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REVENUE (Notes)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contract with Customer
3. REVENUE
WESCO distributes products and provides services to customers globally in various end markets within its business segments. The segments, which consist of Electrical & Electronic Solutions, Communications & Security Solutions, and Utility & Broadband Solutions operate in the United States, Canada and various other foreign countries. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration WESCO expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services.
The following tables disaggregate WESCO’s net sales by segment and geography for the periods presented:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30September 30
(In thousands)2020201920202019
Electrical & Electronic Solutions$1,653,726 $1,250,080 $3,811,498 $3,626,423 
Communications & Security Solutions1,388,791 235,920 1,953,967 681,087 
Utility & Broadband Solutions1,099,284 662,110 2,431,689 1,951,955 
Total by segment$4,141,801 $2,148,110 $8,197,154 $6,259,465 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30September 30
(In thousands)2020201920202019
United States$3,033,101 $1,601,962 $6,100,877 $4,679,251 
Canada 582,700 431,233 1,311,724 1,230,855 
Other International526,000 114,915 784,553 349,359 
Total by geography(1)
$4,141,801 $2,148,110 $8,197,154 $6,259,465 

(1)    WESCO attributes revenues from external customers to individual countries on the basis of point of sale.
In accordance with certain contractual arrangements, WESCO receives payment from its customers in advance and recognizes such payment as deferred revenue. Revenue for advance payment is recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied and control has transferred to the customer, which is generally upon shipment. Deferred revenue is usually recognized within a year or less from the date of the customer’s advance payment. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $27.7 million and $12.3 million, respectively, of deferred revenue was recorded as a component of other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
WESCO’s revenues are adjusted for variable consideration, which includes customer volume rebates, returns, and discounts. WESCO measures variable consideration by estimating expected outcomes using analysis and inputs based upon anticipated performance, historical data, as well as current and forecasted information. Measurement and recognition of variable consideration is reviewed by management on a monthly basis and revenue is adjusted accordingly. Variable consideration reduced revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 by approximately $75.4 million and $26.3 million, respectively, and by approximately $129.0 million and $80.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Shipping and handling activities are recognized in net sales when they are billed to the customer. The related costs are recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. WESCO has elected to recognize shipping and handling costs as a fulfillment cost. Shipping and handling costs recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $55.5 million and $17.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $94.4 million and $52.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.