UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION




Washington, D.C. 20549






FORM 10-K




x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE


SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011


or


o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE


SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period fromto





Commission File No. 0-15279





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





State of Alaska

92-0072737(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S Employerincorporation or organization)

Identification No.)





2550 Denali StreetSuite 1000Anchorage, Alaska

99503(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)





Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (907) 868-5600


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:





Class A common stock

Class B common stock(Title of class)

(Title of class)







Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.




Yes o   No x




Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act.




Yes o   No x




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.




Yes x   No o




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).




Yes x   No o




1


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o




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





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





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





The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the average high and low prices of such stock as of the close of trading as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter of June 30, 2011 was $283,831,960. Shares of voting stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock (as publicly reported by such persons pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act) have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.





The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 1, 2012, was:


Class A common stock – 38,358,773 shares; and,


Class B common stock – 3,170,522 shares.








2





GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.


2011 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K


TABLE OF CONTENTS





Page No.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
4Part IItem I.
Business


4Item IA.
Risk Factors


27Item IB.
Unresolved Staff Comments


34Item 2.
Properties


34Item 3.
Legal Proceedings


34Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures


35Part
IIItem 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


35Item 6.
Selected Financial Data


39Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


39Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


64Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


64Item 9.
Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure


64Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures


64Item 9B.
Other Information


65Part IIIItem 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance


65Item 11.
Executive Compensation


71Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters


93Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence


97Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services


99Part IVItem 15.  Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules


101SIGNATURES


154








This Annual Report on Form 10-K is for the year ending December 31, 2011.  This Annual Report modifies and supersedes documents filed prior to this Annual Report.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows us to


“incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents.  Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part


of this Annual Report.  In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Annual Report.





3








Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements





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





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





Part I





Item 1. Business





General


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





GCI was incorporated in 1979 under the laws of the State of Alaska and has its principal executive offices at 2550 Denali Street, Suite 1000, Anchorage, AK 99503-2781 (telephone number 907-265-5600).





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





Availability of Reports and Other Information


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





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





4


Financial Information about Industry Segments


Our five reportable segments are Consumer, Network Access, Commercial, Managed Broadband, and Regulated Operations.





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





Narrative Description of our Business





General


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





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





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





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





Development of our Business During the Past Fiscal Year


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





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





5


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





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





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





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





Business Strategy


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





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





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





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





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





6


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





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





Description of our Business by Reportable Segment





Overview


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





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





Reportable SegmentsServices and Products
Consumer
Network Access
Commercial
Managed Broadband
Regulated OperationsVoice:Long-distance
X
X
X

XLocal Access
X
X
X

XVideo
X

XData:Internet
X
X
X
X
XData Networks

X
X
XManaged Services


X
XManaged Broadband Services



XWireless
X
X
X





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





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





Consumer Segment


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





7




Year Ended December 31,2011

2010

2009Total Consumer segment revenues1
$
352,574

342,898

294,925











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








Services and Products


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





Voice Services and Products


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





Long-Distance


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





Local Access


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





Video Services and Products


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





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





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





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





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





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





8


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





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





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





Data Services and Products


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





Internet


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





Wireless Services and Products


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





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





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





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





Bundled Services and Products


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





Sales and Marketing


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





9


Facilities


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





·
Alaska United East was placed into service in 1999 and connects Whittier, Valdez and Juneau, Alaska and Seattle, Washington,


·
Alaska United West was placed into service in 2004 and connects Seward, Alaska to Warrenton, Oregon, and


·
Alaska United Southeast was placed into service in 2008 and connects Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Angoon and Sitka, Alaska to Alaska United West and Alaska United East.





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





10


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





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





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





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





·
Our Anchorage facilities are connected to multiple Internet access points in Seattle through multiple, diversely routed networks;


·
We use multiple routers on each end of the circuits to control the flow of data and to provide resiliency; and


·
Our Anchorage facility consists of routers, a bank of servers that perform support and application functions, database servers providing authentication and user demographic data, layer 2 and layer 3 gigabit and 10 gigabit switch networks for intercommunications and broadband services.





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





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





Competition


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





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Voice Services and Products Competition


Long-Distance


The long-distance industry is intensely competitive and based upon price and bundling.





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





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





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





Local Access


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





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





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





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





Video Services and Products Competition


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





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





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





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





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





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





Data Services and Products Competition


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





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





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





Wireless Services and Products Competition


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





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





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





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





Seasonality


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





Network Access Segment


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





Year Ended December 31,2011

2010

2009Total Network Access segment revenues1
$
105,456

107,227

122,072








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








Services and Products


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





Voice Services and Products


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





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





Data Services and Products


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





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





Wireless Services and Products


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





Sales and Marketing


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





Facilities


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





Major Customer


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





Competition


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





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





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





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





Seasonality


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





Commercial Segment


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





Year Ended December 31,2011

2010

2009Total Commercial segment revenues1
$
136,101

128,458

110,135








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





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Services and Products


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





Voice Services and Products


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





Long-Distance


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





Local Access


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





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





Video Services and Products


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





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





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





Data Services and Products


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





Internet


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





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Data Networks


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





Managed Services


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





Wireless Services and Products


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





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





Bundled Services and Products


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





Sales and Marketing


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





Facilities


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





We provide our own facilities-based local access services to many of Anchorage’s larger business customers through expansion and deployment of SONET, optical ethernet, and passive optical network fiber transmission facilities, digital loop carrier facilities, and leased facilities.





Our dedicated Internet access and Internet protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching data services are delivered to an Ethernet port located at the service point. Our management platform constantly monitors this port and continual communications are maintained with all of the core and distribution elements in the network. The availability and quality of service, as well as statistical information on traffic loading, are continuously monitored for quality assurance. The manage­ment platform has the capability to remotely access routers, servers and layer two switches, permitting changes in configuration without the need to physically be at the service point. This management platform allows us to offer network monitoring and management services to businesses and governmental entities. Many of the largest commercial networks in Alaska use this service, including the State government.





Competition


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





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





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





Seasonality


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





Managed Broadband Segment


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





Year Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009Total Managed Broadband segment revenues1

$
63,248



49,962



44,875








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








Services and Products


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





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





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





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





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





Sales and Marketing


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





Facilities


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





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





·
In communities where we have terrestrial interconnects or provide existing service over regional earth stations, we have configured intermediate distribution facilities. Schools that are within these service boundaries are connected locally to one of those facilities;


·
In communities where we have extended communications services via our DAMA earth station program, SchoolAccess® is provided via a satellite circuit to an intermediate distribution facility at the Eagle River earth station; and


·
In communities or remote locations to which we have not extended communications services, SchoolAccess® is provided via a dedicated (usually on premise) very small aperture terminal ("VSAT") satellite station. The VSAT connects to an intermediate distribution facility located in Anchorage.





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





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





Competition


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





Seasonality


Our Managed Broadband segment does not exhibit seasonality.





Regulated Operations Segment


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





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Year Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009Total Regulated Operations segment revenues1

$
22,002



22,705



23,804








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








Services and Products


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





Sales and Marketing


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





Facilities


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





Competition


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





Seasonality


Our Regulated Operations segment services do not exhibit significant seasonality.





Sales and Marketing – Company-wide


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





Environmental Regulations


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





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





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





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





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





Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses


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





We hold the following licenses, among others:


·
Two licenses for use of a 30 MHz block of spectrum, which together authorize provision of PCS services in Alaska. Both licenses have an expiration date of June 23, 2015.  Licenses may be revoked and license renewal applications may be denied for cause. We expect the PCS licenses will be renewed in due course when, at the end of the license period, a renewal application will be filed,


·
A local multipoint distribution system ("LMDS") license which we acquired in 1998 for use of a 150 MHz block of spectrum in the 28 GHz Ka-band for providing wireless services. The LMDS license was renewed in 2008 for an additional 10-year term, following the grant of an extension until June 1, 2012 of the requirement to provide “substantial service” in the service region.  The commercial availability of equipment to illuminate this spectrum remains a challenge, and the prospects for renewal at this time are uncertain.


·
25 MHz cellular licenses for sites located in the Wade Hampton AK-1 portion of CMA315 (A and B blocks) and in the Bethel AK-2 portion of CMA 316 (A block), and


·
Several 25 MHz cellular B licenses are held by our subsidiary Unicom for sites located in the Wade Hampton AK-1 portion of CMA 315 and the Bethel AK-2 portion of CMA 316, and operated by GCICC pursuant to a de facto long-term spectrum lease.





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





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





Regulation


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





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Wireline Voice Services and Products


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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





Video Services and Products


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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





Internet-based Services and Products


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





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





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





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





Wireless Services and Products


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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





Financial Information about our Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales


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





Company-Sponsored Research


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





Geographic Concentration and the Alaska Economy


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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





·
41% are located in the Municipality of Anchorage,


·
14% are located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough,


·
13% are located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough,


·
8% are located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough,


·
4% are located in the City and Borough of Juneau, and


·
The remaining 20% are located in other communities across the State of Alaska.





Employees


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





Other


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





Item 1A. Risk Factors.





Factors That May Affect Our Business and Future Results





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





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





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





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





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





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





Wireless Services.The licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection arrangements of wireless communications systems are regulated by the FCC and, depending on the jurisdiction, state and local regulatory agencies. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to:





·
How radio spectrum is used by licensees;


·
The nature of the services that licensees may offer and how such services may be offered; and


·
Resolution of issues of interference between spectrum bands.





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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


Failure to complete development, testing and deployment of new technology that supports new services could affect our ability to compete in the industry.  In addition, the technology we use may place us at a competitive disadvantage.





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





Prolonged service interruptions could affect our business.





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





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





31


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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





32


·
Use of a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our Senior Notes, Senior Credit Facility, other debt and capital leases, which will reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities;


·
Increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;


·
Limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;


·
Restrict us from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities;


·
Make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Senior Notes, Senior Credit Facility, other debt and capital lease obligations;


·
Place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt and capital lease obligations; and


·
Limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets or pay cash dividends.





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





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





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





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





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





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





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





33


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





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





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





Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.


None.





Item 2. Properties


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





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





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





Item 3. Legal Proceedings


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





·
In September 2008, the FCC's Office of Inspector General ("OIG") initiated an investigation regarding Alaska DigiTel LLC’s (“Alaska DigiTel”) compliance with program rules and requirements under the Lifeline Program. The request covered the period beginning January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2008 and related to amounts received for Lifeline service.  Alaska DigiTel was an Alaska based wireless communications company of which we acquired an 81.9% equity interest on January 2, 2007 and the remaining 18.1% equity interest on August 18, 2008 and was subsequently merged with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries in April 2009. Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007. We responded to this request on behalf of Alaska DigiTel and the GCI companies as affiliates. On January 18, 2011 we reached an agreement with the FCC and the Department of Justice to settle the matter, which required us to contribute $1.6 million to the United States Treasury and granted us a broad release of claims including those under the False Claims Act.  The $1.6 million contribution, of which $154,000, $661,000 and $741,000 were recognized in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statements in the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was paid in January 2011; and


·
In August 2010, a company-owned aircraft was involved in an accident resulting in five fatalities and injuries to the remaining four passengers on board.  We had aircraft and liability insurance coverage in effect at the time of the accident.  As of December 31, 2011, all claims paid out have been covered by insurance and were recorded net of these recoveries in our Consolidated Income Statements.  While some of the claims have been resolved, we cannot predict the likelihood or nature of the total remaining claims, including environmental remediation, related to the accident.





34


Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures


Not Applicable.







Part II





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





Market Information for Common Stock


Shares of GCI’s Class A common stock are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select MarketSM under the symbol GNCMA.





Shares of GCI’s Class B common stock are traded through the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board service offered by the National Association of Securities Dealers.  Each share of Class B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Class A common stock.





The following table sets forth the high and low sales price for our common stock for the periods indicated.  Market price data for Class A shares was obtained from the Nasdaq Stock Market System quotation system.  Market price data for Class B shares was obtained from reported Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board service market transactions.  The prices represent prices between dealers, do not include retail markups, markdowns, or commissions, and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.





Class A


Class BHigh


Low


High


Low2011First Quarter

$
13.23



9.61



12.00



12.00Second Quarter

$
12.35



10.70



12.69



10.25Third Quarter

$
12.52



7.57



12.30



12.30Fourth Quarter

$
10.56



7.49



10.15



6.862010First Quarter

$
6.65



5.32



6.05



6.05Second Quarter

$
7.62



5.73



7.00



7.00Third Quarter

$
10.21



7.64



9.00



7.50Fourth Quarter

$
13.37



9.92



11.50



10.00





Holders


As of December 31, 2011, there were 2,482 holders of record of our Class A common stock and 365 holders of record of our Class B common stock (amounts do not include the number of shareholders whose shares are held of record by brokers, but do include the brokerage house as one shareholder).





35


Dividends


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





Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar


Computershare is our stock transfer agent and registrar.





Performance Graph


The following graph includes a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in our cumulative total shareholder return on our Class A common stock during the five-year period 2007 through 2011.  This return is measured by dividing (1) the sum of (a) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period (assuming dividend reinvestment, if any) and (b) the difference between our share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period, by (2) the share price at the beginning of that measurement period.  This line graph is compared in the following graph with two other line graphs during that five-year period, i.e., a market index and a peer index.





The market index is the Center for Research in Securities Price Index for the Nasdaq Stock Market for United States companies.  It presents cumulative total returns for a broad based equity market assuming reinvestment of dividends and is based upon companies whose equity securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The peer index is the Center for Research in Securities Price Index for Nasdaq Telecommunications Stock.  It presents cumulative total returns for the equity market in the telecommunications industry segment assuming reinvestment of dividends and is based upon companies whose equity securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The line graphs represent annual index levels derived from compounding daily returns.





In constructing each of the line graphs in the following graph, the closing price at the beginning point of the five-year measurement period has been converted into a fixed investment, stated in dollars, in our Class A common stock (or in the stock represented by a given index, in the cases of the two comparison indexes), with cumulative returns for each subsequent fiscal year measured as a change from that investment.  Data for each succeeding fiscal year during the five-year measurement period are plotted with points showing the cumulative total return as of that point.  The value of a shareholder’s investment as of each point plotted on a given line graph is the number of shares held at that point multiplied by the then prevailing share price.





Our Class B common stock is traded through the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board service on a more limited basis.  Therefore, comparisons similar to those previously described for the Class A common stock are not directly available.  However, the performance of Class B common stock may be analogized to that of the Class A common stock in that the Class B common stock is readily convertible into Class A common stock by request to us.








36




















Prepared by Zacks Investment Research Inc.  All indexes used with permission.  All rights reserved.








COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS PERFORMANCE GRAPH FOR GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC., NASDAQ STOCK MARKET INDEX FOR UNITED STATES COMPANIES, AND NASDAQ TELECOMMUNICATIONS STOCK1,2,3,4Measurement Period (Fiscal Year Covered)
Company ($)
Nasdaq Stock Market Index for U.S. Companies ($)
Nasdaq Telecommunications Stock ($)FYE 12/31/06
100.00
100.00
100.00FYE 12/31/07
55.62
108.47
88.95FYE 12/31/08
51.42
66.35
51.11FYE 12/31/09
40.55
95.38
76.64FYE 12/31/10
80.47
113.19
98.95FYE 12/31/11
62.22
113.81
104.63











1
The lines represent annual index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include all dividends.


2
The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.


3
If the annual interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.


4
The index level for all series was set to $100.00 on December 31, 2006.








37


Issuer’s Purchases of Equity Securities





(a) Not applicable.




(b) Not applicable.




(c) The following table provides information about repurchases of shares of our Class A common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2011:




(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased1
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs2
(d) Maximum Number (or approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Programs3October 1, 2011 toOctober 31, 2011

564,600

$8.88

564,600

$101,506,587November 1, 2011 toNovember 30, 2011

500,204

$9.38

482,648

$96,989,979December 1, 2011 toDecember 31, 2011

652,075

$10.25

408,150

$92,879,920Total
1,716,8791Consists of 1,455,398 shares from open market purchases made under our publicly announced repurchase plan and 261,481 shares from private purchases made to settle the minimum statutory tax-withholding requirements pursuant to restricted stock award vesting.2The repurchase plan was publicly announced on November 3, 2004.  Our plan does not have an expirationdate, however transactions pursuant to the plan are subject to periodic approval by our Board of Directors.  We expect to continue the repurchases for an indefinite period dependent on leverage, liquidity, company performance, market conditions and subject to continued oversight by our Board of Directors.3 The total amount approved by our Board of Directors for repurchase under our publicly announced repurchase plan was $295.2 million through December 31, 2011 consisting of $290.2 million through September 30, 2011 and an additional $5.0 million during the three months ended December 31, 2011.  We have made total repurchases under the program of $202.3 million through December 31, 2011.  If stock repurchases are less than the total approved quarterly amount the difference may be carried forward and used to repurchase additional shares in future quarters, subject to board approval.





38


Item 6. Selected Financial Data


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





Years Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009


2008


2007(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)Revenues

$
679,381



651,250



595,811



575,442



520,311Income (loss) before income taxes

$
13,086



18,443



7,452



(2,295
)


25,859Net income (loss)

$
5,601



8,955



3,516



(3,372
)


13,697Net loss attributable to

non-controlling interest

$
238



-



-



1,503



36Net income (loss) attributable to GCI

common stockholders

$
5,839



8,955



3,516



(1,869
)


13,733Basic net income (loss) attributable to

GCI per common share

$
0.13



0.17



0.07



(0.04
)


0.26Diluted net income (loss) attributable

to GCI per common share

$
0.12



0.17



0.06



(0.04
)


0.23Total assets

$
1,448,904



1,351,760



1,418,397



1,335,301



984,233Long-term debt, including current

portion and net of unamortized

discount

$
861,272



781,717



776,380



716,831



538,398Obligations under capital leases,

including current portion

$
86,054



91,165



95,914



100,329



2,851Redeemable preferred stockSeries B

$
-



-



-



-



-Series C

$
-



-



-



-



-Total GCI stockholders’ equity

$
158,861



200,506



266,317



258,915



259,433Dividends declared per common share

$
-



-



-



-



-





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





Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


In the following discussion, General Communication, Inc. (“GCI”) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us” and “our.”




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





39


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





General Overview


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





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





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





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





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





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





Results of Operations


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





40


Percentage


PercentageChange1


Change1Year Ended December 31,


2011


20102011


2010


2009


vs. 2010


vs. 2009Statements of Operations Data:Revenues:Consumer segment


52
%


53
%


49
%


3
%


16
%Network Access segment


16
%


16
%


21
%


(2
%)


(12
%)Commercial segment


20
%


20
%


18
%


6
%


17
%Managed Broadband segment


9
%


8
%


8
%


27
%


11
%Regulated Operations segment


3
%


3
%


4
%


(3
%)


(5
%)Total revenues


100
%


100
%


100
%


4
%


9
%Selling, general and administrative expenses


35
%


35
%


36
%


3
%


8
%Depreciation and amortization expense


19
%


19
%


21
%


0
%


2
%Operating income


13
%


14
%


11
%


2
%


34
%Other expense, net


11
%


11
%


10
%


11
%


19
%Income before income taxes


2
%


3
%


1
%


(29
%)


147
%Net income


1
%


1
%


1
%


(37
%)


155
%Net income attributable to GCI


1
%


1
%


1
%


(35
%)


155
%1Percentage change in underlying data





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





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





Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold


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





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





Consumer Segment Overview


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




Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
52,052



57,317



(9
%)Video


118,635



118,475



0
%Data


71,977



61,364



17
%Wireless


109,910



105,742



4
%Total Consumer segment revenue

$
352,574



342,898



3
%





41


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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
10,660



12,042



(11
%)Video


53,556



51,246



5
%Data


4,771



3,781



26
%Wireless


41,706



37,412



11
%Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold

$
110,693



104,481



6
%





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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeConsumer segment Adjusted EBITDA

$
110,734



114,716



(3
%)





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





Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:





December 31,


Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice:Long-distance subscribers1


79,500



88,200



(10
%)Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)


94.7



106.9



(11
%)Total local access lines in service2


77,600



84,800



(8
%)Local access lines in service on GCI facilities2


72,000



77,400



(7
%)Video:Basic subscribers3


125,000



130,000



(4
%)Digital programming tier subscribers4


75,600



81,800



(8
%)HD/DVR converter boxes5


89,400



88,100



1
%Homes passed


242,100



238,500



2
%Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber6

$
77.43


$
75.83



2
%Data:Cable modem subscribers7


108,300



105,700



2
%Wireless:Wireless lines in service8


124,600



124,900



0
%Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber9

$
68.34


$
63.96



7
%1A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.2A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.3A basic subscriber is defined as one basic tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets purchased.4A digital programming tier subscriber is defined as one digital programming tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets or digital programming tiers purchased. Digital programming tier subscribers are a subset of basic subscribers.5A high-definition/digital video recorder ("HD/DVR") converter box is defined as one box rented by a digital programming or basic tier subscriber. A digital programming or basic tier subscriber is not required to rent an HD/DVR converter box to receive service.6Average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer basic subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.7A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Cable modem subscribers may also be video basic subscribers though basic cable service is not required to receive cable modem service.8A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.9Average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.





42


Consumer Segment Revenues


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





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





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





·
The order adopted on an interim basis a flat rate of $9.25 to replace the support previously available under Tier I through Tier III support mechanisms.  The replacement support reduces the wireless subscriber per line support $0.75 which we expect will result in a $300,000 reduction in our revenue for the year ending December 31, 2012.  The FCC intends to further investigate whether this support amount is reasonable over the long term in further rulemaking.


·
The order adopted a requirement for annual recertification of all Lifeline subscribers enrolled as of June 1, 2012 to be completed by the end of 2012.  We are evaluating this requirement and possible processes and cannot predict whether this new rule will have a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.





Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





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





43


Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





Network Access Segment Overview


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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
23,553



29,032



(19
%)Data


62,456



61,494



2
%Wireless


19,447



16,701



16
%Total Network Access segment revenue

$
105,456



107,227



(2
%)





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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
12,194



15,383



(21
%)Data


15,386



8,234



87
%Wireless


1,164



1,413



(18
%)Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold

$
28,744



25,030



15
%





Network Access segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing 22% of 2011 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, is as follows (amounts in thousands):




Percentage2011


2010


ChangeNetwork Access segment Adjusted EBITDA

$
50,209



50,259



0
%





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





Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:





December 31,


Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice:Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)


760.5



785.4



(3
%)Data:Total Internet service provider access lines in service1


1,700



1,700



0
%1An Internet service provider access line is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network







Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





44


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





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


·
$1.8 million in Cost of Goods Sold related to special project work.





Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





Commercial Segment Overview


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


Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
28,712



31,720



(9
%)Video


11,605



11,178



4
%Data


85,961



76,823



12
%Wireless


9,823



8,737



12
%Total Commercial segment revenue

$
136,101



128,458



6
%





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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeVoice

$
13,083



15,212



(14
%)Video


2,154



2,140



1
%Data


45,475



38,586



18
%Wireless


4,458



3,947



13
%Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold

$
65,170



59,885



9
%





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





Percentage2011


2010


ChangeCommercial segment Adjusted EBITDA

$
31,222



30,871



1
%





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








45


Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:





December 31,

Percentage2011

2010

ChangeVoice:Long-distance subscribers1

8,300

9,100

(9%)Total local access lines in service2

49,700

48,300

3%Local access lines in service on GCI facilities

27,300

21,200

29%Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)

111.8

116.0

(4%)Data:Cable modem subscribers3

11,100

10,700

4%Wireless:Wireless lines in service4

15,300

13,800

11%1A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.2A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.3A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber.4A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.








Commercial Segment Revenues


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





Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





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





Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





Managed Broadband Segment Overview


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








46


Managed Broadband Segment Revenues


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





Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





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





Regulated Operations Segment Overview


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





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





December 31,

Percentage2011

2010

ChangeVoice:Total local access lines in service on GCI facilities1

9,100

10,000

(9%)1A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.





Regulated Operations Segment Revenues


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





Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





Regulated Operations Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





47


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





Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


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





·
A $1.6 million increase in labor costs,


·
A $1.2 million increase in health benefit costs, and


·
A $1.2 million increase in bad debt expense primarily due to absence of settlements which resulted in the release of credit reserves in the third quarter of 2010.





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





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





Depreciation and Amortization Expense


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





Other Expense, Net


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





Income Tax Expense


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





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





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





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





Year Ended December 31, 2010 (“2010”) Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009 (“2009”)




Overview of Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold




Total revenues increased 9% from $595.8 million in 2009 to $651.3 million in 2010.  Revenue increases in our Consumer, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments were partially offset by decreased revenue in our Network Access and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.





48


Total Cost of Goods Sold increased 7% from $193.7 million in 2009 to $207.8 million in 2010. Cost of Goods Sold increases in our Consumer, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments were partially offset by decreases in our Network Access and Regulated Operations segments.  See the discussion below for more information by segment.




Consumer Segment Overview




Consumer segment revenue represented 53% of 2010 consolidated revenues.  The components of Consumer segment revenue are as follow (amounts in thousands):





Percentage2010


2009


ChangeVoice

$
57,317



52,654



9
%Video


118,475



110,986



7
%Data


61,364



50,327



22
%Wireless


105,742



80,958



31
%Total Consumer segment revenue

$
342,898



294,925



16
%





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





Percentage2010


2009


ChangeVoice

$
12,042



14,952



(19
%)Video


51,246



45,350



13
%Data


3,781



4,367



(13
%)Wireless


37,412



32,225



16
%Total Consumer segment Cost of Goods Sold

$
104,481



96,894



8
%





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





Percentage2010


2009


ChangeConsumer segment Adjusted EBITDA

$
114,716



86,587



32
%





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





Selected key performance indicators for our Consumer segment follow:


December 31,2010


2009


Percentage ChangeVoice:Long-distance subscribers


88,200



90,500



(3
%)Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)


106.9



114.7



(7
%)Total local access lines in service


84,800



84,200



1
%Local access lines in service on GCI facilities


77,400



75,200



3
%Video:Basic subscribers


130,000



130,500



0
%Digital programming tier subscribers


81,800



79,600



3
%HD/DVR converter boxes


88,100



81,500



8
%Homes passed


238,500



232,400



3
%Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber

$
75.83


$
70.36



8
%Data:Cable modem subscribers


105,700



100,200



6
%Wireless:Wireless lines in service


124,900



115,100



9
%Average monthly gross revenue per subscriber

$
63.96


$
61.54



4
%1A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.2A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.3A basic subscriber is defined as one basic tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets purchased.4A digital programming tier subscriber is defined as one digital programming tier of service delivered to an address or separate subunits thereof regardless of the number of outlets or digital programming tiers purchased. Digital programming tier subscribers are a subset of basic subscribers.5A HD/DVR converter box is defined as one box rented by a digital programming or basic tier subscriber. A digital programming or basic tier subscriber is not required to rent an HD/DVR converter box to receive service.6Average monthly consumer video revenues divided by the average of consumer basic subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.7A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Cable modem subscribers may also be video basic subscribers though basic cable service is not required to receive cable modem service.8A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.9Average monthly consumer wireless revenues divided by the average of consumer wireless subscribers at the beginning and end of each month in the period.


49





Consumer Segment Revenues


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





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





·
A 6% increase in programming services revenue to $93.9 million in 2010 primarily resulting from an increase in digital programming tier subscribers in 2010 and a rate increase on certain cable service offerings beginning in August 2009, and


·
An 8% increase in equipment rental revenue to $23.4 million in 2010 primarily resulting from our customers’ increased use of our HD/DVR converter boxes.





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





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





50


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


·
A $7.9 million increase in plan fee revenue to $37.8 million due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers.





These increases were partially offset by the following:





·
An absence of $1.7 million in support recorded in 2009 related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  The support was for a new local access area for which we received ETC status in May 2009.  Collectability was not reasonably assured until we were awarded ETC status, therefore we deferred revenue recognition until such status was confirmed, and


·
An absence of $810,000 recorded in 2009 related to services provided during the year ended December 31, 2008.  In March 2009, the FCC issued an order which provided uncapped support for all lines served by competitive ETCs for tribal lands in Alaska Native regions retroactive to August 2008.  This revenue was for the additional support for the period August to December 2008.





Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





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





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





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





Consumer Segment Adjusted EBITDA


The Adjusted EBITDA increase is primarily due to increased revenue as described above in "Consumer Segment Revenues.” The increase was partially offset by increased Cost of Goods Sold as described above in “Consumer Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Consumer segment. The increase in allocated selling, general and administrative expense is due primarily to an increase in the 2009 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based and an increase in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense.




Network Access Segment Overview




Network access segment revenue represented 16% of 2010 consolidated revenues. The components of Network Access segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):





51




Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice
$
29,032

49,837

(42%)Data

61,494

63,862

(4%)Wireless

16,701

8,373

99%Total Network Access segment revenue
$
107,227

122,072

(12%)





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





Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice
$
15,383

16,522

(7%)Data

8,234

9,444

(13%)Wireless

1,413

1,287

10%Total Network Access segment Cost of Goods Sold
$
25,030

27,253

(8%)





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




Percentage2010

2009

ChangeNetwork Access segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
50,259

57,563

(13%)





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





Selected key performance indicators for our Network Access segment follow:





December 31,

Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice:Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)

785.4

840.0

(7%)Data:Total Internet service provider access lines in service1

1,700

1,700

0%1An Internet service provider access line is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network





Network Access Segment Revenues


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





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





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





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Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





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





Network Access Segment Adjusted EBITDA


The Adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue as described in “Network Access Segment Revenues.”  This decrease is partially offset by decreased Cost of Goods Sold as described in “Network Access Segment Cost of Goods Sold” and a decrease in the selling, general and administrative expense that was allocated to our Network Access segment primarily due to a decrease in the 2009 segment margin upon which the selling, general and administrative expense allocation is based.




Commercial Segment Overview




Commercial segment revenue represented 20% of 2010 consolidated revenues.  Commercial segment data revenue is comprised of monthly recurring charges for data services and charges billed on a time and materials basis largely for personnel providing on-site customer support.  This latter category can vary significantly based on project activity.  The components of Commercial segment revenue are as follows (amounts in thousands):





Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice
$
31,720

30,830

3%Video

11,178

9,175

22%Data

76,823

63,383

21%Wireless

8,737

6,747

29%Total Commercial segment revenue
$
128,458

110,135

17%





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





Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice
$
15,212

18,563

(18%)Video

2,140

1,956

9%Data

38,586

28,661

35%Wireless

3,947

3,065

29%Total Commercial segment Cost of Goods Sold
$
59,885

52,245

15%





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





53




Percentage2010

2009

ChangeCommercial segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
30,871

23,174

33%





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





Selected key performance indicators for our Commercial segment follow:





December 31,

Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice:Long-distance subscribers1

9,100

9,500

(4%)Total local access lines in service2

48,300

47,700

1%Local access lines in service on GCI facilities

21,200

19,600

8%Long-distance minutes carried (in millions)

116.0

123.2

(6%)Data:Cable modem subscribers3

10,700

10,500

2%Wireless:Wireless lines in service4

13,800

10,300

34%1A long-distance subscriber is defined as a customer account that is invoiced a monthly long-distance plan fee or has made a long-distance call during the month.2A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.3A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber.4A wireless line in service is defined as a revenue generating wireless device.







