UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

 

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number: 1-32362

 

OTELCO INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     

Delaware

 

52-2126395

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

505 Third Avenue East, Oneonta, Alabama

 

35121

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
     

(205) 625-3574

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
     

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 

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

 

Title of each class:

 

Trading Symbol:

Name of exchange on which registered:

Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share) OTEL The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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 ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes x No ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨   Non-accelerated filer x   Smaller reporting company x   Emerging growth company ¨
                 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at May 4, 2020

Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)   3,421,794
Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)   0

 

 

 

 

 

OTELCO INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the three-month period ended March 31, 2020

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2
   
Item 1. Financial Statements 2
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019 (audited) 2
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 6
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 24
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 24
     
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 25
   
Item 6. Exhibits 25

 

 

 

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Otelco” refer to Otelco Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as of March 31, 2020.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry in which we operate, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial condition or results of operations or cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the factors under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

1 

 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

 

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share par value and share amounts)
(unaudited with the exception of December 31, 2019 being audited)

 

   March 31,
2020
   December 31,
2019
 
Assets          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $4,128   $3,113 
Accounts receivable:          
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $102 and $209, respectively   3,869    3,908 
Other   1,917    1,905 
Materials and supplies   3,825    3,954 
Prepaid expenses   1,212    1,624 
Other assets   241    251 
Total current assets   15,192    14,755 
           
Property and equipment, net   58,599    57,284 
Goodwill   44,976    44,976 
Intangible assets, net   435    530 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   1,042    1,146 
Investments   1,470    1,477 
Other assets   128    577 
Total assets  $121,842   $120,745 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $1,930   $1,525 
Accrued expenses   4,673    4,861 
Advance billings and payments   1,600    1,618 
Customer deposits   40    44 
Current operating lease liability   241    296 
Current maturity of long-term notes payable, net of debt issuance cost   3,857    3,929 
Total current liabilities   12,341    12,273 
           
Deferred income taxes   21,521    21,521 
Advance billings and payments   2,088    2,157 
Other liabilities   8    12 
Long-term operating lease liability   801    850 
Long-term notes payable, less current maturities and debt issuance cost   64,073    65,172 
Total liabilities   100,832    101,985 
           
Stockholders’ equity          
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,421,794 and 3,412,805 shares, respectively   34    34 
Additional paid in capital   4,307    4,275 
Retained earnings   16,669    14,451 
Total stockholders’ equity   21,010    18,760 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $121,842   $120,745 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2 

 

 

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Revenues  $15,422   $15,755 
           
Operating expenses          
Cost of services   7,524    7,602 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   2,571    2,473 
Depreciation and amortization   2,022    1,917 
Total operating expenses   12,117    11,992 
           
Income from operations   3,305    3,763 
           
Other income (expense)          
Interest expense   (1,181)   (1,366)
Other income   707    594 
Total other expense   (474)   (772)
           
Income before income tax expense   2,831    2,991 
Income tax expense   (613)   (710)
           
Net income  $2,218   $2,281 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:          
Basic   3,421,794    3,410,936 
Diluted   3,441,022    3,431,229 
           
Basic net income per common share  $0.65   $0.67 
           
Diluted net income per common share  $0.64   $0.66 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3 

 

 

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   Class A
Common Stock
   Additional
Paid-In
   Retained   Total
Stockholders
 
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Earnings   Equity 
Balance, December 31, 2019   3,412,805   $34   $4,275   $14,451   $18,760 
                          
Net income                  2,218    2,218 
Stock-based compensation expense             52         52 
Tax withholdings paid on behalf of
    employees for restricted stock units
             (20)        (20)
Issuance of Class A Stock   8,989                   
Balance, March 31, 2020   3,421,794   $34   $4,307   $16,669   $21,010 

 

   Class A
Common Stock
   Additional
Paid-In
  

(Accumulated
Deficit)/

Retained
   Total
Stockholders’
 
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Earnings   Equity 
Balance, December 31, 2018   3,388,624   $34   $4,213   $6,655   $10,902 
                          
Net income                  2,281    2,281 
Stock-based compensation expense             71         71 
Tax withholdings paid on behalf of
    employees for restricted stock units
             (183)        (183)
Issuance of Class A Stock   22,312                   
Balance, March 31, 2019   3,410,936   $34   $4,101   $8,936   $13,071 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4 

 

 

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
  Net income  $2,218   $2,281 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:          
     Depreciation   1,955    1,838 
     Amortization   67    79 
     Amortization of loan costs   128    117 
     Non-cash lease amortization   104    92 
     Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable   53    43 
     Stock-based compensation   52    71 
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities          
       Accounts receivable   (16)   (187)
       Materials and supplies   129    (834)
       Prepaid expenses and other assets   861    (71)
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses   217    380 
       Advance billings and payments   (87)   (93)
       Other liabilities   (112)   (86)
          Net cash from operating activities   5,569    3,630 
           
Cash flows used in investing activities:          
     Acquisition and construction of property and equipment   (3,250)   (1,533)
     Proceeds from the sale of property   133     
     Gain on the sale of property   (118)    
          Net cash used in investing activities   (3,235)   (1,533)
           
Cash flows used in financing activities:          
     Loan origination costs   (212)   (10)
     Principal repayment of long-term notes payable   (1,087)   (1,087)
     Interest rate cap       4 
     Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units   (20)   (183)
          Net cash used in financing activities   (1,319)   (1,276)
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   1,015    821 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   3,113    4,657 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $4,128   $5,478 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:          
Interest paid  $1,054   $1,238 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5 

 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2020
(unaudited)

 

1.Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include: Blountsville Telephone LLC; Brindlee Mountain Telephone LLC; CRC Communications LLC; Granby Telephone LLC; Hopper Telecommunications LLC; Mid-Maine Telecom LLC; Mid-Maine TelPlus LLC; Otelco Mid-Missouri LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary I-Land Internet Services LLC; Otelco Telecommunications LLC; Otelco Telephone LLC; Pine Tree Telephone LLC; Saco River Telephone LLC; Shoreham Telephone LLC; and War Telephone LLC.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. The unaudited operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, or any other period.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The interim condensed consolidated financial information herein is unaudited, with the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, being derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in this report.

 

Certain items in prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with 2020 presentation.

 

COVID-19

 

A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019, and subsequently declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. As a result of the outbreak, many companies have experienced disruptions in their operations and in markets served. The Company has instated some and may take additional temporary precautionary measures intended to help ensure the well-being of its employees and minimize business disruption. The Company considered the impact of COVID-19 on the assumptions and estimates used and determined that there were no material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at March 31, 2020. The full extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations is uncertain. A prolonged outbreak could have a material adverse impact on financial results and business operations of the Company, including the timing and ability of the Company to collect accounts receivable and procure materials and supplies.

 

CARES Act

 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. There are several different provisions with the CARES Act that impact income taxes for corporations. While the Company continues to evaluate the tax implications, it believes these provisions will not have a material impact to the financial statements.

 

Additionally, the Company has applied for, and has received, funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) after the period covered in these financial statements in the amount of $2,975,000. The receipt of these funds, and the forgiveness of the loan attendant to these funds, is dependent on the Company having initially qualified for the loan and qualifying for the forgiveness of such loan based on its future adherence to the forgiveness criteria.

 

The PPP Loan has a two-year term and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for six months after the date of disbursement. The PPP Loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The promissory note contains events of default and other provisions customary for a loan of this type.

 

The PPP Loan is being used to retain Otelco’s employees and allow them to be able to continue to provide essential telecommunications and data services for its customers. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these services critical to customers as they work and live under physical separation and quarantine. Given the direction from the FCC and state public utilities commissions, the Company made available free or discounted services to families who receive other governmental assistance and has delayed service disconnection for non-payment where families and businesses are experiencing COVID-19 financial impacts. Consent of the agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Facility) under the Credit Facility was obtained in connection with the incurrence of the PPP Loan.

 

6 

 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). This ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The provisions of this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-03, which requires registrants to evaluate the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on financial statements and adequately disclose this information to assist the reader in assessing the significance of ASU 2016-02 on the financial statements when adopted. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. This ASU provides an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under ASU 2016-02 existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC Topic 840, Leases. An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under ASU 2016-02 beginning at the date that the entity adopts ASU 2016-02. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which provides improvements and clarifications for ASU 2016-02. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2018-11”). This ASU provides an additional transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the date of adoption with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balances of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This ASU also gives lessors the option of electing, as a practical expedient by class of underlying asset, not to separate the lease and non-lease components of a contract when those lease contracts meet certain criteria. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors. This ASU clarifies lessor treatment for sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees, certain lessor costs, and recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and non-lease components. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Codification Improvements. This ASU clarifies determining the fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, presentation on the statement of cash flows for sales-type and direct financing leases, and transition disclosures related to Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. The Company has completed its evaluation of the requirements of this guidance and implemented the processes necessary to adopt ASU 2016-02, as amended. The Company has elected certain practical expedients available at adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon transition not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease; not to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and not to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASU 2016-02. In evaluating certain equipment rental arrangements such as cable, internet and security service contracts, the Company considered the practical expedient that allows lessors to elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue recognition standard. The Company elected this practical expedient as the following two criteria are met; the lease component and the associated non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer; and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company elected to adopt the new standard using the transition method provided by ASU 2018-11; therefore, prior periods will not be restated. The Company has determined that the impact of adoption is limited to real property leases and is consistent with industry practices. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the Company recognizing an aggregate of $1,073,919 in lease liabilities and corresponding right of use (“ROU”) assets and no impact on the opening retained earnings balances. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 had an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) (“ASU 2018-07”). This ASU expands the scope of ASU 2017-09, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than the Company’s adoption date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2018-13”). This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASU 2018-13, based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-08, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606); Codification Improvements – Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer (“ASU 2019-08”). ASU 2019-08, requires that an entity apply the guidance in ASU 2018-07 to measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer. The amount recorded as a reduction in the transaction price should be based on the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2019-08 are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than the Company’s adoption of the amendments in ASU 2018-07. The Company does not have any share-based payment awards to customers. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

During 2019, the FASB issued ASUs 2019-01 through 2019-12 and, during 2020, the FASB has issued ASUs 2020-01 through 2020-04. Except for the ASUs discussed above and below, these ASUs provide technical corrections or simplifications to existing guidance and to specialized industries or entities and therefore have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.

 

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”). This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) issued in June 2016, to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the amendments are effective. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13, as amended by ASU 2018-19. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU 2016-13 issued in June 2016, to allow the measurement of allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable balances separately from other components of the amortized cost basis of associated financial assets. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU 2016-13 issued in June 2016, to allow companies to irrevocably elect, upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the fair value option on financial instruments that (1) were previously recorded at amortized cost and (2) are within the scope of ASC 326-20 if the instruments are eligible for the fair value option under ASC 825-10. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13, as amended by ASU 2018-19. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2019-10”). This ASU defers certain major updates not yet effective due to the challenges that private companies, smaller public companies, and not-for-profit organizations are having with implementation. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The amendments in this ASU clarify and address stakeholders’ specific issues about certain aspects in update 2016-13. In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU address the methodology for the allowance for credit losses. ASU 2019-10 has deferred the effective date for credit losses for smaller reporting companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is still permitted to early adopt as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2019-12”). This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments in ASU 2019-12 are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2.Notes Payable

 

Notes payable consists of the following (in thousands, except percentages) as of:

 

 

           March 31,   December 31, 
   Current   Long-term   2020   2019 
Loan with CoBank, ACB (the “Credit Facility”); variable interest rate of 5.85% at March 31, 2020, interest is monthly, paid in arrears on the last business day of each month.  The Credit Facility is secured by the total assets of the subsidiary guarantors.  The unpaid balance is due November 3, 2022.  $4,350   $64,775   $69,125   $70,212 
                     
Debt issuance cost   (493)   (702)   (1,195)   (1,111)
                   - 
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost  $3,857   $64,073   $67,930   $69,101 
                     

 

8 

 

 

Associated with the Credit Facility, the Company incurred $2.3 million in deferred financing cost including $212 thousand incurred during first quarter 2020. The Company and its lender for the Credit Facility amended the agreement effective December 31, 2019, to change covenant measurements in recognition of the Company’s plans for increased investment in fiber and other network improvements intended to increase broadband speeds for its customers. Amortization expense for the deferred financing cost associated with the Credit Facility was $128 thousand and $117 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively, which is included in interest expense.

