| Description of the business and recent developments: | 1. Description of the business and recent developments: Reorganization and merger On May 15, 2014, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (“Group”), a Delaware corporation, Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”) and Cogent Communications Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Group adopted a new holding company organizational structure whereby Group is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. Holdings is a “successor issuer” to Group pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). References to the “Company” for events that occurred prior to May 15, 2014 refer to Cogent Communications Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and on and after May 15, 2014 the “Company” refers to Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Cogent Communications, Inc. is wholly owned by Group and the vast majority of Group's assets, contractual arrangements, and operations are executed by Cogent Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Description of business The Company is a facilities-based provider of low-cost, high-speed Internet access, private network services, and data center colocation space and power. The Company’s network is specifically designed and optimized to transmit packet switched data. The Company delivers its services primarily to small and medium-sized businesses, communications service providers and other bandwidth-intensive organizations in 48 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa. The Company is a Delaware corporation and is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Company offers on-net Internet access services exclusively through its own facilities, which run from its network to its customers’ premises. The Company offers its on-net services to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to its network. As a result, the Company is not dependent on local telephone companies or cable TV companies to serve its customers for its on-net Internet access and private network service. The Company’s on-net service consists of high-speed Internet access and private network services offered at speeds ranging from 100 megabits per second to 100 gigabits per second. The Company provides its on-net Internet access and private network services to its corporate and net-centric customers. The Company’s corporate customers are located in multi-tenant office buildings and typically include law firms, financial services firms, advertising and marketing firms, as well as health care providers, educational institutions and other professional services businesses. The Company’s net-centric customers include bandwidth-intensive users that leverage its network to either deliver content to end users or to provide access to residential or commercial internet users. Content delivery customers include over the top (“OTT”) media service providers, content delivery networks, web hosting companies, and commercial content and application software providers. Access customers include access networks comprised of other Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”), telephone companies, mobile phone operators and cable television companies that collectively provide internet access to a substantial number of broadband subscribers and mobile phone subscribers across the world. These net-centric customers generally receive the Company’s services in carrier neutral colocation facilities and in the Company’s own data centers. The Company operates data centers throughout North America and Europe that allow its customers to collocate their equipment and access the Company’s network. In addition to providing on-net services, the Company provides Internet access and private network services to customers that are not located in buildings directly connected to its network. The Company provides these off-net services primarily to corporate customers using other carriers’ circuits to provide the “last mile” portion of the link from the customers’ premises to the Company’s network. The Company also provides certain non-core services that resulted from acquisitions. The Company continues to support but does not actively sell these non-core services. Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered, and of the financial position of the Company at the date of the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. While the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to not make the information misleading, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and activity have been eliminated. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Financial instruments At June 30, 2021, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company measures its cash equivalents at amortized cost, which approximates fair value based upon quoted market prices (Level 1). Based upon recent trading prices (Level 2— market approach) at June 30, 2021 the fair value of the Company’s $500.0 million senior secured notes was $510.0 million and the fair value of the Company’s €350.0 million Euro ($415.8 million USD) senior unsecured notes was $424.1 million. Gross receipts taxes, universal service fund and other surcharges Revenue recognition standards include guidance relating to taxes or surcharges assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but are not limited to, gross receipts taxes, excise taxes, Universal Service Fund fees and certain state regulatory fees. Such charges may be presented gross or net based upon the Company’s accounting policy election. The Company records certain excise taxes and surcharges on a gross basis and includes them in its revenues and costs of network operations. Excise taxes and surcharges billed to customers and recorded on a gross basis (as service revenue and network operations expense)were $4.8 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $9.3 million and $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Basic and diluted net income per common share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution for common stock equivalents and is computed by dividing net income or (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period, adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents. Shares of restricted stock are included in the computation of basic EPS as they vest and are included in diluted EPS, to the extent they are dilutive, determined using the treasury stock method. The following details the determination of diluted weighted average shares: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 Weighted average common shares - basic 46,229,603 45,754,880 46,227,528 45,760,302 Dilutive effect of stock options — 205,823 33,084 128,477 Dilutive effect of restricted stock — 725,962 483,458 703,666 Weighted average common shares - diluted 46,229,603 46,686,665 46,744,070 46,592,445 The following details unvested shares of restricted common stock as well as the anti-dilutive effects of stock options and restricted stock awards outstanding: Three Months Three Months Six Months Six Months Ended Ended Ended Ended June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 Unvested shares of restricted common stock 1,420,759 1,521,942 1,420,759 1,521,942 Anti-dilutive options for common stock 36,063 18,496 56,022 13,172 Anti-dilutive shares of restricted common stock 28,019 — 181,265 — Stockholder’s Deficit The following details the changes in stockholder’s deficit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 (in thousands except share amounts): Accumulated Additional Other Total Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholder’s Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity (Deficit) Balance at March 31, 2020 47,139,369 $ 47 $ 499,455 $ (15,819) $ (705,908) $ (222,225) Forfeitures of shares granted to employees (972) — — — — — Equity-based compensation — — 6,666 — — 6,666 Foreign currency translation — — — 2,913 — 2,913 Issuances of common stock 135,280 — — — — — Exercises of options 5,524 — 270 — — 270 Dividends paid — — — — (31,738) (31,738) Net income — — — — 8,564 8,564 Balance at June 30, 2020 47,279,201 $ 47 $ 506,391 $ (12,906) $ (729,082) $ (235,550) Accumulated Additional Other Total Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholder’s Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity (Deficit) Balance at March 31, 2021 47,522,672 $ 48 $ 523,913 $ (6,516) $ (825,004) $ (307,559) Forfeitures of shares granted to employees (5,626) — — — — — Equity-based compensation — — 8,476 — — 8,476 Foreign currency translation — — — 1,776 — 1,776 Issuances of common stock 125,060 — — — — — Exercises of options 13,025 — 660 — — 660 Dividends paid — — — — (37,001) (37,001) Net loss — — — — (2,493) (2,493) Balance at June 30, 2021 47,655,131 $ 48 $ 533,049 $ (4,740) $ (864,498) $ (336,141) Accumulated Additional Other Total Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholder’s Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity (Deficit) Balance at December 31, 2019 46,840,434 $ 47 $ 493,178 $ (12,326) $ (684,578) $ (203,679) Forfeitures of shares granted to employees (37,280) — — — — — Equity-based compensation — — 12,224 — — 12,224 Foreign currency translation — — — (580) — (580) Issuances of common stock 455,030 — — — — — Exercises of options 21,017 — 989 — — 989 Dividends paid — — — — (62,295) (62,295) Net income — — — — 17,791 17,791 Balance at June 30, 2020 47,279,201 $ 47 $ 506,391 $ (12,906) $ (729,082) $ (235,550) Accumulated Additional Other Total Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholder's Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity (Deficit) Balance at December 31, 2020 47,214,077 $ 47 $ 515,867 $ (1,306) $ (807,774) $ (293,166) Forfeitures of shares granted to employees (25,302) — — — — — Equity-based compensation — — 16,307 — — 16,307 Foreign currency translation — — — (3,434) — (3,434) Issuances of common stock 448,760 1 — — — 1 Exercises of options 17,596 — 875 — — 875 Dividends paid — — — — (73,082) (73,082) Net income — — — — 16,358 16,358 Balance at June 30, 2021 47,655,131 $ 48 $ 533,049 $ (4,740) $ (864,498) $ (336,141) Revenue recognition The Company recognizes revenue under ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company’s service offerings consist of on-net and off-net telecommunications services. Fixed fees are billed monthly in advance and usage fees are billed monthly in arrears. Amounts billed are due upon receipt and contract lengths range from one month to 60 months. The Company satisfies its performance obligations to provide services to customers over time as the services are rendered. In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains the promised service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these services. The Company has adopted the practical expedient related to certain performance obligation disclosures since it has a right to consideration from its customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Company’s performance completed to date. To achieve this core principle, the Company follows the following five steps: 1) Identification of the contract, or contracts with a customer 2) Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 3) Determination of the transaction price 4) Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 5) Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation Fees billed in connection with customer installations are deferred (as deferred revenue) and recognized as noted above. If a customer contract is terminated prior to its contractual end, the customer is subject to termination fees. The Company vigorously seeks payment of these amounts. The Company recognizes revenue for these amounts as they are collected. Service revenue recognized from amounts in deferred revenue (contract liabilities) at the beginning of the period during the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $1.8 million and during the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.8 million. Service revenue recognized from amounts in deferred revenue (contract liabilities) at the beginning of the period during the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $3.1 million and during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $3.0 million. Amortization expense for contract costs was $4.