Commercial Segment Revenues


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





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


·
A $493,000 or 3% increase in local plan fee revenue due to an increase in the number of lines in service.





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





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





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





54


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





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


·
An $812,000 or 54% increase in plan fee revenue mainly due to an increase in the number of wireless subscribers.





Commercial Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





·
A $1.2 million cost saving from increased deployment of local access services lines on our own facilities during 2010,


·
A $1.0 million favorable adjustment based upon refunds from several vendors.  In the course of business we estimate unbilled long-distance services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use processed through our network and established rates.  Such estimates are revised when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved; and


·
A $700,000 or 7% decrease in long-distance costs related to the decrease in minutes carried.





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





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





Commercial Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





Managed Broadband Segment Overview


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





Managed Broadband Segment Revenues


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





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


·
A $1.2 million or 143% increase in product sales to our customers.





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





Managed Broadband Segment Cost of Goods Sold


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





55


Managed Broadband Segment Adjusted EBITDA


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





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





Regulated Operations Segment Overview


Regulated Operations segment revenue, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA represented 3%, 2% and 3% of 2010 consolidated revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and Adjusted EBITDA, respectively.





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





December 31,

Percentage2010

2009

ChangeVoice:Total local access lines in service1

10,000

11,100

(10%)1A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.





Regulated Operations Segment Revenues


Regulated Operations segment revenues decreased from $23.8 million in 2009 to $22.7 million in 2010 primarily due to projected lower levels of eligible cost recovery resulting from changes in lines in service, traffic sensitive activity levels and reserve adjustments.





Regulated Operations Segment Cost of Goods Sold


Regulated Operations segment Cost of Goods Sold decreased from $6.1 million in 2009 to $4.4 million in 2010 primarily due to a change in allocation of network maintenance costs which resulted in a decrease to our Regulated Operations segment and an increase to our Consumer, Network Access, Commercial and Managed Broadband segments.





Regulated Operations Segment Adjusted EBITDA


Regulated Operations segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 6% to $6.4 million in 2010.





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





Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $16.1 million to $228.8 million in 2010 primarily due to the following:





·
A $4.7 million increase in health benefit costs,


·
A $4.5 million increase in labor costs,


·
A $3.8 million increase in share-based compensation expense primarily due to the absence of a $2.4 million reversal of expense in 2009.  The expense had been properly recognized in previous periods for certain performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards but in the third quarter of 2009 we determined they were not expected to vest,


·
$2.0 million in costs, including workers compensation expense, related to an accident involving our company-owned aircraft in August 2010, and


·
A $913,000 increase in our company-wide success sharing bonus accrual.


56
  The increases were partially offset by the following:





·
A $2.4 million decrease in sales expense,


·
The absence of $1.2 million in costs for the conversion of our customers’ wireless phones to our facilities in 2009, and


·
The absence of a $640,000 contribution expense recognized upon the gift of an IRU to the University of Alaska that was recorded in 2009.





As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 35% in 2010 from 36% in 2009, primarily due to increasing revenues.





Depreciation and Amortization Expense


Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.8 million to $126.1 million in 2010 primarily due to new assets placed in service in 2010 partially offset by assets which became fully depreciated during 2010.





Other Expense, Net


Other expense, net of other income, increased 19% to $70.1 million in 2010 primarily due to a $13.2 million increase in interest expense to $69.4 million in 2010.  The interest expense increase is due to the issuance of the 2019 Notes in November 2009, which have a higher interest rate than the interest rate paid on our amended Senior Credit Facility, and a higher average outstanding debt balance during 2010 than 2009.  The proceeds from the issuance of the 2019 Notes were primarily used to repay and retire the outstanding amount due on our amended Senior Credit Facility.





Income Tax Expense


Income tax expense totaled $9.5 million and $3.9 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our effective income tax rate decreased from 53% in 2009 to 51% in 2010.




Multiple System Operator (“MSO”) Operating Statistics




Our operating statistics include capital expenditures and customer information from our Consumer and Commercial segments which offer services utilizing our cable services’ facilities.





The standardized definition of a customer relationship is the number of customers that receive at least one level of service utilizing our cable service facilities, encompassing voice, video, and data services, without regard to which services customers purchase.  At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 we had 129,400, 134,400, and 133,900 customer relationships, respectively.





The standardized definition of a revenue generating unit is the sum of all primary digital video, high-speed data, and telephony customers, not counting additional outlets.  At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 we had 345,900, 350,100, and 343,200 revenue generating units, respectively.





Liquidity and Capital Resources


Our principal sources of current liquidity are cash and cash equivalents.  We believe, but can provide no assurances, that we will be able to meet our current and long-term liquidity, capital requirements and fixed charges through our cash flows from operating activities, existing cash, cash equivalents, credit facilities, and other external financing and equity sources.  Should operating cash flows be insufficient to support additional borrowings and principal payments scheduled under our existing credit facilities, capital expenditures will likely be reduced, which would likely reduce future revenues.





As discussed in the General Overview section of this Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” the FCC published the High Cost Order in November 2011.  The program changes will impact our liquidity minimally in 2012 and we are evaluating the impact the program changes will have on our liquidity in later years as the FCC considers successor funding mechanisms.  Additionally, in February 2012 the FCC released reforms to the USF’s Lifeline program.  The reforms included a requirement for annual recertification of all Lifeline subscribers enrolled as of June 1, 2012 to be completed by the end of 2012.  We are evaluating this requirement and possible processes and cannot predict whether this new rule will have a material impact on our cash flows.





In January 2010 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s RUS approved our wholly owned subsidiary, UUI’s application for an $88.2 million loan/grant combination to extend terrestrial broadband service for the first time to Bristol Bay and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Alaska roughly the size of the state of North Dakota. This project, called TERRA-SW, was placed into service in December 2011 and will be able to serve over 9,000 households and over 700 businesses in the 65 covered communities.  The network facility will also be able to serve numerous public/nonprofit/private community anchor institutions and entities, such as regional health care providers, school districts, and other regional and Alaska Native organizations.  The RUS award, consisting of a $44.2 million loan and a $44.0 million grant, is made under the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The award funds backbone network facilities that we would not otherwise be able to construct within our return-on-investment requirements.





57


On May 20, 2011, GCI, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, completed an offering of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 (“2021 Notes”) at an issue price of 100%.  We used the net proceeds from this offering to repay and retire all $320.0 million of our senior unsecured notes due 2014 (“2014 Notes”).





In June 2011, GCI Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into an Add-On Term Loan Supplement No. 1 (“Supplement No. 1”) to our Senior Credit Facility. The Supplement No. 1 provided for an additional $25.0 million term loan with an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%, payable in accordance with the terms of our Senior Credit Facility.  Holdings used $20.0 million of the term loan proceeds to pay down outstanding revolving loans under our Senior Credit Facility, thus increasing availability under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility.  The remaining $5.0 million was used for general corporate purposes.





In July 2011, Holdings entered into an Add-On Term Loan Supplement No. 2 (“Supplement No. 2”) to our Senior Credit Facility. The Supplement No. 2 provided for an additional $25.0 million term loan with an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%, payable in accordance with the terms of our Senior Credit Facility.  Holdings used $15.0 million of the term loan proceeds to pay down outstanding revolving loans under our Senior Credit Facility, thus increasing availability under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility.  The remaining $10.0 million was used for general corporate purposes.





On August 30, 2011, we entered into a financing arrangement under the NMTC program that provided $16.5 million in net cash to help fund the extension of terrestrial broadband service for the first time to rural Northwestern Alaska communities via a high capacity hybrid fiber optic and microwave network.  When completed, the project, called TERRA-NW, will connect to the TERRA-SW network and provide a high capacity backbone connection from the served communities to the Internet.





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





While our short-term and long-term financing abilities are believed to be adequate as a supplement to internally generated cash flows to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions as opportunities arise, turmoil in the global financial markets may negatively impact our ability to further access the capital markets in a timely manner and on attractive terms, which may have a negative impact on our ability to grow our business.





We monitor the third-party depository institutions that hold our cash and cash equivalents. Our emphasis is primarily on safety of principal and secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds.





Our net cash flows provided by and (used for) operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2011 and 2010, are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):





2011

2010Operating activities
$
134,434

171,259Investing activities

(164,193)

(104,722)Financing activities

26,076

(82,243)Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(3,683)

(15,706)





58


Operating Activities


The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities is due primarily to an increase in accounts receivable in 2011 as compared to 2010 due to timing of receipt of payments.





Investing Activities


Net cash used in investing activities consists primarily of cash paid for capital expenditures.  Our most significant recurring investing activity has been capital expenditures and we expect that this will continue in the future.  A significant portion of our capital expenditures is based on the level of customer growth and the technology being deployed.





Our cash expenditures for property and equipment, including construction in progress, totaled $177.2 million and $96.2 million during 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Our capital expenditures increased in 2011 primarily due to our TERRA-SW project.  We recovered a substantial portion of our TERRA-SW capital expenditures through grant funds and loan draws under our TERRA-SW RUS award.  We expect our 2012 expenditures for property and equipment for our core operations, including construction in progress, to total approximately $135.0 million, depending on available opportunities and the amount of cash flow we generate during 2012.





Under our TERRA-SW RUS award, we had total available grant funds of $44.0 million.  We have received $35.1 million in grant funds during the year ended December 31, 2011, leaving $8.9 million remaining grant funds available as of December 31, 2011.  We have a $3.1 million grant fund receivable recorded as of December 31, 2011.  On January 23, 2012, we received an additional $1.1 million under the grant portion of the award.  After consideration of this transaction, we have $7.8 million remaining grant funds available.





In 2011, we received $16.5 million in cash from participating in an NMTC financing transaction.  The cash is restricted for construction of TERRA-NW.





Financing Activities


Net cash provided by financing activities in 2011 consists primarily of proceeds from the issuance of our 2021 Notes and Supplements No. 1 and No. 2 under our Senior Credit Facility, borrowing under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility, borrowing under our TERRA-SW RUS loan and an investment by US Bancorp, a non-controlling interest.  These proceeds were offset by retirement of our 2014 Notes and repayments under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility, payment of debt issuance costs and repurchases of our common stock.  Proceeds from borrowings fluctuate from year to year based on our liquidity needs.  We may use excess cash to make optional repayments on our debt or repurchase our common stock depending on various factors, such as market conditions.





Available Borrowings Under Senior Credit Facility


Our Senior Credit Facility, which at December 31, 2011 includes the Supplements No. 1 and No. 2 as discussed above, includes a $50.0 million term loan and a $75.0 million revolving credit facility with a $25.0 million sublimit for letters of credit.  The term loan is fully drawn and a total of $60.0 million is outstanding as of December 31, 2011.  Under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facility, we have borrowed $10.0 million and have $349,000 of letters of credit outstanding, which leaves $64.7 million available for borrowing as of December 31, 2011.





Available TERRA-SW Borrowings Under RUS


Under our TERRA-SW RUS award, we had total available loan funds of $44.2 million.  We have borrowed $35.2 million in loan funds, leaving $9.0 million remaining loan funds available as of December 31, 2011.  On January 23, 2012, we received an additional $1.1 million under the loan portion of the award.  After consideration of this transaction, we have $7.9 million remaining loan funds available.





Debt Covenants


We are subject to covenants and restrictions set forth in the indentures governing our 2019 and 2021 Notes, Senior Credit Facility, RUS loans, and CoBank loans.  We are in compliance with the covenants, and we believe that neither the covenants nor the restrictions in our indentures or loan documents will limit our ability to operate our business.


59


Share Repurchases


GCI’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock buyback program for the repurchase of GCI Class A and Class B common stock in order to reduce the outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock.  Under this program, we are currently authorized to make up to $92.9 million of repurchases as of December 31, 2011.  We are authorized to increase our repurchase limit $5.0 million per quarter indefinitely and to use stock option exercise proceeds to repurchase additional shares.  If stock repurchases are less than the total approved quarterly amount the difference may be carried forward and applied against future stock repurchases.  During 2011 we repurchased 5.2 million shares of GCI common stock under the stock buyback program at a cost of $52.6 million.  The common stock buyback program is expected to continue for an indefinite period dependent on leverage, liquidity, company performance, market conditions and subject to continued oversight by GCI’s Board of Directors. The open market repurchases have and will continue to comply with the restrictions of SEC Rule 10b-18.





Schedule of Certain Known Contractual Obligations


The following table details future projected payments associated with certain known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands):







Payments Due by PeriodTotal


Less than 1 Year


1 to 3 Years


4 to 5 Years


More Than 5 YearsLong-term debt

$
864,288



3,241



7,123



66,300



787,624Interest on long-term debt


518,270



61,545



122,924



119,275



214,526Capital lease obligations, including interest


125,487



11,732



23,494



23,532



66,729Operating lease commitments


177,940



25,397



43,112



36,155



73,276Purchase obligations


40,128



23,628



16,500



-



-Total contractual obligations

$
1,726,113



125,543



213,153



245,262



1,142,155





Long-term debt listed in the table above includes principal payments on our Senior Credit Facility, 2019 and 2021 Notes, Rural Utilities Services debt and CoBank Mortgage note payable.  Interest on the amount outstanding under our Senior Credit Facility is based on variable rates.  We used the current rate paid on the Senior Credit Facility to estimate our future interest payments.  Our 2019 Notes require semi-annual interest payments of $18.3 million through November 2019 and our 2021 Notes require semi-annual interest payments of $11.0 million through June 2021.  Our Rural Utilities Services debt and CoBank Mortgage note payable have fixed interest rates ranging from 2.0% to 6.8%.  For a discussion of our 2019 and 2021 Notes, Senior Credit Facility, Rural Utilities Services debt and CoBank Mortgage note payable see note 6 in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”





Capital lease obligations include our obligation to lease transponder capacity on Galaxy 18.  For a discussion of our capital and operating leases, see note 13 in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”





Purchase obligations include the following:





·
A non-cancelable commitment to purchase wireless equipment of $8.6 million, $7.0 million and $8.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and





·
Cancelable open purchase orders for goods and services for capital projects and normal operations totaling $15.0 million which are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011, because the goods had not been received or the services had not been performed at December 31, 2011.





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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating parts of our business that are not consolidated into our financial statements. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into our financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of our capital resources.





New Accounting Standards


In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).”  The amendments in this update will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments include a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.





In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)” which amends current guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments generally represent clarification of FASB ASC Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.





Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


Our accounting and reporting policies comply with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The financial position and results of operations can be affected by these estimates and assumptions, which are integral to understanding reported results. Critical accounting policies are those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results, and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective or complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates are significant to the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information including third parties or available prices, and sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative accounting methods may be utilized under GAAP. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Management has discussed the development and the selection of critical accounting policies with our Audit Committee.





Those policies and estimates considered to be critical for the year ended December 31, 2011 are described below.





Revenue Recognition


The accounting estimates related to revenues from the Remote high cost, rural health and schools and libraries USF programs are dependent on various inputs including our estimate of the statewide support cap, our assessment of the impact of new FCC regulations, the potential outcome of FCC proceedings and the potential outcome of USAC contract reviews.  Some of the inputs are subjective and based on our judgment regarding the outcome of certain variables and are subject to upward or downward adjustment in subsequent periods.  Significant changes to our estimates could result in material changes to the revenues we have recorded and could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.





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Allowance for Doubtful Receivables


We maintain allowances for doubtful receivables for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We also maintain an allowance for doubtful receivables based on notification that a customer may not have satisfactorily complied with rules necessary to obtain supplemental funding from the USAC for services provided by us under our packaged communications offerings to rural hospitals, health clinics and school districts. We base our estimates on the aging of our accounts receivable balances, financial health of specific customers, regional economic data, changes in our collections process, regulatory requirements, and our customers’ compliance with USAC rules.If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate or if they are unable to emerge from reorganization proceedings, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. If their financial condition improves or they emerge successfully from reorganization proceedings, allowances may be reduced. Such allowance changes could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.





Impairment and Useful Lives of Intangible Assets


We had $292.5 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2011 consisting of cable certificates of $191.6 million, goodwill of $74.9 million and wireless licenses of $26.0 million.  Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances.





We are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step process.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.  The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be recognized in a business combination.





The impairment test for identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value.  If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.





Our cable certificates are our largest indefinite-lived intangible asset and represent agreements with government entities to construct and operate a cable business.  The value of our cable certificates is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new customers and to market new services.  The amount we have recorded for cable certificates is primarily from cable system acquisitions.  The cable certificates are valued under a direct discounted cash flow method whereby the cash flow associated with existing customers is isolated after appropriate contributory asset charges and then projected based on an analysis of customer churn and attrition characteristics.





Our wireless licenses are from the FCC and give us the right to provide wireless service within a certain geographical area.  The amount we have recorded is from acquisitions of wireless companies and auctions of wireless spectrum.  We use comparable market transactions from recent FCC auctions, as appropriate, and a hypothetical build-up method to value our wireless licenses.





Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in connection with a business acquisition.  We use an income approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units for purposes of our goodwill impairment test.  In addition, a market-based approach is used where possible to corroborate the fair values determined by the income approach.





The direct discounted cash flow, hypothetical build-up, and income approach valuation methods require us to make estimates and assumptions including projected cash flows, discount rate, customer churn, and customer behaviors and attrition.  These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such impairment charge.  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.  Events and factors that may be out of our control that could affect the estimates include such things as competitive forces, customer behaviors, change in revenue growth trends, cost structures and technology, and changes in discount rates, performance compared to peers, material and ongoing negative economic trends, and specific industry or market sector conditions.  Our company is operated and managed with two balance sheets, however, our impairment tests must be performed at the reporting unit level, which requires us to allocate one of our balance sheets.These allocations are subjective and require a significant amount of judgment.  Changes to the assumptions and allocation methodologies could significantly change our estimates.  We may also record impairments in the future if there are changes in long term market conditions, expected future operating results, or laws and regulations that may prevent us from recovering the carrying value of our goodwill, cable certificates, and wireless licenses.





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We have allocated all of the goodwill to our reporting units and based on our annual impairment test as of October 31, 2011, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the book value by a range between 20% and 1,033%.  The reporting unit that exceeded the book value by 20% passed the goodwill impairment test by $6.7 million, which we believe is a large margin.  We believe none of our reporting units were close to failing step one of the goodwill impairment test.





Based on our annual impairment test as of October 31, 2011, the fair value of our wireless licenses exceeded the book value by 54% and $14.0 million, which we believe is a large margin.The fair value of our cable certificates exceeded the book value by 4% and $7.4 million as of October 31, 2011.The fair values of our wireless licenses and cable certificates were negatively affected by the FCC’s issuance of the High Cost Order discussed in the General Overview section of this Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as it decreased current and forecasted wireless and local services revenue.  The wireless revenue decreases affected wireless licenses and the local services revenue decreases affected cable certificates as our local customers are mainly serviced using our cable plant.  We believe that none of our indefinite lived intangible assets were close to failing the impairment test, however, as discussed in the General Overview section of this Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” further rulemaking to consider successor funding mechanisms is underway at the FCC.  We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this proceeding or its effect on us, but our revenue for providing wireless and local services in these areas would be materially adversely affected by a substantial reduction of USF support.





Accruals for Unbilled Costs


We estimate unbilled long-distance and wireless services Cost of Goods Sold based upon minutes of use carried through our network and established rates.  We estimate unbilled costs for new circuits and services, and network changes that result in traffic routing changes or a change in carriers.  Carriers that provide service to us regularly make network changes that can lead to new, revised or corrected billings.  Such estimates are revised or removed when subsequent billings are received, payments are made, billing matters are researched and resolved, tariffed billing periods lapse, or when disputed charges are resolved.  Revisions to previous estimates could either increase or decrease costs in the year in which the estimate is revised which could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.





Valuation Allowance for Net Operating Loss Deferred Tax Assets


Our income tax policy provides for deferred income taxes to show the effect of temporary differences between the recognition of revenue and expenses for financial and income tax reporting purposes and between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.  We have recorded deferred tax assets of $127.6 million associated with income tax net operating losses that were generated from 1999 to 2011, and that primarily expire from 2019 to 2031, and with charitable contributions that were converted to net operating losses in 2004 to 2007, and that expire in 2024 to 2027, respectively.  Pre-acquisition income tax net operating losses associated with acquired companies are subject to additional deductibility limits. We have recorded deferred tax assets of $1.9 million associated with alternative minimum tax credits that do not expire.  Significant management judgment is required in developing our provision for income taxes, including the determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances that may be required against the deferred tax assets.  We have not recorded a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2011 based on management’s belief that future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards will, more likely than not, be sufficient to realize the benefit of these assets over time.  In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or if our historical trends change, we may be required to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.





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Other significant accounting policies, not involving the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important to an understanding of the financial statements. A complete discussion of our significant accounting policies can be found in note 1 in the accompanying “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”





Regulatory Developments


See “Part I — Item 1 — Business — Regulation” for more information about regulatory developments affecting us.





Inflation


We do not believe that inflation has a significant effect on our operations.





Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk


We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of business, including the impact of interest rate changes.  Our Senior Credit Facility carries interest rate risk.  Amounts borrowed under this Agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.0% or less depending upon our Total Leverage Ratio (as defined) for the revolving portion and LIBOR plus 2.5% for the term portion.  Should the LIBOR rate change, our interest expense will increase or decrease accordingly.  As of December 31, 2011, we have borrowed $60.0 million subject to interest rate risk.  On this amount, each 1% increase in the LIBOR interest rate would result in $600,000 of additional gross interest cost on an annualized basis.  All of our other material borrowings have a fixed interest rate.  We do not hold derivatives for trading purposes.





Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


Our consolidated financial statements are filed under this Item, beginning on page 101. Our supplementary data is filed under Item 7, beginning on page 39.





Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure


None.




Item 9A. Controls and Procedures


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure, and reported as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a - 15(e)) under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer.  Based on that evaluation and as described below under “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting", our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011.





The certifications attached as Exhibits 31 and 32 to this report should be read in conjunction with the disclosures set forth herein.





Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO).





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Based on our evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, our management concluded that as of December 31, 2011, we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.





Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.





Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


In the second quarter of 2010 we identified a material weakness associated with inadequately designed internal controls in our financial reporting process related to the USF high cost program support revenue accrual.  We began remediation in the third quarter of 2010 by strengthening the design and operation of our controls over the preparation and review of the USF high cost program support revenue accrual.  Our remediation efforts continued in 2010 and 2011.  At December 31, 2011, we believe we have the appropriate controls designed and these controls are operating effectively.





Except as described above there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-13(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation of our controls performed during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.





Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures.  Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override.  Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting.  However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process.  Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.





We may enhance, modify, and supplement internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures based on experience.





Item 9B. Other Information


None.







Part III





Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance





Identification





As of December 31, 2011, our board consisted of eight director positions, divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms.





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A director on our board is elected at an annual meeting of shareholders and serves until the earlier of his or her resignation or removal, or his or her successor is elected and qualified.  Our executive officers generally are appointed at our board's first meeting after each annual meeting of shareholders and serve at the discretion of the board.





The following table sets forth certain information about our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2011:





Name
Age
PositionStephen M. Brett1
71
Chairman, DirectorRonald A. Duncan1
59
President, Chief Executive Officer and DirectorJohn M. Lowber
62
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and TreasurerG. Wilson Hughes
66
Executive Vice President and General ManagerWilliam C. Behnke
54
Senior Vice PresidentMartin E. Cary
47
Vice President – General Manager, Managed Broadband ServicesGregory F. Chapados
54
Senior Vice PresidentPaul E. Landes
53
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer ServicesGregory W. Pearce
48
Vice President and General Manager, Business ServicesTina M. Pidgeon
43
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Government AffairsJerry A. Edgerton1
69
DirectorScott M. Fisher1
45
DirectorWilliam P. Glasgow1
53
DirectorMark W. Kroloff1
54
DirectorStephen R. Mooney1
52
DirectorJames M. Schneider1
59
Director








1
The present classification of our board is as follows: (1) Class I – Messrs. Edgerton and Kroloff, whose present terms expire at the time of our 2014 annual meeting; (2) Class II – Messrs. Brett, Duncan and Mooney whose present terms expire at the time of our 2012 annual meeting; and (3) Class III – Messrs. Fisher, Glasgow, and Schneider, whose present terms expire at the time of our 2013 annual meeting.








The board, when considering whether directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable the board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company's business and structure, focused primarily on each person's background and experience.  We believe that the Company's directors have backgrounds that, when combined, provide us with a board equipped to direct us through an ever challenging course in the segments of the telecommunication business in which we are involved.  Attributes of members of our board include experience in entrepreneurial, cable service, telecommunication, technological and financial aspects of companies similar to, as well as much larger than, us.





In particular, our board considered important the following regarding its members.  With regard to Mr. Brett, our board considered his telecommunications and cable experience, as well as his over 40 year experience as a corporate lawyer.  With regards to Messrs. Fisher and Glasgow, our board considered the broad backgrounds of these individuals in finance and their operational experience with cable companies.  With regards to Messrs. Edgerton and Mooney, our board considered the extensive experience and expertise of these individuals in business development in the telecommunications industry.  Our board also considered the broad perspective brought by Mr. Kroloff's experience in operating diverse businesses throughout Alaska as well as his experience as a lawyer.  With regard to Mr. Schneider, our board considered his significant financial and accounting experience including his time spent as Chief Financial Officer of a large public company.





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Our board also considered the many years of experience with the Company represented by Mr. Duncan, our President and Chief Executive Officer.  He has been with the Company since he co-founded it.





Many of our directors, including Messrs. Edgerton, Glasgow, Kroloff, Mooney and Schneider, were initially proposed for nomination by (or, in the case of Mr. Kroloff, through a request from Mr. Duncan to) holders of significant amounts of Company shares.  Our board has retained each of these directors, even after the shareholders have exited the Company or no longer have retained a right to nominate a director, due to the valued expertise our board feels they provide as members.





Stephen M. Brett.  Mr. Brett has served as Chairman of our board since June 2005 and as a director on our board since January 2001.  He has been of counsel to Sherman & Howard, L.L.C., a law firm, since January 2001.  He was Senior Executive Vice President for AT&T Broadband from March 1999 to April 2000.  His present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2012 annual meeting.





Ronald A. Duncan.  Mr. Duncan is a co-founder of the Company and has served as a director on our board since 1979.  Mr. Duncan has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since January 1989.  His present term as director on the board expires at the time of our 2012 annual meeting.





John M. Lowber.  Mr. Lowber has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 1987, as our Secretary and Treasurer since July 1988 and as one of our Senior Vice Presidents since December 1989.





G. Wilson Hughes.  Mr. Hughes has served as our Executive Vice President and General Manager since June 1991.





William C. Behnke.  Mr. Behnke has served as one of our Senior Vice Presidents since January 2001.  Prior to that, he served as our Senior Vice President – Marketing and Sales from January 1994.





Martin E. Cary.  Mr. Cary has served as our Vice President – General Manager, Managed Broadband Services since September 2004.  Prior to that, he served as our Vice President – Broadband Services from June 1999 to September 2004.





Gregory F. Chapados.  Mr. Chapados has served as one of our Senior Vice Presidents since June 2006.  Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of Integrated Strategies Initiatives LLC from August 2004 to May 2006.  Integrated Strategies was at the time a boutique investment bank servingmiddle-market companies in defense and other areas of federal contracting.  Prior to that, Mr. Chapados was a Managing Director at the investment bank, Hoak Breedlove Wesneski & Co. from February 1995 to July 2004.





Paul E. Landes.  Mr. Landes has served as one of our Senior Vice Presidents and as General Manager, Consumer Services since December 2010.  Prior to that, he served as our Vice President and General Manager Consumer Services from September 2005 to December 2010.  Prior to that, Mr. Landes served as our Vice President – Marketing and Sales, and Chief Marketing Officer beginning in 2002.  Prior to that, he was our Vice President – Marketing from 1999 to 2002.





Gregory W. Pearce.  Mr. Pearce has served as our Vice President and General Manager, Business Services since June 2010.  Prior to that, he served as our Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Services beginning in September 2005.  Prior to that, he served as our Vice President /Director of Long Distance Products beginning in January 1998.





Tina M. Pidgeon.  Ms. Pidgeon has served as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Government Affairs, since September 2010.  Prior to that, she served as our Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs from January 2003 to September 2010.





Jerry A. Edgerton.  Mr. Edgerton has served as a director on our board since June 2004.  Since September 2011, he has been President of Global Services for iNETWORKS Group, Inc., a comprehensive telecommunications solutions provider.  From July 2009 to August 2011, he was President of Government Markets for Core 180, a network integrator for large governmental and commercial customers.  From November 2007 to May 2009, he was Chief Executive Officer for Command Information, Inc., a next generation Internet service company.  From April 2007 to October 2007, Mr. Edgerton was an advisor on matters affecting the telecommunications industry as well as the U.S. government.  Prior to that and from January 2006 to April 2007, he was Group President of Verizon Federal.  Prior to that and from November 1996, he was Senior Vice President – Government Markets for MCI Communications Corporation, an affiliate of MCI, which was later acquired by Verizon Communications, Inc.  His present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2014 annual meeting.





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Scott M. Fisher.  Mr. Fisher was appointed to our board in December 2005.  From 1998 to the present, he has been a partner of Fisher Capital Partners, Ltd., a private equity and real estate investment company located in Denver, Colorado.  During that time, Fisher Capital owned and operated Peak Cablevision, a multiple system cable television operator with approximately 120,000 subscribers.  At Peak Cablevision, Mr. Fisher was responsible for television programming and corporate development.  From June 1990 to April 1998, he was Vice President at The Bank of New York and BNY Capital Resources Corporation, an affiliate of The Bank of New York, where he worked in the corporate lending and commercial leasing departments.  Mr. Fisher serves on the advisory boards of several private companies.  His present term as director on our board expires at the time of our 2013 annual meeting.





William P. Glasgow.  Mr. Glasgow has served as a director on our board since 1996.  From 2005 to the present, Mr. Glasgow has been Chief Executive Officer of AmericanWay Education.  From 1999 to December 2004, he was President/CEO of Security Broadband Corp.  From 2000 to the present Mr. Glasgow has been President of Diamond Ventures, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company and sole general partner of Prime II Management, L.P., and Prime II Investments, L.P., both of which are Delaware limited partnerships.  Since 1996, he has been President of Prime II Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which was formerly the sole general partner of Prime II Management, L.P.  His present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2013 annual meeting.





Mark W. Kroloff.Mr. Kroloff has served as a director on our board since February 2009.  Since January 2010, he has been a principal at First Alaskan Capital Partners, LLC, an investment firm.  From May 2005 to December 2009, he was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation ("ASRC"), an Alaska Native regional corporation formed pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.  From 2001 to April 2005, Mr. Kroloff was Chief Operating Officer of Cook Inlet Region, Inc., also an Alaska Native regional corporation.  Prior to that, from 1989 to 2001 he was Vice President and General Counsel of Cook Inlet Region, Inc.  He also serves on the board of directors for Trilogy International Partners, LLC.  Mr. Kroloff's present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2014 annual meeting.