 

The revolving credit facility associated with the Company’s Credit Facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of $5.0 million on March 31, 2020. The revolving credit facility is available until November 3, 2022. There was no balance outstanding as of March 31, 2020. The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, on the unused portion of the revolver loan under the Credit Facility. The rate declined from 0.50% per annum to 0.38% per annum on October 22, 2018. The commitment fee expense was $5 thousand for each of the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

Maturities of notes payable for the next five years, assuming no future annual excess cash flow payments, are as follows (in thousands):

 

2020 (remaining)  $3,263 
2021   4,350 
2022   61,512 
2023    
2024    
Total  $69,125 

 

The Company’s notes payable agreements are subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions on indebtedness, financial guarantees, business combinations and other related items. As of March 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants and restrictions.

 

3.Income Tax

 

Provision for income tax expense was $0.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), passed in December 2017, extended bonus depreciation at 100.0% and reduced the maximum federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%, both of which positively affected the effective tax rate during 2017. The effective tax rate varies from the federal corporate tax rate of 21.0% largely due to state income taxes and other permanent differences. The effective income tax rate as of March 31, 2020, and March 31, 2019, was 21.7% and 23.7%, respectively.

 

4.Net Income per Common Share

 

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution that would occur should all of the shares of Class A common stock underlying restricted stock units (“RSUs”) be issued.

 

A reconciliation of the common shares for purposes of the calculation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per common share is as follows (weighted average number of common shares outstanding in whole numbers and net income in thousands):

 

  

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
   2020   2019 
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic   3,421,794    3,410,936 
           
Effect of dilutive securities   19,228    20,293 
           
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares - diluted   3,441,022    3,431,229 
           
Net income  $2,218   $2,281 
           
Net income per common share - basic  $0.65   $0.67 
Net income per common share - diluted  $0.64   $0.66 

 

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5.Revenue Streams and Concentrations

 

Revenue Streams

 

The Company identifies its revenue streams with similar characteristics as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019 
Local services  $4,649   $4,998 
Network access   5,050    5,303 
Internet   3,736    3,654 
Transport services   1,100    996 
Video and security   718    649 
Managed services   169    155 
Total revenues  $15,422   $15,755 

 

ASU 2014-09 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As stated above in Note 1, Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting – Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, the Company has used a five-step process to identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and recognize revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied. The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized over time as the service is transferred to the customer. For certain other services, such as unlimited long distance, revenue is recognized over the period of time the service is provided.

 

The following table identifies revenue generated from customers (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019 
Local services  $4,649   $4,998 
Network access   842    1,106 
Internet   3,736    3,654 
Transport services   1,062    959 
Video and security   718    649 
Managed services   169    155 
Total revenues generated from customers  $11,176   $11,521 

 

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The following table summarizes the revenue generated from contracts with customers among each revenue stream for the three month periods ended March 31, (in thousands, except percentages):

 

   Three Months Ended         
   March 31, 2020   % In-Scope   % Total 
             
Month to month (“MTM”) customers  $6,951    63.2%   45.1%
Competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business customers   3,214    29.2    20.8 
Network access   529    4.8    3.4 
Total revenue streams   10,694    97.2    69.3 
Global access*   313    2.8    2.1 
Total revenue from contracts with customers   11,007    100.0%   71.4 
Managed services**   169                    n/a   1.1 
Total revenue generated from customers   11,176                     n/a    72.5 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**   38                     n/a    0.2 
Network access**   4,208                     n/a    27.3 
Total revenues  $15,422         100.0%

 

*Fixed fees charged to MTM customers and CLEC business customers.

** Revenue generated from sources not within the scope of ASU 2014-09.

 

   Three Months Ended         
   March 31, 2019   % In-Scope   % Total 
             
MTM customers  $6,999    61.6%   44.4%
CLEC business customers   3,260    28.7    20.7 
Network access   644    5.7    4.1 
Total revenue streams   10,903    96.0    69.2 
Global access*   463    4.0    2.9 
Total revenue from contracts with customers   11,366    100.0%   72.1 
Managed services**   155                     n/a    1.0 
Total revenue generated from customers   11,521                     n/a    73.1 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**   38                     n/a    0.2 
Network access**   4,196                     n/a    26.7 
Total revenues  $15,755         100.0%

 

*Fixed fees charged to MTM customers and CLEC business customers.

** Revenue generated from sources not within the scope of ASU 2014-09.

 

Payment terms vary by customer. The Company typically invoices customers in the month following when the service was provided. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is less than a year and is not considered significant. Certain customers are invoiced in advance of the service being provided. Revenue is deferred until the point in time control of the service is transferred to the customer, or over the term the service is provided.

 

Revenue is recognized net of taxes collected on behalf of third parties.

 

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $6.8 million of unsatisfied performance obligations. As of March 31, 2020, the Company expected to recognize approximately $1.0 million of revenue within the next year and $5.8 million in the next two to five years related to such unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected life of one year or less or for contracts for which the Company has a right to invoice for services performed.

 

The deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2019, was $3.8 million. Approximately $1.4 million of revenue from that balance was recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2020, offset by payments received as of March 31, 2020, in advance of control of the service being transferred to the customer.

 

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Revenue Concentrations

 

Revenues from the Federal Communications Commission’s (the “FCC”) Universal Service Fund, Connect America Fund, and Alternative Connect America Cost Model funding are used to improve and upgrade the Company’s network to promote support for the availability and affordability of advanced telecommunications services. Revenues from these sources amounted to 24.3% and 22.6% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

6.Commitments and Contingencies

 

From time to time, the Company may be involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings incidental to and in the ordinary course of business, including administrative hearings of the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the Vermont Public Utility Commission and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, relating primarily to rate making and customer service requirements. In addition, the Company may be involved in similar proceedings with interconnection carriers and the FCC. Currently, none of the Company’s legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

 

7.Leases

 

ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. As stated above in Note 1, Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting – Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, the Company has elected certain practical expedients available at adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon transition not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease; not to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and not to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASU 2016-02. In evaluating certain equipment rental arrangements such as cable, internet and security service contracts, the Company considered the practical expedient that allows lessors to elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue recognition standard. The Company elected this practical expedient as the following two criteria are met; the lease component and the associated non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer; and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company elected to adopt the new standard using the transition method provided by ASU 2018-11; therefore, prior periods will not be restated. The Company has determined that the impact of adoption is limited to real property leases and is consistent with industry practices. This ASU was effective January 1, 2019, the Company recognized an aggregate of $1,073,919 in lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets and no impact on the opening retained earnings balances.

 

In consideration of whether an agreement contains a lease as defined under ASU 2016-02, the Company answered these three questions; has an asset been identified, is the asset physically distinct, and does the customer have the right to control the asset. The Company determined based on the three-step questions above, the arrangements pertaining to real property building and office facilities in Alabama, Maine and Massachusetts are within the scope of ASU 2016-02.

 

In calculating the lease liability, the Company considered the lease term in which the Company would include any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option. The Company evaluated factors that might create an economic incentive to exercise options to extend, including contract, asset, entity and market-based factors. The Company determined that there would be no significant relocation and interruption costs associated with moving to alternative space that would disincentivize a move at renewal; therefore, renewals to extend the lease term are not included in the ROU asset and lease liabilities.

 

A lessee may recognize the lease payments in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The accounting policy election for short-term leases shall be made by class of underlying asset to which the right of use relates. A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company elected to exclude short-term leases from the recognition requirements.

 

In discounting the liability, ASU 2016-02 indicates that the incremental rate used must be comparable to a rate attributable to a similar amount, for a similar term, and with similar collateral as the assets in the lease. The Company observed that published commercial borrowing rates were generally between 5.0% to 7.0% for loans collateralized by the real estate for terms ranging from 5-10 years.

 

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Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

 

   Leased Real Property and 
   Office Facilities 
2020 (remaining)  $237 
2021   249 
2022   231 
2023   212 
2024   79 
Thereafter   228 
   Total lease payments  $1,236 
      Less: Interest   (194)
           Present value of lease liabilities  $1,042 

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows (in thousands, except years and percentages):

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:        
Operating cash outflow from operating leases  $(122)  $(109)
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years)   5.4    4.0 
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases   6.5%   6.5%

 

8.Stock Plans

 

The Company has previously granted RSUs underlying 401,111 shares of Class A common stock as of December 31, 2018. These RSUs (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a one to five year period from the date of grant, provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date and, in selected instances, certain performance criteria are attained. Additionally, these RSUs (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause. Of the 401,111 previously granted RSUs, RSUs underlying 334,799 shares of Class A common stock have vested or were cancelled as of December 31, 2018. The previous RSU grants were made primarily to executive-level personnel at the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized. There were no RSUs granted by the Company during 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, 14,500 RSUs were granted by the Company to fourteen management-level employees.

 

The following table summarizes RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

   RSUs  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018   66,312   $9.06 
Granted        
Vested   (34,202)   5.09 
Forfeited or cancelled   (11,817)   13.30 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019   20,293    13.30 

 

The following table summarizes RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

   RSUs  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019   17,648   $13.30 
Granted   14,500    9.22 
Vested   (12,920)   13.30 
Forfeited or cancelled        
Outstanding at March 31, 2020   19,228    10.22 

 

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Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs was $16 thousand and $50 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Stock-based compensation related to RSUs is recognized over the 60-month vesting schedule. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for RSUs and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. The forfeiture rate has been developed using historical performance metrics which could impact the size of the final issuance of Class A common stock.

 

As of March 31, 2020, and 2019, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested RSUs was $166 thousand and $216 thousand, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2024.

 

On October 15, 2018, the Company granted 29,460 incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and 20,540 non-qualified (“NQ”) stock options to purchase shares of Class A common stock. These options vest with respect to the recipient thereof over a five-year period with 20% becoming exercisable on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of October 15, 2019, provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these options (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company. These option grants were made to one executive-level employee of the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized.

 

The following table summarizes ISO and NQ stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

   ISOs and NQ Stock Options  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018   50,000   $16.97 
Granted        
Vested        
Forfeited or cancelled        
Outstanding at March 31, 2019   50,000    16.97 

 

On January 2, 2020, the Company granted 34,500 ISOs and 30,000 NQ stock options to purchase shares of Class A common stock. These options vest with respect to the recipients thereof over a five-year period with 20% becoming exercisable on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of January 1, 2021, provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these options (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company. These option grants were made to one executive-level employee and fourteen management-level employees of the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized.

 

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The following table summarizes ISO and NQ stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

   ISOs and NQ Stock Options  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019   40,000   $16.97 
Granted   64,500    9.22 
Vested        
Forfeited or cancelled        
Outstanding at March 31, 2020   104,500    12.19 

 

Stock-based compensation expense related to ISOs and NQ stock options was $36 thousand and $21 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2020, and 2019, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested ISOs and NQ stock options was $575 thousand and $394 thousand, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2024.

 

9.Goodwill

 

The Company evaluated its Goodwill for impairment as of March 31, 2020, noting that the decline in share price during the quarter qualified as a triggering event. The Company evaluated qualitative and quantitative information in concluding that goodwill was not impaired as of March 31, 2020. The Company will continue to monitor for triggering events in future quarters.

 

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

General

 

Since 1999, we have acquired and operate eleven rural local exchange carriers (“RLECs”) serving subscribers in north central Alabama, central Maine, western Massachusetts, central Missouri, western Vermont and southern West Virginia. We also operate a competitive local exchange carriers (“CLEC”) serving subscribers in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our services include a broad suite of communications and information services including local and long distance telephone services; internet and broadband data services; network access to other wireline, long distance and wireless carriers for calls originated or terminated on our network; other telephone related services; cloud hosting and professional engineering services for small and mid-sized companies who rely on mission-critical software applications; digital high-speed transport services (in our New England market); and video and security (in some markets). We view, manage and evaluate the results of operations from the various telecommunications services as one company and therefore have identified one reporting segment as it relates to providing segment information.

