ATN International, Inc. - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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Commission File No. 001-12593

ATN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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(978) 619-1300

(Registrant’s telephone

number, including area code)

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

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

(Title of each class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ◻ No ⌧

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ◻ No ⌧

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 ⌧ 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 ⌧ No ◻

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

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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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2022, was approximately $509 million based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

As of March 15, 2023, the registrant had 15,715,061.outstanding shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other matters, our future financial performance and results of operations; the impact of federal support program revenues; expectations regarding future revenue, operating income, EBITDA and capital expenditures; the competitive environment in our key markets, demand for our services and industry trends; our expectations regarding construction progress under our agreement as part of the FirstNet Transaction and the effect such progress will have on our financial results; expectations regarding litigation; our liquidity; and management’s plans and strategy for the future. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events or results.  Actual future events and results could differ materially from the events and results indicated in these statements as a result of many factors, including, among others, (1) the general performance of our operations, including operating margins, revenues, capital expenditures, and the retention of and future growth of our subscriber base and ARPU; (2) our ability to replace and remove all prohibited mobile telecommunications equipment in our U.S. network on the timeframe and at the cost approved by the FCC; (3) our reliance on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors for timely supply of equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure; (4) our ability to satisfy the needs and demands of our major carrier customers; (5) our ability to realize cost synergies for its newly acquired businesses and expansion plans for its fiber markets; (6) the adequacy and expansion capabilities of our network capacity and customer service system to support our customer growth; (7) our ability to efficiently and cost-effectively upgrade our networks and information technology platforms to address rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications industry; (8) continued access to capital and credit markets on terms we deem favorable; (9) government subsidy program availability and regulation of our businesses, which may impact our telecommunications licenses, revenue and operating costs; (10) our ability to successfully transition our US Telecom business away from wholesale wireless to other carrier and consumer-based services; (11) increased risk of an economic downturn, political, geopolitical and other risks and opportunities facing our operations, including those resulting from the persistence of high inflation and other macroeconomic headwinds including increased costs and supply chain disruptions; (12) the loss of, or an inability to recruit skilled personnel in our various jurisdictions, including key members of management; (13) our ability to find investment or acquisition or disposition opportunities that fit our strategic goals; (14) the occurrence of weather events and natural catastrophes and our ability to secure the appropriate level of insurance coverage for these assets; (15) increased competition; and (16) our ability to successfully secure the expected benefits of our recent acquisitions.  

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Please keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this Report or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, including those set forth in Item 1A of this Report under the caption “Risk Factors.” We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements made by us in this Report after the date of this Report, except as may be required by law.

In this Report, the words “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” and “ATN” refer to ATN International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This Report contains trademarks, service marks and trade names that are the property of, or licensed by, ATN and its subsidiaries.

References to dollars ($) refer to US dollars unless otherwise specifically indicated

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

We provide digital infrastructure and communications services in the United States and internationally, including in the Caribbean region, with a focus on smaller markets, many of which are rural or remote, with a growing demand for infrastructure investments, Through our operating subsidiaries, we primarily provide: (i) carrier and enterprise

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communications services, such as terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport, and communications tower facilities; and (ii) fixed and mobile telecommunications connectivity to residential, business and government customers, including a range of high-speed internet and data services, fixed and mobile wireless solutions, and video and voice services.

At the holding company level, we oversee the allocation of capital within and among our subsidiaries, affiliates, new investments, and stockholders. We have developed significant operational expertise and resources that we use to augment the capabilities of our individual operating subsidiaries in our local markets. We have built a platform of resources and expertise to support our operating subsidiaries and to improve their quality of service with greater economies of scale and expertise than would typically be available at the operating subsidiary level. We provide management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to our operating subsidiaries and typically receive a management fee calculated as a percentage of their revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation. We also actively evaluate potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and other strategic transactions, both domestic and international, and generally look for those that we believe fit our profile of telecommunications businesses and have the potential to complement our “glass and steel” and “first to fiber” approach in markets while generating steady excess cash flows over extended periods of time. We use the cash generated from our operations to re-invest in organic growth in our existing businesses, to make strategic investments in additional businesses, and to return cash to our investors through dividends or stock repurchases.

For further information about our financial segments and geographical information about our operating revenues and assets, see Notes 1 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

As of December 31, 2022, we offered the following types of services to our customers:

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Through December 31, 2022, we had identified two operating segments to manage and review our operations and to facilitate investor presentations of our results. These operating segments are as follows:

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The following chart summarizes the operating activities of our principal subsidiaries, the segments in which we reported our revenue and the markets we served during 2022.

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Our principal corporate offices are located at 500 Cummings Center, Suite 2450, Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915. The telephone number at our principal corporate offices is (978) 619-1300.

We file with or submit to the SEC our annual, quarterly, current reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”). We make available, free of charge, on our website our proxy statement, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports and other publicly filed information available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to the SEC. Our Internet address where these documents and other information can be found is www.atni.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Report, and you should not consider that information to be part of this Report. Our annual, quarterly, periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other public filings are also available free of charge on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet website at www.sec.gov.

Strategy

Our mission is to digitally empower people and communities so that they can connect with the world and prosper.  We believe that access to reliable, high-quality communications services is fundamental to the economic growth and well-being of every community. To that end, we seek to empower the local communities with the services they need to access healthcare, education, and economic opportunities by providing reliable, high speed broadband access through fiber or fiber-like services to business, consumer, and carrier customers. To execute on this mission, our strategy is to be a leading provider of critical network and digital infrastructure services in our current operating region, focusing in particular on historically underbuilt or poorly served areas and segments. The key elements of our strategy consist of the following:

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International Telecom Segment

Communications Services

Our International Telecom segment generates mobility services, fixed services, carrier services, and managed services revenues in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Guyana and the US Virgin Islands. Revenues from our International

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Telecom segment were approximately 49% and 57% of our consolidated revenues for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Fixed Services

High-speed data and related services. We offer high-speed broadband services to both residential and business customers in all our International Telecom markets. We provide a number of broadband internet plans with varying speeds to address different customer needs and price requirements in our various markets. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 148,300 broadband customers across our international markets and approximately 74% of those customers had access to high speed services.

Voice services. We offer fixed voice services that include local exchange, regional and long distance calling and voice messaging services in Bermuda, Guyana, and the US Virgin Islands. As of December 31, 2022, we had an aggregate of approximately 168,000 access lines in service in our markets, which serve both residential and business subscribers. With respect to our international long-distance business, we also collect payments from foreign carriers for handling international long-distance calls originating from the foreign carriers’ countries and terminating on our network. We also make payments to foreign carriers for international calls originating on one of our networks and terminating in the foreign carrier’s countries and collect from our subscribers or a local originating carrier a rate that is market-based or set by regulatory tariff.

Video services. We offer video services in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 32,000 video customers across our markets.  We have several offerings available to our video customers, including basic and tiered local and cable TV channels grouped into various content categories, such as news, sports and entertainment.

Network. We offer our fixed services over our fiber-optic, copper and coaxial cable networks in our international markets. All fixed access lines in our network are digitally switched from our switching centers in the US Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Guyana. Our switching centers provide dedicated monitoring of our network to ensure quality and reliable service to our customers.

In Bermuda and the US Virgin Islands, we deliver our services via a hybrid fiber coaxial (“HFC”) cable network and via fiber-optic network. In the Cayman Islands and Guyana, we also provide fixed services via fiber-optic network, DSL and FWA. These networks give us expanded Internet access coverage within our International Telecom segment. Following hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, service to our customers over the HFC network was impacted due to both the loss of power and damage to our network. We have completed remediation efforts to our network such as building tower structures to 160 MPH ratings and adding underground and alternate routes wherever possible.

Our international voice and data networks link with the rest of the world principally through our ownership and investments in six undersea fiber-optic cables in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions. These cables are crucial arteries that supply access to communications services for islands and remote markets like the ones in which we operate. For example, in Guyana we co-own with Telesur, the government-owned telecommunications provider in Suriname, the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System. We believe that this submarine cable system provides us with more robust redundancy, the capacity to meet growing data demands in Guyana, and the opportunity to provide new and enhanced services such as Internet service. In Bermuda, we own the Challenger Bermuda cable that provides us with capacity from Bermuda to the United States.

Sales and Marketing. We provide fixed services, fixed account management and fixed Wi-Fi connectivity devices through six main distribution channels: digital, company owned and operated retail/pop-up retail, authorized dealers and agents, direct sales, inside sales and tele sales. Business and residential customers are able to purchase any of our stand alone or bundled data, managed services, security services, and voice services, POTs, Fiber Data, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Data, or Fixed Wireless Data thorough any of the above channels. Customers post-pay for fixed services on a monthly basis. Customers are also able to purchase devices such as modems, routers, home security systems and accessories to enhance their services through these same channels. We bundle data connectivity devices and add-on

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accessories similar to what is available in most other countries. Our sales channels are strategically located throughout our service areas manned by trained, branded, and supported sales and service representatives.

Competition. We compete with a limited number of other providers, including Digicel and Liberty Latin America in select markets, with respect to various services. We believe our breadth of services and local economies of scale provide us with a strong competitive position and the ability to win and retain an economically viable share of those markets.

Mobility

We provide mobile, data, and voice services to retail and business customers in Bermuda under the “One” brand name, in Guyana under the “GTT” brand name and in the US Virgin Islands under the “Viya” brand name. We also provide roaming services for many of the largest US providers’ customers visiting these locations. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 378,000 mobile subscribers in our International Telecom segment and over 85% of those subscribers were on prepaid plans.

Products and Services. A significant majority of our customers in our International Telecom segment subscribe to one of our prepaid plans, which require customers to purchase an amount of voice minutes, text messages or data prior to use. A smaller minority of customers subscribe to our postpaid plans that allow customers to select a plan with voice minutes, text messaging, a given amount of data and other features that recur on a monthly basis, which services are billed at the end of the service period.

Network and Operations: We offer our mobility services over our 3G (WDCMA) 4G (LTE) wireless network in Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Guyana we offer our mobility services over our 2G (GSM), 3G (WCDMA) and 4G (LTE) wireless network. As of December 2022, we owned and operated a total of 1,024 base stations on 454 owned and leased sites in the international markets. All of our mobile networks have their core supporting facilities in the home network in the US Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Guyana. Our local NOCs provide dedicated monitoring of our network to ensure quality and reliable service to our customers and during off hours, weekends and holidays our NOC in the mainland USA provides extended support to ensure we have 24-hour, year-round monitoring of all our wireless and wireline markets.

The transport networks in all the markets are primarily fiber based with route diversity provided by the deployment of fiber rings where possible and supplemental microwave deployments. The vast majority of the networks are IP Based utilizing MPLS for redundancy to provide high availability networks. Standby power is provided by back up battery and generators. In the US Virgin Islands where we have experienced extreme hurricane events, network hardening has been added to the network such as building tower structures to 160 MPH ratings and adding underground and alternate routes wherever possible. All the markets connect to the world through sub-sea fiber networks described in our “International Telecom – Fixed – Network” section below.

Sales and Marketing. We provide services, mobile connectivity devices and account management through six main distribution channels: digital, Company owned retail/pop-up retail, authorized dealers/agents, direct sales, inside sales and telesales. Business and residential customers are able to purchase any of our services, Prepaid Mobile, Postpaid Mobile, and Mobile Data, through any of the above channels. Customers are also able to purchase devices, and accessories to enhance their services through these same channels. We offer a full suite of mobile devices and add on accessories similar to what is available in most other countries in the world. Our sales channels are strategically located throughout our service areas manned by trained, branded, and supported sales and service representatives.

Handsets and Accessories. We offer a diverse line of wireless devices and accessories designed to meet both the personal and professional needs of our customers. Our device assortment includes a wide range of smartphones including those featuring the Android™ and iOS™ operating systems in addition to a full line of feature phones, wireless hot spots and various wireless solutions for small businesses. To complement our phone offerings, we sell a complete range of original equipment manufacturer and after-market accessories that allow our customers to

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personalize their wireless experience, including phone protection, battery charging solutions and Bluetooth hands-free kits.

Competition. We believe we compete for wireless retail customers in our international markets based on features, price, technology deployed, network coverage (including through roaming arrangements), quality of service and customer care. We compete against Digicel and Liberty Latin America in the Caribbean region, other smaller local providers, and in some markets, against one or more US national operators.

US Telecom Segment

Communication Services

Our US Telecom segment generates fixed services, carrier services, mobility services, and managed services revenues in Alaska and parts of the western United States.

In July 2021, we completed the acquisition of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“Alaska Communications”), an Alaska based entity that provides fixed services, carrier services and managed services to primarily carrier and business customers in the State of Alaska and beyond using its statewide and interstate telecommunications network.  At the same time, we entered into an agreement with affiliates and investment funds managed by Freedom 3 Capital, LLC as well as other institutional investors (collectively the “Freedom 3 Investors”) to fund the Alaska Transaction. As a result of the Alaska Transaction, we now own approximately 52% of the common equity of Alaska Communications and control its operations and management.  Beginning on July 22, 2021, the results of the Alaska Transaction are included in our US Telecom segment.

In November 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Sacred Wind Enterprises, Inc. (“Sacred Wind”), a rural telecommunications provider in New Mexico (the “Sacred Wind Transaction”). As part of the Sacred Wind Transaction, the Company paid a combination of cash and equity for Sacred Wind, resulting in the Sacred Wind Stockholders becoming minority owners in the combined Commnet and Sacred Wind businesses. Beginning on November 7, 2022, the results of the Sacred Wind Transaction are included in our US Telecom segment.

Revenues from our US Telecom segment were approximately 51% and 43% of our consolidated revenues for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Carrier Services

Carrier Services.  In Alaska, we provide wholesale voice and internet connectivity to carrier customers.  In the western United States, we provide wholesale mobile voice and data roaming services in rural markets and wholesale transport services on a smaller scale to national, regional, local and selected international wireless carriers as part of our carrier services as well as tower rental, backhaul and maintenance services. Our largest wholesale networks are located principally in the western United States.

In Alaska, we provide connectivity to our wholesale customers, either through direct sales of wholesale transport over our terrestrial or subsea networks or by entering into transactions whereby we agree to build, host or maintain networks on behalf of another carrier over a contracted term.

We currently have roaming agreements with each of the three US national wireless network carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless) along with several other wireless service providers. Other than these agreements with the national carriers, our standard roaming agreements are usually terminable within 90 days. While we continue to provide services pursuant to these roaming agreements, due to demand from our carrier customers, we have shifted our business focus away from traditional roaming and toward a network infrastructure model of carrier services further described below. In 2022, the three national mobile service providers together accounted for 65% of our carrier services

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revenues, with AT&T and Verizon accounting for an aggregate of approximately 12% of our total consolidated Communication Services revenue for the year.

In the western United States, we are increasingly providing network infrastructure services as part of our expanded carrier services, such as tower leasing and transport facilities to our carrier partners, to supplement our historic revenue base. In July 2019, we agreed to build a portion of AT&T’s network for the First Responder Network Authority (“FirstNet”) as well as a commercial wireless network in or near its current operating area in the western United States pursuant to a Network Build and Maintenance Agreement with AT&T (the “FirstNet Transaction”). Pursuant to the FirstNet Transaction and subject to certain limitations contained therein, we expect to substantially complete the build by the end of 2023. Following the acceptance of a cell site pursuant to the FirstNet Agreement, AT&T owns the radio equipment constructed on the cell site and we assign to AT&T any third-party tower lease applicable to such cell site. If the cell site is located on a communications tower we own, AT&T pays us pursuant to a separate lease agreement for an initial term of eight years. In addition to building the network, we are providing ongoing equipment and site maintenance and high-capacity transport from these cell sites to AT&T’s core network for an initial term ending in 2029.  

Pursuant to the FirstNet Transaction, AT&T has the option to repay construction costs, with interest, over an eight year period. Accordingly, we entered into a receivables credit facility with CoBank, ACB (the “Receivables Credit Facility”) to assist with this repayment option. The Receivables Credit Facility provides for a senior secured delayed draw term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $75 million with the proceeds being used to acquire the receivables related to the construction costs.

Sales and Marketing. Our wholesale transport customers are predominately communications carriers such as local exchange carriers, wireless carriers, internet service providers and interstate integrated providers.

We believe that our ability to deliver reliable, high capacity backhaul across multiple provider footprints, both from licensed fixed wireless microwave and fiber access solutions, creates value for our customers who are typically unable to scale their rural access capacities as rapidly and successfully as they can in less remote markets. We are investing in the expansion of our regional fiber and network asset footprint, and in enhanced network reliability and route diversity, in the expectation that our carrier customers will have greater demand for higher capacity, higher reliability and lower latency backhaul to support their own investments in 5G network deployments.

