| Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The ASC established by the FASB is the source of authoritative GAAP to be applied to nongovernmental entities. In addition, the rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under the authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Vonage and its wholly-owned subsidiaries for which we have a controlling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity; however, a controlling financial interest may also exist through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. As such, Vonage applies the guidance of ASC 810, Consolidations , or ASC 810, to determine when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through its voting interests, referred to as a VIE, should be consolidated. In addition, the results of companies acquired or disposed of are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition or up to the date of disposal. Revenue Recognition Beginning January 1, 2018, our results are presented in accordance with the guidance of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , or Topic 606. We measure revenue based upon consideration specified by contracts with our customers. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligation under the contract is satisfied by transferring control over the product or service to the customer. We derive our revenues for our Consumer and Business segments primarily from the sale of our communication services and customer equipment as further described in Note 3, Revenue Recognition . The majority of the Company's contracts with customers have a single performance obligation for service revenues. We recognize revenue with customers when control transfers, which occurs upon delivery of a service or product. For our Business segment, the typical life of a customer for service is 7 years . Contract Acquisition Costs We have various commission programs for which eligible employees and third parties may earn commission on sales of services and products to customers. We expect that these commission fees are recoverable and, therefore, we have capitalized these commissions as contract costs included within deferred customer acquisitions cost on our consolidated balance sheet. Capitalized commission fees are amortized to sales and marketing expense over estimated customer life, which is 7 years for Business customers. In addition, the Company expenses sales commissions for commission plans related to customer arrangements deemed less than a year and for residuals and renewals. Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues is primarily comprised of cost of services consisting of costs that we pay to third parties such as access and interconnection charges that we pay to other companies to terminate domestic and international phone calls on the public switched telephone network. In addition, costs to lease phone numbers, to co-locate in other companies’ facilities, to provide enhanced emergency dialing capabilities to transmit 911 calls, and to provide local number portability are also included in cost of service. These costs also include taxes that we pay on telecommunications services from our suppliers or are imposed by government agencies such as USF contributions and royalties for use of third parties’ intellectual property. In addition, these costs include certain personnel and related costs for network operations and technical support that are attributable to revenue generating activities. Cost of services excludes depreciation and amortization expense of $38,167 , $27,754 , and $27,308 for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Also included in cost of revenues is costs of goods sold consisting primarily of costs incurred on customer equipment for customers who subscribe through the direct sales channel in excess of activation fees. The amortization of deferred customer equipment, the cost of shipping and handling for customer equipment, and the cost of certain promotions are also included in cost of goods sold. We categorize cost of revenues as follows: Services cost of revenues. Services cost of revenues consists of costs associated with network operations and technical support personnel, communication origination, and termination services provided by third party carriers and excludes depreciation and amortization. Access and product cost of revenues. Product cost of revenues includes equipment sold to customers, shipping and handling, professional services, cost of certain products including equipment or services that we give customers as promotions, and broadband access. USF cost of revenues. USF cost of revenues represents contributions to the Federal USF and related fees. Sales and Marketing Expenses Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel and related costs for employees and contractors directly associated with our sales and marketing activities, internet advertising fees, radio and billboard advertising, public relations, commissions paid to employees, resellers and other third parties, trade shows, marketing and promotional activities, customer support, credit card fees, collections, and systems and information technology support. We expense advertising costs during the period in which they are incurred. Advertising costs included in sales and marketing were $46,606 , $54,735 , and $57,703 for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Engineering and Development Expenses Engineering and development expenses predominantly include personnel and related costs for developers responsible for research and development of new products. Costs for research, including predevelopment efforts prior to establishing technological feasibility of software expected to be marketed, are expensed as incurred. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities We maintain cash with several investment grade financial institutions. Highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash, with original maturities of three months or less, are recorded as cash equivalents. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet to same such amounts show in the consolidated statement of cash flows: As of December 31, 2019 2018 2017 2016 Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,620 $ 5,057 $ 31,360 $ 29,078 Restricted cash 2,015 2,047 1,967 1,851 $ 25,635 $ 7,104 $ 33,327 $ 30,929 Certain Risks and Concentrations Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivable. They are subject to fluctuations in both market value and yield based upon changes in market conditions, including interest rates, liquidity, general economic conditions, and conditions specific to the issuers. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers primarily located in the United States. A portion of our accounts receivable represents the timing difference between when a customer’s credit card is billed and the subsequent settlement of that transaction with our credit card processors. This timing difference is generally three days for substantially all of our credit card receivables. We have never experienced any accounts receivable write-offs due to this timing difference. In addition, we collect subscription fees in advance, minimizing our accounts receivable and bad debt exposure. If a customer’s credit card, debit card or ECP is declined, we generally suspend international calling capabilities as well as their ability to incur domestic usage charges in excess of their plan minutes. Generally, if the customer’s credit card, debit card or ECP could not be successfully processed during three billing cycles, we terminate the account. In addition, we automatically charge any per minute fees to our customers’ credit card, debit card or ECP monthly in arrears. To further mitigate our bad debt exposure, a customer’s credit card, debit card or ECP will be charged in advance of their monthly billing if their international calling or overage charges exceed a certain dollar threshold. Inventory Inventory consists of the cost of customer equipment and is valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the average cost method. We provide an inventory allowance for customer equipment that has been returned by customers but may not be able to be reissued to new customers or returned to the manufacturer for credit. Property and Equipment Property and equipment includes acquired assets and consist principally of network equipment and computer hardware, software, furniture, and leasehold improvements. Company-owned equipment in use at customer premises is also included in property and equipment. Network equipment, computer hardware and furniture are stated at cost with depreciation provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to five years . Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful life of the related assets or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. The cost of substantial improvements is capitalized while the cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to operating expenses as incurred. Company-owned customer premises equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 3 years . Our network equipment and computer hardware, which consists of routers, gateways, and servers that enable our services, is subject to technological risks and rapid market changes due to new products and services and changing customer demand. These changes may result in future adjustments to the estimated useful lives or the carrying value of these assets, or both. Leases We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, operating lease obligations, current portion and operating lease obligations on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. A right-of-use asset represents the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. A right-of-use asset and related liability is recognized at the commencement date of the arrangement based upon the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our lease arrangements do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. When the Company has the option to extend the lease term, terminate the lease before the contractual expiration date, or purchase the leased asset, and it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option, the Company will consider these options in determining the classification and measurement of the lease. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease arrangement. The Company has lease arrangements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For certain leases, the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any finance lease arrangements. Software The Company capitalizes software which primarily consists qualifying internal-use software development costs that are incurred during the application development stage. Capitalization is dependent on whether management with the relevant authority has authorized and committed to funding the project, it is probable the project will be completed, and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software is stated at cost less accumulated amortization and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Cloud Computing Arrangements The Company incurs costs to implement cloud computing arrangements that are hosted by a third party vendor. Generally, these arrangements are service contracts that do not provide the Company with the right to take possession of the software or the ability to run the software on its own hardware or contract with another party, other than the vendor, to host the software. As such, the costs incurred to implement these arrangements are capitalized into other assets on the Company's balance sheet and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other , we recognize goodwill for the excess cost of an acquired business over the fair value assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis on October 1st and, when specific circumstances dictate, between annual tests. When impaired, the carrying value of goodwill is written down based on the quantitative test result. The Company early adopted ASC No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment on September 30, 2019. The new guidance eliminates Step 2 of the old goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment loss will instead be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The new guidance allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If determined to be necessary, the quantitative impairment test shall be used to identify goodwill impairment and measure the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized (if any). The Company performed its quantitative assessment of the Applications Group and API Platform Group reporting units as of October 1, 2019 and estimated that the fair value of the reporting units' invested capital exceeded its carrying value and accordingly, no impairment needed to be recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019. There were also no impairments recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Intangible Assets Intangible assets acquired in the settlement of litigation or by direct purchase are accounted for based upon the fair value of assets received. Purchased-intangible assets are accounted for based upon the fair value of assets received and are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over the periods of economic benefit, ranging from two to twelve years . We perform a review of purchased-intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than we had originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess the recoverability of