Basis of Presentation and Other Information (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Adoption of New Accounting Principles

There have been no material developments related to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company.

Investment

SERP Investments at Fair Value: The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) is a benefit plan that provides deferred compensation to certain employees. The Company holds the related investments in a rabbi trust as a source of funding for future payments under the plan. The SERP’s investments were designated as trading securities and will be liquidated and

paid out to the participants upon retirement. The benefit obligation to participants is always equal to the value of the SERP assets under ASC 710, Compensation. Changes to the investments' fair value are presented in Other income (expense), while the reciprocal changes in the liability are presented in selling, general and administrative expense. At March 31, 2021, an additional $0.8 million of SERP investments were presented as prepaid expenses and other (current assets) as we intend to liquidate certain investments to pay the current portion of our SERP obligation.

Cost Method Investments: Our investment in CoBank’s Class A common stock represented substantially all of our cost method investments with a balance of $10.0 million and $9.8 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. We recognized approximately $1.0 million of patronage income in Other income (expense) in both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Historically, approximately 75% of the patronage distributions were collected in cash and 25% in equity.

Equity Method Investments: At March 31, 2021, the Company had a 20.0% ownership interest in Valley Network Partnership (“ValleyNet”). The Company and ValleyNet purchase capacity on one another’s fiber network. We recognized revenue of $0.2 million from providing service to ValleyNet during both of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We recognized Cost of service of $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the use of ValleyNet’s network during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.