Mobility Services

Mobility Services. We also offer mobile services to retail customers in certain rural markets already covered by our wholesale networks in the Southwestern United States. We do not offer mobility services in Alaska.

As of December 31, 2022, we owned and operated a total of 319 towers and 293 fiber connected towers,, a Network Operations Center (or “NOC”), and a switching center. In July 2022, we were approved to participate in the Federal Communication Commission’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (the “Replace and Remove Program”), designed to reimburse providers of communications services for reasonable costs incurred in the required removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment that have been deemed to pose a national security risk. Pursuant to the Replace and Remove Program, we have been allocated up to approximately $206 million to replace, remove and securely destroy all prohibited communications equipment in our Southwestern United States network. We have also been approved to receive approximately $1 million to replace, remove and securely destroy all prohibited communications equipment in our network in the US Virgin Islands. The Replace and Remove Program requires us to complete our first request for reimbursement for services performed under the program no later than July 14, 2023 and that we complete the project no later than one year from submitting our initial reimbursement request.  

Network and Operations. Our roaming network has historically offered mobile communications service through a digital wireless voice and data network that utilizes multiple cellular mobile technologies including UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/EvDO and LTE that often will be deployed at a single cell site location to maximize revenue opportunities. As we undertake our Replace and Remove build, we will no longer provide UMTS/HSPA or CDMA/EvDO services and

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will transition away from providing roaming services to a network infrastructure-based services framework whereby we provide tower lease space, the use of carrier equipment and backhaul in lieu of roaming to support carrier services. We provide wireless communications network products and services with owned and leased cellular, PCS, BRS, EBS, AWS, and Citizens Broadband Radio Services (“CBRS”) spectrum. Our networks comprise base stations and radio transceivers located on owned or leased towers and buildings, telecommunications switches and owned or leased transport facilities. We design and construct our network in a manner intended to provide high-quality service to substantially all types of compatible wireless devices. Network reliability is carefully considered and redundancy is employed in many aspects of our network design.

Route diversity, redundant equipment, ring topologies, battery backup and the use of emergency standby power are used to enhance network reliability and minimize service disruptions from any particular network element failure. We operate high-capacity, carrier-class digital wireless switching systems that are capable of serving multiple markets through a single mobile telephone switching office. Centralized equipment used for network and data management is located in high-availability facilities supported by multiple levels of power and network redundancy. Our systems are designed to incorporate Internet Protocol (IP) packet-based Ethernet technology, which allows for increased data capacity and a more efficient network. Interconnection between the mobile telephone switching office and the cell sites utilizes Ethernet technology over fiber or microwave links for virtually all of our sites.

Competition. With respect to our carrier services, we compete with mobile service providers that operate networks in our markets and offer wholesale roaming services. Historically, the most significant competitive challenge we face in our US wholesale wireless business is the extent to which our carrier customers choose not to roam on our networks or elect to build or acquire their own infrastructure in a market in which we operate, reducing or eliminating their need for our roaming services in those markets. We are addressing this competitive threat mainly by offering a managed carrier services solution to build and maintain base stations and provide backhaul between our sites and the carrier’s mobile telephone switching office, thereby delivering a native coverage experience to the carrier’s end-customers. While these solutions are similarly vulnerable to competitive overbuild, managed carrier services are offered under longer-term agreements providing us with a predictable source of revenue to support our operating costs.

Fixed Services

Services. In Alaska, we provide fiber broadband and managed IT services, offering technology and service enabled customer solutions to business and wholesale customers in and out of Alaska. We also provide telecommunication services to consumers in the most populated communities throughout the state. Our facilities-based communications network connects to the contiguous states via our two diverse undersea fiber optic cable systems. We provide high-capacity data networking, internet connectivity, voice communications and IT Services. Networking services include Ethernet and IP routed services as well as switched and dedicated voice services. In addition, we offer other value-added services such as network hosting, managed IT services and long-distance services. Our network is among the most expansive in Alaska and forms the foundation of service to our customers.  We operate in a largely two-player terrestrial wireline market and our customers are primarily business customers.

In the western United States, we provide fixed services to business customers such as schools, libraries, mine operators and state and local governments as well as residential customers.

As of December 31, 2022, we pass roughly 442,000 premises with broadband connectivity of some kind in our U.S. Telecom segment.

Network. In Alaska, we provide communications and IT solutions that connect Alaskans, as well as customers in the continental United States, to the world. This is based on an extensive facilities-based wireline telecommunications network in Alaska that we operate. We continuously upgrade our network to provide higher levels of performance, higher bandwidth speeds, increased levels of security and additional value-added services to our customers. We operate significant terrestrial and submarine fiber miles which serve as the backbone of our network as well as now serving over 1,000 buildings with fiber. Our networks are monitored for performance around the clock in redundant monitoring centers to provide a high level of reliability and performance. Our network is extensive within Alaska’s urban areas and connects

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our largest markets, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau with each other and the contiguous states as well as many rural areas. Residential broadband customers are served in Alaska with copper-based DSL internet access, and in 2022 we began deploying fiber-to-the-home broadband service to certain markets.  Beginning in the summer of 2022, we began offering to deliver fiber-optic network connectivity directly to select homes and businesses in Anchorage, Fairbanks and select smaller markets. As of December 31, 2022, we advanced our initial pilot program by passing over homes with this next generation broadband technology and we currently intend to continue to expand our fiber to the home build. We continue to utilize fixed wireless technology over spectrum to reach even more customers, and we expanded our Multi-Dwelling Unit (“MDU”) offering utilizing fiber or fixed wireless backhaul. 

We own and operate two undersea fiber optic cable systems that provide diverse routing from our Alaskan network to our facilities in Oregon and Washington. These facilities provide survivable service to and from Alaska, with key monitoring and disaster recovery capabilities for our customers. We also have usage rights on a third undersea fiber network connecting Alaska to the continental United States.  Our network in Oregon and Washington includes terrestrial transport components linking our landing stations to a Network Operations Control Center in Hillsboro, Oregon and collocation facilities in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. In addition, AKORN®, one of our undersea fiber optic cable systems, connects our Alaska network from Homer, Alaska to our facilities in Florence, Oregon along a diverse path within Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and undersea in the Pacific Ocean. Northstar, our other undersea fiber optic system, has cable landing facilities in Whittier, Juneau, and Valdez, Alaska, and Nedonna Beach, Oregon. In 2020, we completed major network upgrades to the Northstar fiber line, increasing capacity by more than five times. Together, our subsea fiber optic cables systems, AKORN® and Northstar, provide extensive bandwidth as well as survivability protection designed to serve our own, as well as our most demanding customers’ critical communications requirements.  Through our landing stations in Oregon, we also provide an at-the-ready landing point for other large fiber optic cables, and their operators, connecting the U.S. to networks in Asia and other parts of the world. 

Our terrestrial fiber network on the North Slope of Alaska allows us to provide broadband solutions to the oil and gas sector and to advance our sales of managed IT services. Rural healthcare, education and business customers are served by a satellite earth station network utilizing a combination of GEO and LEO satellite capacity. These satellite services are used to provide Internet and WAN backhaul connectivity to our customers.

We have deployed, and are working to deploy more, carrier-grade fiber optic networks strategically throughout the western United States to continue to serve governmental, educational, healthcare, business, consumer and tribal customers in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

Competition. In Alaska, we face strong competition in our markets from larger competitors with substantial resources. For traditional voice and broadband services, we compete with GCI and AT&T on a statewide basis, and smaller providers such as Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc., a co-op owned telephone and internet service provider operating in the Matanuska Valley region of Alaska, on a more local basis.  As the largest facilities-based operator in Alaska, GCI is the dominant statewide provider of broadband, voice, wireless and video services. We believe that AT&T’s primary focus is to be the provider of voice and broadband services to its nation-wide customers and that AT&T tends to use its existing broadband network to serve these customers or it leases capacity from GCI or Alaska Communications to augment its existing network.

In the western United States, we experience competitive pressures from ILEC providers such as AT&T, Lumen and Frontier along with their channel partners.  Similarly, national fiber providers such as Zayo also offer our customers services and employ vast wholesale channel solutions. Our ability to offer full-service solutions across multiple LEC service areas and very remote sites back to mobile telephone switching offices continues to be market differentiator and a driver for our success.

In the western United States, we are continuing to expand our capacity offerings with a focus on enhancing our owned and leased transport facilities. Expansion of our network anchored by new fiber deployments is facilitating a long-held vision for reducing reliance on limited capacity microwave backhaul and enabling new wholesale agreements with additional national and regional carriers for both lit and dark fiber services.

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ATN Ventures and Minority Investments

In addition to our core telecommunications operating companies, we have also made investments in earlier stage businesses, some of which are noncontrolling investments whose technology-forward approach we consider strategically relevant and can also provide a variety of benefits that enhance the potential to expand our more mature businesses. These benefits include providing entry points into emerging sectors of our existing businesses, enhancing our product offerings, providing visibility into newer technologies and establishing and enhancing strategic relationships.

Human Capital Resources

People and Culture

We know that our employees are one of our most valuable assets to realize our mission to digitally empower people and communities so they can connect with the world and prosper. We do this through meeting the everyday connectivity needs of rural and historically underserved communities. We developed the values listed below to reflect both our current culture and the values that we strive to embody to attract and maintain key talent. We endeavor to implement these values every day through employee engagement events, regular communication on company goals and milestones, and foster a fun and diverse workplace.

ATN Workforce Overview

As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 2,400 employees, of whom approximately 1,100 were employed in the United States (including the US Virgin Islands), and approximately 1,300 were employed by our international subsidiaries. At the holding company level, we employ our executive management team and staff. Approximately 22% of our total employee population are covered by contracts with various unions. Employees represented by unions are located in Alaska and all our international markets except for the Cayman Islands. As of the end of 2022, we believe we have a good relationship with our unions.

Commitment to Local Management, Diversity and Inclusion

We seek engaged managers who have strong values, integrity, knowledge of our market and business model, and have respect for differing viewpoints. We strive to create a diverse working environment that creates a greater understanding of our differences and makes us a stronger company.

We rely heavily on local management teams to run our subsidiary operating units. Many of the markets in which we operate are small and remote, and in some cases are subject to government restrictions on granting work visas, all of which makes it difficult to attract and retain talented and qualified managers and staff in those markets.

Employee Engagement and Development

Together with our subsidiaries, we are working hard to improve the way technology is used in the diverse communities we serve. We believe having management and staff that are as diverse as the communities in which they operate is crucial to our success and to our ability to have a positive impact on those communities. We celebrate different

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perspectives and backgrounds because we believe they help us to have a stronger, more creative, and more successful workplace.

We are proud to offer benefits to our employees that promote wellness and personal care, a safe work environment and career growth opportunities. We regularly utilize performance development tools for our employees, which are focused on driving engagement and high performance through frequent communications throughout the year.

Our annual employee engagement survey provides employees with the opportunity to share confidential feedback on what they believe has been working well and where they believe we can improve to better support our employees. Our focus areas for engagement include skills development, manager performance, and diversity. Anonymous, aggregated results are shared with employees, and the results are used to drive our long-term action plans for how we can seek to continue to improve our work culture.

Regulation

Our wireless and wireline telecommunications and video services operations are subject to extensive governmental regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. Our wireless and wireline operations and our video services operations in the United States and the US Virgin Islands are governed by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, including via the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“Communications Act”); the implementing regulations adopted thereunder by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”); judicial and regulatory decisions interpreting and implementing the Communications Act; and other federal, state, and local statutes and regulations. Our operations are also governed by certain foreign laws and regulations.

The following summary of regulatory developments and legislation does not purport to describe all present and proposed federal, state, local, and foreign regulation and legislation that may affect our businesses. Legislative or regulatory requirements currently applicable to our businesses may change in the future and legislative or regulatory requirements may be adopted by those jurisdictions that currently have none. Any such changes could impose new obligations on us that could adversely affect our operating results.

US Federal Regulation

At the federal level, we are regulated in large part by the FCC.

Wireless Services

The FCC regulates, among other things, the licensed and unlicensed use of radio spectrum; the ownership, lease, transfer of control and assignment of wireless licenses; the ongoing technical, operational, and service requirements applicable to such licenses; the timing, nature, and scope of network construction; the provision of certain services, such as enhanced 911 (“E-911”); and the interconnection of communications networks in the United States.

Spectrum Licenses. We provide our wireless services pursuant to various commercial mobile radio services (“CMRS”) licenses issued by the FCC. Some of these licenses are site-based while others cover specified geographic market areas. The specific radio frequencies, the authorized spectrum amounts, and certain of the technical and service rules vary depending on the licensed service. The FCC generally allocates CMRS licenses through periodic auctions. CMRS licenses also are available via secondary market mechanisms subject to FCC procedures and regulations. The FCC also permits licensees to lease spectrum to third parties under certain conditions, subject to prior FCC approval, or in some instances, notification to the FCC. Auctions, secondary market transactions and spectrum leasing provide additional flexibility for wireless providers to structure transactions and create additional business and investment opportunities, and, like our competitors, we will monitor and pursue opportunities to obtain additional spectrum rights.  The FCC reviews proposed license acquisitions on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the acquisition would serve the public interest and would not result in a rule violation or an undue concentration of market power. With respect to CMRS licenses, the FCC

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utilizes a spectrum aggregation “screen” to determine whether a proposed secondary market transaction requires additional scrutiny. The FCC’s additional scrutiny also would be triggered if a proposed transaction results in a material change in the post transaction market share in a particular market. With the exception of the US Virgin Islands, we are, in each of the areas in which we hold geographic area license or lease rights, well below the level of spectrum aggregation that would warrant additional FCC scrutiny, and thus we may be able to acquire additional spectrum rights either from the FCC in an auction or from third parties in private transactions.

In addition to CMRS licenses, our wireless business relies on common carrier and non-common carrier fixed point-to-point microwave licenses issued by the FCC. Microwave stations are generally used in a point-to-point configuration for cellular site backhaul connections or to connect points on the telephone network that cannot be cost effectively connected using standard wireline or fiber optic cable because of cost or terrain.

Most of our license grants are for a period of 10 years and are renewable upon application to the FCC. License renewal applications may be denied if the FCC determines, after appropriate notice and hearing, that renewal would not serve the public interest, convenience, or necessity. While our license renewal applications have been regularly granted by the FCC in the past, there can be no assurance that all of our licenses will be renewed in the future. The FCC also may deny license applications and, in extreme cases, revoke licenses if it finds that an entity lacks the requisite qualifications to be a licensee. To our knowledge, there are no circumstances that would warrant such a finding by the FCC against us.

The FCC conditions spectrum licenses on the satisfaction of certain obligations to construct networks covering a specified geographic area or population by specific dates. The obligations vary depending on the licensed service. Failure to satisfy an applicable construction requirement can result in the assessment of fines and forfeitures by the FCC, a reduced license term, or automatic license cancellation. We are substantially in compliance with the applicable construction requirements that have arisen for the licenses we currently hold and expect to meet our future construction requirements as well.

Other Requirements. The Communications Act and the FCC’s rules impose additional requirements upon wireless service providers. A failure to meet or maintain compliance with the Communications Act and/or the FCC’s rules may subject us to fines, forfeitures, penalties, or other sanctions. To our knowledge, we comply in all material respects with applicable FCC technical and reporting requirements.

The radio systems towers that we own and lease are subject to Federal Aviation Administration and FCC regulations that govern the location, marking, lighting, and construction of towers and are subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and other environmental statutes enforced by the FCC. The FCC has also adopted guidelines and methods for evaluating human exposure to radiofrequency field emissions from radio equipment. To our knowledge, all of our radio systems on towers that we own or lease comply in all material respects with these requirements, guidelines, and methods.

The FCC has adopted requirements for CMRS providers to implement basic 911 and E-911 services. These services provide state and local emergency service providers with the ability to better identify and locate 911 callers using wireless services, including callers using special devices for the hearing impaired. The FCC also has adopted rules requiring wireless carriers and certain other text messaging service providers to provide text-to-911. Because the implementation of these obligations requires that the local emergency services provider have certain facilities available, our specific obligations are set on a market-by-market basis as emergency service providers request the implementation of E-911 services within their locales. To our knowledge, we comply with all E-911 obligations currently applicable to our operations, but the extent to which we are required to deploy additional E-911 services will affect our capital spending obligations. Federal law limits our liability for uncompleted 911 calls to a degree commensurate with wireline carriers in our markets.

We are obligated to pay certain annual regulatory fees and assessments to support FCC wireless industry regulation, as well as fees supporting federal universal service programs, number portability, regional database costs, centralized telephone numbering administration, telecommunications relay service for the hearing impaired and application filing fees. These fees are subject to change periodically by the FCC and the manner in which carriers may

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recoup these fees from customers is subject to various restrictions. To our knowledge, we comply in all material respects with applicable FCC regulatory fee and assessment requirements.

Fixed Services

The FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over the interstate and international telecommunications services that we provide as a regulated common carrier in Alaska and the US Virgin Islands. The Communications Act and regulations promulgated thereunder require, among other things, that we offer regulated interstate telecommunications common carrier services at just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory rates and terms. The Communications Act also requires us to offer competing carriers interconnection and non-discriminatory access to certain facilities and services designated as essential for local competition.

We are subject to competitive market forces, as well as rate-of-return regulation for intrastate services that originate and terminate in Alaska and the US Virgin Islands and price-cap rate regulation for interstate services in Alaska and the US Virgin Islands regulated by the FCC. Because we face competition, we may not be able to charge the maximum permitted rates under price-cap regulation or realize the authorized intrastate rate of return. A broader range of data and information services are offered by our unregulated affiliates or as unregulated services by our regulated companies. 

The FCC regulates the prices that we charge for the use of our local telephone facilities in originating or terminating interstate calls. In Alaska and the US Virgin Islands, rates for interstate telecommunications services we offer are determined using price cap regulation, under which the rates vary from year to year based on mathematical formulae, and not based on changes to our costs, including both inter-carrier rates and retail end user rates. The FCC also regulates rates for “business data services,” which are those circuit-switched or packet-switched services that offer dedicated point-to-point transmission of data at certain guaranteed speeds and service levels using high-capacity connections, including special access services, but the FCC has generally forborne from regulating our rates for these services, except on certain routes that the FCC believes lack sufficient competition.

Caller ID Authentication. In March 2020, the FCC issued a Report and Order implementing the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (“TRACED”) Act by mandating that voice service providers such as our Alaska and US Virgin Islands businesses implement the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework in the Internet Protocol (“IP”) portions of their networks by June 30, 2021. The TRACED Act directs the FCC to require all voice service providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the IP portions of their networks and implement an effective caller ID authentication framework in the non-IP portions of their networks. We comply with these requirements. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In July 2020, the FCC adopted a Report and Order designating the three-digit code “988” as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and directed all service providers to enable use of that code to reach suicide prevention and crisis intervention services no later than July 16, 2022. There are 87 area codes across the country, including the “907” area code used throughout Alaska, where local calls may be dialed using seven digits, and where “988” is used as a three-digit telephone exchange prefix. To ensure that calls are not erroneously routed to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline when a user intends to dial a seven-digit call starting with “988,” the FCC required all 87 of the affected area codes to transition to ten-digit dialing for all calls during the transition period. As a result of these changes, Alaska Communications upgraded and reprogramed its switches throughout the state and is assisting with consumer education efforts with respect to these new dialing patterns.

 The Communications Act encourages competition in local telecommunications markets by removing barriers to market entry and imposing on non-rural incumbent local exchange carriers (“ILECs”) various requirements related to, among other things, interconnection, access to unbundled network elements, co-location, access to poles, ducts, conduits, and rights of way, wholesale and resale obligations, and telephone number portability. Our ILEC operations in the US Virgin Islands through Viya are exempt from most such federal requirements pursuant to a rural exemption.

While, to date, the FCC has declined to classify interconnected voice-over Internet protocol (“VoIP”) service as a telecommunications service or information service, it has imposed a number of consumer protection and public safety obligations on interconnected VoIP providers, relying in large part on its general ancillary jurisdiction powers. To the

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extent that we provide interconnected VoIP service, we are subject to a number of these obligations, and, to our knowledge, we comply in all material respects with applicable VoIP requirements.

Fixed and Wireless Services

Net Neutrality. In January 2018, the FCC released a decision rescinding various “net neutrality” requirements that had governed how broadband Internet access providers were permitted to offer broadband service. This decision largely eliminated the FCC’s regulation of our ability to block, throttle, or prioritize specific types of Internet traffic, and put a revised transparency-centered regulatory regime in place. Under the 2018 decision’s approach, broadband Internet access providers still must publicly disclose detailed information regarding their service offerings, Internet traffic management processes, and other practices affecting broadband customers. The FCC also held that states are preempted from enacting their own versions of these or similar requirements. A federal appeals court upheld most of the FCC’s 2018 decision, but it reversed the FCC’s blanket preemption of state broadband rules. The court also (1) held that state broadband laws may only be preempted on a case-by-case basis when they conflict with state or federal policy, and (2) remanded certain issues to the FCC. The court subsequently declined to rehear the case, and no party sought review by the U.S. Supreme Court. In October 2020, the FCC affirmed its 2018 decision after addressing the issues remanded by the court. That decision is subject to petitions for reconsideration before the FCC (which the agency has not acted on) and a challenge in federal court that currently is on hold. A new Chairwoman of the FCC was appointed in December 2021, and she has stated publicly that she supports the FCC once again adopting net neutrality requirements. Although she has not yet initiated any such effort, if the Chairwoman were to do so, we cannot predict how such regulation will affect our broadband businesses.

A number of states have adopted, or are considering adopting, state-level net neutrality requirements, some of which have gone into effect and some of which are stayed. These efforts include state legislation and executive orders dating back to 2018. We cannot predict with any certainty the likely timing or outcome of any legal challenges to state net neutrality requirements, how state or federal efforts to adopt net neutrality requirements will continue to evolve, or how these regulatory proceedings will impact our business.

In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”), enacted in November 2021, directed the FCC to require broadband service providers to display “nutrition labels” containing certain information regarding their broadband internet access service plans. In November 2022, the FCC adopted implementing requirements. The decision requires broadband service providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that disclose information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and latency. These rules are not yet in effect. The FCC is seeking comment on adopting additional specific requirements regarding the “nutrition label.” We cannot predict how a future FCC will address transparency requirements.

Digital Discrimination. The IIJA requires the FCC to adopt rules addressing “digital discrimination of access” by November 15, 2023. We cannot predict how the FCC will implement this direction and what impact it may have on our business.

Telecommunications Privacy Regulations. We are subject to federal regulations relating to privacy and data security that impact all parts of our business. Certain federal statutory and regulatory privacy and data security requirements apply to our telecommunications and cable services. Other parts of our business are subject to privacy and data security oversight by other federal regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission. In addition, federal and state regulators have adopted or are considering adopting new privacy laws. Such state privacy regulations could impact at least some of our operations. We believe that we comply with all currently applicable requirements, but we cannot predict the timeline for any future changes of law in this area or the impact of any such changes on our businesses.

CALEA. Under certain circumstances, federal law also requires telecommunications carriers to provide law enforcement agencies with capacity and technical capabilities to support lawful wiretaps pursuant to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”). Federal law also requires compliance with wiretap related record keeping and personnel related obligations. The FCC has adopted rules that apply CALEA obligations to high-speed Internet access and VoIP services. We believe that we comply with all such requirements currently applicable to us.

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Maintaining compliance with these law enforcement requirements may impose additional capital spending obligations on us to make necessary system upgrades.

Infrastructure Access Regulation. In recent years, the FCC has taken actions to help expedite the deployment of wireline and wireless network infrastructure. Those actions include adopting rules to facilitate the attachment of new facilities to utility poles, improving access by telecommunications companies to rights-of-way, and eliminating or reducing requirements to provide notice of service discontinuance. We expect these FCC actions will facilitate and streamline our ability to expand our wireline and wireless network coverage.

Universal Service Support and Contributions

In general, all telecommunications providers are obligated to contribute to the Universal Service Fund (“USF”), which is used to promote the availability of qualifying telecommunications and broadband service to individuals and families qualifying for federal assistance, households located in rural and high-cost areas, and to schools, libraries, and rural health care providers. We are subject to audit by the Universal Service Administration Company with respect to our federal contributions and our receipts of universal service funding. To our knowledge, we comply in all material respects with applicable federal and state USF assessment and support requirements.

USF High-Cost Support. In 2011, the FCC released a Transformation Order that established a new framework for high-cost universal service support for price capped carriers. The new framework replaced existing support mechanisms that provide support to carriers that serve high-cost areas. The new support mechanism, the Connect America Fund (“CAF”), imposes service obligations that are focused on broadband Internet access services. The Transformation Order also replaced the FCC’s previous set of explicit high-cost universal service support mechanisms for price cap carriers, like Alaska Communications, with the CAF. While the previous mechanisms were focused on supporting a portion of the cost of providing voice telephone service, the CAF shifted that focus to expanding the availability of affordable broadband services. In October 2016, the FCC released its order establishing the requirements of CAF II (“CAF II”) for price cap carriers in Alaska — specifically Alaska Communications, the only price cap carrier in Alaska. Under the CAF II order, we receive approximately $19.7 million annually in Alaska through December 31, 2025, subject to explicit broadband deployment conditions.

In August 2018, we were separately awarded $79.9 million over 10 years by the FCC as part of its CAF II USF auction for our operations in the southwestern United States. The funding requires us to provide fixed broadband and voice services to certain eligible areas in the United States within six years of the award of the funding. We are subject to operational and reporting requirements under the program. Funding began in the second quarter of 2019 and we record the amounts received as revenue in our financial statements. We are continuing to work toward meeting our CAF II obligations in a capital-efficient manner, including the delivery of broadband Internet access services meeting CAF II requirements using a fixed wireless platform and in some instances in Alaska, DSL. As of December 31, 2022, we have met 60% of the total number of locations served required by December 31, 2025 under Alaska CAF II. As of December 31, 2022, we have not yet met our requirement to reach 40% coverage in two of the states in our western US market, but we expect that we will be able to meet our goal of 60% coverage by the end of this year in all of our markets. Although we expect to comply in all material respects with our deployment and service requirements associated with our CAF II funding, if we fail to meet our obligations under the CAF II order or require substantial additional capital expenditures in order to meet the obligations under the timeline required, its revenue, results of operations and liquidity may be materially adversely impacted.

In addition, in the 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I (“RDOF”) auction, we were awarded $28.4 million and accepted $20.1 million over 10 years. We declined to accept the remaining support that we were awarded in the auction, and we will owe default penalties with respect to these winning bids. In exchange for this RDOF support, we are required to deploy voice and broadband service to areas covered by our winning bids within six years and to provide service in those areas for ten years. We expect to comply in all material respects with those obligations. 

In 2018, the FCC initiated a proceeding to reform the USF program for high-cost support in the USVI and Puerto Rico. In September 2019, the FCC adopted an order in this proceeding establishing a new competitive proposal process

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for awarding Connect USVI Fund support that would supplant the annual support that Viya received. Viya submitted a bid for Connect USVI Fund support allocated for the US Virgin Islands, but in November 2020, the FCC announced that Viya was not the recipient of the award. As a result, Viya’s USF support was reduced to 2/3 of the legacy total amount, or $10.9 million, from August 2021 through July 2022 and to 1/3 of the legacy total amount, or $5.5 million, during the subsequent 12-month period. Thereafter, pursuant to the terms of the 2018 Order, the $5.5 million in high-cost USF support received by Viya is scheduled to be eliminated entirely in July 2023. However, in October 2022, the FCC proposed to extend this support at the $5.5 million per year level to December 31, 2025, and sought comment on this proposal. The FCC has not yet taken action on its proposal, and we cannot predict whether the FCC will extend this support and, if so, what amount the FCC will provide and for how long.

Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Program. The FCC’s Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanism (“RHC program”) provides funding to help make broadband telecommunications and Internet access services provided by us and other service providers affordable for eligible rural health care providers. It is comprised of two parts. The Telecommunications Program covers the difference between the “urban rate” for telecommunications services that rural healthcare providers use to deliver healthcare at rural locations, and the “rural rate” that they would otherwise be required to pay. The Healthcare Connect Fund covers 65 percent of the cost of a wide variety of broadband telecommunications, networking, and Internet access services and certain associated equipment.

 In August 2019, the FCC adopted an order making comprehensive changes to the rules governing the competitive bidding process and the method for determining the urban and rural rates used to calculate the amount of RHC Telecommunications Program support payments for which a health care provider is eligible. The changes to the urban and rural rate rules took effect for Funding Year 2021, which began in July 2021. Among other things, the FCC’s Order directed USAC to develop and publish a database containing available rural rates and rate medians that will cap the amount of RHC support eligible healthcare providers may receive for a given service in a particular geographic zone. The FCC’s Order divided Alaska into four geographic zones, with the rural rate in each zone capped at the median of the rural rates for similar services offered in that zone, as identified by USAC. In October 2019, an appeal challenging the new method of setting rates for supported services was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, adding further uncertainty to the ultimate outcome of this proceeding. Similarly, we and several other parties filed Petitions for Reconsideration of the FCC’s August 2019 Report and Order, asking the FCC to reconsider some of its changes to the rural healthcare rate-setting process. Both the action in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Petitions for Reconsideration filed with the FCC remain pending.

We believe that USAC’s rural rate database, as currently constituted, is likely to have an adverse impact on our economic ability to continue to serve some of our rural healthcare customers in Alaska. In particular, the rates established by the database would negatively impact our ability to continue to offer our full range of telecommunications services to rural healthcare providers supported by the RHC Telecommunications Program in the more remote, higher-cost areas of the state. We filed an Application for Review requesting that the full FCC review USAC’s effort and associated guidance concerning the database, delay the effectiveness of the new rural rates, and direct USAC to implement the changes we requested in our prior Petition for Reconsideration. In January 2021, the FCC issued an order waiving the use of the database in Alaska for Funding Years 2021 and 2022. In lieu of the database, while the waiver remains in effect, the Order authorizes support based on the most recent rural rate that the FCC approved for the same service at the same healthcare facility within the past three funding years. As an alternative, RHC Telecommunications Program rural rates may be established under the previously applicable rate rules that were in effect through Funding Year 2020. As with the action in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Petitions for Reconsideration filed with the FCC, the other issues raised in our Application for Review remain pending.

We are unable to predict the outcome or eventual impact of the D.C. Circuit’s review of the FCC’s Order, or the FCC’s decision on our Petition for Reconsideration or our Application for Review, but the January 2021 waiver offers a measure of short-term stability for the Telecommunications Program while those reviews continue.

 Subsidies for Low-Income Customers. The FCC’s Lifeline support mechanism provides a subsidy to eligible low-income consumers against the cost of voice services, as well as broadband in CAF II locations. We participate in the Lifeline program on a limited basis. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 appropriated $3.2 billion to create the

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“Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund,” and directed the FCC to use that fund to establish a new “Emergency Broadband Benefit Program” (“EBBP”). The EBBP provided eligible low-income consumers and students with a monthly subsidy for the purchase of broadband Internet access service from service providers that elected to participate in the program, which we did. Starting on January 1, 2022, the FCC replaced the EBBP with the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”), which utilizes substantially the same terms and conditions as the EBB but with a reduced monthly benefit. We participate in the ACP. To our knowledge we comply with the rules of these subsidy programs. Although we cannot predict whether the FCC will further modify its approach to using USF support to subsidize voice and broadband service to low-income consumers, these subsidies do not represent a material amount of our revenue.

 E-Rate. We have provided telecommunications services, broadband Internet access services, and internal connections supported by the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism (“E-rate”) for many years. E-rate support provides an invaluable means by which elementary and secondary schools can afford those services, particularly in rural and remote, high-cost areas. Historically, E-rate has primarily supported services that connect eligible school buildings. To our knowledge, we comply with applicable E-Rate requirements.

USAC Audit of RHC Program Funding Requests. In addition to the prospective changes to the RHC program discussed above, the FCC and USAC have periodically undertaken reviews of current and past funding requests. In June 2017, we received a letter from USAC’s auditors inquiring about past funding requests in Alaska, all of which were previously approved by USAC. After clarifying the request, and correspondence with USAC we received in February 2020 a draft audit report from USAC that is described more fully in Note 13 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The draft audit report alleges violations of the FCC’s rules for establishing rural rates and urban rates, the provisioning and billing of ineligible services and products, and violations of the FCC’s competitive bidding rules. We were invited to comment on this draft audit report and have been engaged since that time in correspondence with USAC with respect to its requests. As a result of these conversations and comments being submitted by us, USAC’s auditors are expected to issue a final audit report incorporating our responses that will be sent to USAC’s Rural Health Care Division to review and determine if corrective action would be appropriate. In the event that we disagree with USAC’s final audit report, we can appeal that decision to USAC’s Rural Health Care Division and/or the FCC. At this time, we cannot predict the contents or timing of the final USAC audit report, the outcome of the audit or the impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. 

