SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

NU Telecom is a diversified communications company headquartered in New Ulm, Minnesota with more than 110 years of experience in the local telephone exchange and telecommunications business. Our principal line of business is the operation of five local telephone companies and the operation of two CLEC telephone companies. Our businesses consist of connecting customers to our state-of-the-art, fiber-rich communications network, providing managed services, switched service and dedicated private lines, connecting customers to long distance service providers and providing many other services associated with our company. Our businesses also provide IPTV, CATV, Internet access services, including high-speed broadband access, and long distance service. We also install and maintain communications systems to the areas in and around our service territories in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.  

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Our accounting policies conform with GAAP and, where applicable, to the accounting principles as prescribed by federal and state telephone utility regulatory authorities. We presently give accounting recognition to the actions of regulators where appropriate in preparing general purpose financial statements for most public utilities. In general, the type of regulation covered by this statement permits rates (prices) for some services to be set at levels intended to recover the estimated costs of providing regulated services or products, including the cost of capital (interest costs and a provision for earnings on stockholders’ investments).

Our consolidated financial statements report the financial condition and results of operations for NU Telecom and its subsidiaries in one business segment: the Telecom Segment. Inter-company transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

Classification of Costs and Expenses

Cost of services includes all costs related to delivery of communication services and products. These operating costs include all costs of performing services and providing related products including engineering, network monitoring and transportation costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include direct and indirect selling expenses, customer service, billing and collections, advertising and all other general and administrative costs associated with the operations of the business.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumption used in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are based on our management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or a service has been provided, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.  

Revenues are earned from our customers primarily through the connection to our networks, digital and commercial TV programming, Internet services (high-speed broadband), and hosted and managed services. Revenues for these services are billed based on set rates for monthly service or based on the amount of time the customer is utilizing our facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when the service is rendered.

Revenues earned from IXCs accessing our network are based on the utilization of our network by these carriers as measured by minutes of use on the network or special access to the network by the individual carriers. Revenues are billed at tariffed access rates for both interstate and intrastate calls. Revenues for these services are recognized based on the period the access is provided.

Interstate access rates are established by a nationwide pooling of companies known as NECA. The FCC established NECA in 1983 to develop and administer interstate access service rates, terms and conditions. Revenues are pooled and redistributed on the basis of a company's actual or average costs. New Ulm’s and SETC’s settlements from the pools are based on its actual costs to provide service, while the settlements for NU Telecom subsidiaries – WTC, PTC and HTC are based on nationwide average schedules. Access revenues for New Ulm and SETC include an estimate of a cost study each year that is trued-up subsequent to the end of any given year. Our management believes the estimates included in our preliminary cost study are reasonable. We cannot predict the future impact that industry or regulatory changes will have on interstate access revenues.

Intrastate access rates are filed with state regulatory commissions in Minnesota and Iowa.

We derive revenues from the sale, installation and servicing of communication systems. In accordance with GAAP, these deliverables are accounted for separately. We recognize revenue from customer contracts for sales and installations using the completed-contract method, which recognizes income when the contract is substantially complete. We recognize rental revenues over the rental period.

Receivables

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our consolidated receivables totaled $1,260,941 and $1,442,477, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We believe our receivables as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are recorded at their fair value. As there may be exposure or risk with receivables, we routinely monitor our receivables and adjust the allowance for doubtful accounts when events occur that may potentially affect the collection of our receivables.   

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. In making the determination of the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts, we consider specific accounts, historical write-offs, changes in customer relationships, credit worthiness and concentrations of credit risk. Specific accounts receivable are written off once a determination is made that the account is uncollectible. Additional allowances may be required if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments.  

The activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts includes the following:

	Year Ended December 31
	2015		2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	60,500	$	120,000
Additions charged to costs and expenses		333,217		226,439
Accounts written off		(233,717)		(285,939)
Balance at end of year	$	160,000	$	60,500

Inventories

Inventory includes parts, materials and supplies stored in our warehouses to support basic levels of service and maintenance as well as scheduled capital projects and equipment awaiting configuration for customers. Inventory also includes (i) parts and equipment shipped directly from vendors to customer locations while in transit and (ii) parts and equipment returned from customers that are being returned to vendors for credit. Our inventory value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $2,511,632 and $2,227,925.

We value inventory using the lower of cost or market method. Similar to our allowance for doubtful accounts, we make estimates related to the valuation of inventory. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had no inventory reserve. We adjust our inventory carrying value for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory to the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. As market and other conditions change, we may establish additional inventory reserves at a time when the facts that give rise to a lower value are warranted. We use the first-in, first-out method of inventory costing for our non-retail inventory. We use the average cost method of inventory costing for our retail inventory.

Fair Value Measurements

We have adopted the rules prescribed under GAAP for our financial assets and liabilities. GAAP includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

Level 1:

Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market–corroborated inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:

Inputs are derived from valuation techniques where one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

We have used financial derivative instruments to manage our overall cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We accounted for derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP that requires derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments must be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met, in which case, the gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income rather than in earnings.