 

The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) released its intercarrier compensation order (the “FCC ICC Order”) in November 2011. This order has made and continues to make substantial changes in the way telecommunication carriers are compensated for serving high cost areas and for completing traffic with other carriers. We began seeing the significant impact of the FCC ICC Order to our business in July 2012, with additional impacts beginning in July 2013 and July 2014. The initial consequence to our business was to reduce access revenue from intrastate calling in Maine and other states where intrastate rates were higher than interstate rates. A portion of this revenue loss for our RLEC properties is returned to us through the Connect America Fund (the “CAF”). There is no recovery mechanism for the lost revenue in our CLEC. The impact of the FCC ICC Order is expected to continue reducing our revenue and net income through 2020.

 

Revenue loss for our RLEC properties is also returned to us through the Alternative Connect America Model (the “A-CAM”). Support under the A-CAM model-based approach is higher than the estimated support which would have been received under legacy rate-of-return regulation. Without the A-CAM model-based support, in 2017, our RLECs would have seen a normal year-over-year funding decrease under Universal Service Fund High Cost Loop (the “USF HCL) and the FCC’s Budget Control mechanism. A-CAM support requires additional investment in plant and equipment to reach target broadband speeds and covered locations. A-CAM support will decline through 2028 as the additional investment is completed.

 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) passed in December 2017 reduces our cash tax liability. Specifically, both the lower income tax rate and the extension of bonus depreciation under the Tax Act positively affect our federal tax requirements. The limitation on interest deductibility under the Tax Act is not expected to impact our tax liabilities.

 

COVID-19

 

Otelco is closely monitoring developments and is taking steps to mitigate the potential risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the Company, its employees and its customers. We provide essential voice and data services to our customers.  To protect our employees while continuing to provide the communications services needed as many of its customers shelter in place, Otelco adapted installation and repair service processes to limit customer contact and minimize employee contact with other employees. In addition, Otelco changed technician dispatch procedures to further limit contact and provided personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves and sanitizing products. Customers must answer a series of screening questions before an appointment is scheduled and each technician is empowered to reschedule any in-person installation or repair if he or she determines that circumstances at the location present a health risk. During March, technicians completed 349 truck rolls to add new customers and new services, with similar volume so far in April, in addition to clearing storm damage in Alabama and Maine. Their dedication and work ethic have allowed us to continue providing critical services to our customers during these challenging times.

 

Our office-based employees have been working remotely since the middle of March. Even as late season snow and early season tornadoes affected portions of our service areas and more than doubled customer service calls, the employees were able to address customer needs in a timely fashion. Travel remains restricted to limit the risk of our employees coming in contact with the virus.

 

The Company provides several payment options to allow customers to avoid contact in our offices while paying for their services. In line with our industry’s response to the FCC and state public utility commission guidance, the Company is working with customers who have been affected by the coronavirus on payment strategies that avoid discontinuance of voice and data services during this challenging period. Through March 31, 2020, there has not been a noticeable increase in accounts receivable. As the impact of unemployment increases, it is likely that more customers will be unable to keep their bills current. In addition, Otelco has provided new data service within the territories we serve at no cost for the first two months of service to low income families with students that qualify for free lunch or Lifeline. In addition, we have not experienced any interruption to our normal materials and supplies process. It is not possible to predict whether COVID-19 will cause future interruptions and delays.

 

We understand the challenges facing our customers as our employees live in the communities we serve and are affected by many of the same obstacles. They must juggle the same work and home responsibilities as others in the community. Due to physical separation and proper protection and cleaning, all but a few of our employees remain physically healthy and available for service. Should we have a need to quarantine a significant number of our outside plant employees in a particular location due to illness or exposure, it could have a negative impact on our ability to serve customers in a timely fashion, including making repairs from recent storm damage.

 

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CARES Act

 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. There are several different provisions with the CARES Act that impact income taxes for corporations. While we continue to evaluate the tax implications, we believe these provisions will not have a material impact to the financial statements.

 

Additionally, the Company has applied for, and has received, funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) after the period covered in these financial statements in the amount of $2,975,000. The receipt of these funds, and the forgiveness of the loan attendant to these funds, is dependent on our having initially qualified for the loan and qualifying for the forgiveness of such loan based on our future adherence to the forgiveness criteria.

 

The PPP Loan has a two-year term and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for six months after the date of disbursement. The PPP Loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The promissory note contains events of default and other provisions customary for a loan of this type.

 

The PPP Loan is being used to retain our employees and allow them to be able to continue to provide essential telecommunications and data services for our customers. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these services critical to customers as they work and live under physical separation and quarantine. Given the direction from the FCC and state public utilities commissions, we made available free or discounted services to families who receive other governmental assistance and we have delayed service disconnection for non-payment where families and businesses are experiencing COVID-19 financial impacts. Consent of the agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Facility) under the Credit Facility was obtained in connection with the incurrence of the PPP Loan.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of Part 1, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. The following discussion and analysis relate to our financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated basis.

 

Revenue Sources

 

We derive our revenues from six sources:

 

·Local services. We receive revenues from providing local exchange telecommunication services in our eleven rural territories. In addition, we receive revenues on a competitive basis through both wholesale and retail channels throughout Maine, New Hampshire and western Massachusetts. These revenues include monthly subscription charges for basic service, calling beyond the local territory on a fixed price and on a per minute basis, local private line services and enhanced calling features, such as voicemail, caller identification, call waiting and call forwarding. We also receive revenues from directory advertising. A significant portion of our rural subscribers take bundled service plans which include multiple services, including unlimited domestic calling, for a flat monthly fee.

 

·Network access. We receive revenues from charges established to compensate us for the origination, transport and termination of calls of long distance, wireless and other interexchange carriers. These include subscriber line charges imposed on customers and switched and special access charges paid by carriers. Switched access charges for long distance services within Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia have historically been based on rates approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (the “MPUC”), the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (the “MDTC”), the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the “NHPUC”), the Vermont Public Utility Commission and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, respectively, where appropriate. The FCC ICC Order preempted the state commissions’ authority to set terminating intrastate access service rates, and required companies with terminating access rates higher than interstate rates to reduce their terminating intrastate access rates to a rate equal to interstate access service rates by July 1, 2013, and to move to a “bill and keep” arrangement by July 1, 2020, which will eliminate access charges between carriers. The FCC ICC Order prescribes a recovery mechanism for the recovery of any decrease in intrastate terminating access revenues through the CAF for RLEC companies. This recovery is limited to 95% of the previous year’s revenue requirement. Interstate access revenue is based on an FCC-regulated rate-of-return on investment and recovery of expenses and taxes. From 1990 through June 2016, the rate-of-return had been authorized up to 11.25%. In March 2016, the FCC reduced the authorized rate-of-return to 9.75% effective July 1, 2021, using a transitional approach to reduce the impact of an immediate reduction. Rate-of-return transition began on July 1, 2016, with the authorized rate reduced to 11.0%, with further 25 basis points reductions each July 1 thereafter until the authorized rate reaches 9.75% on July 1, 2021. Switched and special access charges for interstate and international services are based on rates approved by the FCC. We also receive revenue from the Universal Service Fund (the “USF”) for the deployment of voice and broadband services to end-user customers. Since January 1, 2017, ten of our RLECs receive support payments through A-CAM. One RLEC received support payments through modified legacy rate-of-return support mechanisms for USF HCL and Interstate Common Line Support for 2017 and 2018 and A-CAM support payments for 2019.

 

·Internet. We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for digital high-speed data lines and ancillary services, such as web hosting and computer virus protection.

 

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·Transport services. We receive monthly recurring revenues for the rental of fiber to transport data and other telecommunication services in Alabama, Maine and New Hampshire.

 

·Video and security. We offer basic, digital, high-definition, digital video recording and pay-per-view cable television services to a portion of our telephone service territory in Alabama, including internet protocol television (“ IPTV”). We offer wireless security systems and system monitoring in Alabama and Missouri.

 

 

·Managed services. We provide private/hybrid cloud hosting services, as well as consulting and professional IT engineering services, for mission-critical software applications for small and mid-sized North American companies. Revenues are generated from monthly recurring hosting Infrastructure as a Service fees, monthly maintenance fees, à la carte professional engineering services and pay-as-you-use Software as a Service fees. Services are domiciled in two diverse owned data centers.

 

Customer and Service Trends

 

With the implementation of our consolidated billing system in 2018 supporting all of our customers, we have adopted managerial systems that focus on retaining customers and offering them a variety of service options. We offer competitively priced location-specific bundled service packages tailored to the varying telecommunications requirements of our customers.

 

Key Operating Statistics

 

   March 31,   December 31,   Change from   December 31,   Change from 
   2020   2019   December 31, 2019   2018   December 31, 2018 
Customers served                                   
    Business/Enterprise   5,241    5,337    (96)   (1.8)%   5,769    (432)   (7.5)%
    Residential   27,363    26,917    446    1.7%   27,734    (817)   (2.9)%
        Customers served   32,604    32,254    350    1.1%   33,503    (1,249)   (3.7)%
                                    
Services provided                                   
    Hosted PBX   8,199    8,685    (486)   (5.6)%   9,008    (323)   (3.6)%
    Voice   33,456    34,038    (582)   (1.7)%   36,899    (2,861)   (7.8)%
    Data   22,710    22,242    468    2.1%   22,514    (272)   (1.2)%
    Video   2,662    2,669    (7)   (0.3)%   2,734    (65)   (2.4)%
       Services provided   67,027    67,634    (607)   (0.9)%   71,155    (3,521)   (4.9)%
                                    

 

One of our key performance measures is to track the number of business and residence customers served and the number of telecommunications services provided to these customers. The table above provides a summary of the change in customers and the change in the four largest telecommunications services.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, customers served increased 1.1%, or 350 customers, reflecting an increase in residential customers, partially offset by a decrease in business customers. The increase in customers represents an improvement in churn when compared to a decrease of both business and residential customers in 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, services provided to these customers decreased 0.9%, or 607 services, reflecting an increase in data services more than offset by a decrease in voice and video services. The increase in data services reflects the Company’s focus on increasing data speeds available throughout our network. The continued deployment of fiber-based services, the transition to VDSL in all of our networks and the deployment of DOCSIS 3.1 in our cable network are expected to improve the speed of our service offerings in 2020 and positively impact the level of customer and service churn.

 

Our Rate and Pricing Structure

 

Our CLEC enterprise pricing is based on market requirements. We combine varying services to meet individual customer requirements, including technical support, and provide multi-year contracts that are both market sensitive for the customer and profitable for us. The MPUC, MDTC and NHPUC impose minimum requirements on all CLECs operating in their markets for reporting and for interactions with the various incumbent local exchange and interexchange carriers. These requirements provide wide latitude in pricing and delivery of services.

 

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Our RLECs operate in six states and have limited regulation by the respective state regulatory authorities. The impact on pricing flexibility varies by state. In Maine and Vermont, our wholly owned subsidiaries have obtained authority to implement pricing flexibility while remaining under rate-of-return regulation. Our rates for other services we provide, including cable, long-distance, data lines and high-speed internet access, are not price regulated. The market for competitive services, such as wireless, also affects the ability to adjust prices. With the increase of bundled services offerings, including unlimited long distance, pricing for individual services takes on reduced importance to revenue stability. We expect this trend to continue into the immediate future.

 

Alabama RLECs receive state-based support, which was implemented more than a decade ago as part of balancing local service pricing and long distance access rates. These funds were intended to neutralize the revenue impact on state RLECs from pricing shifts implemented to reduce access rates over time. The Alabama Transition Service Fund provided total compensation of $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing approximately 0.5%, 0.5% and 0.4% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The revenue we receive from these funds is in the process of being phased out over a five-year period that began in June 2016. Reduction in fund revenue was 5% in each of 2016 and 2017, 10% in 2018, and 15% in each of 2019 and 2020. No revenue will be received after June 2021.

 

Categories of Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses are categorized as cost of services; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization.

 

Cost of services. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits relating to plant operation, maintenance, sales and customer service; other plant operations, maintenance and administrative costs; network access costs; and costs of services for long distance, cable television, internet and directory services.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits and contract service payments (for example, legal fees) relating to engineering, financial, human resources and corporate operations; information management expenses, including billing; allowance for uncollectible revenue; expenses for travel, lodging and meals; internal and external communications costs; insurance premiums; stock exchange and banking fees; and postage.