FCC Inquiry into Company’s RHC Program Participation. We also received a Letter of Inquiry in March 2018 from the FCC Enforcement Bureau requesting historical information regarding our participation in the FCC’s Rural Health Care program. On November 5, 2019 and January 22, 2021 Alaska Communications received additional letters from the FCC Enforcement Bureau requesting additional information, to which it responded. To date, Alaska Communications has been working with the FCC’s Enforcement to provide it the information it is seeking and has engaged in discussions with respect to the investigation. We continue to work constructively with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to provide it the information it is seeking. Any adverse outcome with respect to the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s inquiry may have an adverse impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

FCC Replace and Remove Program

In November 2019, the FCC adopted a rule prohibiting the use of USF support to purchase or obtain any equipment or services produced or provided by certain companies determined to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security. The rule also prohibits the use of USF funds to maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by these “covered” companies. In subsequent orders and public notices, the FCC adopted further rules that, among other things, (i) created the “Covered List” of companies whose communications equipment and services have been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons; (ii) required eligible telecommunications carriers receiving USF support to replace and remove from their network and operations environments equipment and services included on the Covered List; and (iii) established a Supply Chain Reimbursement Program to allow providers of advanced communications services with 10 million or fewer customers that obtained covered communications equipment and services on or before June 30, 2020, to apply for reimbursement of certain costs reasonably incurred to permanently remove, replace, and dispose of such equipment and services. Separately, the FCC placed Huawei Technologies Company (“Huawei”) and ZTE Corporation

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(“ZTE”), and their subsidiaries, parents, and affiliates, on the Covered List. Meanwhile, Congress appropriated $1.9 billion for the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program and enacted a series of laws setting forth further requirements for the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program.

Our Commnet and Viya operating subsidiaries have covered equipment or services in their networks and met the initial eligibility requirements for the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program. In January 2022, all our eligible subsidiaries submitted applications for funding allocations under the program. In July 2022, the FCC announced that the total amount of approved costs for which reimbursement was sought by all applicants was nearly three times in excess of the funding amounts appropriated by Congress. Because demand for program support exceeded available funding, the FCC was required by statute to implement a prioritization scheme and allocate funding on an equal but prorated basis. Accordingly, per its rules, the FCC developed a pro-rata allocation factor of approximately 40%, with the remaining 60% of approved costs for the program without a funding mechanism.

Congress is considering appropriating additional funding to meet the total demand for reimbursement, but we cannot predict whether or, if so, when or how much such additional funding will be allocated. Thus, we cannot predict whether there will be sufficient available funding to reimburse our subsidiaries for all of their replacement costs. Any shortfall in available funding could have an adverse impact on our ability to replace covered equipment in satisfaction of our regulatory obligations. In addition, despite the severe funding shortfall, the FCC has not changed the aggressive timeline by which companies that were awarded a funding must complete the removal and replacement of their networks.  Once funds are allocated, recipients can then draw down funds upon proof of actual expenses incurred by filing a request for the reimbursement of specific expenses, but must submit a request for reimbursement on each application by July 2023 and then must complete all construction for removal and replacement of the Covered Equipment and provide funding requests within a year of their initial funding request. This timeline applies to all participants, regardless of whether a single site or, in the case of our Commnet subsidiary, substantially all of its network, requires replacement. We cannot predict whether and to what extent the FCC or the administrator on which it relies to administer the reimbursement program will approve our subsidiaries’ requests for the specific reimbursement of costs, or whether we can complete our participation in the program on the aggressive timeline set by the FCC, without the need to seek extensions.

Video Services

Video services systems are regulated by the FCC under the Communications Act. We provide video services in the US Virgin Islands. The FCC regulates our programming selection through local broadcast TV station mandatory carriage obligations, constraints on our retransmission consent negotiations with local broadcast TV stations, and limited regulation of our carriage negotiations with cable programming networks. The FCC and federal laws also impose rules governing, among other things, leased cable set-top boxes, our ability to collect and disclose subscribers’ personally identifiable information, access to inside wiring in multiple dwelling units, cable pole attachments, customer service and technical standards, and disability access requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to penalties. The FCC is examining whether it should modernize its video regulations and already has updated or eliminated some requirements, but we cannot predict whether and to what extent the FCC will continue to pursue deregulation in this space. To our knowledge, we comply in all material respects with applicable FCC video services requirements.

US State and Territory Regulation

Wireless Services

Federal law generally preempts state and local regulation of the entry of, or the rates charged by, any CMRS provider. For this reason, as a practical matter, we are generally free to establish wireless rates and offer new wireless products and services, and our wireless businesses are subject to minimal state regulatory requirements. However, the states in which we operate maintain nominal oversight jurisdiction. For example, states may regulate the “terms and conditions” of a CMRS provider’s service other than rates. States and localities also assess taxes and fees on wireless carriers.

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The location and construction of our wireless transmission towers and antennas are subject to state and local environmental regulation, as well as state or local zoning, land use and other regulation. Before we can put a system into commercial operation or expand a system, we must obtain all necessary zoning and building permit approvals for the cell site and tower locations. The time needed to obtain zoning approvals and requisite permits varies from market to market and state to state. Likewise, variations exist in local zoning processes. If zoning approval or requisite state permits cannot be obtained, or if environmental rules make construction impossible or infeasible on a particular site, our network design might be adversely affected, network design costs could increase, and the service provided to our customers might be limited.

In recent years, the FCC has taken actions to help expedite the deployment of wireless network infrastructure. Those actions include limiting state and local regulations governing the construction or modification of towers and the installation of small cells and other facilities within and outside public rights-of-way when the FCC determines those regulations can be barriers to deployment. Among other things, the FCC established new shorter shot clocks for completion of local reviews of small wireless facility applications and required that fees which states and localities may charge for the location of small cells in rights-of-way must be cost-based. Several of the FCC’s most recent decisions were challenged in court by individual localities and organizations representing local governments. While some of the FCC’s actions have been upheld, others have been vacated or remanded, and others remain subject to petitions for reconsideration or appeal. We cannot predict with certainty the likely timing or outcome of these challenges or their effect on our future wireless deployments.

Alaska Regulation

Providers of intrastate wireline telecommunication services in Alaska are required to obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (the “RCA”). In addition, RCA approval is required if an entity acquires a controlling interest in any of our certificated subsidiaries, acquires a controlling interest in another intrastate utility, or discontinues intrastate service. On August 29, 2019, the Governor of Alaska signed into law new legislation that eliminated the requirement for Alaska Communications to maintain RCA-filed tariffs covering rates, terms, and conditions for legacy phone and networking services in Alaska.  However, rates, terms, and conditions for basic residential local telephone service must, under the bill, be uniform within each study area. Alaska Communications implemented changes to tariffs, terms and conditions and other service-related policies effective November 27, 2019. 

Alaska Universal Service Fund. The Alaska Universal Service Fund (“AUSF”) complements the federal Universal Service Fund but is focused on obligations to meet intrastate service obligations. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, we received approximately $2.7 million in annual AUSF support. In 2021, the RCA opened a new docket to consider reforms to AUSF support mechanisms, including whether and, if so, when to subset AUSF. The RCA has not yet acted in that docket, and we cannot predict how or whether any action taken by RCA in the proceeding will affect us.

US Virgin Islands Regulation

Virgin Islands Public Service Commission

Our wireline (i.e., voice, broadband internet, and cable video) operations in the US Virgin Islands are subject to the US Virgin Islands Public Utilities Code, pursuant to which the Virgin Islands Public Service Commission (“PSC”) regulates certain telecommunications and cable TV services that Viya provides in the US Virgin Islands. Among other things, the PSC establishes the rates and fees that we may charge local exchange residential and enterprise customers in the US Virgin Islands for certain wireline telecommunications services. The PSC is required by US Virgin Islands law to review local utility rates every five years. The PSC last adopted an order increasing the rates and fees that we may charge in June 2016, subject to certain conditions and future obligations. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a transfer of control agreement with the PSC on July 1, 2016, which imposes certain operational and reporting obligations on the Viya companies that do not, by their terms, expire. We believe that we continue to satisfy these requirements. Further, as a condition to Viya’s receipt of federal USF funds from the FCC, the PSC is required to certify on an annual basis that Viya complies with certain eligible telecommunication carrier (“ETC”) obligations. We believe that we comply with all such obligations but cannot predict the outcome of future PSC proceedings relating to Viya’s ETC status.

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In December 2022, we filed a Petition for Forbearance with the PSC requesting the PSC to largely deregulate our US Virgin Islands operations. Although we cannot predict the outcome or timing for this proceeding, if the PSC approves the Petition, we will be subject to substantially less regulation in the US Virgin Islands, which we believe will provide a material benefit to our wireline telecommunications operations and competitiveness there.

Our subsidiaries provide cable TV service in the US Virgin Islands pursuant to two franchises granted by the PSC. Each franchise was renewed in July 2015 by an order issued by the PSC, but the PSC has not yet issued new franchise agreements memorializing these renewals. Since then, the FCC has placed some limits on the powers of local cable franchising authorities such as the PSC, including limits on their ability to impose franchise fees and to regulate non-cable services. We cannot predict what requirements will be included by the PSC in any renewal franchise agreements, when such renewal franchise agreements will be executed, or how the FCC’s past or future actions concerning cable franchising will impact the PSC’s preparation of the agreements. We understand that the renewed franchise agreements will likely contain substantially similar terms and conditions as the prior franchise agreements, including a 15-year term, but that the agreements will exclude prior language permitting the PSC to regulate our cable rates.

Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park

Our video, internet, and wireless companies in the US Virgin Islands also receive tax benefits as qualifying participants in the US Virgin Islands’ Research & Technology Park (“RTPark”) program. RTPark was chartered with the goal of promoting technology-based economic development in the territory and offering attractive economic incentives to companies that contribute to the development of the US Virgin Islands through local employment and sourcing, as well as significant contributions to both the economy and the non-profit sectors of the community. As part of the program, our participating entities currently receive a 100% tax exemption applied against gross receipts, property, and excise taxes as well as a 90% exemption against income taxes and a reduction in customs duties from 6% to 1%. These benefits resulted in tax exemptions of approximately $2.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. In order to qualify, we are required to maintain certain capital investments over the first five years of the agreement, pay monthly management fees of 0.4% of tenant company revenue, make annual charitable contributions to the University of the Virgin Islands, purchase products and services locally when feasible and provide in-kind services to RTPark.

Guyana Regulation

Our subsidiary, GTT Inc. (“GTT”), in which we hold an 80% interest, is subject to regulation in Guyana under the provisions of GTT’s License from the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Public Utilities Commission Act of 2016 as amended (or “PUC Law”) and the Guyana Telecommunications Act of 2016 (or “Telecommunications Law”). The Public Utilities Commission of Guyana (or “PUC”) is an independent statutory body with the principal responsibility for regulating telecommunications rates and services in Guyana. The Ministry of Telecommunications, an agency of the Government of Guyana, has formal authority over telecommunications licensing and related issues. The Telecommunications Agency (or “TA”) advises and makes recommendations to the Minister of Telecommunications, implements policy and has principal responsibility for operating licenses and frequency authorizations.

Licenses. GTT provides domestic fixed (both wireline and wireless) and international voice and data services in Guyana pursuant to licenses from the Government of Guyana granting GTT the right to provide a variety of domestic fixed services (both wireline and wireless) and international voice and data services. These licenses were issued in October 2020. Pursuant to the licenses, GTT also provides mobile wireless telephone service in Guyana.

PUC Law and Telecommunications Law. The PUC Law and the Telecommunications Law, and related regulations adopted in October 2020, provide the general framework for the regulation of telecommunications services in Guyana. As a general matter, the PUC has authority to regulate GTT’s domestic and international telecommunications services and rates and to require GTT to supply certain technical, administrative and financial information as it may request and as stipulated by the regulations. The Telecommunications Agency has broad authority to review GTT’s programs for development and expansion of facilities or services. For a description of recent actions of the PUC, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

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Regulatory Developments. On October 5, 2020, the Prime Minister of Guyana formally implemented telecommunications legislation previously passed by the Guyana Parliament in 2016 that introduces material changes to many features of Guyana’s existing telecommunications regulatory regime with the intention of creating a more competitive market. At that time, we were issued a new license to provide domestic and international voice as well as data services and mobile services in Guyana. Two of our competitors were issued service licenses as well. While we have requested details of our competitors’ licenses, such information has not been made public by the Guyana Telecommunications Agency, and we are not yet able to ascertain whether the licenses issued to our competitors permit competitors to provide services that have been subject to GTT’s exclusive rights contained in its 1990 license.

On October 23, 2020, the Government of Guyana also brought into effect new telecommunications regulations called for by the telecommunications legislation. The regulations include new requirements for the market as a whole, which impact our operations, administrative reporting and services. There can be no assurance that these regulations will be effectively implemented, or that they will be administered in a fair and transparent manner.

The PUC has currently implemented fixed and mobile termination rates that came into effect on February 1, 2023. GTT has also advocated for changes to the Quality-of-Service standards noted in the regulations. GTT has put forward recommendations in keeping with regional best practices and benchmarks and is awaiting the final determination on that submission from the PUC.

Bermuda Regulation

The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (the “RA”) is the primary regulator of our operations in Bermuda. The relevant legislation is the Regulatory Authority Act 2011 and the Electronic Communications Act 2011. Pursuant to these statutes, the RA is responsible for regulating all electronic communications services in Bermuda, including the broadband, mobile and video services we offer. The statutory framework provides the RA powers in respect of licensing, consumer protections, ex post competition issues, and the identification and remedying of significant market power concerns.

On September 1, 2020, the RA completed its second market review and continued its determination we have significant market power in certain broadband and mobile services. As a consequence, we are subject to a series of ex-ante remedies that include wholesale obligations, price caps, accounting separation and reporting obligations in addition to the ex-post competition rules that generally apply. The ex-ante remedies are burdensome and require financial, operational, legal and regulatory resources be allocated to ensure compliance. The next market review for the electronic communications section by the RA is required to commence and conclude during 2023-2024.

Cayman Regulation

The Utility Regulation and Competition Office of the Cayman Islands (“OfReg”) is the primary regulator of our operations in the Cayman Islands. The relevant legislation is the Information & Communications Technology Act (2019 Revision). Pursuant to this statute, OfReg is responsible for the regulation and licensing of telecommunications, broadcasting and all forms of radio in the Cayman Islands, including the broadband and television services we offer. The statutory framework provides OfReg powers in respect of licensing, infrastructure sharing, advertising guidelines, competition issues, and the identification and remedying of significant market power concerns.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Report, you should carefully consider the risks described below that could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. These risks are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

Operational Risks

We are reliant on government funding to comply with the FCC’s “Replace and Remove” program.

The FCC’s governmental restrictions on the procurement of equipment from certain Chinese vendors will result in a costly network replacement build in our western United States operations that, if not offset by government support, could adversely affect our results of operations. The FCC has established a Supply Chain Reimbursement Program to provide such support, for which several of our operating subsidiaries submitted applications for funding allocations. On July 18, 2022, the FCC announced that the total amount of approved costs for which reimbursement was sought by all applicants was approximately $5.6 billion, far in excess of the $1.9 billion appropriated by Congress. Because demand for program support exceeded available funding, the FCC was required by statute to implement a prioritization scheme and allocate funding on an equal but prorated basis. Accordingly, per its rules, the FCC developed a pro-rata allocation factor of approximately 40% of the funds requested for reimbursement, including with respect to our subsidiaries.

Congress is considering appropriating additional funding to meet the total demand for reimbursement, but we cannot predict whether or when such additional funding will be allocated, or how much. Thus, we cannot predict whether there will be sufficient available funding to reimburse our subsidiaries for all of their costs in this context. Any shortfall in available funding could have an adverse impact on our ability to replace covered equipment in satisfaction of our regulatory obligations. In addition, companies that were awarded a funding allocation are not guaranteed to receive that funding. Once funds are allocated, recipients can then draw down funds upon proof of actual expenses incurred by filing a request for the reimbursement of specific expenses. We cannot predict whether and to what extent the FCC or the administrator on which it relies to administer the reimbursement program will approve our subsidiaries’ requests for the specific reimbursement of costs. If we are not successful in receiving the amount of funds that is necessary to remove equipment from restricted vendors or are unable to complete the removal and replacement in the time frame specified in any final rules, or have underestimated the cost of replacement, it could adversely impact our ability to operate, maintain or expand our domestic network infrastructure.

We rely on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors for the timely supply of handsets, accessories, equipment and services relating to our network or facility infrastructure. Changes in import tax policy or trade relations, interruptions in our supply chain or increased commodity or supply chain costs could adversely affect our results of operations.

Like other companies globally, we continued to face major supply chain disruptions across our business in 2022, which led to increased costs and delays. We depend on a limited number of suppliers for equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure, mobile handset lineup, and our back-office IT systems infrastructure. If these suppliers experience interruptions or other problems delivering equipment to us on a timely basis, our subscriber or revenue growth and operating results could suffer significantly. In addition, our retail wireless businesses depend on access to compelling handset devices at reasonable prices on the primary and secondary markets. The size of our business relative to many of our competitors puts us at a disadvantage in terms of whether we will get access to the newest technologies at the same time as our competitors, as well as a financial disadvantage in terms of the ability to achieve economies of scale and receive commensurate discounts that may be available to our competitors. Our inability to provide a competitive retail device lineup or to acquire network technology on a cost effective basis could materially impact our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers.

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A large portion of our equipment is sourced, directly or indirectly, from outside the United States, and major changes in tax policy or trade relations, such as the disallowance of tax deductions for imported products or the imposition of additional tariffs or duties on imported products, could also adversely affect our business, results of operations, effective income tax rate, liquidity and net income. The increase in geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine, only heightens the risk of supply chain shortages and delays, especially with respect to sourcing equipment from Europe.

Cyber security breaches, other outages due to failures of network or information technology systems, and outages due to human error, could have an adverse effect on our business.

We are highly dependent on our information technology (“IT”) systems for the operation of our network, our facilities, delivery of services to our customers and the compilation of our financial results. Failure of these IT systems, through cyberattacks, breaches of security, equipment failures, human error or otherwise, may cause disruptions to our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully prevent a material security breach stemming from future cyberattacks or avoid major outages caused by other factors. Our inability to operate our network, facilities and back-office systems as a result of such events, even for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses and impact the timely and accurate delivery of our services or other information. Among the other factors that may also cause interruptions in service or reduced capacity for our customers include power loss, increasing reliance on cloud-storage providers (which may themselves be subject to cyberattack or breach), capacity limitations, software defects and breaches of security by computer viruses, break-ins or otherwise. With respect to cyber security there has been an increase in ransomware attacks in recent years. Telecommunications providers, including vendors to providers, are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals. These attacks are not always seeking data about their own business, but access to the data of market participants in potentially more lucrative industries. Disruptions in our networks and the unavailability of our services or our inability to efficiently and effectively complete necessary technology or systems upgrades, or conversions could lead to a loss of customers, damage to our reputation and violation of the terms of our licenses and contracts with customers. Additionally, breaches of security may lead to unauthorized access to our customer or employee information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our IT systems. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks, including notification under data privacy laws and regulations, and we may be subject to litigation, regulatory penalties and financial losses. These failures could also lead to significant negative publicity.

Inclement weather, changes in meteorological conditions and other natural disasters may materially disrupt our operations.

Many of the areas in which we operate have experienced severe weather conditions including hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, fires, damaging storms, floods and earthquakes. Such events may materially disrupt and adversely affect our business operations, such as the impacts of the hurricanes in the US Virgin Islands in 2017, which we assessed caused damage and losses to our fixed and mobile networks of approximately $100 million in operating losses and network rebuilding costs prior to insurance and any other recovery assistance. Major hurricanes have also passed directly over Bermuda and Cayman several times in the past decade, causing damage to our network and to the island’s infrastructure. Guyana and Cayman have each suffered from severe rains and flooding in the past as well. With the addition of business operations in Alaska, our company operations now face increased earthquake, volcanic, fire and winter storm risk. These types of events can also cause major disruption and harm to the communities and markets we serve, compounded by the fact that many of our service areas have limited emergency responses assets and may be difficult to reach in an emergency situation, which can have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, the impacts of climate change may exacerbate the risk of significant damage in the areas in which we operate. if the frequency or duration of more intense weather events increase. We cannot be sure that these types of events will not have an impact in the future or that we can procure insurance coverage against these types of severe weather and geological events under reasonable business terms and conditions, or that any insurance coverage we are able to maintain will adequately compensate us for all damage and economic losses resulting from natural catastrophes. In addition, it may take significant time to return to pre-disaster levels following any such meteorological or geological event. If we are unable to restore service on a timely and cost-effective basis, it could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations through continued loss of revenue and customer attrition to our competitors.

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Our inability to recruit and retain experienced management and technical personnel could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to maintain effective internal controls.

The success of our business depends on the ability of our executive officers and the officers of our operating units to develop and execute on our business plan, and to identify and pursue new opportunities and product innovations, as well as on our ability to attract and retain these officers and other highly qualified technical and management personnel. If our executive officers and the officers of our operating units are not able to execute on our business plan, this could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, we believe that there is, and will continue to be, strong competition for qualified personnel in the communications industry and in our markets, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to attract and retain the personnel necessary for the development of our business. The shift to remote work, precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, seems to have exacerbated that competition and may continue to impact the labor pool and labor costs in many of our markets.  While our shift to remote work was successful, we have found that it creates added challenges and costs with respect to employee engagement and productivity. As labor demands in certain key markets exceed the supply of eligible workers, however, we may increasingly need to rely on remote workers to fill open positions.

We rely heavily on local management to run our operating units. Many of the markets in which we operate are small and remote, and in some cases are subject to government restrictions on granting work visas, which could make it difficult for us to attract and retain talented and qualified managers and staff in those markets. The loss of key personnel or the failure to attract or retain personnel with the sophistication to run complicated communications equipment, networks and systems could have a material adverse effect on our ability to maintain effective internal controls, and on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Given the current labor economy, it may become increasingly difficult to find the right people to fill management roles. We do not currently maintain “key person” life insurance on any of our key employees and none of the executives at our parent company have executed employment agreements requiring a specified time period of service.

We may not be able to timely and effectively meet our obligations to AT&T related to its partnership with the First Responder Network Authority.

On July 31, 2019, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Commnet Wireless, entered into a Network Build and Maintenance Agreement with AT&T Mobility LLC (“AT&T”), pursuant to which Commnet will engineer, construct, commission, and maintain a radio access network (“RAN”) for AT&T for its commercial use and also in support of AT&T’s public/private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (“FirstNet Authority”). In connection with the Network Build & Maintenance Agreement, we are required to build a network in portions of several states in accordance with AT&T’s detailed specifications by specified milestone dates and thereafter, to maintain the network in accordance with certain quality metrics. Such services are structured as a set cost agreed upon with AT&T, to be paid over the initial eight-year term of the Network Build and Maintenance Agreement. AT&T has the right to terminate this agreement, including its obligation to pay for ongoing maintenance of the sites, in the event that Commnet fails to meet certain milestones or completion dates with respect to the construction of the sites, or fails to meet certain quality metrics and service level agreements (“SLAs”) with respect to maintenance services for the built sites.

Our ability to meet required milestones and completion dates and perform the SLAs is dependent on a variety of factors, including:

In addition, construction of the cell sites may be also adversely affected by circumstances outside of our control, including inclement weather, adverse geological and environmental conditions, a failure to receive regulatory approvals or necessary permits on schedule or third-party delays in providing supplies and other materials. The processing of

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necessary regulatory approvals and permits has been particularly disrupted by delays in government offices, attributable to COVID-19 shutdowns which created a backlog of applications. While government employees are returning to work in government offices, they are still working to catch up on the backlog of applications that have been submitted for approval since 2020. Any construction setbacks or delays could be costly and have a material adverse effect on our ability to perform under the time conditions and strict budget required under the Network Build and Maintenance Agreement. To date, while we’ve worked collaboratively with AT&T to extend our obligations due to these and other circumstances outside our control, we may not be able to negotiate further extensions, and even if we do, we may continue to face the problems above (or others) that could delay or performance.  

If AT&T were to terminate the Network Build & Maintenance Agreement, this could have a material adverse impact on our prospects and results of operations in our US Telecom segment as we would have incurred costs to construct the sites, but might not be fully compensated for the construction of the sites through the initial term of the Agreement. As we successfully complete construction of individual sites in addition to the 265 sites built as of December 31, 2022, the likelihood and impact of this risk decreases.

Outages due to aging or faulty equipment could have an adverse effect on our business.

Much of our underlying physical infrastructure (particularly in Guyana and Alaska), including buildings, fleet vehicles and related systems and equipment, has been in service for an extended period of time. We may not be able to adequately fund the maintenance and replacement of this infrastructure on a basis timely enough to avoid material outages, or be able to locate replacement parts or spares to repair existing equipment due to its age. Any outage caused by faults in our aging equipment or unaddressed maintenance costs could negatively impact our operations, including the provision of service to its customers and could result in adverse effects to our financial condition.

We may have difficulty securing video services content from third parties desirable to our customers on terms and conditions favorable to us.

We have secured licensing agreements with numerous content providers, but the success of our video services operations depends on our ability to access an attractive selection of video programming from content providers on terms and pricing favorable to us. Our inability to provide the content desired by our subscribers on satisfactory terms or at all could result in reduced demand for, and lower revenue from, our cable operations that may not offset the typically large subscription fees that we pay for these services. In certain cases, we may not have satisfactory contracts in place with the owners of our distributed content, leading to such parties’ desire for increased renewed contractual pricing or leading to disputes with such parties including claims for copyright or other intellectual property infringement.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may in the future have, an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in and will likely continue to result to varying degrees in disruptions to the global economy, as well as businesses, supply chains and capital markets around the world. We are continuing to monitor and assess the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations in 2023.

Impacts to our business have included restrictions placed on travel and movement which have resulted in business interruptions to our business, delays in receipt of governmental approvals and permits, and supply chain delays in the procurement process causing delays in our scheduled build plans, including with respect to planned fiber optic installations and maintenance in our Caribbean markets and our ongoing construction pursuant to the FirstNet Transaction. Any prolonged interruption in the future could negatively impact our ability to complete planned construction projects on our telecommunications network. For more information about the risks to our business with respect to failure to perform under the FirstNet Transaction, see “Operational Risks -- We may not be able to timely and effectively meet our obligations to AT&T related to its partnership with the First Responder Network Authority.”

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Strategic Risks

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We may not be able to effectively transform the business model of our legacy US Telecom business.

Historically, a large portion of our revenue has been derived from carrier services in our US Telecom segment. A substantial portion of this revenue was generated from three national wireless service providers in 2022, however, during this time period, revenues from carrier services have declined due to our mutual agreement with our carrier customers to lower rates in exchange for pricing certainty in longer term contracts, our customers’ decisions to overbuild our network, and the consolidation of national wireless service providers (thereby eliminating one or more former carrier customers).

As wholesale roaming on the majority of our US network continues to decline, we will offset that revenue by providing maintenance and expanded carrier services (including more leasing and transport services) to other carriers to offset lost revenue, albeit at lower operating income margins due to the increased operating expenses associated with leasing and transport services, as compared to our wholesale mobile roaming services. In addition, we are increasingly focused on winning or obtaining government awards and funding (including the Remove and Replace program) to both enable our expanded carrier service initiative and grow the footprint of our network.

There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to successfully transform our legacy US Telecom business to support additional carrier services product offerings or expand our retail and commercial subscriber base in our US Telecom segment. If we are unable to offset the continued decline in our carrier services revenue by expanding and diversifying our sources of revenue it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Increased competition may adversely affect growth, require increased capital expenditures, result in the loss of existing customers and decrease our revenues.

Over the last decade, an increase in competition in many areas of the telecommunications industry has contributed to a decline in prices for communication services, including mobile wireless services, local and long-distance telephone service and data services.

Competition in the markets in which we operate has increased in recent years due to a number of governmental and economic factors. For example:

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We may have difficulty funding multiple opportunities across our businesses.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures and transactional matters from a combination of cash on hand, cash from operations, and limited incurrence of debt. As discussed above, our US Telecom segment is in the midst of a business transformation and may need significant funding as we seek to grow our fiber network and capacity. With acquisitions made in the last two years, we have substantially decreased our cash reserves and increased our leverage on a consolidated basis.  We may have other opportunities to inorganically grow our businesses and our team actively evaluates potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and other strategic transactions, both domestic and international, that have the potential for generating steady excess cash flows over extended periods of time. Any such transactions may be accomplished through the payment of cash, issuance of shares of our capital stock or incurrence of additional debt, or a combination thereof. How and when we deploy our balance sheet capacity will figure prominently in our longer-term growth prospects and stockholder returns. To support multiple simultaneous growth opportunities, we may need to raise additional capital or incur additional debt to fund our future operations or investment opportunities. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to secure additional funding from public or private offerings on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain the requisite amount of financing, we may have to forgo opportunities to strategically grow our business.

Rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications industry may adversely affect us.

Our industry faces rapid and significant changes in technology that directly impact our business, including the following:

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For us to keep pace with these technological changes and remain competitive, at a minimum we must continue to make significant capital expenditures to add to our networks’ capacity, coverage and technical capability. We cannot predict the effect of technological changes on our business. Alternative or new technologies may be developed that provide communications services superior to those available from us, which may adversely affect our business. Failure to provide these services or to upgrade to new technologies on a timely basis and at an acceptable cost, or to secure any necessary regulatory approvals to roll out such new technologies on a timely basis all could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete with carriers in our markets.

We may not be able to timely and effectively execute on several key initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.

Major business initiatives are underway with respect to improvement in mobile and other retail sales in all markets, digitization of internal processes to allow for quicker response time to customer requirements, modernization of existing internal processes in select markets and revising the strategy of some of our US Telecom businesses to develop additional revenue streams, including the substantial construction and support undertakings of the FirstNet project and Replace and Remove program. Each of these requires significant oversight from senior management to aid in-market teams, and many of these projects are underway simultaneously in different locations. Execution on multiple simultaneous and transformational initiatives will require in depth management attention in multiple jurisdictions to capitalize on growth in the US Virgin Islands, economic growth in Guyana, the ongoing shift in business focus in US Telecom and the integration of both Alaska Communications and our newly acquired New Mexico-based subsidiary, Sacred Wind.

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Regulatory Risks

The Rural Health Care program in Alaska is being audited by USAC, and we may be subject to forfeiture or fine.

Alaska Communications participates in the Universal Service Administration Company’s (“USAC”) Rural Health Care universal service fund (“USF”) program and received inquiries and requests for information from USAC, which administers the program, in connection with both current funding requests and, beginning with a letter dated June 2, 2017 from USAC’s auditors, prior period support payments. After Alaska Communications responded to the initial request for information about support payments prior to 2017, USAC’s auditors asked Alaska Communications to comment on some preliminary audit findings, and it responded with a letter dated December 21, 2018. On February 24, 2020, Alaska Communications received a draft audit report from USAC that alleges violations of the FCC’s rules for establishing rural rates and urban rates, the provisioning and billing of ineligible services and products, and violations of the FCC’s competitive bidding rules.

Alaska Communications also received a Letter of Inquiry on March 18, 2018, from the FCC Enforcement Bureau requesting historical information regarding its participation in the FCC’s Rural Health Care program. In response, Alaska Communications produced voluminous records throughout 2018 and into the first quarter of 2019. On November 5, 2019 and January 22, 2021 Alaska Communications received additional letters from the FCC Enforcement Bureau requesting additional information, to which it responded. To date, Alaska Communications has been working with the FCC’s Enforcement to provide it the information it is seeking and has engaged in discussions with respect to the investigation.

Similar audits and investigations of other companies have resulted in the FCC recouping certain previously awarded support funds, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Any adverse outcome with respect to the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s inquiry may have an adverse impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Any change in federal or state funding could materially and adversely impact Alaska Communications’ financial position and results of operations.

Alaska Communications historically received federal high-cost universal service payment revenues to support its wireline operations in high-cost areas. In 2011, the FCC released a Transformation Order that established a new framework for high-cost universal service support for price capped carriers. The new framework replaced existing support mechanisms that provide support to carriers that serve high-cost areas. The new support mechanism, the Connect America Fund (“CAF”), imposes service obligations that are focused on broadband Internet access services.

In October 2016, the FCC released its order establishing the requirements of CAF II (“CAF II”) for price cap carriers in Alaska — specifically Alaska Communications, the only price cap carrier in Alaska. Under the CAF II order, we receive approximately $19.7 million annually in Alaska through December 31, 2025, subject to explicit broadband deployment conditions. Funding under the new program generally requires Alaska Communications to provide broadband service to unserved locations throughout the designated coverage area by the end of a specified build-out period and meet interim milestone build-out obligations. As a result, while Alaska Communications currently expects its high-cost USF support revenue to be relatively unchanged for the next three years, it also expects the FCC to enact substantial changes regarding our high-cost support after 2025.

There can be no assurance that Alaska Communications will meet its CAF II obligations utilizing the delivery of broadband Internet access using a fixed wireless platform in a capital-efficient manner, and there is uncertainty regarding the future level of revenue as well as the future obligations tied to this funding. If Alaska Communications fails to meet its obligations under the CAF II order, or requires substantial additional capital expenditures in order to meet the obligations under the timeline required, its revenue, results of operations and liquidity may be materially adversely impacted.

