Consolidated Communications
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ⌧ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (cid:134) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ________________ to ________________ Commission file number 000-51446 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 121 South 17th Street, Mattoon, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) 02-0636095 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 61938-3987 (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (217) 235-3311 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock—$0.01 par value Name of each exchange on which registered The NASDAQ Global Select Market Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Yes (cid:134) 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 (cid:134) 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 (cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ⌧ No (cid:134) Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10- K. (cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ⌧ Accelerated filer (cid:134) Non-accelerated filer (cid:134) (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company(cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes (cid:134) No ⌧ As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate market value of the shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant’s common stock was $1,010,007,952 based on the closing price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The market value calculations exclude shares held on the stated date by registrant’s directors and officers on the assumption such shares may be shares owned by affiliates. Exclusion from these public market value calculations does not necessarily conclude affiliate status for any other purpose. On February 15, 2016, the registrant had 50,470,096 shares of Common Stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10- K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Item 1. Business Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Item 2. Properties Item 3. Legal Proceedings Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Item 6. Selected Financial Data Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Item 9B. Other Information PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Item 11. Executive Compensation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules SIGNATURES PAGE 1 21 29 29 29 31 31 34 37 59 59 59 59 62 62 62 62 62 62 63 68 Note About Forward-Looking Statements PART I The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those relating to the impact on future revenue sources, pending and future regulatory orders, continued expansion of the telecommunications network and expected changes in the sources of our revenue and cost structure resulting from our entrance into new communications markets, are forward- looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans, strategies and anticipated financial results. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of these circumstances are beyond our ability to control or predict. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on our part. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “should”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Consolidated”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this report. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward–looking statements is included in Part I – Item 1A – “Risk Factors”. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Item 1. Business. Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. is a Delaware holding company with operating subsidiaries that provide integrated communications services in consumer, commercial and carrier channels in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. We were founded in 1894 as the Mattoon Telephone Company by the great-grandfather of one of the members of our Board of Directors, Richard A. Lumpkin. After several acquisitions, the Mattoon Telephone Company was incorporated as the Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company on April 10, 1924. We were incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 2002, and through our predecessors we have provided telecommunications services for more than a century. In addition to our focus on organic growth in our commercial and carrier channels, our acquisitions over the last decade have achieved business growth and the diversification of revenue and cash flow streams, and they have created a strong platform for future growth. Our strategic approach to evaluating potential transactions includes analysis of the market opportunity, the quality of the network, our ability to integrate the acquired company efficiently and the potential for creating significant operating synergies and generating positive cash flow at the inception of each acquisition. Operating synergies are created through the use of consistent platforms, convergence of processes and functional management of the combined entities. We measure our synergies during the first two years following an acquisition. For example, the acquisition of our Texas properties in 2004 tripled the size of our business and gave us the requisite scale to make system and platform decisions that would facilitate future acquisitions. The acquisition of our Pennsylvania properties in 2007 achieved synergies in excess of $12.0 million in annualized savings, which at the time, represented approximately 20% of their operating expense. The acquisition of SureWest Communications in 2012 achieved synergies of $29.5 million during the two years subsequent to the acquisition date. As a result of the acquisition of Enventis Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (“Enventis”), in October 2014, as described below, we expect to generate annual operating synergies of approximately $17.0 million, which will be phased in over the first two years subsequent to the acquisition date as integration projects are completed. Through these acquisitions, we have positioned our business to provide services in rural, suburban and metropolitan markets, with service territories spanning the country. We provide a wide range of services and products that include local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), private line services, carrier grade access 1 services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, cloud data services, data center and managed services, directory publishing and equipment sales. Recent Business Developments Enventis Merger On October 16, 2014, we completed our merger with Enventis and acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. As a result, Enventis became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Enventis is an advanced communications provider, which services consumer, commercial and wholesale carrier customer channels primarily in the upper Midwest. The acquisition reflects our strategy to diversify revenue and cash flows amongst multiple products and to expand our network to new markets. The financial results for Enventis have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report in Part II – Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a more detailed discussion of the transaction. Discontinued Operations On September 13, 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights used to provide communications services to inmates in thirteen county jails located in Illinois for a total purchase price of $2.5 million. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20, Discontinued Operations, the financial results of the operations for our prison services business have been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report in Part II – Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a more detailed discussion of the transaction. Available Information Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available free of charge on our web site at www.consolidated.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Copies are also available free of charge upon request to Consolidated Communications, Attn: Vice President Investor Relations and Treasurer, 121 S. 17th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938. Our website also contains copies of our Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and charter of each committee of our Board of Directors. The information found on our web site is not part of this report or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days during the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding our filings at www.sec.gov. Description of Our Business We are an integrated communications services company that operates as both an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) and a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”) dependent upon the territory served. We provide an array of services in consumer, commercial and carrier channels in 11 states, including local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, VoIP, custom calling features, private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, data center and managed services, directory publishing, equipment sales and cloud data services. The geographic areas we serve are characterized by a balanced mix of growing suburban areas and stable, rural territories. The acquisition of Enventis in 2014 further diversified our operating revenues and cash flows across multiple business lines and markets. We generate the majority of our consolidated operating revenue primarily from subscriptions to our video and data services (collectively “broadband services”) and transport services to business and residential customers. Revenues increased $140.0 million during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily from growth in commercial services, total data connections and the acquisition of Enventis in 2014. We expect our broadband services revenue to continue to grow as consumer and commercial demands for data based services increase. 2 We continue to focus on commercial and broadband growth opportunities and are continually expanding our commercial product offerings for both small and large businesses to capitalize on industry technological advances. We can leverage our fiber optic networks and tailor our services for business customers by developing solutions to fit their specific needs. We gained strategic advantage through the acquisition of Enventis in 2014, which recently launched a suite of cloud data services that increases efficiency and reduces IT costs for our customers. In addition, we recently launched an enhanced hosted voice product, which enables greater scalability and reliability for businesses. We anticipate future momentum in new commercial services as these new products gain traction. We market services to our residential customers either individually or as a bundled package. Our “triple play” bundle includes our voice, video and data services. Data connections continue to increase as a result of consumer trends toward increased Internet usage and our enhanced product and service offerings, such as our progressively increasing consumer data speeds. We introduced data speeds of up to 1 Gbps to approximately 20,000 of our fiber-to-the-home customers in our Kansas market and a limited portion of our Pennsylvania market in December 2014 and in our Texas market in the first quarter of 2015, with our California market to follow in 2016. Where 1 Gbps speeds are not yet offered, the maximum broadband speed is 100 Mbps, depending on the geographic market availability. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 29% of the homes in the areas we serve subscribe to our data service. Our exceptional consumer broadband speed allows us to continue to meet the needs of our customers and the demand for higher speed resulting from the growing trend of over-the-top (“OTT”) content viewing. The availability of 1 Gbps data speed also complements our wireless home networking (“Wi-Fi”) that supports our TV Everywhere service and allows our subscribers to watch their favorite programs at home or away on a computer, smartphone or tablet. We tailor our services to commercial and carrier customers by developing solutions to fit their specific needs. We provide services to a wide range of commercial customers from sole proprietors and other small businesses to multi- location corporations and telecommunications carriers. Our business suite of services includes local and long-distance calling plans, hosted voice services using Cloud network servers, the added capacity for multiple phone lines, scalable broadband Internet, online back-up and business directory listings. For larger businesses, we offer data services including dedicated Internet access through our Metro Ethernet network. Wide Area Network (“WAN”) products include point-to-point and multi-point deployments from 2.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps, accommodating the growth patterns of our business customers. Our data centers provide redundant, scalable bandwidth over a self-healing fiber-optic backbone that is protected by uninterrupted power supplies and generator back-ups with direct connection to broadband. We also offer wholesale services to regional and national interexchange and wireless carriers, including cellular backhaul, dark fiber and other fiber-based transport solutions with speeds up to 100 Gbps. A discussion of factors potentially affecting our operations is set forth in Part I – Item 1A – “Risk Factors”, which is incorporated herein by reference. Key Operating Statistics Consumer customers Voice connections Data connections Video connections Total connections 2015 268,934 As of December 31, 2014 277,753 2013 258,769 482,735 456,100 117,882 1,056,717 503,120 443,489 124,229 1,070,838 440,253 407,972 111,968 960,193 The comparability of our consolidated results of operations and key operating statistics was impacted by the Enventis acquisition that closed on October 16, 2014, as described above. Enventis’ results are included in our consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition. The acquisition provides additional diversification of the Company’s revenues and cash flows both geographically and by service type. 3 Sources of Revenue The following table summarizes our sources of revenue for the last three fiscal years: (In millions, except for percentages) Commercial and carrier: Data and transport services (includes VoIP) Voice services Other Consumer: Broadband (VoIP, data and video) Voice services Equipment sales and service Subsidies Network access Other products and services Total operating revenues 2015 % of Revenues $ 2014 % of $ Revenues $ 2013 % of Revenues $ 183.3 103.0 12.3 298.6 23.6 % $ 117.5 92.6 13.3 11.5 1.6 221.6 38.5 18.5 % $ 94.5 89.8 14.6 10.6 1.8 194.9 34.9 213.6 60.6 274.2 27.5 7.8 35.3 200.8 60.2 261.0 31.6 9.5 41.1 195.1 63.9 259.0 15.7 % 14.9 1.8 32.4 32.5 10.6 43.1 55.0 56.3 73.9 17.7 $ 775.7 7.1 7.3 9.5 2.3 10.0 53.2 75.7 14.2 100.0 % $ 635.7 1.5 8.4 11.9 2.2 — 52.0 81.4 14.3 100.0 % $ 601.6 — 8.6 13.5 2.4 100.0 % All telecommunications providers continue to face increased competition as a result of technology changes and legislative and regulatory developments in the industry. We continue to focus on commercial growth opportunities and are continually expanding our commercial product offerings for both small and large businesses to capitalize on industry technological advances. In addition, we expect our broadband services revenue to continue to grow as consumer and commercial demands for data based services increase, which will offset the anticipated decline in traditional voice services impacted by the ongoing industry-wide reduction in residential access lines. Commercial and Carrier Data and Transport Services We provide a variety of business communication services to small, medium and large business customers, including many services over our advanced fiber network. The services we offer include scalable high speed broadband Internet access and VoIP phone services, which range from basic service plans to virtual hosted systems. Our hosted VoIP package utilizes our soft switching technology and enables our customers to have the flexibility of employing new telephone advances and features without investing in a new telephone system. The package bundles local service, calling features, Internet protocol (“IP”) business telephones and unified messaging, which integrates multiple messaging technologies into a single system and allows the customer to receive and listen to voice messages through email. In addition to Internet and VoIP services, we also offer a variety of commercial data connectivity services in select markets including private line, WAN and Ethernet services to provide high bandwidth connectivity across point-to-point and multiple site networks. Networking services are available at a variety of speeds up to 10 Gbps. Data center and disaster recovery solutions also provide a reliable and local colocation option for commercial customers. We have also recently launched a suite of Cloud-based services which includes a hosted unified communications solution that replaces the customer’s on-site phone systems and data networks, managed network security services and data protection services. We also offer wholesale services to regional and national interexchange and wireless carriers, including cellular backhaul, dark fiber and other fiber transport solutions with speeds up to 100 Gbps. The demand for backhaul services continues to grow as wireless carriers are faced with escalating consumer and commercial demands for wireless data. 4 Voice Services Voice services include basic local phone and long-distance service packages for business customers. The plans include options for voicemail, conference calling, linking multiple office locations and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding, speed dialing and call waiting. Services can be charged at a fixed monthly rate, a measured rate or can be bundled with selected services at a discounted rate. Consumer Broadband Services Broadband services include revenue from residential customers for subscriptions to our VoIP, data and video products. We offer high speed Internet access at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, depending on the nature of the network facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location. Our data service plans also include wireless internet access, email and internet security and protection. Our VoIP digital phone service is also available in certain markets as an alternative to the traditional telephone line. We offer multiple voice service plans with customizable calling features and voicemail. Depending on geographic market availability, our video services range from limited basic service to advanced digital television, which includes several plans each with hundreds of local, national and music channels including premium and pay-per-view channels as well as video on-demand service. Certain customers may also subscribe to our advanced video services, which consist of high-definition television, digital video recorders (“DVR”) and/or a whole home DVR. Our Whole Home DVR allows customers the ability to watch recorded shows on any television in the house, record multiple shows at one time and utilize an intuitive on-screen guide and user interface. Video subscribers also have access to our TV Everywhere service which allows subscriber access to full episodes of available shows, movies and live streams using a computer or mobile device. Voice Services We offer several different basic local phone service packages and long-distance calling plans, including unlimited flat- rate calling plans. The plans include options for voicemail and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding and call waiting. The number of local access lines in service directly affects the recurring revenue we generate from end users and continues to be impacted by the industry-wide decline in access lines. We expect to continue to experience modest erosion in voice connections due to competition from alternative technologies, including our own competing VoIP product. Equipment Sales and Service As an equipment integrator, we offer network design, implementation and support services, including maintenance contracts, in order to provide integrated communication solutions for our customers. We sell telecommunications equipment, such as key, Private Branch Exchange (“PBX”), IP-based telephone systems and other sophisticated hardware solutions, and offer support services to medium and large business customers. Through our acquisition of Enventis in 2014, we obtained a leading market relationship with Cisco Systems, Inc. and, as a result, are an accredited Master Level Unified Communications and Gold Certified Cisco Partner providing equipment solutions and support for business customers. Our strategic relationship with Cisco as the supplier allows us to deploy a wide range of collaboration, data center and network technology solutions. We earned Cisco’s Master Cloud Builder Specialization and received the Data Center Interconnect designation. We maintain numerous Cisco specializations and authorizations, as well as partner relationships with EMC, NetApp, VMware and other industry-leading vendors in order to provide integrated communication solutions that best fit our customers’ needs. Subsidies Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. Subsidies are funded by end user surcharges to which telecommunications providers, including local, long-distance and wireless carriers, contribute on a monthly basis. Subsidies are allocated and distributed to participating carriers monthly based upon their respective costs for providing local service. Similar to access charges, subsidies are regulated by federal and state regulatory commissions. See Part I – Item 1 – “Regulatory Environment” below and Item 1A – Risk Factors – “Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business” for further discussion regarding the subsidies we receive. 5 Network Access Services Network access services include interstate and intrastate switched access revenue, network special access services and end user access. Switched access revenue includes access services to other communications carriers to terminate or originate long-distance calls on our network. Special access circuits provide dedicated lines and trunks to business customers and interexchange carriers. Certain of our network access revenues are based on rates set or approved by federal and state regulatory commissions or as directed by law that are subject to change at any time. Other Products and Services Other products and services include revenues from telephone directory publishing, video advertising and billing and support services. No customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Wireless partnerships In addition to our core business, we also derive a significant portion of our cash flow and earnings from investments in five wireless partnerships. Wireless partnership investment income is included as a component of other income in the consolidated statements of income. Our wireless partnership investment consists of five cellular partnerships: GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (“Mobilnet South Partnership”), GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (“Pittsburgh SMSA”), Pennsylvania RSA No. 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and Pennsylvania RSA No. 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”). We own 2.34% of the Mobilnet South Partnership. The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas. Because we have a minor ownership interest and cannot influence operations, we account for this investment using the cost method. Income is recognized only upon cash distributions of our proportionate earnings in the partnership. We own 20.51% of RSA #17, which serves areas in and around Conroe, Texas. Because we have some influence over the operating and financial policies of this partnership, we account for the investment under the equity method, recognizing income on our proportionate share of earnings. Cash distributions are recorded as a reduction in our investment. San Antonio MTA, L.P., a wholly owned partnership of Cellco Partnership (doing business as Verizon Wireless), is the general partner for both the Mobilnet South Partnership and RSA #17. We own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA, 16.67% of RSA 6(I) and 23.67% of RSA 6(II), all of which are majority owned and operated by Verizon Wireless. These partnerships cover territories that almost entirely overlap the markets served by our Pennsylvania ILEC and CLEC operations. Because of our limited influence over Pittsburgh SMSA, we account for the investment using the cost method. RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) are accounted for under the equity method. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recognized income of $37.0 million, $34.4 million and $37.5 million, respectively, and received cash distributions of $45.3 million, $34.6 million and $34.8 million, respectively, from these wireless partnerships. Employees As of December 31, 2015, we employed approximately 1,783 employees, including part-time employees. We also use temporary employees in the normal course of our business. Approximately 28% of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2015. For a more detailed discussion regarding how the collective bargaining agreements could affect our business, see Part I - Item 1A – Risk Factors – “Risks Relating to Our Business”. 6 Sales and Marketing The key components of our overall marketing strategy include: • Organizing our sales and marketing activities around our consumer, commercial and carrier customers; • Positioning ourselves as a single point of contact for our customers’ communications needs; • Providing customers with a broad array of voice, data and video services and bundling these services whenever possible; • Identifying and broadening our commercial customer needs by developing solutions and providing integrated service offerings; • Providing excellent customer service, including 24/7 centralized customer support to coordinate installation of new services, repair and maintenance functions; • Developing and delivering new services to meet evolving customer needs and market demands; and • Leveraging history and brand recognition across all market areas. We currently offer our services through call centers, our website, communication centers and commissioned sales representatives. Our customer service call centers and dedicated sales teams serve as the primary sales channels for consumer, business and carrier services. Our sales efforts are supported by direct mail, bill inserts, newspaper, radio and television advertising, public relations activities, community events and website promotions. We market our services both individually and as bundled services, including our triple-play offering of voice, data and video services. By bundling our service offerings, we are able to offer and sell a more complete and competitive package of services, which we believe simultaneously increases our average revenue per user (“ARPU”) and adds value for the consumer. We also believe that bundling leads to increased customer loyalty and retention. Network Architecture and Technology We have made significant investments in our technologically advanced telecommunications networks and continue to enhance and expand our network by deploying technologies to provide additional capacity to our customers. As a result, we are able to deliver high-quality, reliable data, video and voice services in the markets we serve. Our wide-ranging network and extensive use of fiber provide an easy reach into existing and new areas. By bringing the fiber network closer to the customer premises, we can increase our service offerings, quality and bandwidth services. Our existing network enables us to efficiently respond and adapt to changes in technology and is capable of supporting the rising customer demand for bandwidth in order to support the growing amount of wireless data devices in our customers’ homes and businesses. Our networks are supported by advanced 100% digital switches, with a fiber network connecting in all but one of our exchanges. We continue to enhance our copper network to increase bandwidth in order to provide additional products and services to our marketable homes. In addition to our copper plant enhancements, we have deployed fiber-optic cable extensively throughout our network, resulting in a 100% fiber backbone network that supports all of the inter-office and host-remote links, as well as the majority of business parks within our service areas. In addition, this fiber infrastructure provides the connectivity required to provide video service, Internet and long-distance services to all Consolidated residential and commercial customers. Our fiber network utilizes fiber-to-the-home (“FTTH”) and fiber-to-the-node (“FTTN”) networks to offer bundled residential and commercial services. We operate fiber networks which we own or have entered into long-term leases for fiber network access. At December 31, 2015, our fiber-optic network consisted of approximately 13,720 route-miles, which includes approximately 4,700 miles of fiber network in Minnesota and surrounding areas, 4,180 miles of fiber network in Texas, approximately 1,690 route-miles of fiber-optic facilities in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, 1,050 miles of fiber network in Illinois, approximately 1,080 route-miles of fiber optic facilities in California that cover large parts of the greater Sacramento metropolitan area and over 1,020 route-miles of fiber optic facilities in Kansas City that service the greater Kansas City 7 area including both Kansas and Missouri. In 2014, we expanded our commercial services into the greater Dallas/Fort Worth market utilizing our existing carrier-class fiber network in this area. This network previously was used to serve our wholesale and carrier customers. In 2014, we began offering fiber based services including dedicated Internet access, wide area network services and hosted private branch exchange (iPBX) to commercial customers in this market. Through our extensive fiber network, we are also able to support the increased demand on wireless carriers for data bandwidth. In all the markets we serve, we have launched initiatives to support fiber backhaul services to cell sites. As of December 31, 2015, we had 1,224 cell sites under contract with 1,065 connected and 159 scheduled for completion in 2016. Business Strategies Diversify revenues and increase revenues per customer We continue to transform our business and diversify our revenue streams as we adapt to changes in the regulatory environment and advances in technology. As a result of acquisitions, our wireless partnerships and increases in the consumer and commercial demand for data services, we continue to reduce our reliance on subsidies and access revenue. Utilizing our existing network and strategic network expansion initiatives, we are able to acquire and serve a more diversified business customer base and create new long-term revenue streams such as wireless carrier backhaul services. We will continue to focus on growing our broadband and commercial services through the expansion and extension of our fiber network to communities and corridors near our primary fiber routes where we believe we can offer competitive services and increase market share. We also continue to focus on increasing our revenue per customer, primarily by improving our data market penetration, by increasing the sale of other value-added services and by encouraging customers to subscribe to our service bundles. Improve operating efficiency We continue to seek to improve operating efficiency through technology, better practices and procedures and through cost containment measures. Our current focus is on the continued integration of Enventis into our existing operations and creating operating synergies for the combined company. In recent years, we have made significant operational improvements in our business through the centralization of work groups, processes and systems, which has resulted in significant cost savings and reductions in headcount. Because of these efficiencies, we are better able to deliver a consistent customer experience, service our customers in a more cost-effective manner and lower our cost structure. We continue to evaluate our operations in order to align our cost structure with operating revenues while continuing to launch new products and improve the overall customer experience. Maintain capital expenditure discipline Across all of our service territories, we have successfully managed capital expenditures to optimize returns through disciplined planning and targeted investment of capital. For example, investments in our networks allows significant flexibility to expand our commercial footprint, offer new service offerings and provide services in a cost-efficient manner while maintaining our reputation as a high-quality service provider. We will continue to invest in strategic growth initiatives to expand our fiber network to new markets and customers in order to optimize new business, backhaul and wholesale opportunities. Pursue selective acquisitions We have in the past taken, and expect to continue to take in the future, a disciplined approach in pursuing company acquisitions. When we evaluate potential transactions, important factors include: • The market; • The quality of the network; • The ability to integrate the acquired company efficiently; 8 • Significant potential operating synergies exist; and • The transaction will be cash flow accretive from day one. We believe all of the above criteria were met in connection with our acquisition of Enventis in 2014. In the long term, we believe that this transaction gives us additional scale and better positions us financially, strategically and competitively to pursue additional acquisitions. Competition The telecommunications industry is subject to extensive competition, which has increased significantly in recent years. Technological advances have expanded the types and uses of services and products available. In addition, differences in the regulatory environment applicable to comparable alternative services have lowered costs for these competitors. As a result, we face heightened competition but also have new opportunities to grow our broadband business. Our competitors vary by market and may include other incumbent and competitive local telephone companies; cable operators offering video, data and VoIP products; wireless carriers; long distance providers; satellite companies; Internet service providers and in some cases new forms of providers who are able to offer a broad range of competitive services. We expect competition to remain a significant factor affecting our operating results and that the nature and extent of that competition will continue to increase. See Part I - Item 1A – “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business”. In recent years, competition in our incumbent service areas has increased significantly. Except for the traditional multichannel video delivery business, which requires significant capital investment to serve customers, the barriers to entry are not high and technology changes force rapid competitive adjustments. Depending on the market area, we compete against AT&T and a number of other carriers, as well as Comcast, Time Warner, Mediacom, Armstrong, Suddenlink and NewWave communications, in both the commercial and consumer markets. Google also recently launched data and video services in a limited, but growing, number of service areas including the Kansas City market. Our competitors offer traditional telecommunications services as well as IP-based services and other emerging data- based services. Our competitors continue to add features and adopt aggressive pricing and packaging for services comparable to the services we offer. We continue to face significant competition from wireless and other fiber data providers as the demand for substitute communication services, such as wireless phones and data devices, continues to increase. Customers are increasingly foregoing traditional telephone services and land-based Internet service and relying exclusively on wireless service. In addition, the expanded availability for free or lower cost services, such as video over the Internet, complimentary Wi-Fi service and other streaming devices has increased competition among other providers including online digital distributors for our video and data services. In most cases, we have entered the cable television service markets as the operator of a second (or subsequent) cable system. Therefore, we face the challenge of drawing customers away from the incumbent cable service provider. Similarly, the possession of comparatively greater size and scale can give an incumbent cable competitor an advantage in both access to and pricing of the program content needed to operate a cable television business. Our competitors, in some cases, possess significantly greater size and scale than we do. In order to meet the competition, we have responded in part by introducing new services and service bundles, offering services in convenient groupings with package discounts and billing advantages, providing excellent customer service and by continuing to invest in our network and business operations. In our rural markets, services are more costly to provide than service in urban areas as a lower customer density necessitates higher capital expenditures on a per-customer basis. As a result, it generally is not economically viable for new entrants to overlap existing networks in rural territories. Despite the barriers to entry, rural telephone companies still face significant competition from wireless and video providers and, to a lesser extent, competitive telephone companies. Our other lines of business are subject to substantial competition from local, regional and national competitors. In particular, our wholesale and transport business serves other interexchange carriers and we compete with a variety of service providers including incumbent and competitive local telephone companies and other fiber data companies. For our business systems products, we compete with other equipment providers or value added resellers, network providers, incumbent and competitive local telephone companies and with cloud and data hosting service providers. 9 We expect that competition in all of our businesses will continue to intensify as new technologies and changes in consumer behavior continue to emerge. Regulatory Environment The following summary does not describe all existing and proposed legislation and regulations affecting the telecommunications industry. Regulation can change rapidly, and ongoing proceedings and hearings could alter the manner in which the telecommunications industry operates. We cannot predict the outcome of any of these developments, nor their potential impact on us. See Part I —Item 1A—“Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business”. Overview Our revenues, which include revenues from such telecommunications services as local telephone service, network access service and toll service, are subject to broad federal and/or state regulation are derived from various sources, including: • • • business and residential subscribers of basic exchange services; surcharges mandated by state commissions; long-distance carriers for network access service; • competitive access providers and commercial customers for network access service; and • support payments from federal or state programs. telecommunications The the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Telecommunications Act”), federal and state regulators share responsibility for implementing and enforcing statutes and regulations designed to encourage competition and to preserve and advance widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices. to extensive federal, state and local regulation. Under is subject industry At the federal level, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) generally exercises jurisdiction over facilities and services of local exchange carriers, such as our rural telephone companies, to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate interstate or international communications. The FCC has the authority to condition, modify, cancel, terminate or revoke our operating authority for failure to comply with applicable federal laws or FCC rules, regulations and policies. Fines or penalties also may be imposed for any of these violations. State regulatory commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over carriers’ facilities and services to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate intrastate communications. In particular, state regulatory agencies have substantial oversight over interconnection and network access by competitors of our rural telephone companies. In addition, municipalities and other local government agencies regulate the public rights-of-way necessary to install and operate networks. State regulators can sanction our rural telephone companies or revoke our certifications if we violate relevant laws or regulations. Federal Regulation Our rural telephone companies and competitive local exchange companies must comply with the Communications Act of 1934, which requires, among other things, that telecommunications carriers offer services at just and reasonable rates and on non-discriminatory terms and conditions. The 1996 amendments to the Communications Act (contained in the Telecommunications Act discussed below) dramatically changed, and likely will continue to change, the landscape of the industry. 10 Removal of Entry Barriers The Telecommunications Act imposes a number of interconnection and other requirements on all local communications providers. All telecommunications carriers have a duty to interconnect directly or indirectly with the facilities and equipment of other telecommunications carriers. Local exchange carriers, including our rural telephone companies, are required to: • Allow other carriers to resell their services; • Provide number portability where feasible; • Ensure dialing parity, meaning that consumers can choose their default local or long-distance telephone company without having to dial additional digits; • Ensure that competitors’ customers receive non-discriminatory access to telephone numbers, operator service, directory assistance and directory listings; • Afford competitors access to telephone poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of-way; and • Establish reciprocal compensation arrangements with other carriers for the transport and termination of telecommunications traffic. Furthermore, the Telecommunications Act imposes on incumbent telephone companies (other than rural telephone companies that maintain their so-called “rural exemption” as our subsidiaries do) additional obligations to: • Negotiate interconnection agreements with other carriers in good faith; • Interconnect their facilities and equipment with any requesting telecommunications carrier, at any technically feasible point, at non-discriminatory rates and on non-discriminatory terms and conditions; • Offer their retail services to other carriers for resale at discounted wholesale rates; • Provide reasonable notice of changes in the information necessary for transmission and routing of services over the incumbent telephone company’s facilities or in the information necessary for interoperability; and • Provide, at rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable and non-discriminatory, for the physical collocation of other carriers’ equipment necessary for interconnection or access to unbundled network elements (“UNEs”) at the premises of the incumbent telephone company. Access Charges On November 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive order on intercarrier compensation and universal service reform. See “FCC Access Charge and Universal Service Reform Order” below for detailed discussion on the FCC order. A significant portion of our rural telephone companies’ revenues come from network access charges paid by long- distance and other carriers for using our companies’ local telephone facilities for originating or terminating calls within our service areas. The amount of network access revenues our rural telephone companies receive is based on rates set or approved by federal and state regulatory commissions, and these rates are subject to change at any time. Intrastate network access charges are regulated by state commissions. The FCC order on intercarrier compensation and universal service reform required state access charges to mirror interstate access charges, and as of July 1, 2013, all switched intrastate access charges mirror interstate access charges. The FCC regulates the prices we may charge for the use of our local telephone facilities to originate or terminate interstate and international calls. The FCC has structured these prices as a combination of flat monthly charges paid by 11 customers and both usage-sensitive (per-minute) charges and flat monthly charges paid by long-distance or other carriers. The FCC regulates interstate network access charges by imposing price caps on Regional Bell Operating Companies and other large incumbent telephone companies. These price caps can be adjusted based on various formulas, such as inflation and productivity, and otherwise through regulatory proceedings. Incumbent telephone companies, such as our local telephone companies, may elect to base network access charges on price caps, but are not required to do so. All of our incumbent telephone companies have elected for price cap regulation. We believe that price cap regulation gives us greater pricing flexibility for interstate services, especially in the increasingly competitive special access segment. It also provides us with the potential to increase our net earnings by becoming more productive and introducing new services. As we have acquired new properties we have converted them to federal price cap regulation. Traditionally, regulators have allowed network access rates for rural areas to be set higher than the actual cost of terminating or originating long-distance calls as an implicit means of subsidizing the high cost of providing local service in rural areas. Following a series of federal court decisions ruling that subsidies must be explicit rather than implicit, the FCC adopted reforms in 2001 that reduced per-minute network access charges and shifted a portion of cost recovery, which historically was imposed on long-distance carriers, to flat-rate, monthly subscriber line charges imposed on end- user customers. While the FCC also increased explicit subsidies to rural telephone companies through the Universal Service Fund, the aggregate amount of interstate network access charges paid by long-distance carriers to access providers, such as our rural telephone companies, has decreased and may continue to decrease. Unlike the federal system, California, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota do not provide an explicit subsidy in the form of a universal service fund for companies of our size. Therefore, while subsidies from the Federal Universal Service Fund offset the decrease in revenues resulting from the reduction in interstate network access rates, there was no corresponding offset for the decrease in revenues from the reduction in California and Illinois intrastate network access rates. In Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas, the intrastate network access rate regime applicable to our rural telephone companies does not mirror the FCC regime, so the impact of the reforms was revenue neutral. In recent years, carriers have become more aggressive in disputing the FCC’s interstate access charge rates and the application of access charges to their telecommunications traffic. We believe these disputes have increased, in part, because advances in technology have made it more difficult to determine the identity and jurisdiction of traffic, giving carriers an increased opportunity to challenge access costs for their traffic. For example, in September 2003, Vonage Holdings Corporation filed a petition with the FCC to preempt an order of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission asserting jurisdiction over Vonage. The FCC determined that it was impossible to divide Vonage’s VoIP service into interstate and intrastate components without negating federal rules and policies. Accordingly, the FCC found it was an interstate service not subject to traditional state telephone regulation. While the FCC order did not specifically address whether intrastate access charges were applicable to Vonage’s VoIP service, the fact that the service was found to be solely interstate raises that concern. We cannot predict what other actions other long-distance carriers may take before the FCC or with their local exchange carriers, including our rural telephone companies, to challenge the applicability of access charges. Due to the increasing deployment of VoIP services and other technological changes, we believe these types of disputes and claims are likely to increase. Unbundled Network Element Rules The unbundling requirements have been some of the most controversial provisions of the Telecommunications Act. In its initial implementation of the law, the FCC generally required incumbent telephone companies to lease a wide range of UNE’s to CLECs. Those rules were designed to enable competitors to deliver services to their customers in combination with their existing networks or as recombined service offerings on a UNE platform (“UNE-P”), which allowed competitors with no facilities of their own to purchase all the elements of local telephone service from the incumbent and resell them to customers. These unbundling requirements, and the duty to offer UNEs to competitors, imposed substantial costs on the incumbent telephone companies and made it easier for customers to shift their business to other carriers. After a court challenge and a decision vacating portions of the UNE rules, the FCC issued revised rules in February 2005 that reinstated some unbundling requirements for incumbent telephone companies that are not protected by the rural exemption, but eliminated the UNE-P option and certain other unbundling requirements. 12 Each of the subsidiaries through which we operate our local telephone businesses is an incumbent telephone company and provides service in rural areas. As discussed above, the Telecommunications Act exempts rural telephone companies from certain of the more burdensome interconnection requirements. However, the Telecommunications Act provides that the rural exemption will cease to apply to competing cable companies if and when the rural carrier introduces video services in a service area, in which case, a competing cable operator providing video programming and seeking to provide telecommunications services in the area may interconnect. Since each of our subsidiaries now provides video services in their major service areas, the rural exemption no longer applies to cable company competitors in those service areas. Additionally, in Texas, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) has removed the rural exemption for our Texas subsidiaries with respect to telecommunications services furnished by Sprint Communications, L.P. on behalf of cable companies. Our ILEC subsidiaries in California, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania still have the rural exemption in place. We believe the benefits of providing video services outweigh the loss of the rural exemptions to cable operators. Under its current rules, the FCC has eliminated unbundling requirements for ILECs providing broadband services over fiber facilities, but continues to require unbundled access to mass-market narrowband loops. ILECs are no longer required to unbundle packet switching services. In addition, the FCC found that CLECs generally are not at a disadvantage at certain wire center locations in regard to high bandwidth (DS-1 and DS-3) loops, dark fiber loops and dedicated interoffice transport facilities. However, where a disadvantage persists, ILECs continue to be required to unbundle loops and transport facilities. The FCC rules regarding the unbundling of network elements did not have an impact on our Illinois and Pennsylvania ILEC operations because these ILECs have rural exemptions. Our CLEC operations were not significantly affected by the 2005 changes to the UNE rules because they use their own switching for business customers that are served by high capacity loops. Our Pennsylvania CLEC has a commercial agreement with Verizon that sets the terms of the pricing and provisioning of lines previously served utilizing UNE-P, including Verizon switching service. Less than 5% of our Pennsylvania CLEC access lines are provisioned utilizing this commercial arrangement. Although the costs for this arrangement will increase over time pursuant to the terms of the agreement, our relatively low use of Verizon’s switching and our ability to migrate some of the lines to alternative provisioning sources will limit the overall impact on our current cost structure. The CLEC has experienced moderate increases in the overall cost to provision high-capacity loops, interoffice transport facilities and dark fiber as a result of the FCC’s changes to unbundling requirements for those facilities. In December 2012, our subsidiary Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services. Inc. (“CCES”), entered into a 5-year wholesale special access agreement with AT&T, which moved us off of the UNE platform, reduced costs and gave us greater flexibility. This agreement applies to our CLEC operations in California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. In 2006, Verizon filed a petition requesting that the FCC refrain from applying a number of regulations to the Verizon operations in six major metropolitan markets, including the Pittsburgh market area. Among other things, Verizon urged the FCC to forbear from applying loop and transport unbundling regulations, claiming there was sufficient competition in the Pittsburgh market to mitigate the need for these rules. The FCC denied Verizon’s petition in December 2007, but a federal court of appeals remanded this decision to the FCC for further analysis in 2009. If the FCC grants this remanded petition or any similar forbearance petitions in markets in which our CLEC operates, our cost to obtain access to loop and transport facilities would increase substantially for the 5%, or less, of the lines provisioned under the commercial agreement discussed above. In 2013, AT&T filed to amend its interstate access tariff with the FCC to eliminate the 5-year term discounts on its special access services. We filed a petition to reject AT&T’s filing, and on December 9, 2013, the FCC suspended AT&T’s filing pending investigation. The FCC has not yet issued a ruling in this matter. Promotion of Universal Service In general, telecommunications service in rural areas is more costly to provide than service in urban areas. The lower customer density means that switching and other facilities serve fewer customers and loops are typically longer, requiring greater expenditures per customer to build and maintain. By supporting the high cost of operations in rural markets, Universal Service Fund (“USF”) subsidies promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. Revenues from federal and certain states’ USFs totaled $56.3 million, $53.2 million and $52.0 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 13 In order for an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”) to receive high-cost support, the USF/Intercarrier Compensation (“ICC”) Transformation Order requires states to certify annually that USF support is used only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. States, in turn, require that ETCs file certifications with them as the basis for the state filings with the FCC. Failure to meet the annual data and certification deadlines can result in reduced support to the ETC based on the length of the delay in certification. Each of our rural telephone companies has been designated as an ETC. For calendar year 2013, the California state certification was due to be filed with the FCC on or before October 1, 2012. We were notified in January 2013 that SureWest Communications (“SureWest”) did not submit the required certification to the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) in time to be included in its October 1, 2012 submission to the FCC. In January 2013, we filed a certification with the CPUC and filed a petition with the FCC for a waiver of the filing deadline for the annual state certification. In February 2013, the CPUC filed a certification with the FCC with respect to SureWest. In October 2013, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC denied our petition for a waiver of the annual certification deadline. In November 2013, we applied for a review of the decision made by the FCC staff by the full Commission. Management is optimistic that the Company may prevail in its application to the Commission and receive USF funding for the period January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013 based on the change in SureWest’s USF filing status caused by the change in the ownership of SureWest, the lack of formal notice by the FCC regarding this change in filing status, the fact that SureWest had a previously filed certification of compliance in effect with the FCC for the two quarters for which USF was withheld and the FCC’s past practice of granting waivers to accept late filings in similar situations. However, due to the denial of our petition by the Wireline Competition Bureau and the uncertainty of the collectability of previously recognized revenues, in December 2013 we reversed $3.0 million of previously recognized revenues until such time that the Commission has the opportunity to reach a decision on our application for review. FCC Access Charge and Universal Service Reform Order In November 2011, the FCC released a comprehensive order on access charge and universal service reform (the “Order”). The access charge portion of the Order systematically reduces minute-of-use-based interstate access, intrastate access and reciprocal compensation rates over a six to nine year period to an end state of bill-and-keep, in which each carrier recovers the costs of its network through charges to its own subscribers, not through intercarrier compensation. The reductions apply to terminating access rates and usage, with originating access to be addressed by the FCC in a later proceeding. To help with the transition to bill-and-keep, the FCC created two mechanisms. The first is an Access Recovery Mechanism (“ARM”) which is funded from the Connect America Fund (“CAF”), and the second is an Access Recovery Charge (“ARC”) which is recovered from end users. The universal service portion of the Order redirects support from voice services to broadband services, and is now called the CAF. The initial release of the Order mandated that, in order to receive CAF funding, carriers must agree to provide broadband capability to 100% of their customer base at a minimum speed of 4 Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream. In the Order, holding companies with price cap study areas and rate of return study areas are mandated to move each of their interstate rate of return study areas to price cap for universal service purposes only. The intercarrier compensation rules will keep rate of return study areas under the rate of return intercarrier compensation transitions plan and the price cap study areas under the price cap intercarrier compensation transition. In 2012, CAF Phase I was implemented, which froze USF support to price cap carriers until the FCC implemented a broadband cost model to shift support from voice services to broadband services. The Order also modified the methodology used for ICC traffic exchanged between carriers. The initial phase of ICC reform was effective on July 1, 2012, beginning the transition of our terminating switched access rates to bill-and-keep over a seven year period, and as a result, our network access revenue decreased approximately $1.3 million during 2015. In December 2014, the FCC released a report and order that addressed, among other things, the transition to CAF Phase II funding for price cap carriers, the acceptance criteria for CAF Phase II funding and the annual reporting requirements, and it also introduced CAF Phase III. For companies that accept the CAF Phase II funding, there is a three year transition period in instances in which their current CAF Phase I funding exceeds the CAF Phase II funding. If CAF Phase II funding exceeds CAF Phase I funding, the transitional support is waived and CAF Phase II funding begins immediately. Companies are required to commit to a statewide build out requirement to 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream in funded locations. We accepted the CAF Phase II funding in August 2015. The annual funding under CAF Phase I of $36.6 million will be replaced by annual funding under CAF Phase II of $13.9 million through 2020. In the state of Iowa, where CAF Phase II funding is greater than the CAF Phase I funding, the CAF Phase II funding will be received with a retroactive payment back to January 1, 2015. For all other states, funding under CAF Phase II is less than funding 14 under CAF Phase I. The acceptance of funding at the lower level will transition over a three year period, beginning in August 2015, at the rates of 75% of the CAF Phase I funding level in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year. The annual reporting requirements include (i) filings of annual certifications that the carrier is both meeting its public interest obligations and is offering comparable broadband rates and (ii) the filing of a Service Quality Improvement plan. The initial plan must be filed by July 1, 2016, with progress reports filed every year thereafter. The plan must include, among other things, the total amount of CAF Phase II funding used to fund capital expenditures in the previous year and certification that the carrier is meeting the required interim deployment milestones. State Regulation California The CPUC has the power, among other things, to establish rates, terms and conditions for intrastate service, to prescribe uniform systems of accounts and to regulate the mortgaging or disposition of public utility properties. In an ongoing proceeding relating to the New Regulatory Framework, the CPUC adopted Decision 06-08-030 in 2006, which grants carriers broader pricing freedom in the provision of telecommunications services, bundling of services, promotions and customer contracts. This decision adopted a new regulatory framework, the Uniform Regulatory Framework (“URF”), which among other things (i) eliminates price regulation and allows full pricing flexibility for all new and retail services, (ii) allows new forms of bundles and promotional packages of telecommunication services, (iii) allocates all gains and losses from the sale of assets to shareholders and (iv) eliminates almost all elements of rate of return regulation, including the calculation of shareable earnings. In December 2010, the CPUC issued a ruling to initiate a new proceeding to assess whether, or to what extent, the level of competition in the telecommunications industry is sufficient to control prices for the four largest ILECs in the state. Subsequently, the CPUC issued a ruling temporarily deferring the proceeding. When the CPUC may open this proceeding is unclear and on hold at this time. The CPUC’s actions in this and future proceedings could lead to new rules and an increase in government regulation. The Company will continue to monitor this matter. Illinois Our Illinois rural telephone company holds the necessary certifications in Illinois to provide long-distance and payphone services. We are required to file tariffs with the Illinois Commerce Commission (“ILCC”) or post written service offerings on its website, but generally can change the prices, terms and conditions stated in its tariffs on one day’s notice, with prior notice of price increases to affected customers. Our CLEC services are not subject to any significant state regulations in Illinois. Our Illinois rural telephone company is certified by the ILCC to provide local telephone services. This entity operates as a distinct company from a regulatory standpoint. As described below, Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company (formerly known as Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company) (“CCIC”) has elected the option under Illinois law to have its rates, terms and conditions of service subject to market regulation that is regulated by competition in the market. Although, as explained above, the FCC has preempted certain state regulations pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, Illinois retains the authority to impose requirements on our Illinois rural telephone company to preserve universal service, protect public safety and welfare, ensure quality of service and protect consumers. Our Illinois rural telephone company has not had a general rate proceeding before the ILCC since 1983. The Illinois General Assembly has made major revisions and added significant new provisions to the portions of the Illinois Public Utilities Act governing the regulation and obligations of telecommunications carriers on a number of occasions since 1985. In 2007, the Illinois legislature addressed competition for cable and video services and authorized statewide licensing by the ILCC to replace the existing system of individual town franchises. This legislation also imposed substantial state-mandated consumer service and consumer protection requirements on providers of cable and video services. The requirements generally became applicable to us on January 1, 2008, and we are operating in compliance with the law. Although we have franchise agreements for cable and video services in all the towns we serve, this statewide franchising authority will simplify the process in the future. In 2010, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 96-0927, which updates the telecommunications statute, allowing ILECs, beginning January 1, 2011, to elect deregulation of local services. CCIC elected this option effective April 1, 2014. Under this option, CCIC’s rates 15 for local services became “competitive” and no longer subject to rate of return regulation, and certain other service quality obligations are reduced. CCIC is obligated to make certain basic local exchange service packages available to customers. Public Act 96-0927 also specified that local exchange carriers may not charge intrastate access rates at levels higher than their interstate access rates. The Governor of Illinois signed the bill into law on June 15, 2010. In June 2013, the Illinois legislature approved additional amendments to the telecommunications statute. The new telecommunications legislation made minor changes to the telecommunications statute. The current telecommunications statute is currently scheduled to sunset July 1, 2017. Texas Our Texas rural telephone companies are each certified by the PUCT to provide local telephone services in their respective territories. In addition, our Texas long-distance and transport subsidiaries are registered with the PUCT as interexchange carriers. The transport subsidiary has also obtained a service provider certificate of operating authority (“SPCOA”) to better assist the transport subsidiary with its operations in municipal areas. Recently, to assist with expanding services offerings, CCES also obtained a SPCOA from the PUCT. While our Texas rural telephone company services are extensively regulated, our other services, such as long-distance and transport services, are not subject to any significant state regulation. Our Texas rural telephone companies operate as distinct companies from a regulatory standpoint. Each is separately regulated by the PUCT in order to preserve universal service, protect public safety and welfare, ensure quality of service and protect consumers. Each Texas rural telephone company must file and maintain tariffs setting forth the terms, conditions and prices for its intrastate services. Currently, both of our Texas rural telephone companies have immunity from adjustments to their rates, including their intrastate network access rates, because they elected “incentive regulation” under the Texas Public Utilities Regulatory Act (“PURA”). In order to qualify for incentive regulation, our rural telephone companies agreed to fulfill certain infrastructure requirements. In exchange, they are not subject to challenge by the PUCT regarding their rates, overall revenues, return on invested capital or net income. PURA prescribes two different forms of incentive regulation in Chapter 58 and Chapter 59. Under either election, the rates, including network access rates, an incumbent telephone company may charge for basic local services generally cannot be increased from the amount(s) on the date of election without PUCT approval. Even with PUCT approval, increases can only occur in very specific situations. Pricing flexibility under Chapter 59 is extremely limited. In contrast, Chapter 58 allows greater pricing flexibility on non-basic network services, customer-specific contracts and new services. Initially, both of our Texas rural telephone companies elected incentive regulation under Chapter 59 and fulfilled the applicable infrastructure requirements, but they changed their election status to Chapter 58 in 2003, which gives them some pricing flexibility for basic services, subject to PUCT approval. The PUCT could impose additional infrastructure requirements or other restrictions in the future. Any requirements or restrictions could limit the amount of cash that is available to be transferred from our rural telephone companies to the parent entities and could adversely affect our ability to meet our debt service requirements and repayment obligations. In September 2005, the Texas legislature adopted significant additional telecommunications legislation. Among other things, this legislation created a statewide video franchise for telecommunications carriers, established a framework to deregulate the retail telecommunications services offered by incumbent local telecommunications carriers, imposed concurrent requirements to reduce intrastate access charges and directed the PUCT to initiate a study of the Texas Universal Service Fund. Texas Universal Service The Texas Universal Service Fund is administered by the National Exchange Carrier Association. PURA, the governing law, directs the PUCT to adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange carriers to contribute to a state universal service fund that helps telecommunications providers offer basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high-cost rural areas. The Texas Universal Service Fund is also used to reimburse telecommunications providers for revenues lost for providing lifeline service. Our Texas rural telephone companies receive disbursements from this fund. Our Texas ILECs receive two state funds, the small and rural incumbent local exchange company plan High Cost Fund 16 (“HCF”) and the high cost assistance fund (“HCAF”). The HCF is a line-based fund used to keep local rates low. The rate is applied on all residential lines and up to five single business lines. The amount we receive from the HCAF is a frozen monthly amount that was originally developed to offset high intrastate toll rates. In September 2011, the Texas state legislature passed Senate Bill No. 980/House Bill No. 2603 which, among other things, mandated the PUCT to review the Universal Service Fund and issue recommendations by January 1, 2013 with the intent to effectively reduce the size of the Universal Service Fund. This would be accomplished by implementing an urban floor to offset state funding reductions with a phase-in period of four years. The PUCT recommended that (i) frozen line counts be lifted effective September 1, 2013 and (ii) rural and urban local rate benchmarks be developed. The large company fund review was completed in September 2012 and the PUCT addressed the small fund participants in Docket 41097 Rate Rebalancing (“Docket 41097”), as discussed below. In June 2013, the Texas state legislature passed Senate Bill No. 583 (“SB 583”). The provisions of SB 583 were effective September 1, 2013 and froze HCF and HCAF support for the remainder of 2013. As of January 1, 2014, our annual $1.4 million HCAF support was eliminated and the frozen HCF support returned to funding on a per line basis. In July 2013, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the PUCT on Docket 41097, which was approved by the PUCT in August 2013. In accordance with the provisions of the settlement agreement, the HCF draw will be reduced by approximately $1.2 million annually over a four year period beginning June 1, 2014 through 2018. However, we have the ability to fully offset this reduction with increases to residential rates where market conditions allow, which the Company filed for and implemented in 2014 and 2015. In addition, the PUCT is required to develop a needs test for post-2017 funding and has held workshops on various proposals. The PUCT issued its recommendation to the Texas state commissioners in May 2014, which was approved in December 2014. The needs test allows for a one-time disaggregation of line rates from a per line flat rate, then a competitive test must be met to receive funding. The deadline for submission of the needs test is December 31, 2016. We expect to complete the needs test as required and file for continued funding by the 2016 deadline. Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (“PAPUC”) regulates the rates, the system of financial accounts for reporting purposes and certain aspects of service quality, billing procedures and universal service funding, among other things, related to our rural telephone company and CLEC’s provision of intrastate services. In addition, the PAPUC sets the rates and terms for interconnection between carriers within the guidelines ordered by the FCC. Pennsylvania intrastate rates are regulated under a statutory framework referred to as Act 183. Under this statute, rates for non- competitive intrastate services are allowed to increase based on an index that measures economy-wide price increases. In return, we committed to continue to upgrade our network to ensure that all our customers would have access to broadband services, and to deploy a ubiquitous broadband (defined as 1.544 Mbps) network throughout our entire service area by December 31, 2008, which we did. Pennsylvania Universal Service and Access Charges In 2011, the PAPUC issued an intrastate access reform order reducing intrastate access rates to interstate levels in a three-step process, which began in March 2012. With the release of the FCC order in November 2011, the PAPUC temporarily issued a stay. A final stay was issued in 2012 to implement the FCC ordered intrastate access rate changes. The PAPUC had indicated that it would address state universal funding in 2013, but delayed conducting a proceeding pending any state legislative activity that may occur in the 2015 legislative session. The Company will continue to monitor this matter. Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota Our subsidiaries, Crystal Communications, Inc., Enventis Telecom, Inc. and IdeaOne Telecom, Inc. are CLECs. A company must file for CLEC or interexchange authority to operate with the appropriate public utility commission in each state it serves. Our CLECs provide a variety of services to both residential and business customers in multiple jurisdictions for local and interexchange services. Our CLECs provide services with less regulatory oversight than our ILEC companies. 17 (“CCMN”), Consolidated Communications of Mid-Communications Company Our subsidiaries Consolidated Communications of Minnesota Company (formerly Mankato Citizens Telephone Company) (formerly Mid- Communications, Inc.) (“CCMC”) and Consolidated Communications of Iowa Company (formerly Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa) (“CCIA”) are ILECs. CCMN and CCMC are public utilities operating pursuant to indeterminate permits issued by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”). CCIA is also a public utility, which operates pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Iowa Utilities Board (“IUB”). Due to the size of our ILEC companies, neither the MPUC nor the IUB regulates our rates of return or profits. In Minnesota, regulators monitor CCMN and CCMC price and service levels. In Iowa, CCIA is not rate-regulated. Our companies can change local rates by evaluating various factors including economic and competitive circumstances. Local Government Authorizations In Illinois, we historically have been required to obtain franchises from each incorporated municipality in which our rural telephone company operates. An Illinois state statute prescribes the fees that a municipality may impose for the privilege of originating and terminating messages and placing facilities within the municipality. Our Illinois telephone operations may also be required to obtain permits for street opening and construction, or for operating franchises to install and expand fiber optic facilities. These permits or other licenses or agreements typically require the payment of fees. Similarly, Texas incumbent telephone companies had historically been required to obtain franchises from each incorporated municipality in which they operated. Texas law now provides that incumbent telephone companies do not need to obtain franchises or other licenses to use municipal rights-of-way for delivering services. Instead, payments to municipalities for rights-of-way are administered through the PUCT and through a reporting process by each telecommunications provider. Incumbent telephone companies are still required to obtain permits from municipal authorities for street opening and construction, but most burdens of obtaining municipal authorizations for access to rights-of-way have been streamlined or removed. Our Texas rural telephone companies still operate pursuant to the terms of municipal franchise agreements in some territories served by Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company. As the franchises expire, they are not being renewed. California, Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania operate under a structure in which each municipality may impose various fees. Regulation of Broadband and Internet Services Video Services Our cable television subsidiaries each require a state or local franchise or other authorization in order to provide cable service to customers. Each of these subsidiaries is subject to regulation under a framework that exists in Title VI of the Communications Act. Under this framework, the responsibilities and obligations of franchising bodies and cable operators have been carefully defined. The law addresses such issues as the use of local streets and rights of way; the carriage of public, educational and governmental channels; the provision of channel space for leased commercial access; the amount and payment of franchise fees; consumer protection; and similar issues. In addition, Federal laws place limits on the common ownership of cable systems and competing multichannel video distribution systems, and on the common ownership of cable systems and local telephone systems in the same geographic area. Many provisions of the federal law have been implemented through FCC regulations. The FCC has expanded its oversight and regulation of the cable television- related matters recently. In some cases, it has acted to assure that new competitors in the cable television business are able to gain access to potential customers and can also obtain licenses to carry certain types of video programming. The Communications Act also authorizes the licensing and operation of open video systems (“OVS”). An OVS is a form of multichannel video delivery that was initially intended to accommodate unaffiliated providers of video programming on the same network. The OVS regulatory structure also offered a means for a single provider to serve less than an entire community. Our Kansas City operations in Missouri utilize an OVS that allows us to operate in only a part of Kansas City. 18 A number of state and local provisions also affect the operation of our cable systems. The California legislature adopted the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (“DIVCA”) to encourage further entrance of telephone companies and other new cable operators to compete against the large incumbent cable operators. DIVCA changed preexisting California law to require new franchise applicants to obtain franchise authorizations on the state level. In addition, DIVCA established a general set of state-defined terms and conditions to replace numerous terms and conditions that had applied uniquely in local municipalities, and it repealed a state law that had prohibited local governments from adopting terms for new competitive franchises that differed in any material way from the incumbent’s franchise, even if competitive circumstances were very different. Some portions of this law are also available to incumbent cable operators with existing local franchises who compete against us. A state franchising law has also been enacted in Kansas. While these laws have reduced franchise burdens on our subsidiaries and have made it easier for them to seek out and enter new markets, they also have reduced the entry barriers for others who may want to enter our cable television markets. Federal law and regulation also affects numerous issues related to video programming and other content. Under federal law, certain local television broadcast stations (both commercial and non-commercial) can elect, every three years, to take advantage of rules that require a cable operator to distribute the station’s content to the cable system’s customers without charge, or to forego this “must-carry” obligation and to negotiate for carriage on an arm’s length contractual basis, which typically involves the payment of a fee by the cable operator, and sometimes involves other consideration as well. The current three year cycle began on January 1, 2012. The Company has successfully negotiated agreements with all of the local television broadcast stations that would have been eligible for “must carry” treatment in each of its markets. As anticipated, fees under retransmission consent agreements generally underwent marked increases for the 2012 through 2015 period. Federal law and regulations regulate access to certain programming content that is delivered by satellite. The FCC has provisions in place that ban certain discriminatory practices and unfair acts, and include a presumption that the withholding of regional sports programming by content affiliates of incumbent cable operators is presumptively unlawful. The existing FCC complaint process for program access for both satellite and terrestrially-delivered content is governed on a case-by-case basis. The FCC currently is considering adopting rules that could make it less burdensome for competing multichannel video programming providers who are denied access to cable-affiliated satellite programming on reasonable terms and conditions to pursue and meet evidentiary standards with respect to program access complaints. That proceeding remains pending before the FCC. The FCC adopted an order banning exclusive contracts between affiliates where the programming is sent via terrestrial media, and banning certain other unfair acts, making it clear that the withholding of regional sports programming and high definition television programming by content affiliates of incumbent cable operators would receive special attention. Unlike the satellite provisions, the new rules will not expire. The FCC’s order was upheld in an appeals court decision issued on March 12, 2010. In connection with the FCC’s approval of a cable transaction involving Comcast and Time Warner in July 2006, the parties’ regional sports networks were subject to certain program access rules until July 2012. The FCC did not extend these obligations beyond July 2012. This does not change the existing Comcast/NBC Universal merger conditions which expire in 2018, as described below. It is unknown what, if any, impact this decision will have on us. In early 2010, Comcast proposed to enter into a joint venture with NBC Universal, through which it would acquire control of numerous NBC properties, including both broadcast and cable television programming operations of NBC. In early 2011, the FCC and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) approved the transaction, with a significant number of conditions designed to promote programming diversity, to limit the ability of the combined entity to affect competition adversely, and to protect newly emerging markets such as independent OTT video. These conditions include requirements for program access and carriage, non-discrimination in making programming available, limits on bundling that would affect competition and the relationship of the joint venture to emerging on-line competition. In addition, conditions were imposed to maintain independence within the NBC unit in dealing with competing cable operators. The parties agreed to the conditions and the transaction was completed during 2011. Most of the conditions will have a duration of seven years. 19 The contractual relationships between cable operators and most providers of content who are not television broadcast stations generally are not subject to FCC oversight or other regulation. The majority of providers of content to our subsidiaries, including content providers affiliated with incumbent cable operators such as Comcast, but who are not subject to any FCC or DOJ conditions, do so through arm’s length contracts where the parties have mutually agreed upon the terms of carriage and the applicable fees. The transition to digital television (“DTV”) has led the FCC to adopt and implement new rules designed to ease the shift. These rules also can be expected to make broadcast content more accessible over the air to smartphones, personal computers and other non-television devices. Local television broadcast stations will also be able to offer more content over their assigned digital spectrum after the DTV transition, including additional channels. The Company continues to monitor the emergence of video content options for customers that have become available over the Internet, and that may be made available for free, by individual subscription or in conjunction with a separate cable service agreement. In some cases, this involves the ability to watch episodes of desirable network television programming and to procure additional content related to programs carried on linear cable channels. These options have increased significantly, and can lead cable television customers to terminate or reduce their level of services. At this time, OTT programming options cannot duplicate the nature or extent of desirable programming carried by cable systems, and the market is still comparatively nascent, but in light of changing technology and events such as the Comcast-NBC transaction, the OTT market will continue to grow and evolve rapidly. Cable operators depend, to some degree, upon their ability to utilize the poles (and conduit) of electric and telephone utilities. The terms and conditions under which such attachments can be made were established in the federal Pole Attachment Act of 1978, as amended. The Pole Attachment Act outlined the formula for calculating the fee to be charged for the use of utility poles, a formula that assesses fees based on the proportionate amount of space assigned for use and an allocation of certain qualified costs of the pole owner. The FCC has put a structure in place for pole attachment regulation that has covered cable operators and other types of providers. The FCC has adopted new rules that apply a single rate to all providers who use poles, whether they are cable operators, telecommunications providers, or Internet providers, even if they use the attachment to offer more than one service. These rules only affect attachments in states where the federal rules apply. States have the option to opt out of the federal formula and to regulate pole attachments independently. Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas follow the FCC pole attachment framework. California has elected to separately regulate pole attachments and pole attachment rates. The FCC decision has been appealed, and the ultimate outcome of the appeal cannot be predicted. Cable operators are subject to longstanding cable copyright obligations where they pay copyright fees for some types of programming that are considered secondary retransmissions. The copyright fees are updated from time to time, and are paid into a pool administered by the United States Copyright Office for distribution to qualifying recipients. The FCC has so far declined to require that cable operators allow unaffiliated Internet service providers to gain access to customers by using the network of the operator’s cable system. The FCC also has considered the benefits of a requirement that cable operators offer programming on their systems on an a la carte or themed basis, but to date has not adopted regulations requiring such action. These matters may resurface in the future, particularly as the OTT market grows. In light of the fact that programming is increasingly being made available through Internet connections, some cable operators have considered their own a la carte alternatives. Content owners with linear channels also are moving toward greater “on demand” programming, offerings that maintain the value of their linear channels for customers. The outcome of pending matters cannot be determined at this time but can lead to increased costs for the Company in connection with our provision of cable services and can affect our ability to compete in the markets we serve. Internet Services The provision of Internet access services is not significantly regulated by either the FCC or the state commissions. However, the FCC has been moving toward the imposition of some controls on the provision of Internet access. In 2002, in part to place cable modem service and Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”) service on an equal competitive footing, the FCC asserted jurisdiction over these services as “information services” under Title I of the Communications Act, and removed them from treatment under Title II of the Act, but to date it has not determined what regulatory framework, if any, is appropriate for Internet services under Title I. 20 The FCC has also adopted policy principles to signal its objectives with respect to high-speed Internet and related services. These principles are intended to encourage broad customer access to the content and applications of their choice, to promote the unrestricted use of lawful equipment by users of Internet services and to promote competition among providers. In 2009, the FCC proposed to enact rules related to Internet access services, relying in part on the policy principles that it had earlier adopted, but expanding their reach and adding additional provisions. The adoption of the rules as they have been proposed would prohibit discrimination with respect to applications providers, among other things, subject to reasonable network management by an Internet access service provider. While this initiative was getting underway, a Federal appeals court decision in April 2010 assessed the FCC’s authority over Internet services under the Communications Act, and invalidated action taken by the FCC that was based on authority that the FCC thought it possessed. The FCC asserted that it has jurisdictional authority in some areas related to the promotion of an “open Internet” or “net neutrality”. Notwithstanding the court setback, the FCC elected to adopt rules in this regard in December 2010. That action was appealed to a Federal appeals court, and in January 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that the FCC does have the authority to implement regulation of the Internet if those rules reasonably advance the promotion of broadband deployment and do not violate other statutory requirements. As a result of the ruling, the FCC intends to reclassify broadband Internet services as a telecommunications service subject to regulation under Title II of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and in March 2015, the FCC released its net neutrality order, which applies to all wireline and wireless providers of broadband Internet services. The net neutrality order addresses several areas that will be regulated and others that are subject to forbearance. The regulations disallow blocking, throttling and paid prioritization by Internet service providers. The net neutrality order also requires providers to disclose certain information to consumers regarding rates, fees, data allowances and packet loss. Finally, it gives the FCC codified enforcement authority and it forbears on certain Title II regulations. We do not believe the net neutrality order will result in significant changes to the services we provide our customers, nor do we believe it will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is currently assessing certain advertising and marketing practices of Internet- related companies, as well as the use of the Internet in connection with other businesses. FTC action can affect the manner of operation of some of our businesses. The outcome of pending matters cannot be determined at this time but can lead to increased costs for the Company in connection with our provision of Internet services, and can affect our ability to compete in the markets we serve. Item 1A. Risk Factors. Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described below, that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the trading price of our common stock. Risks Relating to Our Business We expect to continue to face significant competition in all parts of our business and the level of competition could intensify among our customer channels. The telecommunications, Internet and digital video businesses are highly competitive. We face actual or potential competition from many existing and emerging companies, including other incumbent and competitive local telephone companies, long-distance carriers and resellers, wireless companies, Internet service providers, satellite companies, and cable television companies, and in some cases by new forms of providers who are able to offer competitive services through software applications, requiring a comparatively small initial investment. Due to consolidation and strategic alliances within the industry, we cannot predict the number of competitors we will face at any given time. The wireless business has expanded significantly and has caused many subscribers with traditional telephone and land- based Internet access services to give up those services and to rely exclusively on wireless service. Consumers are finding individual television shows of interest to them through the Internet and are watching content that is downloaded to their computers. Some providers, including television and cable television content owners, have initiated what are called over-the-top (“OTT”) services that deliver video content to televisions and computers over the Internet. OTT 21 services can include episodes of highly-rated television series in their current broadcast seasons. They also can include content that is related to broadcast or sports content that we carry, but that is distinct and may be available only through the alternative source. Finally, the transition to digital broadcast television has allowed many consumers to obtain high- definition local broadcast television signals (including many network affiliates) over-the-air using a simple antenna. Consumers can pursue each of these options without foregoing any of the other options. We may not be able to successfully anticipate and respond to many of these various competitive factors affecting the industry, including regulatory changes that may affect our competitors and us differently, new technologies, services and applications that may be introduced, changes in consumer preferences, demographic trends and discount or bundled pricing strategies by competitors. The incumbent telephone carrier in the markets we serve enjoys certain business advantages, including size, financial resources, favorable regulatory position, a more diverse product mix, brand recognition and connection to virtually all of our customers and potential customers. The largest cable operators also enjoy certain business advantages, including size, financial resources, ownership of or superior access to desirable programming and other content, a more diverse product mix, brand recognition and first-in-field advantages with a customer base that generates positive cash flow for its operations. Our competitors continue to add features, increase data speeds and adopt aggressive pricing and packaging for services comparable to the services we offer. Their success in selling some services competitive with ours among our various customer channels can lead to revenue erosion in other related areas. We face intense competition in our markets for long-distance, Internet access, video service and other ancillary services that are important to our business and to our growth strategy. If we do not compete effectively we could lose customers, revenue and market share; customers may reduce their usage of our services or switch to a less profitable service; and we may need to lower our prices or increase our marketing efforts to remain competitive. We must adapt to rapid technological change. If we are unable to take advantage of technological developments, or if we adopt and implement them more slowly than our competitors, we may experience a decline in the demand for our services. Our industry operates in a technologically complex environment. New technologies are continually developed and products and services undergo constant improvement. Emerging technologies offer consumers a variety of choices for their communication and broadband needs. To remain competitive, we will need to adapt to future changes in technology to enhance our existing offerings and to introduce new or improved offerings that anticipate and respond to the varied and continually changing demands of our various customer channels. Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if we are unable to match the benefits offered by competing technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost, if we fail to employ technologies desired by our customers before our competitors do so or if we do not successfully execute on our technology initiatives. New technologies, particularly alternative methods for the distribution, access and viewing of content, have been, and will likely continue to be, developed that will further increase the number of competitors that we face and drive changes in consumer behavior. Consumers seek more control over when, where and how they consume content and are increasingly interested in communication services outside of the home and in newer services in wireless Internet technology and devices such as tablets, smartphones and mobile wireless routers that connect to such devices. These new technologies, distribution platforms and consumer behaviors may have a negative impact on our business. In addition, evolving technologies can reduce the costs of entry for others, resulting in greater competition and significant new advantages to competitors. Technological developments could require us to make significant new capital investment in order to remain competitive with other service providers. If we do not replace or upgrade our network and its technology once it becomes obsolete, we will be unable to compete effectively and will likely lose customers. We also may be placed at a cost disadvantage in offering our services. Technology changes are also allowing individuals to bypass telephone companies and cable operators entirely to make and receive calls, and to provide for the distribution and viewing of video programming without the need to subscribe to traditional voice and video products and services. Increasingly, this can be done over wireless facilities and other emerging mobile technologies as well as traditional wired networks. Wireless companies are aggressively developing networks using next-generation data technologies, which are capable of delivering high-speed Internet service via wireless technology to a large geographic footprint. As these technologies continue to expand in availability and reliability, they could become an effective alternative to our high-speed Internet services. Although we use fiber optics in parts of our networks, including in some residential areas, we continue to rely on coaxial cable and copper transport media to serve customers in many areas. The facilities we use to offer our video services, including the interfaces with customers, are undergoing a rapid evolution, and depend in part on the products, expertise and capabilities of third parties. If we cannot develop new services and products to keep pace with technological advances, or if such services and products are not widely embraced by our customers, our results of operations could be adversely impacted. 22 Shifts in our product mix may result in declines in operating profitability. Margins vary among our products and services. Our profitability may be impacted by technological changes, customer demands, regulatory changes, the competitive nature of our business and changes in the product mix of our sales. These shifts may also result in our long- lived assets becoming impaired or our inventory becoming obsolete. We review long-lived assets for potential impairment if certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may be present. We currently manage potential inventory obsolescence through reserves, but future technology changes may cause inventory obsolescence to exceed current reserves. Video content costs are substantial and continue to increase. We expect video content costs to continue to be one of our largest operating costs associated with providing video service. Video programming content includes cable-oriented programming designed to be shown in linear channels, as well as the programming of local over-the-air television stations that we retransmit. In addition, on-demand programming is being made available in response to customer demand. In recent years, the cable industry has experienced rapid increases in the cost of programming, especially the cost of sports programming and local broadcast station retransmission content. Programming costs are generally assessed on a per-subscriber basis, and therefore, are directly related to the number of subscribers to which the programming is provided. Our relatively small base of subscribers limits our ability to negotiate lower per-subscriber programming costs. Larger providers can often qualify for discounts based on the number of their subscribers. This cost difference can cause us to experience reduced operating margins, while our competitors with a larger subscriber base may not experience similar margin compression. In addition, escalators in existing content agreements cause cost increases that are out of line with general inflation. While we expect these increases to continue, we may not be able to pass our programming cost increases on to our customers, particularly as an increasing amount of programming content becomes available via the Internet at little or no cost. Also, some competitors or their affiliates own programming in their own right and we may be unable to secure license rights to that programming. As our programming contracts with content providers expire, there can be no assurance that they will be renewed on acceptable terms or that they will be renewed at all, in which case we may be unable to provide such programming as part of our video services packages and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. We receive cash distributions from our wireless partnership interests and the continued receipt of future distributions is not guaranteed. We own five wireless partnership interests consisting of 2.34% of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership, which provides cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas; 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership, which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area; 20.51% of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”); 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”). RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas. RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships of $45.3 million, $34.6 million and $34.8 million, respectively. The cash distributions we receive from these partnerships are based on our percentage of ownership and the partnerships’ operating results, cash availability and financing needs, as determined by the General Partner at the date of the distribution. We cannot control the timing, dollar amount or certainty of any future cash distributions from these partnerships. In the absence of the receipt of cash distributions from these partnerships, we may be unable to fulfill our long-term obligations or our ability to pay cash dividends to our shareholders may be restricted. If we do not receive cash distributions from these partnerships in the future, or if the amount of cash distributions decreases, our results of operations could be adversely affected. A disruption in our networks and infrastructure could cause delays or interruptions of service, which could cause us to lose customers and incur additional expenses. Our customers depend on reliable service over our network. The primary risks to our network infrastructure include physical damage to lines, security breaches, capacity limitations, power surges or outages, software defects and disruptions beyond our control, such as natural disasters and acts of terrorism. From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we will experience short disruptions in our service due to factors such as physical damage, inclement weather and service failures of our third party service providers. We could experience more significant disruptions in the future. Disruptions may cause interruptions in service or reduced capacity for customers, either of which could cause us to lose customers and incur unexpected expenses. Our business may be harmed if we are unable to maintain data security. We are dependent upon automated information technology processes and systems. Any failure to maintain the security of our data and our employees’ and customers’ confidential information, including the breach of our network security or the misappropriation of confidential 23 information, could result in fines, penalties, litigation and loss of customers and revenues. Any such failure could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. We have employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements. If we are unable to enter into new agreements or renew existing agreements before they expire, we could have a work stoppage or other labor actions that could materially disrupt our ability to provide services to our customers. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 28% of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. These employees are hourly workers located in Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Illinois service territories and are represented by various unions and locals. Our relationship with these unions generally has been satisfactory, but occasional work stoppages can occur. All of the existing collective bargaining agreements expire between 2016 through 2018, of which one contract covering 9% of our employees will expire in 2016. We cannot predict the outcome of negotiations of the collective bargaining agreements covering our employees. If we are unable to reach new agreements or renew existing agreements, employees subject to collective bargaining agreements may engage in strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns, or other labor actions, which could materially disrupt our ability to provide services. New labor agreements, or the renewal of existing agreements, may impose significant new costs on us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and result of operations. While we believe our relations with the unions representing these employees are good, any protracted labor disputes or labor disruptions by any of our employees could have a significant negative effect on our financial results and operations. We may be unable to obtain necessary hardware, software and operational support from third party vendors. We depend on third party vendors to supply us with a significant amount of hardware, software and operational support necessary to provide certain of our services and to maintain, upgrade and enhance our network facilities and operations and to support our information and billing systems. Some of our third-party vendors are our primary source of supply for products and services for which there are few substitutes. If any of these vendors should experience financial difficulties, have demand that exceeds their capacity or they cannot otherwise meet our specifications, our ability to provide some services may be materially adversely affected in which case our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. The loss of our certification or designation by key equipment manufacturers or business partners, or a partner losing its position as a leading provider of technology solutions would adversely impact our suite of business products and services. We provide various equipment solutions to our business customers. The equipment and product lines are provided by various manufacturers from which we also provide hardware and IT consulting solutions for our business customers. If our providers of equipment and certain technology solutions fall out of favor in the marketplace, our success as a distributor or implementer may decline or be delayed as we seek alternative providers. The loss of any special designations or authorizations may affect our success as a leading distributor. It is also possible that we may lose the certified technicians who build the basis for our qualifications. If we cannot obtain and maintain necessary rights-of-way for our network, our operations may be interrupted and we would likely face increased costs. We are dependent on easements, franchises and licenses from various private parties, such as established telephone companies and other utilities, railroads and long-distance companies, and from state highway authorities, local governments and transit authorities for access to aerial pole space, underground conduits and other rights-of-way in order to construct and operate our networks. Some agreements relating to rights-of-way may be short-term or revocable at will, and we cannot be certain that we will continue to have access to existing rights-of-way after the governing agreements are terminated or expire. If any of our right-of-way agreements were terminated or could not be renewed, we may be forced to remove our network facilities from the affected areas, relocate or abandon our networks, which would interrupt our operations, force us to find alternative rights-of-way and make unexpected capital expenditures. Our ability to retain certain key management personnel and attract and retain highly qualified management and other personnel in the future could have an adverse effect on our business. We rely on the talents and efforts of key management personnel, many of whom have been with our company and in our industry for decades. While we maintain long-term and emergency transition plans for key management personnel and believe we could either identify internal candidates or attract outside candidates to fill any vacancy created by the loss of any key management personnel, the loss of one or more of our key management personnel and the ability to attract and retain highly qualified technical and management personnel in the future could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 24 Future acquisitions could be expensive and may not be successful. From time to time we make acquisitions and investments and enter into other strategic transactions. In connection with these types of transactions, we may incur unanticipated expenses; fail to realize anticipated benefits; have difficulty incorporating the acquired businesses; disrupt relationships with current and new employees, customers and vendors; incur significant indebtedness or have to delay or not proceed with announced transactions. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Risks Relating to Current Economic Conditions Unfavorable changes in financial markets could adversely affect pension plan investments resulting in material funding requirements to meet our pension obligations. We expect that we will continue to make future cash contributions to our pension plans, the amount and timing of which will depend on various factors including funding regulations, future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and mortality tables and changes in participant demographics. Unfavorable fluctuations or adverse changes in any of these factors, most of which are outside our control, could impact the funded status of the plans and increase future funding requirements. Returns generated on plan assets have historically funded a large portion of the benefits paid under these plans. If the financial markets experience a downturn and returns fall below the estimated long-term rate of return, our future funding requirements could increase significantly, which could adversely affect our cash flows from operations. Weak economic conditions may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Downturns in the economic conditions in the markets and industries we serve could adversely affect demand for our products and services and have a negative impact on our results of operations. Economic weakness or uncertainty may make it difficult for us to obtain new customers and may cause our existing customers to reduce or discontinue their services to which they subscribe. This risk may be worsened by the expanded availability of free or lower cost services, such as video over the Internet, or substitute services, such as wireless phones and data devices. Weak economic conditions may also impact the ability of third parties to satisfy their obligations to us. Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Payment of Dividends Our Board of Directors could, at its discretion, depart from or change our dividend policy at any time. Our Board of Directors maintains a current dividend practice for the payment of quarterly dividends at an annual rate of approximately $1.55 per share of common stock. We are not required to pay dividends and our stockholders do not have contractual or other legal rights to receive them. Our Board of Directors may decide at any time, in its discretion, to decrease the amount of dividends, change or revoke the dividend policy or discontinue paying dividends entirely. Our ability to pay dividends is dependent on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, expected cash needs, debt covenant compliance and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. If we do not pay dividends, for whatever reason, shares of our common stock could become less liquid and the market price of our common stock could decline. We might not have sufficient cash to maintain current dividend levels. Our debt agreements, applicable state, legal and corporate law, regulatory requirements and other risk factors described in this section, could materially reduce the cash available from operations or significantly increase our capital expenditure requirements, and these outcomes could cause funds not to be available when needed in an amount sufficient to support our current dividend practice. If we continue to pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, our ability to pursue growth opportunities may be limited. Our dividend practice could limit, but not preclude, our ability to grow. If we continue paying dividends at the level currently anticipated, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to fund a material expansion of our business, including any acquisitions or growth opportunities requiring significant and unexpected capital expenditures. For that reason, our ability to pursue any material expansion of our business may depend on our ability to obtain third-party financing. We cannot guarantee that such financing will be available to us on reasonable terms or at all. 25 Our organizational documents could limit or delay another party’s ability to acquire us and, therefore, could deprive our investors of a possible takeover premium for their shares. A number of provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will make it difficult for another company to acquire us. Among other things, these provisions: • Divide our Board of Directors into three classes, which results in roughly one-third of our directors being elected each year; • Provide that directors may only be removed for cause and then only upon the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds or more of the voting power of our outstanding common stock; • Require the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds or more of the voting power of our outstanding common stock to amend, alter, change or repeal specified provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws; • Require stockholders to provide us with advance notice if they wish to nominate any candidates for election to our Board of Directors or if they intend to propose any matters for consideration at an annual stockholders meeting; and • Authorize the issuance of so-called “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine. We also are subject to laws that may have a similar effect. For example, federal, California, Illinois, Minnesota and Pennsylvania telecommunications laws and regulations generally prohibit a direct or indirect transfer of control over our business without prior regulatory approval. Similarly, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law restricts our ability to engage in a business combination with an “interested stockholder”. These laws and regulations make it difficult for another company to acquire us, and therefore, could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. In addition, the rights of our common stockholders will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future. Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and Our Capital Structure We have a substantial amount of debt outstanding and may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which could restrict our ability to pay dividends and fund working capital and planned capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2015, we had $1,393.6 million of debt outstanding. Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely impact our business, including: • We may be required to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make principal and interest payments on our debt, which will reduce funds available for operations, future business opportunities, strategic initiatives and dividends; • We may have limited flexibility to react to changes in our business and our industry; • • We may have a limited ability to borrow additional funds or to sell assets to raise funds if needed for It may be more difficult for us to satisfy our other obligations; working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes; • We may become more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including changes in interest rates; and • We may be at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt. We cannot guarantee that we will generate sufficient revenues to service our debt and have adequate funds left over to achieve or sustain profitability in our operations, meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs, compete successfully in our markets, or pay dividends to our stockholders. Our credit agreement and the indentures governing our 2022 Notes contain covenants that limit management’s discretion in operating our business and could prevent us from capitalizing on opportunities and taking other 26 corporate actions. Among other things, our credit agreement limits or restricts our ability (and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries), and the separate indentures governing the 2022 Notes limit the ability of our subsidiary, Consolidated Communications, Inc., and its restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; make restricted payments, including paying dividends on, redeeming, repurchasing or retiring our capital stock; make investments and prepay or redeem debt; enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make loans or transfer assets to us; create liens; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of, or other ownership interests in subsidiaries; engage in transactions with affiliates; engage in sale and leaseback transactions; engage in a business other than telecommunications; and consolidate or merge. In addition, our credit agreement requires us to comply with specified financial ratios, including ratios regarding total leverage and interest coverage. Our ability to comply with these ratios may be affected by events beyond our control. These restrictions limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions, meet capital needs or otherwise constrain our activities or business plans. They also may adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, enter into acquisitions or engage in other business activities that would be in our interest. A breach of any of the covenants contained in our credit agreement, in any future credit agreement, or in the separate indentures governing the 2022 Notes, or our inability to comply with the financial ratios could result in an event of default, which would allow the lenders to declare all borrowings outstanding to be due and payable. If the amounts outstanding under our credit facilities were to be accelerated, we cannot assure that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full the money owed. In such a situation, the lenders could foreclose on the assets and capital stock pledged to them. We may not be able to refinance our existing debt if necessary, or we may only be able to do so at a higher interest expense. We may be unable to refinance or renew our credit facilities and our failure to repay all amounts due on the maturity dates would cause a default under the credit agreement. Alternatively, any renewal or refinancing may occur on less favorable terms. If we refinance our credit facilities on terms that are less favorable to us than the terms of our existing debt, our interest expense may increase significantly, which could impact our results of operations and impair our ability to use our funds for other purposes, such as to pay dividends. Our variable-rate debt subjects us to interest rate risk, which could impact our cost of borrowing and operating results. Certain of our debt obligations are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. Increases in interest rates could negatively impact our results of operations and operating cash flows. We utilize interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of our variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. However, we do not maintain interest rate hedging agreements for all of our variable-rate debt and our existing hedging agreements may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks. Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges that have been de-designated or determined to be ineffective are recognized in earnings. Significant increases or decreases in the fair value of these cash flow hedges could cause favorable or adverse fluctuations in our results of operations. Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business We are subject to a complex and uncertain regulatory environment, and we face compliance costs and restrictions greater than those of many of our competitors. Our businesses are subject to regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and other federal, state and local entities. Rapid changes in technology and market conditions have resulted in changes in how the government addresses telecommunications, video programming and Internet services. Many businesses that compete with our Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) and non-ILEC subsidiaries are comparatively less regulated. Some of our competitors are either not subject to utilities regulation or are subject to significantly fewer regulations. In contrast to our subsidiaries regulated as cable operators and satellite video providers, competing on-demand and OTT providers and motion picture and DVD firms have almost no regulation of their video activities. Recently, federal and state authorities have become more active in seeking to address critical issues in each of our product and service markets. The adoption of new laws or regulations, or changes to the existing regulatory framework at the federal or state levels, could require significant and costly adjustments that would adversely affect our business plans. New regulations could impose additional costs or capital requirements, require new reporting, impair revenue opportunities, potentially impede our ability to provide services in a manner that would be attractive to our customers and us and potentially create barriers to enter new markets or to acquire new lines of business. We face continued regulatory uncertainty in the immediate future. Not only are these governmental entities continuing to move forward on these matters, their actions remain subject to reconsideration, appeal and legislative modification over an 27 extended period of time, and it is unclear how their actions will ultimately impact our markets. We cannot predict future developments or changes to the regulatory environment or the impact such developments or changes may have on us. We receive support from various funds established under federal and state laws, and the continued receipt of that support is not assured. A significant portion of our revenues come from network access and subsidies. An order adopted by the FCC in 2011 (the “Order”) significantly impacts the amount of support revenue we receive from the Universal Service Fund (“USF”), Connect America Fund (“CAF”) and intercarrier compensation (“ICC”). The Order reformed core parts of the USF, broadly recast the existing ICC scheme, established the CAF to replace support revenues provided by the current USF and redirected support from voice services to broadband services. In 2012, CAF Phase I was implemented, which froze USF support to price cap carriers until the FCC implemented a broadband cost model to shift support from voice services to broadband services. In December 2014, the FCC released a report and order that addressed, among other things, the transition to CAF Phase II for price cap carriers and the acceptance criteria for CAF Phase II funding. For companies that accept the CAF Phase II funding, there is a three year transition period in instances in which their current CAF Phase I funding exceeds the CAF Phase II funding. If CAF Phase II funding exceeds CAF Phase I funding, the transitional support is waived and CAF Phase II funding begins immediately. We accepted the CAF Phase II funding in August 2015. The annual funding under CAF Phase I of $36.6 million will be replaced by annual funding under CAF Phase II of $13.9 million through 2020. In the state of Iowa, where CAF Phase II funding is greater than the CAF Phase I funding, the CAF Phase II funding will be received with a retroactive payment back to January 1, 2015. For all other states, funding under CAF Phase II is less than funding under CAF Phase I. The acceptance of funding at the lower level will transition over a three year period, beginning in August 2015, at the rates of 75% of the CAF Phase I funding level in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year. The Order also modifies the methodology used for ICC traffic exchanged between carriers. The initial phase of ICC reform was effective on July 1, 2012, beginning the transition of our terminating switched access rates to bill-and-keep over a seven year period. As a result of implementing the provisions of the Order, our network access revenue decreased approximately $1.3 million during 2015. We anticipate that network access revenue will continue to decline as a result of the Order through 2018 by as much as $1.9 million, $4.8 million and $6.8 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We receive subsidy payments from various federal and state universal service support programs, including high-cost support, Lifeline and E-Rate programs for schools and libraries. The total cost of the various federal universal service programs has increased significantly in recent years, putting pressure on regulators to reform the programs and to limit both eligibility and support. We cannot predict when or how such matters will be decided or the effect on the subsidy payments we receive. However, future reductions in the subsidy payments we receive may directly affect our profitability and cash flows. Increased regulation of the Internet could increase our cost of doing business. Current laws and regulations governing access to, or commerce on, the Internet are limited. As the Internet continues to become more significant, federal, state and local governments may adopt new rules and regulations applicable to, or apply existing laws and regulations to, the Internet. At the federal level, the FCC intends to reclassify broadband Internet services as a telecommunications service subject to regulation under Title II of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and in March 2015, the FCC released its net neutrality order, which applies to all wireline and wireless providers of broadband Internet services. The net neutrality order addresses several areas that will be regulated and others that are subject to forbearance. The regulations disallow blocking, throttling and paid prioritization by Internet service providers. The net neutrality order also requires providers to disclose certain information to consumers regarding rates, fees, data allowances and packet loss. Finally, it gives the FCC codified enforcement authority and it forbears on certain Title II regulations. 28 We are subject to extensive laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, natural resources and worker health and safety. Our operations and properties are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, natural resources and worker health and safety, including laws and regulations governing and creating liability in connection with the management, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, asbestos and petroleum products. We are also subject to laws and regulations governing air emissions from our fleet vehicles. As a result, we face several risks, including: • Hazardous materials may have been released at properties that we currently own or formerly owned (perhaps through our predecessors). Under certain environmental laws, we could be held liable, without regard to fault, for the costs of investigating and remediating any actual or threatened contamination at these properties and for contamination associated with disposal by us, or by our predecessors, of hazardous materials at third-party disposal sites. • We could incur substantial costs in the future if we acquire businesses or properties subject to environmental requirements or affected by environmental contamination. In particular, environmental laws regulating wetlands, endangered species and other land use and natural resources may increase the costs associated with future business or expansion or delay, alter or interfere with such plans. • The presence of contamination can adversely affect the value of our properties and make it difficult to sell any affected property or to use it as collateral. • We could be held responsible for third-party property damage claims, personal injury claims or natural resource damage claims relating to contamination found at any of our current or past properties. The cost of complying with environmental requirements could be significant. Similarly, the adoption of new environmental laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations or their interpretations, could result in significant compliance costs or unanticipated environmental liabilities. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None. Item 2. Properties. Our corporate headquarters are located at 121 S. 17th Street, Mattoon, Illinois, a leased facility. We also own and lease office facilities and related equipment for administrative personnel, central office buildings and operations in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Texas. In addition to land and structures, our property consists of equipment necessary for the provision of communication services, including central office equipment, customer premises equipment and connections, pole lines, video head-end, remote terminals, aerial and underground cable and wire facilities, vehicles, furniture and fixtures, computers and other equipment. We also own certain other communications equipment held as inventory for sale or lease. In addition to plant and equipment that we wholly-own, we utilize poles, towers and cable and conduit systems jointly- owned with other entities and lease space on facilities to other entities. These arrangements are in accordance with written agreements customary in the industry. We have appropriate easements, rights of way and other arrangements for the accommodation of our pole lines, underground conduits, aerial and underground cables and wires. See Note 11 in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements and Part II – Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for information regarding our lease obligations. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. In 2014, Sprint Corporation, Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. filed lawsuits against us and many others in the industry regarding the proper charges to be applied between interexchange and local exchange 29 carriers for certain calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an interexchange carrier. The plaintiffs are refusing to pay these access charges in all states and are seeking refunds of past charges paid. The disputed amounts total $2.4 million and cover periods dating back to 2006. CenturyLink, Inc. filed to bring all related suits to the U.S. District Court’s Judicial Panel on multi district litigation. This panel is granted authority to transfer the pretrial proceedings to a single court for civil cases involving common questions of fact. On November 17, 2015, the U.S. District Court in Dallas, Texas ruled in favor of the defendants, although we expect that the plaintiffs will file an appeal. We have interconnection agreements in place with all wireless carriers and the applicable traffic is being billed at current access rates, therefore, we do not expect any potential settlement or judgment to have an adverse material impact on our financial results or cash flows. On April 14, 2008, Salsgiver Inc., a Pennsylvania-based telecommunications company, and certain of its affiliates (“Salsgiver”) filed a lawsuit against us and our former subsidiaries North Pittsburgh Telephone Company and North Pittsburgh Systems Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania alleging that we had prevented Salsgiver from connecting their fiber optic cables to our utility poles. Salsgiver sought compensatory and punitive damages as the result of alleged lost projected profits, damage to its business reputation and other costs. Salsgiver originally claimed to have sustained losses of approximately $125.0 million. We believe that these claims are without merit and that the alleged damages are completely unfounded. We had recorded approximately $0.4 million in 2011 in anticipation of the settlement of this case. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, we recorded an additional $0.9 million, which included estimated legal fees. A jury trial concluded on May 14, 2015 with the jury ruling in our favor. Salsgiver subsequently filed a post-trial motion asking the judge to overturn the jury verdict. That motion was denied. On June 17, 2015, Salsgiver filed an appeal in the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Salsgiver’s brief was filed with the Superior Court on December 4, 2015, and the Company filed its response on January 18, 2016. We anticipate that oral argument will be scheduled within the next six months. We believe that, despite the appeal, the $1.3 million currently accrued represents management’s best estimate of the potential loss if the verdict is overturned in Salsgiver's favor. Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received assessment notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for Pennsylvania Gross Receipt Taxes, and/or have had audits performed for the tax years of 2008 through 2013. In addition, a re-audit was performed on CCPA for the 2010 calendar year. For the calendar years for which we received both additional assessment notices and audit actions, those issues have been combined by the DOR into a single docket for each year. Pennsylvania generally imposes tax on the gross receipts of telephone messages transmitted wholly within the state and telephone messages transmitted in interstate commerce where such messages originate or terminate in Pennsylvania, and the charges for such messages are billed to a service address in the state. In a 2013 decision involving Verizon Telephone Company of Pennsylvania (“Verizon Pennsylvania”), the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania held that the gross receipts tax applies to Verizon Pennsylvania’s installation of private phone lines because the sole purpose of private lines is to transmit messages. Similarly, the court held that directory assistance is subject to the gross receipts tax because it makes the transition of messages more effective. However, the court did not find Verizon Pennsylvania’s nonrecurring charges for the installation of telephone lines, moves of and changes to telephone lines and services and repairs of telephone lines to be subject to the gross receipts tax as no telephone messages are transmitted when Verizon Pennsylvania performs nonrecurring services. On appeal, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently held in Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that charges for the installation of private phone lines, charges for directory assistance and certain nonrecurring charges were all subject to the state’s gross receipt tax. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania found that all of the services, including those related to nonrecurring charges, in some way made transmission more effective or communication more satisfactory even though such services did not involve actual transmission. This is a partial reversal of the 2013 Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania decision described above, which had ruled that while the charges for the installation of private phone lines and directory assistance were subject to the state’s gross receipts tax, the nonrecurring charges in question were not. As a motion for reconsideration has not been filed with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and the period for such filing has expired, the case is now final. For the CCES subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for the calendar years 2008 through 2013 is approximately $4.1 million. Appeals of cases for the audits in calendar years 2008 through 2010 have been filed and received continuances pending the outcome of the Verizon Pennsylvania litigation described above. The 30 preliminary audit findings for the calendar years 2011 through 2013 were received on September 16, 2014. We are awaiting invoices for each of these years, at which time we will prepare to file an appeal with the DOR. For the CCPA subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for the calendar years 2008 through 2013 (using the re-audited 2010 number) is approximately $5.0 million. Appeals of cases for the audits in calendar years 2008, 2009 and the original 2010 audit have been filed and received continuances pending the outcome of the Verizon Pennsylvania litigation described above. The preliminary audit findings for the calendar years 2011 through 2013, as well as the re-audit of 2010, were received on September 16, 2014. We are awaiting invoices for each of these years, at which time we will prepare to file an appeal with the DOR. We believe that certain of the DOR’s findings regarding the Company’s additional tax liability for the calendar years 2008 through 2013, for which we have filed or plan to file appeals, continue to lack merit. However, in light of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s recent decision, we reassessed our accrual for the additional tax liability for both our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we accrued an additional $1.1 million and $1.0 million for our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, respectively, which increased the total accruals to $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. These accruals also include the Company’s best estimate of the potential 2014 and 2015 additional tax liabilities. We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows. From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these other legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not Applicable. PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CNSL”. As of February 12, 2016, there were approximately 4,765 stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock. The following table indicates the high and low stock closing prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NASDAQ for each of the quarters ending on the dates indicated: 2015 2014 Period First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Dividend Policy and Restrictions Low High High Low $ 27.86 $ 20.40 $ 20.39 $ 18.41 $ 21.89 $ 19.72 $ 22.29 $ 18.94 $ 21.07 $ 18.89 $ 25.72 $ 21.27 $ 22.62 $ 18.79 $ 28.60 $ 24.29 Our Board of Directors declared dividends of approximately $0.38738 per share in each of the periods listed above. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends at an annual rate of approximately $1.55 per share during 2016. Future dividend payments are at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Changes in our dividend program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, debt covenant compliance, expected cash needs and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Dividends on our common stock are not cumulative. See Part II - Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussion regarding restrictions on the payment of dividends. See Part I – Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of this report, which sets forth several factors that could prevent stockholders from receiving dividends 31 in the future. Additional information concerning dividends may be found in “Selected Financial Data” in Item 6, which is incorporated herein by reference. Share Repurchases During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we repurchased 39,052 common shares surrendered by employees in the administration of employee share-based compensation plans. The following table summarizes the share repurchase activity: Purchase period October 1-October 31, 2015 November 1-November 30, 2015 December 1-December 31, 2015 Performance Graph Average price announced plans Total number of shares purchased paid per share — — 39,052 n/a n/a $ 21.60 Total number of Maximum number shares purchased of shares that may as part of publicly yet be purchased under the plans or programs n/a n/a n/a or programs n/a n/a n/a The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock (assuming reinvestment of dividends) with the S&P 500 index, the Dow Jones US Fixed-Line Telecommunications Subsector index and a customized peer group of four companies that includes, in addition to us: Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc., Otelco, Inc. and Shenandoah Telecommunications Company. The comparison of total return on investment (change in year-end stock price plus reinvested dividends) for each of the periods assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2010 in each index and in the peer group. The stock performance shown on the graphs below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. 32 COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* Among Consolidated Communications Holdings, the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones US Fixed Line Telecommunications Subsector Index, and a Peer Group *$100 invested on December 31, 2010 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. Copyright© 2015 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2015 Dow Jones & Co. All rights reserved. (In dollars) Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. S&P 500 Dow Jones US Fixed-Line Telecommunications 2010 2011 As of December 31, 2013 2012 2014 2015 $ 100.00 $ 107.20 $ 97.69 $ 131.59 $ 200.77 $ 162.64 $ 100.00 $ 102.11 $ 118.45 $ 156.82 $ 178.29 $ 180.75 Subsector Peer Group $ 100.00 $ 106.98 $ 123.16 $ 137.60 $ 142.09 $ 146.67 $ 100.00 $ 66.91 $ 69.33 $ 99.09 $ 133.82 $ 136.17 Sale of Unregistered Securities During the year ended December 31, 2015, we did not sell any equity securities of the Company which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 33 Item 6. Selected Financial Data. The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and other financial data included elsewhere in this annual report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods. (In millions, except per share amounts) 2015 Year Ended December 31, 2013 2012 (2) 2014 (1) 2011 Operating revenues $ 775.7 $ 635.7 $ 601.6 $ 477.9 $ 349.0 Cost of products and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Selling, general and administrative expense Acquisition and other transaction costs (3) Intangible asset impairment Depreciation and amortization Income from operations Interest expense, net and loss on extinguishment of debt (4)(5)(6) Other income, net Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expense Income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Net income of noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders Income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted: Income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations, net of tax (7) Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted 328.4 178.2 1.4 — 179.9 87.8 (120.9) 35.2 2.1 2.8 (0.7) — (0.7) 0.2 (0.9) (0.02) — (0.02) $ $ $ $ $ $ 242.7 140.6 11.8 — 149.4 91.2 (96.3) 33.5 28.4 13.0 15.4 — 15.4 0.3 15.1 0.35 — 0.35 $ $ $ 222.5 135.4 0.8 — 139.3 103.6 (93.5) 37.3 47.4 17.5 29.9 1.2 31.1 0.3 30.8 0.73 0.03 0.76 $ $ $ 175.9 108.2 20.8 1.2 120.3 51.5 (77.1) 31.2 5.6 0.7 4.9 1.2 6.1 0.5 5.6 0.12 0.03 0.15 $ $ $ 121.7 77.8 2.6 — 88.0 58.9 (49.4) 27.9 37.4 13.1 24.3 2.7 27.0 0.6 26.4 0.79 0.09 0.88 Weighted-average number of shares - basic and diluted 50,176 41,998 39,764 34,652 29,600 Cash dividends per common share $ 1.55 $ 1.55 $ 1.55 $ 1.55 $ 1.55 Consolidated cash flow data from continuing operations: Cash flows from operating activities Cash flows used for investing activities Cash flows (used for) provided by financing activities Capital expenditures Consolidated Balance Sheet: Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Net property, plant and equipment Total assets Total debt (including current portion) Stockholders’ equity Other financial data (unaudited): Adjusted EBITDA (8) $ $ $ $ 219.2 (119.5) (90.4) 133.9 15.9 126.4 1,093.3 2,138.5 1,388.8 250.7 $ $ 187.8 (246.9) 60.2 109.0 6.7 134.1 1,137.5 2,211.8 1,351.2 330.8 168.5 (107.4) (71.6) 107.4 $ 119.7 (468.5) 257.5 77.0 5.6 87.7 885.4 1,733.8 1,208.3 152.3 $ 17.9 109.3 907.7 1,780.7 1,205.0 136.1 $ $ 124.3 (40.7) (50.7) 41.8 105.7 164.7 337.6 1,189.3 879.9 47.8 $ 328.9 $ 288.5 $ 286.5 $ 231.9 $ 185.0 (1) On October 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Enventis Corporation (“Enventis”) in which we acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. The financial results for Enventis have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. (2) In July 2012, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of SureWest Communications (“SureWest”) in a cash and stock transaction. SureWest results of operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date of July 2, 2012. (3) Acquisition and other transaction costs includes costs incurred related to acquisitions, including severance costs. 34 (4) In 2014, we redeemed $72.8 million of the original aggregate principal amount of our $300.0 million 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we recognized a loss of $13.8 million on the partial extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2015, we redeemed the remaining $227.2 million of the 2020 Notes for $261.9 million and recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. (5) In 2013, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to restate our term loan credit facility. In connection with entering into the restated credit agreement, we incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $7.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. (6) In 2012, we entered into a $350.0 million Senior Unsecured Bridge Loan Facility (“Bridge Facility”) to fund the SureWest acquisition. During 2012, we incurred $4.2 million of amortization related to the financing costs and $1.5 million of interest related to ticking fees associated with the Bridge Facility. In addition, in 2012 we entered into a Second Amendment and Incremental Facility Agreement to amend our term loan facility. As a result, we incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $4.5 million related to the repayment of our outstanding term loan. (7) In September 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights of our prison services business for a total cash price of $2.5 million, resulting in a gain of $1.3 million, net of tax. The financial results and net gain from the sale of the prison services business are included in income from discontinued operations for the years ended on or before December 31, 2013. (8) In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”), we also use certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends. These financial measures are not a measure of financial performance under US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) as a measure of performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. They are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below. EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required under our credit facility as described in the reconciliations below. These measures are a common measure of operating performance in the telecommunications industry and are useful, with other data, as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash. 35 The following tables are a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA: (In millions, unaudited) 2011 Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations $ 219.2 $ 187.8 $ 168.5 $ 119.7 $ 124.3 2014 2015 2012 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Adjustments: Non-cash, stock-based compensation Other adjustments, net Changes in operating assets and liabilities Interest expense, net Income taxes EBITDA Adjustments to EBITDA: Other, net (a) Investment distributions (b) Loss on extinguishment of debt (c) Intangible asset impairment (d) Non-cash, stock-based compensation (e) Adjusted EBITDA (3.1) (59.5) 22.6 79.6 2.8 261.6 (3.6) (31.6) 12.3 82.5 13.0 260.4 (3.0) (24.8) 28.5 85.8 17.5 272.5 (2.3) (9.7) 17.6 72.6 0.7 198.6 (2.1) (10.9) 1.1 49.4 13.1 174.9 (22.3) 45.3 41.2 — 3.1 (20.4) 28.4 – – 2.1 $ 328.9 $ 288.5 $ 286.5 $ 231.9 $ 185.0 (31.5) 34.8 7.7 — 3.0 (23.9) 34.6 13.8 — 3.6 (3.9) 29.2 4.5 1.2 2.3 (a) Other, net includes the equity earnings from our investments, dividend income, income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, acquisition and transaction related costs including severance and certain other miscellaneous items. (b) Includes all cash dividends and other cash distributions received from our investments. (c) Represents the redemption premium and write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the redemption or retirement of our debt obligations. (d) Represents intangible asset impairment charges recognized during the period. (e) Represents compensation expenses in connection with the issuance of stock awards, which because of their non- cash nature, these expenses are excluded from adjusted EBITDA. 36 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Reference is made Part I – Item 1 “Note About Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I – Item 1A “Risk Factors” which describes important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In addition, the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (“Consolidated”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”). MD&A should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) as of and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Throughout MD&A, we refer to certain measures that are not a measure of financial performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”). We believe the use of these non-GAAP measures on a consolidated basis provides the reader with additional information that is useful in understanding our operating results and trends. These measures should be viewed in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, those measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the Non-GAAP Measures section below for a more detailed discussion on the use and calculation of these measures. Overview We are an integrated communications services company that operates as both an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) and a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”) dependent upon the territory served. We provide an array of services in consumer, commercial and carrier channels in 11 states, including local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), custom calling features, private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, data center and managed services, directory publishing, equipment sales and cloud data services. Revenues increased $140.0 million during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily from growth in commercial services, total data connections and the acquisition of Enventis Corporation (“Enventis”) in October 2014, as described below. We generate the majority of our consolidated operating revenues primarily from subscriptions to our video, data and transport services (collectively “broadband services”) to business and residential customers. We expect our broadband services revenue to continue to grow as consumer and commercial demands for data based services increase. We continue to focus on commercial and broadband growth opportunities and are continually expanding our commercial product offerings for both small and large businesses to capitalize on industry technological advances. We can leverage our fiber optic networks and tailor our services for business customers by developing solutions to fit their specific needs. We gained strategic advantage through the acquisition of Enventis in 2014, which recently launched a suite of cloud data services that increases efficiency and reduces IT costs for our customers. In addition, we recently launched an enhanced hosted voice product, which enables greater scalability and reliability for businesses. We anticipate future momentum in new commercial services as these new products gain traction. We market services to our residential customers either individually or as a bundled package. Our “triple play” bundle includes our voice, video and data services. Data connections continue to increase as a result of consumer trends toward increased Internet usage and our enhanced product and service offerings, such as our progressively increasing consumer data speeds. We introduced data speeds of up to 1 Gbps to approximately 20,000 of our fiber-to-the-home customers in our Kansas market and a limited portion of our Pennsylvania market in December 2014 and in our Texas market in the first quarter of 2015, with our California market to follow in 2016. Where 1 Gbps speeds are not yet offered, the maximum broadband speed is 100 Mbps, depending on the geographic market availability. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 29% of the homes in the areas we serve subscribe to our data service. Our exceptional consumer broadband speed allows us to continue to meet the needs of our customers and the demand for higher speed resulting from the growing trend of over-the-top (“OTT”) content viewing. The availability of 1 Gbps data speed also complements our wireless home networking (“Wi-Fi”) that supports our TV Everywhere service and allows our subscribers to watch their favorite programs at home or away on a computer, smartphone or tablet. The increase in our operating revenues during 2015 was offset, in part, by an anticipated industry-wide trend of a decline in consumer voice services, access lines and related network access. Many consumers are choosing to subscribe to 37 alternative communications services and competition for these subscribers continues to increase. Excluding the increase in voice connections as a result of the acquisition of Enventis in 2014, total voice connections decreased 5% as of December 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. Competition from wireless providers, competitive local exchange carriers and, in some cases, cable television providers has increased in recent years in the markets we serve. We have been able to mitigate some of the access line losses through marketing initiatives and product offerings, such as our VoIP service. In addition, our video connection growth is decelerating. Excluding Enventis, total video connections decreased 6% as of December 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The consumer’s growing acceptance of OTT video services either to augment their current viewing options or to entirely replace their video subscription may impact our future video subscriber base, which could result in a decline in video revenue as well as a reduction in video programing costs. We believe this trend in changing consumer viewing habits will continue to impact our business model and strategy of providing consumers the necessary broadband speed to facilitate OTT content viewing. As discussed in the “Regulatory Matters” section below, our operating revenues are also impacted by legislative or regulatory changes at the federal and state levels, which could reduce or eliminate the current subsidies revenue we receive. A number of proceedings and recent orders relate to universal service reform, intercarrier compensation and network access charges. There are various ongoing legal challenges to the orders that have been issued. As a result, it is not yet possible to determine fully the impact of the regulatory changes on our operations. Significant Recent Developments Enventis Merger On October 16, 2014, we completed our merger with Enventis and acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. As a result, Enventis became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The total value of the purchase consideration exchanged was $257.7 million, excluding $149.9 million paid to extinguish Enventis’ outstanding debt. On the date of the merger, we issued an aggregate total of 10.1 million shares of our common stock to the former Enventis shareholders. Enventis is an advanced communications provider, which services consumer, commercial and wholesale carrier customer channels primarily in the upper Midwest. The acquisition reflects our strategy to diversify revenue and cash flows amongst multiple products and to expand our network to new markets. The financial results for Enventis have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. In connection with the acquisition, in September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2022 (the “Existing Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the Existing Notes were used to finance the acquisition of Enventis, including related fees and expenses, and to pay the existing indebtedness of Enventis. A portion of the proceeds, together with cash on hand and borrowings under our credit facility, was also used to redeem $72.8 million of our $300.0 million original aggregate principal amount of 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”), as described in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below. Issuance of Additional Senior Notes On June 8, 2015, we issued an additional $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “2022 Notes”). The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes were used, in part, to redeem the remaining $227.2 million of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes, to pay related fees and expenses and to reduce the outstanding balance of our revolving credit facility. In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $261.9 million and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. On October 16, 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the 2022 Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The terms of the registered 2022 Notes are substantially identical to the 2022 Notes prior to the exchange, except that the notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the original 2022 Notes no longer apply to the registered 2022 Notes. The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the 2022 Notes outstanding. 38 Discontinued Operations On September 13, 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights used to provide communications services to thirteen county jails located in Illinois. The sale was completed for an aggregate purchase price of $2.5 million, resulting in a gain of $1.3 million, net of tax. The financial results of the operations for our prison services business have been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. Results of Operations The following tables reflect our financial results on a consolidated basis and key operating statistics as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Financial Data (In millions, except for percentages) Operating Revenues Commercial and carrier: Data and transport services (includes VoIP) Voice services Other Consumer: Broadband (VoIP, data and video) Voice services Equipment sales and service Subsidies Network access Other products and services Total operating revenues Operating Expenses Cost of services and products Selling, general and administrative costs Acquisition and other transaction costs Depreciation and amortization Total operating expenses Income from operations Interest expense, net Loss on extinguishment of debt Other income Income tax expense Net income (loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 2015 2014 2013 % Change 2015 vs. 2014 vs. 2014 2013 $ 183.3 $ 117.5 $ 94.5 89.8 103.0 10.6 12.3 194.9 298.6 92.6 11.5 221.6 56 % 24 % 11 7 35 3 8 14 213.6 60.6 274.2 55.0 56.3 73.9 17.7 775.7 200.8 60.2 261.0 10.0 53.2 75.7 14.2 635.7 195.1 63.9 259.0 — 52.0 81.4 14.3 601.6 6 1 5 450 6 (2) 25 22 3 (6) 1 — 2 (7) (1) 6 328.4 178.2 1.4 179.9 687.9 87.8 (79.6) (41.2) 35.1 2.8 (0.7) — 0.2 222.5 135.4 0.8 139.3 498.0 103.6 (85.8) (7.7) 37.3 17.5 29.9 1.2 0.3 $ (0.9) $ 15.1 $ 30.8 242.7 140.6 11.8 149.4 544.5 91.2 (82.5) (13.8) 33.5 13.0 15.4 — 0.3 35 9 4 27 (88) 1,375 7 20 9 26 (12) (4) (4) (4) 79 199 (10) 5 (26) (78) (48) (105) (100) — — (33) (51) (106) Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 328.9 $ 288.5 $ 286.5 14 % 1 % (1) A non-GAAP measure. See the Non-GAAP Measures section below for additional information and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. 39 Consumer customers Voice connections Data connections Video connections Total connections Key Operating Statistics 2015 268,934 2014 277,753 % Change 2015 vs. 2014 vs. 2014 2013 (3)% 7 % 2013 258,769 482,735 456,100 117,882 503,120 443,489 124,229 1,056,717 1,070,838 440,253 407,972 111,968 960,193 14 9 11 (4) 3 (5) (1)% 12 % The comparability of our consolidated results of operations and key operating statistics was impacted by the Enventis acquisition that closed on October 16, 2014, as described above. Enventis’ results are included in our consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition. The acquisition provides additional diversification of the Company’s revenues and cash flows both geographically and by service type. Operating Revenues Commercial and Carrier Data and Transport Services We provide a variety of business communication services to small, medium and large business customers, including many services over our advanced fiber network. The services we offer include scalable high speed broadband Internet access and VoIP phone services which range from basic service plans to virtual hosted systems. In addition to Internet and VoIP services, we also offer private line data services to businesses that include dedicated Internet access through our Metro Ethernet network. Wide Area Network (“WAN”) products include point-to-point and multi-point deployments from 2.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps to accommodate the growth patterns of our business customers. Data center and disaster recovery solutions provide a reliable and local colocation option for commercial customers. We also offer wholesale services to regional and national interexchange and wireless carriers, including cellular backhaul and other fiber transport solutions. Data and transport services revenue increased $65.8 million during 2015 compared to 2014 and $23.0 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $57.5 million and $14.1 million, respectively, data and transport services revenue increased $8.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, primarily from growth in data connections and a continued increase in VoIP, Internet access and Metro Ethernet revenue. Fiber transport and cellular backhaul revenue also increased as network bandwidth demand for wireless data continues to escalate. Voice Services Voice services include basic local phone and long-distance service packages for business customers. The plans include options for voicemail, conference calling, linking multiple office locations and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding, speed dialing and call waiting. Services can be charged at a fixed monthly rate, a measured rate or can be bundled with selected services at a discounted rate. Voice services revenue increased $10.4 million during 2015 compared to 2014 and $2.8 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $14.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively, voice services revenue decreased $4.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, primarily due to a 5% decline in access lines during each period as commercial customers are increasingly choosing alternative technologies, including our own VoIP product, and the broad range of features that Internet based voice services can offer. Consumer Broadband Services Broadband services include revenue from residential customers for subscriptions to our VoIP, data and video products. We offer high speed Internet access at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, depending on the nature of the network 40 facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location. Our VoIP digital phone service is also available in certain markets as an alternative to the traditional telephone line. Depending on geographic market availability, our video services range from limited basic service to advanced digital television, which includes several plans each with hundreds of local, national and music channels including premium and pay-per-view channels as well as video on-demand service. Certain customers may also subscribe to our advanced video services, which consist of high- definition television, digital video recorders (“DVR”) and/or a whole home DVR. Broadband services revenue increased $12.8 million during 2015 compared to 2014. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $13.5 million, broadband services revenue decreased $0.7 million primarily due to an 8% decline in video connections and increased discounts on our data service offerings. We expect data revenue to grow as a result of the rising consumer demand for data-based services. However, the revenue growth was tempered by a decrease in VoIP revenue during that same period due to a decline in voice connections as more consumers have begun to rely exclusively on wireless service. Broadband services revenue increased $5.7 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $3.4 million, broadband services revenue increased $2.3 million primarily due to growth in Internet access revenue and video subscriptions revenue. Voice Services We offer several different basic local phone service packages and long-distance calling plans, including unlimited flat- rate calling plans. The plans include options for voicemail and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding and call waiting. Voice services revenue increased $0.4 million during 2015 compared to 2014 and decreased $3.7 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $5.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, voice services revenue decreased $5.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, primarily due to a 9% and 13% decline in voice connections, respectively. The number of local access lines in service directly affects the recurring revenue we generate from end users and continues to be impacted by the industry-wide decline in access lines. We expect to continue to experience modest erosion in voice connections due to competition from alternative technologies, including our own competing VoIP product. Equipment Sales and Service Through our acquisition of Enventis in 2014, we obtained a leading market relationship with Cisco Systems, Inc. and, as a result, are an accredited Master Level Unified Communications and Gold Certified Cisco Partner providing equipment solutions and support for business customers. As an equipment integrator, we offer network design, implementation and support services, including maintenance contracts, in order to provide integrated communication solutions for our customers. When an equipment sale involves multiple deliverables, revenue is allocated to each respective element based on relative selling price. Equipment sales and services are non-recurring and changes in revenue can be attributed to the timing and volume of customer sales, which can vary each quarter and result in positive or negative fluctuations in our quarterly operating revenues and expenses. Equipment sales and service revenue increased $45.0 million during 2015 compared to 2014 and $10.0 million during 2014 compared to 2013 due to the acquisition of Enventis. Subsidies Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. Subsidies revenue increased $3.1 million during 2015 compared to 2014. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $6.8 million, subsidies revenue decreased $3.7 million as a result of a reduction in state funding support for our Texas ILEC and the transition from CAF Phase I to CAF Phase II funding. See the “Regulatory Matters” section below for further discussion of the subsidies we receive. Subsidies revenue increased $1.2 million during 2014 compared to 2013 primarily from the addition of Enventis revenue. Network Access Services Network access services include interstate and intrastate switched access revenue, network special access services and end user access. Switched access revenue includes access services to other communications carriers to terminate or 41 originate long-distance calls on our network. Special access circuits provide dedicated lines and trunks to business customers and interexchange carriers. Network access services revenue decreased $1.8 million during 2015 compared to 2014 and $5.7 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $6.