v3.20.4
Sales Of Receivables
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]  
Sales Of Receivables
NOTE 18. SALES OF RECEIVABLES

We have agreements with various third-party financial institutions pertaining to the sales of certain types of our accounts receivable. The most significant of these programs are discussed in detail below and generally consist of (1) receivables arising from equipment installment plans, which are sold for cash and a deferred purchase price, and (2) revolving service and trade receivables. Under these programs, we transfer receivables to purchasers in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, where applicable. Under the terms of our agreements for these programs, we continue to bill and collect the payments from our customers on behalf of the financial institutions.
The sales of receivables did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or to “Total Assets” reported on our consolidated balance sheets. We reflect cash receipts on sold receivables as cash flows from operations in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash receipts on the deferred purchase price are classified as cash flows from investing activities.

Our equipment installment and revolving receivables programs are discussed in detail below. The following table sets forth a summary of the receivables and accounts being serviced at December 31:
20202019
Equipment InstallmentRevolvingEquipment InstallmentRevolving
Gross receivables:$5,565 $3,909 $4,576 $3,324 
Balance sheet classification
Accounts receivable
Notes receivable2,716  2,467 — 
Trade receivables554 3,715 477 2,809 
Other Assets
Noncurrent notes and trade receivables2,295 194 1,632 515 
Outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from
our consolidated balance sheets
7,827 5,300 9,713 4,300 
Cash proceeds received, net of remittances1
5,646 5,300 7,211 4,300 
1Represents amounts to which financial institutions remain entitled, excluding the deferred purchase price.

Equipment Installment Receivables Program

We offer our customers the option to purchase certain wireless devices in installments over a specified period of time and, in many cases, once certain conditions are met, they may be eligible to trade in the original equipment for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance paid or settled.

We maintain a program under which we transfer a portion of these receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary in exchange for cash and additional consideration upon settlement of the receivables, referred to as the deferred purchase price. In the event a customer trades in a device prior to the end of the installment contract period, we agree to make a payment to the financial institutions equal to any outstanding remaining installment receivable balance. Accordingly, we record a guarantee obligation for this estimated amount at the time the receivables are transferred.

The following table sets forth a summary of equipment installment receivables sold under this program:
202020192018
Gross receivables sold$7,270 $9,921 $9,391 
Net receivables sold1
7,026 9,483 8,871 
Cash proceeds received6,089 8,189 7,488 
Deferred purchase price recorded1,021 1,451 1,578 
Guarantee obligation recorded157 341 361 
1Receivables net of allowance, imputed interest and equipment trade-in right guarantees.

The deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation are initially recorded at estimated fair value and subsequently adjusted for changes in present value of expected cash flows. The estimation of their fair values is based on remaining installment payments expected to be collected and the expected timing and value of device trade-ins. The estimated value of the device trade-ins considers prices offered to us by independent third parties that contemplate changes in value after the launch of a device model. The fair value measurements used for the deferred purchase price and the guarantee obligation are considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 13).
The following table presents the previously transferred equipment installment receivables, which we repurchased in exchange for the associated deferred purchase price:
202020192018
Fair value of repurchased receivables$1,271 $1,418 $1,480 
Carrying value of deferred purchase price1,235 1,350 1,393 
Gain on repurchases1
$36 $68 $87 
1These gains are included in “Selling, general and administrative” in the consolidated statements of income.

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our deferred purchase price receivable was $1,991 and $2,336, respectively, of which $1,476 and $1,569 are included in “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other Assets.” The guarantee obligation at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $228 and $384, respectively, of which $161 and $148 are included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of selling these equipment installment receivables is limited to the total amount of our deferred purchase price and guarantee obligation.

Revolving Receivables Program

In 2019, we entered into a one-year revolving agreement to transfer up to $4,300 of certain receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiaries to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. In 2020, we expanded the program limit to $5,300 and we extended the agreement by one year. As customers pay their balances, we transfer additional receivables into the program, resulting in our gross receivables sold exceeding net cash flow impacts (e.g., collect and reinvest). The transferred receivables are fully guaranteed by our bankruptcy-remote subsidiaries, which hold additional receivables in the amount of $3,909 that are pledged as collateral under this agreement. The transfers are recorded at fair value of the proceeds received and obligations assumed less derecognized receivables. The obligation is subsequently adjusted for changes in estimated expected credit losses and interest rates. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these receivables transferred is limited to the amount outstanding.

The fair value measurement used for the obligation is considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 13).

The following table sets forth a summary of receivables sold:
202020192018
Gross receivables sold/cash proceeds received1
$15,888 $11,989 $— 
Collections reinvested under revolving agreement14,888 7,689 — 
Net cash proceeds received (remitted)$1,000 $4,300 $— 
Net receivables sold2
$15,760 $11,604 $— 
Obligations recorded (reversed)271 530 — 
1Includes initial sale of receivables of $1,000 and $4,300 for 2020 and 2019, respectively.
2Receivables net of allowance, return and incentive reserves and imputed interest.