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Changes in USF funding could have an adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations in the US Virgin Islands.

Viya, our subsidiary operating video, internet, wireless and landline services in the US Virgin Islands, has historically received, through December 31, 2020, high-cost USF support in the US Virgin Islands of approximately $16.4 million per year. In addition, after the devastation caused by the Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, the FCC provided approximately $15.4 million in accelerated USF support and in fixed and mobile recovery support through August 2018. The FCC, in response to the damage caused by the hurricanes and as part of its general USF reform, established a Connect USVI Fund that replaced the legacy high-cost USF support for the US Virgin Islands that Viya historically has been awarded. In November 2020, the FCC announced the award of the Connect USVI Fund for all of the US Virgin Islands to Viya’s competitor in the amount of approximately $8.6 million per year for a term of 10 years. Pursuant to the terms of the program, Viya’s USF spending was reduced in July 2021 to approximately two-thirds of the legacy total amount, or $10.9 million, and will be reduced again in July 2022 to approximately one-third of the legacy total amount, or $5.5 million, through July 2023. Thereafter, Viya will not be eligible for high-cost USF support. However, in October 2022, the FCC proposed to extend this support at the $5.5 million per year level to December 31, 2025, and sought comment on this proposal. The FCC has not yet taken action on its proposal, and we cannot predict whether the FCC will extend this support and, if so, what amount the FCC will provide and for how long.

This reduction in the overall amount of USF support we receive as a result of the Connect USVI Fund proceeding relative to historical levels of high-cost USF support we have received negatively affects our efforts to build, maintain and operate networks in the US Virgin Islands and our ability to provide services previously supported by USF funds. Although Viya is currently undertaking a review and reassessment of its business plan to consider the extent to which we will provide further investment or operational resources to Viya or the territory,  this could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations in our International Telecom segment. In addition, in December 2022 we filed a Petition for Forbearance with the US Virgin Island Public Services Commission (“PSC”) requesting the PSC to largely deregulate Viya’s operations. The PSC initiated a proceeding to consider the Petition and held initial hearings in January and February of 2023. Although we cannot predict the outcome or timing for this proceeding, if the PSC approves the Petition, we will be subject to substantially less regulation in the US Virgin Islands, which we believe will provide a material benefit to our wireline telecommunications operations and competitiveness there, but, absent such deregulation, there can be no assurance that any revised business plan will offset or reduce the loss of revenue, customer attrition and increased competition as a result of the cessation of high-cost USF funding.

The FCC and other agencies continue to revisit and revise rules related to U.S. national security.

The regulatory landscape with respect to U.S. national security in the telecommunications space is fluid and unpredictable. We cannot predict how this regulatory environment may change and how any such changes may impact our business. For example, the FCC continues to update the Covered List of foreign companies whose telecommunications equipment are subject to usage restrictions based on national security determinations made by Congress and enumerated federal sources. If the FCC were to add a new company to that list that has provided a significant amount of equipment to our subsidiaries, we cannot predict how our business will be impacted or what sort of adverse consequences may result. Similarly, we cannot predict whether the FCC, another agency, or Congress will adopt further regulatory requirements related to national security, such as additional restrictions on the type of equipment we may use, and whether or how any such requirements may adversely impact our business.

Regulatory changes may impose restrictions that adversely affect us or cause us to incur significant unplanned costs in modifying our business plans or operations.

We are subject to US federal, state, and local regulations and foreign government regulations, all of which are subject to change. As new laws and regulations are issued or discontinued, we may be required to materially modify our business plans or operations. We cannot be certain that we can do so in a cost-effective or timely manner. Our operations in the United States are subject to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, including via the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“Communications Act”) and the FCC’s implementing regulations, as well as regulation by public utility commissions in certain U.S. states and territories in which we operate. The interpretation and implementation of the various

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provisions of the Communications Act and the FCC rules implementing the Communications Act continue to be heavily debated and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, the leadership of the FCC changed in January 2021, and the FCC may pursue new and different regulatory priorities under the current leadership.

Our international operations are subject to similar regulations, the interpretation and implementation of which are also often debated, and which may have a material adverse effect on our business. For instance, in 2020, the Government  of Guyana formally implemented telecommunications legislation that introduces material changes to many features of Guyana’s existing telecommunications regulatory regime that impact our operations, administrative reporting and services. There can be no assurance that these regulations will be effectively implemented, or that they will be administered in a fair and transparent manner and Guyana remains a high-risk environment due to economic, political and judicial uncertainty.

Our interpretations of our obligations in the United States and our international jurisdictions may differ from those of regulatory authorities. Both federal and state regulators, as well as international regulators, require us to pay various fees and assessments, file periodic reports and comply with various rules regarding our consumer marketing practices and the contents of our bills, on an on-going basis. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we may be subject to fines or potentially be asked to show cause as to why our licenses to provide service should not be revoked.

The loss of certain licenses could adversely affect our ability to provide wireless and broadband services.

In the United States, wireless licenses generally are valid for 10 years from the effective date of the license, and generally may be renewed for additional 10-year periods by filing renewal applications with the FCC. While to date we have successfully renewed our licenses in the ordinary course of operations, failure to file for renewal of these licenses or failure to meet any licensing requirements could lead to a denial of the renewal application and thus adversely affect our ability to continue to provide service in that license area.

In our international markets, telecommunications licenses are typically issued and regulated by the applicable telecommunications ministry. The application and renewal process for these licenses may be lengthy, require us to expend substantial renewal fees, and/or be subject to regulatory or legislative uncertainty, such as we are experiencing in Guyana, as described above. Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements may have an adverse effect on our licenses or operations and could result in sanctions, fines or other penalties.

Economic Risks

General economic factors, such as inflation and a potential economic downturn, domestically and internationally, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations and performance depend on worldwide economic conditions. These conditions have been adversely impacted by continued global economic concerns over rising inflation rates, supply chain disruptions, a potential recession, outbreak of war in Ukraine and other monetary and financial uncertainties. Rising inflation may adversely affect our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our overall cost structure. The existence of inflation in the economy has resulted in, and may continue to result in, higher interest rates and capital costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor, components, manufacturing and shipping, as well as weakening exchange rates and other similar effects. In response to recent inflationary pressure, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other global central banks have raised interest rates in 2022, and further interest rate increases are anticipated. These increases have led to concerns of a potential global recession. Any such events are likely to result in significant disruption of global financial markets, which may reduce our ability to access capital on favorable terms or at all. In addition, a recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event could materially and adversely affect our business and the value of our Common Stock. Although we may take measures to mitigate these events, if these measures are not effective, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the costs are incurred.

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In addition, an economic downturn in the markets in which we currently operate or in the global market generally may lead to slower economic activity, increased unemployment, concerns about inflation, decreased consumer confidence and other adverse business conditions that could have an impact on our businesses. For example, among other things:

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In 2022, we saw a return to tourism in some of our tourism-dependent markets over 2021, but on an aggregate basis tourist activity in the markets we operate remains below pre-pandemic levels. The continuation travel restrictions limited the numbers of customers roaming onto our network, in addition to depressing demand for our services generally in the hospitality industry (e.g. hotels, bars, and restaurants) that is traditionally supported by the tourism industry. Further, we also continued to see the effects of population flight from some of our island markets for a variety of reasons including continued lockdowns and travel restrictions and also general economic downturns. It is unknown what the long-term economic effects of these negative impacts on the tourism industry will be, but our business operations and revenue may certainly be adversely impacted as a result.

The long-term impact, if any, that these events might have on us and our business, is uncertain.

The successful operation and growth of our business in two of our major markets (Guyana and Alaska) is highly dependent on economic conditions which may deteriorate due to reductions in crude oil prices or demand.

Successful operation and growth in Guyana and Alaska largely depend on local economic conditions due to their remote geographies. The Alaska and Guyanese economies, in turn, depend heavily on the strength of the natural resource industries, particularly oil production and prices of crude oil. The supply and price of crude oil can be volatile and influenced by a myriad of factors beyond our control, including foreign actors (like OPEC), worldwide supply and demand, war, economic sanctions, natural disasters and other events, the move by many governments, businesses, and institutions towards “de-carbonization” and political conditions.

Alaska’s economy is dependent on investment by oil companies, and state tax revenues correlate with the price of oil as the State assesses a tax based on the value of the oil that transits the pipeline from the North Slope. Guyana is projected to have tremendous economic growth in upcoming years that is largely dependent on the continued supply of crude oils and the government’s efficient use of its portion of the revenues from crude oil sales. The impact of this change on the State’s economy is uncertain.

Overall economic impacts from a sustained lower price of crude oil, on Alaska on the one hand, and from projected revenue from sales of oil, for Guyana on the other hand, if maintained over time, will impact our growth in the future.

Our debt instruments include restrictive and financial covenants that limit our operating flexibility.

The credit facilities that we and our subsidiaries maintain include certain financial and other covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to take specific actions, even if we believe such actions are in our best interest. These include restrictions on our ability to do the following:

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Any failure to comply with the restrictions of the credit facilities or any subsequent financing agreements may result in an event of default. Such default may allow our creditors to accelerate the repayment of the related debt and may result in the acceleration of the repayment of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, these creditors may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to provide us with further funds.

Labor costs and the terms of collective bargaining agreements can negatively impact our ability to remain competitive, which could cause our financial performance to suffer.

Our four largest markets all have some unionized labor pools, and the addition of Alaska Communications brings even more of an operating challenge than we have in other markets given the remote location of operations and the extent of the unionized workforce. Labor costs are a significant component of Alaska Communications’ expenses and, as of December 31, 2022, approximately 54% of its workforce is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”). The collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) between Alaska Communications and the IBEW, which is effective through December 31, 2023, governs the terms and conditions of employment for all IBEW represented employees working for Alaska Communications and has significant economic impacts on it as the CBA relates to wage and benefit costs and work rules. We believe Alaska Communications’ labor costs are higher than our competitors who employ a non-unionized workforce because Alaska Communications is required by the CBA to contribute to the IBEW Health and Welfare Trust and the Alaska Electrical Pension Fund (“AEPF”) for benefit programs, including defined benefit pension plans and health benefit plans, that are not reflective of the competitive marketplace. Furthermore, work rules under the existing agreement limit Alaska Communications’ ability to efficiently manage its workforce and make the incremental cost of work performed outside normal work hours high. In addition, Alaska Communications may make strategic and operational decisions that require the consent of the IBEW. In all of our markets, the local union may not provide consent when needed to execute upon strategic new initiatives or cost saving measures, it may require additional wages, benefits or other consideration be paid in return for its consent, or it may call for a work stoppage against our operating companies. Any deterioration in the relationship with our local unions could have a negative impact on our operations and on our ability to achieve our plans for growth.

Alaska Communications may incur substantial and unexpected liabilities arising out of its pension plans.

Alaska Communications is required by the CBA to contribute to the AEPF for benefit programs, including defined benefit pension plans and health benefit plans. Alaska Communications also maintains pension benefits for substantially all of its Alaska-based employees. The AEPF is a multi-employer pension plan to which Alaska Communications makes fixed, per employee, contributions through the CBA, which covers the IBEW represented workforce, and a special agreement, which covers most of its non-represented workforce. Because contribution requirements are fixed, Alaska Communications cannot easily adjust annual plan contributions to address its own financial circumstances. Currently, this plan is not fully funded, which means Alaska Communications may be subject to increased contribution obligations, penalties, and ultimately, it could incur a contingent withdrawal liability should it choose to withdraw from the AEPF for economic reasons.  Alaska Communications’ contingent withdrawal liability is an amount based on its pro-rata share among AEPF participants of the value of the funding shortfall. This contingent liability becomes due and payable if Alaska Communications terminates its participation in the AEPF. Moreover, if another participant in the AEPF goes bankrupt, Alaska Communications would become liable for a pro-rata share of the bankrupt participant’s vested, but unpaid, liability for accrued benefits for that participant’s employees. This could result in a substantial unexpected contribution requirement

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and making such a contribution could have a material adverse effect on Alaska Communications’ cash position and other financial results. These sources of potential liability are difficult to predict.

These plans and activities have generated and will likely continue to generate substantial cash requirements for Alaska Communications, and these requirements may increase beyond our expectations in future years based on changing market conditions, which could result in substantial liabilities on our balance sheet. The difference between projected plan obligations and assets, or the funded status of the plans, is a significant factor in determining the net periodic benefit costs of these pension plans and the ongoing funding requirements of those plans. Changes in interest rates, mortality rates, health care costs, early retirement rates, returns on investment and the market value of plan assets can affect the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans and cause volatility in the net periodic benefit cost and future funding requirements of the plans. In the future, we may be required to make additional contributions to our defined benefit plans. Plan liabilities may impair our liquidity, have an unfavorable impact on our ability to obtain financing and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors who do not have such liabilities and cash requirements.

Given the complexity of pension-related matters we may not, in every instance, be in full compliance with applicable requirements.

Other Risks

Our founder is our largest stockholder and could exert significant influence over us.

Cornelius B. Prior, Jr., our founder and the father of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, together with related entities, affiliates and family members (including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), beneficially owns approximately 27% of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, he has the ability to exert significant influence over all matters presented to our stockholders for approval, including election and removal of our directors and change of control transactions. His interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our Common Stock.

Low trading volume of our stock may limit our stockholders’ ability to sell shares and/or result in lower sale prices.

For the three months prior to March 15, 2023, the average daily trading volume of our Common Stock was approximately 44,000 shares. As a result, our stockholders may have difficulty selling a large number of shares of our Common Stock in the manner or at a price that might be attainable if our Common Stock were more actively traded. In addition, the market price of our Common Stock may not be reflective of its underlying value.

We may not pay dividends in the future.

Our stockholders may receive dividends out of legally available funds if, and when, they are declared by our Board of Directors. We have consistently paid quarterly dividends in the past, but may cease to do so or decrease the dividend amount at any time. Our credit facility sets certain limitations on our ability to pay dividends on, or repurchase, our capital stock. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future that may further restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends. We may also be restricted from paying dividends in the future due to restrictions imposed by applicable state laws, our financial condition and results of operations, capital requirements, management’s assessment of future capital needs and other factors considered by our Board of Directors.

The lack of liquidity of our privately held investments may adversely affect our business.

Our subsidiaries and affiliates are typically private companies whose securities are not traded in any public market. In the past, we have partnered with other equity investors as well, and may have majority or minority holdings in certain investments. Investment agreements for both our majority and minority held subsidiaries often contain investor rights and obligations, such as rights of first refusal, co-sale, and "drag along" provisions related to liquidity events and transfers that may force us to sell or exit our holdings at times or on terms that are not optimal or limit our ability to sell or exit our holdings when we would like to. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to quickly

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obtain cash equal to the value at which we record our investments if the need arises to satisfy the repurchase of such investments from our other equity investors in the event such company desires, or in the case of our Alaska Transaction and Sacred Wind Transaction, may be required to repurchase such securities pursuant to contractual arrangements. Such illiquidity could also cause us to miss other investment opportunities. There can also be no assurance that our investments will appreciate in value or that it will have the opportunity to divest such investments at acceptable prices or within the timeline envisaged. If any of the above circumstances arise, it could result in impairments to such investments, and could have a material adverse impact on our earnings, cash flow and financial condition.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 21,000 square feet of office space at 500 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915 for our corporate headquarters. Worldwide, we utilize the following approximate square footage of space for our operations:

All of the above locations are leased except for the office and technical space within our International Telecom segment, which we own. As of December 31, 2022, we operated six retail stores in our US Telecom segment and twenty one retail stores in our International Telecom segment.

Our offices and technical operations are in the following locations:

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Within our communications operations, we globally own approximately 350 towers, lease an additional approximate 370 towers and have 6 switch locations within rented locations. We consider our owned and leased properties to be suitable and adequate for our business operations.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We and our subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory and legal proceedings and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve claims for damages and taxes that are substantial in amount. Historically, our subsidiary, GTT, has been subject to other long-standing litigation proceedings and disputes in Guyana that have not yet been resolved. We believe that, except for the items discussed below, for which we are currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of matters currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

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Beginning in 2006, the National Frequency Management Unit (now the Telecommunications Agency, or the “NFMU/TA”) and GTT have been engaged in discussions regarding the amount of and methodology for calculation of spectrum fees payable by GTT in Guyana. Since that time, GTT has made payments of undisputed spectrum fees as amounts invoiced by the NFMU/TA. There have been limited further discussions on the subject of a revised spectrum fee methodology with the Telecommunications Agency and GTT awaits the determination of such fees.

