received when the loan was originated. When the debt reaches maturity, the face value of the debt is payable. The Company recognizes OID by accretion of the discount or premium as interest expense, net over the term of the debt.

Property and Equipment

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset were to exceed its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be considered to be impaired. Impairment losses would then be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of, if any, are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.Depreciation on these assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Assets are recorded at acquired cost plus any internal labor to prepare the asset for installation to become functional. Assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lesser of the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets under lease. Leasehold improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease, excluding optional extensions, or the useful life. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Software Capitalization

Software Capitalization

Software development costs include costs to develop software programs to be used solely to meet the Company's internal needs. The Company capitalizes development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a function it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually, in October, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs between impairment testing dates.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as acquired customer contracts and relationships, (collectively "customer relationships"), trade names, intellectual property or know-how, are initially recorded at fair value. The Company amortizes these intangible assets over the determined useful life which generally ranges from three to eight years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable.

Business Combinations and Asset Purchases

Business Combinations

The Company includes the results of operations of the businesses that it acquires commencing on the respective dates of acquisition. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Asset Purchases

Periodically the Company acquires customer contracts that it accounts for as an asset purchase and records a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its estimated useful life. No goodwill is recorded in an asset purchase.

Accrued Supplier Expenses

Accrued Supplier Expenses

The Company accrues estimated charges owed to its suppliers for services. The Company bases this accrual on the supplier contract, the individual service order executed with the supplier for that service, and the length of time the service has been active.

Disputed Supplier Expenses

Disputed Supplier Expenses

In the normal course of business, the Company identifies errors by suppliers with respect to the billing of services. The Company performs bill verification procedures to ensure that errors in the Company's suppliers' billed invoices are identified and resolved. If the Company concludes that a vendor has billed inaccurately, the Company will record a liability only for the amount that it believes is owed.

Acquisition Earn-outs and Holdbacks

Acquisition Earn-outs and Holdbacks

Acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks represent either contingent consideration subject to re-measurement to fair value, or fixed deferred consideration to be paid out at some point in the future, typically on the one-year anniversary of an acquisition. Contingent consideration is remeasured to fair value at each reporting period. The portion of the deferred consideration due within one year is recorded as a current liability until paid, and any consideration due beyond one year is recorded in other long-term liabilities.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

Translation of Foreign Currencies

For non-U.S. subsidiaries, the functional currency is evaluated at the time of the Company's acquisition of such subsidiaries and on a periodic basis for financial reporting purposes. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been reported in U.S. Dollars by translating asset and liability amounts of foreign subsidiaries at the closing currency exchange rate, equity amounts at historical rates, and the results of operations and cash flow at the average currency exchange rate prevailing during the periods reported. The net effect of such translation gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders' equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than a subsidiary's functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising upon settlement of a transaction are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other expense, net.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following hierarchy of fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that can be assessed at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Inputs reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument's valuation.

When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, management considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers risks, restrictions, or other assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amounts reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill, tangible assets, and intangible assets. Such assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment indicators. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments potentially subject to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. At times during the periods presented, the Company had funds in excess of $250,000 insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or in excess of similar Deposit Insurance programs outside of the United States, on deposit at various financial institutions. Management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.

The Company's trade accounts receivable are generally unsecured and geographically dispersed.

Newly Adopted Accounting Principles and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Newly Adopted Accounting Principles

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The ASU changes five aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; and (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits for share-based payments are now recognized against income tax expense rather than additional paid-in capital and are included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows. The recognition of excess tax benefits has been applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. As of January 1, 2017, the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-09 was an increase in deferred tax assets of $11.2 million and a decrease in accumulated deficit of $11.2 million as a result of recognizing $27.8 million previously unrecognized excess tax benefits from share-based compensation. The Company will continue to account for forfeitures as they occur. Cash paid by by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. Additionally, the Company has applied the provisions of ASU 2016-09 on a prospective basis in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and prior periods have not been adjusted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The guidance includes indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. The new revenue recognition standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, with the option to early adopt it in the first quarter of 2017. The new standard also permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective method). The Company will adopt this new standard as of January 1, 2018 and currently expects to apply the modified retrospective method, which will require a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company has completed its initial assessment of the effect of adoption and is in the process of completing the assessment to quantify the impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Based on this initial assessment, the Company does not expect the standard to materially impact the amount and timing of revenue recognition. The new standard will require certain costs, primarily internal sales commissions, to be deferred rather than expensed, as they are currently. The new standard will also require additional disclosures for the estimate of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price for certain of our usage based contracts and contracts with price concessions. Additional disclosures will also be required regarding the judgments and changes in judgments for these estimates of the assets to be recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract and variable consideration. Both the Company’s initial impact assessment and its selected transition method may change depending on the results of the Company’s final assessment of the impact to its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year) to be recognized on the balance sheet as an asset and a lease liability. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method, whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The new standard will be effective for annual and interim periods, within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be presented using the modified retrospective method beginning with the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows in accordance with ASC 230. The ASU amends or clarifies guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, some of which include classification on debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but the Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard introduces a screen for determining when assets acquired are not a business and clarifies that a business must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that contribute to an output to be considered a business. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (Step 2) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (as determined in Step 1). The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of share-based equity awards must be accounted for as modifications. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award are not the same immediately before and after the modification. The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The table below details the calculations of (loss) earnings per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):  