 

Depreciation and amortization. This includes depreciation of our telecommunications, cable and internet networks and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Certain of these amortization expenses continue to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

Our Ability to Control Operating Expenses

 

We strive to control expenses in order to maintain our operating margins. As our revenue continues to shift to non-regulated services and CLEC customers, and our access and residential RLEC revenues continue to decline, operating margins decrease due to the lower margins associated with non-regulated services. Reductions in USF and intercarrier compensation payments based on FCC action in 2011 are difficult to fully offset through expense control and pricing action. However, A-CAM began providing support funding to increase capital investment in broadband services in our RLECs in 2017.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Revenues        
Local services   30.1%   31.7%
Network access   32.8    33.7 
Internet   24.2    23.2 
Transport services   7.1    6.3 
Video and security   4.7    4.1 
Managed services   1.1    1.0 
Total revenues   100.0%   100.0%
Operating expenses          
Cost of services   48.8%   48.2%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   16.7    15.7 
Depreciation and amortization   13.1    12.2 
Total operating expenses   78.6    76.1 
           
Income from operations   21.4    23.9 
           
Other income (expense)          
Interest expense   (7.6)   (8.7)
Other income   4.6    3.8 
Total other expense   (3.0)   (4.9)
           
Income before income tax expense   18.4    19.0 
Income tax expense   (4.0)   (4.5)
           
Net income available to common stockholders   14.4%   14.5%

 

Revenues by category for the three months ended March 31, 2019, have been adjusted to be consistent with the revenues by category for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Total revenues. Total revenues decreased 2.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $15.4 million from $15.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in residential local services and traditional access revenue affected by the FCC ICC Order. The table below provides the components of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period of 2019.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,   Change 
   2020   2019   Amount   Percent 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Local services  $4,649   $4,998   $(349)   (7.0)%
Network access   5,050    5,303    (253)   (4.8)%
Internet   3,736    3,654    82    2.2%
Transport services   1,100    996    104    10.4%
Video and security   718    649    69    10.6%
Managed services   169    155    14    9.0%
Total  $15,422   $15,755   $(333)   (2.1)%

 

Local services. Local services revenue decreased 7.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $4.7 million from $5.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. RLEC residential voice line revenue, including long distance and other related services, decreased $0.2 million. Revenue associated with fiber installation and rental revenue decreased just over $0.1 million.

 

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Network access. Network access revenue decreased 4.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $5.1 million from $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. A-CAM revenue increased $0.3 million, reflecting the FCC’s adjustment of funding for our conversion of Vermont to A-CAM which was not reflected in 2019. CAF and other transition support payments decreased $0.2 million. Switched and special access and end-user fees each decreased $0.2 million.

 

Internet. Internet revenue increased 2.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to just above $3.7 million from just below $3.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. An increase in customers and related equipment rental charges and data speeds accounted for the increase.

 

Transport services. Transport services revenue increased 10.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $1.1 million from $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting wholesale customer growth.

 

Video and security. Video and security revenue increased 10.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $0.7 million from $0.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. An increase in IPTV customers and pricing changes offset a decline in traditional cable customers.

 

Managed services. Managed services revenue increased 9.0% to remain at just under $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, and the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting modestly higher professional services revenue.

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2020, increased 1.0% to $12.1 million from $12.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. The table below provides the components of our operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same periods of 2019.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,   Change 
   2020   2019   Amount   Percent 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Cost of services  $7,524   $7,602   $(78)   (1.0)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   2,571    2,473    98    4.0%
Depreciation and amortization   2,022    1,917    105    5.5%
Total  $12,117   $11,992   $125    1.0%

 

Cost of services. Cost of services decreased 1.0% to $7.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, from $7.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Lower network access and circuit expense accounted for the decrease of $0.1 million.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.0% to $2.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, from $2.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. The senior management bonus accrual decreased by $0.1 million with the elimination of the Chief Operating Officer position. This decrease was offset by an increase of $0.1 million in legal and board expense and $0.1 million in other administrative expenses.

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 5.5% to $2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, from $1.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. An increase in RLEC depreciation reflecting new fiber investment placed in service accounted for the increase.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019

 

   Three Months Ended March 31,   Change 
   2020   2019   Amount   Percent 
   (dollars in thousands)     
Interest expense  $(1,181)  $(1,366)  $185    13.5%
Other income   707    594    113    19.0 
Income tax expense   (613)   (710)   97    13.7 

 

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 13.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $1.2 million from $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Lower outstanding principal balance and lower LIBOR interest rates accounted for the decrease. Our Credit Facility matures in November 2022. See additional information in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.

 

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Other income. Other income increased 19.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $0.7 million from $0.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, relating the one-time gain on the sale of a surplus vacant building. The annual CoBank dividend is received in first quarter of each year.

 

Income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, our effective tax rate is 21.7%, as compared to 23.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The effective income tax rate varies from the federal corporate tax rate of 21% largely due to state income taxes and other permanent differences.

 

Net income. As a result of the foregoing, there was net income of $2.2 million and $2.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our liquidity needs arise primarily from: (i) interest and principal payments related to our credit facility; (ii) capital expenditures for investment in our business, including A-CAM requirements; and (iii) working capital requirements.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we generated cash from our business to invest in additional property and equipment of $3.3 million, pay loan principal of $1.1 million and pay scheduled interest on our debt of $1.1 million. After meeting all of these needs of our business, cash increased to $4.1 million as of March 31, 2020, from $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019.

 

Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, amounted to $5.6 million compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily reflecting slightly lower net income, an increase in materials and supplies and a reduction in prepaid expenses.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, were $3.2 million compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily reflecting RLEC fiber installation, including investments associated with the FCC’s A-CAM program. Plans have been announced for investment in 2020 to complete the VDSL delivery platform and upgrade the Alabama cable network to DOCSIS 3.1.

 

Cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and March 31, 2019 were $1.3 million, reflecting $1.1 million in scheduled principal payments in each year and loan origination costs of $0.2 million in first quarter 2020 and 0.2 million in tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units in first quarter 2019.

 

We do not invest in financial instruments as part of our business strategy. However, our Credit Facility required that we acquire an interest rate hedge on at least 50% of our outstanding notes payable balance for a period of at least two years. Accordingly, we purchased a two-year 3.0% interest rate cap on one-month LIBOR covering $45.0 million on February 26, 2018. The interest rate cap is accounted for as an asset and marked to market each quarter. The interest rate cap expired on February 26, 2020.

 

On November 2, 2017, we refinanced our prior credit facilities with a new $92.0 million, five-year credit facility from a consortium of banks led by CoBank, ACB. Our Credit Facility includes an $87.0 million term loan and a $5.0 million revolving loan, which is undrawn. Our Credit Facility also includes a $20.0 million accordion feature that could be used to increase the term-loan portion of the credit facility, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and lender participation. Proceeds from the term loan and cash on hand were used to pay all amounts due in respect of principal, interest, prepayment premiums and fees under our prior credit facilities, as well as fees associated with the transaction. Our Credit Facility requires annual principal reduction of $4.3 million paid equally on a quarterly basis and, beginning in 2019, an annual principal payment equal to 50% of our excess cash flow for the year. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we made our scheduled principal payment of $1.1 million. We made no voluntary principal prepayments.

 

We anticipate that operating cash flow, together with borrowings under our Credit Facility, will be adequate to meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. We continue to monitor the effects COVID-19 could have on our operations and liquidity including our ability to collect account receivable timely from our customers due to the economic impacts COVID-19 could have on the general economy.

 

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Non-GAAP Measures

 

We use consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Consolidated EBITDA”) and the ratio of our debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months (the “Leverage Ratio”) as operational performance measurements. Consolidated EBITDA, as presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, corresponds to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in our credit facility. Consolidated EBITDA and the Leverage Ratio, as presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The lenders under our credit facility use Consolidated EBITDA to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. We report Consolidated EBITDA and the Leverage Ratio in our quarterly earnings press release to allow current and potential investors to understand these performance metrics and because we believe that they provide current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to our operating performance, including our ability to generate earnings sufficient to service our debt, and enhance understanding of our financial performance and highlight operational trends. However, Consolidated EBITDA and the Leverage Ratio should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of Consolidated EBITDA and the Leverage Ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Consolidated EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019, and the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, and the reconciliation to net income, is reflected in the table below (dollar amounts in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   Twelve Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019   2020 
Net income  $2,218   $2,281   $7,732 
Add: Depreciation   1,955    1,838    7,461 
Interest expense less interest income   1,048    1,249    4,604 
Interest expense - amortized loan cost   128    117    463 
Income tax expense   613    710    2,295 
Amortization - intangibles   67    79    287 
Loan fees   17    17    69 
Stock-based compensation   52    71    235 
Consolidated EBITDA  $6,098   $6,362   $23,146 

 

The table below provides the calculation of the Leverage Ratio as of March 31, 2020 (dollar amounts in thousands).

 

     
Notes payable  $67,930 
Debt issuance costs   1,195 
Notes outstanding  $69,125 
      
Less cash   (4,128)
Notes outstanding, net of cash  $64,997 
Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months  $23,146 
      
Leverage Ratio   2.81 

 

As we reduce our debt, our Leverage Ratio will vary based on changes in Consolidated EBITDA.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of the recently adopted accounting pronouncements that are applicable to us, including details relating to our adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), at the beginning of 2019, which adoption did not have a material impact on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of the recent accounting pronouncements that are applicable to us.

 

Subsequent Events

 

On April 16, 2020, we received a $2,975,000 loan (the “ PPP Loan”) through Regions Bank pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program established under the Cares Act. The PPP Loan has a two-year term and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for six months after the date of disbursement. The PPP Loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The promissory note contains events of default and other provisions customary for a loan of this type. The PPP Loan may be forgiven if used under program parameters for payroll, mortgage interest and rent expenses.

 

The PPP Loan is being used to allow our employees to be able to continue to provide essential telecommunications and data services for our customers. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these services critical to customers as they work and live under physical separation and quarantine. Given the direction from the FCC and state public utilities commissions, we have made available free or discounted services to families who receive other governmental assistance and we have delayed service disconnection for non-payment where families and businesses are experiencing COVID-19 financial impacts. Consent of the agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Facility) under our Credit Facility was obtained in connection with the incurrence of the PPP Loan.

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our short-term excess cash balance is invested in short-term commercial paper. We do not invest in any derivative or commodity type instruments. Accordingly, we are subject to minimal market risk on our investments.

 

Interest rates applicable to the term loans (including any incremental term loans incurred under the accordion feature) and the revolving loans under our credit facility are set at a margin over an adjusted LIBOR rate (which is defined as the higher of (1) LIBOR multiplied by the statutory reserve rate and (2) 0.0% per annum) or a base rate (which is defined as the highest of (1) the prime rate, (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% per annum, (3) the adjusted LIBOR rate for an interest period of one month plus 1.0% per annum and (4) 0.0% per annum). Accordingly, we are exposed to interest rate risk. A one percentage point change in one-month LIBOR interest rates from the interest rates actually applicable to the loans under our credit facility during the period would have resulted in an increase of $0.2 million in our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2020.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2020, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

The following risk factor is added to those disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Public health threats or outbreaks of communicable diseases could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and overall financial performance.

 

The Company may face risks related to public health threats or outbreaks of communicable diseases. A global health crisis, such as the current outbreak of coronavirus or COVID-19, could adversely affect the United States and global economies and limit the ability of enterprises to conduct business for an indefinite period of time. The current outbreak of COVID-19 has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted financial markets and international trade, resulted in increased unemployment levels and significantly impacted global supply chains, all of which have the potential to impact the Company’s business.

 

In addition, government authorities have implemented various mitigation measures, including travel restrictions, limitations on business operations, stay-at-home orders and social distancing protocols. While the Company has been deemed critical infrastructure by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the economic impact of the aforementioned actions may impair our ability to sustain sufficient financial liquidity and impact our financial results. Specifically, the continued spread of COVID-19 and efforts to contain the virus could: (i) result in an increase in costs related to delayed payments from customers and uncollectable accounts, (ii) cause a reduction in revenue related to late fees and other charges related to governmental regulations, (iii) cause delays and disruptions in the supply chain related to obtaining necessary materials for our network infrastructure or customer premise equipment, (iv) cause workforce disruptions, including the availability of qualified personnel; and (v) cause other unpredictable events.