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, network access services revenue decreased $7.8 million and $7.4 million, respectively, primarily due to declines in switched and special access revenues. Special access revenue decreased primarily due to a reduction in the number of our carrier circuits; however, a portion of the decrease can be attributed to carriers shifting to our fiber Metro Ethernet product, contributing to the growth in that area. Switched access revenue decreased primarily as a result of the continuing decline in minutes of use and voice connections. Other Products and Services Other products and services include revenues from telephone directory publishing, video advertising and billing and support services. Other products and services revenue increased $3.5 million during 2015 compared to 2014 primarily from the addition of Enventis revenue of $3.9 million for its billing and support services and an increase in video advertising revenues, which was offset by a decline in directory publishing revenue. Other products and services revenue decreased $0.1 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding the addition of Enventis revenue of $1.4 million, other products and services revenue decreased $1.5 million primarily due to a decline in directory publishing revenue. Operating Expenses Cost of Services and Products Cost of services and products increased $85.7 million during 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to the addition of the operations for Enventis during 2014, which accounted for $80.3 million of the increase. Video programming costs also increased $5.0 million as costs per program channel continue to rise. Video programming costs are impacted by license fees charged by cable networks, the amount and quality of the content we provide and the number of video subscribers we serve. We anticipate that programming costs will continue to increase due to the rising cost of license fees and as we add additional content and offer video content to various platforms. Network access costs also increased as a result of growth in carrier and wireless backhaul services. However, these increases were partially offset by a decline in employee costs due to a reduction in headcount. In 2014, cost of services and products increased $20.2 million compared to 2013. The addition of the operations for Enventis during 2014 accounted for $18.8 million of the increase. Video programming costs also increased due to a growth in video connections and an increase in costs per program channel. However, the increase in video programming costs was largely offset by a decline in employee costs due to a reduction in headcount as a result of integration and cost reduction efforts in 2013 as well as a reduction in pension expense in 2014. Selling, General and Administrative Costs Selling, general and administrative costs increased $37.6 million during 2015 compared to 2014. The acquisition of Enventis in 2014 contributed $29.7 million of the increase. In addition, as part of the Company’s continued integration efforts, an early retirement program was initiated during 2015 to a group of select employees who were 55 years of age or older and who have provided 15 or more years of service. The employees were primarily in non-customer facing positions or positions in which the Company believed the retiree’s workload could be absorbed internally as part of the Company’s continuing cost saving initiatives. The early retirement package was accepted by approximately 60 employees and, as a result, one-time severance costs of $7.2 million were incurred in 2015. The Company expects approximately $4.8 million in future annual savings as a result of the early retirement program. The remaining increase in selling, general and administrative costs was primarily due to an increase in property taxes and regulatory fees and increased pension costs in the current year. These increases were offset in part by a decline in employee-related costs and a reduction in advertising expense in 2015. Selling, general and administrative costs increased $5.2 million during 2014 compared to 2013 primarily as a result of the addition of the operations for Enventis in 2014, which accounted for $7.2 million of the annual increase. Excluding Enventis, selling, general and administrative expense decreased $2.0 million due to a decline in professional fees for legal and billing services and a reduction in pension costs in 2014. These savings were offset in part by growth in our 42 commercial sales force as a result of the expansion of our commercial services in the Dallas market in 2014. Bad debt expense also increased due to recoveries recognized in 2013. Acquisition and Other Transaction Costs Acquisition and other transaction costs decreased $10.4 million during 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of the acquisition of Enventis, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2014, we incurred $11.8 million in transaction related fees in connection with the acquisition of Enventis. Transaction costs consist primarily of legal, finance and other professional fees as well as expenses related to change-in-control payments to former employees of the acquired companies. Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization expense increased $30.5 million during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Enventis during 2014 which accounted for $31.4 million of the increase. Excluding the addition of the operations for Enventis, depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.9 million in 2015 due to certain circuit, network and terminal equipment becoming fully depreciated during 2015, which was offset in part by capital expenditures for internally developed software and outside plant related to integration and success based projects. In 2014, depreciation and amortization expense increased $10.1 million compared to 2013, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Enventis during 2014 which accounted for $8.0 million of the increase. The remaining increase was primarily associated with ongoing capital expenditures related to network enhancements and success based capital projects for consumer and commercial services. Regulatory Matters Our revenues are subject to broad federal and/or state regulation, which include such telecommunications services as local telephone service, network access service and toll service and are derived from various sources, including: • • • • • business and residential subscribers of basic exchange services; surcharges mandated by state commissions; long distance carriers for network access service; competitive access providers and commercial customers for network access service; and support payments from federal or state programs. telecommunications the The Telecommunications Act of 1996, federal and state regulators share responsibility for implementing and enforcing statutes and regulations designed to encourage competition and to preserve and advance widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices. to extensive federal, state and local regulation. Under is subject industry At the federal level, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) generally exercises jurisdiction over facilities and services of local exchange carriers, such as our rural telephone companies, to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate interstate or international communications. The FCC has the authority to condition, modify, cancel, terminate or revoke our operating authority for failure to comply with applicable federal laws or FCC rules, regulations and policies. Fines or penalties also may be imposed for any of these violations. State regulatory commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over carriers’ facilities and services to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate intrastate communications. In particular, state regulatory agencies have substantial oversight over interconnection and network access by competitors of our rural telephone companies. In addition, municipalities and other local government agencies regulate the public rights-of-way necessary to install and operate networks. State regulators can sanction our rural telephone companies or revoke our certifications if we violate relevant laws or regulations. 43 FCC Matters In general, telecommunications service in rural areas is more costly to provide than service in urban areas. The lower customer density means that switching and other facilities serve fewer customers and loops are typically longer, requiring greater expenditures per customer to build and maintain. By supporting the high-cost of operations in rural markets, Universal Service Fund (“USF”) subsidies promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. Revenues from the federal and certain states’ USFs increased $3.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to the acquisition of Enventis in October 2014. In order for an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”) to receive high-cost support, the USF/Intercarrier Compensation (“ICC”) Transformation Order requires states to certify annually that USF support is used only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. States, in turn, require that ETCs file certifications with them as the basis for the state filings with the FCC. Failure to meet the annual data and certification deadlines can result in reduced support to the ETC based on the length of the delay in certification. For calendar year 2013, the California state certification was due to be filed with the FCC on or before October 1, 2012. We were notified in January 2013 that SureWest Communications (“SureWest”) did not submit the required certification to the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) in time to be included in its October 1, 2012 submission to the FCC. In January 2013, we filed a certification with the CPUC and filed a petition with the FCC for a waiver of the filing deadline for the annual state certification. In February 2013, the CPUC filed a certification with the FCC with respect to SureWest. In October 2013, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC denied our petition for a waiver of the annual certification deadline. In November 2013, we applied for a review of the decision made by the FCC staff by the full Commission. Management is optimistic that the Company may prevail in its application to the Commission and receive USF funding for the period January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013 based on the change in SureWest’s USF filing status caused by the change in the ownership of SureWest, the lack of formal notice by the FCC regarding this change in filing status, the fact that SureWest had a previously filed certification of compliance in effect with the FCC for the two quarters for which USF was withheld and the FCC’s past practice of granting waivers to accept late filings in similar situations. However, due to the denial of our petition by the Wireline Competition Bureau and the uncertainty of the collectability of previously recognized revenues, in December 2013 we reversed $3.0 million of previously recognized revenues until such time that the Commission has the opportunity to reach a decision on our application for review. Our recently acquired Enventis ILEC properties are cost-based rate of return companies. Historically, under FCC rules governing rate making, these ILECs were required to establish rates for their interstate telecommunications services based on projected demand usage for the various services. We projected our earnings through the use of annual cost separation studies, which utilized estimated total cost information and projected demand usage. Carriers were required to follow FCC rules in the preparation of these annual studies. We determined actual earnings from our interstate rates as actual volumes and costs became known. Effective January 1, 2015, our Enventis ILECs are treated as price cap companies for universal service purposes. In March 2015, we filed a petition for waiver to keep them as rate of return companies for switched and special access. The petition was granted in October 2015. We expect certain adjustments to take place over 24 months as a result of exiting the National Exchange Carrier Association (“NECA”) pool; however, we do not anticipate that they will be material to our consolidated financial statements or results of operations. An order adopted by the FCC in 2011 (the “Order”) will significantly impact the amount of support revenue we receive from the USF, Connect America Fund (“CAF”) and ICC. The Order reformed core parts of the USF, broadly recast the existing ICC scheme, established the CAF to replace support revenues provided by the current USF and redirected support from voice services to broadband services. In 2012, CAF Phase I was implemented, which froze USF support to price cap carriers until the FCC implemented a broadband cost model to shift support from voice services to broadband services. The Order also modified the methodology used for ICC traffic exchanged between carriers. The initial phase of ICC reform was effective on July 1, 2012, beginning the transition of our terminating switched access rates to bill- and-keep over a seven year period, and as a result, our network access revenue decreased approximately $1.3 million during 2015. In December 2014, the FCC released a report and order that addressed, among other things, the transition to CAF Phase II funding for price cap carriers and the acceptance criteria for CAF Phase II funding. For companies that accept the CAF Phase II funding, there is a three year transition period in instances in which their current CAF Phase I funding exceeds the CAF Phase II funding. If CAF Phase II funding exceeds CAF Phase I funding, the transitional support is waived and CAF Phase II funding begins immediately. Companies are required to commit to a statewide build out 44 requirement to 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream in funded locations. We accepted the CAF Phase II funding in August 2015. The annual funding under CAF Phase I of $36.6 million will be replaced by annual funding under CAF Phase II of $13.9 million through 2020. In the state of Iowa, where CAF Phase II funding is greater than the CAF Phase I funding, the CAF Phase II funding will be received with a retroactive payment back to January 1, 2015. For all other states, funding under CAF Phase II is less than funding under CAF Phase I. The acceptance of funding at the lower level will transition over a three year period based on the CAF Phase I funding levels at the rates of 75% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year. For the period from August 2015 through December 2015, the Company received and recognized approximately $6.4 million in total CAF Phase II funding, which includes the retroactive payment for Iowa of approximately $0.6 million. In March 2015, the FCC released its net neutrality order which applies to all wireline and wireless providers of broadband internet access services. The net neutrality order addresses several areas that will be regulated and others that are subject to forbearance. The regulations disallow blocking, throttling and paid prioritization by internet service providers. The net neutrality order also requires providers to disclose certain information to consumers on rates, fees, data allowances and packet loss. Finally, it gives the FCC codified enforcement authority and it forbears on certain Title II regulations. We are evaluating the net neutrality order, and we currently do not believe the order will result in any significant changes to the services we provide our customers, nor do we believe it will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations. State Matters California In an ongoing proceeding relating to the New Regulatory Framework, the CPUC adopted Decision 06-08-030 in 2006, which grants carriers broader pricing freedom in the provision of telecommunications services, bundling of services, promotions and customer contracts. This decision adopted a new regulatory framework, the Uniform Regulatory Framework (“URF”), which among other things (i) eliminates price regulation and allows full pricing flexibility for all new and retail services, (ii) allows new forms of bundles and promotional packages of telecommunication services, (iii) allocates all gains and losses from the sale of assets to shareholders and (iv) eliminates almost all elements of rate of return regulation, including the calculation of shareable earnings. In December 2010, the CPUC issued a ruling to initiate a new proceeding to assess whether, or to what extent, the level of competition in the telecommunications industry is sufficient to control prices for the four largest ILECs in the state. Subsequently, the CPUC issued a ruling temporarily deferring the proceeding. When the CPUC may open this proceeding is unclear and on hold at this time. The CPUC’s actions in this and future proceedings could lead to new rules and an increase in government regulation. The Company will continue to monitor this matter. Pennsylvania In 2011, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (“PAPUC”) issued an intrastate access reform order reducing intrastate access rates to interstate levels in a three-step process, which began in March 2012. With the release of the FCC order in November 2011, the PAPUC temporarily issued a stay. A final stay was issued in 2012 to implement the FCC ordered intrastate access rate changes. The PAPUC had indicated that it would address state universal funding in 2013, but delayed conducting a proceeding pending any state legislative activity that may occur in the 2015 legislative session. The Company will continue to monitor this matter. Texas The Texas Public Utilities Regulatory Act (“PURA”) directs the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) to adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange carriers to contribute to a state universal service fund that helps telecommunications providers offer basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high-cost rural areas. The Texas Universal Service Fund is also used to reimburse telecommunications providers for revenues lost by providing lifeline service. Our Texas rural telephone companies receive disbursements from this fund. Our Texas ILECs have historically received support from two state funds, the small and rural incumbent local exchange company plan High Cost Fund (“HCF”) and the High Cost Assistance Fund (“HCAF”). The HCF is a line-based fund used to keep local rates low. The rate is applied on all residential lines and up to five single business lines. The amount we receive from the HCAF is a frozen monthly amount that was originally developed to offset high intrastate toll rates. 45 In September 2011, the Texas state legislature passed Senate Bill No. 980/House Bill No. 2603 which, among other things, mandated the PUCT to review the Universal Service Fund and issue recommendations by January 1, 2013 with the intent to effectively reduce the size of the Universal Service Fund. This would be accomplished by implementing an urban floor to offset state funding reductions with a phase-in period of four years. The PUCT recommended that (i) frozen line counts be lifted effective September 1, 2013 and (ii) rural and urban local rate benchmarks be developed. The large company fund review was completed in September 2012 and the PUCT addressed the small fund participants in Docket 41097 Rate Rebalancing (“Docket 41097”), as discussed below. In June 2013, the Texas state legislature passed Senate Bill No. 583 (“SB 583”). The provisions of SB 583 were effective September 1, 2013 and froze HCF and HCAF support for the remainder of 2013. As of January 1, 2014, our annual $1.4 million HCAF support was eliminated and the frozen HCF support returned to funding on a per line basis. In July 2013, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the PUCT on Docket 41097, which was approved by the PUCT in August 2013. In accordance with the provisions of the settlement agreement, the HCF draw will be reduced by approximately $1.2 million annually over a four year period beginning June 1, 2014 through 2018. However, we have the ability to fully offset this reduction with increases to residential rates where market conditions allow, which the Company filed for in April 2014 and implemented in June 2014. In addition, the PUCT is required to develop a needs test for post-2017 funding and has held workshops on various proposals. The PUCT issued its recommendation to the Texas state commissioners in May 2014, which was approved in December 2014. The needs test allows for a one-time disaggregation of line rates from a per line flat rate, then a competitive test must be met to receive funding. The deadline for submission of the needs test is December 31, 2016. We expect to complete the needs test as required and file for continued funding by the 2016 deadline. Other Regulatory Matters We are also subject to a number of regulatory proceedings occurring at the federal and state levels that may have a material impact on our operations. The FCC and state commissions have authority to issue rules and regulations related to our business. A number of proceedings are pending or anticipated that are related to such telecommunications issues as competition, interconnection, access charges, intercarrier compensation, broadband deployment, consumer protection and universal service reform. Some proceedings may authorize new services to compete with our existing services. Proceedings that relate to our cable television operations include rulemakings on set top boxes, carriage of programming, industry consolidation and ways to promote additional competition. There are various on-going legal challenges to the scope or validity of FCC orders that have been issued. As a result, it is not yet possible to fully determine the impact of the related FCC rules and regulations on our operations. Non-Operating Items Interest Expense, Net Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased $2.9 million during 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to a reduction in the interest rate for our outstanding senior notes. In June 2015, we issued an additional $300.0 million in 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022, which were used, in part, to redeem our outstanding 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020, as described below. The New Notes were issued as an add-on to the $200.0 million in 6.50% Senior Notes issued in September 2014, the proceeds of which were used, in part, to fund the acquisition of Enventis in October 2014. Interest expense was also reduced in 2015 by declines in non-cash interest expense related to our de-designated interest rate swap agreements and additional financing costs in 2014 related to the bridge loan facility obtained for the Enventis acquisition. During 2014, interest expense, net of interest income, decreased $3.3 million compared to 2013 primarily due to a reduction in interest expense related to our interest rate swap agreements as a result of the maturity of several agreements during 2013. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement also declined due to the amendment of our Credit Agreement in December 2013. These reductions in interest expense were partially offset by an increase in interest expense related to the issuance of a $200.0 million Senior Note offering in September 2014 used in part to fund the acquisition of Enventis. 2014 also included additional amortization of deferred financing fees of $1.4 million related to the bridge loan facility obtained for the Enventis acquisition. 46 In 2013, interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges were de-designated as a result of amendments to our credit agreement. These interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates through September 2016. Prior to de-designation, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). The balance of the unrealized loss included in AOCI as of the date the swaps were de-designated is being amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the swap agreements. Changes in fair value of the de-designated swaps are immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, gains of $0.8 million, $1.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, were recognized as a reduction to interest expense for the change in fair value of the de-designated swaps. Loss on Extinguishment of Debt In 2014, we redeemed $72.8 million of the original aggregate principal amount of our 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020, as described in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below. In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $84.1 million and recognized a loss of $13.8 million on the partial extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2015, we redeemed the remaining $227.2 million of the 2020 Notes for $261.9 million and recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during 2015. In 2013, we amended our Credit Agreement to restate and amend our term loan credit facilities. In connection with entering into the amended and restated credit agreement, we incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $7.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. Other Income Investment income increased $2.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in earnings from our wireless partnership interests, which was reduced in part by an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $0.8 million during 2015 as a result of the sale of our equity interest in Central Valley Independent Network, LLC. Other, net decreased $0.6 million compared to 2014 primarily due to additional reserves related to disputed tax assessments recognized in 2015. In 2014, investment income decreased $3.2 million in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to lower earnings from our wireless partnership interests. Other, net decreased $0.5 million compared to 2013 due to bond solicitation fees of $0.5 million, and the sale of an office facility and other related assets in Pennsylvania that resulted in a non-cash loss of $0.8 million. Decreases were partially offset by a tentative settlement agreement of $0.9 million reached in a legal dispute in the prior year. Income Taxes Income taxes decreased $10.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014. Our effective rate was 131.9% for 2015 compared to 45.8% for 2014. In 2015, we placed additional valuation allowances on state NOL and state tax credit carryforwards of $3.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and related deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. We also recorded a net increase of $1.9 million to our net state deferred tax liabilities and a corresponding increase to our state tax expense due to changes in state deferred income tax rates. In 2014, we released the full $1.5 million valuation allowance and related deferred tax asset of $0.5 million maintained against the Federal NOL carryforwards subject to separate return limitation year restrictions and placed a valuation allowance on the state tax credit carryforwards of $0.5 million and related deferred tax asset of $0.3 million. The acquisition of Enventis on October 16, 2014 resulted in changes to our unitary state filings and correspondingly our state deferred income taxes. These changes resulted in a net increase of $2.1 million to our net state deferred tax liabilities and a corresponding increase to our state tax. In addition, we incurred non-deductible transaction costs in relation to the acquisition that resulted in an increase to our tax provision of $0.7 million. Exclusive of these adjustments, our effective tax rate for 2015 would have been approximately 7.9% compared to 36.6% for 2014. The 2015 effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to state tax credits and differences in allocable income for the Company’s state tax filings. Income taxes decreased $4.5 million in 2014 compared to 2013. Our effective rate was 45.8% for 2014 compared to 36.9% for 2013. In 2014, we released the full $1.5 million valuation allowance and related deferred tax asset of $0.5 million maintained against the Federal NOL carryforwards subject to separate return limitation year restrictions and placed a valuation allowance on the state tax credit carryforwards of $0.5 million and related deferred tax asset of $0.3 million. The acquisition of Enventis on October 16, 2014 resulted in changes to our unitary state filings and correspondingly our state deferred income taxes. These changes resulted in a net increase of $2.1 million to our net state 47 deferred tax liabilities and a corresponding increase to our state tax. In addition, we incurred non-deductible transaction costs in relation to the acquisition that resulted in an increase to our tax provision of $0.7 million. During 2013, we recognized $1.2 million of our previously unrecognized tax benefits, which resulted in a decrease to our tax expense of $0.8 million, due to the expiration of a state statute of limitations. We also recognized approximately $0.7 million of tax expense during 2013 to adjust our 2012 provision to match our 2012 returns. Exclusive of these adjustments, our effective tax rate for 2014 would have been approximately 36.6% compared to 37.1% for 2013. Non-GAAP Measures In addition to the results reported in accordance with US GAAP, we also use certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends. These financial measures are not a measure of financial performance under US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income as a measure of performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. They are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below. EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required under our credit facility as described in the reconciliations below. These measures are a common measure of operating performance in the telecommunications industry and are useful, with other data, as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash. The following tables are a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In thousands, unaudited) Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations Adjustments: Non-cash, stock-based compensation Loss on extinguishment of debt Other adjustments, net Changes in operating assets and liabilities Interest expense, net Income taxes EBITDA Adjustments to EBITDA: Other, net (1) Investment distributions (2) Loss on extinguishment of debt Non-cash, stock-based compensation (3) Adjusted EBITDA Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ 219,179 $ 187,785 $ 168,530 (3,060) (41,242) (18,297) 22,671 79,618 2,775 261,644 (3,636) (13,785) (17,793) 12,252 82,537 13,027 260,387 (3,028) (7,657) (17,093) 28,486 85,767 17,512 272,517 (22,360) 45,316 41,242 3,060 (31,529) 34,833 7,657 3,028 $ 328,902 $ 288,488 $ 286,506 (23,920) 34,600 13,785 3,636 (1) Other, net includes the equity earnings from our investments, dividend income, income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, acquisition and transaction related costs including severance and certain other miscellaneous items. (2) Includes all cash dividends and other cash distributions received from our investments. (3) Represents compensation expenses in connection with issuance of stock awards, which because of the non-cash nature of these expenses are excluded from adjusted EBITDA. 48 Outlook and Overview Liquidity and Capital Resources Our operating requirements have historically been funded from cash flows generated from our business and borrowings under our credit facilities. We expect that our future operating requirements will continue to be funded from cash flows from operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents, and, if needed, from borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our ability to obtain future external financing. We anticipate that we will continue to use a substantial portion of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures, meet scheduled payments of long-term debt, make dividend payments and to invest in future business opportunities. The following table summarizes our cash flows: (In thousands) Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities: Continuing operations Discontinued operations Investing activities Continuing operations Discontinued operations Financing activities Continuing operations Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ 219,179 $ 187,785 $ 168,530 (4,174) — — (119,540) — (246,861) — (107,436) 2,331 (90,440) 60,204 (71,554) 1,128 $ (12,303) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 9,199 $ Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $219.2 million in 2015, an increase of $31.4 million as compared to 2014. Cash provided by operating activities increased primarily as a result of the additional cash flows provided by the addition of the Enventis operations as well as an increase in cash distributions from our wireless partnerships in 2015. These increases were offset in part by changes in working capital primarily due to the timing in receipts for accounts receivable, a decline in advance billings related to equipment sales and a decline in accounts payable related to the timing in payments to suppliers. Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $119.5 million during 2015, a decrease of $127.3 million from 2014 primarily due to cash used for the acquisition of Enventis in 2014. Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures continue to be our primary recurring investing activity and were $133.9 million in 2015, an increase of $24.9 million compared to 2014. Capital expenditures for 2016 are expected to be $125.0 million to $130.0 million, of which approximately 63% is planned for success-based capital projects for consumer, commercial and carrier initiatives. Capital expenditures in 2016 and subsequent years will depend on various factors, including competition, changes in technology, regulatory changes and the timing in the deployment of new services. We expect to continue to invest in existing and new services and the expansion of our fiber network in order to retain and acquire more customers through a broader set of products and an expanded network footprint. Acquisition of Enventis In 2014, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis for shares of our common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares. The purchase price consisted of cash and the repayment of debt of $139.6 million, net of cash acquired, and the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $257.7 million. The funds required to repay Enventis’ outstanding debt was financed in part with the sale of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022, as described below. 49 Cash Flows Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations consists primarily of our proceeds and principal payments on long-term borrowings and the payment of dividends. Long-term Debt The following table summarizes our indebtedness as of December 31, 2015: (In thousands) 6.50% Senior Notes, net of discount Term loan 4, net of discount Revolving loan Capital leases Balance 495,107 888,460 10,000 7,580 1,401,147 $ $ Maturity Date October 1, 2022 December 23, 2020 December 23, 2018 May 31, 2021 (1) Rate 6.50 % LIBOR plus 3.25 % LIBOR plus 3.00 % 9.36 % (2) (1) At December 31, 2015, the 1-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) applicable to our borrowings was 0.42%. The Term 4 loan is subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor. (2) Weighted-average rate. Credit Agreement In December 2013, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previously amended credit agreement. The Credit Agreement consists of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and initial term loans in the aggregate amount of $910.0 million (“Term 4”). The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental term loan facility which provides the ability to request to borrow up to $300.0 million of incremental term loans subject to certain terms and conditions. Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company (formerly known as Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company) and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated. The Term 4 loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $910.0 million with a maturity date of December 23, 2020. The Term 4 loan contains an original issuance discount of $4.6 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Term 4 loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.3 million, which commenced March 31, 2014, and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25% subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor. Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of December 23, 2018 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, depending on our leverage ratio. Based on our leverage ratio at December 31, 2015, the borrowing margin for the next three month period ending March 31, 2016 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR- based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan. The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, borrowings of $10.0 million and $39.0 million, respectively, were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. A stand-by letter of credit of $1.6 million, issued in connection with the Company’s insurance coverage, was outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2015. The stand-by letter of credit is renewable annually and reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2015, $63.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.24% and 4.20% at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly. Net proceeds from asset sales exceeding certain thresholds, to the extent not reinvested, are required to be used to repay loans outstanding under the credit agreement. 50 Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance The credit agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue capital stock. We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the credit agreement covenants. In general, our credit agreement restricts our ability to pay dividends to the amount of our Available Cash as defined in our credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015 and including the $19.6 million dividend declared in November 2015 and paid on February 1, 2016, we had $245.9 million in dividend availability under the credit facility covenant. Under our credit agreement, if our total net leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement), as of the end of any fiscal quarter, is greater than 5.10:1.00, we will be required to suspend dividends on our common stock unless otherwise permitted by an exception for dividends that may be paid from the portion of proceeds of any sale of equity not used to fund acquisitions, or make other investments. During any dividend suspension period, we will be required to repay debt in an amount equal to 50.0% of any increase in Available Cash, among other things. In addition, we will not be permitted to pay dividends if an event of default under the credit agreement has occurred and is continuing. Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 and less than 2.25:1.00, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, our total net leverage ratio under the credit agreement was 4.23:1.00, and our interest coverage ratio was 4.12:1.00. Senior Notes 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 On June 8, 2015, we completed an offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022. The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest. The discount and deferred debt issuance costs of $4.5 million incurred in connection with the issuance of the New Notes are being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes were used, in part, to redeem the remaining $227.2 million of our original $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020 and to pay related fees and expenses and to reduce the amount outstanding on the revolving credit facility. In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $261.9 million and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 were previously issued on September 18, 2014. The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Existing Notes were used to finance the acquisition of Enventis, including related fees and expenses, and to repay the existing indebtedness of Enventis. A portion of the net proceeds, together with cash on hand and borrowings from the revolving credit facility, were also used to redeem $72.8 million of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes in 2014. The 2022 Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the 2022 Notes, and we and certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2022 Notes. The 2022 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. On October 16, 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the 2022 Notes under the Securities Act. The terms of the registered notes are substantially identical to those of the 2022 Notes prior to the exchange, except that the 2022 Notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights previously applicable to the original 2022 Notes do not apply to the registered 2022 Notes. The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the 2022 Notes outstanding. Senior Notes Covenant Compliance Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the 2022 Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain 51 preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. The indenture also contains customary events of default. Among other matters, the 2022 Notes indenture provides that CCI may not pay dividends or make other restricted payments, as defined in the indenture, if its total net leverage ratio is 4.75:1.00 or greater. This ratio is calculated differently than the comparable ratio under the Credit Agreement; among other differences, it takes into account, on a pro forma basis, synergies expected to be achieved as a result of certain acquisitions not yet reflected in historical results. At December 31, 2015, this ratio was 4.33:1.00. If this ratio is met, dividends and other restricted payments may be made from cumulative consolidated cash flow since April 1, 2012, less 1.75 times fixed charges, less dividends and other restricted payments made since May 30, 2012. Dividends may be paid and other restricted payments may also be made from a “basket” of $50.0 million, none of which has been used to date, and pursuant to other exceptions identified in the indenture. Since dividends of $253.1 million have been paid since May 30, 2012, including the quarterly dividend declared in November 2015 and paid on February 1, 2016, there was $351.5 million of the $604.6 million of cumulative consolidated cash flow since May 30, 2012 available to pay dividends as of December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the 2022 Notes. Capital Leases We lease certain facilities and equipment under various capital leases which expire between 2015 and 2021. As of December 31, 2015, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments was approximately $7.6 million, of which $1.8 million was due and payable within the next twelve months. The leases require total remaining rental payments of $9.4 million as of December 31, 2015, of which $4.3 million will be paid to LATEL LLC, a related party entity. Dividends We paid $78.2 million and $62.3 million in dividend payments to shareholders during 2015 and 2014, respectively. In November 2015, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38738 per common share, which was paid on February 1, 2016 to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 15, 2016. In addition, on February 19, 2016, our board of directors declared its next quarterly dividend of $0.38738 per common share, which is payable on May 2, 2016 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2016. Our current annual dividend rate is approximately $1.55 per share. The cash required to fund dividend payments is in addition to our other expected cash needs, which we expect to fund with cash flows from our operations. In addition, we expect we will have sufficient availability under our revolving credit facility to fund dividend payments in addition to any expected fluctuations in working capital and other cash needs, although we do not intend to borrow under this facility to pay dividends. We believe that our dividend policy will limit, but not preclude, our ability to grow. If we continue paying dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash, and may need to seek refinancing, to fund a material expansion of our business, including any significant acquisitions or to pursue growth opportunities requiring capital expenditures significantly beyond our current expectations. In addition, because we expect a significant portion of cash available will be distributed to holders of common stock under our dividend policy, our ability to pursue any material expansion of our business will depend more than it otherwise would on our ability to obtain third-party financing. 52 Sufficiency of Cash Resources The following table sets forth selected information regarding our financial condition. (In thousands, except for ratio) Cash and cash equivalents Working capital (deficit) Current ratio $ December 31, 2015 15,878 (17,892) 0.88 $ 2014 6,679 (21,930) 0.86 Our net working capital position improved $4.0 million as of December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily as a result of an increase in cash and cash equivalents due in part to a decline in accounts receivable and additional cash distributions from our wireless partnerships in the current year. Income tax receivable also increased primarily due to the loss on the extinguishment of debt recognized in 2015. The improvement in working capital was also due to a decline in current liabilities as a result of a decrease in accrued compensation at December 31, 2015. The change in working capital was also impacted by the adoption as of December 31, 2015 of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015- 17 (“ASU 2015-17”), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of approximately $12.4 million of net deferred tax assets from current assets to noncurrent net deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2015. Prior period amounts were not retrospectively adjusted. Our most significant use of funds in 2016 is expected to be for: (i) dividend payments of between $78.0 million and $80.0 million; (ii) interest payments on our indebtedness of between $73.0 million and $75.0 million and principal payments on debt of $9.1 million; and (iii) capital expenditures of between $125.0 million and $130.0 million. In the future, our ability to use cash may be limited by our other expected uses of cash, including our dividend policy, and our ability to incur additional debt will be limited by our existing and future debt agreements. We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with our existing cash and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient for at least the next twelve months to fund our current anticipated uses of cash. After that, our ability to fund these expected uses of cash and to comply with the financial covenants under our debt agreements will depend on the results of future operations, performance and cash flow. Our ability to fund these expected uses from the results of future operations will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business, regulatory, legislative and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may be unable to access the cash flows of our subsidiaries since certain of our subsidiaries are parties to credit or other borrowing agreements, or subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, that restrict the payment of dividends or making intercompany loans and investments, and those subsidiaries are likely to continue to be subject to such restrictions and prohibitions for the foreseeable future. In addition, future agreements that our subsidiaries may enter into governing the terms of indebtedness may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance cash in any other manner to us. To the extent that our business plans or projections change or prove to be inaccurate, we may require additional financing or require financing sooner than we currently anticipate. Sources of additional financing may include commercial bank borrowings, other strategic debt financing, sales of nonstrategic assets, vendor financing or the private or public sales of equity and debt securities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future, that anticipated revenue growth will be realized, or that future borrowings or equity issuances will be available in amounts sufficient to provide adequate sources of cash to fund our expected uses of cash. Failure to obtain adequate financing, if necessary, could require us to significantly reduce our operations or level of capital expenditures which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the results of operations. Surety Bonds In the ordinary course of business, we enter into surety, performance, and similar bonds as required by certain jurisdictions in which we provide services. As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately $3.8 million of these bonds outstanding. 53 Contractual Obligations As of December 31, 2015, our contractual obligations were as follows: (In thousands) Long-term debt Interest on long-term debt (1) Interest rate swaps (2) Capital leases Operating leases Unconditional purchase obligations: Unrecorded (3) Recorded (4) Pension funding Less than 1 Year $ 9,100 70,502 1,222 2,485 5,219 1 - 3 Years $ 28,200 139,843 1,058 4,494 8,698 3 - 5 Years $ 864,500 137,612 Thereafter Total $ 500,000 $ 1,401,800 412,957 2,280 9,440 26,062 65,000 — 370 5,532 — 2,091 6,613 56,729 40,398 3,882 34,249 16,070 — — — — 14,539 — — 121,587 40,398 3,882 (1) Interest on long-term debt includes amounts due on fixed and variable rate debt. As the rates on our variable debt are subject to change, the rates in effect at December 31, 2015 were used in determining our future interest obligations. (2) Expected settlements estimated using yield curves in effect at December 31, 2015. (3) Unrecorded purchase obligations include binding commitments for future capital expenditures and service and maintenance agreements to support various computer hardware and software applications and certain equipment. If we terminate any of the contracts prior to their expiration date, we would be liable for minimum commitment payments as defined by the contractual terms of the contracts. (4) Recorded obligations include amounts in accounts payable and accrued expenses for external goods and services received as of December 31, 2015 and expected to be settled in cash. Defined Benefit Pension Plans As required, we contribute to qualified defined pension plans and non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (collectively the “Pension Plans”) and other post-retirement benefit plans, which provide retirement benefits to certain eligible employees. Contributions are intended to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. Our funding policy is to contribute annually an actuarially determined amount consistent with applicable federal income tax regulations. The cost to maintain our Pension Plans and future funding requirements are affected by several factors including the expected return on investment of the assets held by the Pension Plan, changes in the discount rate used to calculate pension expense and the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses. Returns generated on Plan assets have historically funded a significant portion of the benefits paid under the Pension Plans. For 2015, the estimated long-term rate of return of Plan assets was 8.00%. As of January 1, 2016, we estimate that the long-term rate of return of Plan assets will be 7.75%. The Pension Plans invest in marketable equity securities which are exposed to changes in the financial markets. If the financial markets experience a downturn and returns fall below our estimate, we could be required to make a material contribution to the Pension Plan, which could adversely affect our cash flows from operations. Net pension and post-retirement (benefit)/costs were $(2.2) million, $(5.5) million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We contributed $12.2 million, $11.1 million and $11.5 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively to our pension plans. For our other post-retirement plans, we contributed $3.0 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2016, we expect to make contributions totaling approximately $0.3 million to our non-qualified supplemental retirement plans and $3.6 million to our other post-retirement benefit plans. We do not expect to contribute to our qualified defined pension plans in 2016. Our contribution amounts meet the minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement plans. 54 Income Taxes The timing of cash payments for income taxes, which is governed by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing jurisdictions, will differ from the timing of recording tax expense and deferred income taxes, which are reported in accordance with GAAP. For example, tax laws in effect regarding accelerated or “bonus” depreciation for tax reporting resulted in less cash payments than the GAAP tax expense. Acceleration of tax deductions could eventually result in situations where cash payments will exceed GAAP tax expense. Related Party Transactions A portion of the 2020 Notes were sold to accredited investors consisting of certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors or a trust of which a director is the beneficiary (“related parties”). In May 2012, the related parties purchased $10.8 million of the 2020 Notes on the same terms available to other investors, except that the related parties were not entitled to registration rights. In 2015, the 2020 Notes were fully redeemed and we paid an early redemption premium of $1.5 million and recognized interest expense of approximately $0.7 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the aggregate for the 2020 Notes purchased by related parties. In September 2014, $5.0 million of the 2022 Notes were sold to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and in 2015 we recognized approximately $0.3 million in interest expense for the 2022 Notes purchased by the related party. In December 2010, we entered into new lease agreements with LATEL LLC (“LATEL”) for the occupancy of three buildings on a triple net lease basis. Each of the three lease agreements have a maturity date of May 31, 2021, and have been accounted for as capital leases. Each of the three lease agreements have two five-year options to extend the terms of the lease after the expiration date. Our Board of Directors member, Richard A. Lumpkin, and his immediate family had a beneficial ownership interest of 66.7% and 72.4% in 2015 and 2014, respectively, of LATEL, directly or through Agracel, Inc. (“Agracel”). Agracel is real estate investment company of which Mr. Lumpkin, together with his family, had a beneficial interest of 33.5% and 44.7% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Agracel is the sole managing member and 50% owner of LATEL. In addition, Mr. Lumpkin is a director of Agracel. The three leases require total rental payments to LATEL of approximately $7.9 million over the term of the leases. The carrying value of the capital leases at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $3.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively. We recognized $0.4 million in interest expense in 2015 and $0.5 million in interest expense in each of 2014 and 2013 and amortization expense of $0.4 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013 related to the capitalized leases. Mr. Lumpkin also has a minority ownership interest in First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (“First Mid-Illinois”). We provide telecommunications products and services to First Mid-Illinois at standard prices as to other strategic business customers and we received approximately $0.8 million in 2015 and $0.5 million in each of 2014 and 2013 for these services. Regulatory Matters As discussed in the “Regulatory Matters” section above, in December 2014, the FCC released a report and order that significantly impacts the amount of support revenue we receive from the USF, CAF and ICC by redirecting support from voice services to broadband services. Our annual funding under CAF Phase I of $36.6 million will be replaced by annual funding under CAF Phase II of $13.9 million through 2020. In the state of Iowa, where CAF Phase II funding is greater than the CAF Phase I funding, the CAF Phase II funding will be received with a retroactive payment back to January 1, 2015. For all other states, funding under CAF Phase II is less than funding under CAF Phase I. The acceptance of funding at the lower level will transition over a three year period, beginning in August 2015, at the rates of 75% of the CAF Phase I funding level in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year. For the period from August 2015 through December 2015, the Company received and recognized approximately $6.4 million in total CAF Phase II funding, which includes the retroactive payment for Iowa of approximately $0.6 million. The Order also modifies the methodology used for ICC traffic exchanged between carriers. As a result of implementing the provisions of the Order, our network access revenue decreased approximately $1.3 million during 2015. We anticipate that network access revenue will continue to decline as a result of the Order through 2018 by as much as $1.9 million, $4.8 million and $6.8 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. 55 In accordance with the provisions of SB 583, as discussed in the “Regulatory Matters” section above, our annual $1.4 million Texas HCAF support was eliminated effective January 1, 2014. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of the settlement agreement reached with the PUCT, the HCF draw will be reduced by approximately $1.2 million annually over a four year period beginning June 1, 2014 through 2018. However, we have the ability to fully offset this reduction with increases to residential rates where market conditions allow, which the Company filed for and implemented in 2014 and 2015. Critical Accounting Estimates Our significant accounting policies and estimates are discussed in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of our accounting policies. Our judgments are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. However, because future events and the related effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results may differ from our estimates and assumptions and such differences could be material. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill and tradenames are intangible assets that are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We evaluate the carrying value of our indefinite-lived assets, tradenames and goodwill, as of November 30 of each year. Goodwill As discussed more fully in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, goodwill is not amortized but instead evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate potential impairment, for impairment using a preliminary qualitative assessment and two-step quantitative process, if deemed necessary. The evaluation of goodwill may first include a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Events and circumstances integrated into the qualitative assessment process include a combination of macroeconomic conditions affecting equity and credit markets, significant changes to the cost structure, overall financial performance and other relevant events affecting the reporting unit. A company is permitted to skip the qualitative assessment at its election, and proceed to step one of the quantitative test, which we chose to do in 2015. Functional management within the organization evaluates the operations of our single reporting unit on a consolidated basis rather than at a geographic level or on any other component basis. In general, product managers and cost managers are responsible for managing costs and services across territories rather than treating the territories as separate business units. The operations of our Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Kansas and Missouri properties share network operations monitoring call routing and research and development costs and share remittance, customer service and billing systems. In connection with our recent acquisition of Enventis in October 2014, the functional realignment occurred shortly after close. The continued integration of the various systems and processes in place at Enventis will occur over the next several quarters. All of the properties are managed at a functional level. In addition, the Pennsylvania territories receive their video programming from a video head-end located in the Illinois territory, and all of the networks provide redundancy. As a result, we evaluate the operations for all our service territories as a single reporting unit. At our November 30, 2015 assessment date, the carrying value of goodwill was $764.6 million. The estimated fair value of our single reporting unit is determined using a combination of market-based approaches and a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are based upon a combination of historical results and trends, new industry developments, future cash flow projections, as well as relevant comparable company earnings multiples for the market-based approaches. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The market-based approaches used in the valuation effort includes the 56 publicly-traded market capitalization, guideline public companies, and guideline transaction methods. We use a weighting of the results derived from the valuation approaches to estimate the fair value of the single reporting unit. Key assumptions used in the DCF model include the following: • • • cash flow assumptions regarding investment in network facilities, distribution channels and customer base (the assumptions underlying these inputs are based upon a combination of historical results and trends, new industry developments and the Company’s business plans); 6.0% weighted average cost of capital based on comparable public companies and adjusting for risks unique to our business and the cash flow assumptions utilized in the analysis; and 1.0% terminal growth rate. At November 30, 2015, the fair value of the single reporting unit’s total equity was estimated at approximately $1.3 billion on a control basis, and the associated carrying value of its equity was $269.8 million. For all valuation methods used, the fair value of equity exceeds its carrying value. The use of different estimates or assumptions in the DCF model could result in a different fair value conclusion. As a sensitivity calculation, if the discount rate in our DCF model was increased 1.0 percentage point from 6.0% to 7.0%, the fair value would decrease from approximately $1.3 billion to approximately $1.2 billion, which would not result in an impairment of goodwill, assuming there are no changes to the market-based approaches used in the valuation. Assuming the discount rate in our DCF model was increased 2.0 percentage points, the terminal growth rate decreased by 0.05 percentage point, and each of the market-based valuation approaches decreased in value by 5%, the fair value of approximately $1.3 billion would decrease by approximately $314.0 million to approximately $995.0 million, which would not result in an impairment of goodwill. As discussed above, the other market-based approaches are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. Negative changes relating to the Company’s operations could result in potential impairment of goodwill. Changes in the overall weighting of the DCF model and the market-based approach valuation models may also impact the resulting fair value and could result in potential impairment of goodwill. Tradenames As discussed more fully in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tradenames are generally not amortized but instead evaluated annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate potential impairment, for impairment using a preliminary qualitative assessment and two-step process, if deemed necessary. We estimate the fair value of our tradenames using DCFs based on a relief from royalty method. If the fair value of our tradenames was less than the carrying amount, we would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the tradename. In accordance with Accounting Codification Standard 350 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) separately recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets, whether acquired or internally developed, shall be combined into a single unit of accounting for purposes of testing impairment if they are operated as a single asset and, as such, are essentially inseparable from one another. An indefinite-lived intangible asset may need to be removed from the accounting unit if it is disposed of, the accounting unit is reconsidered or one or more of the separate indefinite-lived intangible asset(s) within the accounting unit is now considered finite-lived rather than indefinite-lived. We perform our impairment testing of our tradenames as single units of accounting based on their use in our business. The carrying value of our tradenames, excluding any finite lived tradenames, was $10.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we completed our annual impairment test using a DCF methodology based on a relief from royalty method and determined that there was no impairment of our tradename. Revenue recognition We recognize certain revenues pursuant to various cost recovery programs from federal and state USF. Revenues are calculated based on our estimates and assumptions regarding various financial data, including operating expenses, taxes and investment in property, plant and equipment. Non-financial data estimates are also utilized, including projected demand usage and detailed network information. We must also make estimates of the jurisdictional separation of this data to assign current financial and operating data to the interstate or intrastate jurisdiction. These estimates are finalized in future periods as actual data becomes available to complete the separation studies. We have historically collected revenues recognized through these programs; however, adjustments to estimated revenues in future periods are possible. 57 These adjustments could be necessitated by adverse regulatory developments with respect to these subsidies and revenue sharing arrangements, changes in allowable rates of return and the determination of recoverable costs, or decreases in the availability of funds in the programs due to increased participation by other carriers. Derivatives We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and to convert a portion of future cash flows associated with the interest to be paid on our credit facility from a floating rate to a fixed rate. All derivative financial statements are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. For the derivative financial instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative contracts are deferred in other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes, and recognized as a component of interest expense in the period in which the hedged item affects earnings. Any ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings. For derivative financial instruments not designated as a cash flow hedge or have been determined to no longer be effective at offsetting changes in the price of the hedged item and have been de- designated, then the changes in the market value of these instruments are recorded in the statement of operations as a component of interest expense. Our interest rate swaps are measured using valuation models which rely on quoted market prices and observable market data of similar instruments. The valuation models require estimates of future interest rates and judgments about the future credit worthiness of the Company and each counterparty over the terms of the contracts. Income taxes Our current and deferred income taxes and associated valuation allowances are impacted by events and transactions arising in the normal course of business as well as in connection with the adoption of new accounting standards, acquisitions of businesses and non-recurring items. Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred income tax assets and the timing of income tax payments. Actual amounts may materially differ from these estimates as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated future transactions impacting related income tax balances. We account for tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in our tax returns in accordance with the accounting guidance applicable for uncertainty in income taxes, which requires the use of a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Pension and postretirement benefits The amounts recognized in our financial statements for pension and postretirement benefits are determined on an actuarial basis utilizing several critical assumptions. We make significant assumptions in regards to our pension and postretirement plans, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate used to value the periodic pension expense and liabilities, future salary increases and actuarial assumptions relating to mortality rates and healthcare trend rates. Changes in these estimates and other factors could significantly impact our benefit cost and obligations to maintain pension and postretirement plans. Our pension investment strategy is to maximize long-term returns on invested plan assets while minimizing the risk of volatility. Accordingly, we target our allocation percentage at approximately 60% in equity funds, with the remainder in fixed income and cash equivalents. Our assumed rate considers this investment mix as well as past trends. We used an expected long-term rate of return of 8.00% in 2015 and 2014. As of January 1, 2016, we estimate that the long-term rate of return of pension plan assets will be 7.75%. In determining the appropriate discount rate, we consider the current yields on high-quality corporate fixed-income investments with maturities that correspond to the expected duration of our pension and postretirement benefit plan obligations. For our 2015 and 2014 projected benefit obligations, we used a discount rate of 4.76% and 4.27%, respectively, for our pension plans and 4.61% and 4.11%, respectively, for our other postretirement plans. 58 A one percentage-point increase or decrease in the discount rate would have the following effects on net periodic benefit cost: 1-Percentage- Point Increase 1-Percentage- Point Decrease $ (2,420) $ 4,133 Recent Accounting Pronouncements For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 “Business Description & Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated Financial Statements included in this report in Part II - Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Our exposure to market risk is primarily related to the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our debt obligations. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market interest rates on our variable rate obligations. In order to manage the volatility relating to changes in interest rates, we utilize derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to maintain a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments. We calculate the potential change in interest expense caused by changes in market interest rates by determining the effect of the hypothetical rate increase on the portion of our variable rate debt that is not subject to a variable rate floor or hedged through the interest rate swap agreements. At December 31, 2015, the majority of our variable rate debt was subject to a 1.00% London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) floor thereby reducing the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. As of December 31, 2015, LIBOR was well below the 1.00% floor. Based on our variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2015 that is not subject to a variable rate floor, a 1.0% change in market interest rates would increase or decrease annual interest expense by approximately $0.1 million. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements amounted to a net liability of $1.3 million. Pretax deferred losses related to our interest rate swap agreements included in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) was $1.1 million at December 31, 2015. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data For information pertaining to our Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, refer to pages F-1 to F-49 of this report, which are incorporated herein by reference. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Not applicable. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their 59 control objectives. In connection with the filing of this Form 10-K, management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2015. Inherent Limitation of the Effectiveness of Internal Control A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected. MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a–15(f). Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in Internal Control- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based upon this assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance that the desired control objectives were achieved. The effectiveness of internal control on financial reporting has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting Based upon the evaluation performed by our management, which was conducted with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 60 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. We have audited Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP St. Louis, Missouri February 26, 2016 61 Item 9B. Other Information None. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance PART III Our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“the code”) that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the code is posted on our investor relations website at www.consolidated.com. Information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this document. Additional information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for the annual meeting of our shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 31, 2015. Item 11. Executive Compensation Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for the annual meeting of our shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 31, 2015. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for the annual meeting of our shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 31, 2015. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for the annual meeting of our shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 31, 2015. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for the annual meeting of our shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 31, 2015. 62 Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. PART IV a) (1) All Financial Statements Location The following consolidating financial statements and independent auditors’ reports are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K in Item 8–“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”: Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-1 F-2 F-3 F-4 F-5 F-6 F-7 (2) Financial Statement Schedules Location Independent Auditors’ Report –Ernst & Young LLP Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital – Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership - Notes to Financial Statements Independent Auditors’ Report –Ernst & Young LLP GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital – Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership - Notes to Financial Statements All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included in the notes to the financial statements. S-1 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-20 S-22 S-23 S-24 S-25 S-26 63 (3) Exhibits The exhibits listed below on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this report. Exhibit No. 2.1* 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Description Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 29, 2014, by and among the Company, Enventis Corporation and Sky Merger Sub Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2014). Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 7 to Form S-1 dated July 19, 2005, file no. 333-121086) Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 3, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2011) Amended and Restated Bylaws of Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc., as amended as of June 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2014). Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 7 to Form S-1 dated July 19, 2005, file no. 333-121086) Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2014, between Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) (as successor to Consolidated Communications Finance II Co. (“CCFII Co.”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 18, 2014) First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 16, 2014, among the Company, CCI, Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc., (“CCES”), Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company (“CCFBC”) Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company, LLC (“CCPC”), Consolidated Communications Services Company (“CCSC”), Consolidated Communications of Texas Company (“CCTC”), SureWest Communications (“SW Communications”), SureWest Fiber Ventures, LLC (“SW Fiber Ventures”), SureWest Kansas, Inc. (“SW Kansas”), SureWest Long Distance (“SW Long Distance”), SureWest Telephone (“SW Telephone”), SureWest TeleVideo (“SW TeleVideo”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2014) Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2014, among Enventis Corporation, Cable Network, Inc., Crystal Communications, Inc., Enventis Telecom, Inc., Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa, Inc., Mankato Citizens Telephone Company, Mid-Communications, Inc., National Independent Billing, Inc., IdeaOne Telecom Integration Services, Inc. (collectively, the “Enventis Subsidiaries”), CCI and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2014) Inc. and Enterprise Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2015, among CCES, CCFBC, CCPC, CCSC, CCTC, SW Fiber Ventures, SW Kansas, SW Telephone, SW TeleVideo, each of the Enventis Subsidiaries; the Company; CCI; and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 8, 2015) Form of 6.50% Senior Note due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 18, 2014) 64 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4** 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8*** 10.9*** Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 23, 2013 by and among the Company, the lenders named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2013) as amended by that certain First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2014, by and among, Company, CCI, CCES, CCFBC, CCPC, CCSC, CCTC, SW Communications, SW Fiber Ventures, SW Kansas, SW Long Distance, SW Telephone and SW TeleVideo and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014) Form of Collateral Agreement, dated December 31, 2007, by and among the Company, CCI, Consolidated Communications Acquisition Texas, Inc., Fort Pitt Acquisition Sub Inc., certain subsidiaries of the Company identified on the signature pages thereto, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007, file no. 000-51446) Form of Guaranty Agreement, dated December 31, 2007, made by the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company identified on the signature pages thereto, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007, file no. 000-51446) Joinder Agreement (to Guaranty Agreement and Collateral Agreement), dated as of November 14, 2014, among each of the Enventis Subsidiaries, the Company, CCI, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 23, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2014) Lease Agreement, dated December 22, 2010, between LATEL, LLC and Consolidated Communications Services Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 22, 2010) Lease Agreement, dated December 22, 2010, between LATEL, LLC and Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 22, 2010) Lease Agreement, dated December 22, 2010, between LATEL, LLC and Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 22, 2010) Amended and Restated Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Restricted Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 7 to Form S-1 dated July 19, 2005, file no. 333-121086) Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective May 4, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 27, 2015) 10.10*** Form of Employment Security Agreement with certain of the Company’s employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012) 10.11*** Form of Employment Security Agreement with Robert J. Currey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2009) 65 10.12*** Form of Employment Security Agreement with certain of the Company’s other executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2009) 10.13*** Form of Employment Security Agreement with the Company’s and its subsidiaries vice president and director level employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007, file no. 000-51446) 10.14*** Executive Long-Term Incentive Program, as revised March 12, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2007, file no. 000-51446) 10.15*** Form of 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Stock Grant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2007, file no. 000- 51446) 10.16*** Form of 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Grant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2007, file no. 000-51446) 10.17*** Form of 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Grant Certificate for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2007, file no. 000-51446) 10.18*** Description of the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2007, file no. 000- 51446) 10.19 10.20 21 23.1 23.2 31.1 31.2 32.1 101 Form of Indemnification Agreement with Directors and Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2013) Commitment Letter, dated as of June 29, 2014, from Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., WF Investment Holdings, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS Securities, Inc. and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc and agreed to and accepted by Consolidated Communications Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2014) List of subsidiaries of the Registrant Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Certificate of Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The following financial information from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 66 *Schedules and other attachments to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which are listed in the exhibit, are omitted. The Company agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of any schedule or other attachment to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. ** Annexes to the Joinder Agreement, which are listed in the exhibit, are omitted. The Company agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of any annex to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. ***Compensatory plan or arrangement. 67 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Mattoon, Illinois on February 26, 2016. SIGNATURES CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ C. ROBERT UDELL JR. C. Robert Udell Jr. Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date By: /s/ C. ROBERT UDELL JR. President and February 26, 2016 C. Robert Udell Jr. Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer) By: /s/ STEVEN L. CHILDERS Steven L. Childers Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) February 26, 2016 By: /s/ ROBERT J. CURREY Executive Chairman February 26, 2016 Robert J. Currey By: /s/ RICHARD A. LUMPKIN Director February 26, 2016 Richard A. Lumpkin By: /s/ ROGER H. MOORE Roger H. Moore Director February 26, 2016 By: /s/ MARIBETH S. RAHE Director February 26, 2016 Maribeth S. Rahe By: /s/ TIMOTHY D. TARON Director February 26, 2016 Timothy D. Taron By: /s/ THOMAS A. GERKE Thomas A. Gerke Director February 26, 2016 By: /s/ DALE E. PARKER Director February 26, 2016 Dale E. Parker 68 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 26, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. St. Louis, Missouri February 26, 2016 /s/ Ernst & Young LLP F-1 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (amounts in thousands except per share amounts) Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 Net revenues Operating expense: Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Selling, general and administrative expenses Acquisition and other transaction costs Depreciation and amortization Income from operations Other income (expense): Interest expense, net of interest income Loss on extinguishment of debt Investment income Other, net Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expense Income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations, net of tax: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Total discontinued operations Net income (loss) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 775,737 $ 635,738 $ 601,577 328,400 178,227 1,413 179,922 87,775 242,661 140,636 11,817 149,435 91,189 222,452 135,414 776 139,274 103,661 (79,618) (41,242) 36,690 (1,501) 2,104 (82,537) (13,785) 34,516 (968) 28,415 (85,767) (7,657) 37,695 (456) 47,476 2,775 13,027 17,512 (671) 15,388 29,964 — — — — — — (156) 1,333 1,177 31,141 15,388 (671) 210 330 321 (881) $ 15,067 $ 30,811 $ Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) per basic and diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders $ $ (0.02) $ — 0.35 $ — 0.73 0.03 (0.02) $ 0.35 $ 0.76 Dividends declared per common share $ 1.55 $ 1.55 $ 1.55 See accompanying notes. F-2 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (amounts in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ (671) $ 15,388 $ 31,141 (5,547) (31,191) 39,381 1,707 (637) 1,843 (1,072) (81) (381) 853 (4,730) 210 3,941 75,925 330 $ (4,940) $ (15,573) $ 75,595 1,269 (15,252) 321 Net income (loss) Pension and post-retirement obligations: Change in net actuarial loss and prior service credit, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(3,533), $(20,039) and $24,604 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) and prior service credit to earnings, net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,098, $(400) and $1,172 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $672, $51 and $233 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively Reclassification of realized loss to earnings, net of tax expense of $518, $781 and $1,934 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively Comprehensive income (loss) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders See accompanying notes. F-3 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts) December 31, 2015 2014 $ $ 15,878 68,848 23,867 — 17,815 126,408 6,679 77,536 18,940 13,374 17,616 134,145 1,093,261 105,543 764,630 43,497 5,187 $ 2,138,526 1,137,478 115,376 764,630 56,322 3,892 $ 2,211,843 $ $ 12,576 27,616 19,551 21,883 9,353 42,384 10,937 144,300 15,277 31,933 19,510 32,581 6,784 40,141 9,849 156,075 1,377,892 236,529 112,966 16,140 1,887,827 1,341,332 246,665 122,363 14,579 1,881,014 505 281,738 (881) (35,699) 5,036 250,699 504 357,139 — (31,640) 4,826 330,829 $ 2,138,526 $ 2,211,843 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts Income tax receivable Deferred income taxes Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Investments Goodwill Other intangible assets Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable Advance billings and customer deposits Dividends payable Accrued compensation Accrued interest Accrued expense Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations Total current liabilities Long-term debt and capital lease obligations Deferred income taxes Pension and other postretirement obligations Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Shareholders’ equity: Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 50,470,096 and 50,364,579 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings (deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity See accompanying notes. F-4 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (amounts in thousands) Enventis 10,144 101 257,558 Balance at December 31, 2012 Cash dividends on common stock Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures Non-cash, share-based compensation Purchase and retirement of common stock Tax on restricted stock vesting Other comprehensive income (loss) Net income Balance at December 31, 2013 Cash dividends on common stock Shares issued upon acquisition of Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures Non-cash, share-based compensation Purchase and retirement of common stock Tax on restricted stock vesting Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Net income Balance at December 31, 2014 Cash dividends on common stock Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures Non-cash, share-based compensation Purchase and retirement of common stock Tax on restricted stock vesting Other comprehensive income (loss) Net loss Common Stock Additional Retained Paid-in Amount Capital Earnings (Deficit) Shares 39,878 $ 399 $ 177,315 $ — (31,310) — (30,811) — $ Accumulated Other Non- Comprehensive controlling Loss, net Interest Total (45,784) $ — 4,175 $ 136,105 (62,121) — 234 — 2 — — 3,028 — — — — — — 2 3,028 (46) — — — — — — — 40,066 $ 401 $ 148,433 $ — (889) 289 — — (51,264) — — — — 30,811 — $ (15,067) — — 44,784 — (1,000) $ — — — — 330 (889) 289 44,784 31,141 4,505 $ 152,339 (66,331) — 224 — 2 — (2) 3,622 (69) — — — — — — — — — 50,365 $ 504 $ 357,139 $ — (1,856) 879 — (231) — (78,250) — — — — — — — — 257,659 — — — 3,622 — — — — 15,067 — $ — — — (30,640) — — (31,640) $ — — — — — 321 (1,856) 879 (30,640) (231) 15,388 4,826 $ 330,829 (78,250) — 161 — (56) — — — 1 — — — — — 770 2,994 (1,125) 210 — — — — — — — (881) — — — — 771 2,994 — — (4,059) — (35,699) $ — — — 210 (1,125) 210 (4,059) (671) 5,036 $ 250,699 Balance at December 31, 2015 50,470 $ 505 $ 281,738 $ (881) $ See accompanying notes. F-5 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (amounts in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ (671) $ — (671) 15,388 $ — 15,388 31,141 (1,177) 29,964 179,922 5,828 8,585 3,060 3,378 41,242 506 8,688 (4,927) 163 (2,701) (23,894) 219,179 — 219,179 149,435 10,244 212 3,636 4,364 13,785 2,973 11,896 (3,406) 1,953 (1,904) (20,791) 187,785 — 187,785 139,274 16,045 (2,949) 3,028 2,209 7,657 1,788 5,937 2,224 (1,111) (10,069) (25,467) 168,530 (4,174) 164,356 — (133,934) — 13,548 846 (119,540) — (119,540) (139,558) (108,998) (100) 1,795 — (246,861) — (246,861) — (107,363) (403) 330 — (107,436) 2,331 (105,105) 294,780 69,000 (1,107) (107,100) (261,874) (4,805) (1,125) (78,209) — (90,440) 9,199 6,679 15,878 $ 200,000 80,000 (703) (63,100) (84,127) (7,438) (1,856) (62,341) (231) 60,204 1,128 5,551 6,679 $ — 989,450 (516) (990,961) — (6,576) (887) (62,064) — (71,554) (12,303) 17,854 5,551 $ Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income from continuing operations Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Deferred income taxes Cash distributions from wireless partnerships in excess of/(less than) current earnings Stock-based compensation expense Amortization of deferred financing costs Loss on extinguishment of debt Other, net Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses: Accounts receivable, net Income tax receivable Prepaids and other assets Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other liabilities Net cash provided by continuing operations Net cash used in discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net Purchase of investments Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from sale of investments Net cash used in continuing operations Net cash provided by discontinued operations Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from bond offering Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Payment of capital lease obligation Payment on long-term debt Redemption of senior notes Payment of financing costs Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding Dividends on common stock Other Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period See accompanying notes. F-6 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION & SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Business and Basis of Accounting Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide integrated communications services in consumer, commercial, and carrier channels in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. We operate as both an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) and a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”), dependent upon the territory served. We provide a wide range of services and products that include local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, cloud data services, data center and managed services, directory publishing and equipment sales. As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately 483 thousand voice connections, 456 thousand data connections and 118 thousand video connections. Use of Estimates Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that effect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. Our critical accounting estimates include (i) impairment evaluations associated with indefinite-lived intangible assets (Note 1), (ii) revenue recognition (Note 1), (iii) derivatives (Notes 1 and 7), (iv) the determination of deferred tax asset and liability balances (Notes 1 and 10) and (v) pension plan and other post-retirement costs and obligations (Notes 1 and 9). Principles of Consolidation Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Recent Business Developments Enventis Merger On October 16, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Enventis Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (“Enventis”), in which we acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. The financial results for Enventis have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. See Note 3 for a more detailed discussion of the transaction. Issuance of Additional Senior Notes On June 8, 2015, we issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes”). The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which our $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Existing Notes” and together with the New Notes, the “2022 Notes”) were previously issued on September 18, 2014. The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes were used, in part, to redeem the remaining $227.2 million then outstanding of the original aggregate principal amount of the 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”), to pay related fees and expenses and to reduce the amount outstanding on our revolving credit facility. In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $261.9 million and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. See Note 6 for a more detailed discussion of the transaction. F-7 On October 16, 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the 2022 Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The terms of the registered 2022 Notes are substantially identical to the 2022 Notes prior to the exchange, except that the notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the original 2022 Notes no longer apply to the registered 2022 Notes. The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the 2022 Notes outstanding. Discontinued Operations On September 13, 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights used to provide communications services to inmates in thirteen county jails located in Illinois for a total purchase price of $2.5 million. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20, Discontinued Operations, the financial results of the prison services business have been reported as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 3 for a more detailed discussion of the transaction. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds. The carrying amounts of our cash equivalents approximate their fair value. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that result from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained based on customer payment levels, historical experience and management’s views on trends in the overall receivable agings. In addition, for larger accounts, we perform analyses of risks on a customer-specific basis. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and management believes that an adequate allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided. Uncollectible accounts are removed from accounts receivable and are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful. The following table summarizes the activity in allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In thousands) Balance at beginning of year Provision charged to expense Write-offs, less recoveries Balance at end of year Investments Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ 2,752 $ 1,598 $ 4,025 515 (2,942) $ 3,235 $ 2,752 $ 1,598 3,525 (3,042) 3,320 (2,166) Our investments are primarily accounted for under either the equity or cost method. If we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operations and financial policies of an affiliated company, the investment in the affiliated company is accounted for using the equity method. If we do not have control and also cannot exercise significant influence, the investment in the affiliated company is accounted for using the cost method. We review our investment portfolio periodically to determine whether there are identified events or circumstances that would indicate there is a decline in the fair value that is considered to be other than temporary. If we believe the decline is other than temporary, we evaluate the financial performance of the business and compare the carrying value of the investment to quoted market prices (if available) or the fair value of similar investments. If an investment is deemed to have experienced an impairment that is considered other-than temporary, the carrying amount of the investment is reduced to its quoted or estimated fair value, as applicable, and an impairment loss is recognized in other income (expense). F-8 Fair Value of Financial Instruments We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. A financial asset or liability’s classification within a three-tiered value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques into three broad levels in order to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows: Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 – Inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. We capitalize additions and substantial improvements and expense repairs and maintenance costs as incurred. We capitalize the cost of internal-use network and non-network software which has a useful life in excess of one year. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use network and non-network software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Also, we capitalize interest associated with the development of internal-use network and non-network software. Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, December 31, Estimated (In thousands) Land and buildings Central office switching and transmission Outside plant cable, wire and fiber facilities Furniture, fixtures and equipment Assets under capital lease Total plant in service Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Plant in service Construction in progress Construction inventory Totals $ 2014 2015 Useful Lives 105,728 $ 116,354 18 - 40 years 729,953 3 - 25 years 791,719 1,126,145 3 - 50 years 1,174,777 136,544 3 - 15 years 154,049 15,699 11,510 3 - 11 years 2,241,972 (1,185,054) 1,056,918 21,283 15,060 2,120,506 (1,025,665) 1,094,841 29,562 13,075 $ 1,093,261 $ 1,137,478 Construction inventory, which is stated at weighted average cost, consists primarily of network construction materials and supplies that when issued are predominately capitalized as part of new customer installations and the construction of the network. We record depreciation using the straight line method over estimated useful lives using either the group or unit method. The useful lives are estimated at the time the assets are acquired and are based on historical experience with similar assets, anticipated technological changes and the expected impact of our strategic operating plan on our network infrastructure. In addition, the ranges of estimated useful lives presented above are impacted by the accounting for business combinations as the lives assigned to these acquired assets are generally much shorter than that of a newly acquired asset. The group method is used for depreciable assets dedicated to providing regulated telecommunication services, including the majority of the network, outside plant facilities and certain support assets. A depreciation rate for each asset group is developed based on the average useful life of the group. The group method requires periodic revision F-9 of depreciation rates. When an individual asset is sold or retired, the difference between the proceeds, if any, and the cost of the asset is charged or credited to accumulated depreciation, without recognition of a gain or loss. The unit method is primarily used for buildings, furniture, fixtures and other support assets. Each asset is depreciated on the straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. When an individual asset is sold or retired, the cost basis of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any associated gain or loss is recognized. Depreciation and amortization expense was $167.1 million, $139.0 million and $129.9 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. We evaluate the recoverability of our property, plant and equipment whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset group, we would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Intangible Assets Indefinite-Lived Intangibles Goodwill and tradenames are evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We evaluate the carrying value of our indefinite-lived assets, tradenames and goodwill, as of November 30 of each year. Goodwill Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of a business over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. As noted above, goodwill is not amortized but instead evaluated annually for impairment using a preliminary qualitative assessment and two-step quantitative process, if deemed necessary. The evaluation of goodwill may first include a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Events and circumstances integrated into the qualitative assessment process include a combination of macroeconomic conditions affecting equity and credit markets, significant changes to the cost structure, overall financial performance and other relevant events affecting the reporting unit. A company is permitted to skip the qualitative assessment at its election, and proceed to step one of the quantitative test, which we chose to do in 2015. In the first step of the impairment test, the fair value of our reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a combination of market-based approaches and a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are based upon a combination of historical results and trends, new industry developments and future cash flow projections, as well as relevant comparable company earnings multiples for the market-based approaches. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. We use a weighting of the results derived from the valuation approaches to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value at December 31, 2015 and we concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the carrying value of goodwill was $764.6 million. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. In measuring the fair value of our reporting unit as previously described, we consider the fair value of our reporting unit in relation to our overall enterprise value, measured as the publicly traded stock price multiplied by the fully diluted shares outstanding plus the value of outstanding debt. Our reporting unit fair value models are consistent with a range in value indicated by both the preceding three month average stock price and the stock price on the valuation date, plus an estimated acquisition premium which is based on observable transactions of comparable companies, if applicable. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities other than goodwill in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The excess of the fair value of a F-10 reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of that goodwill, then an impairment charge would be recorded equal to the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value. Tradenames Our most valuable tradename is the federally registered mark CONSOLIDATED, a design of interlocking circles, which is used in association with our telephone communication services. The Company’s corporate branding strategy leverages a CONSOLIDATED naming structure. All of the Company’s business units and several of our products and services incorporate the CONSOLIDATED name. Tradenames with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually. If facts and circumstances change relating to a tradename’s continued use in the branding of our products and services, it may be treated as a finite-lived asset and begin to be amortized over its estimated remaining life. We estimate the fair value of our tradenames using DCF based on a relief from royalty method. If the fair value of our tradenames was less than the carrying amount, we would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the assets. We perform our impairment testing of our tradenames as single units of accounting based on their use in our single reporting unit. The carrying value of our tradenames, excluding any finite lived tradenames, was $10.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we completed our annual impairment test using a DCF methodology based on a relief from royalty method and determined that there was no impairment of our tradenames. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization consist primarily of our customer lists of an established base of customers that subscribe to our services, tradenames of acquired companies and other intangible assets. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We evaluate the potential impairment of finite-lived intangible assets when impairment indicators exist. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset, an impairment equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset is recognized. We did not recognize any intangible impairment charges in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. The components of finite-lived intangible assets are as follows: (In thousands) Useful Lives Amount Amortization Amount Amortization December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Accumulated Gross Carrying Accumulated Customer relationships Tradenames Other intangible assets Total 3 - 13 years 1 - 2 years 5 years $ $ 215,261 $ 2,290 5,600 223,151 $ (187,146) $ (1,723) (1,342) (190,211) $ 215,261 $ 2,290 5,600 223,151 $ (175,769) (1,044) (573) (177,386) Amortization expense related to the finite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $12.8 million, $10.4 million and $9.4 million, respectively. Expected future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows: (In thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total $ 12,834 6,097 3,491 3,227 1,902 5,389 $ 32,940 F-11 Derivative Financial Instruments We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments. At the inception of a hedge transaction, we formally document the relationship between the hedging instruments including our objective and strategy for establishing the hedge. In addition, the effectiveness of the derivative instrument is assessed at inception and on an ongoing basis throughout the hedging period. Counterparties to derivative instruments expose us to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance. We execute agreements only with financial institutions we believe to be creditworthy and regularly assess the credit worthiness of each of the counterparties. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet. Fair value is determined based on publicly available interest rate yield curves and an estimate of our nonperformance risk or our counterparty’s nonperformance credit risk, as applicable. We do not anticipate any nonperformance by any counterparty. For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of any hedging derivative is recognized immediately in earnings. If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings. Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our consolidated statement of cash flows. See Note 7 for further discussion of our derivative financial instruments. Share-based Compensation We recognize share-based compensation expense for all restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and performance share awards (“PSAs”) (collectively, “stock awards”) based on the estimated fair value of the stock awards on the date of grant. We recognize the expense associated with RSAs and PSAs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally ranges from immediate vesting to a four-year vesting period. See Note 8 for additional information regarding share-based compensation. Pension Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits We maintain noncontributory defined benefit pension plans and provide certain post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to certain eligible employees. We also maintain two unfunded supplemental retirement plans to provide incremental pension payments to certain former employees. We recognize pension and post-retirement benefits expense during the current period in the consolidated statement of operations using certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, interest cost implied by the discount rate, expected health care cost trend rate and the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses. Refer to Note 9 for further details regarding the determination of these assumptions. We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans as either an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheet. We recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur in accumulated comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes, including unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits. Income Taxes Our estimates of income taxes and the significant items resulting in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities are disclosed in Note 10 and reflect our assessment of future tax consequences of transactions that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns for each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. We base our provision for F-12 income taxes on our current period income, changes in our deferred income tax assets and liabilities, income tax rates, changes in estimates of our uncertain tax positions and tax planning opportunities available in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities when there are temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and for the expected benefits of using net operating loss and tax credit loss carryforwards. We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce the carrying amount of deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be realized. We evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. When a change in the tax rate or tax law has an impact on deferred taxes, we apply the change based on the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. As we operate in more than one state, changes in our state apportionment factors, based on operational results, may affect our future effective tax rates and the value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. We record a change in tax rates in our consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. Income tax consequences that arise in connection with a business combination include identifying the tax basis of assets and liabilities acquired and any contingencies associated with uncertain tax positions assumed or resulting from the business combination. Deferred tax assets and liabilities related to temporary differences of an acquired entity are recorded as of the date of the business combination and are based on our estimate of the appropriate tax basis that will be accepted by the various taxing authorities. We record unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 and adjust these liabilities in the appropriate period when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information. In certain instances, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the unrecognized tax benefit liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information is available. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions as a component of interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively. See Note 10 for further discussion on income taxes. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or services have been rendered, the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Services Revenue based on a flat fee, dedicated network access, data communications, digital TV, Internet access service and broadband service, or revenue derived principally from local telephone, is billed in advance and is recognized in subsequent periods when the services have been provided, with the exception of certain governmental accounts which are billed in arrears. Certain of our bundled service packages may include multiple deliverables. We offer a base service bundle which consists of voice services, including a phone line, calling features and long-distance. Customers may choose to add additional services, including high-speed Internet and digital/IP television services, to the base service bundle. Separate units of accounting within the bundled service package include voice services, high-speed Internet and digital/IP television services. Revenue for all services included in our bundled service package is recognized over the same service period in which service is provided to the customer. Bundled service package discounts are recognized concurrently with the associated revenue and are allocated to the various services in the bundled service package based on the relative selling price of the services included in each bundle. Usage-based services, such as per-minute long-distance service and access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls on our network, are billed in arrears. We recognize revenue from these services in the period in which service is provided to the customer. Revenue related to nonrefundable, upfront service activation and setup fees is deferred and recognized over the estimated customer life. Incremental direct costs of telecommunications service activation are charged to expense in the period in which they are incurred, except when we maintain ownership of wiring installed during the activation process. In such cases, the cost is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. F-13 Print advertising and publishing revenue is recognized ratably over the life of the related directory, which is generally 12 months. Equipment Revenue is generated from the sale of equipment through the sale of voice and data communications equipment; design, configuration and installation services related to voice and data equipment; the provision of Cisco maintenance support contracts; and the sale of professional support services for customer voice and data systems. Equipment revenue generated from retail channels is recognized when the equipment is sold. Equipment revenue generated from telecommunications systems and structured cabling projects is recognized when the project is completed. Maintenance services are provided on both a contract and time and material basis and are recognized in the period in which the service is provided. Equipment revenue generated from support services includes “24x7” support of a customer’s voice and data networks. The majority of these contracts are billed on a time and materials basis and revenue is recognized either in the period in which the services are provided or over the term of the contract. Support services also include professional support services, which are typically sold on a time and materials basis, but may be sold as a prepaid block of time, and the revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are provided. Multiple Deliverable Arrangements We often enter into arrangements which include multiple deliverables primarily relating to the sale of communications equipment and associated support contracts and professional services, which include design, configuration and installation consulting. When an equipment sale involves multiple deliverables, revenue is allocated to each respective element. When multiple deliverables included in an arrangement are separable into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified separate units of accounting based on their relative selling price on a stand-alone basis. Cisco equipment, maintenance contracts and professional services each qualify as separate units of accounting. We utilize best estimate of selling price for stand-alone value for our equipment and maintenance contracts, taking into consideration market conditions and entity-specific factors. We evaluate best estimate of selling price by reviewing historical data related to sales of our deliverables. Subsidies and Surcharges Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. These revenues are calculated by the administering government agency based on information we provide. Subsidies are recognized in the period in which the service is provided. There is a reasonable possibility that out-of-period subsidy adjustments may be recorded in the future, but they are expected to be immaterial to our results of operations, financial position and cash flow. We collect and remit Federal Universal Service contributions on a gross basis, which resulted in recorded revenue of approximately $13.