Stephen R. Mooney.  Mr. Mooney has served as a director on our board since January 1999.  He has been a Managing Director with the McClean Group, LLC, a national financial advisory services firm based in Washington, D.C. since April 2010.  From February 2008 to November 2009, Mr. Mooney was Vice President, Business Development for Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a global information technology and business process outsourcing company.  From January 2006 to September 2007, he was Executive Director, Business Development of VerizonBusiness, a unit of Verizon.  Prior to that, he was Vice President, Corporate Development and Treasury Services at MCI beginning in 2002.  From 1999 to 2002, he was Vice President of WorldCom Ventures Fund, Inc.  His present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2012 annual meeting.





James M. Schneider.  Mr. Schneider has served as a director on our board since July 1994.  He has been Chairman of Frontier Bancshares, Inc. since February 2007.  Prior to that, Mr. Schneider had been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Dell, Inc. from March 2000 to February 2007.  Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President – Finance for Dell Computer Corporation from September 1998 to March 2000.  He served on the board of directors of GAP, Inc. from September 2003 to October 2010.  Mr. Schneider also served on the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation from December 2005 to August 2010.  His present term as a director on our board expires at the time of our 2013 annual meeting.





Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance





During 2011, two of our directors (Messrs. Fisher and Schneider) inadvertently failed to file Forms 4 with the SEC that were due on January 18, 2011 and July 8, 2011, respectively.  Both filings were made by Messrs. Fisher and Schneider on February 3, 2011 and July 11, 2011, respectively. Furthermore, during 2011, two of our executive officers (Messrs. Landes and Pearce) inadvertently failed to file Forms 4 with the SEC that were due on August 3, 2011, however, both filings were made by January 19, 2012.  Another executive officer (Mr. Cary) inadvertently failed to file Forms 4 with the SEC that were due on July 1 and July 6, 2011, however, both filings were made by January 19, 2012.





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Also during 2011, five of our executive officers (Messrs. Cary, Chapados, Landes, Pearce and Ms. Tarbath) inadvertently failed to file Forms 4 with the SEC that were due on December 2, 2011, but all of the filings were made by December 22, 2011.





Code of Business Conduct and Ethics





Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics ("Ethics Code"), was adopted by our board in 2003.  It applies to all of our officers, directors and employees.  The Ethics Code takes as its basis a set of business principles adopted by our board several years ago.  It also builds upon the basic requirements for a code of ethics as required by federal securities law and rules adopted by the SEC.





Through our Ethics Code, we reaffirm our course of business conduct and ethics as based upon key values and characteristics and through adherence to a clear code of ethical conduct.  Our Ethics Code promotes honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships of our employees.  It also promotes full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, the SEC and other public communications made by us.  Our Ethics Code further promotes compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons as identified in the code and accountability for adherence to the code.





A copy of our Ethics Code is displayed on our Internet website at www.gci.com  (click on "About GCI," then click on "For Investors," and then click on "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics").  Except for the Ethics Code, and any other documents specifically incorporated herein, no information contained on the Company’s website shall be incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.





No Change in Nominating Procedure





There were no changes made during 2011 to the procedure by which our shareholders may recommend nominees to our board.





Litigation and Regulatory Matters





We were, as of December 31, 2011, involved in several administrative and civil action matters primarily related to our telecommunications markets in Alaska and the remaining 49 states and other regulatory matters.  These actions are discussed in more detail elsewhere in this report.  See "Part I – Item 3 – Legal Proceedings."  However, as of that date, our board was unaware of any legal proceedings in which one or more of our directors, officers, affiliates or owners of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any associates of the previously listed persons were parties adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries.  Furthermore, as of that date, our board was unaware of any events occurring during the past 10 years materially adverse to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any director, person nominated to become a director or executive officer of the Company.





In December 2010, Mr. Schneider settled charges brought against him by the SEC for actions that allegedly took place when he was the chief financial officer at Dell, Inc.  Mr. Schneider is no longer employed by Dell, Inc.  He settled the charges and consented to the issuance of an SEC administrative order without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, with limited exceptions.  The limited exceptions are acknowledgment of the SEC's jurisdiction over Mr. Schneider and the subject matter of the SEC proceedings brought against him, and the SEC findings with respect to litigation involving that company and certain of its senior executive officers including Mr. Schneider.  The court in that litigation entered an order permanently enjoining Mr. Schneider, by consent, from future violations of specified provisions of federal securities law.  Mr. Schneider agreed to pay, as specified in the court's order, $3 million as a civil money penalty and $83,096 in disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, as well as $38,640 in prejudgment interest.  In the settlement with the SEC, Mr. Schneider has further consented to his suspension from appearing or practicing before the SEC as an accountant for at least five years, after which time he may request reinstatement by application to the SEC.  As of December 31, 2011, Mr. Schneider was making payments in accordance with the terms of the court order.  As a result of the order, Mr. Schneider is prohibited from serving as a member of our Audit Committee. Accordingly, Mr. Schneider resigned from his position on our Audit Committee of our board effective as of August 8, 2011.





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Audit Committee, Audit Committee Financial Expert





We have a board audit committee ("Audit Committee") comprised of several members of our board, i.e., Messrs. Mooney (Chair), Fisher, and Glasgow.





Our Audit Committee is governed by, and carries out its responsibilities under, an Audit Committee Charter, as adopted and amended from time to time by our board ("Audit Committee Charter").  The charter sets forth the purpose of the Audit Committee and its membership prerequisites and operating principles.  It also requires our Audit Committee to select our independent, registered, public accounting firm to provide for us accounting and audit services ("External Accountant") and sets forth other primary responsibilities.  A copy of our Audit Committee Charter is available to our shareholders on our Internet website: www.gci.com (click on "About GCI," then click on "For Investors," and then click on "Audit Committee Charter").





The Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards require that at least one member of our Audit Committee must have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or comparable experience or background which results in the individual's "financial sophistication."  This financial sophistication may derive from the person being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.





Our board believes that Messrs. Glasgow and Mooney, are audit committee financial experts ("Audit Committee Financial Experts") and also meet the Nasdaq requirements for financial sophistication.  Our board further believes that Messrs. Fisher, Glasgow and Mooney are each an independent director as the term is defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate listing standards (to which the Company is subject), i.e., an individual other than one of our executive officers or employees or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of our board would interfere in carrying out the responsibilities of a director ("Independent Director").





Under the SEC's rules, an Audit Committee Financial Expert is defined as a person who has all of the following attributes:





·
Understanding of GAAP and financial statements.





·
Ability to assess the general application of GAAP in connection with accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves.





·
Experience in preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by our financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities.





·
Understanding of internal control over financial reporting.





·
Understanding of audit committee functions.





The Audit Committee Charter specifies how one may determine whether a person has acquired the attributes of an Audit Committee Financial Expert.  They are one or more of the following:





·
Education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involved the performance of similar functions.





·
Experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor or person performing similar functions.





·
Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements.





·
Other relevant experience.





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Our Audit Committee acts on behalf of our board and generally carries out specific duties including the following, all of which are described in detail in our Audit Committee Charter:





·
Principal Accountant Selection, Qualification– Is directly responsible for appointment, compensation, retention, oversight, qualifications and independence of our External Accountant.





·
Financial Statements–Assists in our board's oversight of integrity of the Company financial statements.





·
Financial Reports, Internal Control– Is directly responsible for oversight of the audit by our External Accountant of our financial reports and reports on internal control.





·
Annual Reports– Prepares reports required to be included in our annual proxy statement.





·
Complaints– Receives and responds to certain complaints relating to internal accounting controls, and auditing matters, confidential, anonymous submissions by our employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, and certain alleged illegal acts or behavior-related conduct in violation of our Ethics Code.  See "Part III – Item 10 – Code of Business Conduct and Ethics."





·
Principal Accountant Disagreements– Resolves disagreements, if any, between our External Accountant and us regarding financial reporting.





·
Non-Audit Services– Reviews and pre-approves any non-audit services (audit-related, tax and other non-audit related services) offered to us by our External Accountant ("Non-Audit Services").





·
Attorney Reports–Addresses certain attorney reports, if any, relating to violation of securities law or fiduciary duty by one of our officers, directors, employees or agents.





·
Related Party Transactions– Reviews certain related party transactions as described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 13 – Certain Transactions."





·
Other– Carries out other assignments as designated by our board.





Item 11. Executive Compensation





Compensation Discussion and Analysis





Overview –





Compensation of our executive officers and directors during 2011 was subject to processes and procedures carried out through our Compensation Committee ("Compensation Program").  This compensation discussion and analysis ("Compensation Discussion and Analysis") addresses the material elements of our Compensation Program as applied to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and to each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2011.  All five of these officers are identified in the Summary Compensation Table ("Named Executive Officers").  See "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation:  Summary Compensation Table."





Both the Compensation Committee and the Company believe that the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers under our Compensation Program is fair, reasonable, competitive and consistent with our Compensation Principles.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis: Principles of the Compensation Program."





71


Our Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Brett, Edgerton (Chair), Mooney, and Schneider.  All of the members of the committee are considered by our board to be Independent Directors.





Our board had not as of December 31, 2011 adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee.  However, consideration and determination of compensation of our executive officers and directors during 2011 was subject to our Compensation Program, the aspects of which are described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Process."





Our Compensation Program sets forth the scope of authority of our Compensation Committee and requires the committee to carry out the following:





·
Review, on an annual basis, plans and targets for executive officer and board member compensation, if any –





o
Review is specifically to address expected performance and compensation of, and the criteria on which compensation is based for, the Chief Executive Officer and such other of our executive officers as our board may designate for this purpose.





·
Monitor the effect of ongoing events on, and the effectiveness of, existing compensation policies, goals, and plans –





o
Events specifically include but are not limited to the status of the premise that all pay systems correlate with our compensation goals and policies.





o
Report from time to time, its findings to our board.





·
Administer our Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan") and approve grants of options and awards pursuant to the plan.





·
Monitor compensation-related publicity and public and private sector developments on executive compensation.





·
Familiarize itself with, and monitor the tax, accounting, corporate, and securities law ramifications of, our compensation policies, including but not limited to –





o
Comprehending a senior executive officer's total compensation package.





o
Comprehending the package's total cost to us and its total value to the recipient.





o
Paying close attention to salary, bonuses, individual insurance and health benefits, perquisites, special benefits to specific executive officers, and other retirement benefits.





·
Establish the overall cap on executive compensation and the measure of performance for executive officers, either by predetermined measurement or by a subjective evaluation.





·
Strive to make our compensation plans fair and structured so as to maximize shareholder value.





In carrying out its duties, our Compensation Committee may accept for review and inclusion in its annual review with our board, recommendations from our chief executive officer as to expected performance and compensation of, and the criteria on which compensation is based for, executive officers.  However, our Compensation Committee, in being established as a committee of the board under our Bylaws, was not specifically authorized to delegate any of its duties to another person.  Our Compensation Committee has in the past retained and made use of compensation consultants in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation as further discussed elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Process."





72


Principles of the Compensation Program –





Our Compensation Program is based upon the following principles ("Compensation Principles"):





·
Compensation is related to performance and must cause alignment of interests of executive officers with the long term interests of our shareholders.





·
Compensation targets must take into consideration competitive market conditions and provide incentives for superior performance by the Company.





·
Actual compensation must take into consideration the Company's and the executive officer's performance over the prior year and the long term, and the Company's resources.





·
Compensation is based upon both qualitative and quantitative factors.





·
Compensation must enable the Company to attract and retain management necessary to cause the Company to succeed.





Process –





Overview.Our Compensation Committee reviews annually and recommends to our board for approval the base salary, incentive and other compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and senior executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers.  These reviews are performed and recommendations are made in executive session that excludes all members of management.  The analyses and recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer on these matters may be considered by our Compensation Committee in its deliberations and recommendations to our board.  Board action on the recommendations is done by a vote of our Independent Directors.





Other elements of executive compensation and benefits as described in this section are also reviewed by our Compensation Committee on a regular basis.





Compensation Committee and Compensation Consultant Interaction.  Our Compensation Committee evaluates and analyzes the Compensation Program, its principles and objectives, and the specific compensation element recommendations presented by our Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis.  In October 2005, our Compensation Committee selected, retained and commenced a process of working with an outside compensation consultant (Towers Perrin, which subsequently merged with another entity and became Towers Watson, hereafter "Compensation Consultant") to assist the Compensation Committee with its compensation reviews.   The Compensation Consultant reported directly to our Compensation Committee and assisted the Compensation Committee in evaluating and analyzing the compensation levels and targets for the senior executive officers during 2010, including the Named Executive Officers, to establish a four year compensation plan.





Implementation.Discussions on executive compensation and benefits made by the Compensation Committee have been guided by our Compensation Principles.  The elements of compensation as described later in this section are believed by the Compensation Committee to be integral and necessary parts of the Compensation Program.





Our Compensation Committee has concluded that each individual segment of each element of executive compensation continues generally to be consistent with one or more of our Compensation Principles.  Our Compensation Committee has further concluded the amount of compensation provided by the segment is reasonable, primarily based upon a comparison of the compensation amounts and segments we provide when compared to those offered by other similar companies in our industry and in our market.





Our process for determining executive compensation and benefits does not involve a precise and identifiable formula or link between each element and our Compensation Principles.  However, it takes into consideration market practice and information provided by our Compensation Consultant and management.  Furthermore, it is based upon the relationship of compensation as shall be paid and financial performance of the Company.  It is also the result of discussion among our Compensation Committee members and management.  Ultimately it is based upon the judgment of our Compensation Committee.





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Each year our Compensation Committee reviews elements of compensation for each of our senior executive officers including, for 2011, the Named Executive Officers.





In 2010, base salary and incentive stock targets were compared to survey data and amounts offered by a group of similar companies.  The Company's relative financial performance was reviewed in order to determine what a reasonable amount of compensation might be in relation to its peer group.  The compensation peer group is principally made up of the following:





·
Companies in industries similar to our Company.





·
Companies with which our Company competes for executive talent.





·
Our Company's direct business competitors.





·
Companies that compete with our Company for investment dollars.





The compensation peer group list used in determining the reasonableness of our Compensation Program consisted of 16 companies as follows:





Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.
Knology, Inc.C Beyond, Inc.
Mediacom Communications Corp.Cincinnati Bell, Inc.
Premiere Global Services, Inc.Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.
RCN CorpCrown Media Holdings, Inc.
SureWest CommunicationsEquinix, Inc.
Time Warner Telecom, Inc.Grande Communications
Wave BroadbandIowa Telecommunications Services, Inc.
XO Holdings, Inc.





Individual levels of base compensation were generally targeted to be set within a range of between the 50th and 75th percentile, based upon the executive's individual performance in the prior year relative to his or her peers, the executive's future potential, and the scope of the executive's responsibilities and experience.  Input from the individual executives in terms of their expectation and requirements were considered as well.





We believe this method of setting compensation enables the Company to attract and retain individuals who are necessary to lead and manage the Company while enabling the Company to differentiate between executives and performance levels and responsibility.  The comparison to other companies also allowed the Compensation Committee to determine the reasonableness of the balance between long-term incentive and annual compensation.





Based upon the information received from its Compensation Consultant, the Compensation Committee determined that, in general, base compensation levels for the Company's senior officers were reasonable and within the 50th and 75th percentile when compared to officers of companies in our peer group having comparable financial performance.





Based on its review in 2010, the Compensation Committee established a four year compensation plan that ends in 2013.  During 2011, the Compensation Committee analyzed such things as the economy and the business environment in which the Company operates to determine if any modifications were needed to the four year compensation plan established during 2010.  Based on its review, the Compensation Committee concluded that that the salaries and incentive compensation established in 2010 are still appropriate for the senior executive officers.





74


Elements of Compensation –





Overview.  For 2011, the elements of compensation in our Compensation Program were as follows:





·
Base Salary.





·
Incentive Compensation Bonus Plan ("Incentive Compensation Plan").





·
Stock Option Plan.





·
Perquisites.





·
Retirement and Welfare Benefits.





As of December 31, 2011, there were no compensatory plans or arrangements providing for payments to any of the Named Executive Officers in conjunction with any termination of employment or other working relationship of such an officer with us (including without limitation, resignation, severance, retirement or constructive termination of employment of the officer).  Furthermore, as of that date, there were no such plans or arrangements providing for payments to any of the Named Executive Officers in conjunction with a change of control of us or a change in such an officer's responsibilities to us.  However, in the event of a change in control, all options and restricted stock of our Named Executive Officers will vest.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation:  Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control."





The Company has no requirements with respect to security ownership by its officers or directors, and it has no policies regarding hedging the economic risk of ownership of Company equity.  Executive officers are invited to provide their input with respect to their compensation to the Compensation Committee primarily through our Chief Executive Officer.





A Named Executive Officer participating in the Compensation Program could, under terms of the corresponding Incentive Compensation Plan agreement with us and pursuant to our Deferred Compensation Plan, elect to defer a significant portion of that compensation.  In this instance, the Named Executive Officer becomes our unsecured creditor.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation."





Base Salary.  Effective January 1, 2011, based upon the process previously described in this section, the base salaries reported in the Summary Compensation Table (see "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation:  Summary Compensation Table") were approved by the Compensation Committee.





Mr. Duncan's base salary reflects cash compensation of $600,000 per year until adjusted by our Compensation Committee.  Mr. Duncan's duties remained unchanged during 2011.





Mr. Hughes' base salary reflects cash compensation of $362,500 per year and $125,000 credited to his Deferred Compensation Arrangement account with us.  His duties remained unchanged during 2011.





Mr. Lowber's base salary reflects cash compensation of $260,000 and $135,000 credited to his Deferred Compensation Arrangement account with us.  His duties remained unchanged during 2011.  Mr. Lowber’s salary in 2010 included $403,709 that reflects the vesting of a multi-year retention agreement.





Mr. Chapados' base salary reflects cash compensation of $300,000.  His duties remained unchanged during 2011.





Ms. Pidgeon’s base salary reflects cash compensation of $275,000.  Her duties remained unchanged during 2011.





Incentive Compensation Plan.  Overview –A portion of the Company's compensation to each Named Executive Officer relates to, and is contingent upon, the officer's performance and our financial performance and resources.





Messrs. Duncan, Hughes, Lowber, Chapados and Ms. Pidgeon –Overview.  In October 2010, our board approved changes to our Incentive Compensation Plan for our Named Executive Officers.  The changes resulted from ongoing discussions during 2009 and 2010 and form a plan that is expected to be in place for those Named Executive Officers through 2013.





75


In the context of the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee first determined the targeted annual incentive compensation for each of them.  After setting these targets, the Compensation Committee then split that amount between short-term and long-term incentive compensation.  Both short-term and long-term incentive compensation is paid out in the form of 50% cash and 50% restricted stock grants that vest in three years, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee based on the individual circumstances of each Named Executive Officer.  Therefore, even the short-term incentive compensation is designed to encourage the focus of these executives on long-term performance.  Annual cash bonuses are intended to reward short-term performance and to make our senior executive compensation packages competitive with comparable executive positions in other companies.





The following table shows the short-term, long-term and total annual target incentive plan compensation for the Named Executive Officers under this plan for each of the two remaining plan years:





Name

Short-Term Incentive

Compensation – Target

($)


Long-Term Incentive

Compensation – Target

($)


Total Annual Target –Incentive Compensation Plan

($)Ronald A. Duncan


1,450,000



350,000



1,800,000G. Wilson Hughes


466,667



500,000
1


966,667John M. Lowber


350,000



200,000



550,000Gregory F. Chapados


350,000



200,000



550,000Tina M. Pidgeon


325,000



150,000



475,000


__________________


1
The Long-Term Incentive Compensation – Target for Mr. Hughes represents one year since he is eligible to receive the payment regardless of whether he is employed by the Company in year four (2013) of the incentive plan.


__________________





Short-Term Incentive Compensation.  The components of the short-term portion of the Incentive Compensation Plan are expected to remain the same for the duration of the plan.  However, the allocation between the components will likely change on an annual basis at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  The following table provides a summary of the 2011 short-term incentive compensation targets for the Named Executive Officers:





Name

Free Cash Flow Goal

($)


Capex Spending

($)


Discretionary

($)


2011 Short-Term

Incentive Compensation Plan Target

($)Ronald A. Duncan


350,000



200,000



900,000



1,450,000G. Wilson Hughes


200,000



100,000



166,667



466,667John M. Lowber


125,000



50,000



175,000



350,000Gregory F. Chapados


100,000



25,000



225,000



350,000Tina M. Pidgeon


100,000



25,000



200,000



325,000





The following is a description of what each of these short-term incentive compensation targets are and how they are measured.





Free Cash Flow Goal.  The Free Cash Flow Goal is intended to focus the Named Executive Officers on increasing the Free Cash Flow of the Company by increasing Adjusted EBITDA  managing capital expenditures and reducing working capital requirements. The target is based upon achieving the sum of planned year over year increases in the following three metrics:





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(1)
Cash Adjusted EBITDA – Adjusted EBITDA, plus IRU sales, less non-cash items and adjusted for new businesses.  The target for year over year growth in this metric was $48.7 million in 2011.





(2)
Free Cash Flow – Cash Adjusted EBITDA, less capital expenditure spending ("Capex Spending"), less interest expense and less cash taxes.  The target for year over year growth in this metric was a decrease of $43.0 million in 2011.





(3)
Increase in Cash Balance - Targeted Free Cash Flow, plus acquisition payments, plus net principal payments, plus stock repurchases and dividends, if any.  The target for this component was a decrease of $2.4 million in 2011.





The Free Cash Flow Goal is the sum of the three metrics above.  The combined metric was $3.3 million in 2011.  Each of the Named Executive Officers would earn their Target Incentive Compensation for this goal if the Company has Free Cash Flow equal to the metric.  The incentive compensation earned is increased or decreased from the Target Incentive Compensation by 2% for each $1 million that the actual Free Cash Flow is above or below the Free Cash Flow metric.  This target is to be reviewed and reset annually by the Compensation Committee.





Capex Spending.The Capex Spending target is based on Capex Spending not exceeding the goal set forth by our board.  The goal was $150 million in 2011, but that amount is to be reviewed and may be reset annually for future years.  In 2011 the targeted incentive for Capex Spending will be paid out at 100% if the total cash adjusted Capex Spending for the year is $152 million or less.  If cash adjusted Capex Spending exceeds $152 million, the payout would reduce in a linear fashion to zero at $156 million.  For 2011, the cash adjusted Capex Spending was $146.2 million.





Discretionary.The board will take various factors into account when deciding on the payout of the discretionary portion of the plan applying to the Named Executive Officers.  These factors include, but are not limited to, leadership, crisis management, succession planning, strategic planning, risk management, special projects, financial reporting, and compliance with our debt covenants.





The short-term incentive compensation is generally paid 50% in cash and 50% issued in the form of restricted stock grants, with one exception, that is Mr. Duncan’s 2011 short-term incentive compensation will be paid 100% in cash in order to facilitate payment of the exercise price on certain imminently expiring stock options.  The restricted stock grants will vest on the earlier of November 30, 2014 or such date that the Named Executive Officer has negotiated with the Compensation Committee pursuant to a plan to retire from the Company.  The following table summarizes the 2011 short-term incentive compensation achieved by the Named Executive Officers, each of whom participated in this plan:





77


Goals

Ronald A. Duncan


G. Wilson Hughes


John M. Lowber


Gregory F. Chapados


Tina M. PidgeonFree Cash Flow Goal – Target Incentive Compensation

$
350,000


$
200,000


$
125,000


$
100,000


$
100,000Free Cash Flow Goal Achievement1


27.69
%


27.69
%


27.69
%


27.69
%


27.69
%2011 Free Cash Flow Incentive Compensation Earned

$
96,919


$
55,382


$
34,614


$
27,691


$
27,691Capex Spending

$
200,000


$
100,000


$
50,000


$
25,000


$
25,000Capex Spending Achievement


100
%


100
%


100
%


100
%


100
%2011 Capex Spending Incentive Compensation Earned

$
200,000


$
100,000


$
50,000


$
25,000


$
25,000Discretionary

$
900,000


$
166,667


$
175,000


$
225,000


$
200,000Discretionary Achievement2


83.9
%


116.9
%


95
%


91.1
%


78.3
%2011 Discretionary Incentive Compensation Earned

$
755,000


$
194,834


$
166,250


$
205,000


$
156,5002011 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Earned

$
1,051,919


$
350,216


$
250,864


$
257,691


$
209,191


_____________





1
The Free Cash Flow metric for 2011 was $3,272,000.  Each of the Named Executive Officers would earn their Target Incentive Compensation for this goal if the Company had Free Cash Flow equal to the metric.  The Target Incentive Compensation is increased or decreased by 2% for each $1 million that the actual Free Cash Flow is above or below the metric.  For 2011, the actual free cash flow was negative $32,883,000 resulting in actual free cash flow that was $36,155,000 below the metric, therefore, the Target Incentive Compensation was reduced by 72.31%.





2
Our Compensation Committee considered the following factors regarding the Discretionary Achievement of the Named Executive Officers.  With regard to Mr. Duncan, the Compensation Committee took into account his leadership during 2011, performance in developing a strategic plan for key components of our business, diversification and succession planning.  With regard to Mr. Hughes, the Compensation Committee took into account his leadership of the TERRA-SW project, succession planning and the development of a plan to expand strategic network assets.  With regard to Mr. Lowber, the Compensation Committee considered his leadership in regards to risk management, management development and financial reporting.  With regard to Mr. Chapados, the Compensation Committee considered, among other thing, his leadership in supporting strategic transactions and key lines of business.  With regard to Ms. Pidgeon, the Compensation Committee considered her leadership in managing strategic legal initiatives for the Company and as General Counsel for the Company.





2012 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Targets.  The following table summarizes the short-term incentive compensation targets established by our Compensation Committee for our Named Executive Officers for 2012:





Name

Free Cash Flow Goal

($)


Capex Spending

($)


Discretionary

($)


2012 Short-Term

Incentive Compensation Plan Target

($)Ronald A. Duncan


450,000



200,000



800,000



1,450,000G. Wilson Hughes


175,000



75,000



216,667



466,667John M. Lowber


175,000



50,000



125,000



350,000Gregory F. Chapados


175,000



50,000



125,000



350,000Tina M. Pidgeon


75,000



---



250,000



325,000





For 2012, the Compensation Committee will evaluate the metric upon which the Free Cash Flow Goal will be based.  The Capex Spending goal for that year will be based upon $137 million in cash adjusted Capex Spending.





Long-Term Incentive Compensation.$290 million Adjusted EBITDA Plan.The goal of this portion of the Incentive Compensation Plan for the Named Executive Officers is to drive long-term Adjusted EBITDA growth.  To achieve the target level of payments under the plan, it would be necessary to have $225 million in Adjusted EBITDA in 2011 and $250 million in Adjusted EBITDA in 2013.  The maximum payout would require Adjusted EBITDA to be in excess of $250 million in 2011, $250 million in 2012 and $290 million in 2013.





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The following table outlines the minimum, target and maximum payouts remaining for 2012 through 2013 under the $290 million Adjusted EBITDA plan.  The target payments are for the two years remaining under the plan.  Hence, the target amount is two times the amount shown above for Messrs. Duncan, Lowber, Chapados and Ms. Pidgeon in the summary table of short-term and long-term compensation targets.  For example, Mr. Duncan will receive a targeted incentive of $350,000 per year for the $290 million plan which over a two year period amounts to the $700,000 which is shown below.  Mr. Hughes is eligible to receive the payment regardless of whether he is employed by the Company in year four (2013) of the incentive plan, therefore, his target payment is the same as what is shown above in the summary table of short-term and long-term compensation targets.





Name

Minimum Payments

($)


Target Payments

($)


Maximum Payments

($)Ronald A. Duncan


0



700,000



1,750,000G. Wilson Hughes


0



500,000



1,250,000John M. Lowber


0



400,000



1,000,000Gregory F. Chapados


0



400,000



1,000,000Tina M. Pidgeon


0



300,000



750,000





On November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers (“High Cost Order”).  The High Cost Order program changes decreased our revenue $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.  See Footnote 1(t) of “Part II – Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information on the High Cost Order.  The Compensation Committee modified the Adjusted EBITDA calculation for 2011 under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation portion of the plan to take into consideration the decrease in revenue resulting from changes in USF support.  As a result, the Adjusted EBITDA target was met during 2011 resulting in the Named Executive Officers earning the target incentive compensation under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation portion of the plan.  The following table shows the incentive compensation earned during 2011 pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Compensation portion of the plan:





Name

2011 ($)Ronald A. Duncan


700,000G. Wilson Hughes


500,000John M. Lowber


400,000Gregory F. Chapados


400,000Tina M. Pidgeon


300,000





79


The following table shows the potential payments pursuant to this plan in 2012:





Name

If 2012 Adjusted EBITDA is below $250 million

($)


If 2012 Adjusted EBITDA is above $250 million

($)Ronald A. Duncan


0



700,000G. Wilson Hughes


0



500,000John M. Lowber


0



400,000Gregory F. Chapados


0



400,000Tina M. Pidgeon


0



300,000





Despite establishment of these performance goals and targeted incentive compensation amounts, the Compensation Committee retains complete discretionary authority to adjust the amount of incentive compensation paid and the composition of the payments.





Stock Option Plan.  Options and awards, if granted to the Named Executive Officers, were granted pursuant to terms of our Stock Option Plan.  In particular, the exercise price for options in each instance was the closing price for our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the day of the grant of the option.  Options or awards, if granted, were granted contemporaneously with the approval of the Compensation Committee, typically early in the year in question or late in the previous year as described above.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Incentive Compensation Plan."





We adopted our stock option plan in 1986.  It has been subsequently amended from time to time and presently is our Stock Option Plan, i.e., our Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan.  Under our Stock Option Plan, we are authorized to grant awards and options to purchase shares of Class A common stock to selected officers, directors and other employees of, and consultants or advisors to, the Company and its subsidiaries.  The options are more specifically referred to as nonstatutory stock options or incentive stock options within Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Internal Revenue Code").  In addition, under the Stock Option Plan restricted stock awards may be granted as further described below.  The selection of grantees for options and awards under the plan is made by our Compensation Committee.





The number of shares of Class A common stock allocated to the Stock Option Plan is 15.7 million shares.  The number of shares for which options or awards may be granted is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations and certain other changes in corporate structure or capitalization.  As of December 31, 2011, there were 1.1 million shares subject to outstanding options under the Stock Option Plan, 1.6 million shares granted subject to vesting, 1.7 million share grants had vested, 8.1 million shares had been issued upon the exercise of options under the plan, 0.8 million share options repurchased by the plan and 4.0 million shares remained available for additional grants under the plan.





Restricted stock awards granted under the Stock Option Plan may be subject to vesting conditions based upon service or performance criteria as the Compensation Committee may specify.  These specifications may include attainment of one or more performance targets.  Shares acquired pursuant to such an award may not be transferred by the participant until vested.  Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, a participant will forfeit any shares of restricted stock where the restrictions have not lapsed prior to the participant's termination of service with us.  Participants holding restricted stock will have the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends paid, if any.  However, those dividends or other distributions paid in shares will be subject to the same restrictions as the original award.





Our Compensation Committee selects each grantee and the time of grant of an option or award and determines the terms of each grant, including the number of shares covered by each grant and the exercise price.  In selecting a participant, as well as in determining these other terms and conditions of each grant, our Compensation Committee takes into consideration such factors as it deems, in its sole discretion, relevant in connection with accomplishing the purpose of the plan.