 

As we cannot predict the duration or scope of the global health crisis, the anticipated negative financial impact to our operating results cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material and last for an extended period of time.

 

Item 6.Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Agreement Regarding Amendments to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2020, by and among Otelco Inc., as borrower, each subsidiary of Otelco Inc. listed as a guarantor on the signature pages thereto, as guarantors, the lenders from time to time party thereto, as lenders, and CoBank, ACB, as a lender and administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Otelco Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32362), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2020)
     
31.1   Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2   Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1   Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2   Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer
     
101   The following information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: May 4, 2020 OTELCO INC.
     
     
  By: /s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
    Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Richard A. Clark, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Otelco Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Date: May 4, 2020

 

/s/ Richard A. Clark  
Richard A. Clark  
Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, Curtis L. Garner, Jr., certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Otelco Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Date: May 4, 2020

 

/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.  
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.  
Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Richard A. Clark, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ Richard A. Clark  
Richard A. Clark  
Chief Executive Officer  
May 4, 2020  

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Curtis L. Garner, Jr., Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.  
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.  
Chief Financial Officer  
May 4, 2020  

 

 

 

v3.20.1
Note 3 - Income Tax
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
3.
Income Tax
 
Provision for income tax expense was
$0.6
million in the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
compared to
$0.7
million in the
three
months ended
March 31, 2019.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), passed in
December 2017,
extended bonus depreciation at
100.0%
and reduced the maximum federal corporate tax rate from
35.0%
to
21.0%,
both of which positively affected the effective tax rate during
2017.
The effective tax rate varies from the federal corporate tax rate of
21.0%
largely due to state income taxes and other permanent differences. The effective income tax rate as of
March 31, 2020,
and
March 31, 2019,
was
21.7%
and
23.7%,
respectively.
v3.20.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Common Stock [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018 3,388,624      
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 34 $ 4,213 $ 6,655 $ 10,902
Net income   2,281 2,281
Stock-based compensation expense   71   71
Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units   (183)   (183)
Issuance of Class A Stock (in shares) 22,312      
Issuance of Class A Stock    
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019 3,410,936      
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019 $ 34 4,101 8,936 13,071
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019 3,412,805      
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019 $ 34 4,275 14,451 18,760
Net income   2,218 2,218
Stock-based compensation expense   52   52
Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units   (20)   (20)
Issuance of Class A Stock (in shares) 8,989      
Issuance of Class A Stock    
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020 3,421,794      
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020 $ 34 $ 4,307 $ 16,669 $ 21,010
v3.20.1
Document And Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
May 04, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name OTELCO INC.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001288359  
Trading Symbol otel  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Shell Company false  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2020  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)  
Common Class B [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   0
Common Class A [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   3,421,794
v3.20.1
Note 4 - Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
   
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   
20
20
   
201
9
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
3,421,794
     
3,410,936
 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
19,228
     
20,293
 
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares - diluted
   
3,441,022
     
3,431,229
 
Net income
  $
2,218
    $
2,281
 
Net income per common share - basic
  $
0.65
    $
0.67
 
Net income per common share - diluted
  $
0.64
    $
0.66
 
v3.20.1
Note 4 - Net Income Per Common Share
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
4.
Net
Income
per Common Share
 
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution that would occur should all of the shares of Class A common stock underlying restricted stock units (“RSUs”) be issued.
 
A reconciliation of the common shares for purposes of the calculation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per common share is as follows (weighted average number of common shares outstanding in whole numbers and net income in thousands):
 
   
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   
20
20
   
201
9
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
3,421,794
     
3,410,936
 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
19,228
     
20,293
 
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares - diluted
   
3,441,022
     
3,431,229
 
Net income
  $
2,218
    $
2,281
 
Net income per common share - basic
  $
0.65
    $
0.67
 
Net income per common share - diluted
  $
0.64
    $
0.66
 
v3.20.1
Note 8 - Stock Plans
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Text Block]
8.
Stock Plans
 
The Company has previously granted RSUs underlying
401,111
shares of Class A common stock as of
December 31, 2018.
These RSUs (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a
one
to
five
year period from the date of grant, provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date and, in selected instances, certain performance criteria are attained. Additionally, these RSUs (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause. Of the
401,111
previously granted RSUs, RSUs underlying
334,799
shares of Class A common stock have vested or were cancelled as of
December 31, 2018.
The previous RSU grants were made primarily to executive-level personnel at the Company and, as a result,
no
compensation costs have been capitalized. There were
no
RSUs granted by the Company during
2019.
During the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
14,500
RSUs were granted by the Company to
fourteen
management level employees.
 
The following table summarizes RSU activity for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2019:
 
   
RSUs
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
   
66,312
    $
9.06
 
Granted
   
     
 
Vested
   
(34,202
)    
5.09
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
(11,817
)    
13.30
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019
   
20,293
     
13.30
 
 
The following table summarizes RSU activity for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020:
 
   
RSUs
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
   
17,648
    $
13.30
 
Granted
   
14,500
     
9.22
 
Vested
   
(12,920
)    
13.30
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2020
   
19,228
     
10.22
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs was
$16
thousand and
$50
thousand for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
respectively. Stock-based compensation related to RSUs is recognized over the
60
-month vesting schedule. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for RSUs and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. The forfeiture rate has been developed using historical performance metrics which could impact the size of the final issuance of Class A common stock.
 
As of
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested RSUs was
$166
thousand and
$216
thousand, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of
2024.
 
On
October 15, 2018,
the Company granted
29,460
incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and
20,540
non-qualified (“NQ”) stock options to purchase shares of Class A common stock. These options vest with respect to the recipient thereof over a
five
-year period with
20%
becoming exercisable on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of
October 15, 2019,
provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date.  Additionally, these options (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company. These option grants were made to
one
executive-level employee of the Company and, as a result,
no
compensation costs have been capitalized.
 
The following table summarizes ISO and NQ stock option activity for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2019:
 
   
ISOs and NQ Stock Options
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
   
50,000
    $
16.97
 
Granted
   
     
 
Vested
   
     
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019
   
50,000
     
16.97
 
 
On
January 2, 2020,
the Company granted
34,500
ISOs and
30,000
NQ stock options to purchase shares of Class A common stock. These options vest with respect to the recipients thereof over a
five
-year period with
20%
becoming exercisable on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date of
January 1, 2021,
provided the recipient remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these options (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company. These option grants were made to
one
executive-level employee and
fourteen
management-level employees of the Company and, as a result,
no
compensation costs have been capitalized.
 
The following table summarizes ISO and NQ stock option activity for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020:
 
   
ISOs and NQ Stock Options
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
   
40,000
    $
16.97
 
Granted
   
64,500
     
9.22
 
Vested
   
     
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2020
   
104,500
     
12.19
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense related to ISOs and NQ stock options was
$36
thousand and
$21
thousand for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
respectively.
 
As of
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested ISOs and NQ stock options was
$575
thousand and
$394
thousand, respectively. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of
2024.
v3.20.1
Note 9 - Goodwill (Details Textual)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Goodwill, Impairment Loss $ 0
v3.20.1
Note 7 - Leases - Lease Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Operating cash outflow from operating leases $ (122) $ (109)
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (Year) 5 years 146 days 4 years
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases 6.50% 6.50%
v3.20.1
Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting (Details Textual) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended
May 04, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Jan. 01, 2019
Operating Lease, Liability, Total   $ 1,042,000    
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset   $ 1,042,000 $ 1,146,000  
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]        
Operating Lease, Liability, Total       $ 1,073,919
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset       $ 1,073,919
Subsequent Event [Member]        
Proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program Under CARES Act $ 2,975,000      
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable - Maturities of Notes Payable (Details)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
2020 (remaining) $ 3,263
2021 4,350
2022 61,512
2023
2024
Total $ 69,125
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable (Details Textual) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Oct. 22, 2018
Oct. 21, 2018
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs     $ 128 $ 117
New Credit Facility [Member]        
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross     2,300  
Debt Issuance Costs Incurred During Noncash or Partial Noncash Transaction     212  
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs     128,000 117,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity     5,000  
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage 0.38% 0.50%    
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount     5 $ 5
Previous Credit Facility [Member]        
Long-term Line of Credit, Total     $ 0  
v3.20.1
Note 3 - Income Tax (Details Textual) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total $ 613 $ 710
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total 21.70% 23.70%
v3.20.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues $ 15,422 $ 15,755
Operating expenses    
Cost of services 7,524 7,602
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,571 2,473
Depreciation and amortization 2,022 1,917
Total operating expenses 12,117 11,992
Income from operations 3,305 3,763
Other income (expense)    
Interest expense (1,181) (1,366)
Other income 707 594
Total other expense (474) (772)
Income before income tax expense 2,831 2,991
Income tax expense (613) (710)
Net income $ 2,218 $ 2,281
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:    
Basic (in shares) 3,421,794 3,410,936
Diluted (in shares) 3,441,022 3,431,229
Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.65 $ 0.67
Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.64 $ 0.66
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
2.
Notes Payable
 
Notes payable consists of the following (in thousands, except percentages) as of:
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March
3
1,
   
December 31,
 
   
Current
   
Long-term
   
20
20
   
201
9
 
Loan with CoBank, ACB (the “Credit Facility”); variable interest rate of 5.85% at March 31, 2020, interest is monthly, paid in arrears on the last business day of each month. The Credit Facility is secured by the total assets of the subsidiary guarantors. The unpaid balance is due November 3, 2022.
  $
4,350
    $
64,775
    $
69,125
    $
70,212
 
                                 
Debt issuance cost
   
(493
)    
(702
)    
(1,195
)    
(1,111
)
                                 
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost
  $
3,857
    $
64,073
    $
67,930
    $
69,101
 
 
Associated with the Credit Facility, the Company incurred
$2.3
million in deferred financing cost including
$212
thousand incurred during
first
quarter
2020.
The Company and its lender for the Credit Facility amended the agreement effective
December 31, 2019,
to change covenant measurements in recognition of the Company’s plans for increased investment in fiber and other network improvements intended to increase broadband speeds for its customers. Amortization expense for the deferred financing cost associated with the Credit Facility was
$128
thousand and
$117
thousand for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
respectively, which is included in interest expense.
 
The revolving credit facility associated with the Company’s Credit Facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of
$5.0
million on
March 31, 2020.
The revolving credit facility is available until
November 3, 2022.
There was
no
balance outstanding as of
March 31, 2020.
The Company pays a commitment fee of
0.50%
per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, on the unused portion of the revolver loan under the Credit Facility. The rate declined from
0.50%
per annum to
0.38%
per annum on
October 22, 2018.
The commitment fee expense was
$5
thousand for each of the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
respectively.
 
Maturities of notes payable for the next
five
years, assuming
no
future annual excess cash flow payments, are as follows (in thousands):
 
2020 (remaining)
  $
3,263
 
2021
   
4,350
 
2022
   
61,512
 
2023
   
 
2024    
 
Total
  $
69,125
 
 
The Company’s notes payable agreements are subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions on indebtedness, financial guarantees, business combinations and other related items. As of
March 31, 2020,
the Company was in compliance with all such covenants and restrictions.
v3.20.1
Note 5 - Revenue Streams and Concentrations
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]
5.
Revenue
Streams
and
Concentration
s
 
Revenue Streams
 
The Company identifies its revenue streams with similar characteristics as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 20
20
   
March 31, 201
9
 
Local services
  $
4,649
    $
4,998
 
Network access
   
5,050
     
5,303
 
Internet
   
3,736
     
3,654
 
Transport services
   
1,100
     
996
 
Video and security
   
718
     
649
 
Managed services
   
169
     
155
 
Total revenues
  $
15,422
    $
15,755
 
 
ASU
2014
-
09
requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As stated above in Note
1,
Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
, the Company has used a
five
-step process to identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and recognize revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied. The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized over time as the service is transferred to the customer. For certain other services, such as unlimited long distance, revenue is recognized over the period of time the service is provided.
 
