Business Customer Y purchases a customized telecommunications package from
Telco Z that requires Telco Z to make a significant network investment. Customer Y
enters into a 10-year network services contract and pays 500,000 up front (to
compensate Telco Z for its network investment costs) and 10,000 per month for the
services. The network subject to the contract is not transferred to the customer but
is used and managed by Telco Z to deliver the specific network services.
The activities related to the network investment do not result in the transfer of
goods or services to Customer Y. Telco Z concludes that the activities are set-up
activities. Accordingly, there is only one activity that transfers a good or service to
the customer (i.e. network services). Therefore, revenue will not be recognized
until the network services begin to be provided. Telco Z also considers the
guidance on nonrefundable up-front fees (see Section 9).
Because the network assets are owned by Telco Z but used to satisfy this
contract, Telco Z also may assess if the contract includes a lease. If Telco Z
concludes that the equipment is subject to a lease, then Telco Z would account
for that lease under the appropriate guidance and the remainder of the contract
would be accounted for under the new standard.