Under the Stock Option Plan, an option becomes vested and exercisable at such time or upon such event and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as specified by the Compensation Committee.  The maximum term of any option granted under the plan is 10 years, provided that an incentive stock option granted to a person who at the time of grant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation of the Company ("Ten Percent Shareholder") must have a term not exceeding five years.  Unless otherwise permitted by the Compensation Committee, an option generally remains exercisable for 30 days following the participant's termination of service, with limited exception.  The exception arises if service terminates as a result of the participant's death or disability, in which case the option generally remains exercisable for 12 months.  In any event, the option must be exercised no later than its expiration date.





In particular, under the present Stock Option Plan, the Compensation Committee may set an option exercise price not less than the fair market value of the stock on the effective date of grant of the option.  However, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, the exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.





80


Our Compensation Committee may, subject to certain limitations on the exercise of its discretion required by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, amend, cancel or renew any option granted under the Stock Option Plan, waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any option under the plan, and accelerate, continue, extend or defer the vesting of any option under the plan.  The Stock Option Plan provides, subject to certain limitations, for indemnification by the Company of any director, officer, or employee against all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any legal action arising from that person's action or failure to act in administering the plan.  All grants of options under the Stock Option Plan are to be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the optionee specifying the terms and conditions of the grant.





Options granted that have not become exercisable terminate upon the termination of the employment or directorship of the optionholder.  Exercisable options terminate from one month to one year after such termination, depending upon the cause of such termination.  If an option expires or terminates, the shares subject to such option become available for subsequent grants under the Stock Option Plan.





Incentive stock options are nontransferable by the participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the participant's lifetime only by the participant.  However, a nonstatutory stock option may be assigned or transferred to members of the optionholder's immediate family, to the extent permitted by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.





Our Stock Option Plan provides that payment upon exercise of an option may be in the form of money or shares of our Class A common stock.  If the optionee chooses the latter form of payment, the shares must have a fair market value not less than the exercise price.  The plan further provides, notwithstanding other restrictions on transferability of options, that an optionee, with approval of our Compensation Committee, may transfer an option for no consideration to, or for the benefit of, the optionee's immediate family.  There is no restriction in the Stock Option Plan that an option granted under the plan must be held by the optionee for a minimum period of time.





Under our Stock Option Plan, our authority to modify or amend the plan is subject to prior approval of our shareholders only in cases of increasing the number of shares of our stock allocated to, and available and reserved for, issuance under the plan, changing the class of persons eligible to receive incentive stock options or where shareholder approval is required under applicable law, regulation or rule.  One such law requiring shareholder approval before the Company may rely on it is Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.





Subject to these limitations, the Company may terminate or amend the Stock Option Plan at any time.  However, no termination or amendment may affect any outstanding option or award unless expressly provided by the Compensation Committee.  In any event, no termination or amendment of the plan may adversely affect an outstanding option or award without the consent of the participant unless necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation or rule.





With limited exception, no maximum or minimum exists with regard to the amount, either in dollars or in numbers, of options that may be exercised in any year, either by a single optionee or by all optionees under our Stock Option Plan.  At the 2002 annual meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the plan placing a limitation on accumulated grants of options of not more than 500,000 shares of Class A common stock per optionee per year.





With these exceptions, there are no fixed limitations on the number or amount of securities being offered, other than the practical limitations imposed by the number of employees eligible to participate in the plan and the total number of shares of stock authorized and available for granting under the plan.   Shares covered by options which have terminated or expired for any reason prior to their exercise are available for grant of new options pursuant to the plan.





In the past, the Company has issued options under the Stock Option Plan to motivate our employees with compensation that is tied to the Company's stock performance.  However, many employees do not recognize the tangible benefits of holding stock options.  The Black-Scholes Merton Model, although elegant and deterministic, is at its core very complex.  A much simpler calculation that is often used by employees is to multiply the number of options by the amount that the options are in the money to calculate the current "value" of those options.  Unfortunately, this simpler calculation effectively ignores the remaining term of the option and drastically reduces its value in motivating and retaining option holders.





81


With limited exceptions (one involving Mr. Duncan, a Named Executive Officer), since mid-2009 we have used restricted stock in place of options.  That is, on February 8, 2010, we granted an option for 150,000 shares of Class A common stock to Mr. Duncan.  That option vests on February 8, 2012.





Perquisites.  The Company provides certain perquisites to its Named Executive Officers.  The Compensation Committee believes these perquisites are reasonable and appropriate and consistent with our awareness of perquisites offered by similar publicly traded companies.  The perquisites assist in attracting and retaining the Named Executive Officers and, in the case of certain perquisites, promote health, safety and efficiency of our Named Executive Officers.  These perquisites are as follows:





·
Use of Company Leased Aircraft – The Company permits employees, including the Named Executive Officers, to use Company aircraft for personal travel for themselves and their guests.  Such travel generally is limited to a space available basis on flights that are otherwise business-related.  Where a Named Executive Officer, or a guest of that officer, flies on a space available basis, the additional variable cost to the Company (such as fuel, catering, and landing fees) is de minimus.  As a result, no amount is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for that flight.  Where the additional variable cost to the Company occurs on such a flight for solely personal purposes of that Named Executive Officer or guest, that cost is included in the Summary Compensation Table entry for that officer.  Because it is rare for a flight to be purely personal in nature, fixed costs (such as hangar expenses, crew salaries and monthly leases) are not included in the Summary Compensation Table.  In any case, in the event such a cost is non-deductible by the Company under the Internal Revenue Code, the value of that lost deduction is included in the Summary Compensation Table entry for that Named Executive Officer.  When employees, including the Named Executive Officers, use Company aircraft for such travel they are attributed with taxable income in accordance with regulations pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company does not "gross up" or reimburse an employee for taxes he or she owes on such attributed income.  Mr.  Duncan has made use of the aircraft for personal travel, the variable cost, if any, of which is included in his respective entries in the Summary Compensation Table.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation:  Summary Compensation Table."





·
Enhanced Long Term Disability Benefit – The Company provides the Named Executive Officers and other senior executive officers of the Company with an enhanced long term disability benefit.  This benefit provides a supplemental replacement income benefit of 60% of average monthly compensation capped at $10,000 per month.  The normal replacement income benefit applying to other of our employees is capped at $5,000 per month.





·
Enhanced Short Term Disability Benefit – The Company provides the Named Executive Officers and other senior executive officers of the Company with an enhanced short term disability benefit.  This benefit provides a supplemental replacement income benefit of 66 2/3% of average monthly compensation, capped at $2,300 per week.  The normal replacement income benefit applying to other of our employees is capped at $1,150 per week.





·
Miscellaneous –Aside from benefits offered to its employees generally, the Company provided miscellaneous other benefits to its Named Executive Officers including the following (see "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation:  Summary Compensation Table – Components of 'All Other Compensation'"):





o
Success Sharing – An incentive program offered to all of our employees that shares 15% of the excess earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share based compensation expense over the highest previous year ("Success Sharing").





o
Board Fees – Provided to Mr. Duncan as one of our directors. The Compensation Committee believes that it is appropriate to provide such board fees to Mr. Duncan given the additional oversight responsibilities and the accompanying liability incumbent upon members of our board.  In determining the appropriate amount of overall compensation payable to Mr. Duncan in his capacity as  Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee does take into account any such board fees that are payable to Mr. Duncan.  This monitoring of Mr. Duncan's overall compensation package for services rendered as Chief Executive Officer and as a director is done to ensure that Mr. Duncan is not being doubly compensated for the same services rendered to the Company.





82


Retirement and Welfare Benefits–GCI 401(k) Plan.  Named Executive Officers may, along with our employees generally, participate in our GCI 401(k) Plan in which we may provide matching contributions in accordance with the terms of the plan.





We initially adopted our qualified employee stock purchase plan effective in January 1987.  It has been subsequently amended from time to time and presently is our GCI 401(k) Plan.  The plan is qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code.  All of our employees (excluding employees subject to a collective bargaining agreement) who have completed at least one year of service are eligible to participate in the plan.  An eligible highly compensated employee (earning more than $115,000 within the prior year) may elect to contribute up to 12% of such compensation to the employee's account in the plan.  Otherwise, an eligible employee may elect to contribute up to 50% of such compensation.  In both cases, these contributions are up to a maximum per employee of $17,000 for 2012.  Participants over the age of 50 may make additional elective deferral contributions to their accounts in the plan of up to $5,500 for 2012.





Subject to certain limitations, we may make matching contributions to our GCI 401(k) Plan for the benefit of employees.  Matching contributions will vest in accordance with a six-year schedule if the employee completes at least 1,000 hours of service in each year.  Such a contribution will vest in increments over the first six years of employment.  Thereafter, they are fully vested when made.





Except for additional elective contributions made by participants over age 50, the combination of pre-tax elective contributions, Roth 401(k) contributions and our matching contributions for any employee cannot exceed $34,000 for 2012.





Under the terms of our GCI 401(k) Plan, participating eligible employees may direct their contributions to be invested in common stock of the Company and shares of various identified mutual funds.





Our GCI 401(k) Plan is administered through a plan administrator (currently Mr. Lowber, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) and our Plan Committee.  The plan administrator and members of the Plan Committee all are our employees.  The Plan Committee has broad administrative discretion under the terms of the plan.





As of December 31, 2011, there remained 1,511,663 shares of Class A and 463,989 shares of Class B common stock allocated to our GCI 401(k) Plan and available for issuance by us or otherwise acquisition by the plan for the benefit of participants in the plan.





– Deferred Compensation Plan and Arrangements.  The Company provides to certain of our employees, including our executive officers and Named Executive Officers, opportunities to defer certain compensation under our nonqualified, unfunded, deferred compensation plan ("Deferred Compensation Plan").  In addition, we offer to our executive officers and to certain of our Named Executive Officers nonqualified, deferred compensation arrangements more specifically fashioned to the needs of the officer and us ("Deferred Compensation Arrangements").  During 2011, none of our officers participated in the Deferred Compensation Plan.  However, during 2011, two of our officers, both Named Executive Officers, participated in Deferred Compensation Arrangements specifically fashioned to their respective needs.  These Deferred Compensation Arrangements enable these individuals to defer compensation in excess of limits that apply to qualified plans, like our GCI 401(k) Plan, and to pursue other income tax goals which they set for themselves.





Based upon its review of the Deferred Compensation Arrangements, our Compensation Committee concluded that the benefits provided under them are in each case both reasonable and an important tool in retaining the executive officers involved with those arrangements.





– Welfare Benefits.  With the exception of the enhanced long term and short term disability benefits described previously, the Company provided to the Named Executive Officers the same health and welfare benefits provided generally to all other employees of the Company at the same general premium rates as charged to those employees.  The cost of the health and welfare programs is subsidized by the Company for all eligible employees including the Named Executive Officers.





83


Performance Rewarded –





Our Compensation Program is, in large part, designed to reward individual performance.  What constitutes performance varies from officer to officer, depending upon the nature of the officer's responsibilities.  Consistent with the Compensation Program, the Company identified key business metrics and established defined targets related to those metrics for each Named Executive Officer.  In the case of each Named Executive Officer, the targets were regularly reviewed by management, from time to time, and provided an immediate and clear picture of performance and enabled management to respond quickly to both potential problems as well as potential opportunities.  The Compensation Program also was used to establish and track corresponding applicable targets for individual management employees.





In 2011, the Compensation Program was used in development of each Named Executive Officer's individual performance goals and established incentive compensation targets.  The Compensation Committee evaluated the performance of each of the executive officers and the financial performance of the Company and awarded incentive compensation as described above.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Incentive Compensation Plan."





In 2010, our Compensation Committee separately determined to increase the cash component of Mr. Chapados' base salary from $240,000 to $300,000.  The increase to the cash component of Mr. Chapados' base salary was the first such increase received by Mr. Chapados since 2006.  The Compensation Committee made such increase in recognition of Mr. Chapados' excellent performance and the relatively low position of his salary in the marketplace, as well as the growth in the responsibilities of his position within the Company that have occurred since he joined the Company in 2006.  Mr. Chapados has been instrumental in the acquisition and integration of United Utilities, Inc. United-KUC, Inc. and Unicom, Inc. with the Company.  Additionally, Mr. Chapados was a key member of the team that obtained the federal grant to build Terra Southwest, an $88 million project to bring broadband services to rural Alaska.





Timing of Equity Awards –





Overview.  Timing of equity awards under our Director Compensation Plan and equity awards under our Compensation Program varies with the plan or portion of that program.  However, the Company does not, and has not in the past, timed its release of material nonpublic information for purposes of affecting the value of equity compensation.  Timing issues and our grant policy are described further below.





Director Compensation Plan.  As a part of the Director Compensation Plan, we grant awards of our common stock to board members, including those persons who may also be serving as one or more of our executive officers.  Mr. Duncan, a board member and Named Executive Officer, has been granted such awards in the past.  These awards are made annually in June of each year in accordance with the terms of the Director Compensation Plan.  The awards are made through our Stock Option Plan.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Stock Option Plan."





Incentive Compensation Plan.  As a part of our Compensation Program, from time to time, we grant stock options and awards in our Class A common stock to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers.  In particular, stock options and awards are granted in conjunction with the agreements that we enter into with Named Executive Officers pursuant to our Incentive Compensation Plan.  The grants of such options and awards are typically made early in the year at the time our board finalizes the prior year incentive compensation plan payouts for each of the Named Executive Officers.  All such options and awards are granted through the Stock Option Plan.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Incentive Compensation Plan" and "– Elements of Compensation – Stock Option Plan."





Stock Option Plan.  As a part of our Compensation Program, from time to time, we grant stock options or awards in our Class A common stock to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, and to certain of our advisors.  In the case of an executive officer, these options or awards may be granted regardless of whether there is in place an agreement entered into with the officer under our Incentive Compensation Plan.  In the case of a new hire and where we choose to grant options or awards, the grant may be done at the time of hire.  Under the Stock Option Plan, the Compensation Committee may set the exercise price for our Class A common stock at not less than its fair market value.  That value is presently determined on Nasdaq.  In all cases, regardless of the identity of the grantee, the timing, amount and other terms of the grant of options or awards under our Stock Option Plan are determined in the sole discretion of our Compensation Committee.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Stock Option Plan."





84


In the event an executive level employee is hired or promoted during a year, that employee may be eligible to receive an award under the plans previously described in this section.  Grants of awards in this context may be made at the recommendation of management and only with action of the Compensation Committee.





Grant Policy.  Under our grant policy, all approved grants are granted effective the date they were approved by the committee and are priced at the market value at the close of trading on that date.  The terms of the award are then communicated immediately to the recipient.





Tax and Accounting Treatment of Executive Compensation –





In determining the amount and form of compensation granted to executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, the Company takes into consideration both tax treatment and accounting treatment of the compensation.  Tax and accounting treatment for various forms of compensation is subject to changes in, and changing interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations, rulings and other factors not within the Company's control.  As a result, tax and accounting treatment is only one of several factors that the Company takes into account in designing the previously described elements of compensation.





Compensation Policies and Practices in Relation to Our Risk Management –





At the direction of our board, Company management has reviewed our compensation policies, plans and practices to determine whether they create incentives or encourage behavior that is reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect on the Company.  This effort included a review of our various employee compensation plans and practices as described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Process."





The purpose of the review was to evaluate risks and the internal controls we have implemented to manage those risks.  The controls include multiple performance metrics, corporate-wide financial measures, statutory clawbacks on equity awards, and board and board committee oversight and approvals.





In completing this review, our board and management believe risks created by our compensation policies, plans and practices that create incentives likely to have a material adverse effect on us are remote.





Shareholder Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation





At our 2011 annual meeting, our shareholders adopted a non-binding proposal pertaining to executive compensation of our Named Executive Officers and adopted a proposal to vote on the executive compensation of our Named Executive Officers every three years.  Based on the proposal passed by our shareholders at our 2011 annual meeting, our board anticipates placing before our shareholders a proposal on executive compensation at our 2014 annual shareholder meeting.





Our board views decisions as to compensation of Company named executive officers, including but not limited to those for 2011, as its responsibility.  Our board takes this responsibility seriously and has gone to considerable effort to establish and implement a process for determining executive compensation as described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis."





Our board carefully considers all proposals from our shareholders.  However, in light of its responsibilities to the Company, our board may or may not follow the advice of those shareholder votes.





Our board contemplates next placing before our shareholders a proposal dealing with the frequency of shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation of our named executive officers during our 2017 annual shareholder meeting.





85


Executive Compensation





Summary Compensation Table –





As of December 31, 2011, the Company did not have employment agreements with any of the Named Executive Officers.  The following table summarizes total compensation paid or earned by each Named Executive Officer for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009.  The process followed by the Compensation Committee in establishing total compensation for each Named Executive Officer as set forth in the table is described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis."





Summary Compensation Table





Name and

Principal Position
Year
Salary1

($)
Bonus

($)
Nonequity Incentive Plan

Compen-sation

($)
Stock

Awards2

($)
Option Awards2

($)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings3

($)
All Other Compensation

($)4
Total

($)Ronald A. Duncan5

President and Chief

Executive Officer
2011

2010

2009
600,000

600,000

600,000
---

454,3976

400,000
1,751,919

725,000

350,000
1,220,3647

33,744

36,500
---

433,635

---
---

---

---
61,500

67,259

84,489
3,633,783

2,314,035

1,470,989G. Wilson Hughes

Executive Vice

President and

General Manager
2011

2010

2009
487,500

487,500

486,4598
25,0006

185,7176

102,000
400,108

233,333

150,000
412,0957

---

32,453
---

---

---
4,224

6,153

10,899
16,500

19,239

25,281
1,345,427

931,942

807,092John M. Lowber

Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer

and Secretary/

Treasurer
2011

2010

2009
395,000

728,709

325,000
---

116,9446

25,000
325,432

175,000

100,000
287,0977

323,251

55,428
---

---

---
3,058

---

---
18,500

19,239

25,281
1,029,087

1,363,143

530,709Gregory F. Chapados

Senior Vice President
2011

2010

2009
300,000

270,000

240,000
---

95,2546

53,000
328,846

175,000

100,000
265,7707

844,750

172,471
---

---

---
---

---

---
23,087

18,463

24,594
917,703

1,403,467

590,065Tina M. Pidgeon9

General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
2011
275,000
---
254,596
159,0247
---
---
161,717
850,337








1
For 2009, salary includes deferred compensation of $225,000 and $65,000 for Messrs. Hughes and Lowber, respectively.  For 2010, salary includes deferred compensation of $125,000 for Mr. Hughes and $468,709 for Mr. Lowber of which $403,709 for Mr. Lowber reflects the vesting of a multi-year retention agreement.  For 2011, salary includes deferred compensation of $125,000 and $135,000 for Messrs. Hughes and Lowber, respectively.





2
This column reflects the grant date fair values of awards of Class A common stock, restricted stock awards or stock options granted in the fiscal year indicated which were computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Options ("ASC Topic 718"). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth in Footnote 9 of "Part II – Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."





3
The amount shown represents the above-market earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation plan balances. Above market-earnings is defined as earnings in excess of 120% of the long-term monthly applicable federal rate (AFR).





4
See, "Components of 'All Other Compensation'" table displayed below for more detail.





5
In 2009, Mr. Duncan received $76,500 in compensation for service on our board in the form of director fees of $40,000 and stock awards valued at $36,500.  In 2010, Mr. Duncan received $73,744 in compensation relative to his service on our board including $40,000 in board fees and stock awards valued at $33,744.  In 2011, Mr. Duncan received $105,534 in compensation relative to his service on our board including $45,000 in board fees and stock awards valued at $60,534.





6
The Bonus Compensation represents compensation paid pursuant to the Incentive Compensation Plan in excess of the target payment under the plan.





7
The Stock Awards granted during 2011 were for the Named Executive Officer’s performance during 2010.


8
For 2009, includes $37,500 for Mr. Hughes representing the amount vested during 2009 pursuant to prepaid retention agreements.





9
Compensation for Ms. Pidgeon is only provided for 2011, as she was not a Named Executive Officer in 2010 or 2009.








86


The amounts reported under the "All Other Compensation" column are comprised of the following:





Components of "All Other Compensation"





Name and

Principal Position
Year
Stock Purchase

Plan1

($)
Board

Fees

($)
Success Sharing2

($)
Use of Company Leased

Aircraft3

($)
Miscellan-

eous

($)
Total

($)Ronald A. Duncan
2011

2010

2009
16,500

16,500

23,334
45,000

40,000

40,000
---

---

---
---

10,759

21,155
---

---

---
61,500

67,259

84,489G. Wilson Hughes
2011

2010

2009
16,500

16,500

23,334
---

---

---
---

2,739

1,947
---

---

---
---

---

---
16,500

19,239

25,281John M. Lowber
2011

2010

2009
16,500

16,500

23,334
---

---

---
---

2,739

1,947
---

---

---
2,0004

---

---
18,500

19,239

25,281Gregory F. Chapados
2011

2010

2009
16,500

15,724

22,647
---

---

---
---

2,739

1,947
---

---

---
6,5875

---

---
23,087

18,463

24,594Tina M. Pidgeon
2011
16,500
---
---
---
145,2176
161,717








1
Amounts are contributions by us matching each employee's contribution.  Matching contributions by us under our GCI 401(k) Plan are available to each of our full time employees with over one year of service.  During 2011 and 2010, the match was based upon the lesser of $16,500 ($24,500 for 2009) or 10% of the employee's salary and the total of the employee's pre-tax and post-tax contributions to the plan.  See "Part III – Item11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Retirement and Welfare Benefits – GCI 401(k) Plan."





2
See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Elements of Compensation – Perquisites."





3
The value of use of Company leased aircraft is shown at the variable cost to the Company.





4
Includes $2,000 for attending certain management meetings.





5
Includes $4,587 for a guest to accompany Mr. Chapados on a business trip and $2,000 for attending certain management meetings.





6
Includes vesting of a $137,500 portion of a $275,000 signing bonus received in 2010, $3,717 for moving expenses and $4,000 for attending management meetings.








87


Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table –





The following table displays specific information on grants of options, awards and non-equity incentive plan awards under our Compensation Program and, in addition, in the case of Mr. Duncan, our Director Compensation Plan, made to Named Executive Officers during 2011.





Grants of Plan-Based Awards


Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards


Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity

Incentive Plan AwardsName
Grant Date

Threshold ($)


Target ($)


Maximum ($)


Threshold ($)


Target ($)


Maximum ($)

All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)


All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)


Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)


Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards1 ($)Ronald A. Duncan
2/8/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


93,1592



- - -



- - -



1,159,8306/1/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


5,4003



- - -



- - -



60,534G. Wilson Hughes
2/8/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


33,1002



- - -



- - -



412,095John M. Lowber
2/8/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


23,0602



- - -



- - -



287,097Gregory F. Chapados
2/8/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


21,3472



- - -



- - -



265,770Tina M. Pidgeon
2/8/2011


- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -



- - -


12,7732



- - -



- - -



159,024


1
Computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.





2
Represents the 50% portion of the 2010 incentive compensation paid in the form of restricted stock grants under our Incentive Compensation Plan that were not granted until 2011.  Restricted stock awards are included in the "Stock Awards" column of the Summary Compensation Table above.





3
Mr. Duncan's stock award was granted pursuant to the terms of our Director Compensation Plan.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Director Compensation."





Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table –





The following table displays specific information on unexercised options, stock that has not vested and equity incentive plan awards for each of the Named Executive Officers and outstanding as of December 31, 2011.  Vesting of these options and awards varies for the Named Executive Officers as described in the footnotes to the table.





88


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End





Name
Option Awards1
Stock AwardsNumber of Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Exercisable
Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#) Unexercisable
Option

Exercise

Price

($)
Option

Expiration

Date
Number of Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have Not

Vested (#)
Market Value

of Shares or

Units of Stock

that Have

Not Vested

($)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)Ronald A. Duncan
150,000

250,000

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

150,000

- - -
7.25

8.40

5.32

- - -
02/08/12

06/24/14

02/08/20

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

93,1592
- - -

- - -

- - -

912,0272
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -G. Wilson Hughes
- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -
109,1503

33,1002
1,068,5793

324,0492
- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -John M. Lowber
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
113,0393

14,0984

25,0005

23,0602
1,106,6523

138,0194

244,7505

225,7572
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -Gregory F. Chapados
30,000

100,000

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -
- - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -
6.00

7.95

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -
02/10/13

01/09/18

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -
- - -

- - -

18,7974

20,0006

50,0007

68,3603

21,3472
- - -

- - -

184,0234

195,8006

489,5007

669,2443

208,9872
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -Tina M. Pidgeon
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
9,0003

5,0008

20,0009

12,7732
88,1103

48,9508

195,8009

125,0482
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -
- - -

- - -

- - -

- - -








1
Stock option awards generally vest over five years and expire ten years from grant date, except as noted in the footnotes below.





2
Restricted stock vests on November 30, 2013.





3
Restricted stock vests on February 28, 2012.





Restricted stock vests on February 8, 2013.





5
Restricted stock vests on December 31, 2013.





6
Restricted stock vests 5,000 shares on October 7 of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.





7
Restricted stock vests on October 7, 2015.





8
Restricted stock vests on June 30, 2012.





9
Restricted stock vests on October 1, 2012.








89


Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table –





The following table displays specific information on each exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, and similar instruments, and each vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments on an aggregate basis, for each of the Named Executive Officers during 2011:





Option Exercises and Stock Vested





Option Awards

Stock AwardsName
Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise (#)
Value Realized on Exercise

($)

Number of Shares

Acquired on Vesting (#)
Value Realized on Vesting

($)Ronald A. Duncan
---

---
---

---

5,4001

75,000
60,534

905,250G. Wilson Hughes
---
---

109,149
1,152,613John M. Lowber
---
---

113,039
1,193,692Gregory F. Chapados
---

---
---

---

5,000

68,359
39,650

721,871Tina M. Pidgeon
---
---

9,000
95,040











1
This stock award relates to Mr. Duncan's service as one of our directors.








Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control–





As of December 31, 2011, there were no compensatory plans or arrangements providing for payments to any of the Named Executive Officers in conjunction with any termination of employment or other working relationship of such an officer with us (including without limitation, resignation, severance, retirement or constructive termination of employment of the officer).  Furthermore, as of December 31, 2011, there were no such plans or arrangements providing for payments to any of the Named Executive Officers in conjunction with a change of control of us or a change in such an officer's responsibilities to us.  However, all outstanding options and awards for each of our Named Executive Officers would vest upon his or her disability, retirement or death, or a change-in-control of the Company.





Nonqualified Deferred Compensation





Deferred Compensation Plan –





We established our Deferred Compensation Plan in 1995 to provide a means by which certain of our employees may elect to defer receipt of designated percentages or amounts of their compensation and to provide a means for certain other deferrals of compensation.  Employees eligible to participate in our Deferred Compensation Plan are determined by our board.  We may, at our discretion, contribute matching deferrals in amounts as we select.





Participants immediately vest in all elective deferrals and all income and gain attributable to that participation.  Matching contributions and all income and gain attributable to them vest on a case-by-case basis as determined by us.  Participants may elect to be paid in either a single lump-sum payment or annual installments over a period not to exceed ten years.  Vested balances are payable upon termination of employment, unforeseen emergencies, death or total disability of the participant or change of control of us or our insolvency.  Participants become our general unsecured creditors with respect to deferred compensation benefits of our Deferred Compensation Plan.





90


None of our Named Executive Officers participated in our Deferred Compensation Plan during 2011.





Deferred Compensation Arrangements –





We have, from time to time, entered into Deferred Compensation Arrangements with certain of our executive officers, including two of the Named Executive Officers.  These arrangements are negotiated with individual officers on a case-by-case basis.  The status of our Deferred Compensation Arrangements with our Named Executive Officers during 2011 is summarized for each of our Named Executive Officers in the following table, and further descriptions of them are provided following the table.





Nonqualified Deferred Compensation





Name

Executive

Contributions

in Last FY

($)


Registrant

Contribution

in Last FY

($)


Aggregate

Earnings (Loss)

in Last FY

($)


Aggregate

Withdrawals/

Distributions

($)


Aggregate

Balance

at Last FY

($)Ronald A. Duncan


---



---



---



---



---G. Wilson Hughes1


125,000



---



(524,259
)


---



3,470,680John M. Lowber2


135,000



---



84,814



200,000



1,170,521Gregory F. Chapados


---



---



---



---



---Tina M. Pidgeon


---



---



---



---



---








1
Includes earnings of $4,224 for Mr. Hughes that is reported in the Summary Compensation Table.





2
Includes earnings of $3,058 for Mr. Lowber that is reported in the Summary Compensation Table.








Mr. Hughes' Deferred Compensation Arrangement with us consists of three components.  The first component consisted of deferred compensation invested in 217,300 shares of Company Class A common stock.  The second component is $763,313 accrued at year end of which $125,000 in salary were deferred and $69,392 of interest were accrued during 2011.  This arrangement with us earns interest at the rate of 10% per year based upon the balance at the beginning of the year plus new salary deferrals during the year.  The third component is $580,000 accrued at year end of which $30,000 were accrued for 2011 interest.  This arrangement earns interest at 7.5% per year based upon the original $400,000 that was given to Mr. Hughes in consideration for his continued employment at the Company from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009.





Mr. Hughes' Deferred Compensation Arrangement provides that at his discretion or at termination of employment, he is entitled to receive the full amount owed in a lump sum, in monthly installments paid over a ten-year period, or in installments negotiated with the Company in accordance with statutory requirements.





Mr. Lowber's Deferred Compensation Arrangement with us consists of deferred salary which earns interest on the amounts deferred at 9% per year.  As of December 31, 2011 and under this plan, there were accrued $737,710, of which $120,545 had accrued ($65,000 in principal plus $55,545 in interest) and $129,833 had been paid out during 2011.  Additionally, effective January 1, 2007, the Company agreed to enter into a retention agreement with Mr. Lowber.  In exchange for his commitment to remain in the employ of the Company through the end of 2010, the Company agreed to establish a deferred compensation account in the amount of $350,000 that vested on December 31, 2010.  The account is to accrue interest at the rate of 7.25% per annum, compounding annually.  The balance in that account was $432,811 as of December 31, 2011, of which $99,269 had accrued ($70,000 in principal plus $29,269 in interest) and $70,167 had been paid out during 2011.





Messrs. Duncan, Chapados and Ms. Pidgeon did not participate in a Deferred Compensation Arrangement with us during 2011.





91


Other than the Deferred Compensation Arrangements described above, no Named Executive Officer was, as of December 31, 2011, entitled to defer any additional consideration.  Any additional Deferred Compensation Arrangements would have to be separately negotiated with, and agreed to by, the Compensation Committee.





Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation





Our Compensation Committee is composed of four members of our board as identified elsewhere in this report.  All of these members served on the committee during all of 2011.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Compensation Discussion and Analysis:  Overview."  The relationships of them to us are described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 10 – Identification," "Part III – Item 12 – Principal Shareholders" and "Part III – Item 13 – Certain Transactions."





Compensation Committee Report





The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.  Based upon that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to our board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our 2011 annual report.





Compensation Committee


Jerry A. Edgerton, Chair


Stephen M. Brett


Stephen R. Mooney


James M. Schneider





Director Compensation





The following table sets forth certain information concerning the cash and non-cash compensation earned by our directors ("Director Compensation Plan"), each for services as a director during the year ended December 31, 2011:





2011 Director Compensation1





Name

Fees

Earned

or

Paid in

Cash

($)


Stock

Awards2,3

($)


Option

Awards3

($)


Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($)


Change in

Pension

Value and

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

($)


All Other

Compensation

($)


Total

($)Stephen M. Brett


45,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



105,534Jerry A. Edgerton


45,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



105,534Scott M. Fisher


45,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



105,534William P. Glasgow


50,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



110,534Mark W. Kroloff


45,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



105,534Stephen R. Mooney


50,000



60,534



---



---



---



---



110,534James M. Schneider


50,000



77,349



---



---



---



---



127,349








1
Compensation to Mr. Duncan as a director is described elsewhere in this report.  See "Part III – Item 11 – Executive Compensation" and "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."





2
Each director received a grant of awards of 5,400 shares of Company Class A common stock on June 1, 2011 (the grant date), with the exception of our Audit Committee chair, Mr. Schneider, who received 6,900 shares.  The value of the shares on the date of grant was $11.21 per share, i.e., the closing price of the stock on Nasdaq on that date and as required in accordance with GAAP.





3
This column reflects the grant date fair values of awards of Class A common stock, restricted stock awards or stock options granted in the fiscal year indicated which were computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth in Footnote 9 of "Part II – Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."








92


Our initial Director Compensation Plan was adopted in 2004 by our board to acknowledge and compensate, from time to time, directors on the board for ongoing dedicated service.  During 2011, the plan provided for $40,000 per year (prorated for days served and paid quarterly) plus $10,000 per year for each director serving on our Audit Committee, however, effective July 1, 2011, the plan was modified to provide for $50,000 per year (prorated for days served and paid quarterly) for all Directors.





During 2011, the stock compensation portion of our Director Compensation Plan consisted of a grant of 5,400 shares to a director for a year of service, or a portion of a year of service.  Grants are made and vest annually under the plan on June 1 of each year.  For 2011, grants of awards were made under our Director Compensation Plan as of June 1, 2011.  As of December 31, 2011, our board anticipated that grants of awards of 5,000 shares of Class A common stock to each director would be made under the plan as of June 1, 2012.  Also as of that date, our board anticipated an additional award of 1,500 shares of Class A common stock to our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee chairs.  Because the shares vest upon award, they are subject to taxation based upon the then fair market value of the vested shares.





Under our Director Compensation Plan, compensation is to be paid only to those directors who are to receive the benefit individually, whether or not they are our employees.





Except for our Director Compensation Plan, during 2011 the directors on our board received no other direct compensation for serving on the board and its committees.However, they were reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board and its committees.





Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters





Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans





The following table sets forth, as of the end of 2011, information on equity compensation plans approved by our shareholders and separately such plans not approved by our shareholders.  The information is focused on outstanding options, warrants and rights, and so the only such plan is our Stock Option Plan as approved by our shareholders.





Equity Compensation Plan Information





Plan category
Number of securities

to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

($)
Number of securities

remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the second column)Equity compensation

plans approved by

security holders
1,086,550
7.27
4,021,272Total:
1,086,550
7.27
4,021,272








93


Ownership of Company





Principal Shareholders –





The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2011 (unless otherwise noted), certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock by each of the following:





·
Each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock.





·
Each of our directors.





·
Each of the Named Executive Officers.





·
All of our executive officers and directors as a group.





All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished to us by the respective shareholders.





Name of

Beneficial Owner1
Title of

Class2
Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership

(#)
% of Class
% of Total Shares Outstanding

(Class A & B)2
% Combined

Voting

Power

(Class A & B)2Stephen M. Brett
Class A

Class B
57,7503

---
*

---
*
*Ronald A. Duncan
Class A

Class B
1,526,9253,4

661,8094
3.9

20.9
5.1
11.4Jerry A. Edgerton
Class A

Class B
32,7503

---
*

---
*
*Scott M. Fisher
Class A

Class B
46,3343,5

511,7165
*

16.1
1.2
7.3William P. Glasgow
Class A

Class B
82,6943,6

---
*

---
*
*Mark W. Kroloff
Class A

Class B
26,1003

---
*

---
*
*Stephen R. Mooney
Class A

Class B
43,4003

---
*

---
*
*James M. Schneider
Class A

Class B
31,1503

---
*

---
*
*G. Wilson Hughes
Class A

Class B
580,8857

2,6957
1.5

*
1.4
*John M. Lowber
Class A

Class B
359,8078

6,2038
*

*
*
*Gregory F. Chapados
Class A

Class B
372,6559

---
*

*
*
*Tina M. Pidgeon
Class A

Class B
64,49510

---
*

---
*
*Black Rock, Inc.

40 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022
Class A

Class B
3,507,064

---
8.9

---
8.3
5.0Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Palisades West, Building One

6300 Bee Cave Road

Austin, TX 78746
Class A

Class B
2,137,73411

---
5.4

---
5.0
3.0GCI 401(k) Plan

2550 Denali St., Ste. 1000

Anchorage, AK 99503
Class A

Class B
4,710,378

57,082
12.0

1.8
11.2
7.5Gary Magness

c/o Raymond L. Sutton, Jr.

303 East 17th Ave., Ste 1100

Denver, CO 80203-1264
Class A

Class B
1,347,961

433,924
3.4

13.7
4.2
8.0Private Management

Group, Inc.

15635 Alton Parkway,

Suite 400

Irvine, CA 92606
Class A

Class B
2,223,345

---
5.7

---
5.2
3.1John W. Stanton and

Theresa E. Gillespie

155 108th Avenue., N.E.,

Suite 450

Bellevue, WA 98004
Class A

Class B
2,342,627

1,436,469
6.0

45.3
8.9
23.6The Vanguard Group, Inc.

100 Vanguard Blvd

Malvern, PA 19355
Class A

Class B
2,311,88212

---
5.9

---
5.4
3.3All Directors and Executive

Officers As a Group

(16 Persons)
Class A

Class B
3,599,28713

1,182,42313
9.2

37.3
11.1
21.6





94





*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the corresponding class or series of stock.





1
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act.  Shares of our stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of December 31, 2011 are deemed to be beneficially owned by such person and are included in the computation of the ownership and voting percentages only of such person.  Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated, except as otherwise stated in the footnotes to the table.  Addresses are provided only for persons other than management who own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Class A or B common stock.





2
"Title of Class" includes our Class A common stock and Class B common stock.  "Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership" and "% of Class" are given for each class of stock.  "% of Total Shares Outstanding" and "% Combined Voting Power" are given for the combination of outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and the voting power for Class B common stock (10 votes per share) is factored into the calculation of that combined voting power.





3
Includes 5,400 shares of our Class A common stock granted to each of those persons pursuant to the Director Compensation Plan for services performed during 2011 except for our Audit Committee Chairman, Mr. Schneider, who was granted 6,900 shares of our Class A common stock.





4
Includes 157,397 shares of Class A common stock and 6,165 shares of Class B common stock allocated to Mr. Duncan under the GCI 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 2011.  Includes 550,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan to Mr. Duncan which he has the right to acquire within 60 days of December 31, 2011 by exercise of the stock options.  Does not include 35,560 shares of Class A common stock or 8,242 shares of Class B common stock held by the Amanda Miller Trust, with respect to which Mr. Duncan has no voting or investment power.  Ms. Miller is Mr. Duncan's daughter, and Mr. Duncan disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares.   Does not include 30,660 shares of Class A common stock or 27,020 shares of Class B common stock held by Dani Bowman, Mr. Duncan's wife, of which Mr. Duncan disclaims beneficial ownership.  Does not include 392 shares of Class A common stock held by Missy, LLC which is 25% owned by Mr. Duncan, 25% owned by Dani Bowman and 50% owned by a trust of which Mr. Duncan’s daughter is the 50% beneficiary, of which securities Mr. Duncan disclaims beneficial ownership (Mr. Duncan does not disclaim beneficial ownership of an additional 131 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Missy, LLC. Which are included within the shares for which Mr. Duncan has a pecuniary interest).  Includes 702,733 shares of Class A common stock and 655,644 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.





5
Includes 13,484 shares of Class A and 511,716 shares of Class B common stock owned by Fisher Capital Partners, Ltd. of which Mr. Fisher is a partner.





6
Does not include 158 shares owned by a daughter of Mr. Glasgow.  Mr. Glasgow disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by his daughter.





95


7
Includes 7,495 shares of Class A common stock allocated to Mr. Hughes under the GCI 401(k) Plan, as of December 31, 2011.  Includes 325,890 shares of Class A common stock pledged as security.  Excludes 217,300 shares held by the Company pursuant to Mr. Hughes' Deferred Compensation Agreement.





8
Includes 27,834 shares of Class A common stock and 5,933 shares of Class B common stock allocated to Mr. Lowber under the GCI 401(k) Plan, as of December 31, 2011.





9
Includes 17,686 shares of Class A common stock allocated to Mr. Chapados under the GCI 401(k) Plan, as of December 31, 2011.  Includes 130,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan to Mr. Chapados which he has the right to acquire within 60 days of December 31, 2011 by exercise of those options.





10
Includes 11,717 shares of Class A common stock allocated to Ms. Pidgeon under the GCI 401(k) Plan, as of December 31, 2011.





11
As disclosed in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP has sole voting power for 2,049,805 shares of Class A common stock and sole dispositive power for 2,137,734 shares of Class A common stock.





12
As disclosed in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2012, The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power and shared dispositive power for 61,102 shares of Class A common stock and sole dispositive power for 2,250,780 shares of Class A common stock.





13
Includes 680,000 shares of Class A common stock which such persons have the right to acquire within 60 days of December 31, 2011 through the exercise of vested stock options.  Includes 264,473 shares of Class A common stock and 12,098 shares of Class B common stock allocated to such persons under the GCI 401(k) Plan.








Changes in Control –





Pledged Assets and Securities.  Our obligations under our credit facilities are secured by substantially all of our assets.  Should there be a default by us under such agreements, our lenders could gain control of our assets.  We have been at all times during 2011 in compliance with all material terms of these credit facilities.





Senior Notes.  In 2009, GCI, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, sold $425.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior debt securities due in 2019.





The senior notes are subject to the terms of an indenture entered into by GCI, Inc.  Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the Indenture, GCI, Inc. is required to offer to purchase those senior notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The indenture provides that those senior notes are redeemable at the option of GCI, Inc. at specified redemption prices commencing in 2014.  The terms of the senior notes contain limitations on the ability of GCI, Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, limitations on investments, payment of dividends and other restricted payments and limitations on liens, asset sales, mergers, transactions with affiliates and operation of unrestricted subsidiaries.  The indenture also limits the ability of GCI, Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to enter into, or allow to exist, specified restrictions on the ability of GCI, Inc. to receive distributions from restricted subsidiaries.





For purposes of the indenture and the senior notes, the restricted subsidiaries consist of all of our direct or indirect subsidiaries, with the exception of certain unrestricted subsidiaries.  Under the terms of the indenture, an unrestricted subsidiary is a subsidiary of GCI, Inc. so designated from time to time in accordance with procedures as set forth in the indenture.  As of December 31, 2011, these unrestricted subsidiaries consisted of United Utilities, Inc. and Unicom, Inc.





In May 2011, GCI, Inc. issued an additional $325 million of senior notes at 6.75% interest due in June 2021.  The new senior notes have substantially similar terms as the 2009 senior notes.  They were used to pay off previously issued Senior Notes.





We and GCI, Inc. have since the issuance of the senior notes and up through December 31, 2011, been in compliance with all material terms of the Indentures including making timely payments on the obligations of GCI, Inc.








96


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence





Certain Transactions





Transactions with Related Persons –





Stanton Shareholdings, Registration Rights Agreement.  As of December 31, 2011, John W. Stanton and Theresa E. Gillespie, husband and wife (collectively, "Stantons"), continued to be significant shareholders of our Class B common stock.  As of that date, neither the Stantons nor the Stantons' affiliates were our directors, officers, nominees for election as directors, or members of the immediate family of such directors, officers, or nominees.





We are a party to a registration rights agreement ("Stanton Registration Rights Agreement") with the Stantons regarding all unregistered shares the Stantons hold in our Class B common stock and any shares of our Class A common stock resulting from conversion of that Class B common stock to Class A common stock.  The basic terms of the Stanton Registration Rights Agreement are as follows.  If we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act") for our own account or for the account of one or more of our shareholders, we must notify the Stantons of that intent.  In addition, we must allow the Stantons an opportunity to include the holder's shares ("Stanton Registerable Shares") in that registration.





Under the Stanton Registration Rights Agreement, the Stantons also have the right, under certain circumstances, to require us to register all or any portion of the Stanton Registerable Shares under the Securities Act.  The agreement is subject to certain limitations and restrictions, including our right to limit the number of Stanton Registerable Shares included in the registration.  Generally, we are required to pay all registration expenses in connection with each registration of Stanton Registerable Shares pursuant to this agreement.





The Stanton Registration Rights Agreement specifically states we are not required to effect any registration on behalf of the Stantons regarding Stanton Registerable Shares if the request for registration covers an aggregate number of Stanton Registerable Shares having a market value of less than $1.5 million.  The agreement further states we are not required to effect such a registration for the Stantons where we have at that point previously filed two registration statements with the SEC, or where the registration would require us to undergo an interim audit or prepare and file with the SEC sooner than otherwise required financial statements relating to the proposed transaction.  Finally, the agreement states we are not required to effect such a registration when in the opinion of our legal counsel a registration is not required in order to permit resale under Rule 144 as adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.





The Stanton Registration Rights Agreement provides that the first demand for registration by the Stantons must be for no less than 15% of the total number of Stanton Registerable Shares.  However, the Stantons may take the opportunity to require us to include the Stanton Registerable Shares as incidental to a registered offering proposed by us.





Duncan Leases.  In 1991, we entered into a long-term capital lease agreement with a partnership in which Mr. Duncan held a 50% ownership interest.  Mr. Duncan later sold that interest to an individual who later became his spouse.  However, Mr. Duncan remains a guarantor on the note which was used to finance the acquisition of the property subject to the lease.  The leased asset was capitalized in 1991 at the owner's cost of $900,000 and the related obligation was recorded in the accompanying financial statements.  The lease agreement was amended in 2008, and we have increased our existing capital lease asset and liability by $1.3 million to record the extension of the capital lease.  The amended lease terminates on September 30, 2026.  The property consists of a building presently occupied by us.  As of December 31, 2011, the payments on the lease were $22,332 per month.  They continue at that rate through September 2012.  In October 2012, the payments on the lease will increase to $23,132 per month.





In January 2001, we entered into an aircraft operating lease agreement with a company owned by Mr. Duncan.  The lease was amended several times, most recently on May 9, 2011.  The amended lease agreement added the lease of a second aircraft.  The lease term of the original aircraft may be terminated at any time upon 90 days written notice.  The monthly lease rate of the original aircraft is $45,000.  The lease term of the second aircraft may be terminated at any time upon 12 months’ written notice.  The monthly lease rate of the second aircraft is $132,000.  In 2001, we paid a deposit of $1.5 million in connection with the lease.  The deposit will be repaid to us no later than six months after the agreement terminates.





97


Review Procedure for Transactions with Related Persons –





The following describes our policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of transactions in which we are to be a participant and where the amount involved in each instance exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or is to have a direct or indirect material interest ("Related Transactions").  Here, we use the term "related person" to mean any person who is one of our directors, a nominee for director, an immediate family member of one of our directors or executive officers, any person who is a holder of five percent or more of a class of our common stock, or any immediate family member of such a holder.





A related person who is one of our officers, directors or employees ("Employee") is subject to our Ethics Code.  The Ethics Code requires the Employee to act in the best interest of the Company and to avoid situations which may conflict with this obligation.  The code specifically provides that a conflict of interest occurs when an Employee's private interest interferes in any way with our interest.  In the event an Employee suspects such a conflict, or even an appearance of conflict, he or she is urged by the Ethics Code to report the matter to an appropriate authority.  The Ethics Code, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter and the Audit Committee Charter define that authority as being our Chief Financial Officer, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit Committee (in the context of suspected illegal or unethical behavior-related violations pertaining to accounting, or internal controls on accounting or audit matters), or the Employee's supervisor within the Company, as the case may be.





The Ethics Code further provides that an Employee is prohibited from taking a personal interest in a business opportunity discovered through use of corporate position, information or property that properly belongs to us.  The Ethics Code also provides that an Employee must not compete with, and in particular, must not use corporate position, information, or property for personal gain or to compete with, us.





The Ethics Code provides that any waiver of its provisions for our executive officers and directors may be made only by our board and must be promptly disclosed to our shareholders.  This disclosure must include an identification of the person who received the waiver, the date of the grant of the waiver by our board, and a brief description of the circumstances and reasons under which it was given.





The Ethics Code is silent as to the treatment of immediate family members of our Employees, holders of five percent or more of a class of our stock, or the immediate family members of them.  We consider such Related Transactions with such persons on a case-by-case basis, if at all, by analogy to existing procedures as above described pertaining to our Employees.





During 2011, there were no new Transactions with Related Persons.  The leases described previously were entered into prior to the establishment of the Ethics Code and the amendment to the aircraft operating lease during 2011 was approved by our Board of Directors.





Director Independence





The term Independent Director as used by us is an individual, other than one of our executive officers or employees, and other than any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of our board would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.  See "Part III – Item 10 – Audit Committee, Audit Committee Financial Expert."





Mr. Brett, our Chairman of the Board, while in that capacity an officer under our Bylaws and responsible for the conduct of our board meetings and shareholder meetings when present, is considered by our board to have no greater influence on our affairs or authority to act on behalf of us than any of the non-executive directors on our board.





Our board believes each of its members satisfies the definition of an Independent Director, with the exception of Mr. Duncan who is an officer and employee of the Company.  That is, in the case of all other board members, our board believes each of them is an individual having a relationship which does not interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the member's director responsibilities to us.





98


Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services





Overview





On February 7, 2012, our Audit Committee approved the appointment of Grant Thornton as the Company’s External Accountant for 2012.  Also on that date, our board ratified that appointment by the Audit Committee.





Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures





We have established as policy, through the adoption of the Audit Committee Charter that, before our External Accountant is engaged by us to render audit services, the engagement must be approved by the Audit Committee.





Our Audit Committee Charter provides that our Audit Committee is directly responsible for appointment, compensation, retention, oversight, qualifications and independence of our External Accountant.  Also under our Audit Committee Charter, all audit services provided by our External Accountant must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.





Our pre-approval policies and procedures with respect to Non-Audit Services include as a part of the Audit Committee Charter that the Audit Committee may choose any of the following options for approving such services:





·
Full Audit Committee– The full Audit Committee can consider each Non-Audit Service.





·
Designee– The Audit Committee can designate one of its members to approve a Non-Audit Service, with that member reporting approvals to the full committee.





·
Pre-Approval of Categories– The Audit Committee can pre-approve categories of Non-Audit Services.  Should this option be chosen, the categories must be specific enough to ensure both of the following –





o
The Audit Committee knows exactly what it is approving and can determine the effect of such approval on auditor independence.





o
Management will not find it necessary to decide whether a specific service falls within a category of pre-approved Non-Audit Service.





The Audit Committee's pre-approval of Non-Audit Services may be waived under specific provisions of the Audit Committee Charter.  The prerequisites for waiver are as follows: (1) the aggregate amount of all Non-Audit Services constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenue paid by us to our External Accountant during the fiscal year in which those services are provided; (2) the service is originally thought to be a part of an audit by our External Accountant; (3) the service turns out to be a Non-Audit Service; and (4) the service is promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to completion of the audit by the committee or by one or more members of the committee who are members of our board to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the committee.





During 2011, there were no waivers of our Audit Committee pre-approval policy.





Fees and Services


The aggregate fees billed to us by our External Accountant in each of these categories for each of 2011 and 2010 are set forth as follows:





99


External Accountant Auditor Fees





Type of Fees

2011


2010Audit Fees1

$
1,766,185


$
1,386,321Audit-Related Fees2


29,842



51,480Tax Fees3


105,873



114,793All Other Fees4


---



---Total

$
1,901,900


$
1,552,594











1
Consists of fees for our annual financial statement audit, quarterly financial statement reviews, reviews of other filings by us with the SEC, audit of our internal control over financial reporting and for services that are normally provided by an auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.





2
Consists of fees for audit of the GCI 401(k) Plan and review of the related annual report on Form 11-K filed with the SEC.





3
Consists of fees for review of our state and federal income tax returns and consultation on various tax advice and tax planning matters.





4
Consists of fees for any services not included in the first three types of fees identified in the table.








All of the services described above were approved in conformity with the Audit Committee's pre-approval policy.





100





Part IV





Item 15. Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules





(I)  Consolidated Financial Statements
Page No.Included in Part II of this Report:Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms


102Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2011 and 2010


104Consolidated Income Statements, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009


106Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009


107Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009


108Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


109(2)  Consolidated Financial Statement SchedulesSchedules are omitted, as they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the applicable financial statements or notes thereto.(3) Exhibits


147





101





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm




Board of Directors and Shareholders


General Communication, Inc.




We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of General Communication, Inc. and subsidiaries (an Alaska corporation) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.




We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.




In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Communication, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.




We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), General Communication, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)and our report dated March 8, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.







(signed) Grant Thornton LLP




Seattle, Washington


March 8, 2012










102





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





Board of Directors and Shareholders


General Communication, Inc.




We have audited General Communication, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (an Alaska Corporation) (the “Company”)  internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.




We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.




A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.




Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  In our opinion, General Communication, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.




We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of General Communication, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, and our report, dated March 8, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.







(signed) Grant Thornton LLP





Seattle, Washington


March 8, 2012


103


GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(Amounts in thousands)

December 31,ASSETS

2011


2010Current assets:Cash and cash equivalents

$
29,387



33,070Receivables


141,827



132,856Less allowance for doubtful receivables


5,796



9,189Net receivables


136,031



123,667Deferred income taxes


15,555



10,145Prepaid expenses


7,899



5,950Inventories


7,522



5,804Other current assets


3,631



3,940Total current assets


200,025



182,576Property and equipment in service, net of depreciation


851,705



798,278Construction in progress


42,918



31,144Net property and equipment


894,623



829,422Cable certificates


191,635



191,635Goodwill


74,883



73,932Wireless licenses


25,967



25,967Restricted cash


15,910



-Other intangible assets, net of amortization


15,835



17,717Deferred loan and senior notes costs, net of amortizationof $2,880 and $6,469 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively


12,812



13,661Other assets


17,214



16,850Total other assets


354,256



339,762Total assets

$
1,448,904



1,351,760See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.(Continued)





104




GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(Continued)(Amounts in thousands)

December 31,LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

2011


2010Current liabilities:Current maturities of obligations under long-term debt and

capital leases

$
8,797



7,652Accounts payable


41,353



35,589Deferred revenue


22,003



17,296Accrued payroll and payroll related obligations


22,126



22,132Accrued interest


6,680



13,456Accrued liabilities


11,423



12,557Subscriber deposits


1,250



1,271Total current liabilities


113,632



109,953Long-term debt, net


858,031



779,201Obligations under capital leases, excluding current maturities


78,605



84,144Obligation under capital lease due to related party


1,893



1,885Deferred income taxes


115,296



102,401Long-term deferred revenue


81,822



49,175Other liabilities


24,456



24,495Total liabilities


1,273,735



1,151,254Commitments and contingenciesStockholders’ equity:Common stock (no par):Class A. Authorized 100,000 shares; issued 39,296 and 44,213 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively;outstanding 39,043 and 43,958 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively


26,179



69,396Class B. Authorized 10,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,171 and 3,178 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010,respectively; convertible on a share-per-share basis into Class A common stock


2,679



2,677Less cost of 253 and 255 Class A common shares heldin treasury at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively


(2,225
)


(2,249
)Paid-in capital


32,795



37,075Retained earnings


99,433



93,607Total General Communication, Inc. stockholders' equity


158,861



200,506Non-controlling interest


16,308



-Total stockholders’ equity


175,169



200,506Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$
1,448,904



1,351,760See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


105


GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTSYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009


(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

2011


2010


2009Revenues

$
679,381



651,250



595,811Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation andamortization shown separately below)


227,399



207,817



193,676Selling, general and administrative expenses


235,521



228,808



212,671Depreciation and amortization expense


125,742



126,114



123,362Operating income


90,719



88,511



66,102Other income (expense):Interest expense (including amortization and write-offof deferred loan fees)


(68,258
)


(70,329
)


(58,761
)Loss on extinguishment of debt


(9,111
)


-



-Interest and investment income


33



261



111Other


(297
)


-



-Other expense, net


(77,633
)


(70,068
)


(58,650
)Income before income tax expense


13,086



18,443



7,452Income tax expense


7,485



9,488



3,936Net income


5,601



8,955



3,516Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest


238



-



-Net income attributable to General

Communication, Inc.

$
5,839



8,955



3,516Basic net income attributable to General

Communication, Inc. common stockholders per Class A

common share

$
0.13



0.17



0.07Basic net income attributable to General

Communication, Inc. common stockholders per Class B

common share

$
0.13



0.17



0.07Diluted net income attributable to General

Communication, Inc. common stockholders per Class A

common share

$
0.12



0.17



0.06Diluted net income attributable to General

Communication, Inc. common stockholders per Class B

common share

$
0.12



0.17



0.06See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





106




GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009




(Amounts in thousands)

Class A Common Stock


Class B Common Stock


Class A and B Shares Held in Treasury


Paid-in Capital


Retained Earnings


Non-controlling Interest


Total Stockholders’ EquityBalances at January 1, 2009

$
151,262



2,706



(2,462
)


27,233



80,176



-



258,915Net income


-



-



-



-



3,516



-



3,516Common stock repurchases and

retirements


(950
)


(9
)


9



-



950



-



-Shares issued under stock

option plan


423



-



-



-



-



-



423Issuance of restricted stock

awards


398



-



-



(398
)


-



-



-Share-based compensation

expense


-



-



-



3,575



-



-



3,575Other


(222
)


(13
)


114



-



9



-



(112
)Balances at December 31, 2009


150,911



2,684



(2,339
)


30,410



84,651



-



266,317Net income


-



-



-



-



8,955



-



8,955Common stock repurchases and

retirements


(80,901
)


-



94



-



-



-



(80,807
)Shares issued under stock

option plan


659



-



-



-



-



-



659Issuance of restricted stock

awards


(1,280
)


-



-



1,280



-



-



-Share-based compensation

expense


-



-



-



5,385



-



-



5,385Other


7



(7
)


(4
)


-



1



-



(3
)Balances at December 31, 2010


69,396



2,677



(2,249
)


37,075



93,607



-



200,506Net income


-



-



-



-



5,839



(238
)


5,601Common stock repurchases and

retirements


(55,685
)


-



24



-



-



-



(55,661
)Shares issued under stock

option plan


947



-



-



-



-



-



947Issuance of restricted stock

awards


11,523



-



-



(11,523
)


-



-



-Share-based compensation

expense


-



-



-



7,243



-



-



7,243Investment by non-controlling

interest


-



-



-



-



-



16,546



16,546Other


(2
)


2



-



-



(13
)


-



(13
)Balances at December 31, 2011

$
26,179



2,679



(2,225
)


32,795



99,433



16,308



175,169See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.







107
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009


(Amounts in thousands)

2011

2010

2009Cash flows from operating activities:Net income
$
5,601

8,955

3,516Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cashprovided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization expense

125,742

126,114

123,362Loss on extinguishment of debt

9,111

-

-Deferred income tax expense

7,485

9,488

3,936Share-based compensation expense

6,620

6,733

2,804Other noncash income and expense items

8,555

6,725

14,919Change in operating assets and liabilities

(28,680)

13,244

(47,618)Net cash provided by operating activities

134,434

171,259

100,919Cash flows from investing activities:Purchases of property and equipment

(177,090)

(96,194)

(120,983)Grant proceeds

35,060

-

-Restricted cash

(16,621)

-

-Insurance proceeds

233

990

-Purchase of businesses, net of cash received

(352)

(5,545)

(109)Purchase of marketable securities

-

941

(305)Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

-

(202)

613Purchases of other assets and intangible assets

(5,423)

(4,712)

(5,093)Net cash used in investing activities

(164,193)

(104,722)

(125,877)Cash flows from financing activities:Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations

(429,626)

(35,974)

(402,710)Issuance of Senior Notes

325,000

-

421,473Borrowing on Senior Credit Facility

142,000

30,000

30,000Purchase of treasury stock to be retired

(55,661)

(80,807)

-Borrowing of other long-term debt

35,201

6,206

3,884Investment by non-controlling interest

16,546

-

-Payment of Senior Notes call premiums

(4,728)

-

-Payment of debt issuance costs

(3,603)

(2,300)

(9,006)Other

947

632

189Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

26,076

(82,243)

43,830Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(3,683)

(15,706)

18,872Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

33,070

48,776

29,904Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
29,387

33,070

48,776See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





108
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(1)         Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles
 In the following discussion, General Communication, Inc. (“GCI”) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us” and “our.”
 
 (a)
Business
 GCI, an Alaska corporation, was incorporated in 1979. We offer the following services primarily in Alaska:
 
 ·
Postpaid and prepaid wireless telephone services and sale of wireless telephone handsets and accessories,
 ·
Cable television services throughout Alaska,
 ·
Internet access services,
 ·
Wireless roaming for certain wireless carriers and origination and termination of wireline traffic in Alaska for certain common carriers,
 ·
Competitive and incumbent local access services throughout Alaska,
 ·
Long-distance telephone service,
 ·
Data network services,
 ·
Broadband services, including our SchoolAccess® offering to rural school districts, our ConnectMD® offering to rural hospitals and health clinics, and managed video conferencing,
 ·
Managed services to certain commercial customers,
 ·
Sales and service of dedicated communications systems and related equipment, and
 ·
Lease, service arrangements and maintenance of capacity on our fiber optic cable systems used in the transmission of voice and data services within Alaska and between Alaska and the remaining United States and foreign countries.
 
 (b)
Principles of Consolidation
 The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of GCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in which we were the primary beneficiary, when on August
 30, 2011, we provided certain loans and guarantees to Terra GCI Investment Fund, LLC (“TIF”).  We account for non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which our ownership is less than 100
 percent.  All significant intercompany transactions between non-regulated affiliates of our company are eliminated.   Intercompany transactions generated between regulated and non-regulated affiliates of our company
 are not eliminated in consolidation.
 (c)
Non-controlling Interest
 Non-controlling interests represent the equity ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries not owned by us.  Non-controlling interest is adjusted for contributions, distributions, and earnings (loss) attributable to
 the non-controlling interest partners of the consolidated entities.  Income and loss is allocated to the non-controlling interest based on the respective partnership agreements.
 
 (d)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).”  The amendments in this update will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments include a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
   109
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)” which amends current guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments generally represent clarification of FASB ASC Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.