The following table identifies revenue generated from customers (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2020
   
March 31, 2019
 
Local services
  $
4,649
    $
4,998
 
Network access
   
842
     
1,106
 
Internet
   
3,736
     
3,654
 
Transport services
   
1,062
     
959
 
Video and security
   
718
     
649
 
Managed services
   
169
     
155
 
Total revenues generated from customers
  $
11,176
    $
11,521
 
 
The following table summarizes the revenue generated from contracts with customers among each revenue stream for the
three
month periods ended
March 31, (
in thousands, except percentages):
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
March 31, 2020
   
% In-Scope
   
% Total
 
                         
Month to month (“MTM”) customers
  $
6,951
     
63.2
%
   
45.1
%
Competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business customers
   
3,214
     
29.2
     
20.8
 
Network access
   
529
     
4.8
     
3.4
 
Total revenue streams
   
10,694
     
97.2
     
69.3
 
Global access*
   
313
     
2.8
     
2.1
 
Total revenue from contracts with customers
   
11,007
     
100.0
%
   
71.4
 
Managed services**
   
169
     
n/a
     
1.1
 
Total revenue generated from customers
   
11,176
     
n/a
     
72.5
 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**
   
38
     
n/a
     
0.2
 
Network access**
   
4,208
     
n/a
     
27.3
 
Total revenues
  $
15,422
     
 
     
100.0
%
 
*Fixed fees charged to MTM customers and CLEC business customers.
** Revenue generated from sources
not
within the scope of ASU
2014
-
09.
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
March 31, 2019
   
% In-Scope
   
% Total
 
                         
MTM customers
  $
6,999
     
61.6
%
   
44.4
%
CLEC business customers
   
3,260
     
28.7
     
20.7
 
Network access
   
644
     
5.7
     
4.1
 
Total revenue streams
   
10,903
     
96.0
     
69.2
 
Global access*
   
463
     
4.0
     
2.9
 
Total revenue from contracts with customers
   
11,366
     
100.0
%
   
72.1
 
Managed services**
   
155
     
n/a
     
1.0
 
Total revenue generated from customers
   
11,521
     
n/a
     
73.1
 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**
   
38
     
n/a
     
0.2
 
Network access**
   
4,196
     
n/a
     
26.7
 
Total revenues
  $
15,755
     
 
     
100.0
%
 
*Fixed fees charged to MTM customers and CLEC business customers.
** Revenue generated from sources
not
within the scope of ASU
2014
-
09.
 
Payment terms vary by customer. The Company typically invoices customers in the month following when the service was provided. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is less than a year and is
not
considered significant. Certain customers are invoiced in advance of the service being provided. Revenue is deferred until the point in time control of the service is transferred to the customer, or over the term the service is provided.
 
Revenue is recognized net of taxes collected on behalf of
third
parties.
 
As of
March 31, 2020,
the Company had approximately
$6.8
million of unsatisfied performance obligations. As of
March 31, 2020,
the Company expected to recognize approximately
$1.0
million of revenue within the next year and
$5.8
million in the next
two
to
five
years related to such unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company does
not
disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected life of
one
year or less or for contracts for which the Company has a right to invoice for services performed.
 
The deferred revenue balance as of
December 31, 2019,
was
$3.8
million. Approximately
$1.4
million of revenue from that balance was recognized as revenue during the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
offset by payments received as of
March 31, 2020,
in advance of control of the service being transferred to the customer.
 
Revenue Concentrations
 
Revenues from the Federal Communications Commission’s (the “FCC”) Universal Service Fund, Connect America Fund, and Alternative Connect America Cost Model funding are used to improve and upgrade the Company’s network to promote support for the availability and affordability of advanced telecommunications services. Revenues from these sources amounted to
24.3%
and
22.6%
of the Company’s total revenues for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
and
2019,
respectively.
v3.20.1
Note 9 - Goodwill
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
9.
Goodwill
 
The Company evaluated its Goodwill for impairment as of
March 31, 2020,
noting that the decline in share price during the quarter qualified as a triggering event.  The Company evaluated qualitative and quantitative information in concluding that goodwill was
not
impaired as of
March 31, 2020. 
The Company will continue to monitor for triggering events in future quarters.
v3.20.1
Note 5 - Revenue Streams and Concentrations (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Tables  
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 20
20
   
March 31, 201
9
 
Local services
  $
4,649
    $
4,998
 
Network access
   
5,050
     
5,303
 
Internet
   
3,736
     
3,654
 
Transport services
   
1,100
     
996
 
Video and security
   
718
     
649
 
Managed services
   
169
     
155
 
Total revenues
  $
15,422
    $
15,755
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2020
   
March 31, 2019
 
Local services
  $
4,649
    $
4,998
 
Network access
   
842
     
1,106
 
Internet
   
3,736
     
3,654
 
Transport services
   
1,062
     
959
 
Video and security
   
718
     
649
 
Managed services
   
169
     
155
 
Total revenues generated from customers
  $
11,176
    $
11,521
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
March 31, 2020
   
% In-Scope
   
% Total
 
                         
Month to month (“MTM”) customers
  $
6,951
     
63.2
%
   
45.1
%
Competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business customers
   
3,214
     
29.2
     
20.8
 
Network access
   
529
     
4.8
     
3.4
 
Total revenue streams
   
10,694
     
97.2
     
69.3
 
Global access*
   
313
     
2.8
     
2.1
 
Total revenue from contracts with customers
   
11,007
     
100.0
%
   
71.4
 
Managed services**
   
169
     
n/a
     
1.1
 
Total revenue generated from customers
   
11,176
     
n/a
     
72.5
 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**
   
38
     
n/a
     
0.2
 
Network access**
   
4,208
     
n/a
     
27.3
 
Total revenues
  $
15,422
     
 
     
100.0
%
   
Three Months Ended
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
March 31, 2019
   
% In-Scope
   
% Total
 
                         
MTM customers
  $
6,999
     
61.6
%
   
44.4
%
CLEC business customers
   
3,260
     
28.7
     
20.7
 
Network access
   
644
     
5.7
     
4.1
 
Total revenue streams
   
10,903
     
96.0
     
69.2
 
Global access*
   
463
     
4.0
     
2.9
 
Total revenue from contracts with customers
   
11,366
     
100.0
%
   
72.1
 
Managed services**
   
155
     
n/a
     
1.0
 
Total revenue generated from customers
   
11,521
     
n/a
     
73.1
 
Indefeasible rights-of-use agreements**
   
38
     
n/a
     
0.2
 
Network access**
   
4,196
     
n/a
     
26.7
 
Total revenues
  $
15,755
     
 
     
100.0
%
v3.20.1
Note 8 - Stock Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options [Member] - $ / shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Stock options outstanding (in shares) 40,000 50,000
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 16.97 $ 16.97
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares) 64,500
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 9.22
Stock options vested (in shares)
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Stock options forfeited or cancelled (in shares)
Forfeited or cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Stock options outstanding (in shares) 104,500 50,000
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 12.19 $ 16.97
v3.20.1
Note 7 - Leases - Undiscounted and Discounted Cash Flows for Leases (Details)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
2020 (remaining) $ 237
2021 249
2022 231
2023 212
2024 79
Thereafter 228
Total lease payments 1,236
Less: Interest (194)
Present value of lease liabilities $ 1,042
v3.20.1
Note 5 - Revenue Streams and Concentrations (Details Textual) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 6.8    
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized $ 1.4   $ 3.8
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member] | National Exchange Carrier Association [Member]      
Concentration Risk, Percentage 24.30% 22.60%  
Short-term Contract with Customer [Member]      
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 1.0    
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member]      
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 5.8    
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Revenue, Expected to Recognize, Term (Year) 2 years    
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Revenue, Expected to Recognize, Term (Year) 5 years    
v3.20.1
Note 8 - Stock Plans (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Tables  
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]
   
RSUs
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
   
66,312
    $
9.06
 
Granted
   
     
 
Vested
   
(34,202
)    
5.09
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
(11,817
)    
13.30
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019
   
20,293
     
13.30
 
   
RSUs
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
   
17,648
    $
13.30
 
Granted
   
14,500
     
9.22
 
Vested
   
(12,920
)    
13.30
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2020
   
19,228
     
10.22
 
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block]
   
ISOs and NQ Stock Options
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
   
50,000
    $
16.97
 
Granted
   
     
 
Vested
   
     
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019
   
50,000
     
16.97
 
   
ISOs and NQ Stock Options
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
   
40,000
    $
16.97
 
Granted
   
64,500
     
9.22
 
Vested
   
     
 
Forfeited or cancelled
   
     
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2020
   
104,500
     
12.19
 
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable - New Credit Facility (Details) (Parentheticals)
Mar. 31, 2020
New Credit Facility [Member]  
Notes payable, interest rate 5.85%
v3.20.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income $ 2,218 $ 2,281
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation 1,955 1,838
Amortization 67 79
Amortization of loan costs 128 117
Non-cash lease amortization 104 92
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable 53 43
Stock-based compensation 52 71
Changes in operating assets and liabilities    
Accounts receivable (16) (187)
Materials and supplies 129 (834)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 861 (71)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 217 380
Advance billings and payments (87) (93)
Other liabilities (112) (86)
Net cash from operating activities 5,569 3,630
Cash flows used in investing activities:    
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment (3,250) (1,533)
Proceeds from the sale of property 133
Gain on the sale of property (118)
Net cash used in investing activities (3,235) (1,533)
Cash flows used in financing activities:    
Loan origination costs (212) (10)
Principal repayment of long-term notes payable (1,087) (1,087)
Interest rate cap 4
Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units (20) (183)
Net cash used in financing activities (1,319) (1,276)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,015 821
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 3,113 4,657
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 4,128 5,478
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:    
Interest paid $ 1,054 $ 1,238
v3.20.1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,128 $ 3,113
Accounts receivable:    
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $102 and $209, respectively 3,869 3,908
Other 1,917 1,905
Materials and supplies 3,825 3,954
Prepaid expenses 1,212 1,624
Other assets 241 251
Total current assets 15,192 14,755
Property and equipment, net 58,599 57,284
Goodwill 44,976 44,976
Intangible assets, net 435 530
Operating lease right-of-use asset 1,042 1,146
Investments 1,470 1,477
Other assets 128 577
Total assets 121,842 120,745
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 1,930 1,525
Accrued expenses 4,673 4,861
Advance billings and payments 1,600 1,618
Customer deposits 40 44
Current operating lease liability 241 296
Current maturity of long-term notes payable, net of debt issuance cost 3,857 3,929
Total current liabilities 12,341 12,273
Deferred income taxes 21,521 21,521
Advance billings and payments 2,088 2,157
Other liabilities 8 12
Long-term operating lease liability 801 850
Long-term notes payable, less current maturities and debt issuance cost 64,073 65,172
Total liabilities 100,832 101,985
Stockholders' equity    
Additional paid in capital 4,307 4,275
Retained earnings 16,669 14,451
Total stockholders' equity 21,010 18,760
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 121,842 120,745
Common Class A [Member]    
Stockholders' equity    
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,421,794 and 3,412,805 shares, respectively $ 34 $ 34
v3.20.1
Note 8 - Stock Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 02, 2020
Oct. 15, 2018
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total     $ 575,000 $ 394,000    
Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage 20.00% 20.00%        
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)     14,500 0 401,111
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested or Cancelled (in shares)           334,799
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Amount Capitalized   $ 0 $ 14,500   $ 0  
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense     16,000 $ 50,000    
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total     166,000 216,000    
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)           1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)           5 years
Incentive Stock Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares) 34,500 29,460        
Non-Qualified Stock Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares) 30,000 20,540        
Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year) 5 years 5 years        
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense     $ 36,000 $ 21,000    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)     64,500    
v3.20.1
Note 5 - Revenue Streams and Concentrations - Revenue Streams (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues $ 15,422 $ 15,755
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 15,422  
Revenues, percentage 100.00%  
Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   100.00%
Month-to-Month Customers [Member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 6,951 $ 6,999
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 63.20% 61.60%
Revenues, percentage 45.10%  
Month-to-Month Customers [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   44.40%
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business Customers [Member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 3,214 $ 3,260
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 29.20% 28.70%
Revenues, percentage 20.80%  
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business Customers [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   20.70%
Network Access Customers [member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 529 $ 644
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 4.80% 5.70%
Revenues, percentage 3.40%  
Network Access Customers [member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   4.10%
Month-to-Month, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business, and Network Access Customers [Member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 10,694 $ 10,903
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 97.20% 96.00%
Revenues, percentage 69.30%  
Month-to-Month, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business, and Network Access Customers [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   69.20%
Global Access Customers [Member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 [1] $ 313 $ 463
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 [1] 2.80% 4.00%
Revenues, percentage [1] 2.10%  
Global Access Customers [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage [1]   2.90%
Month-to-Month, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business, Network Access, and Global Access Customers [Member]    
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 11,007 $ 11,366
Revenues, percentage within scope of ASU 2014-09 100.00% 100.00%
Revenues, percentage 71.40%  
Month-to-Month, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Business, Network Access, and Global Access Customers [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   72.10%
Managed Services [Member]    
Revenues [2]   $ 155
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 [2] $ 169  
Revenues, percentage [2] 1.10%  
Managed Services [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage [2]   1.00%
Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues $ 11,176 $ 11,521
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 $ 11,176  
Revenues, percentage 72.50%  
Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage   73.10%
Local services [Member]    
Revenues $ 4,649 $ 4,998
Local services [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 4,649 4,998
Network Access [Member]    
Revenues 5,050 5,303
Network Access [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 842 1,106
Internet [Member]    
Revenues 3,736 3,654
Internet [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 3,736 3,654
Transport Services [Member]    
Revenues 1,100 996
Transport Services [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 1,062 959
Video and Security [Member]    
Revenues 718 649
Video and Security [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 718 649
Management Service [Member]    
Revenues 169 155
Management Service [Member] | Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member]    
Revenues 169 155
Indefeasible Rights-Of-Use Agreements, Outside of ASU 2014-09 Scope [Member]    
Revenues [2]   $ 38
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 [2] $ 38  
Revenues, percentage [2] 0.20%  
Indefeasible Rights-Of-Use Agreements, Outside of ASU 2014-09 Scope [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage [2]   0.20%
Network Access, Outside of ASU 2014-09 Scope [Member]    
Revenues [2]   $ 4,196
Revenues, within scope of ASU 2014-09 [2] $ 4,208  
Revenues, percentage [2] 27.30%  
Network Access, Outside of ASU 2014-09 Scope [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member]    
Revenues, percentage [2]   26.70%
[1] Fixed fees charged to MTM customers and CLEC business customers.
[2] Revenue generated from sources not within the scope of ASU 2014-09.
v3.20.1
Note 7 - Leases
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]
7.
Leases
 