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Amortization expense for contract costs was $9.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases Three Months Three Months Six Months Six Months Ended Ended Ended Ended June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 Finance lease cost Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 6,378 $ 4,973 $ 12,724 $ 9,735 Interest expense on finance lease liabilities 4,685 4,517 9,911 8,990 Operating lease cost 4,671 4,405 9,088 8,592 Total lease costs $ 15,734 $ 13,895 $ 31,723 $ 27,317 Six Months Six Months Ended Ended June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 Other lease information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from finance leases $ (10,111) $ (8,985) Operating cash flows from operating leases (10,104) (9,149) Financing cash flows from finance leases (11,936) (9,883) Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 16,218 42,359 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 12,531 20,694 Weighted-average remaining lease term — finance leases (in years) 12.5 12.1 Weighted-average remaining lease term — operating leases (in years) 19.4 20.4 Weighted average discount rate — finance leases 9.8 % 10.8 % Weighted average discount rate — operating leases 5.5 % 5.4 % Finance leases—fiber lease agreements The Company has entered into lease agreements with numerous providers of dark fiber under indefeasible-right-of use agreements (“IRU’s”). These IRU’s typically have initial terms of 15- 20 years and include renewal options after the initial lease term. The Company establishes the number of renewal option periods used in determining the lease term based upon its assessment at the inception of the lease of the number of option periods for which failure to renew the lease imposes a penalty in such amount that renewal appears to be reasonably certain. The option to renew may be automatic, at the option of the Company or mutually agreed to between the dark fiber provider and the Company. Once the Company has accepted the related fiber route, leases that meet the criteria for treatment as finance leases are recorded as a finance lease obligation and an IRU asset. The interest rate used in determining the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for the reasonably certain lease term. Finance lease assets are included in property and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had committed to additional dark fiber IRU lease agreements totaling $29.5 million in future payments to be paid over periods of up to 20 years. These obligations begin when the related fiber is accepted, which is generally expected to occur in the next 12 months. Operating leases The Company leases office space and certain data center facilities under operating leases. In certain cases the Company also enters into short-term operating leases for dark fiber. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments under the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the reasonably certain lease term. The implicit rates within the Company’s operating leases are generally not determinable and the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of its lease payments. The determination of the Company’s incremental borrowing rate requires judgment. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate for each lease using its current borrowing rate, adjusted for various factors including level of collateralization and term to align with the term of the lease. Certain of the Company’s leases include options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company establishes the number of renewal option periods used in determining the operating lease term based upon its assessment at the inception of the operating lease of the number of option periods for which failure to renew the lease imposes a penalty in such amount that renewal appears to be reasonably certain. The option to renew may be automatic, at the option of the Company or mutually agreed to between the landlord or dark fiber provider and the Company. Once the Company has accepted the related fiber route or the facility lease term has begun, the present value of the aggregate future minimum operating lease payments are recorded as an operating lease liability and a right-of-use leased asset. Lease incentives and deferred rent liabilities for facilities operating leases are presented with the right-of-use leased asset. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The future minimum payments under these operating lease and finance lease agreements are as follows (in thousands): OPERATING FINANCE For the twelve months ending June 30, LEASES LEASES 2022 $ 18,448 $ 34,461 2023 18,030 33,569 2024 17,382 32,917 2025 15,678 32,573 2026 13,140 25,420 Thereafter 118,278 235,307 Total minimum lease obligations 200,956 394,247 Less—amounts representing interest (73,224) (169,655) Present value of minimum lease obligations 127,732 224,592 Current maturities (11,783) (16,004) Lease obligations, net of current maturities $ 115,949 $ 208,588 Allowance for credit losses Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Current-period Provision for Write offs Beginning Expected Credit Charged Against Ending Description Balance Losses Allowance Balance Allowance for credit losses (deducted from accounts receivable) Three months ending June 30, 2021 $ 1,457 $ 1,187 $ (971) $ 1,673 Three months ending June 30, 2020 $ 1,976 $ 1,432 $ (1,293) $ 2,115 Six months ending June 30, 2021 $ 1,921 $ 3,199 $ (3,447) $ 1,673 Six months ending June 30, 2020 $ 1,771 $ 2,768 $ (2,424) $ 2,115 Net bad debt expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which is net of bad debt recoveries of $0.4 million and $1.6 million respectively. Net bad debt expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, which is net of bad debt recoveries of $0.2 million and $0.4 million respectively . |