(e)
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 ASU 2009-13 “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” addresses the accounting for multiple deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (“deliverables”) separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements”, for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) estimates. This guidance also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. In addition, this guidance significantly expands required disclosures related to a vendor's multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011, did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
 
 Under ASU 2010-28 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts,” if the carrying amount of a reporting unit is zero or negative, an entity must assess whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. To make that determination, an entity should consider whether there are adverse qualitative factors that could impact the amount of goodwill, including those listed in ASC 350-20-35-30 “When to Test Goodwill for Impairment.” As a result of the new guidance, an entity can no longer assert that a reporting unit is not required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test because the carrying amount of the reporting unit is zero or negative, despite the existence of qualitative factors that indicate goodwill is more likely than not impaired.  The adoption of ASU 2010-28 on January 1, 2011, did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position or cash flows.
 
 ASU 2010-29 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations” specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments in this update also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures under ASC 805 “Business Combinations” to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.  The adoption of ASU 2010-29 on January 1, 2011, did not have a material impact on our income statements, financial position, cash flows or related disclosures.


(f)
Regulatory Accounting


We account for our regulated operations in accordance with the accounting principles for regulated enterprises.  This accounting recognizes the economic effects of rate regulation by recording cost and a return on investment as such amounts are recovered through rates authorized by regulatory authorities.  Accordingly, plant and equipment is depreciated over lives approved by regulators and certain costs and obligations are deferred based upon approvals received from regulators to permit recovery of such amounts in future years.  Our cost studies and depreciation rates for our regulated operations are subject to periodic audits that could result in a change to recorded revenues.


110
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
   
 (g)
Earnings per Common Share
 We compute net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the “two class” method.  Therefore, basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders
 by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common
 equivalent shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of the dilutive net income per share of Class A common stock assumes the conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, while the
 dilutive net income per share of Class B common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares. Additionally in applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares
 and participating securities. Our restricted stock grants are entitled to dividends and meet the criteria of a participating security.
 
 Undistributed earnings for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of Class A and Class B common shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed.  In accordance with our
 Articles of Incorporation which provide that, if and when dividends are declared on our common stock in accordance with Alaska corporate law, equivalent dividends shall be paid with respect to the shares of Class
 A and Class B common stock. Both classes of common stock have identical dividend rights and would therefore share equally in our net assets in the event of liquidation. As such, we have allocated undistributed
 earnings on a proportionate basis.
 
 Earnings per common share (“EPS”) and common shares used to calculate basic and diluted EPS consist of the following (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):


Year EndedDecember 31, 2011Class A


Class BBasic net income per share:Numerator:Allocation of undistributed earnings

$
5,430



409Denominator:Weighted average common shares outstanding


42,175



3,175Basic net income attributable to GCIcommon stockholders per common share

$
0.13



0.13Diluted net income per share:Numerator:Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation

$
5,430



409Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion ofClass B to Class A shares


409



-Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion ofClass B to Class A shares outstanding


-



(30
)Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cashor shares


(367
)


-Net income adjusted for allocation of undistributed earnings

$
5,472



379Denominator:Number of shares used in basic computation


42,175



3,175Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding


3,175



-Effect of share based compensation that may be settled in cash or shares


217



-Unexercised stock options


322



-Number of shares used in per share computations


45,889



3,175Diluted net income attributable to GCI

common stockholders per common share

$
0.12



0.12


111
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Years Ended December 31,2010


2009Class A


Class B


Class A


Class BBasic net income per share:Numerator:Allocation of undistributed earnings

$
8,420



535


$
3,305



211Denominator:Weighted average common sharesoutstanding


50,076



3,183



50,159



3,195Basic net income attributable to GCIcommon stockholders per common share

$
0.17



0.17


$
0.07



0.07Diluted net income per share:Numerator:Allocation of undistributed earnings forbasic computation

$
8,420



535


$
3,305



211Reallocation of undistributed earnings as aresult of conversion of Class B to Class A

shares


535



-



211



-Reallocation of undistributed earnings as aresult of conversion of Class B to Class A

shares outstanding


-



(2
)


-



(29
)Effect of share based compensation thatmay be settled in cash or shares


-



-



(454
)


-Net income adjusted for allocation ofundistributed earnings and effect ofshare

based compensation that may be settledin cash or shares

$
8,955



533


$
3,062



182Denominator:Number of shares used in basic computation


50,076



3,183



50,159



3,195Conversion of Class B to Class A commonshares outstanding


3,183



-



3,195



-Unexercised stock options


167



-



258



-Effect of share based compensation that maybe settled in cash or shares


-



-



236



-Number of shares used in per share computations


53,426



3,183



53,848



3,195Diluted net income attributable to GCIcommon stockholders per common share

$
0.17



0.17


$
0.06



0.06


112
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Weighted average shares associated with outstanding share awards for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 which have been excluded from the computations of diluted EPS, because the effect of including these share awards would have been anti-dilutive, consist of the following (shares, in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009Shares associated with anti-dilutive unexercised

stock options


38



460



3,753Share-based compensation that may be settledin cash or shares, the effect of which isanti-dilutive


217



217



-255



677



3,753





Additionally, 34,000, 50,000 and 420,000 weighted average shares associated with contingent options and awards for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the contingencies of these options and awards have not been met at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.





(h)
Common Stock


Following are the changes in issued common stock for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (shares, in thousands):





Class A


Class BBalances at January 1, 2009


50,062



3,203Class B shares converted to Class A


15



(15
)Shares issued upon stock option exercises


77



-Share awards issued


1,964



-Shares retired


(219
)


(2
)Balances at December 31, 2009


51,899



3,186Class B shares converted to Class A


8



(8
)Shares issued upon stock option exercises


116



-Share awards issued


336



-Shares retired


(8,144
)


-Other


(2
)


-Balances at December 31, 2010


44,213



3,178Class B shares converted to Class A


7



(7
)Shares issued upon stock option exercises


163



-Share awards issued


460



-Shares retired


(5,244
)


-Shares acquired to settle minimum statutory tax withholding requirements


(303
)


-Balances at December 31, 2011


39,296



3,171





113





GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements




We retired 287,000, 17,000, and 219,000 shares of our Class A common stock during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which were acquired to settle the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements pursuant to restricted stock award vesting and the settlement of deferred compensation.
 
 GCI’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock buyback program for the repurchase of GCI’s Class A and Class B common stock in order to reduce the outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock.  In October 2010, GCI’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the common stock buyback plan.  Under the amended plan, we were authorized to repurchase up to $100.0 million worth of GCI common stock.  In December 2010, GCI’s Board of Directors approved an additional $100.0 million increase to the stock buyback plan.  We are authorized to increase our repurchase limit $5.0 million per quarter indefinitely and to use stock option exercise proceeds to repurchase additional shares.  If stock repurchases are less than the total approved quarterly amount the difference may be carried forward and used to repurchase additional shares in future quarters.  The cost of the repurchased common stock reduced Common Stock on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 On October 21, 2010, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (“ASRC”), pursuant to which GCI repurchased 7,486,240 shares of GCI’s Class A common stock for $10.16 per share, representing a total purchase price of $76.0 million.  Prior to the repurchase ASRC was a related party.
 
 During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased a total of 5.2 million shares of our Class A common stock under the stock buyback program at a cost of $52.6 million.  The repurchase reduced the amount available under the stock buyback program to $92.9 million.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, we repurchased a total of 8.0 million shares of our Class A common stock under the stock buyback program, at a cost of $80.8 million.  There were no repurchases during the year ended December 31, 2009.  The repurchased stock was constructively retired as of December 31, 2011.
 
 We expect to continue the repurchases for an indefinite period dependent on leverage, liquidity, company performance, market conditions and subject to continued oversight by GCI’s Board of Directors. The open market repurchases have complied and will continue to comply with the restrictions of Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


(i)
Redeemable Preferred Stock
 We have 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with no shares issued and outstanding at years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 
 (j)
Treasury Stock
 We account for treasury stock purchased for general corporate purposes under the cost method and include treasury stock as a component of Stockholders’ Equity.  Treasury stock purchased with intent to retire

(whether or not the retirement is actually accomplished) is charged to Class A or Class B Common Stock.
 
 (k)
Cash Equivalents
 Cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit which have an original maturity of three months or less at the date acquired and are readily convertible into cash.
 (l)
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Receivables
 Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful receivables is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts

receivable. We base our estimates on the aging of our accounts receivable balances, financial health of specific customers, regional economic data, changes in our collections process, regulatory requirements and our

customers’ compliance with Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") rules. We review our allowance for doubtful receivables methodology at least annually.
 
 Depending upon the type of account receivable our allowance is calculated using a pooled basis with an allowance for all accounts greater than 120 days past due, a specific identification method, or a combination

of thetwo methods. When a specific identification method is used, past due balances over 90 days old and balances less than 90 days old but potentially uncollectible due to bankruptcy or other issues are reviewed

individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we feel it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. We do not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to our

customers.
 114


GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(m)
Inventories
 Wireless handset inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost is determined using the average cost method. Handset costs in excess of the revenues generated from handset sales, or

handset subsidies, are expensed at the time of sale. We do not recognize the expected handset subsidies prior to the time of sale because the promotional discount decision is made at the point of sale and/or because we

expect to recover the handset subsidies through service revenue.
 
 Inventories of other merchandise for resale and parts are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method.
 (n)
Property and Equipment
 Property and equipment is stated at cost. Construction costs of facilities are capitalized. Equipment financed under capital leases is recorded at the lower of fair market value or the present value of future minimum lease

payments at inception of the lease. Construction in progress represents transmission equipment and support equipment and systems not placed in service on December 31, 2011 that management intends to place in

service during 2012.
 
 Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based upon the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term, if applicable, in the following ranges:








Asset Category
Asset LivesTelephony transmission equipment and distribution facilities
5-20 yearsFiber optic cable systems
15-25 yearsCable transmission equipment and distribution facilities
5-30 yearsSupport equipment and systems
3-20 yearsTransportation equipment
5-13 yearsProperty and equipment under capital leases
12-20 yearsBuildings
25 yearsCustomer premise equipment
2-20 years





Amortization of property and equipment under capital leases is included in Depreciation and Amortization Expense on the Consolidated Income Statement.
 
 Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Accumulated depreciation is removed and gains or losses are recognized at the time of sales
 or other dispositions of property and equipment.


(o)
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 Goodwill, cable certificates (certificates of convenience and public necessity) and wireless licenses are not amortized. Cable certificates represent certain perpetual operating rights to provide cable services. Wireless
 licenses represent the right to utilize certain radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communications services.  Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in connection with a
 business acquisition. Goodwill is not allocated to our reportable segments as our Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review a balance sheet by reportable segment to make decisions about resource allocation or
 evaluate reportable segment performance, however, goodwill is allocated to our reporting units for the sole purpose of the annual impairment test.
 
 All other amortizable intangible assets are being amortized over 2 to 20 year periods using the straight-line method.





115
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 (p)
Impairment of Intangibles, Goodwill, and Long-lived Assets
 Cable certificates and wireless license assets are treated as indefinite-lived intangible assets and are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be
 impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount
 equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new accounting basis. Impairment testing of our cable certificate and wireless license assets as of
 October 31, 2011 and 2010 used a direct value method.
 
 Our goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired.  We are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step process.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.  The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be recognized in a business combination.  We use a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of our reporting units.  This method requires us to make estimates and assumptions including projected cash flows and discount rate.  These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such impairment charge.
 During the third quarter of 2009, we changed the date of our annual impairment test from the last day of the fiscal year to the last day of the tenth month of the fiscal year for all of our indefinite-lived intangibles.  As we
 grew, it became increasingly difficult to complete the various impairment analyses in a timely manner, therefore, we believed the change in accounting principle related to the annual testing date was preferable as it
 provided us additional time to complete the impairment test and report the results of that test in our annual filing on Form 10-K.  We believe that the change to the annual testing date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an
 impairment charge.  We determined that this change in accounting principle was preferable under the circumstances and it did not result in adjustments to our financial statements when applied retrospectively.  We
 completed our annual review and no impairment charge was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.
 
 Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
 of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset group to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows
 expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying
 amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.
 
 (q)
Amortization and Write-off of Loan Fees
 Debt issuance costs are deferred and amortized using the effective interest method. If a refinancing or amendment of a debt instrument is a substantial modification, all or a portion of the applicable debt issuance costs
 are written off.  If a debt instrument is repaid prior to the maturity date we will write-off a proportional amount of debt issuance costs.
 (r)
Other Assets
 Other Assets primarily include long-term deposits, prepayments, and non-trade accounts receivable.
   116
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  
 (s)
Asset Retirement Obligations
 We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably
 estimated. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, period-to-period changes in the
 liability for an asset retirement obligation resulting from revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows are recognized.  Over time, the liability is accreted to its present
 value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  Upon settlement of the liability, we either settle the obligation for its recorded amount or incur a gain or loss upon
 settlement.
 The majority of our asset retirement obligations are the estimated cost to remove telephony transmission equipment and support equipment from leased property.  Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and
 ending aggregate carrying amount of our liability for asset retirement obligations (amounts in thousands):


Balance at December 31, 2009

$
12,514Liability incurred


1,253Accretion expense


289Liability settled


(21
)Balance at December 31, 2010


14,035Liability incurred


613Accretion expense


619Liability settled


(44
)Balance at December 31, 2011

$
15,223


During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 we recorded additional capitalized costs of $613,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, in Property and Equipment in Service, Net of Depreciation.
 
 Certain of our network facilities are on property that requires us to have a permit and the permit contains provisions requiring us to remove our network facilities in the event the permit is not renewed.  We expect to continually renew our permits and therefore cannot estimate any liabilities associated with such agreements.  A remote possibility exists that we would not be able to successfully renew a permit, which could result in us incurring significant expense in complying with restoration or removal provisions.
  (t)
Revenue Recognition
 All revenues are recognized when the earnings process is complete. Revenue recognition is as follows:
 117
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements





























·
Revenues generated from long-distance service usage and plan fees, Internet service excess usage, and managed services are recognized when the services are provided,
 ·
We recognize unbilled revenues when the service is provided based upon minutes of use processed, and/or established rates, net of credits and adjustments,
 ·
Cable television service package fees, local access and Internet service plan fees, and data network revenues are billed in advance, recorded as Deferred Revenue on the balance sheet, and are recognized as the associated service is provided,
 ·
Certain of our wireless services offerings have been determined to be revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Revenues are recognized as each element is earned based on objective evidence regarding the relative fair value of each element and when there are no undelivered elements that are essential to the functionality of the delivered elements. Revenues generated from wireless service usage and plan fees are recognized when the services are provided. Revenues generated from the sale of wireless handsets and accessories are recognized when title to the handset and accessories passes to the customer. As the non-refundable, up-front activation fee charged to the customer does not meet the criteria as a separate unit of accounting, we allocate the additional arrangement consideration received from the activation fee to the handset (the delivered item) to the extent that the aggregate handset and activation fee proceeds do not exceed the fair value of the handset. Any activation fees not allocated to the handset would be deferred upon activation and recognized as service revenue on a straight-line basis over the expected customer relationship period,
 ·
The majority of our equipment sale transactions involve the sale of communications equipment with no other services involved. Such equipment is subject to standard manufacturer warranties and we do not manufacture any of the equipment we sell. In such instances the customer takes title to the equipment generally upon delivery. We recognize revenue for such transactions when title passes to the customer and the revenue is earned and realizable. On certain occasions we enter into agreements to sell and satisfactorily install or integrate telecommunications equipment for a fixed fee. Customers may have refund rights if the installed equipment does not meet certain performance criteria. We defer revenue recognition until we have received customer acceptance per the contract or agreement, and all other required revenue recognition elements have been achieved. Revenues from contracts with multiple element arrangements, such as those including installation and integration services, are recognized as each element is earned based on objective evidence regarding the relative fair value of each element and when there are no undelivered elements that are essential to the functionality of the delivered elements,
 ·
Technical services revenues are derived primarily from maintenance contracts on equipment and are recognized on a prorated basis over the term of the contracts,
 ·
We account for fiber capacity Indefeasible Rights to Use ("IRU") agreements as an operating lease or service arrangement and we defer the revenue and recognize it ratably over the life of the IRU or as service is rendered,
 ·
Access revenue is recognized when earned.  We participate in access revenue pools with other telephone companies.  Such pools are funded by toll revenue and/or access charges regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska ("RCA") within the intrastate jurisdiction and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) within the interstate jurisdiction. Much of the interstate access revenue is initially recorded based on estimates. These estimates are derived from interim financial information, available separation studies and the most recent information available about achieved rates of return. These estimates are subject to adjustment in future accounting periods as additional information becomes available. To the extent that a dispute arises over revenue settlements, our policy is to defer revenue collected until the dispute is resolved,
 ·
We receive refunds from time to time from incumbent local exchange carriers (“ILECs”), with which we do business in respect of their earnings that exceed regulatory requirements. Telephone companies that are rate regulated by the FCC using the rate of return method are required by the FCC to refund earnings from interstate access charges assessed to long-distance carriers when their earnings exceed their authorized rate of return. Such refunds are computed based on the regulated carrier’s earnings in several access categories. Uncertainties exist with respect to the amount of their earnings, the refunds (if any), their timing, and their realization. We account for such refundable amounts as gain contingencies, and, accordingly, do not recognize them until realization is a certainty upon receipt,
 ·
We receive grant revenue for the purpose of building communication infrastructure in rural areas.  We defer the revenue and recognize it over the life of the asset that was constructed using grant funds, and
 ·
Other revenues are recognized when the service is provided.


As an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier ("ETC"), we receive support from the Universal Service Fund ("USF") to support the provision of wireline local access and wireless service in high cost areas. On November 29, 2011, the FCC published a final rule to reform the methodology for distributing USF high cost support for voice and broadband services, as well as to the access charge regime for terminating traffic between carriers (“High Cost Order”).  The High Cost Order divided support to Alaska between Urban and Remote areas.  The High Cost Order was a significant program change that required a reassessment of our high cost support revenue recognition.


118
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Prior to the High Cost Order program changes we accrued Remote and Urban estimated program revenue quarterly based on current line counts, the most current rates paid to us, our assessment of the impact of current FCC regulations, and our assessment of the potential outcome of FCC proceedings. Our estimated accrued revenue is subject to our judgment regarding the outcome of many variables and is subject to upward or downward adjustments in subsequent periods. Our ability to collect our accrued USF support is contingent upon continuation of the USF program and upon our eligibility to participate in that program, which is subject to change by future regulatory, legislative or judicial actions. We adjust revenue and the account receivable in the period the FCC makes a program change or we assess the likelihood that such a change has increased or decreased revenue.





Remote High Cost Support


The High Cost Order mandates that as of January 1, 2012, Remote high cost support will be based upon the total 2011 support disbursed to all subject Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“CETCs”) (“Statewide Support Cap”).  On January 1, 2012, the rates paid in the Remote areas are mandated and frozen by the USF and cannot exceed $250 per line per month on a study area basis.  Line count growth that causes the Statewide Support Cap to be exceeded triggers a pro rata support payment reduction to all subject Alaska CETCs until the support is reduced down to the Statewide Support Cap amount.





The High Cost Order further mandates that on January 1, 2014, a freeze of Remote support will begin and subject CETC’s support payments will be frozen at the monthly average of 2013 annual support.  If a successor funding mechanism is operational on July 1, 2014, a 20% annual phase down will commence decreasing support 20% each annual period until no support is paid starting July 1, 2018.  If a successor funding mechanism is not operational on July 1, 2014, the phase down will not begin and the subject CETCs will continue to receive the monthly average of 2013 annual support until a successor funding mechanism is operational.  A subject CETC may not receive phase down support and support from a successor funding mechanism, one program or the other must be selected.  At this time we cannot predict the likelihood of a successor funding mechanism being operational on July 1, 2014 nor can we predict whether we can or will participate in a successor funding mechanism.





As a result of the High Cost Order program changes for the areas designated Remote by the USF, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 we are accruing estimated program revenue based on current line counts and the rates mandated and frozen by the USF, reduced as needed by our estimate of the impact of the Statewide Support Cap.  The Statewide Support Cap is the amount of total high cost support all CETCs in the Remote areas of Alaska may receive.  When determining the estimated program revenue accrual we also consider our assessment of the impact of current FCC regulations and of the potential outcome of FCC proceedings. Our estimated accrued revenue is subject to our judgment regarding the outcome of many variables and is subject to upward or downward adjustment in subsequent periods.





Urban High Cost Support


The High Cost Order mandates that as of January 1, 2012, Urban high cost support payments will be frozen at the monthly average of the subject CETC’s 2011 annual support.  A 20% annual phase down will commence July 1, 2012, decreasing support 20% each annual period until no support is paid starting July 1, 2016.  If a successor funding mechanism is not operational on July 1, 2014, the phase down will stop at 60% and the subject CETCs will continue to receive annual support payments at the 60% level until a successor funding mechanism is operational.  Urban high cost support is no longer dependent upon line counts and line count filings are no longer required.


119
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements




As a result of the High Cost Order program changes for the areas considered to be Urban by the USF we apply the proportional performance revenue recognition method to account for the impact of the declining payments while our level of service provided and associated costs remain constant.  Included in the calculation are the scheduled Urban high cost support payments from October 2011 through June 2014 net of our Urban accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2011.  An equal amount of this result will be recognized as Urban support revenue each period.  At this time we cannot predict the likelihood of a successor funding mechanism being operational on July 1, 2014; therefore we have not included projected support payments beyond June 2014.





For both Remote and Urban high cost support revenue our ability to collect our accrued USF support is contingent upon continuation of the USF program and upon our eligibility to participate in that program, which is subject to change by future regulatory, legislative or judicial actions.  We adjust revenue and the account receivable in the period the FCC makes a program change or we assess the likelihood that such a change has increased or decreased revenue.  We do not recognize revenue until our ETC status has been approved by the RCA.





(u)
Payments Received from Suppliers


Our Consumer segment occasionally receives reimbursements for video services costs to promote suppliers’ services, called cooperative advertising arrangements. The supplier payment is classified as a reduction of
 selling, general and administrative expenses if it reimburses specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to resell the suppliers’ services.  If the supplier payment is unspecific, the payment is classified as a
 reduction to cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense) (“Cost of Goods Sold”).  Recognition occurs upon receipt of the payment because collection is not assured.










(v)
Advertising Expense
 We expense advertising costs in the year during which the first advertisement appears. Advertising expenses were $4.2 million, $4.3 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009,
 respectively.


(w)
Leases
 Scheduled operating lease rent increases are amortized over the expected lease term on a straight-line basis. Rent holidays are recognized on a straight-line basis over the operating lease term (including any rent holiday
 period).
 
 Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. We may amortize a leasehold improvement over a term that includes assumption of a lease renewal if the renewal is
 reasonably assured. Leasehold improvements acquired in a business combination are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes required lease periods and renewals that are deemed
 to be reasonably assured at the date of acquisition. Leasehold improvements that are placed in service significantly after and are not contemplated at or near the beginning of the lease term are amortized over the shorter
 of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes required lease periods and renewals that are deemed to be reasonably assured at the date the leasehold improvements are purchased. Leasehold improvements made
 by us and funded by landlord incentives or allowances under an operating lease are recorded as deferred rent and amortized as reductions to lease expense over the lease term.


(x)
Interest Expense
 Material interest costs incurred during the construction period of non-software capital projects are capitalized.  Interest costs incurred during the development period of a software capital project are capitalized.  Interest
 is capitalized in the period commencing with the first expenditure for a qualifying capital project and ending when the capital project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. We capitalized interest cost
 of $3.7 million, $1.1 million and $548,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


120
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 (y)
Income Taxes
 Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for their future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
 amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable earnings in the years in which those temporary
 differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.


(z)
Share-based Payment Arrangements
 We currently use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to value stock options granted to employees. We use these values to recognize stock compensation expense for stock options.  Compensation expense
 is recognized in the financial statements for share-based awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Share-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized
 over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis, which is generally commensurate with the vesting term. See Note 9, Stockholders’ Equity, of this Form 10-K for information on the assumptions we
 used to calculate the fair value of share-based compensation.
 
 We are required to report the benefits associated with tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as a financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash flow.


(aa)
Stock Options Issued for Non-employee Services
 Stock options issued in exchange for non-employee services are accounted for based upon the fair value of the consideration or services received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued using the Black-
 Scholes-Merton method, whichever is more reliably measurable.
 The fair value determined using these principles is charged to operating expense over the shorter of the term for which non-employee services are provided, if stated, or the stock option vesting period.





(ab)
Use of Estimates
 The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant
 items subject to estimates and assumptions include the allowance for doubtful receivables, unbilled revenues, accrual of the USF high cost Remote area program support, share-based compensation, inventory at lower
 of cost  or market, reserve for future customer credits, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, depreciable and amortizable lives of assets, the carrying value of long-lived assets including goodwill, cable
 certificates and wireless licenses, our effective tax rate, purchase price allocations, deferred lease expense, asset retirement obligations, the accrual of Cost of Goods Sold, depreciation and the accrual of contingencies
 and litigation.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 The accounting estimates related to revenues from the USF high cost Remote area program are dependent on various inputs including our estimate of the Statewide Support Cap, our assessment of the impact of new
 FCC regulations, and the potential outcome of FCC proceedings.  These inputs are subjective and based on our judgment regarding the outcome of certain variables and are subject to upward or downward adjustment in
 subsequent periods.  Effective in the fourth quarter of 2011, we changed our high cost support revenue recognition methodology due to the High Cost Order.  See Note 1(t), Revenue Recognition, of this Form 10-K for
 information.
 
 Effective in the second quarter of 2010, we changed our USF high cost area program support accrual methodology due to a change in our estimate of the current amounts expected to be paid to us.  The effect of this
 change in estimate was a revenue increase of $4.7 million, a net income increase of $3.1 million, and a basic and diluted net income per share increase of $0.06 for the year ended December 31, 2010.


121
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 (ac)
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Excess cash is invested in high quality short-term liquid money
 instruments. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in short-term liquid money instruments.   At December 31, 2011 and 2010, cash balances were in excess of
 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits.
 We do not have any major customers for the year ended December 31, 2011, see Note 10, Industry Segment Data, of this Form 10-K.  Our customers are located primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this geographic
 concentration, our growth and operations depend upon economic conditions in Alaska.


(ad)
Software Capitalization Policy
 Internally used software, whether purchased or developed, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of five years. We capitalize certain costs associated with internally
 developed software such as payroll costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with internally developed software to be used internally are
 expensed until the point the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform
 a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The capitalization of software requires judgment in determining when a project has
 reached the development stage.





(ae)
Guarantees
 Certain of our customers have guaranteed levels of service.  If an interruption in service occurs we do not recognize revenue for any portion of the monthly service fee that will be refunded to the customer or not billed to
 the customer due to these service level agreements.
 
 Additionally, we have provided certain guarantees to U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (“US Bancorp”), our tax credit investor in TIF.  We have guaranteed the delivery of $30.7 million of New Markets
 Tax Credits (“NMTC”) to US Bancorp, as well as certain loan and management fee payments between our subsidiaries and the VIE, of which we are the primary beneficiary.  In the event that the tax credits are not
 delivered or certain payments not made, we are obligated to provide prompt and complete payment of these obligations.   Please refer toNote 12, Non-controlling Interest, of this Form 10-K, for more information about our
 NMTC transaction.








(af)
Classification of Taxes Collected from Customers
 We report sales, use, excise, and value added taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between us and a customer on a net basis in our Income
 Statements.  We report a certain surcharge on a gross basis in our consolidated income statements of $5.4 million, $5.2 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


(2)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures


Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):


122
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Year ended December 31,

2011


2010


2009(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net

$
(16,900
)


12,283



(33,555
)(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses


(1,949
)


(1,459
)


1,923(Increase) decrease in inventories


(1,718
)


3,461



(2,109
)(Increase) decrease in other current assets


309



1,037



(4,272
)(Increase) decrease in other assets


907



2,663



(10,742
)Increase (decrease) in accounts payable


(1,373
)


1,683



(1,889
)Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues


4,707



(4,108
)


(787
)Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll andpayroll related obligations


(102
)


271



(752
)Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities


(1,733
)


2,585



(1,608
)Increase (decrease) in accrued interest


(6,776
)


(1,365
)


4,597Increase (decrease) in subscriber deposits


(21
)


(278
)


287Increase (decrease) in long-term deferred revenue


(2,413
)


(3,167
)


763Increase (decrease) in components of otherlong-term liabilities


(1,618
)


(362
)


526$
(28,680
)


13,244



(47,618
)





The following items are for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (amounts in thousands):





Net cash paid or received:

2011


2010


2009Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

$
73,492



71,140



51,161Income tax refund received

$
-



1,163



911





The following items are non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (amounts in thousands):





2011


2010


2009Non-cash additions for purchases of property and

equipment

$
7,233



7,622



4,427Asset retirement obligation additions to property andequipment

$
613



1,253



5,764Asset retirement obligation reductions to property andequipment for revisions to previous estimates

$
294



-



-Warranty receivable applied to capital leaseobligation

$
-



-



465Assets acquired in acquisition

$
-



480



6,475





(3)
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Receivables


Receivables consist of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands):





123
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements













2011


2010Trade

$
140,533



130,708Employee


720



722Other


574



1,426Total Receivables

$
141,827



132,856





As described in Note 1(t), Revenue Recognition, we receive support from each of the various USF programs: high cost, low income, rural health care, and schools and libraries.  This support was 19%, 18%, and 14% of our


revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  We had USF net receivables of $69.8 million and $64.3 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively




Changes in the allowance for doubtful receivables during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are summarized below (amounts in thousands):





Additions


DeductionsDescription

Balance at beginning of year


Charged to costs and expenses


Charged to other accounts


Write-offs net of recoveries


Balance at end of yearDecember 31, 2011

$
9,189



4,294



(29
)


7,658



5,796December 31, 2010

$
7,060



3,085



1,670



2,626



9,189December 31, 2009

$
2,582



3,818



1,734



1,074



7,060





Charged to other accounts during the year ended December 31, 2011, includes a $1.6 million reserve for a customer that participates in the Rural Health Care Division support program that is operated by the USAC.  We


provided service to this customer pursuant to a contract from July 2008 to June 2009.  In 2010 we received a funding commitment letter from USAC for the year from July 2008 to June 2009 committing funding for all but $1.7


million of that particular year.  USAC denied funding of $1.7 million based on the timing of customer-owned equipment placed in service in relation to service charges.  In August 2010, we filed with the FCC a request for review


of the denial and at December 31, 2011, our appeal was still being reviewed by the FCC.   We recorded a reserve by reducing revenue $1.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  During the second quarter of 2011, we


decreased the allowance by $100,000 to true up 2008 and 2009’s funding amounts.  After recording an adjustment in 2011, the allowance related to this customer is $1.6 million at December 31, 2011.





Charged to Other Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2009 consists of a $914,000 adjustment recorded upon the conversion of our Alaska DigiTel customer accounts into a Consumer customer billing system that


grossed up accounts receivable and the allowance for doubtful receivables to record termination fees for tracking purposes.  Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2009 includes an adjustment of $820,000 due to the


decision to temporarily stop revenue recognition for services provided to a customer whose funding from the USAC was denied.


