XML 1073 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block |
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities | Note 8 Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method as sho wn in the following table:
December 31, | 2015 |  | 2014
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments: |  |  |  |  |
| Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments | $ | 123,250 |  | $ | 127,939
| Cumulative share of income |  | 1,468,312 |  |  | 1,323,898
| Cumulative share of distributions |  | (1,205,497) |  |  | (1,145,438)
|  |  | 386,065 |  |  | 306,399
Cost method investments |  | 15,655 |  |  | 15,330
Total investments in unconsolidated entities | $ | 401,720 |  | $ | 321,729
The following tables, which are based on information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and results of operations of TDS’ equity method investments:
December 31, | 2015 |  | 2014
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |  |
| Current | $ | 670,723 |  | $ | 733,133
| Due from affiliates |  | 88,685 |  |  | 303,322
| Property and other |  | 4,604,312 |  |  | 2,345,562
|  | $ | 5,363,720 |  | $ | 3,382,017
Liabilit ies and Equity |  |  |  |  |
| Current liabilities | $ | 810,121 |  | $ | 407,073
| Deferred credits |  | 242,301 |  |  | 175,516
| Long-term liabilities |  | 157,785 |  |  | 29,342
| Long-term capital lease obligations |  | 1,539 |  |  | 1,722
| Partners’ capital and shareholders’ equity |  | 4,151,974 |  |  | 2,768,364
|  | $ | 5,363,720 |  | $ | 3,382,017
Year E nded December 31, | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Results of Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Revenues | $ | 6,979,184 |  | $ | 6,700,266 |  | $ | 6,239,200
| Operating expenses |  | 5,245,216 |  |  | 5,063,925 |  |  | 4,492,372
| Operating income |  | 1,733,968 |  |  | 1,636,341 |  |  | 1,746,828
| Other income (expense), net |  | (9,049) |  |  | 6,741 |  |  | 4,019
| Net income | $ | 1,724,919 |  | $ | 1,643,082 |  | $ | 1,750,847
NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and a 57.14% interest in New York R SA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2”) (together with NY1, the “Partnerships”). The remaining interests in the Partnerships are held by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). Prior to April 3, 2013, because U.S. Cellular owned a greate r than 50% interest in each of these Partnerships and based on U.S. Cellular’s rights under the Partnership Agreements, U.S. Cellular consolidated the financial results of these Partnerships in accordance with GAAP. On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that ar e in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, TDS deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafte r reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”). After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and continues to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships. Effective April 3, 2013, TDS’ income from the Partnerships is reported in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In accordance with GAAP, as a result of the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, U.S. Cellular’s interest in the Partnerships was reflected in Investments in unconsolidated entities at a fair value of $114.8 million as of April 3, 2013. Recording U.S. Cellular’s interest in the Partnerships required allocation of the excess of fair value over book value to customer lists, licenses, a favorable contract and goodwill of the Partnerships. Amortization e xpense related to customer lists and the favorable contract will be recognized over their respective useful lives and is included in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, TDS recognized a n on-cash pre-tax gain of $14.5 million in the second quarter of 2013. The gain was recorded in Gain (loss) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for cost method and equity method investments included basis, impairment losses, recognized or unrecognized gains (losses). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CostAndEquityMethodInvestmentsDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration