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Business Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | $ 1,137,767 | $ 1,081,472 | $ 3,281,508 | $ 3,233,893 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 236,031 | 198,551 | 620,278 | 478,484 |
Total operating revenues |  | 1,373,798 | 1,280,023 | 3,901,786 | 3,712,377 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 303,091 | 297,183 | 896,890 | 859,629 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 337,051 | 349,209 | 907,482 | 968,867 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 449,084 | 465,014 | 1,322,554 | 1,399,585 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 210,764 | 205,529 | 628,443 | 635,015 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 4,919 | 9,293 | 15,048 | 19,626 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (559) | (4,790) | (129,931) | (9,079) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (23,986) |  | (146,884) | (91,446) |
Operating income (loss) |  | 93,434 | (125,415) | 408,184 | (153,820) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 39,770 | 36,081 | 109,823 | 108,198 |
Interest and dividend income |  | 9,617 | 4,526 | 28,119 | 9,763 |
Interest expense |  | (35,043) | (27,170) | (102,792) | (83,775) |
Other, net |  | (56) | 69 | 142 | 279 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | 107,722 | (111,909) | 443,476 | (119,355) |
Income tax expense |  | 45,327 | 9,290 | 178,780 | 7,276 |
Net income (loss) |  | 62,395 | (121,199) | 264,696 | (126,631) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 210,764 | 205,529 | 628,443 | 635,015 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 4,919 | 9,293 | 15,048 | 19,626 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (559) | (4,790) | (129,931) | (9,079) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (23,986) |  | (146,884) | (91,446) |
Interest expense |  | 35,043 | 27,170 | 102,792 | 83,775 |
Income tax expense |  | 45,327 | 9,290 | 178,780 | 7,276 |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 333,903 | 209,293 | 912,944 | 602,536 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 386,153 | 335,448 | 386,153 | 335,448 | $ 321,729
Total assets |  | 9,317,358 | 8,640,548 | 9,317,358 | 8,640,548 | $ 8,906,939
Capital expenditures |  | 193,708 | 195,225 | 486,945 | 508,504 |
U.S. Cellular |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 895,960 | 851,063 | 2,548,544 | 2,548,149 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 172,946 | 149,356 | 461,274 | 335,854 |
Total operating revenues |  | 1,068,906 | 1,000,419 | 3,009,818 | 2,884,003 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 198,982 | 199,750 | 585,935 | 567,488 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 287,256 | 307,862 | 779,228 | 850,314 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 374,585 | 397,545 | 1,106,524 | 1,197,361 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 152,369 | 148,952 | 450,035 | 465,042 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2,618 | 7,947 | 12,268 | 16,774 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (643) | (10,283) | (113,825) | (27,694) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (23,986) |  | (146,884) | (91,446) |
Operating income (loss) |  | 77,725 | (51,354) | 336,537 | (93,836) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 39,674 | 35,971 | 109,729 | 106,166 |
Interest and dividend income |  | 9,299 | 3,572 | 25,834 | 6,029 |
Interest expense |  | (21,121) | (13,514) | (61,239) | (42,712) |
Other, net |  | 78 | 95 | 274 | 281 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | 105,655 | (25,230) | 411,135 | (24,072) |
Income tax expense | [2] | 40,634 | (1,459) | 161,214 | 746 |
Net income (loss) |  | 65,021 | (23,771) | 249,921 | (24,818) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 152,369 | 148,952 | 450,035 | 465,042 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2,618 | 7,947 | 12,268 | 16,774 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (643) | (10,283) | (113,825) | (27,694) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net |  | (23,986) |  | (146,884) | (91,446) |
Interest expense |  | 21,121 | 13,514 | 61,239 | 42,712 |
Income tax expense | [2] | 40,634 | (1,459) | 161,214 | 746 |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 257,134 | 134,900 | 673,968 | 381,316 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 347,709 | 296,900 | 347,709 | 296,900 |
Total assets |  | 6,938,384 | 6,257,075 | 6,938,384 | 6,257,075 |
Capital expenditures |  | 134,816 | 142,452 | 334,942 | 375,960 |
TDS Telecom Wireline |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 174,579 | 177,650 | 525,683 | 534,880 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 477 | 425 | 1,478 | 1,409 |
Total operating revenues |  | 175,056 | 178,075 | 527,161 | 536,289 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 63,696 | 64,072 | 188,727 | 192,777 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 515 | 829 | 1,675 | 1,793 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 50,062 | 46,627 | 144,931 | 140,855 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 41,228 | 41,358 | 124,440 | 125,921 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1,845 | 743 | 3,373 | 1,502 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (105) | (2,201) | (3,159) | (2,201) |
Operating income (loss) |  | 17,815 | 26,647 | 67,174 | 75,642 |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 2 | 2 | 15 | 6 |
Interest and dividend income |  | 624 | 569 | 1,726 | 1,744 |
Interest expense |  | 193 | 598 | 784 | 1,939 |
Other, net |  | (48) | 71 | (81) | (78) |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | 18,586 | 27,887 | 69,618 | 79,253 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 41,228 | 41,358 | 124,440 | 125,921 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 1,845 | 743 | 3,373 | 1,502 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (105) | (2,201) | (3,159) | (2,201) |
Interest expense |  | (193) | (598) | (784) | (1,939) |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 61,361 | 67,189 | 193,488 | 202,536 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 3,806 | 3,804 | 3,806 | 3,804 |
Total assets |  | 1,322,359 | 1,385,524 | 1,322,359 | 1,385,524 |
Capital expenditures |  | 38,354 | 34,243 | 90,517 | 84,511 |
TDS Telecom Cable |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 43,741 | 28,519 | 131,767 | 73,506 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 119 |  | 277 |  |
Total operating revenues |  | 43,860 | 28,519 | 132,044 | 73,506 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 19,545 | 12,651 | 59,342 | 35,000 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 25 |  | 100 |  |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 14,346 | 9,948 | 40,735 | 22,611 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 8,530 | 6,171 | 26,109 | 15,089 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 425 | 626 | (561) | 1,116 |
Operating income (loss) |  | 989 | (877) | 6,319 | (310) |
Interest and dividend income |  | 10 | (1) | 23 | 1 |
Interest expense |  | 109 | 32 | 352 | 67 |
Other, net |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | 1,108 | (846) | 6,697 | (242) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 8,530 | 6,171 | 26,109 | 15,089 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 425 | 626 | (561) | 1,116 |
Interest expense |  | (109) | (32) | (352) | (67) |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 9,954 | 5,919 | 31,893 | 15,896 |
Total assets |  | 571,836 | 543,731 | 571,836 | 543,731 |
Capital expenditures |  | 13,023 | 7,598 | 36,575 | 20,998 |
TDS Telecom HMS |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 30,428 | 27,806 | 88,311 | 82,757 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 51,214 | 39,737 | 129,878 | 115,830 |
Total operating revenues |  | 81,642 | 67,543 | 218,189 | 198,587 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 21,163 | 19,442 | 63,145 | 57,689 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 43,081 | 33,819 | 108,777 | 98,161 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 12,446 | 12,724 | 36,105 | 39,935 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 6,790 | 6,726 | 19,798 | 20,195 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 22 | (2) | (21) | 76 |
Operating income (loss) |  | (1,860) | (89,166) | (9,615) | (101,469) |
Interest and dividend income |  | 6 | (23) | 29 | 19 |
Interest expense |  | (565) | (343) | (1,550) | (1,203) |
Other, net |  | (79) | (86) | (65) | 93 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | (2,498) | (89,618) | (11,201) | (102,560) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 6,790 | 6,726 | 19,798 | 20,195 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 22 | (2) | (21) | 76 |
Interest expense |  | 565 | 343 | 1,550 | 1,203 |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 4,879 | 1,449 | 10,126 | 2,914 |
Total assets |  | 299,101 | 255,519 | 299,101 | 255,519 |
Capital expenditures |  | 5,090 | 9,800 | 19,341 | 23,179 |
TDS Telecom Eliminations |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | (1,184) | (980) | (3,222) | (1,959) |
Total operating revenues |  | (1,184) | (980) | (3,222) | (1,959) |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | (1,125) | (926) | (3,011) | (1,820) |
Selling, general and administrative |  | (59) | (54) | (211) | (139) |
TDS Telecom |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | 247,564 | 232,995 | 742,539 | 689,184 |
Equipment and product sales |  | 51,810 | 40,162 | 131,633 | 117,239 |
Total operating revenues |  | 299,374 | 273,157 | 874,172 | 806,423 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 103,279 | 95,239 | 308,203 | 283,646 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 43,621 | 34,648 | 110,552 | 99,954 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 76,795 | 69,245 | 221,560 | 203,262 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 56,548 | 54,255 | 170,347 | 161,205 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2,292 | 1,367 | 2,791 | 2,694 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (105) | (2,201) | (3,159) | (2,201) |
Operating income (loss) |  | 16,944 | (63,396) | 63,878 | (26,137) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 2 | 2 | 15 | 6 |
Interest and dividend income |  | 640 | 545 | 1,778 | 1,764 |
Interest expense |  | (263) | 287 | (414) | 803 |
Other, net |  | (127) | (15) | (143) | 15 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | 17,196 | (62,577) | 65,114 | (23,549) |
Income tax expense | [2] | 8,278 | (2,937) | 27,083 | 12,571 |
Net income (loss) |  | 8,918 | (59,640) | 38,031 | (36,120) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 56,548 | 54,255 | 170,347 | 161,205 |
Loss on impairment of assets |  |  | 84,000 |  | 84,000 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 2,292 | 1,367 | 2,791 | 2,694 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | (105) | (2,201) | (3,159) | (2,201) |
Interest expense |  | 263 | (287) | 414 | (803) |
Income tax expense | [2] | 8,278 | (2,937) | 27,083 | 12,571 |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 76,194 | 74,557 | 235,507 | 221,346 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 3,806 | 3,804 | 3,806 | 3,804 |
Total assets |  | 2,193,296 | 2,184,774 | 2,193,296 | 2,184,774 |
Capital expenditures |  | 56,467 | 51,641 | 146,433 | 128,688 |
Corporate, Eliminations and Other |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Service |  | (5,757) | (2,586) | (9,575) | (3,440) |
Equipment and product sales |  | 11,275 | 9,033 | 27,371 | 25,391 |
Total operating revenues |  | 5,518 | 6,447 | 17,796 | 21,951 |
Cost of services (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below) |  | 830 | 2,194 | 2,752 | 8,495 |
Cost of equipment and products |  | 6,174 | 6,699 | 17,702 | 18,599 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | (2,296) | (1,776) | (5,530) | (1,038) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 1,847 | 2,322 | 8,061 | 8,768 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 9 | (21) | (11) | 158 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | 189 | 7,694 | (12,947) | 20,816 |
Operating income (loss) |  | (1,235) | (10,665) | 7,769 | (33,847) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 94 | 108 | 79 | 2,026 |
Interest and dividend income |  | (322) | 409 | 507 | 1,970 |
Interest expense |  | (13,659) | (13,943) | (41,139) | (41,866) |
Other, net |  | (7) | (11) | 11 | (17) |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | (15,129) | (24,102) | (32,773) | (71,734) |
Income tax expense | [2] | (3,585) | 13,686 | (9,517) | (6,041) |
Net income (loss) |  | (11,544) | (37,788) | (23,256) | (65,693) |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |  | 1,847 | 2,322 | 8,061 | 8,768 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net |  | 9 | (21) | (11) | 158 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net |  | 189 | 7,694 | (12,947) | 20,816 |
Interest expense |  | 13,659 | 13,943 | 41,139 | 41,866 |
Income tax expense | [2] | (3,585) | 13,686 | (9,517) | (6,041) |
Adjusted EBITDA | [1] | 575 | (164) | 3,469 | (126) |
Investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 34,638 | 34,744 | 34,638 | 34,744 |
Total assets |  | 185,678 | 198,699 | 185,678 | 198,699 |
Capital expenditures |  | $ 2,425 | $ 1,132 | $ 5,570 | $ 3,856 |
[1] | Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. Adjusted EBITDA excludes these items in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. From time to time, TDS may also exclude other items from Adjusted EBITDA if such items help reflect operating results on a more comparable basis. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such items that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. TDS believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, discrete gains and losses, and other items as indicated above.
[2] | Income tax expense (benefit) is not provided at the individual segment level for Wireline, Cable and HMS. TDS calculates income tax expense for "TDS Telecom Total".

X
- Definition This element represents a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance.The amount is calculated as Income before income taxes, adjusted for: Depreciation, amortization and accretion; net Gain or loss on asset disposals (if any); net Gain or loss on sale of business and other exit costs (if any); net Gain or loss on license sales and exchanges (if any); Interest expense; and Income tax expense (benefit). + References No definition available. + Details
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