purchased-intangible assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life of the asset is shorter than originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life. There was no impairment of purchased-intangible assets identified for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 . Asset Impairments We evaluate impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. If our review indicates that the carrying value of an asset will not be recoverable, based on a comparison of the carrying value of the asset to the undiscounted future cash flows, the impairment will be measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset to its fair value. Fair value will be determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows or appraisals. Impairments of long-lived assets are recorded in the statement of operations as part of depreciation and amortization expense. There was no impairment of property and equipment identified for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 . Debt Related Costs Costs incurred in raising debt are deferred and amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the debt. Costs associated with term loans are netted against the underlying notes payable in accordance with ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest, while costs deferred associated with revolving facilities are included in other assets. Upon refinancing, costs associated with the new debt are either expensed or deferred and unamortized costs associated with the old debt are either written off or deferred and to be amortized as interest expense if deferred using the effective interest method over the life of the new debt per the guidance in ASC 470-50. Total costs related to the Convertible Senior Notes were allocated to the liability and equity components of the Convertible Senior Notes based on the proportion of the proceeds allocated to the debt and equity components. Costs attributable to the liability component were recorded as additional debt discount and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual terms of the Convertible Senior Notes. Costs attributable to the equity component were netted with the equity component in stockholders’ equity. Restricted Cash and Letters of Credit We had a cash collateralized letter of credit for $1,528 and $1,516 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, mainly related to lease deposits for our Holmdel office. In the aggregate, cash reserves and collateralized letters of credit of $2,015 and $2,047 were recorded as long-term restricted cash at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires the Company to record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value unless they qualify for a normal purchase normal sale exception. Changes in the fair value of non-hedge derivatives are immediately recognized into earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, if elected for hedge accounting, are either recognized in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged assets and liabilities or deferred and recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, or OCI, until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. During 2017, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements to mitigate variability in our 2016 Credit Facility earnings due to fluctuations in interest rates and has been designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge. Upon the refinancing in 2018, the Company de-designated the swaps of our 2016 Credit Facility and re-designated the swaps as a cash flow hedge of the 2018 Credit Facility. As such, the balances in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to de-designated 2016 Credit Facility cash flow hedge were either released into earnings or continue to be deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the 2018 Credit Facility. The Company assesses hedge effectiveness under the critical terms matched method at inception and at least quarterly through the life of the hedging relationship. If the critical terms of the interest rate swap match the terms of the forecasted transaction, the Company concludes that the hedge is effective. Income Taxes We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities at enacted income tax rates for the temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of our assets and liabilities. Any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws are included in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. Our net deferred tax assets primarily consist of net operating loss carry forwards, or NOLs. We are required to record a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets if we conclude that it is more likely than not that taxable income generated in the future will be insufficient to utilize the future income tax benefit from our net deferred tax assets prior to expiration. We periodically review this conclusion, which requires significant management judgment. If we are able to conclude in a future period that a future income tax benefit from our net deferred tax assets has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized, we are required in that period to reduce the related valuation allowance with a corresponding decrease in income tax expense. This would result in a non-cash benefit to our net income in the period of the determination. In the future, if available evidence changes our conclusion that it is more likely than not that we will utilize our net deferred tax assets prior to their expiration, we will make an adjustment to the related valuation allowance and income tax expense at that time. In subsequent periods, we would expect to recognize income tax expense equal to our pre-tax income multiplied by our effective income tax rate, an expense that was not recognized prior to the reduction of the valuation allowance. Our effective rate may differ from the federal statutory rate due, in part, to our foreign operations and certain discrete period items. On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law by the President of the United States. The TCJA most notably reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% along with eliminating the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, and imposing a mandatory one-time tax on foreign earnings. Under ASC 740, Income Taxes , an entity was required to recognize the effect of tax law changes during the period of enactment. As such, the Company reflected the impact of this law within its December 31, 2017 financial statements. The Company recorded a charge to income tax expense of $69,378 related to the re-measurement of the Company’s deferred tax balances at the 21% income tax rate in its December 31, 2017 statement of operations. We file income tax returns in the U.S. for federal and state purposes and in various foreign jurisdictions. Our federal tax return remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service from 2015 to present, our New Jersey tax returns remain open from 2014 to present, our Canada tax return remains open from 2015 to present, and other domestic and foreign tax returns remain open for all periods to which those filings relate. The Company received notice that the State of New Jersey will commence an income tax audit for the tax years ended December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2017. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Business Combinations We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires that the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, of the acquisition be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent the Company identifies adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations. We include the results of all acquisitions in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Acquisition related transaction costs, such as banking, legal, accounting and other costs incurred in connection with an acquisition, are expensed as incurred in general and administrative expense. Acquisition related integration costs include costs associated with exit or disposal activities, which do not meet the criteria of discontinued operations, including costs for employee, lease, and contract terminations, facility closing or other exit activities. Additionally, these costs include expenses directly related to integrating and reorganizing acquired businesses and include items such as employee retention costs, recruiting costs, certain moving costs, certain duplicative costs during integration and asset impairments. These costs are expensed as incurred in general and administrative expense. Acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation expense, such as restricted cash, restricted stock and option related costs incurred in connection with an acquisition are included in general and administrative expense. Foreign Currency Generally, the functional currency of our non-United States subsidiaries is the local currency. However, the functional currency of API's United States's subsidiary is the Euro. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are translated to their respective functional currency using month-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for revenues, costs, and expenses. Translation gains and losses from the Company's net investments in subsidiaries are deferred and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity until sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the foreign entity takes place. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are reported within other income (expense), net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019 , the amount recognized as foreign currency transaction loss was $727 , for the years ended December 31, 2018 , the amount recognized as foreign currency transaction gain was $145 , and for the year ended December 31, 2017, the amount recognized as foreign currency transaction loss was $620 , respectively. Share-Based Compensation We account for share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation . Under the fair value recognition provisions of this pronouncement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the stock award on a straight-line basis. On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . Previously, excess tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet to the extent they reduced income taxes payable. Any excess tax benefits or shortfalls are recorded in income taxes upon vest or exercise. During the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , the Company recorded a net benefit of $5 million , $16 million , and $11 million , respectively, related to excess tax benefits. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive items. Other comprehensive items include unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Use of Estimates Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience, available market information, appropriate valuation methodologies, and on various other assumptions that we believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Estimates are used for such items as depreciable lives for long-lived assets including intangible assets, tax provisions, uncollectible accounts, and assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, among others. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment. Reclassifications Reclassifications have been made to our consolidated financial statements for the prior year periods to conform to classification used in the current year period. The reclassifications did not affect results from operations or net assets. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes by removing certain exceptions currently permissible under ASC Topic 740 along with requiring entities to recognize a franchise tax that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amounts incurred as non-income based tax, evaluate when a step up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered as part of the business combination and when it should be considered a separate transaction, specifying that an entity is not required to allocate the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements, reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation and other minor improvements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2019-12 on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which requires the use of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model in estimating allowances for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable, straight-line receivable and notes receivable. Receivables from revenue transactions, or trade receivables, are recognized when the corresponding revenue is recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The CECL model requires that the Company estimates its lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and records allowances when deducted from the balance of the receivables, which represent the estimated net amounts expected to be collected. Given the generally short term nature of trade receivables, we do not expect to apply a discounted cash flow methodology. However, the Company will consider whether historical loss rates are consistent with expectations of forward-looking estimates for our trade receivables. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19 to clarify that operating lease receivables recorded by lessors are explicitly excluded from the scope of Topic 326. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04 to improve certain codifications including Topic 326 where accrued interest on recei |