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – (loss) earnings available to common stockholders	$	(9,519	)	$	5,127	$	(21,980	)	$	6,114
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,152,063		41,160,317			36,998,607
Effect of dilutive securities	—			633,858		—			482,807
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			37,785,921		41,160,317			37,481,414
(Loss) earnings per share: basic	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.17
(Loss) earnings per share: diluted	$	(0.23	)	$	0.14	$	(0.53	)	$	0.16

Schedule of Depreciable Lives Used for Classes of Assets

Depreciable lives used by the Company for its classes of assets are as follows:

Freehold Land and Buildings	30 years
Furniture and Fixtures	7 years
Fiber Optic Cable	20 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment	5 - 15 years
Leasehold Improvements	up to 10 years
Computer Hardware and Software	3-5 years

Schedule of Fair Values of Long-term Debt

The table below presents the fair values for the Company's long-term debt as well as the input level used to determine these fair values as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The carrying amounts exclude any debt issuance costs or original issuance discount:

					Fair Value Measurement Using
	Total Carrying Value in Consolidated Balance Sheet				Unadjusted Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (1) (Level 1)
(amounts in thousands)	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Liabilities not recorded at fair value in the Financial Statements:
Long-term debt, including the current portion:
Term loan	$	694,750	$	425,775	$	699,440	$	425,775
Senior notes	450,000		300,000		478,125		300,000
Total long-term debt, including current portion	$	1,144,750	$	725,775	$	1,177,565	$	725,775

⁽¹⁾ Fair value based on the bid quoted price.

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BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The table below reflects the Company's provisional estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for its acquisitions over the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Purchase Price	Hibernia			Perseus			Global Capacity
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate	$	529,600		$	37,500		$	104,000
Common stock (1)	86,092			—			53,649
Purchase consideration	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649
Purchase Price Allocation
Assets acquired:
Current assets	$	49,119		$	1,792		$	25,838
Property, plant and equipment	432,911			5,255			30,451
Other assets	359			—			1,554
Intangible assets - customer lists	166,740			13,840			43,800
Intangible assets - tradename	720			40			200
Intangible assets - other	—			140			5,600
Goodwill	196,057			31,536			84,640
Total assets acquired	845,906			52,603			192,083
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities	(40,749		)	(11,301		)	(17,911		)
Capital leases, long-term portion	—			(1,906		)	—
Deferred revenue	(163,300		)	—			(16,108		)
Deferred tax liability	(26,165		)	(1,708		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	—			(188		)	(415		)
Total liabilities assumed	(230,214		)	(15,103		)	(34,434		)
Net assets acquired	$	615,692		$	37,500		$	157,649

(1) Common stock fair value for Hibernia equals the closing share price of $27.80 less a discount for lack of marketability. Common stock fair value for Global Capacity equals the closing share price of $30.85 less a discount for lack of marketability.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Estimated amortization expense related to these for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	7,297
2018	27,595
2019	24,176
2020	24,176
2021	24,176
2022 and beyond	109,843
Total	$	217,263

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2017 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	$	412,964

Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2016.