(4)
Net Property and Equipment in Service
 Net property and equipment in service consists of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands):




124
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements








2011


2010Land and buildings

$
47,133



36,332Telephony transmission equipment and distribution facilities


752,083



674,246Cable transmission equipment and distribution facilities


141,400



128,919Support equipment and systems


202,785



190,947Transportation equipment


8,269



9,116Property and equipment under capital leases


102,972



102,972Customer premise equipment


134,207



124,655Fiber optic cable systems


283,997



244,3811,672,846



1,511,568Less accumulated depreciation


796,210



693,645Less accumulated amortization


24,931



19,645Net property and equipment in service

$
851,705



798,278










(5)
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 As of October 31, 2011 cable certificates, wireless licensesand goodwill were tested for impairment and the fair values were greater than the carrying amounts, therefore these intangible assets were determined not to be impaired at December 31, 2011.  The remaining useful lives of our cable certificates, wireless licenses and goodwill were evaluated as of October 31, 2011 and events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.
 
 There are no indicators of impairment of our intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2011.
 
 Other Intangible Assets subject to amortization include the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands):


2011


2010Software license fees

$
30,392



26,403Customer relationships


4,435



11,034Right-of-way


783



783Customer contracts


-



3,538Other


-



54335,610



42,301Less accumulated amortization


19,775



24,584Net other intangible assets

$
15,835



17,717





Changes in Other Intangible Assets are as follows (amounts in thousands):





Balance at December 31, 2009

$
19,561Asset additions


4,533Less amortization expense


6,360Less asset write-off


17Balance at December 31, 2010


17,717Asset additions


4,157Less amortization expense


6,039Balance at December 31, 2011

$
15,835





Goodwill increased $951,000 at December 31, 2011, as compared to December 31, 2010, and $480,000 at December 31, 2010, as compared to December 31, 2009, due to contingent payments to the former shareholders of UUI.


125
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 follow (amounts in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009Amortization expense

$
6,039



6,360



7,628





Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is estimated to be (amounts in thousands):





Years Ending December 31,2012

$
4,4072013


3,2882014


2,4282015


1,6992016


269




(6)
Long-Term Debt
 Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands):


2011


20102021 Notes (a)

$
325,000



-2019 Notes (b)


425,000



425,0002014 Notes (a)


-



320,000Senior Credit Facility (c)


60,000



20,000Rural Utility Service ("RUS") debt (d)


52,944



19,844CoBank Mortgage ("CoBank") note payable (d)


1,344



1,832Debt


864,288



786,676Less unamortized discount paid on the 2019 Notes


3,016



3,266Less unamortized discount paid on the 2014 Notes


-



1,693Less current portion of long-term debt


3,241



2,516Long-term debt, net

$
858,031



779,201










(a)
On May 20, 2011, GCI, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, completed an offering of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 (“2021 Notes”) at an issue price
 of 100% to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and to persons outside the United States in accordance with
 Regulation S under the Securities Act.  We used the net proceeds from this offering to repay and retire all $320.0 million of our outstanding se nior unsecured notes due 2014 (“2014 Notes”).
 The 2021 Notes are not redeemable prior to June 1, 2016.  At any time on or after June 1, 2016, the 2021 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, on not less than thirty nor more than sixty days’ notice, at
 the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption:
 126
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


If redeemed during the twelve month period commencing June 1 of the year indicated:

Redemption Price2016


103.375
%2017


102.250
%2018


101.125
%2019 and thereafter


100.000
%




The 2021 Notes mature on June 1, 2021.  Semi-annual interest payments are payable on June 1 and December 1.





The 2021 Notes are senior unsecured obligations which rank equally in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured debt, including our 2019 Notes, and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness.





The 2021 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 20, 2011, between us and Union Bank, N.A., as trustee.





We are not required to make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the 2021 Notes.





Upon the occurrence of a change of control, each holder of the 2021 Notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, except that no 2021 Note will be purchased in part if the remaining portion thereof would not be at least $2,000) of such holder’s 2021 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such 2021 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such 2021 Notes, if any.  If we or certain of our subsidiaries engage in asset sales, we must generally either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our business within a period of time, prepay debt under any outstanding credit facility, or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 2021 Notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds, with the purchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.





The covenants in the Indenture restrict GCI, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, but permits debt under the Senior Credit Facility and vendor financing as long as our leverage ratio, as defined, does not exceed 5.5 to one.  If our leverage ratio does not exceed 5.5 to one, we are able to enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or repurchase capital stock; issue stock of subsidiaries; make certain investments; create liens on assets to secure debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; and transfer and sell assets.  These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions, as further described in the Indenture.





On August 15, 2011, GCI, Inc. closed an exchange offer pursuant to which it offered new 2021 Notes identical to the original notes except that the new 2021 Notes were registered under the Securities Act.





We paid closing costs totaling $3.6 million in connection with the offering, which were recorded as deferred loan costs and are being amortized over the term of the 2021 Notes. We recorded a $9.1 million Loss on Extinguishment of Debt on our Consolidated Income Statement.  Included in the loss was $2.9 million in unamortized deferred loan costs, $1.5 million for the unamortized portion of the original issue discount and $4.7 million in call premium payments to redeem our 2014 Notes





We were in compliance with all 2021 Notes loan covenants at December 31, 2011.


127
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements





(b)
We pay interest of 8.63% on notes that are due in 2019 (“2019 Notes”).  The 2019 Notes are senior unsecured obligations which rank equally in right of payment with the existing and future senior unsecured debt, including our 2021 Notes described previously, and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness.  The 2019 Notes are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheet net of the unamortized portion of the discount, which is being amortized to Interest Expense over the term of the 2019 Notes using the effective interest method and an effective interest rate of 9.09%.





The 2019 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, on not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principle amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption:





If redeemed during the twelve month period commencing November 15 of the year indicated:

Redemption Price2014


104.313
%2015


102.875
%2016


101.438
%2017 and thereafter


100.000
%





The 2019 Notes mature on November 15, 2019.  Semi-annual interest payments are payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year.





The 2019 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, between us and Union Bank, N.A., as trustee.





We are not required to make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the 2019 Notes.





Upon the occurrence of a change of control, each holder of the 2019 Notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, except that no 2019 Note will be purchased in part if the remaining portion thereof would not be at least $2,000) of such holder’s 2019 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such 2019 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such 2019 Notes, if any.  If we or certain of our subsidiaries engage in asset sales, we must generally either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our business within a period of time, prepay debt under any outstanding credit facility, or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 2019 Notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds, with the purchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.





The covenants in the Indenture restrict GCI, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries from incurring debt, but permits debt under the Senior Credit Facility and vendor financing as long as our leverage ratio, as defined, does not exceed 5.5 to one.  If our leverage ratio does not exceed 5.5 to one, we are able to enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or repurchase capital stock; issue stock of subsidiaries; make certain investments; create liens on assets to secure debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; and  transfer and sell assets.  These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions, as further described in the Indenture.





We paid closing costs totaling $9.4 million in connection with the offering, which were recorded as deferred loan costs and are being amortized over the term of the 2019 Notes.





We were in compliance with all 2019 Notes loan covenants at December 31, 2011.





(c)
The Senior Credit Facility includes a $50.0 million term loan, including Supplements No. 1 and No. 2 discussed below, and a $75.0 million revolving credit facility with a $25.0 million sublimit for letters of credit.  Our term loan is fully drawn.


128
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


In June 2011, GCI Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into an Add-On Term Loan Supplement No. 1 (“Supplement No. 1”) to our Senior Credit Facility. The Supplement No. 1 provided for an additional $25.0 million term loan with an initial interest rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.5%, payable in accordance with the terms of our Senior Credit Facility.  Holdings used $20.0 million of the loan proceeds to pay down outstanding revolving loans under our Senior Credit Facility, thus increasing availability under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility.  The remaining $5.0 million was used for general corporate purposes.




In July 2011, Holdings entered into an Add-On Term Loan Supplement No. 2 (“Supplement No. 2”) to our Senior Credit Facility. The Supplement No. 2 provided for an additional $25.0 million term loan with an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%, payable in accordance with the terms of our Senior Credit Facility.  Holdings used $15.0 million to pay down outstanding revolving loans under our Senior Credit Facility, thus increasing availability under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facility.  The remaining $10.0 million was used for general corporate purposes.







The term loan is fully drawn and a total of $60.0 million is outstanding as of December 31, 2011.  Under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facility, we have borrowed $10.0 million and have $349,000 of letters of credit outstanding, which leaves $64.7 million available for borrowing as of December 31, 2011.  The Senior Credit Facility will mature on January 29, 2015.







The interest rate on our Senior Credit Facility is LIBOR plus the following Applicable Margin set forth opposite each applicable Total Leverage Ratio below:





129
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements








Total Leverage Ratio (as defined)

Applicable Margin≥3.75


4.00
%≥3.25 but <3.75


3.50
%≥2.75 but <3.25


3.00
%<2.75


2.50
%





Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions on indebtedness.  Our Senior Credit Facility Total Leverage Ratio (as defined) may not exceed 5.25 to one; the Senior Leverage Ratio (as defined) may not exceed 3.00 to one; and our Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined) must not be less than 2.50 to one at any time.





The obligations under the Senior Credit Facility are secured by a security interest on substantially all of the assets of GCI Holdings, Inc. and the subsidiary guarantors, and on the stock of GCI Holdings, Inc.





(d)
United Utilities, Inc. (“UUI”) and Unicom, Inc. (“Unicom”), our wholly owned subsidiaries, have entered into various loans with the RUS and CoBank.  The long-term debt is due in monthly installments of principal based on a fixed rate amortization schedule.  The interest rates on the various loans to which this debt relates range from 2.0% to 6.8%.  Through UUI and Unicom, we have $13.5 million available for borrowing for specific capital expenditures under existing borrowing arrangements.  Substantially all of the assets of UUI and Unicom are collateral for the amounts due to RUS and CoBank.





Maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (amounts in thousands):





Years ending December 31,2012

$
3,2412013


3,7492014


3,3742015


63,2602016


3,0402017 and thereafter


787,624864,288Less unamortized discount paid on 2019 Notes


3,016Less current portion of long-term debt


3,241$
858,031





(7)
Income Taxes Total income tax expense of $7.5 million, $9.5 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, was allocated to income in each year.


Income tax expense consists of the following (amounts in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009Deferred tax expense:Federal taxes

$
6,344



8,086



3,494State taxes


1,141



1,402



442$
7,485



9,488



3,936


130
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Total income tax expense differed from the “expected” income tax expense determined by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% as follows (amounts in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,2011


2010


2009“Expected” statutory tax expense

$
4,580



6,455



2,608State income taxes, net of federalexpense


1,141



1,129



456Income tax effect of nondeductibleentertainment expenses


737



775



703Income tax effect of nondeductiblelobbying expenses


327



405



380Income tax effect of nondeductible officercompensation


758



722



761Other, net


(58
)


2



(972
)$
7,485



9,488



3,936





The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized below (amounts in thousands):





2011


2010Current deferred tax assets, net of current deferred tax liability:Net operating loss carryforwards

$
7,796



-Compensated absences, accrued for financial reporting

purposes


2,664



2,115Workers compensation and self insurance health reserves,principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes


1,068



810Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtfulreceivables


2,379



3,770Deferred compensation expense for tax purposes inexcess of amounts recognized for financial reportingpurposes


131



92Other


1,517



3,358Total current deferred tax assets

$
15,555



10,145Long-term deferred tax assets:Net operating loss carryforwards

$
119,762



88,967Deferred revenue for financial reporting purposes


18,097



19,481Alternative minimum tax credits


1,895



1,895Deferred compensation expense for tax purposes inexcess of amounts recognized for financial reportingpurposes


2,581



2,908Asset retirement obligations in excess of amounts recognizedfor tax purposes


6,248



1,885Share-based compensation expense for financial reportingpurposes in excess of amounts recognized for tax purposes


4,394



8,647Other


469



1,168Total long-term deferred tax assets


153,446



124,951Long-term deferred tax liabilities:Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation


212,234



182,490Intangible assets


56,508



44,862Total long-term deferred tax liabilities


268,742



227,352Net long-term deferred tax liabilities

$
115,296



102,401


131
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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


income taxes payable in future years.  Our utilization of remaining acquired net operating loss carryforwards is subject to annual limitations pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 382 which could reduce or defer the


utilization of these losses.





Our tax net operating loss carryforwards are summarized below by year of expiration (amounts in thousands):





Years ending December 31,

Federal


State2019

$
17,047



16,4742020


44,744



43,7972021


29,614



28,9872022


14,081



13,7882023


3,968



3,9032024


722



-2025


737



-2026


150



-2027


1,010



-2028


39,879



39,7152029


48,370



47,5582031


110,933



109,376Total tax net operating loss carryforwards

$
311,255



303,598





Tax benefits associated with recorded deferred tax assets are considered to be more likely than not realizable through taxable income earned in carryback years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, and future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. The amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.





We file federal income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. or state tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2007 and earlier except that  certain U.S. federal income tax returns for years after 1997 are not closed by relevant statutes of limitations due to unused net operating losses reported on those income tax returns.





We recognize accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in selling, general and administrative expenses.  We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and
 2009, and accordingly, we did not recognize any interest expense.  Additionally, we recorded no penalties during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 132
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


We did not record any excess tax benefit generated from stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, since we are in a net operating loss carryforward position and the income tax deduction will not yet reduce income taxes payable.  The cumulative excess tax benefits generated for stock options exercised that have not been recognized is $3.6 million at December 31, 2011.





(8)
Financial Instruments





Fair Value of Financial Instruments


The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, net receivables, accounts payable, accrued payroll and payroll related obligations, accrued interest, accrued liabilities, and subscriber deposits approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts and approximate fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 follow (amounts in thousands):





December 31,


December 31,2011


2010Carrying Amount


Fair Value


Carrying Amount


Fair ValueCurrent and long-term debt andcapital lease obligations

$
947,326



942,895



872,882



908,286Other liabilities


106,002



105,173



73,309



72,065





The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair values:





Current and long-term debt and capital lease obligations:  The fair values of our 2021 Notes, 2019 Notes, 2014 Notes, RUS debt, CoBank mortgage note payable, and capital leases are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for the same remaining maturities.  The fair value of our Senior Credit Facility is estimated to approximate the carrying value because this instrument is subject to variable interest rates.





Other Liabilities:  Lease escalation liabilities are valued at the discounted amount of future cash flows using quoted market prices on current rates offered to us. Deferred compensation liabilities are carried at fair value, which is the amount payable as of the balance sheet date. Asset retirement obligations are recorded at their fair value and, over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period. Our non-employee share-based compensation awards are reported at their fair value at each reporting period.





Fair Value Measurements


Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (amounts in thousands):


133
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date UsingDecember 31, 2011 Assets

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)


Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)


Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Deferred compensation plan assets(mutual funds)


1,600



-



-Total assets at fair value

$
1,600



-



-December 31, 2010 AssetsDeferred compensation plan assets(mutual funds)


1,678



-



-Total assets at fair value

$
1,678



-



-





The valuation of our mutual funds is determined using quoted market prices in active markets utilizing market observable inputs.





(9)
Stockholders’ Equity





Common Stock


GCI’s Class A and Class B common stock are identical in all respects, except that each share of Class A common stock has one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock has ten votes per share. Each share of Class B common stock outstanding is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Class A common stock.





During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we repurchased 5.2 million shares and 8.0 million shares of our Class A common stock at a cost of $52.6 million and $80.8 million, respectively, pursuant to the Class A and Class B common stock repurchase program authorized by GCI’s Board of Directors.  There were no repurchases during the year ended December 31, 2009.  During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we retired 5.2 million, 8.0 million, and 219,000 shares, respectively, of our Class A common stock.





Shared-Based Compensation
 Our Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan"), provides for the grant of options and restricted stock awards (collectively "award") for a maximum of 15.7 million shares of GCI Class A common
 stock, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations or certain other changes in corporate structure or capitalization. If an award expires or terminates, the shares subject
 to the award will be available for further grants of awards under the Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee of GCI’s Board of Directors administers the Stock Option Plan. Substantially all restricted stock awards
 granted vest over periods of up to three years. Substantially all options vest in equal installments over a period of five years and expire ten years from the date of grant. The requisite service period of our awards is generally
 the same as the vesting period.  Options granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan are only exercisable if at the time of exercise the option holder is our employee, non-employee director, or a consultant or advisor working
 on our behalf.  New shares are issued when stock option agreements are exercised or restricted stock awards are granted.  We have 4.0 million shares available for grant under the Stock Option Plan at December 31, 2011.
 
 The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock.  We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of
 stock options issued.  The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility.  We have reviewed our historical pattern of
 option exercises and have determined that meaningful differences in option exercise activity existed among employee job categories. Therefore, we have categorized these awards into two groups of employees for valuation
 purposes.
 
 We estimated the expected term of options granted by evaluating the vesting period of stock options, employee’s past exercise and post-vesting employment departure behavior, and expected volatility of the price of the
 underlying shares.
 
 We estimated the expected volatility of our common stock at the grant date using the historical volatility of our common stock over the most recent period equal to the expected stock option term and evaluated the extent to
 which available information indicated that future volatility may differ from historical volatility.
 134
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 The risk-free interest rate assumption was determined using the Federal Reserve nominal rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. We have
 never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we assumed an expected dividend yield of zero.


The following table shows our assumptions used to compute the share-based compensation expense for stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:


2011
1


2010



2009Expected term (years)


N/A



5.0 – 6.5



5.2 – 6.8Volatility


N/A



52.6% – 55.8
%


53.6% – 59.1
%Risk-free interest rate


N/A



2.0% – 2.9
%


1.7% – 3.2
%(1)No options were granted during the year ended December 31, 2011.





We estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures at the time of grant and periodically revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We record share-based compensation expense
 only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on our historical pre-vesting forfeiture data.  We review our forfeiture estimates annually and adjust our share-based compensation expense in
 the period our estimate changes.





A summary of option activity under the Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the year then ended is presented below (share amounts in thousands):





WeightedWeighted

Average

AggregateAverage

Remaining

IntrinsicExercise

Contractual

ValueShares


Price

Term

(in thousands)Outstanding at January 1, 2011


1,249


$
7.08Exercised


(162
)

$
5.83Outstanding at December 31, 2011


1,087


$
7.27

3.6 years

$
2,830Exercisable at December 31, 2011


845


$
7.68

2.4 years

$
1,871





The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $2.84 per share and $3.49 per share, respectively.  There were no options granted during the year ended
 December 31, 2011.  The total fair value of options vesting during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, was $379,000, $377,000 and $110,000, respectively.  The total intrinsic values, determined as of the date of
 exercise, of options exercised in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, were $287,000, $511,000 and $120,000, respectively. We received $947,000, $659,000 and $423,000 in cash from stock option exercises in the
 years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 A summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity under the Stock Option Plan for the year ended December 31, 2011, follows (share amounts in thousands):


135
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


WeightedAverageGrant DateShares


Fair ValueNonvested at January 1, 2011


2,196


$
5.29Granted


460


$
12.08Vested


(1,080
)

$
5.84Forfeited


(15
)

$
6.91Nonvested at December 31, 2011


1,561


$
6.90





The following is a summary of our share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (amounts in thousands):





2011


2010


2009Employee share-based compensation expense

$
7,243



5,385



5,709Expense reversal for performance based optionsand awards not expected to vest


-



-



(2,134
)Adjustment to fair value of liability classified awards


(623
)


1,348



(771
)Total share-based compensation expense

$
6,620



6,733



2,804





Share-based compensation expense is classified as Selling, General and Administrative Expense in our consolidated Income Statement.  Unrecognized share-based compensation expense was $5.2 million relating to 1.6 million restricted stock awards and $343,000 relating to 242,000 unvested stock options as of December 31, 2011.  We expect to recognize share-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of 0.9 years for stock options and 1.1 years for restricted stock awards.
 
 On August 6, 2009, we filed a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (“Exchange Offer”) with the SEC.  The Exchange Offer was an offer by us to eligible officers, employees and stakeholders, other than officers of GCI who also serve on GCI’s Board of Directors (“Participants”) to exchange, on a grant-by-grant basis, their outstanding eligible stock options that were granted under our Stock Option Plan, whether vested or unvested, for shares of restricted stock of GCI Class A common stock that we granted under the Stock Option Plan (“Restricted Stock”). Generally, eligible options included all options issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan between January 1, 1999, and February 15, 2009, excluding any options that vest based on EBITDA performance (“Eligible Options”).  We accepted for cancellation, Eligible Options to purchase 5,241,700 shares of GCI Class A common stock from 166 Participants, representing approximately 86% of the options eligible for exchange in the offer with a fair value of $6.2 million as of the date of the exchange.  We issued 1,908,890 shares of Restricted Stock to Participants, with a fair value of $7.1 million as of the date of the exchange, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
 In accordance with the terms of the Restricted Stock agreement, one-half of the Restricted Stock received in exchange for eligible options vested on December 20, 2011 with the remainder vesting on February 28, 2012. The number of shares of Restricted Stock that were offered in exchange for each eligible option was equal to the lesser of (i) a number of shares of Restricted Stock having a fair value equal to 100% of the fair value of the eligible options exchanged for shares of Restricted Stock, or (ii) a number of shares of Restricted Stock equal to 40% of the number of shares issuable pursuant to the eligible options surrendered.
 
 The exchange of stock options for Restricted Stock was treated as a modification of the stock options.  The remaining unamortized stock compensation expense related to the original options will continue to be amortized over the vesting period of the Restricted Stock.  The compensation expense for the incremental difference between the fair value of the Restricted Stock and the fair value of the original options on the date of modification, reflecting the current facts and circumstances on the modification date, will be amortized over the vesting period of the Restricted Stock.  The incremental share-based compensation expense related to the modification, net of estimated forfeitures, is $940,000, of which $378,000, $378,000 and $122,000 was expensed in the years ending December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  We used a lattice model to value the options exchanged for Restricted Stock for purposes of determining our incremental share-based compensation expense.
 136
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 In 1986, we adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“GCI 401(k) Plan”) qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The GCI 401(k) Plan provides for acquisition of GCI’s Class A common stock at market value as well as various mutual funds. The GCI 401(k) Plan permits each employee who has completed one year of service to elect to participate. Eligible employees could elect to reduce their compensation by up to 50 percent of such compensation (subject to certain limitations) up to a maximum of $16,500 during the year ended December 31, 2011.  Contributions may be made on either a pretax or Roth basis.





Eligible employees were allowed to make catch-up contributions of no more than $5,500 during the year ended December 31, 2011 and will be able to make such contributions limited to $5,500 during the year ended December 31, 2012. We do not match employee catch-up contributions.





We may match up to 100% of employee salary reductions in any amount, decided by GCI’s Board of Directors each year, but not more than 10 percent of any one employee’s compensation will be matched in any year. Matching contributions vest over the initial six years of employment. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the combination of employee and matching contributions (pre-tax contributions and Roth basis) could not exceed the lesser of 100 percent of an employee’s compensation or $33,000 excluding catch-up contributions. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the combination of pre-tax contributions, after tax contributions and matching contributions could not exceed the lesser of 100 percent of an employee’s compensation or $49,000 excluding catch-up contributions.





Employee contributions receive up to 100% matching and employees self-direct their matching investment. Our matching contributions allocated to participant accounts totaled $7.1 million, $6.9 million and $6.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  We used cash to fund all of our employer-matching contributions during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.





(10)
Industry Segments Data





Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are each managed separately.





A description of our reportable segments follows:








137
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





Consumer - We offer a full range of voice, video, data and wireless services to residential customers.





Network Access - We offer a full range of voice, data and wireless services to common carrier customers.





Commercial - We offer a full range of voice, video, data and wireless services to small businesses, local, national and global businesses, governmental entities and public and private educational institutions.





Managed Broadband - We offer data services to rural school districts, hospitals and health clinics through our SchoolAccess® and ConnectMD® initiatives and managed video conferencing.





Regulated Operations - We offer voice and data services to residential, business, and governmental customers in areas of rural Alaska.





Corporate related expenses including engineering, information technology, accounting, legal and regulatory, human resources, and other general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and
 2009, are allocated to our segments using segment margin for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Bad debt expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, is allocated to our
 segments using a combination of specific identification and allocations based upon segment revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Corporate related expenses and bad debt expense are
 specifically identified for our Regulated Operations segment and therefore, are not included in the allocations.





We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on earnings before depreciation and amortization expense, net interest expense, income taxes, share-based compensation expense, accretion expense, loss attributed to


non-controlling interest, and non-cash contribution adjustment (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Management believes that this measure is useful to investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating


profitability as an analytical indicator of income generated to service debt and fund capital expenditures.  In addition, multiples of current or projected EBITDA are used to estimate current or prospective enterprise


value.  The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1, “Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of this Form 10-K.  Intersegment sales are recorded at cost


plus an agreed upon intercompany profit.





We earn all revenues through sales of services and products within the United States. All of our long-lived assets are located within the United States of America, except approximately 82% of our undersea fiber optic cable


systems which transit international waters and all of our satellite transponders.





Summarized financial information for our reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2011 2010 and 2009 follows (amounts in thousands):


138
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  
  Consumer


Network Access


Commercial


Managed Broadband


Regulated Operations


Total Reportable Segments2011Revenues:Intersegment
$
-



-



5,710



-



607



6,317External


352,574



105,456



136,101



63,248



22,002



679,381Total revenues


352,574



105,456



141,811



63,248



22,609



685,698Cost of Goods Sold:Intersegment


-



600



2,283



-



561



3,444External

110,693



28,744



65,170



17,021



5,771



227,399Total Cost of Goods Sold


110,693



29,344



67,453



17,021



6,332



230,843Contribution:Intersegment


-



(600
)


3,427



-



46



2,873External


241,881



76,712



70,931



46,227



16,231



451,982Total contribution


241,881



76,112



74,358



46,227



16,277



454,855Less SG&A


134,951



27,837



41,085



18,246



13,402



235,521Plus share-basedcompensation


3,457



1,214



1,276



657



16



6,620Plus loss attributable tonon-controlling interest


-



-



-



238



-



238Less loss attributable toequity investment


-



-



-



(297
)


-



(297
)Plus accretion


347



120



100



52



-



619Adjusted EBITDA

$
110,734



50,209



31,222



28,631



2,845



223,6412010Revenues:Intersegment

$
-



-



5,442



-



176



5,618External


342,898



107,227



128,458



49,962



22,705



651,250Total revenues


342,898



107,227



133,900



49,962



22,881



656,868Cost of Goods Sold:Intersegment


-



600



2,515



-



176



3,291External


104,481



25,030



59,885



14,012



4,409



207,817Total Cost of Goods Sold


104,481



25,630



62,400



14,012



4,585



211,108Contribution:Intersegment


-



(600
)


2,927



-



-



2,327External


238,417



82,197



68,573



35,950



18,296



443,433Total contribution


238,417



81,597



71,500



35,950



18,296



445,760Less SG&A


127,130



33,566



38,838



17,338



11,936



228,808Plus share-basedcompensation


3,361



1,598



1,117



651



6



6,733Plus non-cash contributionexpense


(81
)


(41
)


(24
)


(14
)


-



(160
)Plus accretion


149



71



43



26



-



289Adjusted EBITDA

$
114,716



50,259



30,871



19,275



6,366



221,4872009Revenues:Intersegment

$
-



419



5,729



-



192



6,340External


294,925



122,072



110,135



44,875



23,804



595,811Total revenues


294,925



122,491



115,864



44,875



23,996



602,151Cost of Goods Sold:Intersegment


419



600



2,694



-



192



3,905External


96,894



27,253



52,245



11,135



6,149



193,676Total Cost of Goods Sold


97,313



27,853



54,939



11,135



6,341



197,581Contribution:Intersegment


(419
)


(181
)


3,035



-



-



2,435External


198,031



94,819



57,890



33,740



17,655



402,135Total contribution


197,612



94,638



60,925



33,740



17,655



404,570Less SG&A


112,883



38,348



35,363



14,450



11,627



212,671Plus share-basedcompensation


1,145



891



549



219



-



2,804Plus non-cash contributionexpense


294



201



98



47



-



640Adjusted EBITDA

$
86,587



57,563



23,174



19,556



6,028



192,908
 139





A reconciliation of reportable segment revenues to consolidated revenues follows (amounts in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,

2011


2010


2009Reportable segment revenues

$
685,698



656,868



602,151Less intersegment revenues eliminated inconsolidation


6,317



5,618



6,340Consolidated revenues

$
679,381



651,250



595,811





A reconciliation of reportable segment Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated income before income taxes follows (amounts in thousands):





Years Ended December 31,

2011


2010


2009Reportable segment Adjusted EBITDA

$
223,641



221,487



192,908Less depreciation and amortizationexpense


(125,742
)


(126,114
)


(123,362
)Less share-based compensationexpense


(6,620
)


(6,733
)


(2,804
)Plus (less) non-cash contribution expense


-



160



(640
)Less net loss attributable tonon-controlling interest


(238
)


-



-Plus net loss attributable to equityinvestment


297



-



-Less accretion expense


(619
)


(289
)


-Consolidated operating income


90,719



88,511



66,102Less other expense, net


(77,633
)


(70,068
)


(58,650
)Consolidated income beforeincome tax expense

$
13,086



18,443



7,452





Assets at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are not allocated to reportable segments as our Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review a balance sheet or capital expenditures by segment to make decisions about resource allocations or to evaluate segment performance.





We did not have any major customers for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. We earned revenues included in the Network Access segment from a major customer for the year ended December 31, 2009, net of discounts, of $64.5 million. As a percentage of total revenues, our major customer’s revenues totaled 11% for the year ended December 31, 2009.


140
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(11)
Related Party Transactions


We entered into a long-term capital lease agreement in 1991 with the wife of our President and CEO for property occupied by us. The leased asset was capitalized in 1991 at the owner’s cost of $900,000 and the related obligation was recorded.  The lease agreement was amended in April 2008 and our existing capital lease asset and liability increased $1.3 million to record the extension of this capital lease. The amended lease terminates on September 30, 2026.





In January 2001 we entered into an aircraft operating lease agreement with a company owned by our President and CEO. The lease was amended several times, most recently on May 9, 2011.  The amended lease agreement added the lease of a second aircraft.  The lease term of the original aircraft may be terminated at any time upon 90 days written notice. The monthly lease rate of the original aircraft is $45,000.  The lease term of the second aircraft may be terminated at any time upon 12 months’ written notice.  The monthly lease rate of the second aircraft is $132,000.  In 2001, we paid a deposit of $1.5 million in connection with the lease.  The deposit will be repaid to us no later than six months after the agreement terminates.