We have entered into an interest rate swap with our lender CoBank to manage our cash flow exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. This instrument is designated as a cash flow hedge and is effective at mitigating the risk of fluctuations on interest rates in the market place. Any gains or losses related to changes in the fair value of this derivative is accounted for as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for as long as the hedge remains effective.

The fair value of our IRSA is discussed in Note 5 – “Interest Rate Swaps” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The fair value of our swap agreement was determined based on Level 2 inputs.

Property, Plant and Equipment

We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. In assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, we compare the carrying value to the undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If the total of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we would write down those assets based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally determined by calculating the discounted future cash flows expected from those assets. Changes in these estimates could have a material adverse effect on the assessment of long-lived assets, thereby requiring a write-down of the assets. Write-downs of long-lived assets are recorded as impairment charges and are a component of operating expenses. We have reviewed our long-lived assets and concluded that no impairment charge on our long-lived assets is necessary.

We use the group life method (mass asset accounting) to depreciate the assets of our telephone companies. Telephone plant acquired in a given year is grouped into similar categories and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the group. When an asset is retired, both the asset and the accumulated depreciation associated with that asset are removed from the books. Due to rapid changes in technology, selecting the estimated economic life of telecommunications plant and equipment requires a significant amount of judgment. We periodically review data on expected utilization of new equipment, asset retirement activity and net salvage values to determine adjustments to our depreciation rates. We have not made any significant changes to the lives of these assets in the two year period ended December 31, 2015.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We amortize our definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Customer relationships are amortized over fourteen to fifteen years, regulatory rights are amortized over fifteen years and trade names are amortized over three to five years. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives. In accordance with GAAP, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. See Note 3 – “Goodwill and Intangibles” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion of the intangible assets and goodwill. Our goodwill balance was $39,805,349 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014 we completed our annual impairment tests for existing acquired goodwill. This testing resulted in no impairment charges to goodwill at December 31, 2015 and 2014.  

Investments and Other Assets

We are a co-investor with other rural telephone companies in several partnerships and limited liability companies. These joint ventures make it possible to offer services to customers, including digital video services and fiber optic transport services that we would have difficulty offering on our own. These joint ventures also make it possible to invest in new technologies with a lower level of financial risk. We use the equity method of accounting for these investments that reflects original cost and recognition of our share of the net income or losses from the respective operations. See Note 13 – “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a listing of our investments. 

Long-term investments in other companies that are not intended for resale or are not readily marketable are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

Other Financial Instruments

Other Investments – It is difficult to estimate a fair value for equity investments in companies carried on the equity or cost basis due to a lack of quoted market prices. We conducted an evaluation of our investments in all of our companies in connection with the preparation of our audited financial statements at December 31, 2015. We believe the carrying value of our investments is not impaired.

Debt – We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt based on the discounted future cash flows we expect to pay using current rates of borrowing for similar types of debt. Fair value of the debt approximates carrying value.

Other Financial Instruments – Our financial instruments also include cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and accounts payable where the current carrying amounts approximate fair market value.

Advertising Expense

Advertising is expensed as incurred. Advertising expense charged to operations was $238,132 and $191,259 in 2015 and 2014.   

Interest During Construction

We include an average cost of debt for the construction of plant in our communications plant accounts.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with GAAP, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from the difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements and operating and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense. Income tax expense or benefit is the tax payable or refundable, respectively, for the period plus or minus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.

GAAP requires us to recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. See Note 6 – “Income Taxes” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding income taxes.

Collection of Taxes from Customers

Sales, excise and other taxes are imposed on most of our sales to nonexempt customers. We collect these taxes from our customers and remit the entire amounts to governmental authorities. Our accounting policies dictate that we exclude these taxes collected and remitted from our revenues and expenses.

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash investments and receivables. We deposit some of our cash investments in high credit quality financial institutions accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts and do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to our large number of customers.

Earnings And Dividends Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Our basic and diluted EPS are based on our weighted average number of shares outstanding of 5,110,371 and 5,097,401 for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.  

Dividends per share have been declared quarterly by the NU Telecom Board of Directors.

Recent Accounting Developments

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2015-17), “Income Taxes,” simplifying the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 removes the requirement to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We expect, upon adoption of this guidance, that our current financial statement classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities will all be classified as noncurrent on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest-Imputation of Interest,” simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that liability, consistent with debt discounts. Amendments in this update are effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We expect, upon adoption of this guidance, that the current financial statement classification of debt issuance costs will change from assets to liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and created a new topic in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 606. ASU 2014-09 has been delayed by ASU 2015-14 to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition framework for all entities and supersedes nearly all existing United States GAAP revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and also requires enhanced disclosures. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within the reporting period. Early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

We have reviewed all other significant newly issued accounting pronouncements and determined they are either not applicable to our business or that no material effect is expected on our financial position and results of operations.