On May 8, 2009, a GTT competitor, Digicel, filed a lawsuit in Guyana challenging the legality of GTT’s exclusive license rights under Guyana’s constitution and GTT intervened in the suit in order to oppose Digicel’s claims. The case remains pending. We believe that any legal challenge to GTT’s exclusive license rights granted in 1990 is without merit and we continue to defend vigorously against such legal challenge.

GTT has filed several lawsuits in the High Court of Guyana asserting that, despite its denials, Digicel is engaged in international bypass in violation of GTT’s exclusive license rights, the interconnection agreement between the parties, and the laws of Guyana. Digicel filed counterclaims alleging that GTT has violated the terms of the interconnection agreement and Guyana laws. These suits, filed in 2010 and 2012, have been consolidated with Digicel’s constitutional challenge described above, however, we cannot accurately predict at this time when the consolidated suit will reach a court of final determination.

GTT is also involved in several legal claims regarding its tax filings with the Guyana Revenue Authority (the “GRA”) dating back to 1991 regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments. GTT’s position has been upheld by various High Court rulings made  in  its favor including most recently in December 2021, when an assessment relating to 2010-2016 was quashed and declared to have no legal effect. GTT has maintained that it has no unpaid corporation tax due to the GRA and that any liability GTT might be found to have with respect to the disputed tax assessments, as alleged by the GRA in the aggregate amount of $32 million net of interest, would be offset in part by the amounts necessary to ensure that GTT’s return on investment was no less than 15% per annum for the relevant periods. Several High Court rulings in the favor of GTT have been appealed by the GRA and we believe that some adverse outcome in these or pending unheard matters could occur.

On May 20, 2021, we were served with a notice of application for enforcement of a foreign judgment with respect to a matter brought by the Trinidad & Tobago Electric Commission (“TTEC”) in the High Court of Justice in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in August 2013 against GTT and other defendants, alleging breach of contract due to GTT’s failure to pay TTEC in connection with amounts alleged to be owed as reimbursement for cable repair costs. In December 2022, GTT settled this matter with TTEC.

In February 2020, our subsidiary, Alaska Communications, received a draft audit report from USAC in connection with USAC’s inquiry into Alaska Communications’ funding requests under the Rural Health Care Support Program for certain customers for the time period of July 2012 through June 2017. The draft audit report alleges violations of the FCC’s rules for establishing rural rates and urban rates, the provisioning and billing of ineligible services and products, and violations of the FCC’s competitive bidding rules.  Alaska Communications has provided USAC with extensive comments in response to its draft audit report seeking correction of numerous factual and legal errors that it believed it had identified. As a result of these conversations and comments being submitted by Alaska Communications, USAC’s auditors may revise their findings, including the amounts they recommend USAC seek to recover. USAC’s auditors are expected to issue a final audit report incorporating Alaska Communications’ responses that will be sent to USAC’s Rural Health Care Division to review and determine if corrective action would be appropriate. In the event that we disagree with USAC’s final audit report, we can appeal that decision to USAC’s Rural Health Care Division and/or the FCC. At this time, we cannot predict the contents or timing of the final USAC audit report, the outcome of the audit or the impact on the our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. 

Alaska Communications also received a Letter of Inquiry on March 18, 2018, and subsequent follow up information requests, from the FCC Enforcement Bureau requesting historical information regarding Alaska Communications’ participation in the FCC’s Rural Health Care Support Program.  We are engaged in discussions with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and will continue to work constructively to provide it the information it is seeking.  Any

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adverse outcome with respect to the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s inquiry may have an adverse impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

With respect to all of the foregoing matters, we believe that some adverse outcome is probable and have accordingly accrued $14.7 million as of December 31, 2022 for these and other potential liabilities arising in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We also face contingencies that are reasonably possible to occur that cannot currently be estimated. It is our policy to expense costs associated with loss contingencies, including any related legal fees, as they are incurred.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of March 15, 2023:

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Executive Officers

Michael T. Prior is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since December 2005 and an officer of the Company since June 2003. He was elected to the Board in May 2008. Previous to joining the Company, Mr. Prior was a partner with Q Advisors LLC, a Denver based investment banking and financial advisory firm focused on the technology and telecommunications sectors. Mr. Prior began his career as a corporate attorney with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in London and New York. He received a B.A. degree from Vassar College and a J.D. degree summa cum laude from Brooklyn Law School. Mr. Prior currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Competitive Carriers Association. In 2008, Mr. Prior was named Entrepreneur of the Year for the New England Region by Ernst & Young LLP and One of America’s Best CEOs by DeMarche Associates, Inc.

Justin D. Benincasa is our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us in May 2006, Mr. Benincasa was a Principal at Windover Development, LLC since 2004. From 1998 to 2004, he was Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at American Tower Corporation, a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company, where he managed finance and accounting, treasury, IT, tax, lease administration and property management. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Corporate Controller at American Radio Systems Corporation and held accounting and finance positions at American Cablesystems Corporation. Mr. Benincasa holds an M.B.A. degree from Bentley University and a B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts.

Brad Martin is our Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining us in 2018, he previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Senet Inc., a leading “low power wide area” network (LPWAN) operator and global service provider. From 2013 through 2015, Mr. Martin served as Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer with Extreme Networks, a global leader in software-driven networking solutions for Enterprise and Service Provider customers. Between 2008 and 2013, Mr. Martin served as Vice President of Engineering Operations and Quality with Siemens Enterprise Communications and Enterasys Networks, delivering voice and data networking hardware and software solutions to global enterprises. Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine, is a published author and featured industry speaker.

Mary Mabey is our Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Ms. Mabey joined us in 2009 and previously served as our Deputy General Counsel. Prior to joining us, Ms. Mabey was with the law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP (now Locke Lord LLP) in Boston, where she advised public and private companies in domestic and international transactions on corporate and securities law matters, merger, acquisition and financing transactions, corporate governance, and other general corporate matters. Ms. Mabey received a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

Justin Leon is our Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. He joined the Company in 2015 and brings over fifteen years of investing experience to the team. Prior to joining ATN, Justin worked in Corporate Strategy & Development for Nuance Communications, a publicly traded software company focused on speech recognition and machine learning where he executed over $1 billion in acquisitions in the healthcare, mobile, and enterprise software verticals. Justin started his career at Stonebridge Associates, a boutique investment bank in Boston advising clients in

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technology, medical device, and consumer products verticals. Justin earned a degree in corporate finance from Bentley College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Common Stock, $.01 par value, is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ATNI.” The number of holders of record of Common Stock as of March 15, 2023 was 81.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities in the Fourth Quarter of 2022

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On September 19, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our Common Stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (the “2016 Repurchase Plan”).

The following table reflects the repurchases by the Company of its Common Stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2022:

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Stock Performance Graph

The graph below matches ATN International’s cumulative 5-Year total shareholder return on Common Stock with the cumulative total returns of the Russell 2000 index, the S&P Smallcap 600 index, and the Nasdaq Telecommunications index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our Common Stock and in each index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from 12/31/2017 to 12/31/2022.

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The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

We provide digital infrastructure and communications services in the United States and internationally, including in the Caribbean region, with a focus on smaller markets, many of which are rural or remote, with a growing demand for infrastructure investments, Through our operating subsidiaries, we primarily provide: (i) carrier and enterprise communications services, such as terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport, and communications tower facilities; and (ii) fixed and mobile telecommunications connectivity to residential, business and government customers, including a range of high-speed internet and data services, fixed and mobile wireless solutions, and video and voice services.

At the holding company level, we oversee the allocation of capital within and among our subsidiaries, affiliates, new investments, and stockholders. We have developed significant operational expertise and resources that we use to augment the capabilities of our individual operating subsidiaries in our local markets. We have built a platform of resources and expertise to support our operating subsidiaries and to improve their quality of service with greater economies of scale and expertise than would typically be available at the operating subsidiary level. We provide management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to our operating subsidiaries and typically receive a management fee calculated as a percentage of their revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation. We also actively evaluate potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and other strategic transactions, both domestic and international, and generally look for those that we believe fit our profile of telecommunications businesses and have the potential to complement our “glass and steel” and “first to fiber” approach in markets while generating steady excess cash flows over extended periods of time. We use the cash generated from our operations to re-invest in organic growth in our existing businesses, to make strategic investments in additional businesses, and to return cash to our investors through dividends or stock repurchases.

For further information about our financial segments and geographical information about our operating revenues and assets, see Notes 1 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

As of December 31, 2022, we offer the following types of services to our customers:

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Through December 31, 2022, we have identified two operating segments to manage and review our operations and to facilitate investor presentations of our results. These two operating segments are as follows:

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The following chart summarizes the operating activities of our principal subsidiaries, the segments in which we report our revenue and the markets we served as of December 31, 2022:

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Acquisition of Sacred Wind Enterprises

On November 7, 2022, we, via our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary Alloy, Inc. (“Alloy”), acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Sacred Wind Enterprises, Inc. (“Sacred Wind”), a rural telecommunications provider in New Mexico (the “Sacred Wind Transaction”) for $44.4 million of consideration. As part of the Sacred Wind Transaction, we transferred consideration of $18.0 million of cash, net of $9.4 million of cash acquired, $14.8 million of redeemable noncontrolling interests, and $3.7 million of contingent consideration, less $1.5 million of receivables related to working capital adjustments. As part of the Sacred Wind Transaction, we contributed all of our ownership interests in our Commnet business to Alloy. Subsequent to the transaction, the former Sacred Wind shareholders will own 6% of the Alloy equity. The equity is classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests in our financial statements because the holders have an option, beginning in 2026, to put the equity interest to a subsidiary of the Company at the then fair market value. The redeemable noncontrolling interests do not have preference relative to other equity units and participate in gains and losses in Alloy. The contingent consideration is earned based on certain operating metrics of Sacred Wind beginning in 2025 through 2027. The fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated using discounted cash flow analysis based on a range of probability weighted outcomes. The Company funded the acquisition

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with borrowing under its CoBank Credit Facility and assumed $31.6 million of Sacred Wind debt, to the United States of America administered through the Rural Utilities Service.

We believe that the acquisition of Sacred Wind will expand our infrastructure reach and broadband services in the rural Southwest and increase our wholesale carrier, residential and business broadband services.

Acquisition of Alaska Communications

On July 22, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“Alaska Communications”), a publicly listed company, for approximately $339.5 million in cash, net of cash acquired, (the “Alaska Transaction”). Alaska Communications provides broadband telecommunication and managed information technology services to customers in the State of Alaska and beyond using its statewide and interstate telecommunications network.

In conjunction with the Alaska Transaction, we entered into an agreement with affiliates and investment funds managed by Freedom 3 Capital, LLC as well as other institutional investors (collectively the “Freedom 3 Investors”). The Freedom 3 Investors contributed $71.5 million in conjunction with the Alaska Transaction (the “Freedom 3 Investment”). The Freedom 3 Investment consists of common and preferred equity instruments in our subsidiary which holds the ownership of Alaska Communications.  We accounted for the Freedom 3 Investment as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements and we also entered into a financing transaction drawing $220 million on a new credit facility to complete the Alaska Transaction. As a result of the Alaska Transaction, we own approximately 52% of the common equity of Alaska Communications and control its operations and management.  Beginning on July 22, 2021, the results of Alaska Communications are included in our US Telecom segment.

See Liquidity and Capital Resources for a discussion regarding the credit agreement used to help finance the Alaska Transaction.

Disposition of International Solar Business

In January 2021, we completed the sale of 67% of the outstanding equity in our business that owns and operates distributed generation solar power projects operated under the Vibrant name in India (the “Vibrant Transaction”).  The post-sale results of our ownership interest in Vibrant are recorded through the equity method of accounting within the Corporate and Other operating segment.  We will continue to present the historical results of our Renewable Energy segment for comparative purposes.

The operations of Vibrant did not qualify as discontinued operations because the disposition did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results.

FirstNet Agreement

In July 2019, we entered into a Network Build and Maintenance Agreement with AT&T Mobility, LLC (“AT&T”) that we amended in August 2020, May 2021 and August 2022 (the “FirstNet Agreement”). In connection with the FirstNet Agreement, we are building a portion of AT&T’s network for the First Responder Network Authority (“FirstNet”) in or near our current operating areas in the Western United States.  Pursuant to the FirstNet Agreement and subject to certain limitations contained therein, all cell sites must be completed and accepted within a specified period of time.  We expect that total construction revenue related to FirstNet will approximate $80 million to $85 million.  Since inception of the project through December 31, 2022, we have recorded $62.6 million in construction revenue, including $15.8 million during 2022.  In 2023, we expect to record additional construction revenue and related costs, as sites are completed.  Revenues from construction are expected to have minimal impact on operating income. The network build portion of the FirstNet Agreement continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the overall timing of the build schedule has been delayed.  

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Following acceptance of a cell site, AT&T will own the cell site and we will assign to AT&T any third-party tower lease applicable to such cell site.  If the cell site is located on a communications tower we own, AT&T will pay us pursuant to a separate lease agreement for an initial term of eight years. In addition to building the network, we will provide ongoing equipment and site maintenance and high-capacity transport to and from these cell sites for an initial term ending in 2029. 

AT&T will continue to use our wholesale domestic mobility network for roaming services at a fixed rate per site during the construction period until such time as the cell site is transferred to AT&T.  Thereafter, revenue from the maintenance, leasing and transport services provided to AT&T is expected to generally offset revenue from wholesale mobility roaming services.  We are currently receiving revenue from the FirstNet Transaction and expect overall operating income contributions from the FirstNet Transaction to have a relatively steady impact going forward.

Universal Service Fund and Connect America Fund Phase II Programs

We recognize revenue from several government funded programs including the USF, a subsidy program managed by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), and the Alaska Universal Service Fund (“AUSF”), a similar program managed by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (the “RCA”). USF funds are disbursed to telecommunication providers through four programs: the High Cost Program; the Low Income Program (“Lifeline Program”); the Schools and Libraries Program (“E-Rate Program”); and the Rural Health Care Support Program.

We also recognize revenue from the Connect America Fund Phase II program (“CAF II”) which offers subsidies to carriers to expand broadband coverage in designated areas. Under CAF II, our US Telecom segment will receive an aggregate of $27.4 million annually through December 2025 and an aggregate of $7.7 million annually from January 2026 through July 2028.

Both the USF and CAFII programs are subject to certain operational and reporting compliance requirements. We believe we are in compliance with these requirements as of December 31, 2022.

In 2018, the FCC initiated a proceeding to replace the High Cost Program support received by Viya in the US Virgin Islands with a new Connect USVI Fund. On November 16, 2020, the FCC announced that Viya was not the recipient of the Connect USVI Fund award and authorized funding to be issued to the new awardee in June 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the program and effective in July 2021, Viya’s annual USF support was reduced from $16.4 million to $10.9 million. In July 2022, this support was reduced again to $5.5 million for the annual period through June 2023. As the program currently stands, Viya will not receive High Cost Program support subsequent to June 2023.

RDOF (“Rural Digital Opportunities Fund”)

We expect to receive approximately $20.1 million over 10 years to provide broadband and voice coverage to over 10,000 households in the United States (not including Alaska) under the 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Auction (“RDOF”). We recorded $2.0 million of revenue from the RDOF program during the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Construction Grants

We have also been awarded construction grants to build network connectivity for eligible communities. The funding of these grants, used to reimburse us for our construction costs, is generally distributed upon completion of a project. Completion deadlines begin in June 2023 and once these projects are constructed, we are obligated to provide service to the participants. We expect to meet all requirements associated with these grants.  A roll forward of our grant awards is below (in thousands).

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In addition, we partner with tribal governments to obtain grants under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program ("TBCP").  The TBCP is a program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to deploy broadband connectivity on tribal lands.  We were identified as a sub recipient of TBCP grants totaling $145.5 million as of December 31, 2022.

Replace and Remove Program

On July 15, 2022, we were notified that we were an approved participant in the Federal Communication Commission’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (the “Replace and Remove Program”), designed to reimburse providers of communications services for reasonable costs incurred in the required removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment or services, that have been deemed to pose a national security risk, from their networks.  Pursuant to the Replace and Remove Program, we were allocated up to approximately $207 million in reimbursement amounts to cover documented and approved costs to remove and securely destroy all prohibited communications equipment and services in our U.S. networks and replace such equipment. The Replace and Remove Program requires that we complete our first request for reimbursement for services performed under the program no later than July 14, 2023 and that we complete the project no later than one year from submitting our initial reimbursement request. We are currently assessing the impact of this program on our financial statements and anticipate that we will be able to meet the deadlines and requirements of the program. At December 31, 2022, we established a receivable for $5.7 million of costs for which we expect to be reimbursed under the program.