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. We account for all other taxes collected from customers and remitted to the respective government agencies on a net basis. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $8.3 million, $8.2 million and $7.6 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Statement of Cash Flows Information During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we made payments for interest and income taxes as follows: (In thousands) Interest, net of amounts capitalized ($1,373, $1,437 and $1,215 2015 2014 2013 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively) Income taxes paid, net $76,823 $73,400 $ 80,693 960 $ 1,835 $ 5,311 $ F-14 Noncash investing and financing activities: In 2014, we issued 10.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of $257.7 million in connection with the acquisition of Enventis as described in Note 3. In 2015 and 2013, we acquired equipment of $4.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, through capital lease agreements. Noncontrolling Interest We have a majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated (“ETFL”) which is a joint venture owned 63% by the Company and 37% by Eastex Telecom Investments, LLC. ETFL provides connectivity over a fiber optic transport network to certain customers residing in Texas. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In November 2015, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (“ASU 2015-17”), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax liabilities and tax assets, and any related valuation allowance, be classified as non-current in a classified balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. We early adopted this guidance prospectively as of December 31, 2015, and as a result, we have classified all net deferred tax liabilities as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015. The prior period was not retrospectively adjusted. In September 2015, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-16 (“ASU 2015-16”), Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU 2015-16 requires that the acquiring company in a business combination recognize adjustments to provisional amounts identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined and record in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization and other items resulting from the change to the provisional amounts. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2015-16 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In April 2015, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 (“ASU 2015-03”), 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 early adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2015 and retrospectively reclassified $15.4 million of deferred debt issuance costs associated with our long-term debt from other non-current assets to long-term debt on our December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet. In August 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (“ASU 2014-15”), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period whether conditions or events give rise to substantial doubt that an entity has the ability to continue as a going concern within one year following issuance of the financial statements and requires specific disclosures regarding the conditions or events leading to substantial doubt. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014- 15 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. In May 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides new, globally applicable converged guidance concerning the recognition and measurement of revenue. As a result, significant additional disclosures are required about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14 (“ASU 2015-14”), Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. Accordingly, the new guidance in ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Companies are allowed to transition using either the modified retrospective or full retrospective adoption method. If full retrospective adoption is chosen, F-15 three years of financial information must be presented in accordance with the new standard. We are currently evaluating the alternative methods of adoption and the effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Reclassifications Certain amounts in our 2014 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. In accordance with the early adoption of ASU 2015-03, as described above, deferred debt issuance costs were reclassified from other non-current assets to long-term debt on our December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet. 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends during the vesting term. Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period. Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive. The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, awards are treated as if they had been exercised with any proceeds used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and purchased is included in the diluted share computation. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders computed using the two- class method is as follows: (In thousands, except per share amounts) Income (loss) from continuing operations Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders $ before allocation of earnings to participating securities Less: earnings allocated to participating securities Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, after earning allocated to participating securities Net income from discontinued operations Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated 2014 2015 (671) $ 15,388 $ 29,964 330 321 210 2013 (881) — 15,067 546 29,634 466 (881) — 14,521 — 29,168 1,177 to participating securities $ (881) $ 14,521 $ 30,345 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 50,176 41,998 39,764 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations Income from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders $ (0.02) $ — $ (0.02) $ 0.35 $ — 0.35 $ 0.73 0.03 0.76 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 excludes 0.3 million, 0.4 million and 0.3 million weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. F-16 3. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITIONS Merger With Enventis On October 16, 2014, we completed our merger with Enventis and acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. As a result, Enventis became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Enventis is an advanced communications provider, which services business and residential customers primarily in the upper Midwest. The Enventis fiber network spans more than 4,200 route miles across Minnesota and into Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The acquisition reflects our strategy to diversify revenue and cash flows amongst multiple products and to expand our network to new markets. At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock, no par value, of Enventis owned immediately prior to the effective time of the merger converted into and became the right to receive 0.7402 shares of our common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, as set forth in the merger agreement. Based on the closing price of our common stock of $25.40 per share on the date preceding the merger, the total value of the purchase consideration exchanged was $257.7 million, excluding the repayment of Enventis’ outstanding debt of $149.9 million. On the date of the merger, we issued an aggregate total of 10.1 million shares of our common stock to the former Enventis shareholders. The acquisition was accounted for in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The results of operations of Enventis have been reported in our consolidated financial statements as of the effective date of the acquisition. For the period of October 16, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Enventis contributed operating revenues of $37.6 million and a net loss of $1.4 million, which included $5.7 million in acquisition related costs. The final estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable Other current assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Other long-term assets Total assets acquired Current liabilities Pension and other post-retirement obligations Deferred income taxes Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities assumed Net fair value of assets acquired Goodwill Total consideration transferred (In thousands) 10,382 $ 37,399 15,961 284,709 26,600 3,162 378,213 40,552 13,852 74,628 2,766 131,798 246,415 161,184 $ 407,599 Goodwill recognized from the acquisition primarily relates to the expected contributions of the entity to the overall corporate strategy in addition to synergies and acquired workforce. This goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. See Note 1 for additional information regarding the evaluation of goodwill. The identifiable intangible assets acquired include customer relationships of $19.6 million, tradenames of $1.4 million and non-compete agreements of $5.6 million. The identifiable intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which is five to nine years for customer relationships, depending on the nature of the customer, five years for non-compete agreements and two years for tradenames. In 2015, we made certain adjustments to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed which resulted in an increase in property, plant and equipment of $2.1 million, intangible assets of $6.0 million, pension and other post- retirement obligations of $6.3 million and deferred income taxes of $0.6 million. The net impact of the adjustments F-17 increased net assets acquired and reduced goodwill by $1.2 million. These adjustments have been retrospectively applied on the balance sheet as of the acquisition date. There was no material impact to amounts previously reported in the statement of operations as a result of these adjustments. In connection with the opening balance sheet adjustment for the pension and other post-retirement obligations discussed above, we determined certain changes to Enventis’ post-retirement benefit plan should be recognized as a post- acquisition event. As a result, the valuation of the post-retirement obligation was revised to appropriately reflect the changes in the plan provisions as a result of the acquisition. These changes resulted in a decrease to the pension and other post-retirement obligations liability of $6.3 million, an increase in deferred taxes of $2.4 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.9 million, which have been reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. The impact of the change to the results of operations was not material. Unaudited Pro Forma Results The following unaudited pro forma information presents our results of operations for 2014 and 2013 as if the acquisition of Enventis occurred on January 1, 2013. The adjustments to arrive at the pro forma information below included: additional depreciation and amortization expense for the fair value increases to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets acquired; increase in interest expense to reflect the additional debt entered into to finance a portion of the acquisition; and the exclusion of certain acquisition related costs. Shares used to calculate the basic and diluted earnings per share were adjusted to reflect the additional shares of common stock issued to fund a portion of the acquisition price. (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share amounts) Operating revenues Income from operations Net income from continuing operations Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income attributable to common stockholders Net income per common share-basic and diluted Year Ended December 31, 2014 $ 790,745 $ 104,674 $ 18,648 321 $ 18,327 2013 $ 790,777 $ 103,178 $ 24,288 330 $ 23,958 $ 0.37 $ 0.48 Transaction costs related to the acquisition of Enventis were $11.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in acquisition and other transaction costs in the consolidated statements of operations. These costs are considered to be non-recurring in nature and therefore have been excluded from the pro forma results of operations. The pro forma information does not purport to present the actual results that would have resulted if the acquisition had in fact occurred at the beginning of the fiscal periods presented, nor does the information project results for any future period. The pro forma information does not include the impact of any future cost savings or synergies that may be achieved as a result of the acquisition. Discontinued Operations In September 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights of our prison services business for a total cash purchase price of $2.5 million, which included the settlement of any pending legal matters. The financial results of the operations for prison services have been reported as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the financial information for the prison services operations for the year ended December 31, 2013: (In thousands) Operating revenues Operating expenses including depreciation and amortization Loss from operations Income tax benefit Loss from discontinued operations 2013 5,622 5,883 (261) (105) (156) $ $ F-18 Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax of $887 $ 1,333 4. INVESTMENTS Our investments are as follows: (In thousands) Cash surrender value of life insurance policies Cost method investments: GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest) Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest) CoBank, ACB Stock Other Equity method investments: GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest) Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest) Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest) CVIN, LLC Totals Cost Method 2015 2,149 $ 2014 2,039 $ 21,450 22,950 7,971 200 21,450 22,950 7,645 200 18,099 6,167 26,557 - 27,990 7,451 23,894 1,757 $ 105,543 $ 115,376 We own 2.34% of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”). The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston, and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas. We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (“Pittsburgh SMSA”), which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we use the cost method to account for both of these investments. It is not practicable to estimate fair value of these investments. We did not evaluate any of the investments for impairment as no factors indicating impairment existed during the year. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $14.6 million, $14.8 million and $16.9 million, respectively. CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers. Annually, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility. The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company. Equity Method We own 20.51% of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”). RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas. RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory. Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $30.7 million, $19.8 million and $17.9 million, respectively. The carrying value of the investments exceeds the underlying equity in net assets of the partnerships by $32.8 million. In 2015, we sold our 6.96% interest in Central Valley Independent Network, LLC (“CVIN”), a joint enterprise comprised of affiliates of several independent telephone companies located in central and northern California. CVIN provides network services and oversees a broadband infrastructure project designed to expand and improve the availability of network services to counties in central California. As a result of the sale, we recognized an other-than- temporary impairment loss of $0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 to reduce the investment to its estimated fair value. The impairment charge is included in investment income within other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. We did not receive any distributions from this partnership in 2015, 2014 or 2013. F-19 The combined unaudited results of operations and financial position of our three equity investments in the cellular limited partnerships are summarized below: (In thousands) Total revenues Income from operations Net income before taxes Net income Current assets Non-current assets Current liabilities Non-current liabilities Partnership equity 5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Financial Instruments 2013 2015 2014 $ 348,595 $ 338,575 $ 321,555 98,962 105,495 99,024 104,568 99,024 104,568 96,606 96,763 96,763 $ 57,716 $ 52,866 $ 54,837 87,968 15,221 1,786 125,799 93,771 16,253 3,225 127,159 96,197 20,576 52,414 80,923 Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments. See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements. Our interest rate swap liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices Significant (In thousands) Current interest rate swap liabilities Long-term interest rate swap liabilities Total (In thousands) Current interest rate swap liabilities Long-term interest rate swap liabilities Total In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) $ Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) (190) $ - $ - - $ (1,274) $ (1,084) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) - - - Total $ (190) (1,084) $ (1,274) $ As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices Significant In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Other Significant Observable Unobservable — $ — — $ (1,133) $ (443) (690) Inputs (Level 3) — — — Total $ (443) (690) $ (1,133) $ We have not elected the fair value option for any of our financial assets or liabilities. The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities or variable-rate nature of the respective balances. The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. F-20 (In thousands) Investments, equity basis Investments, at cost Long-term debt, excluding capital leases Carrying Value 50,823 52,571 1,393,567 $ $ $ $ Cost & Equity Method Investments Fair Value n/a $ n/a $ 1,312,383 $ Carrying Value Fair Value 61,092 52,245 n/a n/a 1,362,049 $ 1,381,972 As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Our investments at December 31, 2015 and 2014 accounted for under both the equity and cost methods consists primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank. These investments are recorded using either the equity or cost methods. It is impracticable to determine fair value of these investments. Long-term Debt The fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. 6. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt outstanding, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Senior secured credit facility: Term loan 4, net of discount of $3,340 and $3,948 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively Revolving loan 10.875% Senior notes due 2020, net of discount of $1,121 at December 31, 2014 6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $4,893 at December 31, 2015 Capital leases Less: current portion of long-term debt and capital leases Less: deferred debt issuance costs Total long-term debt Credit Agreement 2015 2014 $ 888,460 10,000 - 495,107 7,580 1,401,147 (10,937) (12,318) $ 1,377,892 $ 896,952 39,000 226,097 200,000 4,553 1,366,602 (9,849) (15,421) $ 1,341,332 In December 2013, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previously amended credit agreement. The Credit Agreement consists of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and initial term loans in the aggregate amount of $910.0 million (“Term 4”). The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental term loan facility which provides the ability to request to borrow up to $300.0 million of incremental term loans subject to certain terms and conditions. Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company (formerly Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company) and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated. The Term 4 loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $910.0 million with a maturity date of December 23, 2020. The Term 4 loan contains an original issuance discount of $4.6 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Term 4 loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.3 million, which commenced March 31, 2014, and has an interest rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.25% subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor. Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of December 23, 2018 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate F-21 borrowings, depending on our leverage ratio. Based on our leverage ratio at December 31, 2015, the borrowing margin for the next three month period ending March 31, 2016 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR- based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan. The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, borrowings of $10.0 million and $39.0 million, respectively, were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. A stand-by letter of credit of $1.6 million, issued in connection with the Company’s insurance coverage, was outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2015. The stand-by letter of credit is renewable annually and reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2015, $63.4 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.24% and 4.20% at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly. Net proceeds from asset sales exceeding certain thresholds, to the extent not reinvested, are required to be used to repay loans outstanding under the credit agreement. Financing Costs In connection with entering into the restated credit agreement in December 2013, fees of $6.6 million were capitalized as deferred debt issuance costs. These capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the debt and are included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. We also incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $7.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 related to the repayment of outstanding term loans under the previous credit agreement which were scheduled to mature in December 2017 and 2018. Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance The credit agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue capital stock. We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the credit agreement covenants. In general, our credit agreement restricts our ability to pay dividends to the amount of our Available Cash as defined in our credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015, and including the $19.6 million dividend declared in November 2015 and paid on February 1, 2016, we had $245.9 million in dividend availability under the credit facility covenant. Under our credit agreement, if our total net leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, is greater than 5.10:1.00, we will be required to suspend dividends on our common stock unless otherwise permitted by an exception for dividends that may be paid from the portion of proceeds of any sale of equity not used to fund acquisitions, or make other investments. During any dividend suspension period, we will be required to repay debt in an amount equal to 50.0% of any increase in Available Cash, among other things. In addition, we will not be permitted to pay dividends if an event of default under the credit agreement has occurred and is continuing. Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 and less than 2.25:1.00, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, our total net leverage ratio under the credit agreement was 4.23:1.00, and our interest coverage ratio was 4.12:1.00. Senior Notes 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 On June 8, 2015, we completed an offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022. The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest. The discount and deferred debt issuance costs of $4.5 million incurred in connection with the issuance of the New Notes are being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes were used, in part, to redeem the remaining $227.2 million of our original $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.875% Senior Notes due 2020, to pay related fees and expenses and to reduce the amount outstanding on the revolving credit facility. In F-22 connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $261.9 million and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Existing Notes” and together with the New Notes, the “2022 Notes”) were previously issued on September 18, 2014. The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million. Deferred debt issuance costs of $3.5 million incurred in connection with the issuance of the 2022 Notes are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the 2022 Notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Existing Notes were used to finance the acquisition of Enventis including related fees and expenses, and to repay the existing indebtedness of Enventis. A portion of the net proceeds, together with cash on hand and borrowings from the revolving credit facility, were also used to redeem $72.8 million of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes in 2014. In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, we paid $84.1 million and recognized a loss of $13.8 million on the partial extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2014. The 2022 Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the 2022 Notes, and we and certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2022 Notes. The 2022 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. On October 16, 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the 2022 Notes under the Securities Act. The terms of the registered 2022 Notes are substantially identical to those of the 2022 Notes prior to the exchange, except that the 2022 Notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights previously applicable to the original 2022 Notes no longer apply to the registered 2022 notes. The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the 2022 Notes outstanding. Senior Notes Covenant Compliance Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the 2022 Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. The indenture also contains customary events of default. Among other matters, the 2022 Notes indenture provides that CCI may not pay dividends or make other “restricted payments” to the Company if its total net leverage ratio is 4.75:1.00 or greater. This ratio is calculated differently than the comparable ratio under the Credit Agreement; among other differences, it takes into account, on a pro forma basis, synergies expected to be achieved as a result of certain acquisitions but not yet reflected in historical results. At December 31, 2015, this ratio was 4.33:1.00. If this ratio is met, dividends and other restricted payments may be made from cumulative consolidated cash flow since April 1, 2012, less 1.75 times fixed charges, less dividends and other restricted payments made since May 30, 2012. Dividends may be paid and other restricted payments may also be made from a “basket” of $50.0 million, none of which has been used to date, and pursuant to other exceptions identified in the indenture. Since dividends of $253.1 million have been paid since May 30, 2012, including the quarterly dividend declared in November 2015 and paid on February 1, 2016, there was $351.5 million of the $604.6 million of cumulative consolidated cash flow since May 30, 2012 available to pay dividends at December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the 2022 Notes. Bridge Loan Facility In connection with the acquisition of Enventis in 2014, the Company entered into a $140.0 million senior unsecured bridge loan facility (“Bridge Facility”) on June 29, 2014 in order to fund the anticipated acquisition including the related fees and expenses and to repay the existing indebtedness of Enventis. As anticipated, financing for the Enventis acquisition was completed through the 2022 Note offering, as described above, replacing the Bridge Facility on the closing date of the acquisition. No amounts were drawn or funded under the Bridge Facility prior to replacement. In connection with entering into the Bridge Facility, commitment fees of $1.4 million were capitalized during the quarter F-23 ended June 30, 2014 as deferred debt issuance costs and amortized over the expected life of the Bridge Facility through October 2014. Future Maturities of Debt At December 31, 2015, the aggregate maturities of our long-term debt excluding capital leases were as follows: (In thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total maturities Less: Unamortized discount $ 9,100 9,100 19,100 9,100 855,400 500,000 1,401,800 (8,233) $1,393,567 See Note 11 regarding the future maturities of our obligations for capital leases. 7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS We may utilize interest rate swap agreements to mitigate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates related to our variable rate debt. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet. The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at December 31, 2015: (In thousands) Cash Flow Hedges: Notional Amount 2015 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) $150,000 Other long-term liabilities $ (1,084) De-designated Hedges: Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) $ 50,000 Accrued expense $ 50,000 Accrued expense Total Fair Values (80) (110) $ (1,274) The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at December 31, 2014: (In thousands) Cash Flow Hedges: Notional Amount 2014 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) $100,000 Other long-term liabilities $ (133) De-designated Hedges: Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) Total Fair Values $125,000 Other long-term liabilities $ 50,000 Accrued expense $ 50,000 Other long-term liabilities (410) (443) (147) $ (1,133) The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties. The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility. Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties. This provision allows us to partially mitigate the risk of non-performance by a counterparty. F-24 For interest rate swaps designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss in fair value is recorded in AOCI and reclassified into earnings when the underlying hedged item impacts earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in earnings. For interest rate swaps not designated as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as interest expense. In 2013, interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges were de-designated as a result of amendments to our credit agreement. These interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates through September 2016. Prior to de-designation, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps were recognized in AOCI. The balance of the unrealized loss included in AOCI as of the date the swaps were de-designated is being amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the swap agreements. Changes in fair value of the de-designated swaps are immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, gains of $0.8 million, $1.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, were recognized as a reduction to interest expense for the change in fair value of the de-designated swaps. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the pre-tax deferred losses related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI were $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The estimated amount of losses included in AOCI as of December 31, 2015 that will be recognized in earnings in the next twelve months is approximately $0.9 million. The following table presents the effect of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on AOCI and on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In thousands) Loss recognized in AOCI, pretax Deferred losses reclassified from AOCI to interest expense 2015 2014 $ (1,744) $ (132) $ $ (1,371) $ (2,050) $ 2013 (614) (5,875) 8. EQUITY Share-based Compensation Our Board of Directors may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Amended and Restated Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, stock unit grants and other equity-based awards to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. On May 4, 2015, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase by 1,000,000 the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan. Approximately 2,650,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that no more than 300,000 shares may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year. Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until May 5, 2019. We measure the fair value of RSAs based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. We recognize the expense associated with RSAs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally ranges from immediate vesting to a four year vesting period. We implemented an ongoing performance-based incentive program under the Plan. The performance-based incentive program provides for annual grants of PSAs. PSAs are restricted stock that are issued, to the extent earned, at the end of each performance cycle. Under the performance-based incentive program, each participant is given a target award expressed as a number of shares, with a payout opportunity ranging from 0% to 120% of the target, depending on performance relative to predetermined goals. An estimate of the number of PSAs that are expected to vest is made, and the fair value of the PSAs is expensed utilizing the fair value on the date of grant over the requisite service period. F-25 The following table summarizes grants of RSAs and PSAs under the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: RSAs Granted PSAs Granted Total 2015 83,571 77,786 161,357 Year Ended December 31, Grant Date Fair Value Grant Date 2013 Fair Value $ 19.74 168,516 $ 17.13 66,504 $ 17.13 $ 19.74 Grant Date Fair Value 2014 $ 21.08 132,781 $ 20.86 91,127 223,908 235,020 The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity during the year ended December 31, 2015: Non-vested shares outstanding - January 1, 2015 Shares granted Shares vested Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2015 RSAs Weighted Average Grant Shares Date Fair Value 82,409 $ 18.78 21.08 77,786 $ 19.83 (76,971) $ PSAs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value 18.94 20.86 18.79 83,224 Shares 141,565 $ 83,571 $ (125,776) $ 99,360 The total fair value of the RSAs and PSAs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.9 million, $3.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Share-based Compensation Expense The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In millions) Restricted stock Performance shares Total Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 $ $ 1.7 $ 1.3 3.0 $ 2.1 $ 1.5 3.6 $ 1.8 1.2 3.0 Income tax benefits related to share-based compensation of approximately $1.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.1 million were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is included in “selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested RSAs and PSAs was $3.6 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years. F-26 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component during 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2013 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Net current period other comprehensive income Balance at December 31, 2014 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Net current period other comprehensive income Balance at December 31, 2015 $ Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations Derivative Instruments $ 643 (31,191) $ (1,643) $ (81) Total (1,000) (31,272) 632 (30,640) (31,640) (6,619) 1,269 1,188 (455) (1,072) 853 (219) (674) $ 2,560 (4,059) (35,699) (637) (31,828) (31,185) (5,547) 1,707 (3,840) (35,025) $ The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss during 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Amortization of pension and post-retirement items: Prior service credit Actuarial (loss) gain Loss on cash flow hedges: Interest rate derivatives Amount Reclassified from AOCI Year Ended December 31, Affected Line Item in the 2015 2014 Statement of Income $ 1,079 (3,884) (2,805) 1,098 (1,707) $ 494 (a) 543 (a) 1,037 Total before tax (400) Tax benefit (expense) 637 Net of tax (1,371) $ 518 (853) $ (2,050) Interest expense 781 Tax benefit (1,269) Net of tax $ $ $ $ (a) These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 9 for additional details. 9. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS Defined Benefit Plans We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Retirement Plan”) that is non-contributory covering certain of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements. Certain salaried employees are also covered by the Retirement Plan, although these benefits have previously been frozen. The Retirement Plan is closed to all new entrants. Benefits for eligible participants under collective bargaining agreements are accrued based on a cash balance benefit plan. We also have two non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (“Supplemental Plans”). The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans have previously been frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. These plans are unfunded and have no assets. The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. F-27 The following tables summarize the change in benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of the Retirement Plan and Supplemental Plans (collectively the “Pension Plans”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year Service cost Interest cost Actuarial loss (gain) Benefits paid Benefit obligation at the end of the year (In thousands) Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year Employer contributions Actual return on plan assets Benefits paid Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year Funded status at year end 2015 2014 381,188 410 15,788 (22,951) (22,229) 352,206 2015 297,118 12,224 (9,075) (22,229) 278,038 (74,168) $ $ $ $ $ 337,343 560 16,295 48,620 (21,630) 381,188 2014 292,188 11,112 15,448 (21,630) 297,118 (84,070) $ $ $ $ $ Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of: (In thousands) Current liabilities Long-term liabilities 2015 2014 $ (246) (245) $ $(73,923) $ (83,824) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of: (In thousands) Unamortized prior service credit Unamortized net actuarial loss 2015 2014 $ (3,512) $ (3,969) 66,561 $68,528 $ 62,592 72,040 The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In thousands) Service cost Interest cost Expected return on plan assets Amortization of: Net actuarial loss Prior service credit Net periodic pension (benefit) cost $ $ 2015 2014 2013 410 $ 560 $ 15,788 (23,372) 16,295 (23,106) 4,018 (457) (3,613) $ 20 (457) (6,688) $ 743 15,307 (20,654) 3,652 (457) (1,409) The following table summarizes other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss, before tax effects, during 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Actuarial loss, net Recognized actuarial loss Recognized prior service credit Total amount recognized in other comprehensive loss, before tax effects 2015 2014 9,497 $ 56,279 (20) (4,018) 457 457 5,936 $ 56,716 $ $ F-28 The estimated net actuarial gain and net prior service credit for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss in net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $5.2 million and $(0.5) million, respectively. The assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows: Discount rate - net periodic benefit cost Discount rate - benefit obligation Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets Rate of compensation/salary increase Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Agreements 2015 2013 2014 4.27 % 4.97 % 4.20 % 4.76 % 4.27 % 4.97 % 8.00 % 8.00 % 8.00 % 1.75 % 1.75 % 1.75 % We also are liable for deferred compensation agreements with former members of the board of directors and certain other former employees of acquired companies. Depending on the plan, benefits are payable in monthly or annual installments for a period of time based on the terms of the agreement which range from five years up to the life of the participant or to the beneficiary upon death of the participant and may begin as early as age 55. Participants accrue no new benefits as these plans had previously been frozen. Payments related to the deferred compensation agreements totaled approximately $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The net present value of the remaining obligations was approximately $2.1 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in pension and post-retirement benefit obligations in the accompanying balance sheets. We also maintain 28 life insurance policies on certain of the participating former directors and employees. We did not recognize any insurance proceeds in 2015 and recognized $0.2 million in life insurance proceeds as other non-operating income in 2014. The excess of the cash surrender value of the remaining life insurance policies over the notes payable balances related to these policies is determined by an independent consultant, and totaled $2.1 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are included in investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Cash principal payments for the policies and any proceeds from the policies are classified as operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The aggregate death benefit payment payable under these policies totaled $7.0 million and $6.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Post-retirement Benefit Obligations We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees. Certain plans have previously been frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed. Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred. Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured. A majority of the plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. However, a plan acquired in the purchase of another company has assets that are separately designated within the Retirement Plan for the sole purpose of providing payments of the retiree medical benefits for this specific plan. The assets used to provide payment of these retiree medical benefits are the same as those of the Retirement Plan. In connection with the acquisition of Enventis, its post-retirement benefit plan has been included as of the date of acquisition. F-29 The following tables summarize the change in benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of the post-retirement benefit obligations as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year Service cost Interest cost Plan participant contributions Actuarial loss (gain) Benefits paid Amendments Acquisition Benefit obligation at the end of the year (In thousands) Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year Employer contributions Plan participant’s contributions Actual return on plan assets Benefits paid Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year Funded status at year end 2015 2014 $42,135 $ 35,093 479 1,565 694 461 (3,434) (5,980) 13,257 $40,538 $ 42,135 601 1,713 657 (910) (3,658) — — 2015 2014 3,001 657 (344) (3,658) $ 3,329 $ 3,575 2,740 694 (246) (3,434) $ 2,985 $ 3,329 $(37,553) $(38,806) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consist of: (In thousands) Current liabilities Long-term liabilities 2015 2014 $ (566) $ (2,734) $(36,987) $ (36,072) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 consist of: (In thousands) Unamortized prior service credit Unamortized net actuarial gain 2015 2014 $ (5,137) $ (5,759) (6,375) $(11,795) $ (12,134) (6,658) The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic costs for post-retirement benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: 2014 2015 2013 $ 601 $ 479 $ 925 1,565 1,575 (233) 1,713 (150) (223) (134) (622) — (180) $1,408 $ 1,221 $ 2,087 (563) (37) (In thousands) Service cost Interest cost Expected return on plan assets Amortization of: Net actuarial gain Prior service credit Net periodic postretirement benefit cost F-30 The following table summarizes other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss, before tax effects, during 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Actuarial loss (gain), net Recognized actuarial gain Prior service credit Recognized prior service credit Total amount recognized in other comprehensive loss, before tax effects $ 2015 $ (417) $ 2014 931 563 134 (5,980) — 622 37 339 $ (4,449) The estimated net actuarial gain and net prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss in net periodic postretirement cost in 2016 are approximately $(0.4) million and $(0.5) million, respectively. The discount rate assumptions utilized for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Net periodic benefit cost Benefit obligation 2015 2014 2013 4.11 % 4.55 % 4.00 % 4.61 % 4.11 % 4.40 % For purposes of determining the cost and obligation for pre-Medicare postretirement medical benefits, a 7.50% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e., healthcare trend rate) was assumed for the plan in 2015, declining to a rate of 5.00% in 2021. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans. A one percent change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would have had the following effects: (In thousands) Effect on total of service and interest cost Effect on postretirement benefit obligation 1% Increase 1% Decrease (149) 171 $ $ (1,970) 2,214 $ $ Plan Assets Our investment strategy is designed to provide a stable environment to earn a rate of return over time to satisfy the benefit obligations and minimize the reliance on contributions as a source of benefit security. The objectives are based on a long-term (5 to 15 year) investment horizon, so that interim fluctuations should be viewed with appropriate perspective. The assets of the fund are to be invested to achieve the greatest return for the pension plans consistent with a prudent level of risk. The asset return objective is to achieve, as a minimum over time, the passively managed return earned by managed index funds, weighted in the proportions outlined by the asset class exposures identified in the pension plan’s strategic allocation. We update our long-term, strategic asset allocations every few years to ensure they are in line with our fund objectives. The target allocation of the Pension Plan assets is approximately 60% in equities with the remainder in fixed income funds and cash equivalents. Currently, we believe that there are no significant concentrations of risk associated with the pension plan assets. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies for assets measured at fair value utilizing the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 1, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. The fair value measurements used to value our plan assets as of December 31, 2015 were generated by using market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. There were no changes in the valuation techniques used during 2015. Common and Preferred Stocks: Includes domestic and international common and preferred stocks and are valued at the closing price as of the measurement date as reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. Mutual Funds: Valued at the daily closing net asset value based on the closing price reported on the active market on which the funds are traded (Level 1). Funds based on quoted market prices in markets that are considered not active are classified as Level 2. F-31 Common Collective Trusts and Commingled Funds: Valued as determined by the fund manager based on the underlying net asset values and supported by the fair value of the underlying securities as of the valuation date, less its liabilities. These funds are classified as Level 2. U.S. Treasury and Government Agency Securities: Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded (Level 1). Government issued mortgage-backed securities are valued based on external pricing indices and are classified as Level 2. Corporate and Municipal Bonds: Valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage/Asset-backed Securities: Valued based on market prices from external pricing indices based on recent market activity. The fair values of our assets for our defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2015 and 2014, by asset category were as follows: (In thousands) Cash equivalents: Short-term investments(1) Equities: Stocks: U.S. common stocks International stocks Funds: U.S. small cap U.S. mid cap U.S. large cap Emerging markets International Fixed Income: U.S. treasury and government agency securities Corporate and municipal bonds Mortgage/asset-backed securities Common Collective Trust Mutual funds Total investments Other liabilities(2) Net plan assets Quoted Prices In Active As of December 31, 2015 Significant Other Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Unobservable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total $ 6,720 $ 1,692 $ 5,028 $ — 27,192 9,173 11,018 7,956 22,119 19,410 63,662 27,192 9,173 — 7,956 8,297 12,822 47,966 — — 11,018 — 13,822 6,588 15,696 8,895 — — — 24,871 148,864 $ 131,448 $ 7,964 6,540 5,910 58,882 — 16,859 6,540 5,910 58,882 24,871 $ 280,312 (2,274) $ 278,038 $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — F-32 (In thousands) Cash equivalents: Short-term investments(1) Equities: Stocks: U.S. common stocks International stocks Funds: U.S. small cap U.S. mid cap U.S. large cap Emerging markets International Fixed Income: U.S. treasury and government agency securities Corporate and municipal bonds Mortgage/asset-backed securities Common Collective Trust Mutual funds Total investments Other liabilities(2) Net plan assets Quoted Prices In Active As of December 31, 2014 Significant Other Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Unobservable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total $ 7,634 $ 1,370 $ 6,264 $ — 29,338 9,459 11,224 8,890 26,081 22,662 64,748 29,338 9,459 — 8,890 10,212 14,838 49,334 — — 11,224 — 15,869 7,824 15,414 16,707 6,950 7,247 62,507 26,964 $ 300,411 (3,293) $ 297,118 $ 7,996 — — — 26,964 158,401 $ 142,010 $ 8,711 6,950 7,247 62,507 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1) Short-term investments includes cash and cash equivalents and an investment in a common collective trust which is principally comprised of certificates of deposit, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury bills with maturities less than one year. (2) Net amount due for securities purchased and sold. F-33 The fair values of our assets for our post-retirement benefit plans at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices Significant (In thousands) Cash equivalents: Short-term investments(1) Equities: U.S. common stocks International stocks Funds: U.S. small cap U.S. mid cap U.S. large cap Emerging markets International Fixed Income: U.S. treasury and government agency securities Corporate and municipal bonds Mortgage/asset-backed securities Common Collective Trust Mutual funds Total investments Benefit payments payable Other liabilities(2) Net plan assets In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Other Significant Observable Unobservable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total $ 78 $ 20 $ 58 $ — 315 106 — 92 96 148 555 103 — — — 288 — — 127 — 160 76 181 92 75 69 681 — $ 1,723 $ 1,519 $ — — — — — — — — — — — — 315 106 127 92 256 224 736 195 75 69 681 288 $ 3,242 (230) (27) $2,985 F-34 (In thousands) Total As of December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices Significant In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Other Significant Observable Unobservable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Cash equivalents: Short-term investments(1) Equities: U.S. common stocks International stocks Funds: U.S. small cap U.S. mid cap U.S. large cap Emerging markets International Fixed Income: U.S. treasury and government agency securities Corporate and municipal bonds Mortgage/asset-backed securities Common Collective Trust Mutual funds Total investments Benefit payments payable Other liabilities(2) Net plan assets $ 97 17 80 372 120 — 113 129 188 625 102 — — — 342 — — 142 – 201 99 196 110 88 92 792 — $ 2,008 $ 1,800 $ 372 120 142 113 330 287 821 212 88 92 792 342 $ 3,808 (438) (41) $ 3,329 — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1) Short-term investments includes cash and cash equivalents and an investment in a common collective trust which is principally comprised of certificates of deposit, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury bills with maturities less than one year. (2) Net amount due for securities purchased and sold. Cash Flows Contributions Our funding policy is to contribute annually an actuarially determined amount necessary to meet the minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws. We expect to contribute approximately $0.3 million to our Supplemental Plans and $3.6 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2016. We do not expect to contribute to the Retirement Plan in 2016. F-35 Estimated Future Benefit Payments As of December 31, 2015, benefit payments expected to be paid over the next ten years are outlined in the following table: (In thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 - 2025 Defined Contribution Plans Other Post-retirement Plans Pension Plans $ 23,518 $ 23,551 23,552 23,599 23,720 117,034 3,632 3,041 3,261 3,316 3,335 15,324 We offer defined contribution 401(k) plans to substantially all of our employees. Contributions made under the defined contribution plans include a match, at the Company’s discretion, of employee contributions to the plans. We recognized expense with respect to these plans of $6.9 million, $5.3 million and $5.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in 2015 is attributable to the acquisition of Enventis which accounted for $1.8 million of the total expense. 10. INCOME TAXES Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following components: (In thousands) Current: Federal State Total current expense (benefit) Deferred: Federal State Total deferred expense Total income tax expense For the Year Ended 2014 2013 2015 $ (3,708) $ 1,769 $ 1,381 86 1,467 655 (3,053) 1,014 2,783 4,321 1,507 5,828 $ 2,775 8,136 15,929 2,108 116 16,045 10,244 $ 13,027 $ 17,512 The following is a reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: (In percentages) Statutory federal income tax rate State income taxes, net of federal benefit Transaction costs Other permanent differences Change in uncertain tax positions Change in deferred tax rate Valuation allowance Provision to return Other For the Year Ended 2015 2014 2013 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 1.2 2.6 0.4 — 7.4 (0.7) — (0.1) (37.9) — 10.8 (8.2) 91.9 43.4 (1.5) (1.6) 1.7 — — (1.7) — — 1.3 0.6 131.9 % 45.8 % 36.9 % F-36 Deferred Taxes In November 2015, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax liabilities and tax assets, and any related valuation allowance, be classified as non-current in a classified balance sheet. The classification change simplifies the Company’s process as it eliminates the need to separately identify the net current and net non-current deferred tax asset or liability in each jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. We early adopted this guidance prospectively as of December 31, 2015, and as a result, we have classified all net deferred tax liabilities as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015. The prior period was not retrospectively adjusted. The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows: (In thousands) Current deferred tax assets: Reserve for uncollectible accounts Accrued vacation pay deducted when paid Accrued expenses and deferred revenue Non-current deferred tax assets: Reserve for uncollectible accounts Accrued vacation pay deducted when paid Accrued expenses and deferred revenue Net operating loss carryforwards Pension and postretirement obligations Share-based compensation Derivative instruments Financing costs Tax credit carryforwards Other Valuation allowance Net non-current deferred tax assets Non-current deferred tax liabilities: Goodwill and other intangibles Basis in investment Partnership investments Property, plant and equipment Net non-current deferred taxes Net deferred income tax liabilities Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 $ — — — — $ 1,062 2,381 9,931 13,374 1,268 2,112 9,051 31,695 44,266 268 421 310 3,973 23 93,387 (2,652) 90,735 — — — 12,591 46,829 998 276 2,151 4,193 28 67,066 (1,738) 65,328 (38,658) (39) (22,058) (266,509) (327,264) (236,529) $(236,529) (45,457) (282) (25,813) (240,441) (311,993) (246,665) $ (233,291) Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and assets and liabilities recognized for tax purposes. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon taxable income during the future periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. To determine whether deferred tax assets can be realized, management assesses whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, taking into consideration the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies. Based upon historical taxable income, taxable temporary differences, available and prudent tax planning strategies and projections for future pre-tax book income over the periods that the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these temporary differences. However, management may reduce the amount of deferred tax assets it considers realizable in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced. Estimates of future taxable income are based on the F-37 estimated recognition of taxable temporary differences, available and prudent tax planning strategies and projections of future pre-tax book income. The amount of estimated future taxable income is expected to allow for the full utilization of the net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, partial utilization of the state NOL carryforwards and partial utilization of the state credit carryforwards, as described below. Consolidated and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which file a consolidated federal income tax return, estimates it has available federal NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2015 of $62.9 million and related deferred tax assets of $22.0 million. The amount of federal NOL carryforwards and related deferred tax assets for which a benefit would be recorded in APIC when realized is $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The federal NOL carryforwards expire from 2031 to 2035. ETFL, a nonconsolidated subsidiary for federal income tax return purposes, estimates it has available NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2015 of $1.7 million and related deferred tax assets of $0.6 million. ETFL’s federal NOL carryforwards expire from 2020 to 2024. We estimate that we have available state NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2015 of $187.3 million and related deferred tax assets of $9.0 million. The amount of state NOL carryforwards and related deferred tax assets for which a benefit would be recorded in APIC when realized is $0.7 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. The state NOL carryforwards expire from 2016 to 2035. Management believes that the future utilization of $30.9 million and related deferred tax asset of $1.6 million is uncertain and has placed a valuation allowance on this amount of the available state NOL carryforwards. The related NOL carryforwards expire from 2018 to 2035. If or when recognized, the tax benefits related to any reversal of the valuation allowance will be accounted for as a reduction of income tax expense. We estimate that we have available federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2015 of $0.9 million and related deferred tax assets of $0.9 million. The AMT credits are available to offset future tax liabilities only to the extent that the Company has regular tax liabilities in excess of AMT tax liabilities. The federal AMT credit carryforward does not expire. We estimate that we have available state tax credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2015 of $4.7 million and related deferred tax assets of $3.1 million. The state tax credit carryforwards are limited annually and expire from 2016 to 2027. Management believes that the future utilization of $1.6 million and related deferred tax asset of $1.1 million is uncertain and has placed a valuation allowance on this amount of available state tax credit carryforwards. The related state tax credit carryforwards expires from 2016 to 2020. If or when recognized, the tax benefits related to any reversal of the valuation allowance will be accounted for as a reduction of income tax expense. On September 13, 2013, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. The final regulations under Internal Revenue Code Sections 162, 167 and 263(a) apply to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property as well as dispositions of such property and are generally effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. We have adopted and implemented these regulations with the filing of our 2014 returns. Unrecognized Tax Benefits Under the accounting guidance applicable to uncertainty in income taxes, we have analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. This accounting guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements; prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return; and provides guidance on description, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Our unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The net amount of unrecognized benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective rate is less than $0.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized a decrease of $0.2 million to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which reduced our tax expense by a corresponding amount, due to reductions for tax positions in prior years. F-38 Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively. During 2015 and 2014 we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense. The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2013 through 2014. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2011 through 2014. We are not currently under examination by federal or state taxing authorities. We do not expect that the total unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest will significantly change due to the settlement of audits or the expiration of statute of limitations in the next twelve months. There were no material changes to these amounts during 2015 and there were no material effects on the Company’s effective tax rate. The following is a reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Balance at January 1 Additions for tax positions of acquisition Additions for tax positions in the current year Additions for tax positions of prior years Settlements with taxing authorities Reduction for tax positions of prior years Reduction for lapse of federal statute of limitations Reduction for lapse of state statute of limitations Balance at December 31 Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits 2015 2014 $ $ 238 — 1 — — (158) — (15) 66 $ $ — 238 — — — — — — 238 11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We have certain other obligations for various contractual agreements to secure future rights to goods and services to be used in the normal course of our operations. These include purchase commitments for planned capital expenditures, agreements securing dedicated access and transport services, and service and support agreements. Additionally, we have procured transport resale arrangements with several interexchange carriers for our long distance services. As of December 31, 2015, future minimum contractual obligations, including capital and operating leases, and the estimated timing and effect the obligations will have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods are as follows: (in thousands) Operating lease agreements Capital lease agreements Capital expenditures (1) Service and support agreements (2) Transport and data connectivity Total 2016 $ 5,219 2,485 3,000 35,720 18,009 $ 64,433 2017 $ 4,841 2,475 Minimum Annual Contractual Obligations 2019 $ 3,380 1,083 2018 $ 3,857 2,019 2020 — — — 6,035 17,339 $30,690 3,989 6,886 $16,751 2,141 6,293 $12,897 Thereafter $ 3,233 $ 5,532 370 1,008 — — 1,337 6,299 1,821 12,718 $11,877 $ 20,441 Total $ 26,062 9,440 3,000 51,043 67,544 $157,089 (1) We have binding commitments with numerous suppliers for future capital expenditures. (2) We have entered into service and maintenance agreements to support various computer hardware and software applications and certain equipment. Leases Operating We have entered into various non-cancelable operating leases with terms greater than one year for certain facilities and equipment used in our operations. The facility leases generally require us to pay operating costs, including property F-39 taxes, insurance and maintenance, and certain of them contain scheduled rent increases and renewal options. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or lease period, whichever is shorter. We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of each lease. We incurred rent expense of $12.1 million, $7.5 million and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Capital Leases We lease certain facilities and equipment under various capital lease arrangements, all of which expire between 2015 and 2021. As of December 31, 2015, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments, net of imputed interest of $1.9 million, was approximately $7.6 million, of which $1.8 million was due and payable within the next twelve months. See Note 12 for information regarding the capital leases we have entered into with related parties. Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies In 2014, Sprint Corporation, Level 3 Communications, Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. filed lawsuits against us and many others in the industry regarding the proper charges to be applied between interexchange and local exchange carriers for certain calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an interexchange carrier. The plaintiffs are refusing to pay these access charges in all states and are seeking refunds of past charges paid. The disputed amounts total $2.4 million and cover periods dating back to 2006. CenturyLink, Inc. filed to bring all related suits to the U.S. District Court’s Judicial Panel on multi district litigation. This panel is granted authority to transfer the pretrial proceedings to a single court for civil cases involving common questions of fact. On November 17, 2015, the U.S. District Court in Dallas, Texas ruled in favor of the defendants, although we expect that the plaintiffs will file an appeal. We have interconnection agreements in place with all wireless carriers and the applicable traffic is being billed at current access rates, therefore, we do not expect any potential settlement or judgment to have an adverse material impact on our financial results or cash flows. On April 14, 2008, Salsgiver Inc., a Pennsylvania-based telecommunications company, and certain of its affiliates (“Salsgiver”) filed a lawsuit against us and our former subsidiaries North Pittsburgh Telephone Company and North Pittsburgh Systems Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania alleging that we had prevented Salsgiver from connecting their fiber optic cables to our utility poles. Salsgiver sought compensatory and punitive damages as the result of alleged lost projected profits, damage to its business reputation and other costs. Salsgiver originally claimed to have sustained losses of approximately $125.0 million. We believe that these claims are without merit and that the alleged damages are completely unfounded. We had recorded approximately $0.4 million in 2011 in anticipation of the settlement of this case. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, we recorded an additional $0.9 million, which included estimated legal fees. A jury trial concluded on May 14, 2015 with the jury ruling in our favor. Salsgiver subsequently filed a post-trial motion asking the judge to overturn the jury verdict. That motion was denied. On June 17, 2015, Salsgiver filed an appeal in the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Salsgiver’s brief was filed with the Superior Court on December 4, 2015, and the Company filed its response on January 18, 2016. We anticipate that oral argument will be scheduled within the next six months. We believe that, despite the appeal, the $1.3 million currently accrued represents management’s best estimate of the potential loss if the verdict is overturned in Salsgiver's favor. Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received assessment notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for Pennsylvania Gross Receipt Taxes, and/or have had audits performed for the tax years of 2008 through 2013. In addition, a re-audit was performed on CCPA for the 2010 calendar year. For the calendar years for which we received both additional assessment notices and audit actions, those issues have been combined by the DOR into a single docket for each year. Pennsylvania generally imposes tax on the gross receipts of telephone messages transmitted wholly within the state and telephone messages transmitted in interstate commerce where such messages originate or terminate in Pennsylvania, and the charges for such messages are billed to a service address in the state. In a 2013 decision involving Verizon Telephone Company of Pennsylvania (“Verizon Pennsylvania”), the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania held that the gross receipts tax applies to Verizon Pennsylvania’s installation of private phone lines because the sole purpose of private lines is to transmit messages. Similarly, the court held that directory assistance is subject to the gross receipts tax because it F-40 makes the transition of messages more effective. However, the court did not find Verizon Pennsylvania’s nonrecurring charges for the installation of telephone lines, moves of and changes to telephone lines and services and repairs of telephone lines to be subject to the gross receipts tax as no telephone messages are transmitted when Verizon Pennsylvania performs nonrecurring services. On appeal, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently held in Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that charges for the installation of private phone lines, charges for directory assistance and certain nonrecurring charges were all subject to the state’s gross receipt tax. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania found that all of the services, including those related to nonrecurring charges, in some way made transmission more effective or communication more satisfactory even though such services did not involve actual transmission. This is a partial reversal of the 2013 Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania decision described above, which had ruled that while the charges for the installation of private phone lines and directory assistance were subject to the state’s gross receipts tax, the nonrecurring charges in question were not. As a motion for reconsideration has not been filed with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and the period for such filing has expired, the case is now final. For the CCES subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for the calendar years 2008 through 2013 is approximately $4.1 million. Appeals of cases for the audits in calendar years 2008 through 2010 have been filed and received continuances pending the outcome of the Verizon Pennsylvania litigation described above. The preliminary audit findings for the calendar years 2011 through 2013 were received on September 16, 2014. We are awaiting invoices for each of these years, at which time we will prepare to file an appeal with the DOR. For the CCPA subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for the calendar years 2008 through 2013 (using the re-audited 2010 number) is approximately $5.0 million. Appeals of cases for the audits in calendar years 2008, 2009 and the original 2010 audit have been filed and received continuances pending the outcome of the Verizon Pennsylvania litigation described above. The preliminary audit findings for the calendar years 2011 through 2013, as well as the re-audit of 2010, were received on September 16, 2014. We are awaiting invoices for each of these years, at which time we will prepare to file an appeal with the DOR. We believe that certain of the DOR’s findings regarding the Company’s additional tax liability for the calendar years 2008 through 2013, for which we have filed or plan to file appeals, continue to lack merit. However, in light of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s recent decision, we reassessed our accrual for the additional tax liability for both our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we accrued an additional $1.1 million and $1.0 million for our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, respectively, to other expense in our consolidated statements of operations, which increased the total accruals to $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. These accruals also include the Company’s best estimate of the potential 2014 and 2015 additional tax liabilities. We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows. From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these other legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Capital Leases Richard A. Lumpkin, a member of our Board of Directors, together with his family, beneficially owned 33.5% and 44.7% of Agracel, Inc. (“Agracel”), a real estate investment company, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Mr. Lumpkin also is a director of Agracel. Agracel is the sole managing member and 50% owner of LATEL LLC (“LATEL”). Mr. Lumpkin and his immediate family had a 66.7% and 72.4% beneficial ownership of LATEL at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, we had three capital lease agreements with LATEL for the occupancy of three buildings on a triple net lease basis. In accordance with the Company’s related person transactions policy, these leases were approved by our Audit Committee and Board of Directors (“BOD”).We have accounted for these leases as capital leases in accordance with ASC Topic 840, Leases, and have capitalized the lower of the present value of the future minimum lease payments or their fair value. The capital lease agreements require us to pay substantially all expenses associated F-41 with general maintenance and repair, utilities, insurance, and taxes. Each of the three lease agreements have a maturity date of May 31, 2021 and each have two five-year options to extend the terms of the lease after the initial expiration date. We are required to pay LATEL approximately $7.9 million over the terms of the lease agreements. The carrying value of the capital leases at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $3.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively. We recognized $0.4 million in interest expense in 2015 and $0.5 million in interest expense in each of 2014 and 2013 and amortization expense of $0.4 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013 related to the capitalized leases. Long-Term Debt A portion of the 2020 Notes was sold to accredited investors consisting of certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors or a trust of which a director is the beneficiary (“related parties”). In May 2012, the related parties purchased $10.8 million of the 2020 Notes on the same terms available to other investors, except that the related parties were not entitled to registration rights. In 2015, the 2020 Notes were fully redeemed and we paid an early redemption premium of $1.5 million and recognized approximately $0.7 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, in interest expense in the aggregate for the 2020 Notes. In September 2014, $5.0 million of the 2022 Notes were sold to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and in 2015 we recognized approximately $0.3 million in interest expense for the 2022 Notes. Other Services Mr. Lumpkin also has a minority ownership interest in First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (“First Mid-Illinois”). We provide telecommunication products and services to First Mid-Illinois at standard prices as to other strategic business customers and we received approximately $0.8 million in 2015 and $0.5 million in each of 2014 and 2013 for these services. 13. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) 2015 Net revenues Operating income Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share 2014 Net revenues Operating income Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share Quarter Ended March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, (In thousands, except per share amounts) $ 192,578 $ 26,745 $ 7,810 0.15 $ $ 201,010 $ 27,675 $ (15,968) (0.32) $ $ 193,958 $ 188,191 13,648 $ 19,707 $ 4,682 2,595 $ $ 0.09 0.05 $ $ Quarter Ended March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, (In thousands, except per share amounts) $ 149,648 $ 25,942 $ 8,324 0.20 $ $ 151,036 $ 25,425 $ 9,807 0.24 $ $ 149,040 $ 186,014 24,249 $ $ 15,573 7,642 $ (10,706) $ (0.22) $ 0.19 $ In connection with the redemption of the 2020 Notes, as described in Note 6, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million and $13.8 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As part of the Company’s continued integration efforts, an early retirement program was initiated during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 to a group of select employees who were 55 years of age or older and who have provided 15 or more years of service. The employees were primarily in non-customer facing positions or positions in which the Company believed the retiree’s workload could be absorbed internally as part of the Company’s continuing cost saving initiatives. The early retirement package was accepted by approximately 60 employees and, as a result, one-time severance costs of $7.2 million were incurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The Company expects approximately $4.8 million in future annual savings as a result of the early retirement program. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock. Enventis’ results of operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date of October 16, 2014. As result of the Enventis acquisition, we incurred transaction costs of F-42 $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $9.8 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively. 14. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Consolidated Communications, Inc. is the primary obligor under the unsecured 2022 Notes. We and substantially all of our subsidiaries, excluding Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company (formerly Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company, have jointly and severally guaranteed the 2022 Notes. All of the subsidiary guarantors are 100% direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent, and all guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several with respect to principal, interest and liquidated damages, if any. As such, we present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 for each of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Parent), Consolidated Communications, Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer), guarantor subsidiaries and other non-guarantor subsidiaries with any consolidating adjustments. See Note 6 for more information regarding our 2022 Notes. F-43 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated December 31, 2015 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net Income taxes receivable Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ Total current assets — $ — 23,390 — 23,390 $ 5,877 $ — — — 5,877 7,629 62,460 352 17,456 87,897 2,372 $ 6,388 125 359 9,244 — — — — — $ 15,878 68,848 23,867 17,815 126,408 Property, plant and equipment, net — — 1,043,594 49,667 — 1,093,261 Intangibles and other assets: Investments Investments in subsidiaries Goodwill Other intangible assets Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable Advance billings and customer deposits Dividends payable Accrued compensation Accrued interest Accrued expense Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations Total current liabilities Long-term debt and capital lease obligations Advances due to/from affiliates, net Deferred income taxes Pension and postretirement benefit obligations Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Common Stock Other shareholders’ equity Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity — 2,189,142 — — — 97,372 13,567 698,449 34,410 5,187 $ 2,212,532 $ 2,032,520 $ 1,980,476 8,171 2,018,472 — — — $ — $ — 19,551 — 136 35 — $ — — — 9,084 190 12,576 26,023 — 21,094 133 41,201 — 19,722 9,100 18,374 1,745 102,772 — 1,979,788 (32,641) — — 1,966,869 1,372,149 (1,548,990) 762 — 1,084 (156,621) 5,101 (360,715) 245,579 93,097 14,540 100,374 $ $ — — 66,181 9,087 — — (4,221,181) — — — 134,179 $ (4,221,181) 105,543 — 764,630 43,497 5,187 $ 2,138,526 — $ 1,593 — 789 — 958 92 3,432 642 (70,083) 22,829 19,869 516 (22,795) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — $ 12,576 27,616 19,551 21,883 9,353 42,384 10,937 144,300 1,377,892 — 236,529 112,966 16,140 1,887,827 505 245,158 — 2,189,141 17,411 1,857,655 30,000 126,974 (47,411) (4,173,770) 505 245,158 245,663 — 245,663 1,875,066 5,036 1,880,102 $ 2,212,532 $ 2,032,520 $ 1,980,476 2,189,141 — 2,189,141 (4,221,181) 156,974 — — 156,974 (4,221,181) 134,179 $ (4,221,181) 245,663 5,036 250,699 $ 2,138,526 $ F-44 Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated December 31, 2014 ASSETS Current assets: $ Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net Income taxes receivable Deferred income taxes Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets — $ — 12,665 (71) — 12,594 4,940 $ — — 158 — 5,098 820 70,543 6,232 12,807 17,285 107,687 $ 919 $ 6,993 43 480 331 8,766 — — — — — — $ 6,679 77,536 18,940 13,374 17,616 134,145 Property, plant and equipment, net — — 1,088,196 49,282 — 1,137,478 Intangibles and other assets: Investments Investments in subsidiaries Goodwill Other intangible assets Other assets — 2,123,251 — — — 3,724 1,514,332 — — — 111,652 13,000 698,449 47,235 3,892 — — 66,181 9,087 — — (3,650,583) — — — 115,376 — 764,630 56,322 3,892 Total assets $ 2,135,845 $ 1,523,154 $ 2,070,111 $ 133,316 $ (3,650,583) $ 2,211,843 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable Advance billings and customer deposits Dividends payable Accrued compensation Accrued interest Accrued expense Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations Total current liabilities $ — $ — 19,510 — — 36 — $ — — — 6,775 443 15,277 30,250 — 30,737 6 38,211 — 19,546 9,100 16,318 671 115,152 $ — $ 1,683 — 1,844 3 1,451 78 5,059 734 (58,050) 19,009 22,142 552 (10,554) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — $ 15,277 31,933 19,510 32,581 6,784 40,141 9,849 156,075 1,341,332 — 246,665 122,363 14,579 1,881,014 — 1,805,129 (14,833) 1,337,528 (1,953,695) (938) — — 1,809,842 — 690 (600,097) 3,070 206,616 243,427 100,221 13,337 681,823 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations Advances due to/from affiliates, net Deferred income taxes Pension and postretirement benefit obligations Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Common Stock Other shareholders’ equity Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 504 325,499 — 2,123,251 17,411 1,366,051 30,000 113,870 (47,411) (3,603,172) 504 325,499 326,003 — 326,003 1,383,462 4,826 1,388,288 $ 2,135,845 $ 1,523,154 $ 2,070,111 2,123,251 — 2,123,251 (3,650,583) 143,870 — — 143,870 (3,650,583) 133,316 $ (3,650,583) 326,003 4,826 330,829 $ 2,211,843 $ F-45 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands) Net revenues Operating expenses: Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Selling, general and administrative expenses Acquisition and other transaction costs Depreciation and amortization Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Interest expense, net of interest income Intercompany interest income (expense) Loss on extinguishment of debt Investment income Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net Other, net Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Net income (loss) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Year Ended December 31, 2015 Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated — $ 121 $ 728,910 $ 60,094 $ (13,388) $ 775,737 Parent $ — 3,160 1,413 — (4,573) — 150 — — (29) 328,714 156,380 — 171,232 72,584 (104) (153,713) — — 93,391 — (64,999) (64,118) (881) (79,680) 166,838 (41,242) 326 64,812 (26) 110,999 17,608 93,391 154 (15,917) — 36,364 567 (1,346) 92,406 40,346 52,060 12,567 19,044 — 8,690 19,793 12 2,792 — — — (129) 22,468 8,939 13,529 (12,881) (507) — — — — — — — (158,770) — (158,770) — (158,770) 328,400 178,227 1,413 179,922 87,775 (79,618) — (41,242) 36,690 — (1,501) 2,104 2,775 (671) — — 210 — — 210 $ (881) $ 93,391 $ 51,850 $ $ 13,529 $ (158,770) $ (881) 13,105 $ (150,871) $ (4,940) Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ (4,940) $ 89,332 $ 48,434 F-46 Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ (15,573) $ 63,818 $ 43,418 Net revenues Operating expenses: Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Selling, general and administrative expenses Acquisition and other transaction costs Depreciation and amortization Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Interest expense, net of interest income Intercompany interest income (expense) Loss on extinguishment of debt Investment income Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net Other, net Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Net income (loss) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Net revenues Operating expenses: Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Selling, general and administrative expenses Acquisition and other transaction costs Depreciation and amortization Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Interest expense, net of interest income Intercompany interest income (expense) Loss on extinguishment of debt Investment income Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net Other, net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Parent $ — $ Year Ended December 31, 2014 Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (7) $ 585,148 $ 64,380 $ (13,783) $ 635,738 — 3,975 10,808 — (14,783) — 126 581 — (714) 242,354 119,649 428 141,673 81,044 36 (108,366) — — 94,458 53 (28,602) (43,669) 15,067 (82,617) 125,932 (13,785) (5) 77,156 (553) 105,414 10,956 94,458 55 (19,677) — 34,521 870 (236) 96,577 35,022 61,555 13,391 17,585 — 7,762 25,642 (11) 2,111 — — — (232) 27,510 10,718 16,792 (13,084) (699) — — — — — — — (172,484) — (172,484) — (172,484) 242,661 140,636 11,817 149,435 91,189 (82,537) — (13,785) 34,516 — (968) 28,415 13,027 15,388 — — 321 — — 321 $ 15,067 $ 94,458 $ 61,234 $ $ 16,792 $ (172,484) $ 15,067 2,780 $ (110,016) $ (15,573) Year Ended December 31, 2013 Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated — $ (60) $ 547,635 $ 68,128 $ (14,126) $ 601,577 Parent $ — 3,608 457 — (4,065) — 167 — — (227) 220,764 113,942 319 130,455 82,155 100 (103,588) — — 98,055 (18) (9,516) (40,327) 30,811 — 30,811 (86,090) 126,918 (7,657) 89 74,479 — 107,512 9,457 98,055 — 98,055 181 (24,662) — 37,606 896 (448) 95,728 38,038 57,690 1,177 58,867 14,635 18,876 — 8,819 25,798 42 1,332 — — — 10 27,182 10,344 16,838 — 16,838 (12,947) (1,179) — — — — — — — (173,430) — (173,430) — (173,430) — (173,430) 222,452 135,414 776 139,274 103,661 (85,767) — (7,657) 37,695 — (456) 47,476 17,512 29,964 1,177 31,141 — — 330 — — 330 $ 30,811 $ 98,055 $ 58,537 $ $ 16,838 $ (173,430) $ 30,811 25,203 $ (173,430) $ 75,595 Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 30,811 $ 101,616 $ 91,395 F-47 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (amounts in thousands) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from sale of investments Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from bond offering Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Payment of capital lease obligation Payment on long-term debt Redemption of senior notes Payment of financing costs Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding Dividends on common stock Transactions with affiliates, net Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchase of investments Proceeds from sale of assets Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from bond offering Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Payment of capital lease obligation Payment on long-term debt Partial redemption of senior notes Payment of financing costs Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding Dividends on common stock Transactions with affiliates, net Other Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ Year Ended December 31, 2015 Parent $ (119,472) Subsidiary Issuer $ 76,962 Guarantors 240,372 $ Non-Guarantors Consolidated $ 21,317 $ 219,179 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1,125) (78,209) 198,806 119,472 — — — $ 294,780 69,000 — (107,100) (261,874) (4,805) — — (66,026) (76,025) 937 4,940 5,877 $ $ (126,168) 13,535 846 (111,787) — — (1,029) — — — — — (120,747) (121,776) 6,809 820 7,629 $ (7,766) 13 — (7,753) — — (78) — — — — — (12,033) (12,111) 1,453 919 2,372 (133,934) 13,548 846 (119,540) 294,780 69,000 (1,107) (107,100) (261,874) (4,805) (1,125) (78,209) — (90,440) 9,199 6,679 15,878 $ Year Ended December 31, 2014 Parent (71,646) $ Subsidiary Issuer $ 37,972 Guarantors 196,186 $ Non-Guarantors Consolidated 187,785 25,273 $ $ (139,558) — — — (139,558) — — — — — — — — — — — (1,856) (62,341) 275,632 (231) 211,204 — — — $ 200,000 80,000 — (63,100) (84,127) (7,438) — — (158,453) — (33,118) 4,854 86 4,940 $ — (103,509) (100) 1,740 (101,869) — — (638) — — — — — (95,225) — (95,863) (1,546) 2,366 820 $ — (5,489) — 55 (5,434) — — (65) — — — — — (21,954) — (22,019) (2,180) 3,099 919 (139,558) (108,998) (100) 1,795 (246,861) 200,000 80,000 (703) (63,100) (84,127) (7,438) (1,856) (62,341) — (231) 60,204 1,128 5,551 6,679 $ F-48 Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations Net cash used in discontinued operations Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ Parent (88,251) — (88,251) $ $ 36,811 — 36,811 $ Non-Guarantors Consolidated 168,530 (4,174) 164,356 24,379 — 24,379 $ 195,591 (4,174) 191,417 Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Year Ended December 31, 2013 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchase of investments Proceeds from sale of assets Net cash used in continuing operations Net cash provided by discontinued operations Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Payment of capital lease obligation Payment on long-term debt Payment of financing costs Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding Dividends on common stock Transactions with affiliates, net Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (887) (62,064) 151,202 88,251 — — — 989,450 — (990,961) (6,576) — — (35,215) (43,302) (6,491) 6,577 86 $ $ $ (100,139) (403) 282 (100,260) 2,331 (97,929) — (462) — — — — (99,190) (99,652) (6,164) 8,530 2,366 $ (7,224) — 48 (7,176) — (7,176) — (54) — — — — (16,797) (16,851) 352 2,747 3,099 (107,363) (403) 330 (107,436) 2,331 (105,105) 989,450 (516) (990,961) (6,576) (887) (62,064) — (71,554) (12,303) 17,854 5,551 $ F-49 Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants The Partners of Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership, which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. December 31, 2013 Financial Statements The accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows of Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership for the year ended December 31, S-1 2013 were not audited, reviewed, or compiled by us and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Orlando, Florida February 26, 2016 S-2 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Due from affiliate Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $938 and $498 Unbilled revenue Prepaid expenses Total current assets PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - NET OTHER ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Advance billings and other Financing obligation Deferred rent Total current liabilities LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Financing obligation Deferred rent Other liabilities Total long term liabilities Total liabilities PARTNERS’ CAPITAL General Partner's interest Limited Partners' interest Total partners' capital $ $ $ 2015 2014 $ $ $ 2,621 18,136 1,031 259 22,047 18,525 6,718 47,290 4,141 4,397 46 13 8,597 423 352 678 1,453 10,050 19,040 18,200 37,240 8,341 12,077 961 244 21,623 15,752 1,973 39,348 4,195 5,121 - - 9,316 - - 639 639 9,955 15,029 14,364 29,393 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL $ 47,290 $ 39,348 See notes to financial statements. S-3 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) OPERATING REVENUE: Service revenue Equipment revenue Other Total operating revenue OPERATING EXPENSES: Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Cost of equipment Depreciation and amortization Selling, general and administrative Total operating expenses OPERATING INCOME INTEREST INCOME, NET 2015 2014 (Unaudited) 2013 $ 121,247 $ 125,490 $ 28,121 8,007 157,375 17,135 9,177 151,802 120,364 14,063 9,297 143,724 47,596 35,448 3,223 36,075 122,342 44,109 30,428 2,520 38,682 115,739 41,062 25,150 2,500 37,387 106,099 35,033 36,063 37,625 114 94 21 NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 35,147 $ 36,157 $ 37,646 Allocation of Net Income: General Partners Limited Partners See notes to financial statements. $ $ 17,969 $ 17,178 $ 18,486 $ 17,671 $ 19,248 18,398 S-4 ’ s r e n t r a P l a t o T l a t i p a C r a l u l l e C s u n e V e n o h p e l e T . c n I , y n a p m o C d e t a d i l o s n o C i s n o i t a c n u m m o C . c n I , e s i r p r e t n E o c l l e C o c l l e C i p h s r e n t r a P i p h s r e n t r a P s r e n t r a P d e t i m L i r e n t r a P l a r e n e G ) s d n a s u o h T n i s r a l l o D ( 0 9 5 , 7 2 $ 9 9 5 , 4 $ 0 3 5 , 6 $ 3 5 3 , 2 $ 8 0 1 , 4 1 $ ) d e t i d u a n U ( 3 1 0 2 , t s 1 y r a u n a J — E C N A L A B ) 0 0 0 , 5 3 ( 6 4 6 , 7 3 6 3 2 , 0 3 ) 0 0 0 , 7 3 ( 7 5 1 , 6 3 3 9 3 , 9 2 ) 0 0 3 , 7 2 ( 7 4 1 , 5 3 0 4 2 , 7 3 ) 5 3 8 , 5 ( 5 7 2 , 6 9 3 0 , 5 ) 8 6 1 , 6 ( 9 2 0 , 6 0 0 9 , 4 ) 1 5 5 , 4 ( 9 5 8 , 5 ) 4 8 2 , 8 ( 1 1 9 , 8 7 5 1 , 7 ) 8 5 7 , 8 ( 8 5 5 , 8 7 5 9 , 6 ) 2 6 4 , 6 ( 0 2 3 , 8 ) 6 8 9 2 ( , 2 1 2 3 , 9 7 5 2 , ) 6 5 1 3 ( , 4 8 0 3 , 7 0 5 2 , ) 9 2 3 2 ( , 9 9 9 2 , ) 5 9 8 7 1 ( , 8 4 2 9 1 , 1 6 4 5 1 , ) 8 1 9 8 1 ( , 6 8 4 8 1 , 9 2 0 5 1 , ) 8 5 9 3 1 ( , 9 6 9 7 1 , ) d e t i d u a n U ( s n o i t u b i r t s D i ) d e t i d u a n U ( e m o c n I t e N 3 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B s n o i t u b i r t s D i e m o c n I t e N 4 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B S-5 s n o i t u b i r t s D i e m o c n I t e N $ 8 0 2 , 6 $ 5 1 8 , 8 $ 7 7 1 , 3 $ 0 4 0 , 9 1 $ 5 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B . s t n e m e t a t s l i a c n a n i f o t s e t o n e e S 3 1 0 2 d n a , 4 1 0 2 , 5 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D d e d n E s r a e Y - l a t i p a C ’ s r e n t r a P n i s e g n a h C f o s t n e m e t a t S i p h s r e n t r a P d e t i i m L ) I I ( 6 . i o N A S R a n a v l y s n n e P Pennsylvania RSA No. 6 (II) Limited Partnership Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Imputed interest on financing obligation Provision for losses on accounts receivable Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Unbilled revenue Prepaid expenses Other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Advance billings and other Deferred rent Long Term liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures Fixed asset transfers out Change in due from affiliate Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from financing obligation Repayments of financing obligation Distributions Net cash used in financing activities CHANGE IN CASH CASH—Beginning of year CASH—End of year 2015 2014 (Unaudited) 2013 $ 35,147 $ 36,157 $ 37,646 3,223 34 1,638 (7,698) (70) (15) (4,748) 303 (724) 365 39 27,494 2,520 - 739 (640) (42) (244) (1,783) 589 1,264 - 12 38,572 (6,886) 536 5,720 (630) (5,759) 415 3,772 (1,572) 2,500 - 531 2,043 (29) - (163) (177) 209 - 216 42,776 (3,645) 608 (4,739) (7,776) 474 (38) (27,300) (26,864) - - (37,000) (37,000) - - (35,000) (35,000) - - $ - - $ - - $ - - - NONCASH TRANSACTIONS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Accruals for capital expenditures $ 22 $ 379 $ 102 See notes to financial statements S-6 Pennsylvania RSA No. 6(II) Limited Partnership Notes to Financial Statements - Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT Pennsylvania RSA No. 6(II) Limited Partnership, (the “Partnership”) was formed in 1991. The principal activity of the Partnership is providing cellular service in the Pennsylvania 6(II) rural service area. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, the partnership expires on January 1, 2091. In accordance with the partnership agreement, Cellco Partnership (“Cellco”), doing business as Verizon Wireless, is responsible for managing the operations of the partnership (see Note 7). The partners and their respective ownership percentages of the Partnership as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 are as follows: General Partner: Cellco Partnership* (“General Partner”) 51.13 % Limited Partners: Cellco Partnership Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. * Venus Cellular Telephone Company, Inc. 8.53 % 23.67 % 16.67 % *Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. (CCES) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of estimates – The financial statements are prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Examples of significant estimates include: the allowance for doubtful accounts, the recoverability of plant, property and equipment, the recoverability of intangible assets and other long-lived assets, unbilled revenues, fair values of financial instruments, accrued expenses and contingencies. Revenue recognition – The Partnership offers products and services to customers through bundled arrangements. These arrangements involve multiple deliverables which may include products, services, or a combination of products and services. S-7 The Partnership earns service revenue primarily by providing access to and usage of its network as well as the sale of equipment. In general, access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized when earned. Usage revenue is generally billed in arrears and recognized when service is rendered. Equipment sales revenue associated with the sale of wireless devices and accessories is generally recognized when the products are delivered to and accepted by the customer, as this is considered to be a separate earnings process from providing wireless services. For agreements involving the resale of third-party services in which the Partnership is considered the primary obligor in the arrangements, the revenue is recorded gross at the time of the sale. Under the Verizon device payment program (formerly known as Verizon Edge), eligible wireless customers purchase phones or tablets at unsubsidized prices on an installment basis (a device installment plan). Certain devices are subject to promotions that allow customers to upgrade to a new device after paying down the minimum percentage of the device installment plan and trading in their device. When a customer has the right to upgrade to a new device by paying down the minimum percentage of the device installment plan and trading in their device, this trade-in right is accounted for as a guarantee liability. The full amount of the trade-in right’s fair value (not an allocated value) is recognized as a guarantee liability and the remaining consideration is recorded as equipment revenue. The value of the guarantee liability effectively results in a reduction to the revenue recognized for the sale of the device. In multiple element arrangements that bundle devices and monthly wireless service, revenue is allocated to each unit of accounting using a relative selling price method. At the inception of the arrangement, the amount allocable to the delivered units of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of the monthly wireless service (the noncontingent amount). The Partnership effectively recognizes revenue on the delivered device at the lesser of the amount allocated based on the relative selling price of the device or the noncontingent amount owed when the device is sold. Roaming revenue reflects service revenue earned by the Partnership when customers not associated with the Partnership operate in the service area of the Partnership and use the Partnership’s network. The roaming rates with third party carriers associated with those customers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates charged by the Partnership to Cellco are established by Cellco on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Note 7). Cellular service revenues resulting from a cellsite agreement with Cellco are recognized based upon a rate per minute of use (see Note 7). Operating expenses – Operating expenses include expenses incurred directly by the Partnership, as well as an allocation of selling, general and administrative, and operating costs incurred by Cellco or its affiliates on behalf of the Partnership. Employees of Cellco provide services on behalf of the Partnership. These S-8 employees are not employees of the Partnership, therefore operating expenses include direct and allocated charges of salary and employee benefit costs for the services provided to the Partnership. Cellco believes such allocations, principally based on the Partnership’s percentage of certain revenue streams, total customers, customer gross additions or minutes-of-use, are calculated in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are a reasonable method of allocating such costs. Cost of roaming reflects costs incurred by the Partnership when customers associated with the Partnership operate in a service area not associated with the Partnership and use a network not associated with the Partnership. The roaming rates with third party carriers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates charged to the Partnership by Cellco are established by Cellco on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Note 7). Cost of equipment is recorded upon sale of the related equipment at Cellco’s cost basis. Inventory is wholly owned by Cellco and is not recorded in the financial statements of the Partnership. Maintenance and repairs – The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, is charged principally to Cost of services as these costs are incurred. Advertising costs – Costs for advertising products and services as well as other promotional and sponsorship costs are charged to Selling, general and administrative expense in the periods in which they are incurred. The Partnership incurred $2,344, $2,525, and $2,328 (unaudited) in advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Comprehensive income – Comprehensive income is the same as net income as presented in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income. Income taxes – The Partnership is treated as a pass through entity for income tax purposes and, therefore, is not subject to federal, state or local income taxes. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded for income taxes in the Partnership’s financial statements. The results of operations, including taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits, are allocated to and reflected on the income tax returns of the respective partners. The Partnership files federal and state tax returns. The 2012 through 2015 tax years for the Partnership remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdiction. Because the application of tax laws and regulations to many types of transactions is susceptible to varying interpretations, amounts reported in the financial statements could be changed at a later date upon final determination by taxing authorities. Due to/from affiliate – Due to/from affiliate principally represents the Partnership’s cash position with Cellco. Cellco manages, on behalf of the Partnership, all cash, investing and financing activities of the Partnership. As such, the change in due S-9 to/from affiliate is reflected as an investing activity or a financing activity in the statements of cash flows depending on whether it represents a net asset or net liability for the Partnership. Additionally, cost of equipment, administrative and operating costs incurred by Cellco on behalf of the Partnership, as well as property, plant and equipment transactions with affiliates, are charged to the Partnership through this account. Interest income is based on the Applicable Federal Rate which was approximately 0.5%, 0.3%, and 0.2% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Interest expense is calculated by applying Cellco’s average cost of borrowing from Verizon Communications, Inc, which was approximately 4.8%, 5.0%, and 7.4% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively to the outstanding due to/from affiliate balance. Included in interest income, net is $29, $27, and $18 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, related to due to/from affiliate. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts – Accounts receivable are recorded in the financial statements at cost net of allowance for credit losses. The Partnership maintains allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, including device installment plan receivables, for estimated losses resulting from the failure or inability of customers to make required payments. Similar to traditional service revenue accounting treatment, the device installment plan bad debt expense is recorded based on an estimate of the percentage of equipment revenue that will not be collected. This estimate is based on a number of factors including historical write-off experience, credit quality of the customer base and other factors such as macro-economic conditions. Due to the device installment plan being incorporated in the standard Verizon Wireless bill, the collection and risk strategies continue to follow historical practices. The Partnership monitors the aging of accounts with device installment plan receivables and writes off account balances if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely. Property, plant and equipment – Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the remaining term of the related lease, calculated from the time the asset was placed in service. When the depreciable assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are deducted from the property, plant and equipment accounts, and any gains or losses on disposition are recognized in income. Transfers of property, plant and equipment between Cellco and affiliates are recorded at net book value on the date of the transfer with an offsetting entry included in due to/from affiliate. S-10 Interest associated with the construction of network-related assets is capitalized. Capitalized interest is reported as a reduction in interest expense and depreciated as part of the cost of the network-related assets. Impairment – All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indications were to become present, the Partnership would test for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset group. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, the next step would be to determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment, if any. The Partnership reevaluates the useful life determinations for these long-lived assets each year to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to their remaining useful lives. Wireless licenses – Cellco maintains wireless licenses that provide the wireless operations with exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communication services. While licenses are issued for only a fixed time, generally ten years, such licenses are subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). License renewals, which are managed by Cellco, have historically occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Moreover, Cellco management has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of wireless licenses. As a result, wireless licenses are treated as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. The useful life determination for wireless licenses is reevaluated each year to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. Cellco tests the wireless licenses balance for potential impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. The most recent quantitative assessment of wireless licenses at Cellco occurred in 2015. Cellco’s quantitative assessment consisted of comparing the estimated fair value of wireless licenses to the aggregated carrying amount as of the test date. Using the quantitative assessment, the licenses were evaluated on an aggregate basis using the Greenfield approach. The Greenfield approach is an income based valuation approach that values the wireless licenses by calculating the cash flow generating potential of a hypothetical start-up company that goes into business with no assets except the wireless licenses to be valued. A discounted cash flow analysis is used to estimate what a marketplace participant would be willing to pay to purchase the aggregated wireless licenses as of the valuation date. If the fair value of the aggregated wireless licenses is less than the aggregated carrying amount of the licenses, an impairment is recognized. In 2014, Cellco performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the wireless licenses was less than the carrying amount. As part of the assessment, several qualitative factors were considered including market transactions, the business enterprise value of Cellco, macroeconomic conditions (including changes in interest rates and discount rates), industry and market considerations (including industry revenue and EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and S-11 amortization) margin projections), the projected financial performance of Cellco, as well as other factors. In addition, Cellco believes that under the Partnership agreement it has the right to allocate, based on a reasonable methodology, any impairment loss recognized by Cellco for licenses included in Cellco’s national footprint. Cellco evaluated their wireless licenses for potential impairment as of December 15, 2015 and 2014. These evaluations resulted in no impairment of wireless licenses. Financial instruments – The Partnership’s trade receivables and payables are short-term in nature, and accordingly, their carrying value approximates fair value. Fair value measurements – Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities Level 3 - No observable pricing inputs in the market Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their categorization within the fair value hierarchy. Distributions – The Partnership is required to make distributions to its partners based upon the Partnership’s operating results, due to/from affiliate status, and financing needs as determined by the General Partner at the date of the distribution. Recent accounting standards – In May 2014, the accounting standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers was issued. This standard update clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard update intends to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; and provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. Upon adoption of this standard update, it is expected that the allocation and timing of the Partnership’s revenue recognition will be impacted. In August 2015, an accounting standard update was issued that delays the effective S-12 date of this standard update until the first quarter of 2018. Companies are permitted to early adopt the standard update in the first quarter of 2017. There are two adoption methods available for implementation of the standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under one method, the guidance is applied retrospectively to contracts for each reporting period presented, subject to allowable practical expedients. Under the other method, the guidance is applied only to the most current period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the change as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings, and also requires additional disclosures comparing the results to the previous guidance. Both adoption methods are currently being evaluated by management as well as the impact that this standard update will have on the financial statements. Reclassifications – The Partnership reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. Subsequent events – Events subsequent to December 31, 2015 have been evaluated through February 26, 2016, the date the financial statements were issued. 3. WIRELESS DEVICE INSTALLMENT PLANS Under the Verizon device payment program, eligible wireless customers purchase phones or tablets at unsubsidized prices on an installment basis (a device installment plan). Customers that activate service on devices purchased under the device payment program pay lower service fees as compared to those under fixed- term service plans, and their installment charge is included in their standard wireless monthly bill. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, the total portfolio of device installment plan receivables the Partnership is servicing was $18,596 and $6,170. Wireless device installment plan receivables –The following table displays device installment plan receivables, net, that are recognized in the accompanying balance sheets: Device installment plan receivables, gross Unamortized imputed interest Device installment plan receivables, net of unamortized imputed interest Allowance for credit losses Device installment plan receivables, net Classified on the balance sheets: Accounts receivable, net Other assets Device installment plan receivables, net At December 31, 2015 At December 31, 2014 $ $ $ $ $ 18,596 $ (791) 17,805 (906) 16,899 $ 10,277 $ 6,622 $ 16,899 $ 6,170 (260) 5,910 (163) 5,747 3,824 1,923 5,747 S-13 At the time of sale, the Partnership imputes risk adjusted interest on the device installment plan receivables. Imputed interest is recorded as a reduction to the related accounts receivable. Interest income, which is included within Interest income, net on the statement of income and comprehensive income, is recognized over the financed installment term. The Partnership assesses collectability of device installment plan receivables based upon a variety of factors, including the credit quality of the customer base, payment trends and other qualitative factors. The credit quality of a customer and the determination of eligibility for the device payment program is measured based on custom, empirical, risk models. Based upon the risk assessed by the models, a customer may be required to provide a down payment to enter into the program and may be subject to lower limits on the total amount financed. The down payment will vary in accordance with the risk assessed. The risk assessments are updated monthly based on payment trends and other qualitative factors in order to monitor the overall quality of receivables. The credit quality of customers was consistent throughout the periods presented. Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the device installment plan receivables was as follows: Balance at January 1, 2015 Bad debt expenses Write-offs Other Balance at December 31, 2015 $ $ 163 945 (138) (64) 906 Customers entering into device installment agreements prior to May 31, 2015, have the right to upgrade their device, subject to certain conditions, including making a stated portion of the required device payments and trading in their device. Generally, customers entering into device installment agreements on or after June 1, 2015 are required to repay all amounts due under their device installment agreement before being eligible to upgrade their device. However, certain devices are subject to promotions that allow customers to upgrade to a new device after paying down the minimum percentage of their device installment plan and trading in their device. When a customer is eligible to upgrade to a new device, a guarantee liability is recorded in accordance with the Partnership’s accounting policy. The current portion of gross guarantee liability related to this program, which was $408 at December 31, 2015 and $1,052 at December 31, 2014, was primarily included in Advance billings and other on the accompanying balance sheets. The long term portion of gross guarantee liability related to this program, which was not material at December 31, 2015 and $87 at December 31, 2014, was primarily included in Other liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets. S-14 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Buildings and improvements (20-45 years) Wireless plant and equipment (3-50 years) Furniture, fixtures and equipment (2-10 years) Leasehold improvements (5 years) Less: accumulated depreciation Property, plant and equipment, net 2015 9,576 27,486 479 2,262 39,803 (21,278) 18,525 2014 9,450 26,782 568 1,608 38,408 (22,656) 15,752 $ $ $ $ Capitalized network engineering costs of $376 and $234 were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Construction in progress included in certain classifications shown above, principally consists of wireless plant and equipment, amounted to $1,067 and $1,559 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense of $3,220, $2,520, and $2,473 (unaudited) was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. 5. TOWER MONETIZATION TRANSACTION During March 2015, Verizon Communications, the parent company of Cellco, entered into an agreement with American Tower Corporation (ATC) giving ATC exclusive rights to lease and operate approximately 11,300 wireless towers owned and operated by Cellco and its subsidiaries for an upfront payment of $5.0 billion (not in thousands). Verizon Communications also sold 162 towers to ATC for an upfront payment of $0.1 billion (not in thousands). Under the terms of the lease agreements, ATC has exclusive rights to lease and operate the towers over an average term of approximately 28 years. As the leases expire, ATC has fixed-price purchase options to acquire these towers based on their anticipated fair market values at the end of the lease terms. The Partnership has subleased capacity on the towers from ATC for a minimum of 10 years at current market rates, with options to renew. The Partnership participated in this arrangement and has leased 2 towers to ATC for an upfront payment of $849. The upfront payment is accounted for as deferred rent and as a financing obligation. The $375 accounted for as deferred rent is included in cash flows provided by operating activities and relates to the portion of the towers for which the right-of-use has passed to ATC. The deferred rent is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the Partnership’s average lease term of 30 years. The $474 accounted for as a financing obligation is included in cash flows provided by financing activities and relates to the portion of the towers that is to be occupied and used for the Partnership’s network operations. The Partnership makes sublease payments to ATC for $1.9 per month per site, with annual increases of 2 percent. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Partnership made $38 of sublease payments to ATC, which is recorded as Repayments of financing obligation. S-15 At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the balance of deferred rent was $365 and $0, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the balance of the financing obligation was $469 and $0, respectively. 6. CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2015 2014 $ $ 3,902 239 4,141 $ $ 3,964 231 4,195 Advance billings and other consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Advance billings Customer deposits Guarantee liability Advance billings and other $ $ 3,664 325 408 4,397 $ $ 3,932 137 1,052 5,121 7. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES In addition to fixed asset purchases and right to use licenses (see Note 2), substantially all of service revenues, equipment revenues, other revenues, cost of service, cost of equipment, and selling, general and administrative expenses represent transactions processed by affiliates (Cellco and its related parties) on behalf of the Partnership or represent transactions with affiliates. These transactions consist of (1) revenues and expenses that pertain to the Partnership which are processed by Cellco and directly attributed to or directly charged to the Partnership; (2) roaming revenue by customers of other Cellco affiliated markets within the Partnership market or Partnership customers’ cost when roaming in other Cellco affiliated markets; and (3) certain revenues and expenses that are processed or incurred by Cellco which are allocated to the Partnership based on factors such as the Partnership’s percentage of revenue streams, customers, gross customer additions, or minutes of use. These transactions do not necessarily represent arm’s length transactions and may not represent all revenues and costs that would be present if the Partnership operated on a standalone basis. Cellco periodically reviews the methodology and allocation bases for allocating certain revenues, operating costs, selling, general and administrative expenses to the Partnership. Resulting changes, if any, in the allocated amounts have historically not been significant. Service revenues – Service revenues include monthly customer billings processed by Cellco on behalf of the Partnership and roaming revenues relating to customers S-16 of other affiliated markets that are specifically identified to the Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 roaming revenues were $25,063, $23,732, and $22,394 (unaudited), respectively. Service revenue also includes long distance, data, and certain revenue reductions including revenue concessions that are processed by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Equipment revenues – Equipment revenue includes equipment sales processed by Cellco and specifically identified to the Partnership, as well as certain handset and accessory revenues, contra-revenues including equipment concessions, and coupon rebates that are processed by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Other revenues – Other revenues include switch revenue, cell sharing revenue and other fees and surcharges charged to the customer that are specifically identified to the Partnership. Cost of service – Cost of service includes roaming costs relating to the Partnership’s customers roaming in other affiliated markets. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 roaming costs were $36,313, $32,019, and $29,029 (unaudited), respectively. Cost of service also includes cost of telecom, long distance and application content that are incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. The Partnership has also entered into a lease agreement for the right to use additional spectrum owned by Cellco. See Note 8 for further information regarding this arrangement. Cost of equipment – Cost of equipment is recorded at Cellco’s cost basis (see Note 2). Cost of equipment also includes certain costs related to handsets, accessories and other costs incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Selling, general and administrative – Selling, general and administrative expenses include commissions, customer billing, office telecom, customer care, salaries, sales and marketing and advertising expenses that are specifically identified to the Partnership as well as incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Property, plant and equipment – Property, plant and equipment includes assets purchased by Cellco and directly charged to the Partnership as well as assets transferred between Cellco and the Partnership (see Note 2). 8. COMMITMENTS Cellco, on behalf of the Partnership, and the Partnership itself have entered into operating leases for facilities, and equipment used in its operations. Lease contracts include renewal options that include rent expense adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index as well as annual and end-of-lease term adjustments. Rent S-17 expense is recorded on a straight-line basis. The noncancellable lease term used to calculate the amount of the straight-line rent expense is generally determined to be the initial lease term, including any optional renewal terms that are reasonably assured of occurring. Leasehold improvements related to these operating leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the noncancellable lease term. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership incurred a total of $1,823, $1,478, and $1,388 (unaudited) respectively, as rent expense related to these operating leases, which was included in Cost of service and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income. Aggregate future minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases, excluding renewal options that are not reasonably assured of occurring, for the years shown are as follows: Years 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 and thereafter Total minimum payments Amount $ 1,543 1,465 1,381 1,198 1,085 4,504 $ 11,176 The Partnership has also entered into certain agreements with Cellco, whereas the Partnership leases certain spectrum from Cellco that overlaps the Pennsylvania 6(II) rural service area. Total rent expense under these spectrum leases amounted to $658 in 2015, $583 in 2014, and $318 (unaudited) in 2013, respectively, which is included in Cost of service in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Based on the terms of these leases as of December 31, 2015, future spectrum lease obligations are expected to be as follows: Years 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 and thereafter Total minimum payments Amount $ 660 638 627 485 344 3,761 $ 6,515 The General Partner currently expects that the renewal option in the leases will be exercised. S-18 9. CONTINGENCIES Cellco and the Partnership are subject to lawsuits and other claims including class actions, product liability, patent infringement, intellectual property, antitrust, partnership disputes, and claims involving relations with resellers and agents. Cellco is also currently defending lawsuits filed against it and other participants in the wireless industry alleging various adverse effects as a result of wireless phone usage. Various consumer class action lawsuits allege that Cellco violated certain state consumer protection laws and other statutes and defrauded customers through misleading billing practices or statements. These matters may involve indemnification obligations by third parties and/or affiliated parties covering all or part of any potential damage awards against Cellco and the Partnership and/or insurance coverage. All of the above matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes are not currently predictable. The Partnership may be allocated a portion of the damages that may result upon adjudication of these matters if the claimants prevail in their actions. In none of the currently pending matters is the amount of accrual material to the Partnership. An estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss with respect to these matters as of December 31, 2015 cannot be made at this time due to various factors typical in contested proceedings, including (1) uncertain damage theories and demands; (2) a less than complete factual record; (3) uncertainty concerning legal theories and their resolution by courts or regulators; and (4) the unpredictable nature of the opposing party and its demands. The Partnership continuously monitors these proceedings as they develop and will adjust any accrual or disclosure as needed. It is not expected that the ultimate resolution of any pending regulatory or legal matter in future periods will have a material effect on the financial condition of the Partnership, but it could have a material effect on the results of operations for a given reporting period. 10. RECONCILIATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS Balance at Additions Write-offs Balance at Beginning Charged to of the Year Net of Operations Recoveries of the Year End Accounts Receivable Allowances: 2015 2014 2013 (unaudited) $ 498 $ 225 143 1,638 $ 739 531 (1,198) $ (466) (449) 938 498 225 ****** S-19 Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants The Partners of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership We have audited the accompanying financial statements of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership, which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. S-20 December 31, 2013 Financial Statements The accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership for the year then ended December 31, 2013 were not audited, reviewed, or compiled by us and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Orlando, Florida February 26, 2016 S-21 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Balance Sheets - As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (Dollars in Thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Due from affiliate Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $691 and $666 Unbilled revenue Prepaid expenses Total current assets PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -NET WIRELESS LICENSES OTHER ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Advance billings and other Financing obligation Deferred rent Total current liabilities LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Financing obligation Deferred rent Other liabilities Total long term liabilities Total liabilities PARTNERS’ CAPITAL General Partner's interest Limited Partners' interest Total partners' capital 2015 2014 $ $ $ $ $ $ 11,610 7,957 2,311 444 22,322 57,180 441 1,954 81,897 3,895 1,848 2,364 702 8,809 21,478 18,482 1,683 41,643 50,452 6,289 25,156 31,445 14,306 6,166 2,131 131 22,734 65,194 - 631 88,559 3,642 2,078 - - 5,720 - - 1,276 1,276 6,996 16,313 65,250 81,563 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL $ 81,897 $ 88,559 See notes to financial statements. S-22 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) OPERATING REVENUE: Service revenue Equipment revenue Other Total operating revenue OPERATING EXPENSES: 2015 2014 2013 (Unaudited) $ 117,289 7,011 4,900 129,200 $ 113,153 5,796 3,942 122,891 $ 107,693 4,634 3,725 116,052 Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) Cost of equipment Depreciation and amortization Selling, general and administrative Total operating expenses 39,702 10,606 11,348 23,356 85,012 36,454 12,892 11,874 23,655 84,875 33,732 9,524 10,126 24,596 77,978 OPERATING INCOME 44,188 38,016 38,074 OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: Interest (expense) income, net Other Total other (expense) income (914) (392) (1,306) 36 - 36 28 - 28 NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 42,882 $ 38,052 $ 38,102 Allocation of Net Income: General Partner Limited Partners See notes to financial statements. $ $ 8,576 34,306 $ $ 7,611 30,441 $ $ 7,620 30,482 S-23 l a t o T ' s r e n t r a P l a t i p a C i o n o t n A n a S n o z i r e V s s e l e r i W . P L . , A T M C L L , ) W A V ( . c n I . c n I , i s e c v r e S C L L . P L . , A T M L E T L L A s r e n t r a P d e t i m L i d e t a d i l o s n o C i s n o i t a c n u m m o C i s n o i t a c n u m m o C x e t s a E m o c e T l , s t n e m t s e v n I e s i r p r e t n E , s t n e m t s e v n I l a r e n e G r e n t r a P i o n o t n A n a S ) s d n a s u o h T n i s r a l l o D ( 9 0 9 , 8 6 $ 1 1 2 , 8 $ 7 1 9 , 6 $ 9 2 7 , 1 1 $ 5 3 1 , 4 1 $ 5 3 1 , 4 1 $ 2 8 7 , 3 1 $ 3 1 0 2 , 1 y r a u n a J — E C N A L A B ) d e t i d u a n U ( ) 0 0 0 , 0 3 ( ) 4 7 5 , 3 ( ) 2 1 0 , 3 ( ) 6 0 1 5 ( , 2 0 1 , 8 3 1 1 0 , 7 7 9 3 5 , 4 6 7 1 , 9 6 2 8 , 3 1 3 7 , 7 5 8 4 6 , 8 0 1 3 1 , ) 0 0 5 , 3 3 ( ) 1 9 9 , 3 ( ) 3 6 3 , 3 ( ) 2 0 7 5 ( , 2 5 0 , 8 3 3 6 5 , 1 8 3 3 5 , 4 8 1 7 , 9 9 1 8 , 3 7 8 1 , 8 7 7 4 6 , 3 8 8 3 1 , ) 4 5 1 6 ( , 6 1 8 7 , 7 9 7 5 1 , ) 2 7 8 6 ( , 6 0 8 7 , 1 3 7 6 1 , ) 4 5 1 6 ( , ) 0 0 0 , 6 ( ) d e t i d u a n U ( s n o i t u b i r t s D i 6 1 8 7 , 0 2 6 , 7 ) d e t i d u a n U ( e m o c n I t e N ) 2 7 8 6 ( , ) 0 0 7 , 6 ( 6 0 8 7 , 1 1 6 , 7 s n o i t u b i r t s D i e m o c n I t e N 7 9 7 5 1 , 2 0 4 , 5 1 3 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B S-24 1 3 7 6 1 , 3 1 3 , 6 1 4 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B ) 0 0 0 , 3 9 ( ) 1 8 0 , 1 1 ( ) 5 3 3 , 9 ( ) 0 3 8 5 1 ( , ) 7 7 0 9 1 ( , ) 7 7 0 9 1 ( , ) 0 0 6 , 8 1 ( 2 8 8 , 2 4 0 1 1 , 5 5 0 3 , 4 9 9 2 7 , 6 9 7 8 , 6 9 7 8 , 6 7 5 , 8 s n o i t u b i r t s D i e m o c n I t e N 5 4 4 , 1 3 $ 7 4 7 , 3 $ 7 5 1 , 3 $ 2 5 3 , 5 $ 0 5 4 , 6 $ 0 5 4 , 6 $ 9 8 2 , 6 $ 5 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D — E C N A L A B . s t n e m e t a t s l i a c n a n i f o t s e t o n e e S 3 1 0 2 d n a 4 1 0 2 , 5 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D d e d n E s r a e Y - l a t i p a C ’ s r e n t r a P n i s e g n a h C f o s t n e m e t a t S i p h s r e n t r a P d e t i i m L 7 1 # A S R s a x e T f o t e n l i b o M E T G GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: $ Depreciation and amortization Imputed interest on financing obligation Provision for losses on accounts receivable Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Unbilled revenue Prepaid expenses Other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Advance billings and other Deferred rent Other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures Fixed asset transfers out Acquisition of wireless licenses Change in due from affiliate Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from financing obligation Repayments of financing obligation Distributions Net cash used in financing activities 2015 2014 2013 (Unaudited) 42,882 $ 38,052 $ 38,102 11,348 1,704 1,546 (3,337) (180) (313) (1,327) 315 (230) 19,184 407 71,999 (4,734) 1,341 (441) 2,696 (1,138) 24,077 (1,938) (93,000) (70,861) 11,874 - 1,421 (2,796) (204) (118) (605) 515 498 - 250 48,887 (16,813) 4,403 - (2,977) (15,387) - - (33,500) (33,500) 10,126 - 1,549 (1,661) (91) (1) (28) (207) 13 - 194 47,996 (22,131) 3,926 - 209 (17,996) - - (30,000) (30,000) CHANGE IN CASH CASH—Beginning of year CASH—End of year - - - $ - - - $ - - - $ NONCASH TRANSACTIONS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Accruals for capital expenditures $ 71 $ 133 $ 805 See notes to financial statements. S-25 GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership Notes to Financial Statements - Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in Thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership, (the “Partnership”) was formed in 1989. The principal activity of the Partnership is providing cellular service in the Texas #17 rural service area. In accordance with the partnership agreement, Cellco Partnership (“Cellco”), doing business as Verizon Wireless, is responsible for managing the operations of the partnership (see Note 8). The partners and their respective ownership percentages of the Partnership as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows: General Partner: San Antonio MTA, L.P. * Limited Partners: Eastex Telecom Investments, LLC Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. ** ALLTEL Communications Investments, Inc. * Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC * San Antonio MTA, L.P. * 20.000000 % 20.512855 % 20.512855 % 17.021300 % 10.038190 % 11.914800 % *San Antonio MTA, L.P, (“General Partner”), Verizon Wireless (VAW), LLC and ALLTEL Communications Investments, Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cellco. ** Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. (CCES) is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of estimates – The financial statements are prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Examples of significant estimates include: the allowance for doubtful accounts, the recoverability of plant, property and equipment, the recoverability of intangible assets and other long-lived assets, unbilled revenues, fair values of financial instruments, accrued expenses and contingencies. S-26 Revenue recognition – The Partnership offers products and services to customers through bundled arrangements. These arrangements involve multiple deliverables which may include products, services, or a combination of products and services. The Partnership earns service revenue primarily by providing access to and usage of its network as well as the sale of equipment. In general, access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized when earned. Usage revenue is generally billed in arrears and recognized when service is rendered. Equipment sales revenue associated with the sale of wireless devices and accessories is generally recognized when the products are delivered to and accepted by the customer, as this is considered to be a separate earnings process from providing wireless services. For agreements involving the resale of third-party services in which the Partnership is considered the primary obligor in the arrangements, the revenue is recorded gross at the time of the sale. Under the Verizon device payment program (formerly known as Verizon Edge), eligible wireless customers purchase phones or tablets at unsubsidized prices on an installment basis (a device installment plan). Certain devices are subject to promotions that allow customers to upgrade to a new device after paying down the minimum percentage of the device installment plan and trading in their device. When a customer has the right to upgrade to a new device by paying down the minimum percentage of the device installment plan and trading in their device, this trade-in right is accounted for as a guarantee liability. The full amount of the trade-in right’s fair value (not an allocated value) is recognized as a guarantee liability and the remaining consideration is recorded as equipment revenue. The value of the guarantee liability effectively results in a reduction to the revenue recognized for the sale of the device. In multiple element arrangements that bundle devices and monthly wireless service, revenue is allocated to each unit of accounting using a relative selling price method. At the inception of the arrangement, the amount allocable to the delivered units of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of the monthly wireless service (the noncontingent amount). The Partnership effectively recognizes revenue on the delivered device at the lesser of the amount allocated based on the relative selling price of the device or the noncontingent amount owed when the device is sold. Roaming revenue reflects service revenue earned by the Partnership when customers not associated with the Partnership operate in the service area of the Partnership and use the Partnership’s network. The roaming rates with third party carriers associated with those customers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates charged by the Partnership to Cellco are established by Cellco on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Note 8). Operating expenses – Operating expenses include expenses incurred directly by the Partnership, as well as an allocation of selling, general and administrative, and operating costs incurred by Cellco or its affiliates on behalf of the Partnership. Employees of Cellco provide services on behalf of the Partnership. These S-27 employees are not employees of the Partnership, therefore operating expenses include direct and allocated charges of salary and employee benefit costs for the services provided to the Partnership. Cellco believes such allocations, principally based on the Partnership’s percentage of certain revenue streams, total customers, customer gross additions or minutes-of-use, are calculated in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are a reasonable method of allocating such costs. Cost of roaming reflects costs incurred by the Partnership when customers associated with the Partnership operate in a service area not associated with the Partnership and use a network not associated with the Partnership. The roaming rates with third party carriers are based on agreements with such carriers. The roaming rates charged to the Partnership by Cellco are established by Cellco on a periodic basis and may not reflect current market rates (see Note 8). Cost of equipment is recorded upon sale of the related equipment at Cellco’s cost basis. Inventory is wholly owned by Cellco and is not recorded in the financial statements of the Partnership. Maintenance and repairs – The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, is charged principally to Cost of services as these costs are incurred. Advertising costs – Costs for advertising products and services as well as other promotional and sponsorship costs are charged to Selling, general and administrative expense in the periods in which they are incurred. The Partnership incurred $1,715, $1,966 and $1,682 (unaudited) in advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Comprehensive income – Comprehensive income is the same as net income as presented in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income. Income taxes – The Partnership is treated as a pass through entity for income tax purposes and, therefore, is not subject to federal, state or local income taxes. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded for income taxes in the Partnership’s financial statements. The results of operations, including taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits, are allocated to and reflected on the income tax returns of the respective partners. The Partnership files federal and state tax returns. The 2012 through 2015 tax years for the Partnership remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdiction. Because the application of tax laws and regulations to many types of transactions is susceptible to varying interpretations, amounts reported in the financial statements could be changed at a later date upon final determination by taxing authorities. Due to/from affiliate – Due to/from affiliate principally represents the Partnership’s cash position with Cellco. Cellco manages, on behalf of the Partnership, all cash, investing and financing activities of the Partnership. As such, the change in due S-28 to/from affiliate is reflected as an investing activity or a financing activity in the statements of cash flows depending on whether it represents a net asset or net liability for the Partnership. Additionally, cost of equipment, administrative and operating costs incurred by Cellco on behalf of the Partnership, as well as property, plant and equipment transactions and wireless license transactions with affiliates, are charged to the Partnership through this account. Interest income is based on the Applicable Federal Rate which was approximately 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.2% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Interest expense is calculated by applying Cellco’s average cost of borrowing from Verizon Communications, Inc, which was approximately 4.8%, 5.0% and 7.4% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively to the outstanding due to/from affiliate balance. Included in interest (expense) income, net is $177, $25 and $33 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to due to/from affiliate. Interest expense of $1,306 was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts – Accounts receivable are recorded in the financial statements at cost net of allowance for credit losses. The Partnership maintains allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, including device installment plan receivables, for estimated losses resulting from the failure or inability of customers to make required payments. Similar to traditional service revenue accounting treatment, the device installment plan bad debt expense is recorded based on an estimate of the percentage of equipment revenue that will not be collected. This estimate is based on a number of factors including historical write-off experience, credit quality of the customer base and other factors such as macro-economic conditions. Due to the device installment plan being incorporated in the standard Verizon Wireless bill, the collection and risk strategies continue to follow historical practices. The Partnership monitors the aging of accounts with device installment plan receivables and writes off account balances if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely. Property, plant and equipment – Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the remaining term of the related lease, calculated from the time the asset was placed in service. When the depreciable assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are deducted from the property, plant and equipment accounts, and any gains or losses on disposition are recognized in income. Transfers of property, plant and equipment between Cellco and affiliates are recorded at net book value on the date of the transfer with an offsetting entry included in due to/from affiliate. S-29 Interest associated with the construction of network-related assets is capitalized. Capitalized interest is reported as a reduction in interest expense and depreciated as part of the cost of the network-related assets. Impairment – All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indications were to become present, the Partnership would test for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset group. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, the next step would be to determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment, if any. The Partnership reevaluates the useful life determinations for these long-lived assets each year to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to their remaining useful lives. Wireless licenses – A significant portion of intangible assets are wireless licenses that provide wireless operations with the exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communication services. The Partnership aggregates wireless licenses into one single unit of accounting, as they are utilized on an integrated basis. In addition, Cellco maintains wireless licenses that provide the Partnership wireless spectrum with the exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communication services. While licenses are issued for only a fixed time, generally ten years, such licenses are subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). License renewals, which are managed by Cellco, have historically occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Moreover, the Partnership determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of wireless licenses. As a result, wireless licenses are treated as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. The useful life determination for wireless licenses is reevaluated each year to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. Cellco and the Partnership test the wireless licenses balance for potential impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. The most recent quantitative assessment of wireless licenses at Cellco occurred in 2015. Cellco’s quantitative assessment consisted of comparing the estimated fair value of wireless licenses to the aggregated carrying amount as of the test date. The Partnership performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of wireless licenses was less than the carrying amount. Using the quantitative assessment, the licenses were evaluated on an aggregate basis using the Greenfield approach. The Greenfield approach is an income based valuation approach that values the wireless licenses by calculating the cash flow generating potential of a hypothetical start-up company that goes into business with no assets except the wireless licenses to be valued. A discounted cash flow analysis is used to estimate what a marketplace participant would be willing to pay to purchase the aggregated wireless licenses as of the valuation date. If the fair value of the aggregated wireless licenses is less than the aggregated carrying amount of the licenses, an impairment is recognized. In 2014 Cellco performed a qualitative S-30 assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the wireless licenses was less than the carrying amount. As part of the assessment, several qualitative factors were considered including market transactions, the business enterprise value of Cellco, macroeconomic conditions (including changes in interest rates and discount rates), industry and market considerations (including industry revenue and EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin projections), the projected financial performance of Cellco, as well as other factors Interest expense incurred while qualifying activities are performed to ready wireless licenses for their intended use is capitalized as part of wireless licenses (see note 4). The capitalization period ends when the development is discontinued or substantially complete and the license is ready for its intended use. In addition, Cellco believes that under the Partnership agreement it has the right to allocate, based on a reasonable methodology, any impairment loss recognized by Cellco for licenses included in Cellco’s national footprint. Cellco and the Partnership evaluated their wireless licenses for potential impairment as of December 15, 2015 and 2014. These evaluations resulted in no impairment of wireless licenses. Financial instruments – The Partnership’s trade receivables and payables are short-term in nature, and accordingly, their carrying value approximates fair value. Fair value measurements – Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities Level 3 - No observable pricing inputs in the market Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their categorization within the fair value hierarchy. Distributions – The Partnership is required to make distributions to its partners based upon the Partnership’s operating results, due to/from affiliate status, and financing needs as determined by the General Partner at the date of the distribution. S-31 Recent accounting standards – In May 2014, the accounting standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers was issued. This standard update clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard update intends to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; and provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. Upon adoption of this standard update, it is expected that the allocation and timing of the Partnership’s revenue recognition will be impacted. In August 2015, an accounting standard update was issued that delays the effective date of this standard update until the first quarter of 2018. Companies are permitted to early adopt the standard update in the first quarter of 2017. There are two adoption methods available for implementation of the standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under one method, the guidance is applied retrospectively to contracts for each reporting period presented, subject to allowable practical expedients. Under the other method, the guidance is applied only to the most current period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the change as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings, and also requires additional disclosures comparing the results to the previous guidance. Both adoption methods are currently being evaluated by management as well as the impact that this standard update will have on the financial statements. Reclassifications –The Partnership reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. Subsequent events – Events subsequent to December 31, 2015 have been evaluated through February 26, 2016, the date the financial statements were issued. 3. WIRELESS DEVICE INSTALLMENT PLANS Under the Verizon device payment program, eligible wireless customers purchase phones or tablets at unsubsidized prices on an installment basis (a device installment plan). Customers that activate service on devices purchased under the device payment program pay lower service fees as compared to those under fixed- term service plans, and their installment charge is included in their standard wireless monthly bill. The following table displays device installment plan receivables, net, that are recognized in the accompanying balance sheets: Device installment plan receivables, gross Unamortized imputed interest Device installment plan receivables, net of unamortized imputed interest Allowance for credit losses Device installment plan receivables, net $ $ S-32 At December 31, 2015 5,488 $ (230) At December 31, 2014 1,890 (80) 5,258 (254) 5,004 $ 1,810 (33) 1,777 Classified on the balance sheets: Accounts receivable, net Other assets Device installment plan receivables, net $ $ 3,080 $ 1,924 5,004 $ 1,191 586 1,777 At the time of sale, the Partnership imputes risk adjusted interest on the device installment plan receivables. Imputed interest is recorded as a reduction to the related accounts receivable. Interest income, which is included within Interest income, net on the statement of income and comprehensive income, is recognized over the financed installment term. The Partnership assesses’ collectability of device installment plan receivables based upon a variety of factors, including the credit quality of the customer base, payment trends and other qualitative factors. The credit quality of a customer and the determination of eligibility for the device payment program is measured based on custom, empirical, risk models. Based upon the risk assessed by the models, a customer may be required to provide a down payment to enter into the program and may be subject to lower limits on the total amount financed. The down payment will vary in accordance with the risk assessed. The risk assessments are updated monthly based on payment trends and other qualitative factors in order to monitor the overall quality of receivables. The credit quality of customers was consistent throughout the periods presented. Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the device installment plan receivables was as follows: Balance at January 1, 2015 Bad debt expenses Write-offs Other Balance at December 31, 2015 $ $ 33 374 (155) 2 254 Customers entering into device installment agreements prior to May 31, 2015, have the right to upgrade their device, subject to certain conditions, including making a stated portion of the required device payments and trading in their device. Generally, customers entering into device installment agreements on or after June 1, 2015 are required to repay all amounts due under their device installment agreement before being eligible to upgrade their device. However, certain devices are subject to promotions that allow customers to upgrade to a new device after paying down the minimum percentage of their device installment plan and trading in their device. When a customer is eligible to upgrade to a new device, a guarantee liability is recorded in accordance with accounting policy. The current portion of gross guarantee liability related to this program, which was $149 at December 31, 2015 and $279 at December 31, 2014, was primarily included in Advance billings and other on the accompanying balance sheets. The long term portion of gross guarantee liability related to this program, which was not material at December 31, S-33 2015 and $41 at December 31, 2014, was primarily included in Other liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets. 4. WIRELESS LICENSES On January 29, 2015, the FCC completed an auction of 65 MHz of spectrum, which it identified as the AWS-3 band. Cellco participated in that auction and was the high bidder on the license covering the Partnership service area. The licenses were deemed to be right to use assets and were allocated and recorded by the Partnership as wireless licenses. The cash payment made by the Partnership of $441 is classified within Acquisitions of wireless licenses on the statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015. 5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Buildings and improvements (20-45 years) Wireless plant and equipment (3-50 years) Furniture, fixtures and equipment (2-10 years) Leasehold improvements (5 years) $ Less: accumulated depreciation Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2015 27,956 $ 96,011 296 7,146 131,409 (74,229) 57,180 $ 2014 27,618 94,390 294 6,898 129,200 (64,006) 65,194 Capitalized network engineering costs of $233 and $991 were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Construction in progress included in certain classifications shown above, principally consists of wireless plant and equipment, amounted to $806 and $1,143 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense of $11,346, $11,871 and $10,126 (unaudited) was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. 6. TOWER MONETIZATION TRANSACTIONS During March 2015, Verizon Communications, the parent company of Cellco, entered into an agreement with American Tower Corporation (ATC), giving ATC exclusive rights to lease and operate approximately 11,300 wireless towers owned and operated by Cellco and its subsidiaries for an upfront payment of $5.0 billion (not in thousands). Verizon Communications also sold 162 towers to ATC for an upfront payment of $0.1 billion (not in thousands). Under the terms of the lease agreements, ATC has exclusive rights to lease and operate the towers over an average term of approximately 28 years. As the leases expire, ATC has fixed-price purchase options to acquire these towers based on their anticipated fair market values at the end of the lease terms. There is subleased capacity on the towers from ATC for a minimum of 10 years at current market rates, with options to renew. The Partnership participated in this arrangement and has leased 102 towers to ATC for S-34 an upfront payment of $43,786. The upfront payments, is accounted for as deferred rent and as a financing obligation. The $19,709 accounted for as deferred rent is included in cash flows provided by operating activities and relates to the portion of the towers for which the right-of-use has passed to ATC. The deferred rent is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the Partnership’s average lease term of 29 years. The $24,077 accounted for as a financing obligation is included in cash flows provided by financing activities and relates to the portion of the towers that is to be occupied and used for the Partnership’s network operations. The Partnership makes a sublease payment to ATC for $1.9 per month per site, with annual increases of 2 percent. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Partnership made $1,938 of sublease payments to ATC, which is recorded as Repayments of financing obligation. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the balance of deferred rent was $19,184 and $0, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the balance of the financing obligation was $23,842 and $0, respectively. 7. CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Accounts payable Non-income based taxes and regulatory fees Texas margin tax payable Accrued commissions Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2015 2014 $ $ 1,954 789 233 919 3,895 $ $ 1,510 771 470 891 3,642 Advance billings and other consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: Advance billings Customer deposits Guarantee liability Advance billings and other 2015 2014 $ $ 1,617 82 149 1,848 $ $ 1,707 92 279 2,078 8. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES In addition to fixed asset purchases and right to use licenses (see Note 2), substantially all of service revenues, equipment revenues, and other revenues, cost of service, cost of equipment, and selling, general and administrative expenses represent transactions processed by affiliates (Cellco and its related parties) on behalf of the Partnership or represent transactions with affiliates. These transactions consist of (1) revenues and expenses that pertain to the Partnership which are processed by Cellco and directly attributed to or directly charged to the Partnership; S-35 (2) roaming revenue by customers of other Cellco affiliated markets within the Partnership market or Partnership customers’ cost when roaming in other Cellco affiliated markets; and 3) certain revenues and expenses that are processed or incurred by Cellco which are allocated to the Partnership based on factors such as the Partnership’s percentage of revenue streams, customers, gross customer additions, or minutes of use. These transactions do not necessarily represent arm’s length transactions and may not represent all revenues and costs that would be present if the Partnership operated on a standalone basis. Cellco periodically reviews the methodology and allocation bases for allocating certain revenues, operating costs, selling, general and administrative expenses to the Partnership. Resulting changes, if any, in the allocated amounts have historically not been significant. Service revenues - Service revenues include monthly customer billings processed by Cellco on behalf of the Partnership and roaming revenues relating to customers of other affiliated markets that are specifically identified to the Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 roaming revenues were $53,031, $47,483 and $45,548 (unaudited), respectively. Service revenue also includes long distance, data, and certain revenue reductions including revenue concessions that are processed by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Equipment revenues - Equipment revenue includes equipment sales processed by Cellco and specifically identified to the Partnership, as well as certain handset and accessory revenues, contra-revenues including equipment concessions, and coupon rebates that are processed by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Other revenues - Other revenues include other fees and surcharges charged to the customer that are specifically identified to the Partnership. Cost of service - Cost of service includes roaming costs relating to the Partnership’s customers roaming in other affiliated markets. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, roaming costs were $27,273, $24,116 and $20,123 (unaudited), respectively. Cost of service also includes cost of telecom, long distance and application content that are incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. The Partnership has also entered into a lease agreement for the right to use additional spectrum owned by Cellco. See Note 9 for further information regarding this arrangement. Cost of equipment - Cost of equipment is recorded at Cellco’s cost basis (see Note 2). Cost of equipment also includes certain costs related to handsets, accessories and other costs incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Selling, general and administrative - Selling, general and administrative expenses include commissions, customer billing, office telecom, customer care, salaries, sales and marketing and advertising expenses that are specifically identified to the S-36 Partnership as well as incurred by Cellco and allocated to the Partnership based on certain factors deemed appropriate by Cellco. Property, plant and equipment - Property, plant and equipment includes assets purchased by Cellco and directly charged to the Partnership as well as assets transferred between Cellco and the Partnership (see Note 2). Wireless Licenses – Wireless licenses include right to use assets that were allocated by Cellco and recorded by the Partnership in exchange for a $441 payment (see Note 4). 9. COMMITMENTS Cellco, on behalf of the Partnership, and the Partnership itself have entered into operating leases for facilities, and equipment used in its operations. Lease contracts include renewal options that include rent expense adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index as well as annual and end-of-lease term adjustments. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis. The noncancellable lease term used to calculate the amount of the straight-line rent expense is generally determined to be the initial lease term, including any optional renewal terms that are reasonably assured of occurring. Leasehold improvements related to these operating leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the noncancellable lease term. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership incurred a total of $5,010, $3,803 and $3,545 (unaudited) respectively, as rent expense related to these operating leases, which was included in Cost of service and in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income. Aggregate future minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases, excluding renewal options that are not reasonably assured of occurring for the years shown are as follows: Years 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 and thereafter $ Amount 3,335 3,397 3,429 3,417 2,941 12,581 Total minimum payments $ 29,100 The Partnership has also entered into certain agreements with Cellco, whereas the Partnership leases certain spectrum from Cellco that overlaps the Texas #17 rural service area. Total rent expense under these leases amounted to $817, $817 and $422 (unaudited) in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is included in Cost of service in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income. Based on the terms of these leases as of December 31, 2015, future spectrum lease obligations are expected to be as follows: S-37 Years 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 and thereafter $ Amount 817 817 817 644 471 5,469 Total minimum payments $ 9,035 The General Partner currently expects that the renewal option in the leases will be exercised. 10. CONTINGENCIES Cellco and the Partnership are subject to lawsuits and other claims including class actions, product liability, patent infringement, intellectual property, antitrust, partnership disputes, and claims involving relations with resellers and agents. Cellco is also currently defending lawsuits filed against it and other participants in the wireless industry alleging various adverse effects as a result of wireless phone usage. Various consumer class action lawsuits allege that Cellco violated certain state consumer protection laws and other statutes and defrauded customers through misleading billing practices or statements. These matters may involve indemnification obligations by third parties and/or affiliated parties covering all or part of any potential damage awards against Cellco and the Partnership and/or insurance coverage. All of the above matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes are not currently predictable. The Partnership may be allocated a portion of the damages that may result upon adjudication of these matters if the claimants prevail in their actions. In none of the currently pending matters is the amount of accrual material to the Partnership. An estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss with respect to these matters as of December 31, 2015 cannot be made at this time due to various factors typical in contested proceedings, including (1) uncertain damage theories and demands; (2) a less than complete factual record; (3) uncertainty concerning legal theories and their resolution by courts or regulators; and (4) the unpredictable nature of the opposing party and its demands. The Partnership continuously monitors these proceedings as they develop and will adjust any accrual or disclosure as needed. It is not expected that the ultimate resolution of any pending regulatory or legal matter in future periods will have a material effect on the financial condition of the Partnership, but it could have a material effect on the results of operations for a given reporting period. S-38 11. RECONCILIATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS Balance at Additions Write-offs Balance at Beginning Charged to of the Year Operations Recoveries Net of End of the Year Accounts Receivable Allowances: 2015 2014 2013 (Unaudited) $ 666 $ 693 419 1,546 $ 1,421 1,549 (1,521) $ (1,448) (1,275) 691 666 693 ****** S-39 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY Exhibit 21 The following is a list of subsidiaries of the Company, omitting subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant subsidiary. Unless otherwise noted, all subsidiaries are 100% owned (directly or indirectly) by Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Name Consolidated Communications, Inc. Consolidated Communications of California Company Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company, LLC East Texas Fiber Line, Inc. (63% ownership) Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company Consolidated Communications of Iowa Company Consolidated Communications of Minnesota Company Consolidated Communications of Mid-Comm Company Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company Consolidated Communications of Texas Company Crystal Communications, Inc. Enventis Telecom, Inc. IdeaOne Telecom, Inc. State of Incorporation Illinois California Delaware Delaware Texas Illinois Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Texas Texas Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: (i) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-135440) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Consolidated Communications 401(k) Plan for Texas Bargaining Associates, (ii) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-128934) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (iii) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-166757) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (iv) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-182597) pertaining to the SureWest Communications Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., (v) Registration Statement (Form S-8 to Form S-4/A No. 333-198000) pertaining to the Hickory Tech Corporation 1993 Stock Award Plan; (vi) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-203974) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and of our reports dated, February 26, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2015. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP St. Louis, Missouri February 26, 2016 Exhibit 23.2 Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: (i) Form S-8 (No. 333-128934) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long- Term Incentive Plan, (ii) Form S-8 (No. 333-135440) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Consolidated Communications 401(k) Plan for Texas Bargaining Associates, (iii) Form S-8 (No. 333-166757) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long- Term Incentive Plan, (iv) Form S-8 (No. 333-182597) pertaining to the SureWest Communications Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., (v) Form S-8 to Form S-4/A (No. 333-198000) pertaining to the Hickory Tech Corporation 1993 Stock Award Plan, and (vi) Form S-8 (No. 333-203974) pertaining to the Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long- Term Incentive Plan; of our report dated February 26, 2016, with respect to the financial statements of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership and of our report dated February 26, 2016, with respect to the financial statements of Pennsylvania RSA No. 6(II) Limited Partnership included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Orlando, Florida February 26, 2016 EXHIBIT 31.1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION I, C. Robert Udell Jr., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. February 26, 2016 /s/ C. Robert Udell Jr. C. Robert Udell Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) EXHIBIT 31.2 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION I, Steven L. Childers, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. February 26, 2016 /s/ Steven L. Childers Steven L. Childers Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer) CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 EXHIBIT 32.1 Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), C. Robert Udell Jr. and Steven L. Childers, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., each certify that to his knowledge (i) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. /s/ C. Robert Udell Jr. C. Robert Udell Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) February 26, 2016 /s/ Steven L. Childers Steven L. Childers Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer) February 26, 2016 

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