FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

In accordance with the provisions of fair value accounting, a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability, and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.

The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset and liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 assets and liabilities include money market funds, debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market.
Level 2	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes corporate obligations and non-exchange traded derivative contracts.
Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments and intangible assets that have been impaired whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2022
	Significant Other
	Quoted Prices in		Observable		Unobservable
	Active Markets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Money market funds	$	2,716	$	—	$	—	$	2,716
Short term investments		300		—		—		300
Other investments		—		—		1,862		1,862
Alaska Communications redeemable common units		—		—		(22,640)		(22,640)
Warrants on Alaska Communications redeemable common units		—		—		(559)		(559)
Total assets and liabilities measured at fair value	$	3,016	$	—	$	(21,337)	$	(18,321)

	December 31, 2021
	Significant Other
	Quoted Prices in		Observable		Unobservable
	Active Markets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Money market funds	$	3,301	$	—	$	—	$	3,301
Short term investments		300		—		—		300
Other investments		—		—		1,925		1,925
Alaska Communications redeemable common units		—		—		(22,640)		(22,640)
Warrants on Alaska Communications redeemable common units		—		—		(559)		(559)
Interest rate swap		—		(894)		—		(894)
Total assets and liabilities measured at fair value	$	3,601	$	(894)	$	(21,274)	$	(18,567)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the fair value of the remaining Level 3 investments decreased $0.1 million due to a cash distribution.

Money Market Funds

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, this asset class consisted of a money market portfolio that comprises Federal government and US Treasury securities. The asset class is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because its underlying investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Other Investments

The Company holds investments in equity securities consisting of noncontrolling investments in privately held companies. The investments are accounted for using equity method accounting, the measurement alternative for investments without a readily determinable fair value, or fair value. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company began to account for its former India solar operations under the equity method of accounting. The fair value investments are valued using level 3 inputs and the Company used the income approach to fair value the investment. The inputs consisted of a discount rate and future cash flows calculated based on the investment attributes. A roll forward of the investments is below:

	Investments without a readily determinable fair value		Fair value investments		Equity investments		Total
Balance, December 31, 2021	$	17,820	$	1,925	$	28,699	$	48,444
Sale of Investments(1)		—		—		(13,212)		(13,212)
Income (Loss) recognized		—		326		(2,163)		(1,837)
Contributions / (distributions)		—		(389)		2,750		2,361
Foreign currency loss		—		—		(1,815)		(1,815)
Gain recognized		4,770		—		—		4,770
Balance, September 30, 2022	$	22,590	$	1,862	$	14,259	$	38,711

(1) During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company sold an investment previously accounted for using the equity method for $15.7 million of cash. The investment had a book value of $13.2 and the Company recognized a gain of $2.5 million on the transaction.

These investments are included with other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Redeemable Common Units and Warrants

The Company issued redeemable common units, and warrants to purchase additional common units, in a subsidiary of the Company in connection with its acquisition of Alaska Communications (Refer to Note 6). The instruments are redeemable at the option of the holder. Both the common units and warrants to purchase common units are recorded at fair value in the Company’s financial statements. The common units are recorded in redeemable noncontrolling interest and the warrants are recorded in other liabilities on the Company’s balance sheets. The Company calculates the fair value of the instruments using a market approach with Level 3 inputs.

Other Fair Value Disclosures

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values because of the relatively short-term maturities of these financial instruments. The fair value of the interest rate swap is measured using Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using Level 2 inputs. At September 30, 2022, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $405.3 million and its book value was $399.2 million. At December 31, 2021, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $373.7 million and its book value was $366.5 million.