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
(Amounts in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenue	$	240,554		$	234,924	$	726,139		$	694,001
Net (loss) income	$	(13,482	)	$	4,716	$	(35,017	)	$	402
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Diluted	$	(0.32	)	$	0.11	$	(0.85	)	$	0.01
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,331,935		41,160,317			42,178,479
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares	41,762,693			42,965,793		41,160,317			42,661,286

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Global Capacity		Perseus		Hibernia		Prior Year Acquisitions		Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	280,593	$	280,593
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	84,640		23,375		186,538		—		294,553
Adjustments to current year business combinations	—		8,161		9,519		—		17,680
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	—		—		—		280		280
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	84,640	$	31,536	$	196,057	$	280,873	$	593,106

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

		September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Amortization Period	Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Asset Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer contracts	3-10 years	$	529,810	$	137,735	$	392,075	$	267,755	$	91,136	$	176,619
Non-compete agreements	3-5 years	4,571		4,491		80		4,572		4,420		152
Point-to-point FCC license fees	3 years	1,697		1,697		—		1,695		1,268		427
Intellectual property	10 years	4,052		2,658		1,394		17,379		2,076		15,303
Trade name	3 years	22,979		3,564		19,415		3,092		1,657		1,435
		$	563,109	$	150,145	$	412,964	$	294,493	$	100,557	$	193,936

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Estimated amortization expense related to these for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	7,297
2018	27,595
2019	24,176
2020	24,176
2021	24,176
2022 and beyond	109,843
Total	$	217,263

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2017 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2017 remaining	$	19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	$	412,964

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ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table summarizes the Company’s accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Compensation and benefits	$	12,657	$	10,035
Selling, general and administrative	5,861		4,492
Carrier costs	14,680		13,543
Restructuring	15,670		3,247
Interest	9,494		657
Fiber pair repurchase	20,000		—
Customer pass-through taxes	6,607		3,213
Other	7,920		1,701
	$	92,889	$	36,888

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DEFERRED REVENUE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Deferred Revenue

Prepaid capacity sales and IRUs represent $126.7 million of the total deferred revenue balance as of September 30, 2017 and remaining amortization at September 30, 2017 and in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Capacity Sales and IRUs
2017 remaining	$	5,430
2018	15,681
2019	11,249
2020	10,919
2021	10,049
2022 and beyond	73,347
	$	126,675

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DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

The following table summarizes the debt issuance costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Revolving Line of Credit			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(7,765	)	$	(481	)	$	(1,064	)	$	(9,310	)
Debt issuance costs incurred	(14,467		)	(13,660		)	(1,754		)	(29,881		)
Amortization	1,622			812			204			2,638
Loss on debt extinguishment	5,397			—			350			5,747
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(15,213	)	$	(13,329	)	$	(2,264	)	$	(30,806	)

The unused and available amount of the revolving line of credit facility at September 30, 2017 was as follows:

Committed capacity	$	75,000
Borrowings outstanding	—
Letters of credit issued	(3,296		)
Unused and available	$	71,704

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, long-term debt was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Term loan	$	694,750		$	425,775
7.875% Senior unsecured notes	450,000			300,000
Revolving line of credit	—			20,000
Total debt obligations	1,144,750			745,775
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(30,806		)	(9,310		)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,941			(6,957		)
Carrying value of debt	1,115,885			729,508
Less current portion	(7,000		)	(4,300		)
Long-term debt less current portion	$	1,108,885		$	725,208

The following table summarizes the original issuance discount and premium activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Term Loan			7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes			Total
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(6,957	)	$	—		$	(6,957	)
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium	(3,500		)	9,000			5,500
Amortization	781			(283		)	498
Loss on debt extinguishment	2,900			—			2,900
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	(6,776	)	$	8,717		$	1,941

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

The aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized OID) were as follows as of September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Total debt
2017 remaining	$	1,750
2018	7,000
2019	7,000
2020	7,000
2021	7,000
2022 and beyond	1,115,000
	$	1,144,750

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs

The following tables summarize the share-based compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Stock options	$	354	$	446	$	1,029	$	1,178
Restricted stock	5,666		4,356		14,802		9,625
ESPP	38		42		129		93
Total	$	6,058	$	4,844	$	15,960	$	10,896

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Cost, Nonvested Awards

The following table summarizes the unrecognized compensation cost and the weighted average period over which the cost is expected to be amortized (amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2017
	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)
Time-based stock options	$	2,229	1.68
Time-based restricted stock	33,511		2.45
Performance-based restricted stock	11,349		1.39
Total	$	47,089	2.16

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity

The following tables summarize the stock options and restricted stock granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands, except shares data):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Time-based stock options granted	—		3,000		—		158,958
Fair value of stock options granted	$	—	$	30	$	—	$	971
Time-based restricted stock granted	258,088		100,059		949,896		629,362
Fair value of time-based restricted stock granted	$	8,076	$	1,846	$	28,066	$	9,170

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SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER EXIT COSTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to the acquisitions mentioned above are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2016		Charges and Adjustments		Payments			Balance, September 30, 2017
Employee Termination Benefits	$	42	$	16,132	$	(7,349	)	$	8,825
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	859		3,491		(744		)	3,606
Other contract terminations	2,346		2,225		(1,332		)	3,239
	$	3,247	$	21,848	$	(9,425	)	$	15,670