ASU
2016
-
02
requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. As stated above in Note
1,
Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting –
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
, the Company has elected certain practical expedients available at adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon transition
not
to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease;
not
to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and
not
to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASU
2016
-
02.
In evaluating certain equipment rental arrangements such as cable, internet and security service contracts, the Company considered the practical expedient that allows lessors to elect, by class of underlying asset, to
not
separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue recognition standard. The Company elected this practical expedient as the following
two
criteria are met; the lease component and the associated non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer; and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company elected to adopt the new standard using the transition method provided by ASU
2018
-
11;
therefore, prior periods will
not
be restated. The Company has determined that the impact of adoption is limited to real property leases and is consistent with industry practices. This ASU was effective
January 1, 2019,
the Company recognized an aggregate of
$
1,073,919
in lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets and
no
impact on the opening retained earnings balances.
 
In consideration of whether an agreement contains a lease as defined under ASU
2016
-
02,
the Company answered these
three
questions; has an asset been identified, is the asset physically distinct, and does the customer have the right to control the asset. The Company determined based on the
three
-step questions above, the arrangements pertaining to real property building and office facilities in Alabama, Maine and Massachusetts are within the scope of ASU
2016
-
02.
 
In calculating the lease liability, the Company considered the lease term in which the Company would include any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option. The Company evaluated factors that might create an economic incentive to exercise options to extend, including contract, asset, entity and market-based factors. The Company determined that there would be
no
significant relocation and interruption costs associated with moving to alternative space that would disincentivize a move at renewal; therefore, renewals to extend the lease term are
not
included in the ROU asset and lease liabilities.
 
A lessee
may
recognize the lease payments in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The accounting policy election for short-term leases shall be made by class of underlying asset to which the right of use relates. A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of
12
months or less and does
not
include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company elected to exclude short-term leases from the recognition requirements.
 
In discounting the liability, ASU
2016
-
02
indicates that the incremental rate used must be comparable to a rate attributable to a similar amount, for a similar term, and with similar collateral as the assets in the lease. The Company observed that published commercial borrowing rates were generally between
5.0%
to
7.0%
for loans collateralized by the real estate for terms ranging from
5
-
10
years.
 
Maturities of lease liabilities as of
March 31, 2020
are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Leased Real Property and
 
   
Office Facilities
 
2020 (remaining)
  $
237
 
2021
   
249
 
2022
   
231
 
2023
   
212
 
2024
   
79
 
Thereafter
   
228
 
Total lease payments
  $
1,236
 
Less: Interest
   
(194
)
Present value of lease liabilities
  $
1,042
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows (in thousands, except years and percentages):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March
3
1
, 20
20
   
March
3
1
, 2019
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
               
Operating cash outflow from operating leases
  $
(122
)
  $
(109
)
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years)
   
5.4
     
4.0
 
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases
   
6.5
%
   
6.5
%
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]
2020 (remaining)
  $
3,263
 
2021
   
4,350
 
2022
   
61,512
 
2023
   
 
2024    
 
Total
  $
69,125
 
New Credit Facility [Member]  
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March
3
1,
   
December 31,
 
   
Current
   
Long-term
   
20
20
   
201
9
 
Loan with CoBank, ACB (the “Credit Facility”); variable interest rate of 5.85% at March 31, 2020, interest is monthly, paid in arrears on the last business day of each month. The Credit Facility is secured by the total assets of the subsidiary guarantors. The unpaid balance is due November 3, 2022.
  $
4,350
    $
64,775
    $
69,125
    $
70,212
 
                                 
Debt issuance cost
   
(493
)    
(702
)    
(1,195
)    
(1,111
)
                                 
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost
  $
3,857
    $
64,073
    $
67,930
    $
69,101
 
v3.20.1
Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
1.
Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting
 
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include: Blountsville Telephone LLC; Brindlee Mountain Telephone LLC; CRC Communications LLC; Granby Telephone LLC; Hopper Telecommunications LLC; Mid-Maine Telecom LLC; Mid-Maine TelPlus LLC; Otelco Mid-Missouri LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary I-Land Internet Services LLC; Otelco Telecommunications LLC; Otelco Telephone LLC; Pine Tree Telephone LLC; Saco River Telephone LLC; Shoreham Telephone LLC; and War Telephone LLC.
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. The unaudited operating results for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
are
not
necessarily indicative of the results that
may
be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2020,
or any other period.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form
10
-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10
-K for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
The interim condensed consolidated financial information herein is unaudited, with the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2019,
being derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in this report.
 
Certain items in prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with
2020
presentation.
 
COVID-
19
 
A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-
19
) was
first
identified in
December 2019,
and subsequently declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on
March 11, 2020.
As a result of the outbreak, many companies have experienced disruptions in their operations and in markets served.  The Company has instated some and
may
take additional temporary precautionary measures intended to help ensure the well-being of its employees and minimize business disruption. The Company considered the impact of COVID-
19
on the assumptions and estimates used and determined that there were
no
material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at
March 31, 2020.
The full extent of the future impacts of COVID-
19
on the Company’s operations is uncertain. A prolonged outbreak could have a material adverse impact on financial results and business operations of the Company, including the timing and ability of Company to collect accounts receivable and procure materials and supplies.
 
CARES Act
 
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted on
March 27, 2020. 
There are several different provisions with the CARES Act that impact income taxes for corporations. While the Company continues to evaluate the tax implications, it believes these provisions will
not
have a material impact to the financial statements.
 
Additionally, the Company has applied for, and has received, funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) after the period covered in these financial statements in the amount of
$2,975,000.
The receipt of these funds, and the forgiveness of the loan attendant to these funds, is dependent on the Company having initially qualified for the loan and qualifying for the forgiveness of such loan based on its future adherence to the forgiveness criteria.
 
The PPP Loan has a
two
-year term and bears interest at a rate of
1.0%
per annum. Monthly principal and interest payments are deferred for
six
months after the date of disbursement. The PPP Loan
may
be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with
no
prepayment penalties. The promissory note contains events of default and other provisions customary for a loan of this type.
 
The PPP Loan is being used to retain Otelco’s employees and allow them to be able to continue to provide essential telecommunications and data services for its customers. The COVID-
19
pandemic has made these services critical to customers as they work and live under physical separation and quarantine. Given the direction from the FCC and state public utilities commissions, the Company made available free or discounted services to families who receive other governmental assistance and has delayed service disconnection for non-payment where families and businesses are experiencing COVID-
19
financial impacts. Consent of the agent and Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Facility) under the Credit Facility was obtained in connection with the incurrence of the PPP Loan.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
In
February 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
02,
Leases (Topic
842
)
(“ASU
2016
-
02”
)
.
This ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The provisions of this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2018,
and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. In
January 2017,
the FASB issued ASU
2017
-
03,
which requires registrants to evaluate the impact ASU
2016
-
02
will have on financial statements and adequately disclose this information to assist the reader in assessing the significance of ASU
2016
-
02
on the financial statements when adopted. In
January 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
01,
Leases (Topic
842
): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic
842
.  This ASU provides an optional transition practical expedient to
not
evaluate under ASU
2016
-
02
existing or expired land easements that were
not
previously accounted for as leases under ASC Topic
840,
Leases
.  An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under ASU
2016
-
02
beginning at the date that the entity adopts ASU
2016
-
02.
  In
July 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
10,
Codification Improvements to Topic
842,
Leases,
which provides improvements and clarifications for ASU
2016
-
02.
In
July 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
11,
Leases (Topic
842
): Targeted Improvements
(“ASU
2018
-
11”
). This ASU provides an additional transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the date of adoption with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balances of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This ASU also gives lessors the option of electing, as a practical expedient by class of underlying asset,
not
to separate the lease and non-lease components of a contract when those lease contracts meet certain criteria.  In
December 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
20,
Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.
  This ASU clarifies lessor treatment for sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees, certain lessor costs, and recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and non-lease components.  In
March 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
01,
Codification Improvements.
  This ASU clarifies determining the fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are
not
manufacturers or dealers, presentation on the statement of cash flows for sales-type and direct financing leases, and transition disclosures related to Topic
250,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. The Company has completed its evaluation of the requirements of this guidance and implemented the processes necessary to adopt ASU
2016
-
02,
as amended.  The Company has elected certain practical expedients available at adoption.  The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon transition
not
to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease;
not
to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and
not
to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASU
2016
-
02.
  In evaluating certain equipment rental arrangements such as cable, internet and security service contracts, the Company considered the practical expedient that allows lessors to elect, by class of underlying asset, to
not
separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue recognition standard.  The Company elected this practical expedient as the following
two
criteria are met; the lease component and the associated non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer; and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease.  The Company elected to adopt the new standard using the transition method provided by ASU
2018
-
11;
therefore, prior periods will
not
be restated. The Company has determined that the impact of adoption is limited to real property leases and is consistent with industry practices.  Adoption of the new standard resulted in the Company recognizing an aggregate of
$
1,073,919
in lease liabilities and corresponding right of use (“ROU”) assets and
no
impact on the opening retained earnings balances.  The adoption of ASU
2016
-
02
had an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
 
In
June 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
07,
Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic
718
)
(“ASU
2018
-
07”
)
.
This ASU expands the scope of ASU
2017
-
09,
which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018,
and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but
no
earlier than the Company’s adoption date of ASU
2014
-
09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606
)
(“ASU
2014
-
09”
). The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
August 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
13,
Fair Value Measurement (Topic
820
)
(“ASU
2018
-
13”
)
.
This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASU
2018
-
13,
based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. ASU
2018
-
13
is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019,
and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
08,
Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic
718
) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606
); Codification Improvements – Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer
(“ASU
2019
-
08”
). ASU
2019
-
08,
requires that an entity apply the guidance in ASU
2018
-
07
to measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer. The amount recorded as a reduction in the transaction price should be based on the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU
2019
-
08
are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019,
and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but
no
earlier than the Company’s adoption of the amendments in ASU
2018
-
07.
The Company does
not
have any share-based payment awards to customers. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During
2019,
the FASB issued ASUs
2019
-
01
through
2019
-
12
and, during
2020,
the FASB has issued ASUs
2020
-
01
through
2020
-
04.
Except for the ASUs discussed above and below, these ASUs provide technical corrections or simplifications to existing guidance and to specialized industries or entities and therefore have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.
 