CARES Act

As of December 31, 2020, we received $16.3 million of funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) to construct network infrastructure within our US Telecom segment. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we received an additional $2.4 million of funding for the same purpose. The construction was completed as of December 31, 2021 and $18.4 million of the funding was recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment with a subsequent reduction to depreciation expense. The remaining $0.3 million was recorded as a reduction to operating expense in the year ended December 31, 2021.

CBRS Auction

During the third quarter of 2020, we participated in the FCC’s Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) auction for Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band. These PALs are licensed on a county-by-county basis and are awarded for a 10-year renewable term. We were a winning bidder for PALs located strategically throughout the United States at a total net cost of $19.3 million. In connection with the awarded licenses, we will have to achieve certain CBRS spectrum build out obligations. We currently expect to comply with all applicable requirements related to these licenses.

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Presentation of Revenue

Effective July 1, 2021, we began to categorize Mobility revenue and Fixed revenue as either “consumer” or “business” based upon the characteristics of our subscribers.  Effective October 1, 2021, our statement of operations separately reflected Construction revenue. All periods presented have been adjusted to conform to these presentation updates.

Presentation of Operating Expenses

Effective January 1, 2021, we changed our presentation of operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations by combining the previously disclosed Termination and Access Fees with Engineering and Operations as the newly represented Cost of Communications Services and Other. In addition, the previously disclosed Sales, Marketing and Customer Service expenses are now combined with the previously disclosed General and Administrative expenses within the newly represented Selling, General and Administrative expenses. The change in presentation was made to better align our results with industry standards. Cost of construction services continues to be broken out separately and all depreciation and amortization continues to be shown separately.

Discussion of Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020

A discussion regarding our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020 can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at https://.ir.atni.com under the “Financials & Filings” section.

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Selected Segment Financial Information

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The following represents selected segment information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

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A comparison of our segment results for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:

International Telecom. Revenues within our International Telecom segment increased $12.7 million, or 3.7%, to $355.6 million from $342.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as a result of improved retail and marketing strategies which drove an increase in subscribers and equipment sales within all of our international markets.  In addition, our US Virgin Islands and Bermuda markets recognized an increase in Carrier Services revenue as a result of increased transport and access services as well as an increase in roaming revenues due to increased tourism in those markets.  These increases, however, were partially offset by a $4.1 million reduction in federal high cost support revenues in the US Virgin Islands. 

Operating expenses within our International Telecom segment decreased by $5.4 million, or 1.7%, to $303.6 million from $309.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  The decrease was primarily the result of a $20.6 million impairment of goodwill associated with our US Virgin Island operations during the year ended December 31, 2021 partially offset by a $6.8 million increase in equipment expenses and a $4.7 million increase in retail and marketing costs in 2022.

As a result, our International Telecom segment’s operating income increased $18.1 million, or 53.4%, to $52.0 million from $33.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

US Telecom.  Revenue within our US Telecom segment increased by $110.8 million, or 42.7%, to $370.2 million from $259.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Of this increase $141.0 million was a result of a full year of our Alaska operations, which were acquired on July 22, 2021, being included in our 2022 results partially offset by a $20.1 million reduction in construction revenue related to the FirstNet Transaction as well as a reduction in roaming revenue due to the restructuring of certain carrier contracts in our western United States operations.

Operating expenses within our US Telecom segment increased $102.5 million to $375.9 million from $273.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as a result of a full year of our Alaska operations, which were acquired on July 22, 2021, being included in our 2022 results and increases in expenses being incurred in connection with increased data transport and other costs primarily in connection with the fully constructed cell sites as part of the FirstNet Transaction build-out of rural broadband operations.  These increases were partially offset by decreases in FirstNet construction costs of $20.3 million and transaction-related expenses, primarily related to the Alaska Transaction, of $9.7 million.   

As a result of the above, our US Telecom segment’s operating loss decreased by $8.3 million to a loss of $5.7 million from a loss of $14.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Renewable Energy.  Until the completion of the Vibrant Transaction on January 27, 2021, we distributed generation solar power to commercial and industrial customers under the Vibrant name in India.  Accordingly, we did not generate revenue or incur operating expenses within our Renewable Energy segment subsequent to that date.  For the year ended December 31, 2021, we generated revenue, incurred operating expenses and reported an operating loss of $0.4 million, $2.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

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The following represents a year over year discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

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Communications services revenue

Mobility Revenue. Our Mobility revenue consists of retail revenue generated within both our International Telecom and US Telecom segments by providing retail mobile voice and data services over our wireless networks as well as through the sale and repair services of related equipment, such as handsets and other accessories, to our retail subscribers.

Mobility revenue increased by $7.7 million, or 7.5%, to $110.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $102.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. All $7.7 million of this increase is related to a net increase in revenue from business customers.

The increase in Mobility revenue, within our segments, consisted of the following:

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We expect that Mobility revenue within our International Telecom segment may increase as a result of an increase in subscribers. However, such growth may be partially offset due to increased competition. We expect that Mobility revenue within our US Telecom segment will decrease over time as we put more emphasis on other revenue sources.

Fixed Revenue. Fixed revenue is primarily generated by broadband, voice, and video service revenues provided to retail and business customers over our wireline networks. Fixed revenue within our US Telecom segment also includes awards from the Connect America Fund Phase II program in the western United States and Alaska, as well as revenue from the Alaska Universal Service Fund. Within our International Telecom segment, Fixed revenue also includes funding under the FCC’s High Cost Program in the US Virgin Islands.

Fixed revenue increased by $109.8 million, or 33.4%, to $438.4 million from $328.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Of this increase, $75.9 million and $33.9 million relate to increases in revenue from business and consumer customers, respectively. The increase in Fixed revenue, within our segments, consisted of the following:

Fixed revenue within our International Telecom segment may further decrease as a result of the future scheduled step downs in USF funding in the US Virgin Islands and a decrease in demand for our video services due to subscribers using alternative methods to receive video content. Such decreases, however, may be offset as a result of an increase in demand for broadband and other data services from consumers, businesses and government, driven by such trends as the popularity of video and audio streaming, demand for cloud services and smart home, business and city solutions as well as macro-economic and population growth in places like the Cayman Islands and Guyana.

Within our US Telecom segment, Fixed revenue is expected to increase as both our Alaska operations and our western United States operations, including the impact of the Sacred Wind Transaction, further deploy broadband access to both consumers and businesses.

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Carrier Services Revenue. Carrier Services revenue is generated by both our International Telecom and US Telecom segments. Within our International Telecom segment, Carrier Services revenue includes international long-distance services, roaming revenues generated by other carriers’ customers roaming into our retail markets, transport services and access services provided to other telecommunications carriers. Within our US Telecom segment, Carrier Services revenue includes services provided under the FirstNet Transaction, wholesale roaming revenues, the provision of network switching services, tower lease revenue and other services provided to other carriers.

Carrier Services revenue increased by $24.6 million, or 20.9%, to $142.3 million from $117.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase, within our segments, consisted of the following:

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Within our International Telecom segment, Carrier Services revenue may continue to increase if tourism continues to move toward a return to pre-pandemic levels. However, within our International Telecom segment, we expect that Carrier Services revenue from our international long-distance business in Guyana may decrease as consumers seek to use alternative technology services to place long-distance calls. Further, such revenue may decline as the result of the implementation, by the Government of Guyana, of passed legislation which terminates our right to be the exclusive provider of domestic Fixed and international long-distance service in Guyana. While the loss of our exclusive rights in Guyana may cause an immediate reduction in our Carrier Services revenue, the complete impact of the new legislation to our operations will not be fully known until the Government of Guyana makes the terms and conditions of licenses issued to two of our competitors available to us. Over the longer term, such declines in Carrier Services revenue may be offset by increased Fixed revenue from broadband services to consumers and enterprises in Guyana, increased Mobility revenue from an increase in regulated local calling rates in Guyana or possible economic growth within that country.

Within our US Telecom segment, Carrier Services revenue may decrease as a result of the impact of continued reduced contractual wholesale roaming rates and imposed revenue caps with our Carrier customers.

Other Communications Services Revenue. Other Communications Services revenue includes miscellaneous services that the operations within our International Telecom segment provide to retail subscribers. Other Communications Services revenue increased to $1.5 million from $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Construction Revenue

Construction revenue represents revenue generated within our US Telecom segment for the construction of network cell sites related to the FirstNet Agreement. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Construction revenue decreased to $15.8 million from $35.9 million, respectively, as a result of a decrease in the number of sites completed during 2022 as compared to 2021. As of December 31, 2022, 75% of the cell sites related to the FirstNet Agreement were completed and we expect to substantially complete the build by the end of 2023.

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Other Revenue

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Renewable Energy Revenue. As a result of the Vibrant Transaction, we did not generate any renewable energy revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022 and generated $0.4 million of renewable energy revenue during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Managed Services Revenue. Managed Services revenue is generated within both our International and US Telecom segments and includes network, application, infrastructure, and hosting services. Managed Services revenue increased by $1.0 million, or 6.0%, to $17.8 million from $16.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

International Telecom. Managed Services revenue in our International Telecom segment decreased $0.2 million to $4.9 million, or 3.9%, from $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

US Telecom. Within our US Telecom segment, Managed Services revenue increased $1.2 million, or 10.3%, to $12.8 million from $11.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily related to a full year of our Alaska operations, which were acquired on July 22, 2021, being included in our 2022 results.

We expect that Managed Services revenue may increase in both our US and International Telecom segments as a result of our continued effort to sell certain Managed Services solutions to both our consumer and business customers in all of our markets.

Operating expenses

Cost of communication services and other. Cost of communication services and other are charges that we incur for voice and data transport circuits (in particular, the circuits between our Mobility sites and our switches), internet capacity, video programming costs, access fees we pay to terminate our calls, telecommunication spectrum fees and direct costs associated within our managed services businesses. These costs also include expenses associated with developing, operating, upgrading and supporting our telecommunications networks, including the salaries and benefits paid to employees directly involved in the development and operation of those businesses, as well as credit loss allowances and the cost of handsets and customer resale equipment incurred by our retail businesses.

Cost of communication services and other increased by $63.6 million, or 25.5%, to $312.9 million from $249.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The net increase in cost of communication services and other, within our segments, consisted of the following:

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We expect that cost of communication services and other may increase within our International Telecom segment due to an expected increase in roaming costs if tourism continues to return to pre-pandemic levels. Within the US Telecom segment, these expenses are expected to increase in connection with our expected increase in fixed revenue, an increase in the expenses associated with our funding award under the CARES Act and anticipated expenses in connection with our performance related to the construction phase of our FirstNet Transaction which is expected to be completed in 2023. In addition, we expect cost of services may increase as a result of continued inflationary pressure, issues facing the global supply chain and geopolitical uncertainty.

Cost of construction revenue. Cost of construction revenue includes the expenses incurred in connection with the construction of and the delivery to AT&T of cell sites in accordance with our FirstNet Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, cost of construction revenue decreased to $15.8 million from $36.1 million as a result of a decrease in the number of sites completed during 2022 as compared to 2021. As of December 31, 2022, 75% of the cell sites related to the FirstNet Agreement and we expect to substantially complete the build by the end of 2023.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits we pay to sales personnel, customer service expenses and the costs associated with the development and implementation of our promotional and marketing campaigns. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include salaries, benefits and related costs for general corporate functions including executive management, finance and administration, legal and regulatory, facilities, information technology and human resources as well as internal costs associated with our performance of due-diligence and integration related costs associated with acquisition activities.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $43.5 million, or 23.1%, to $231.8 million from $188.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The net increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, within our segments, consisted of the following:

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We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses may increase in our international telecom segment to support our expanded operations. Within the US Telecom segment, we expect an increase in these costs as a result of expected costs associated with the impact of the construction phase of the FirstNet Transaction, the Sacred Wind Transaction, our commitments under the Cares Act funding and other network expansions in Alaska and the southwest US. Our Corporate Overhead segment may also experience an increase in these expenses to support our expanding

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operations. In addition, we expect our selling, general, and administrative expenses may increase as a result of continued inflationary pressure, issues facing the global supply chain and geopolitical uncertainty.

Transaction-related charges.  Transaction-related charges include the external costs, such as legal, tax, accounting and consulting fees directly associated with acquisition and disposition-related activities, which are expensed as incurred. Transaction-related charges also include certain internal personnel costs incurred as a result of the completion of an acquisition or disposition. Transaction-related charges do not include employee salary and travel-related expenses, incurred in connection with acquisitions or dispositions or any integration-related costs.

We incurred $4.8 million and $10.2 million of transaction-related charges during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

  Depreciation and amortization expenses.  Depreciation and amortization expenses represent the depreciation and amortization charges we record on our property and equipment.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $32.4 million, or 31.5%, to $135.1 million from $102.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  The net increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, within our segments, consisted primarily of the following:

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We expect depreciation and amortization expense to increase within our International Telecom and US Telecom segments as we acquire tangible assets to expand or upgrade our telecommunications networks.

Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions. Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions include the amortization of customer relationships and trade names related to our completed acquisitions.

Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions increased by $5.2 million to $13.0 million from $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily as a result of the Alaska Transaction which was completed on July 22, 2021.

We expect that amortization of intangibles from acquisitions will decrease as such costs continue to amortize.

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Goodwill Impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a $20.6 million impairment charge within out International Telecom segment. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Loss on disposition of long-lived assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a loss on the disposition of long-lived assets of $4.4 million. Of this amount, $2.5 million was incurred in our US Telecom segment relating to the disposal of certain assets while $1.2 million was incurred in our International Telecom segment as a result of the disposal of certain assets. The remaining $0.7 million pertains to the final settlement of the Vibrant Transaction within our Renewable Energy segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a loss on the disposition of long-lived assets of $2.8 million, primarily related to the Vibrant Transaction and the disposal of certain telecommunications licenses within the US Telecom segment.

Interest income. Interest income represents interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investment balances. Interest income was $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Interest expense.   We incur interest expense on the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility, the Alaska Credit and Term Facilities (beginning in July 2021 and in conjunction with the completion of the Alaska Transaction), the Viya Debt, the One Communications Debt and the Receivables Credit Facility (each as defined below). Beginning in November 2022, and in conjunction with the Sacred Wind Transaction, interest expense includes interest expense on the Sacred Wind Term Debt. In addition, interest expense also includes commitment fees, letter of credit fees and the amortization of debt issuance costs.

Interest expense increased to $20.4 million from $9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as additional interest expense was incurred as a result of a full year of our Alaska operations, which were acquired on July 22, 2021, and new borrowings under the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility, the Alaska Credit Facility and the Receivables Credit Facility as well as an increase in interest rates.

We expect that interest expense may increase in future periods as a result of increased interest rates and borrowings.

Other income (expenses).   For the year ended December 31, 2022, other income (expenses) was $4.3 million of income primarily related to $5.7 million of gains from our noncontrolling investments partially offset by $0.9 million of increased expenses associated with certain employee benefit plans and $0.9 million of losses on foreign currency transactions.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, other income (expenses) was $1.8 million of income primarily related to $2.8 million of income related to certain employee benefit plans and other miscellaneous income partially offset by $0.9 million relating to losses on foreign currency transactions.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was 5.9% and 8.3%, respectively.

Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily impacted by the following items: (i) a $4.1 million net increase of unrecognized tax positions, (ii) a $2.1 million net increase for permanently non-deductible expenses, (iii) a $2.1 million net increase related to valuation allowances placed on certain deferred tax assets and (iv) the mix of income generated among the jurisdictions in we operate along with the exclusion of losses in jurisdictions where valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets as required by ASC 740-270-30-36(a).

Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily impacted by the following items: (i) a $0.9 million provision related to certain transactional charges incurred in connection with acquisitions for which there

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is no tax benefit, (ii) a $2.5 million net increase of unrecognized tax positions, (iii) a $1.7 million net increase for permanently non-deductible expenses, and (iv) the mix of income generated among the jurisdictions in which we operate along with the exclusion of losses in jurisdictions where valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets as required by ASC 740-270-30-36(a), primarily in the US Virgin Islands.

Our effective tax rate is based upon estimated income before provision for income taxes for the year, composition of the income in different countries, and adjustments, if any, in the applicable quarterly periods for potential tax consequences, benefits and/or resolutions of tax contingencies. Our consolidated tax rate will continue to be impacted by any transactional or one-time items in the future and the mix of income in any given year generated among the jurisdictions in which we operate. While we believe we have adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could materially differ from our accrued positions as a result of uncertain and complex application of tax law and regulations. Additionally, the recognition and measurement of certain tax benefits include estimates and judgment by management. Accordingly, we could record additional provisions or benefits for US federal, state, and foreign tax matters in future periods as new information becomes available.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax.  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax reflected an allocation of $1.9 million of losses and $1.3 million of income generated by our less than wholly owned subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Changes in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, within our segments, consisted of the following:

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