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to prior year acquisitions are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Balance, December 31, 2015		Charges and Adjustments			Payments			Balance, September 30, 2016
Employee Termination Benefits	$	1,903	$	870		$	(2,728	)	$	45
Contract Terminations:
Lease terminations	1,503		—			(838		)	665
Other contract terminations	3,427		(102		)	(586		)	2,739
	$	6,833	$	768		$	(4,152	)	$	3,449

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Estimated Annual Commitments Under Contractual Obligations

Estimated annual commitments under contractual obligations are as follows at September 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

	Network Supply		Office Space		Capital Leases		Other
2017 remaining	$	40,310	$	1,726	$	560	$	796
2018	115,656		5,774		1,277		628
2019	62,454		4,962		223		1,500
2020	21,314		3,974		—		1,500
2021	7,008		3,462		—		1,125
2022 and beyond	44,100		7,992		—		—
	$	290,842	$	27,890	$	2,060	$	5,549

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ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Narrative (Details)		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) service	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) service equity_grant segment	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Deferred revenue and liabilities								$ 10,165,000	$ (7,009,000)
Non-cash deferred revenue								(28,018,000)	(4,964,000)
Deferred costs								(500,000)	(4,358,000)
Non-cash deferred costs								$ (4,253,000)	(1,999,000)
Number of operating segments (in segments) | segment								1
Number of reporting segments (in segments) | segment								1
Number of primary services | service					6			6
Number of types of equity grants | equity_grant								3
Allowance for doubtful accounts			$ 2,700,000		$ 3,800,000			$ 3,800,000				$ 2,700,000
Capitalized software costs					400,000	$ 400,000		1,200,000	1,200,000
Goodwill impairment								0
Intangible asset impairment								0
Goodwill			280,593,000		593,106,000			593,106,000				280,593,000
Disputed supplier expense			5,800,000		4,200,000			4,200,000				5,800,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(9,310,000)		(30,806,000)			(30,806,000)				(9,310,000)
Unamortized debt premium					1,900,000			1,900,000
Unamortized discount			(6,957,000)		1,941,000			1,941,000				(6,957,000)
Cumulative effect of adjustment					(11,247,000)			$ (11,247,000)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	$ 27,800,000
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life								3 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life								8 years
Reclassification Adjustment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Deferred revenue and liabilities									5,000,000
Non-cash deferred revenue									0
Deferred costs									(2,000,000)
Non-cash deferred costs									0
Up-front Payments
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Recognition period								20 years
Time-Restricted Stock and Stock Options
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Award vesting period								4 years
7.875% Senior unsecured notes
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(481,000)		(13,329,000)			$ (13,329,000)				(481,000)
Unamortized discount			0		8,717,000			8,717,000				0
Senior Notes | 7.875% Senior unsecured notes
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 300,000,000.0									$ 300,000,000.0	$ 150,000,000.0
Stated percentage rate			7.875%									7.875%	7.875%
Period interest is in escrow			60 days
Unamortized debt premium													$ 9,000,000
Customer Contract Portfolios
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill					0			0
Customer Contract Portfolios | Customer Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price								37,300,000
Cash paid		$ 14,900,000						2,900,000
Customer Contract Portfolios | Scenario, Forecast | Customer Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cash paid				$ 19,500,000						$ 22,400,000
Customer Contracts Portfolios Acquired In Prior Year | Customer Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price												$ 41,300,000
Cash paid								18,000,000	$ 6,000,000			$ 20,000,000
Customer Contracts Portfolios Acquired In Prior Year | Scenario, Forecast | Customer Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cash paid							$ 3,300,000				$ 21,300,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	(11,200,000)
Accumulated Deficit
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adjustment					$ (11,247,000)			$ (11,247,000)
Accumulated Deficit | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adjustment	$ 11,200,000

XML

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – (loss) earnings available to common stockholders	$ (9,519)	$ 5,127	$ (21,980)	$ 6,114
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares (in shares)	41,762,693	37,152,063	41,160,317	36,998,607
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	633,858	0	482,807
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares (in shares)	41,762,693	37,785,921	41,160,317	37,481,414
Earnings (loss) per share: basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.14	$ (0.53)	$ 0.17
Earnings (loss) per share: diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.14	$ (0.53)	$ 0.16
Anti-dilutive items (in shares)				4,000