(12)
Non-controlling Interest


On August 30, 2011, we entered into an arrangement under the NMTC program with US Bancorp to help fund a $34.5 million project to extend terrestrial broadband service for the first time to rural Northwestern Alaska
 communities via a high capacity hybrid fiber optic and microwave network.  When completed, the project, called TERRA-Northwest (“TERRA-NW”), will connect to the TERRA-SW network and provide a high capacity
 backbone connection from the served communities to the Internet.  Please refer to Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information about TERRA-SW.  The NMTC program was provided for in the Community
 Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the “Act”) to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities.  The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified
 investments in the equity of community development entities (“CDEs”).  CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments.
  In connection with the NMTC transaction we loaned $58.3 million to TIF, a special purpose entity created to effect the financing arrangement, at 1% interest due August 30, 2041.  Simultaneously, US Bancorp invested $22.4
 million in TIF, and as such, is entitled to substantially all of the benefits derived from the NMTCs. TIF then contributed US Bancorp’s contribution and the loan proceeds to certain CDEs.  The CDEs, in turn, loaned the $76.8
 million in funds less payment of placement fees, at interest rates varying from 1% to 3.96%, to Unicom, our wholly owned subsidiary, as partial financing for TERRA-NW.  The loan proceeds to Unicom, net of syndication and
 arrangement fees, are restricted for use on TERRA-NW.  Restricted cash of $15.9 million held by Unicom at December 31, 2011, is included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  We plan to begin construction on TERRA-NW
 in 2012 and expect to complete the project in 2014 or earlier if possible.
  This transaction includes a put/call provision whereby we may be obligated or entitled to repurchase US Bancorp’s interest in TIF. We believe that US Bancorp will exercise the put option in August 2018 at the end of the
 compliance period.  The NMTC is subject to 100% recapture for a period of seven years as provided in the Internal Revenue Code.  We are required to be in compliance with various regulations and contractual provisions
 that apply to the NMTC arrangement.  Non-compliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized by US Bancorp.  We have indemnified US Bancorp for any loss or recapture of
 NMTCs until such time as our obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved.  There have been no credit recaptures as of December 31, 2011.  The value attributed to the put/call is nominal.
  We have determined that TIF is a VIE.  The consolidated financial statements of TIF include the CDEs discussed above.  The ongoing activities of the VIE – collecting and remitting interest and fees and NMTC compliance –
 were all considered in the initial design and are not expected to significantly affect economic performance throughout the life of the VIE.  Management considered the contractual arrangements that obligate us to deliver tax
 benefits and provide various other guarantees to US Bancorp; US Bancorp’s lack of a material interest in the underlying economics of the project; and the fact that we are obligated to absorb losses of the VIE.  We concluded
 that we are the primary beneficiary and consolidated the VIE in accordance with the accounting standard for consolidation.
 141
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 US Bancorp’s contribution, net of syndication fees and other direct costs incurred in structuring the arrangement, is included in Non-controlling Interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Incremental costs to maintain the
 structure during the compliance period are recognized as incurred to selling, general and administrative expense.


The following table summarizes the impact of the VIE consolidated as of December 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands):





Assets

EquityCarrying Value
Classification

Carrying Value
Classification$
15,910
Restricted cash
$
16,308
Non-controlling interest711
Construction in progress

313
Retained earnings attributable toGeneral Communication, Inc.common stockholders$
16,621

$
16,621





(13)
Commitments and Contingencies





Operating Leases as Lessee


We lease business offices, have entered into site lease agreements and use satellite transponder and fiber capacity and certain equipment pursuant to operating lease arrangements.  Many of our leases are for multiple years and contain renewal options.  Rental costs under such arrangements amounted to $36.3 million, $31.0 million and $29.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.





Capital Leases as Lessee


We entered into a long-term capital lease agreement in 1991 with the wife of our President and CEO for property occupied by us as further described in Note 11, Related Party Transactions.





In 2006, through our subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., we entered into a capital lease agreement for transponder capacity on Intelsat, Ltd.’s (“Intelsat”) Galaxy 18 spacecraft that successfully launched  in 2008. We are also leasing capacity on the Horizons 1 satellite, which is owned jointly by Intelsat and JSAT International, Inc.  The Intelsat Galaxy 18 C-band and Ku-Band transponders are being leased over an expected term of 14 years.  The present value of the lease payments, excluding telemetry, tracking and command services and back-up protection, was $98.6 million.





A summary of future minimum lease payments follows (amounts in thousands):





142
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements








Years ending December 31:

Operating


Capital2012

$
25,397



11,7322013


22,590



11,7422014


20,522



11,7522015


19,413



11,7612016


16,742



11,7712017 and thereafter


73,276



66,729Total minimum lease payments

$
177,940



125,487Less amount representing interest






39,433Less current maturity of obligations under capital leases






5,556Long-term obligations under capital leases, excludingcurrent maturity





$
80,498





The leases generally provide that we pay the taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the leased assets.  Several of our leases include renewal options, escalation clauses and immaterial amounts of contingent rent expense.  We expect that in the normal course of business leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties.





Operating Leases as Lessor and IRU Revenue


We enter into lease or service arrangements for IRU capacity on our fiber optic cable systems with third parties and for many of these leases or service arrangements, we received up-front cash payments.  We have $45.8 million and $50.1 million in deferred revenue at December 31, 2011 and 2010 respectively, representing cash received from customers for which we will recognize revenue in the future.  The arrangements under these operating lease or service arrangements expire on various dates through 2029.  The revenue will be recognized over the term of the agreements.





A summary of minimum future lease or service arrangement cash receipts including IRUs and the provision of certain other service are as follows (amounts in thousands):





Years ending December 31,2012

$
6,9322013


6,8332014


6,2352015


5,0082016


4,9482017 and thereafter


31,995Total minimum future service revenues

$
61,951





The cost of assets that are leased to customers is $258.6 million and $256.2 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The carrying value of assets leased to customers is $153.1 million and $159.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.





Equipment Purchase Obligations


We have a non-cancelable agreement to purchase wireless equipment of $8.6 million, $7.0 million and $8.1 million during the years ending December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.





Guaranteed Service Levels


Certain customers have guaranteed levels of service with varying terms. In the event we are unable to provide the minimum service levels we may incur penalties or issue credits to customers.


143
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Self-Insurance




Through December 31, 2011, we were self-insured for losses and liabilities related primarily to health and welfare claims up to $500,000 per incident and $2.0 million per year per beneficiary above which third party insurance applied.  These limits will remain the same for 2012.  A reserve of $1.6 million was recorded at December 31, 2011 and 2010, to cover estimated reported losses, estimated unreported losses based on past experience modified for current trends, and estimated expenses for settling claims.  We are self-insured up to $500,000 per incident for losses and liabilities related to workers’ compensation claims in Alaska and have an insurance policy for any losses in excess of $500,000 per incident.  A reserve of $1.9 million and $1.8 million was recorded at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to cover estimated reported losses and estimated expenses for open and active claims.  $1.1 million and $1.3 million was included in this reserve for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for the GCI-owned aircraft accident further discussed below.  Actual losses will vary from the recorded reserves.  While we use what we believe are pertinent information and factors in determining the amount of reserves, future additions to the reserves may be necessary due to changes in the information and factors used.







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





Litigation, Disputes, and Regulatory Matters


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





·
In September 2008, the FCC's Office of Inspector General ("OIG") initiated an investigation regarding Alaska DigiTel LLC’s (“Alaska DigiTel”) compliance with program rules and requirements under the Lifeline Program. The request covered the period beginning January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2008 and related to amounts received for Lifeline service.  Alaska DigiTel was an Alaska based wireless communications company of which we acquired an 81.9% equity interest on January 2, 2007 and the remaining 18.1% equity interest on August 18, 2008 and was subsequently merged with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries in April 2009. Prior to August 18, 2008, our control over the operations of Alaska DigiTel was limited as required by the FCC upon its approval of our initial acquisition completed in January 2007. We responded to this request on behalf of Alaska DigiTel and the GCI companies as affiliates. On January 18, 2011 we reached an agreement with the FCC and the Department of Justice to settle the matter, which required us to contribute $1.6 million to the United States Treasury and granted us a broad release of claims including those under the False Claims Act.  The $1.6 million contribution, of which $154,000, $661,000 and $741,000 were recognized in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statements in the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was paid in January 2011; and


·
In August 2010, a GCI-owned aircraft was involved in an accident resulting in five fatalities and injuries to the remaining four passengers on board.  We had aircraft and liability insurance coverage in effect at the time of the accident.  As of December 31, 2011, all claims paid out have been covered by insurance and were recorded net of these recoveries in our Consolidated Income Statements.  While some of the claims have been resolved, we cannot predict the likelihood or nature of the total remaining claims, including environmental remediation, related to the accident.





Universal Service


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


144
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Cable Service Rate Reregulation


Federal law permits regulation of basic cable programming services rates. However, Alaska law provides that cable television service is exempt from regulation by the RCA unless 25% of a system’s subscribers request such regulation by filing a petition with the RCA. At December 31, 2011, only the Juneau system is subject to RCA regulation of its basic service rates. No petition requesting regulation has been filed for any other system. The Juneau system serves 7% of our total basic service subscribers at December 31, 2011.





Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) Network Expansion


During 2007 GCI signed an agreement with a customer to build-out our CDMA network with various milestones through 2012 to provide expanded roaming area coverage.  If we fail to meet the schedule, the customer has the right to terminate the agreement and we may be required to pay up to $16.0 million as liquidated damages.  We expect to meet the deadlines imposed by the build-out schedule and therefore expect our expenditures to result in an expansion of our wireless facilities rather than payment of the liquidated damages.





TERRA-Southwest


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





TERRA-Northwest


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





In September 2011 the RCA approved our application for a $5.3 million grant to help fund TERRA-NW.  The grant was increased to $6.3 million in January 2012.  The NMTC arrangement discussed above and this grant award partially fund backbone network facilities that we would not otherwise be able to construct within our return-on-investment requirements.  As a requirement of the funding contracts, we have guaranteed completion of the first phase of the project by December 31, 2012, and completion of the second phase by December 31, 2014.  We plan to fund an additional $12.7 million for TERRA-NW and begin construction in 2012 and expect to complete the project in 2014 or earlier if possible.





(14)
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)





The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):


145
  GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


First


Second


Third


FourthQuarter


Quarter


Quarter


Quarter2011Total revenues

$
164,777



168,089



177,703



168,812Operating income

$
20,408



22,446



31,884



15,981Net income (loss) attributable to GCI

$
1,485



(1,957
)


7,210



(899
)Basic net income (loss) attributableto GCI per common share

$
0.03



(0.04
)


0.16



(0.02
)Diluted net income (loss) attributableto GCI per common share1

$
0.03



(0.04
)


0.15



(0.03
)2010Total revenues

$
152,419



162,326



171,509



164,996Operating income

$
19,129



25,048



30,203



14,131Net income (loss) attributable to GCI

$
1,674



1,930



7,583



(2,232
)Basic net income (loss) attributableto GCI per common share

$
0.03



0.04



0.14



(0.05
)Diluted net income (loss) attributableto GCI per common share

$
0.03



0.04



0.14



(0.05
)1 Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly diluted net income (loss) attributable to GCIper common share amounts does not agree to total year diluted net income attributable toGCI per common share.





During the fourth quarter of 2011, the FCC published its High Cost Order (please refer to Note 1(t), Revenue Recognition, for more information.)  The High Cost Order program changes decreased our revenue for the fourth quarter $3.5 million.







(15)
Subsequent Event


On February 6, 2012, the FCC released its Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to comprehensively reform and modernize the USF’s Lifeline program.  The Lifeline program is administered by the USAC and is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.  We participate in the Lifeline program and recognized $17.2 million in Lifeline program support revenue during the year ended December 31, 2011.  Following are the significant reforms included in the order:





·
The order adopted on an interim basis a flat rate of $9.25 to replace the support previously available under Tier I through Tier III support mechanisms.  The replacement support reduces the wireless subscriber per line support $0.75 which we expect will result in a $300,000 reduction in our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The FCC intends to further investigate whether this support amount is reasonable over the long term in the further rulemaking.


·
The order adopted a requirement for annual recertification of all Lifeline subscribers enrolled as of June 1, 2012 to be completed by the end of 2012.  We are evaluating this requirement and possible processes and cannot predict whether this new rule will have a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.


·
The order adopted a “one per household” rule with “household” defined as an “economic unit.”  We do not expect this new rule to have a material impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.


·
The order adopted a requirement for biennial audits for all ETCs receiving more than $5.0 million annually from Lifeline.  This reform applies to us and will require us to hire an independent audit firm to assess our overall compliance with the program’s requirements.





The order adopted several other reforms but they are expected to have an insignificant or no impact on our income statement, financial position or cash flows.








146





Item 15(b). Exhibits





Listed below are the exhibits that are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):





Exhibit No.
Description3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated August 20, 2007 (37)3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated August 20, 2007 (36)4.1
Certified copy of the General Communication, Inc. Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 25, 2007, to the Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan (33)10.3
Westin Building Lease (3)10.4
Duncan and Hughes Deferred Bonus Agreements (4)10.5
Compensation Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and William C. Behnke dated January 1, 1997 (13)10.6
Order approving Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate as a Telecommunications (Intrastate Interexchange Carrier) Public Utility within Alaska (2)10.13
MCI Carrier Agreement between MCI Telecommunications Corporation and General Communication, Inc. dated January 1, 1993 (5)10.14
Contract for Alaska Access Services Agreement between MCI Telecommunications Corporation and General Communication, Inc. dated January 1, 1993 (5)10.15
Promissory Note Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and Ronald A. Duncan, dated August 13, 1993 (6)10.16
Deferred Compensation Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and Ronald A. Duncan, dated August 13, 1993 (6)10.17
Pledge Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and Ronald A. Duncan, dated August 13, 1993 (6)10.20
The GCI Special Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (7)10.21
Transponder Purchase Agreement for Galaxy X between Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. and GCI Communication Corp. (7)10.25
Licenses: (3)10.25.1
214 Authorization10.25.2
International Resale Authorization10.25.3
Digital Electronic Message Service Authorization10.25.11
Certificate of Convenience and Public Necessity – Telecommunications Service (Local Exchange) dated July 7, 2000  (29)10.26
ATU Interconnection Agreement between GCI Communication Corp. and Municipality of Anchorage, executed January 15, 1997 (12)10.29
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 15, 1996, among General Communication, Inc., ACNFI, ACNJI and ACNKSI (8)10.30
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 1996, among General Communication, Inc., and Alaska Cablevision, Inc. (8)10.31
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 1996, among General Communication, Inc., and McCaw/Rock Homer Cable System, J.V. (8)10.32
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 1996, between General Communication, Inc., and McCaw/Rock Seward Cable System, J.V. (8)10.33
Amendment No. 1 to Securities Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 31, 1996, among General Communication, Inc., and the Prime Sellers Agent (9)10.34
First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 30, 1996, among General Communication, Inc., ACNFI, ACNJI and ACNKSI (9)10.36
Order Approving Arbitrated Interconnection Agreement as Resolved and Modified by Order U-96-89(5) dated January 14, 1997 (12)  147
 Exhibit No.
Description10.37
Amendment to the MCI Carrier Agreement executed April 20, 1994 (12)10.38
Amendment No. 1 to MCI Carrier Agreement executed July 26, 1994 (11)10.39
MCI Carrier Addendum—MCI 800 DAL Service effective February 1, 1994 (11)10.40
Third Amendment to MCI Carrier Agreement dated as of October 1, 1994 (11)10.41
Fourth Amendment to MCI Carrier Agreement dated as of September 25, 1995 (11)10.42
Fifth Amendment to the MCI Carrier Agreement executed April 19, 1996 (12)10.43
Sixth Amendment to MCI Carrier Agreement dated as of March 1, 1996 (11)10.44
Seventh Amendment to MCI Carrier Agreement dated November 27, 1996 (14)10.45
First Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and MCI Telecommunications Corporation dated April 1, 1996 (14)10.46
Service Mark License Agreement between MCI Communications Corporation and General Communication, Inc. dated April 13, 1994 (13)10.47
Radio Station Authorization (Personal Communications Service License), Issue Date June 23, 1995 (13)10.50
Contract No. 92MR067A Telecommunications Services between BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. and GCI Network Systems dated April 1, 1992 (14)10.51
Amendment No. 03 to BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. Contract No. 92MRO67A effective August 1, 1996 (14)10.52
Lease Agreement dated September 30, 1991 between RDB Company and General Communication, Inc. (2)10.54
Order Approving Transfer Upon Closing, Subject to Conditions, and Requiring Filings dated September 23, 1996 (13)10.55
Order Granting Extension of Time and Clarifying Order dated October 21, 1996 (13)10.58
Employment and Deferred Compensation Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and John M. Lowber dated July 1992 (13)10.59
Deferred Compensation Agreement between GCI Communication Corp. and Dana L. Tindall dated August 15, 1994 (13)10.60
Transponder Lease Agreement between General Communication Incorporated and Hughes Communications Satellite Services, Inc., executed August 8, 1989 (6)10.61
Addendum to Galaxy X Transponder Purchase Agreement between GCI Communication Corp. and Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. dated August 24, 1995 (13)10.62
Order Approving Application, Subject to Conditions; Requiring Filing; and Approving Proposed Tariff on an Inception Basis, dated February 4, 1997 (13)10.66
Supply Contract Between Submarine Systems International Ltd. And GCI Communication Corp. dated as of July 11, 1997. (15)10.67
Supply Contract Between Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd. And Alaska United Fiber System Partnership Contract Variation No. 1 dated as of December 1, 1997. (15)10.71
Third Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and MCI Telecommunications Corporation dated February 27, 1998 (16) #10.80
Fourth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom dated January 1, 1999. (17) #10.89
Fifth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc., formerly known as MCI Telecommunications Corporation dated August 7, 2000 # (18)  148
 Exhibit No.
Description10.90
Sixth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc., formerly known as MCI Telecommunications Corporation dated February 14, 2001 # (18)10.91
Seventh Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc., formerly known as MCI Telecommunications Corporation dated March 8, 2001 # (18)10.100
Contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated March 12, 2002 # (21)10.102
First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of September 2002 between RDB Company and GCI Communication Corp. as successor in interest to General Communication, Inc. (22)10.103
Agreement and plan of merger of GCI American Cablesystems, Inc. a Delaware corporation and GCI Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc. an Alaska corporation each with and into GCI Cable, Inc. an Alaska corporation, adopted as of December 10, 2002  (22)10.104
Articles of merger between GCI Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc. and GCI Cable, Inc., adopted as of December 10, 2002  (22)10.105
Aircraft lease agreement between GCI Communication Corp., and Alaska corporation and 560 Company, Inc., an Alaska corporation, dated as of January 22, 2001 (22)10.106
First amendment to aircraft lease agreement between GCI Communication Corp., and Alaska corporation and 560 Company, Inc., an Alaska corporation, dated as of February 8, 2002  (22)10.108
Bonus Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and Wilson Hughes (23)10.109
Eighth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc. # (23)10.110
Settlement and Release Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and WorldCom, Inc. (23)10.112
Waiver letter agreement dated as of February 13, 2004 for Credit, Guaranty, Security and Pledge Agreement  (24)10.113
Indenture dated as of February 17, 2004 between GCI, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee  (24)10.114
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 17, 2004, among GCI, Inc.,  and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc., Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA), Inc., Blaylock & Partners, L.P., Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated, and TD Securities (USA), Inc., as Initial Purchasers (24)10.121
First amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated July 24, 2002 # (26)10.122
Second amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated December 31, 2003 (26)10.123
Third amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated February 19, 2004 # (26)10.124
Fourth amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated June 30, 2004 # (26)10.126
Audit Committee Charter (as revised by the board of directors of General Communication, Inc. effective as of February 3, 2005)  (27)10.127
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter (as revised by the board of directors of General Communication, Inc. effective as of February 3, 2005)  (27)10.128
Fifth amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated January 22, 2005 #  (27)10.129
Ninth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI WorldCom Network Services, Inc. #  (28)10.130
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among GCI Holdings, Inc. and Calyon New York Branch as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger, and Co-Bookrunner, The Initial Lenders and Initial Issuing Bank Named Herein as Initial Lenders and Initial Issuing Bank, General Electric Capital Corporation as Syndication Agent, and Union Bank of California, N.A., CoBank, ACB, CIT Lending Services Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, dated as of August 31, 2005  (28)10.131
Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan of General Communication, Inc. as of June 7, 2005  (28)10.132
Amendment No. 1 to $150 Million EBITDA Incentive Program dated December 30, 2005 (29)10.134
Full-time Transponder Capacity Agreement with PanAmSat Corporation dated March 31, 2006 #  (30)10.135
Tenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formerly known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) #  (31)10.136
Reorganization Agreement among General Communication, Inc., Alaska DigiTel, LLC, The Members of Alaska DigiTel, LLC, AKD Holdings, LLC and The Members of Denali PCS, LLC dated as of June 16, 2006 (Nonmaterial schedules and exhibits to the Reorganization Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601b.2 of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) #  (32)10.137
Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Alaska DigiTel, LLC dated as of January 1, 2007 (We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) #  (32)10.138
Sixth amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated September 20, 2006 (33)10.139
Seventh amendment to contract for Alaska Access Services between Sprint Communications Company L.P. and General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. dated January 17, 2007 # (33)10.140
General Communication, Inc. Director Compensation Plan dated June 29, 2006 (33)10.141
Eleventh Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formerly known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) # (35)10.142
Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among GCI Holdings, Inc., GCI Communication Corp., GCI Cable, Inc., GCI Fiber Communication Co., Potter View Development Co., Inc., and Alaska United Fiber System Partnership, GCI, Inc., the banks, financial institutions, and other lenders party hereto and Calyon New York Branch as Administrative Agent, dated as of September 14, 2007 (36)10.143
Joinder Agreement dated as of September 28, 2007 among BNP Paribas, U.S. Bank National Association, GCI Holdings, Inc., GCI Communication Corp., GCI Cable, Inc., GCI Fiber Communication Co., Potter View Development Co., Inc., and Alaska United Fiber System Partnership, GCI, Inc., and Calyon New York Branch as Administrative Agent (36)10.144
Strategic Roaming Agreement dated as of October 30, 2007 between Alaska DigiTel, LLC. And WirelessCo L.P. # (37)  149
 Exhibit No.
Description10.145
CDMA Build-out Agreement dated as of October 30, 2007 between Alaska DigiTel, LLC. and WirelessCo L.P. (Nonmaterial schedules and exhibits to the Reorganization Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601b.2 of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) # (37)10.146
Long-term de Facto Transfer Spectrum Leasing agreement between Alaska DigiTel, LLC. and SprintCom, Inc. # (37)10.147
Twelfth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formerly known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated November 19, 2007 (Nonmaterial schedules and exhibits to the Reorganization Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601b.2 of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) # (37)10.148
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 12, 2007 among GCI Communication Corp., United Companies, Inc., Sea Lion Corporation and Togiak Natives LTD. (Nonmaterial schedules and exhibits to the Reorganization Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601b.2 of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) (37)10.149
Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2008 by and among GCI Holdings, Inc., the other parties thereto and Calyon New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the other Lenders party thereto (38)10.150
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of April 8, 2008 between RDB Company and GCI Communication Corp. as successor in interest to General Communication, Inc. (39)10.151
Audit Committee Charter (as revised by the board of directors of General Communication, Inc. effective as of April 27, 2007) (39)10.152
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter (as revised by the board of directors of General Communication, Inc. effective as of April 27, 2007) (39)10.153
Thirteenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated January 16, 2008 # (39)10.154
Fourteenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated May 15, 2008 (40)10.155
Contract for Alaska Access Services between the Company and Verizon, dated January 1, 1993 (41) #10.156
Third Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between the Company and Verizon, dated February 27, 1998 (41) #10.157
Fourth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between the Company and Verizon, dated January 1, 1999 (41) #10.158
Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 17, 2008 by and among Holdings, Inc. the other parties thereto and Calyon New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the other Lenders party thereto (42)10.159
Amendment to Deferred Bonus Agreement dated December 31, 2008 by and among the Company, the Employer and Mr. Duncan (43)10.160
Amendment to Deferred Compensation Agreement dated December 31, 2008 by and among the Company, the Employer and Mr. Duncan (43)10.161
First Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated February 15, 2008 # (44)10.162
Second Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated April 9, 2008 # (44)10.163
Third Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 4, 2008 # (44)10.164
Fourth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 4, 2008 # (44)10.165
Fifth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated September 30, 2008 # (44)10.166
Sixth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated October 31, 2008 # (44)  150
 Exhibit No.
Description10.167
Seventh Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated November 6, 2008 # (44)10.168
Eighth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication Corp. dated June 8, 2009 # (44)10.169
Fifteenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated May 5, 2009 # (44)10.170
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 29, 2010 by and among GCI Holdings, Inc., the other parties thereto and Calyon New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the other Lenders party thereto (45)10.171
Sixteenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated October 13, 2009 (46)10.172
Seventeenth Amendment to Contract for Alaska Access Services between General Communication, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary GCI Communication Corp., and MCI Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Business Services (successor-in-interest to MCI Network Services, Inc., which was formally known as MCI WorldCom Network Services) dated December 8, 2009 #  (46)10.173
Audit Committee Charter (as revised by the Board of Directors of General Communication, Inc. effective January 1, 2010) (47)10.174
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter (as revised by the Board of Directors of General Communication, Inc. effective as of January 1, 2010) (47)10.175
Ninth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication, Corp. dated June 29, 2010 # (47)10.176
Stock Purchase Agreement between General Communication, Inc. and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, an Alaska corporation, dated as of October 21, 2010 (48)10.177
Description of Incentive Compensation Guidelines for Named Executive Officers (49)10.178
Amended and restated aircraft lease agreement between GCI Communication Corp., and Alaska corporation and 560 Company, Inc., an Alaska corporation, dated as of February 25, 2005 (55)10.179
First amendment to the amended and restated aircraft lease agreement between GCI Communication Corp., and Alaska corporation and 560 Company, Inc., an Alaska corporation, dated as of December 27, 2010 (55)10.180
Tenth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication, Corp. dated September 24, 2010 # (55)10.181
Eleventh Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication, Corp. dated September 23, 2010 # (55)10.182
Twelfth Amendment to the Full-Time Transponder Capacity Agreement (Pre-Launch) between Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation and GCI Communication, Corp. dated November 5, 2010 # (55)10.183
Reorganization Agreement among General Communication, Inc., Alaska DigiTel, LLC, The Members of Alaska DigiTel, LLC, AKD Holdings, LLC and The Members of Denali PCS, LLC dated as of June 16, 2006 (Nonmaterial schedules and exhibits to the Reorganization Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601b.2 of Regulation S-K. We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) (55)10.184
Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Alaska DigiTel, LLC dated as of January 1, 2007 (We agree to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon request a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit.) (55)10.185
Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan of General Communication, Inc. (50)10.186
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan of General Communication, Inc. (55)10.187
Amended Memorandum of Understanding dated effective as of January  26, 2006 setting forth the principal terms and conditions of transactions proposed to be consummated among Alaska DigiTel, LLC, an Alaska limited liability company, all of the members of Denali PCS, LLC, an Alaska limited liability company, and General Communication, Inc., an Alaska corporation (55)10.188
Broadband Initiatives Program Loan/Grant and Security Agreement between United Utilities, Inc. and the United States of America dated as of June 1, 2010 # (55)10.189
Add-on Term Loan Supplement No. 1 (51)10.190
Second Amended and Restated Aircraft Lease Agreement between GCI Communication Corp., an Alaska corporation and 560 Company, Inc., an Alaska corporation, dated May 9, 2011 (52)10.191
Add-on Term Loan Supplement No. 2  (53)10.192
Credit Agreement dated August 30, 2011 by and between Unicom, Inc. as borrower and Northern Development Fund VIII, LLC as Lender and Travois New Markets Project CDE X, LLC as Lender and Waveland Sub CDE XVI, LLC as Lender and Alaska Growth Capital Bidco, Inc. as Disbursing Agent (54)  151
 Exhibit No.
Description14
Code Of Business Conduct and Ethics (originally reported as exhibit 10.118) (25)18.1
Letter regarding change in accounting principle (39)21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant  *23.1
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP (Independent Public Accountant for Company) *31
Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *32
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *99
Additional Exhibits:99.1
The Articles of Incorporation of GCI Communication Corp. (1)99.2
The Bylaws of GCI Communication Corp. (1)99.7
The Bylaws of GCI Cable, Inc. (10)99.8
The Articles of Incorporation of GCI Cable, Inc. (10)99.15
The Bylaws of GCI Holdings, Inc. (13)99.16
The Articles of Incorporation of GCI Holdings, Inc. (13)99.17
The Articles of Incorporation of GCI, Inc. (12)99.18
The Bylaws of GCI, Inc. (12)99.27
The Partnership Agreement of Alaska United Fiber System (15)99.28
The Bylaws of Potter View Development Co., Inc. (19)99.29
The Articles of Incorporation of Potter View Development Co., Inc. (19)99.34
The Bylaws of GCI Fiber Communication, Co., Inc. (20)99.35
The Articles of Incorporation of GCI Fiber Communication, Co., Inc. (20)101
The following materials from General Communication, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Income Statements; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements *#
CONFIDENTIAL PORTION has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment by us to, and the material has been separately filed with, the SEC.  Each omitted Confidential Portion is marked by three asterisks.*
Filed herewith.





152


Exhibit Reference
Description1
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 19902
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 19913
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 0-15279), mailed to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 19864
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989.5
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 4, 1993.6
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.7
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.8
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Form S-4 Registration Statement dated October 4, 1996.9
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1996.10
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.11
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 1996, filed March 28, 1996.12
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-28001) dated May 29, 1997.13
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3/A Registration Statement (File No. 333-28001) dated July 8, 1997.14
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3/A Registration Statement (File No. 333-28001) dated July 21, 1997.15
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.16
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.17
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1999.18
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2001.19
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001.20
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.21
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002.22
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.23
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003.24
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.25
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004.26
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004.27
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005.28
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005.29
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed March 16, 2006.30
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006.31
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006.32
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed March 19, 2007.33
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007.34
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Form S-8 filed with the SEC on July 27, 2007.35
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007.36
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007.37
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed March 7, 2008.38
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period May 2, 2008 filed May 8, 2008.39
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008.40
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008.41
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period September 19, 2008 filed on September 22, 2008.42
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008.43
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period December 31, 2008 filed January 6, 2009.44
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009.45
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period January 29, 2010 filed February 3, 2010.46
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed March 12, 2010.47
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010 filed August 5, 2010.48
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period October 21, 2010 filed October 27, 2010.49
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period October 7, 2010 filed October 15, 2010.50
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Form SC TO-I dated August 6, 2009.51
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period June 10, 2011 filed June 14, 2011.52
Incorporated by reference to The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 filed August 9, 2011.53
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period July 22, 2011 filed July 26, 2011.54
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Report on Form 8-K for the period August 30, 2011 filed September 6, 2011.55
Incorporated by reference to The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed March 15, 2011.





153










SIGNATURES










Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.





GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC.





By:
/s/Ronald A. DuncanRonald A. Duncan, President(Chief Executive Officer)





Date:
March 8, 2012





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.





Signature

Title

Date/s/Stephen M. Brett

Chairman of Board and Director

March 1, 2012Stephen M. Brett/s/Ronald A. Duncan

President and Director

March 8, 2012Ronald A. Duncan

(Principal Executive Officer)/s/Jerry A. Edgerton

Director

February 28, 2012Jerry A. Edgerton/s/Scott M. Fisher

Director

March 8, 2012Scott M. Fisher/s/William P. Glasgow

Director

March 8, 2012William P. GlasgowDirectorMark W. KroloffDirectorStephen R. Mooney/s/James M. Schneider

Director

February 28, 2012James M. Schneider/s/John M. Lowber

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

March 8, 2012John M. Lowber

Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)/s/Lynda L. Tarbath

Vice President, Chief Accounting

March 8, 2012Lynda L. Tarbath

Officer(Principal Accounting Officer)








154