In
November 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
19,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
(“ASU
2018
-
19”
)
.
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic
326
): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
(“ASU
2016
-
13”
) issued in
June 2016,
to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the
first
reporting period in which the amendments are effective.  The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
as amended by ASU
2018
-
19.
In
April 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
04,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic
815,
Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic
825,
Financial Instruments.
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13
issued in
June 2016,
to allow the measurement of allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable balances separately from other components of the amortized cost basis of associated financial assets. In
May 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
05,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
).
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13
issued in
June 2016,
to allow companies to irrevocably elect, upon adoption of ASU
2016
-
13,
the fair value option on financial instruments that (
1
) were previously recorded at amortized cost and (
2
) are within the scope of ASC
326
-
20
if the instruments are eligible for the fair value option under ASC
825
-
10.
  The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
as amended by ASU
2018
-
19.
  In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
10,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic
815
), and Leases (Topic
842
)
(“ASU
2019
-
10”
)
.
 This ASU defers certain major updates
not
yet effective due to the challenges that private companies, smaller public companies, and
not
-for-profit organizations are having with implementation. In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
11,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.
The amendments in this ASU clarify and address stakeholders’ specific issues about certain aspects in update
2016
-
13.
  In
February 2020,
the FASB issued ASU
2020
-
02,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
) and Leases (Topic
842
). 
The amendments in this ASU address the methodology for the allowance for credit losses.  ASU
2019
-
10
has deferred the effective date for credit losses for smaller reporting companies to fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2022,
including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is still permitted to early adopt as of the fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018,
including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company does
not
expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
December 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
12,
Income Taxes (Topic
740
)
(“ASU
2019
-
12”
). This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic
740.
The amendments in ASU
2019
-
12
are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2020.
Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have
not
yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company does
not
expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
v3.20.1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 102 $ 209
Common Class A [Member]    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares) 10,000,000 10,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares) 3,421,794 3,412,805
Common stock, outstanding (in shares) 3,421,794 3,412,805
v3.20.1
Note 8 - Stock Plans - Summary of RSU Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - $ / shares
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted stock units outstanding (in shares) 17,648 66,312 66,312  
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 13.30 $ 9.06 $ 9.06  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares) 14,500 0 401,111
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 9.22    
Restricted stock units vested (in shares) (12,920) (34,202)    
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 13.30 $ 5.09    
Restricted stock units forfeited or cancelled (in shares) (11,817)    
Forfeited or cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 13.30    
Restricted stock units outstanding (in shares) 19,228 20,293 17,648 66,312
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 10.22 $ 13.30 $ 13.30 $ 9.06
v3.20.1
Note 7 - Leases (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Jan. 01, 2019
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset $ 1,042,000 $ 1,146,000  
Operating Lease, Liability, Total $ 1,042,000    
Minimum [Member]      
Commercial Borrowing Rate 5.00%    
Loan Collateralized by Real Estate, Term (Year) 5 years    
Maximum [Member]      
Commercial Borrowing Rate 7.00%    
Loan Collateralized by Real Estate, Term (Year) 10 years    
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]      
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset     $ 1,073,919
Operating Lease, Liability, Total     $ 1,073,919
v3.20.1
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
6.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
From time to time, the Company
may
be involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings incidental to and in the ordinary course of business, including administrative hearings of the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the Vermont Public Utility Commission and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, relating primarily to rate making and customer service requirements. In addition, the Company
may
be involved in similar proceedings with interconnection carriers and the FCC. Currently,
none
of the Company’s legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
v3.20.1
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include: Blountsville Telephone LLC; Brindlee Mountain Telephone LLC; CRC Communications LLC; Granby Telephone LLC; Hopper Telecommunications LLC; Mid-Maine Telecom LLC; Mid-Maine TelPlus LLC; Otelco Mid-Missouri LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary I-Land Internet Services LLC; Otelco Telecommunications LLC; Otelco Telephone LLC; Pine Tree Telephone LLC; Saco River Telephone LLC; Shoreham Telephone LLC; and War Telephone LLC.
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. The unaudited operating results for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2020,
are
not
necessarily indicative of the results that
may
be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2020,
or any other period.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form
10
-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10
-K for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
The interim condensed consolidated financial information herein is unaudited, with the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2019,
being derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in this report.
 
Certain items in prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with
2020
presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
In
February 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
02,
Leases (Topic
842
)
(“ASU
2016
-
02”
)
.
This ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The provisions of this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2018,
and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. In
January 2017,
the FASB issued ASU
2017
-
03,
which requires registrants to evaluate the impact ASU
2016
-
02
will have on financial statements and adequately disclose this information to assist the reader in assessing the significance of ASU
2016
-
02
on the financial statements when adopted. In
January 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
01,
Leases (Topic
842
): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic
842
.  This ASU provides an optional transition practical expedient to
not
evaluate under ASU
2016
-
02
existing or expired land easements that were
not
previously accounted for as leases under ASC Topic
840,
Leases
.  An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under ASU
2016
-
02
beginning at the date that the entity adopts ASU
2016
-
02.
  In
July 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
10,
Codification Improvements to Topic
842,
Leases,
which provides improvements and clarifications for ASU
2016
-
02.
In
July 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
11,
Leases (Topic
842
): Targeted Improvements
(“ASU
2018
-
11”
). This ASU provides an additional transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the date of adoption with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balances of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This ASU also gives lessors the option of electing, as a practical expedient by class of underlying asset,
not
to separate the lease and non-lease components of a contract when those lease contracts meet certain criteria.  In
December 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
20,
Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.
  This ASU clarifies lessor treatment for sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees, certain lessor costs, and recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and non-lease components.  In
March 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
01,
Codification Improvements.
  This ASU clarifies determining the fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are
not
manufacturers or dealers, presentation on the statement of cash flows for sales-type and direct financing leases, and transition disclosures related to Topic
250,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. The Company has completed its evaluation of the requirements of this guidance and implemented the processes necessary to adopt ASU
2016
-
02,
as amended.  The Company has elected certain practical expedients available at adoption.  The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon transition
not
to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease;
not
to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and
not
to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under ASU
2016
-
02.
  In evaluating certain equipment rental arrangements such as cable, internet and security service contracts, the Company considered the practical expedient that allows lessors to elect, by class of underlying asset, to
not
separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue recognition standard.  The Company elected this practical expedient as the following
two
criteria are met; the lease component and the associated non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer; and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease.  The Company elected to adopt the new standard using the transition method provided by ASU
2018
-
11;
therefore, prior periods will
not
be restated. The Company has determined that the impact of adoption is limited to real property leases and is consistent with industry practices.  Adoption of the new standard resulted in the Company recognizing an aggregate of
$
1,073,919
in lease liabilities and corresponding right of use (“ROU”) assets and
no
impact on the opening retained earnings balances.  The adoption of ASU
2016
-
02
had an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
 
In
June 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
07,
Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic
718
)
(“ASU
2018
-
07”
)
.
This ASU expands the scope of ASU
2017
-
09,
which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018,
and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but
no
earlier than the Company’s adoption date of ASU
2014
-
09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606
)
(“ASU
2014
-
09”
). The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
August 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
13,
Fair Value Measurement (Topic
820
)
(“ASU
2018
-
13”
)
.
This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASU
2018
-
13,
based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. ASU
2018
-
13
is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019,
and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
08,
Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic
718
) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606
); Codification Improvements – Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer
(“ASU
2019
-
08”
). ASU
2019
-
08,
requires that an entity apply the guidance in ASU
2018
-
07
to measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer. The amount recorded as a reduction in the transaction price should be based on the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU
2019
-
08
are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019,
and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, but
no
earlier than the Company’s adoption of the amendments in ASU
2018
-
07.
The Company does
not
have any share-based payment awards to customers. The Company adopted this ASU and that adoption did
not
have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During
2019,
the FASB issued ASUs
2019
-
01
through
2019
-
12
and, during
2020,
the FASB has issued ASUs
2020
-
01
through
2020
-
04.
Except for the ASUs discussed above and below, these ASUs provide technical corrections or simplifications to existing guidance and to specialized industries or entities and therefore have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.
 
In
November 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
19,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
(“ASU
2018
-
19”
)
.
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic
326
): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
(“ASU
2016
-
13”
) issued in
June 2016,
to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the
first
reporting period in which the amendments are effective.  The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
as amended by ASU
2018
-
19.
In
April 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
04,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic
815,
Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic
825,
Financial Instruments.
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13
issued in
June 2016,
to allow the measurement of allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable balances separately from other components of the amortized cost basis of associated financial assets. In
May 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
05,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
).
This ASU improves the disclosure requirements in ASU
2016
-
13
issued in
June 2016,
to allow companies to irrevocably elect, upon adoption of ASU
2016
-
13,
the fair value option on financial instruments that (
1
) were previously recorded at amortized cost and (
2
) are within the scope of ASC
326
-
20
if the instruments are eligible for the fair value option under ASC
825
-
10.
  The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU
2016
-
13,
as amended by ASU
2018
-
19.
  In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
10,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic
815
), and Leases (Topic
842
)
(“ASU
2019
-
10”
)
.
 This ASU defers certain major updates
not
yet effective due to the challenges that private companies, smaller public companies, and
not
-for-profit organizations are having with implementation. In
November 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
11,
Codification Improvements to Topic
326,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.
The amendments in this ASU clarify and address stakeholders’ specific issues about certain aspects in update
2016
-
13.
  In
February 2020,
the FASB issued ASU
2020
-
02,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic
326
) and Leases (Topic
842
). 
The amendments in this ASU address the methodology for the allowance for credit losses.  ASU
2019
-
10
has deferred the effective date for credit losses for smaller reporting companies to fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2022,
including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity is still permitted to early adopt as of the fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018,
including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company does
not
expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In
December 2019,
the FASB issued ASU
2019
-
12,
Income Taxes (Topic
740
)
(“ASU
2019
-
12”
). This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic
740.
The amendments in ASU
2019
-
12
are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2020.
Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have
not
yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company does
not
expect this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
v3.20.1
Note 7 - Leases (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Tables  
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]
   
Leased Real Property and
 
   
Office Facilities
 
2020 (remaining)
  $
237
 
2021
   
249
 
2022
   
231
 
2023
   
212
 
2024
   
79
 
Thereafter
   
228
 
Total lease payments
  $
1,236
 
Less: Interest
   
(194
)
Present value of lease liabilities
  $
1,042
 
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March
3
1
, 20
20
   
March
3
1
, 2019
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
               
Operating cash outflow from operating leases
  $
(122
)
  $
(109
)
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years)
   
5.4
     
4.0
 
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases
   
6.5
%
   
6.5
%
v3.20.1
Note 2 - Notes Payable - New Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost, current $ 3,857 $ 3,929
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost, long-term 64,073 65,172
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost 69,125  
New Credit Facility [Member]    
Long term debt, current 4,350  
Long term debt, noncurrent 64,775  
Long term debt, carrying amount 69,125 70,212
Debt issuance cost, current (493)  
Debt issuance cost, long-term (702)  
Debt issuance cost (1,195) (1,111)
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost, current 3,857  
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost, long-term 64,073  
Notes payable, net of debt issuance cost $ 67,930 $ 69,101
v3.20.1
Note 4 - Net Income Per Common Share - Reconciliation of Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2019
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares) 3,421,794 3,410,936
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) 19,228 20,293
Weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares - diluted (in shares) 3,441,022 3,431,229
Net income $ 2,218 $ 2,281
Net income per common share - basic (in dollars per share) $ 0.65 $ 0.67
Net income per common share - diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.64 $ 0.66