XML

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Schedule of Depreciable Lives of Assets (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Freehold Land and Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	30 years
Furniture and Fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Fiber Optic Cable
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	15 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Leasehold Improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Computer Hardware and Software | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Computer Hardware and Software | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years

XML

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Schedule of Carrying Amount of Debt (Details) - Unadjusted Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	$ 1,144,750	$ 725,775
Carrying Value | Term loan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	694,750	425,775
Carrying Value | Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	450,000	300,000
Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	1,177,565	725,775
Fair Value | Term loan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	699,440	425,775
Fair Value | Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, including current portion	$ 478,125	$ 300,000

XML

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 08, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate							$ 652,776,000	$ 14,146,000
Goodwill		$ 593,106,000			$ 593,106,000		593,106,000		$ 280,593,000
Business combination, integration related costs					3,400,000	$ 800,000	13,800,000	3,100,000
Amortization of intangible assets					17,000,000	$ 10,100,000	49,600,000	$ 29,500,000
Hibernia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate				$ 529,600,000
Cash acquired				$ 14,600,000
Consideration transferred (in shares)				3,329,872
Total common stock consideration	$ 75,000,000			$ 86,092,000
Goodwill		196,057,000		$ 196,057,000	196,057,000		196,057,000		0
Perseus Telecom
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate			$ 37,500,000
Total common stock consideration			0
Capital leases			1,900,000
Portion of initial cash consideration			4,000,000
Goodwill		31,536,000	$ 31,536,000		31,536,000		31,536,000		0
Global Capacity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate		104,000,000
Cash acquired		$ 4,000,000
Consideration transferred (in shares)		1,850,000
Total common stock consideration		$ 53,649,000
Portion of initial cash consideration		10,000,000
Goodwill		84,640,000			84,640,000		84,640,000		$ 0
Hibernia, Perseus and Global Capacity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes		$ 0			0		0
Amortization of intangible assets					$ 4,700,000		$ 13,800,000
Customer relationships | Hibernia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life				10 years
Customer relationships | Perseus Telecom
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life			8 years
Customer relationships | Global Capacity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life		8 years
Trademarks | Hibernia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life				2 years

XML

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Acquisition Date Fair Values (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Nov. 08, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate					$ 652,776	$ 14,146
Assets acquired:
Goodwill		$ 593,106			593,106		$ 280,593
Hibernia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate				$ 529,600
Common stock	$ 75,000			86,092
Purchase consideration				615,692
Assets acquired:
Current assets				49,119
Property, plant and equipment				432,911
Other assets				359
Goodwill		196,057		196,057	196,057		0
Total assets acquired				845,906
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities				(40,749)
Capital leases, long-term portion				0
Deferred revenue				(163,300)
Deferred tax liability				(26,165)
Other long-term liabilities				0
Total liabilities assumed				(230,214)
Net assets acquired				$ 615,692
Share price (in dollars per share)				$ 27.80
Perseus Telecom
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate			$ 37,500
Common stock			0
Purchase consideration			37,500
Assets acquired:
Current assets			1,792
Property, plant and equipment			5,255
Other assets			0
Goodwill		31,536	31,536		31,536		0
Total assets acquired			52,603
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities			(11,301)
Capital leases, long-term portion			(1,906)
Deferred revenue			0
Deferred tax liability			(1,708)
Other long-term liabilities			(188)
Total liabilities assumed			(15,103)
Net assets acquired			37,500
Global Capacity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid at closing, including working capital estimate		104,000
Common stock		53,649
Purchase consideration		157,649
Assets acquired:
Current assets		25,838			25,838
Property, plant and equipment		30,451			30,451
Other assets		1,554			1,554
Goodwill		84,640			84,640		$ 0
Total assets acquired		192,083			192,083
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities		(17,911)			(17,911)
Capital leases, long-term portion		0			0
Deferred revenue		(16,108)			(16,108)
Deferred tax liability		0			0
Other long-term liabilities		(415)			(415)
Total liabilities assumed		(34,434)			(34,434)
Net assets acquired		$ 157,649			$ 157,649
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 30.85			$ 30.85
Customer Lists | Hibernia
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets				$ 166,740
Customer Lists | Perseus Telecom
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets			13,840
Customer Lists | Global Capacity
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets		$ 43,800			$ 43,800
Trade name | Hibernia
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets				720
Trade name | Perseus Telecom
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets			40
Trade name | Global Capacity
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets		200			200
Other | Hibernia
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets				$ 0
Other | Perseus Telecom
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets			$ 140
Other | Global Capacity
Assets acquired:
Intangible assets		$ 5,600			$ 5,600

XML

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
2017 remaining	$ 19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	412,964	$ 193,936
Hibernia, Perseus and Global Capacity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
2017 remaining	7,297
2018	27,595
2019	24,176
2020	24,176
2021	24,176
2022 and beyond	109,843
Total	$ 217,263

XML

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 240,554	$ 234,924	$ 726,139	$ 694,001
Net (loss) income	$ (13,482)	$ 4,716	$ (35,017)	$ 402
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)	$ 0.11	$ (0.85)	$ 0.01
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.32)	$ 0.11	$ (0.85)	$ 0.01
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares (in shares)	41,762,693	42,331,935	41,160,317	42,178,479
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares (in shares)	41,762,693	42,965,793	41,160,317	42,661,286

XML

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 593,106		$ 593,106		$ 280,593
Intangible assets, net	412,964		412,964		$ 193,936
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 17,000	$ 10,100	$ 49,600	$ 29,500

XML

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period	$ 280,593
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	294,553
Adjustments to current year business combinations	17,680
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	280
Goodwill end of period	593,106
Global Capacity
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period	0
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	84,640
Adjustments to current year business combinations	0
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	0
Goodwill end of period	84,640
Perseus
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period	0
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	23,375
Adjustments to current year business combinations	8,161
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	0
Goodwill end of period	31,536
Hibernia
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period	0
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	186,538
Adjustments to current year business combinations	9,519
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	0
Goodwill end of period	196,057
Prior Year Acquisitions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period	280,593
Initial goodwill associated with current year business combinations	0
Adjustments to current year business combinations	0
Adjustments to prior year business combinations	280
Goodwill end of period	$ 280,873

XML

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Cost	$ 563,109	$ 294,493
Accumulated Amortization	150,145	100,557
Total	$ 412,964	193,936
Minimum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years
Maximum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	8 years
Customer contracts
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Cost	$ 529,810	267,755
Accumulated Amortization	137,735	91,136
Total	$ 392,075	$ 176,619
Customer contracts | Minimum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years	3 years
Customer contracts | Maximum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years	10 years
Non-compete agreements
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Cost	$ 4,571	$ 4,572
Accumulated Amortization	4,491	4,420
Total	$ 80	$ 152
Non-compete agreements | Minimum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years	3 years
Non-compete agreements | Maximum
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	5 years	5 years
Point-to-point FCC license fees
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years	3 years
Gross Asset Cost	$ 1,697	$ 1,695
Accumulated Amortization	1,697	1,268
Total	$ 0	$ 427
Intellectual property
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years	10 years
Gross Asset Cost	$ 4,052	$ 17,379
Accumulated Amortization	2,658	2,076
Total	$ 1,394	$ 15,303
Trade name
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years	3 years
Gross Asset Cost	$ 22,979	$ 3,092
Accumulated Amortization	3,564	1,657
Total	$ 19,415	$ 1,435

XML

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2017 remaining	$ 19,429
2018	70,759
2019	62,485
2020	59,457
2021	57,912
2022 and beyond	142,922
Total	$ 412,964	$ 193,936

XML

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits	$ 12,657	$ 10,035
Selling, general and administrative	5,861	4,492
Carrier costs	14,680	13,543
Restructuring	15,670	3,247
Interest	9,494	657
Fiber pair repurchase	20,000	0
Customer pass-through taxes	6,607	3,213
Other	7,920	1,701
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 92,889	$ 36,888

XML

DEFERRED REVENUE - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Total deferred revenue	$ 173,700
Prepaid capacity sales and IRUs
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Total deferred revenue	$ 126,675

XML

DEFERRED REVENUE - Schedule of Estimated Amortization (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Total deferred revenue	$ 173,700
Capacity Sales and IRUs
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
2017 remaining	5,430
2018	15,681
2019	11,249
2020	10,919
2020	10,049
2022 and beyond	73,347
Total deferred revenue	$ 126,675

XML

DEBT - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations	$ 1,144,750	$ 745,775
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(30,806)	(9,310)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,941	(6,957)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	1,115,885	729,508
Carrying value of debt	(7,000)	(4,300)
Less current portion	1,108,885	725,208
7.875% Senior unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(13,329)	(481)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	8,717	0
Term loan | Credit Agreement January 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations	694,750	425,775
Senior Notes | 7.875% Senior unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations	450,000	300,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations	0
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving line of credit | Credit Agreement January 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations	$ 0	$ 20,000

XML

DEBT - Narrative (Details)				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 10, 2017	Jan. 09, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 22, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 12, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt premium				$ 1,900,000		$ 1,900,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs				1,000,000	$ 300,000	2,638,000	$ 1,188,000
Debt discount amortization				(27,000)	300,000	498,000	600,000
Loss on debt extinguishment				(2,988,000)	$ 0	(8,647,000)	$ (1,632,000)
Total debt obligations				1,144,750,000		1,144,750,000					$ 745,775,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				75,000,000		75,000,000
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity				$ 71,704,000		71,704,000
Credit Agreement January 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase in borrowing capacity limit		$ 150,000,000.0
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		700,000,000.0
Original issuance discount		3,500,000
Quarterly installments		$ 1,800,000.0				$ 0
Percentage of excess cash flow above the maximum net secured leverage ratio (up to)		50.00%
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Term Loan | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		3.00%
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Term Loan | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		4.00%
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 75,000,000.0
Increase in borrowing capacity limit		$ 25,000,000.0
Consolidated net secured leverage ratio (more than)		0.3
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		2.50%
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Revolving Credit Facility | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		3.50%
Credit Agreement January 2017 | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 25,000,000.0
Repricing Amendment, Tranche B Term Loan | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage				4.60%		4.60%					5.80%
Percentage of soft call protection	1.00%
Repricing Amendment, Tranche B Term Loan | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.25%
Repricing Amendment, Tranche B Term Loan | Revolving Credit Facility | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	3.25%
7.875% Senior unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of debt issuance costs						$ 812,000
Debt discount amortization						(283,000)
7.875% Senior unsecured notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount										$ 150,000,000.0	$ 300,000,000.0
Stated percentage rate										7.875%	7.875%
Debt issuance costs										$ 2,900,000	$ 9,700,000
Debt premium										$ 9,000,000
Total debt obligations				$ 450,000,000		$ 450,000,000					300,000,000
7.875% Senior unsecured notes | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated percentage rate				7.875%		7.875%
Senior Notes Offering, December 2024 Incurred in 2017 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs											500,000
Credit Agreement, October 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 400,000,000.0
Credit Agreement, October 2015 | 7.875% Senior note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt obligations											20,000,000
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity											$ 29,500,000
Credit Agreement, October 2015 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			50,000,000.0
Credit Agreement, October 2015 | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			15,000,000.0
Debt discount amortization			8,000,000
Credit Agreement, October 2015 | Swingline Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 10,000,000.0
Minimum | Credit Agreement January 2017 | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage		1.00%
Minimum | Repricing Amendment, Tranche B Term Loan | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Minimum | Repricing Amendment, Tranche B Term Loan | Revolving Credit Facility | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Subsequent Event | Credit Agreement January 2017 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 100,000,000.0
Subsequent Event | Senior Notes Offering, October 2017 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount									$ 125,000,000.0
Debt issuance costs									2,000,000
Debt premium									$ 7,500,000

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DEBT - Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2017 remaining	$ 1,750
2018	7,000
2019	7,000
2020	7,000
2021	7,000
2022 and beyond	1,115,000
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net	$ 1,144,750	$ 745,775

XML

DEBT - Schedule Of Revolving Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	$ 1,144,750	$ 745,775
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Committed capacity	75,000
Letters of credit issued	(3,296)
Unused and available	71,704
Revolving line of credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	$ 0

XML

DEBT - Schedule Of Debt Issuance Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Issuance Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (9,310)
Debt issuance costs incurred			(29,881)
Amortization	$ 1,000	$ 300	2,638	$ 1,188
Loss on debt extinguishment			5,747
Ending balance	(30,806)		(30,806)
Term Loan
Debt Issuance Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(7,765)
Debt issuance costs incurred			(14,467)
Amortization			1,622
Loss on debt extinguishment			5,397
Ending balance	(15,213)		(15,213)
7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Issuance Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(481)
Debt issuance costs incurred			(13,660)
Amortization			812
Loss on debt extinguishment			0
Ending balance	(13,329)		(13,329)
Revolving Line of Credit
Debt Issuance Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(1,064)
Debt issuance costs incurred			(1,754)
Amortization			204
Loss on debt extinguishment			350
Ending balance	$ (2,264)		$ (2,264)

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DEBT - Schedule Of Debt Discount And Premium (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Original Issuance Discount And Premium [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (6,957)
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium			5,500
Amortization	$ (27)	$ 300	498	$ 600
Loss on debt extinguishment			2,900
Ending balance	1,941		1,941
Term Loan
Original Issuance Discount And Premium [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(6,957)
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium			(3,500)
Amortization			781
Loss on debt extinguishment			2,900
Ending balance	(6,776)		(6,776)
7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes
Original Issuance Discount And Premium [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			0
New Original Issuance (Discount)/Premium			9,000
Amortization			(283)
Loss on debt extinguishment			0
Ending balance	$ 8,717		$ 8,717

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)	9,500,000		9,500,000
Awards outstanding and issued (in shares)	8,174,240		8,174,240
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 47,089,000		$ 47,089,000
ESPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Purchase price of common stock, percent			85.00%
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	444,994		444,994
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of shares granted	$ 0	$ 30,000	$ 0	$ 971,000
Performance Shares | 2015 Performance Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of shares granted			17,400,000		$ 17,400,000
Allocated share-based compensation expense	1,500,000	$ 0	$ 4,200,000	$ 0
Stock Option 25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term			4 years
Stock Option 25 | Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term			4 years
Stock Option 75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term			3 years
Percent of awards vesting after initial year			75.00%
Stock Option 75 | Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term			3 years
Percent of awards vesting after initial year			75.00%
Periodic Vesting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Purchase price of common stock, percent (at least)			100.00%
Periodic Vesting | Employee Director Consultant Stock Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Term of award (no later than)			10 years
Periodic Vesting | Stock Option 25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Annual vesting percentage			25.00%
Periodic Vesting | Stock Option 25 | Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Annual vesting percentage			25.00%
2014 Performance Awards | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of shares granted					$ 8,500,000	$ 8,500,000
2015 Performance Awards | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 11,300,000		$ 11,300,000

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule of Share-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Selling, general and administrative expenses - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 6,058	$ 4,844	$ 15,960	$ 10,896
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	354	446	1,029	1,178
Restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	5,666	4,356	14,802	9,625
ESPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 38	$ 42	$ 129	$ 93

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	$ 47,089
Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)	2 years 1 month 28 days
Time-based stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, Time-based stock options	$ 2,229
Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)	1 year 8 months 5 days
Time-based restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, Time-based and Performance-based restricted stock	$ 33,511
Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)	2 years 5 months 12 days
Performance-based restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, Time-based and Performance-based restricted stock	$ 11,349
Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)	1 year 4 months 21 days

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule of Stock Options (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time-based stock options granted (in shares)	0	3,000	0	158,958
Fair value of shares granted	$ 0	$ 30	$ 0	$ 971
Time-based restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of shares granted	$ 8,076	$ 1,846	$ 28,066	$ 9,170
Time-based restricted stock granted (in shares)	258,088	100,059	949,896	629,362

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INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax benefit	$ (8,648)	$ (89)	$ (22,719)	$ 320
Net discrete tax benefits primarily attributable to excess tax benefits			$ (5,400)

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SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER EXIT COSTS - Schedule of Exit Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,247	$ 6,833
Charges and Adjustments	21,848	768
Payments	(9,425)	(4,152)
Ending balance	15,670	3,449
Employee Termination Benefits
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	42	1,903
Charges and Adjustments	16,132	870
Payments	(7,349)	(2,728)
Ending balance	8,825	45
Lease terminations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	859	1,503
Charges and Adjustments	3,491	0
Payments	(744)	(838)
Ending balance	3,606	665
Other contract terminations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,346	3,427
Charges and Adjustments	2,225	(102)
Payments	(1,332)	(586)
Ending balance	$ 3,239	$ 2,739

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Commitment Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) office	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) office category	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
2017 remaining	$ 560		$ 560
2018	1,277		1,277
2019	223		223
2020	0		0
2021	0		0
2022 and beyond	0		0
Capital lease obligation	2,060		2,060
Office Space
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
2017 remaining	1,726		1,726
2018	5,774		5,774
2019	4,962		4,962
2020	3,974		3,974
2021	3,462		3,462
2022 and beyond	7,992		7,992
Operating lease obligation	27,890		27,890
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Office facility rent expense	1,100	$ 700	3,200	$ 2,600
Other
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
2017 remaining	796		796
2018	628		628
2019	1,500		1,500
2020	1,500		1,500
2021	1,125		1,125
2022 and beyond	0		0
Operating lease obligation	5,549		5,549
Network Supply
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity
2017 remaining	40,310		40,310
2018	115,656		115,656
2019	62,454		62,454
2020	21,314		21,314
2021	7,008		7,008
2022 and beyond	44,100		44,100
Contractual obligation	$ 290,842		$ 290,842
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Contractual obligation, number of key categories | category			2
Contract term			1 year
North America
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Number of offices | office	17		17
Europe
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Number of offices | office	7		7
India
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Number of offices | office	1		1
Hong Kong
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity
Number of offices | office	2		2