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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information |
Equity and cost method investments | 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
Equity method investments, summarized financial position | 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
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations |
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

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- Definition The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 35 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32847-111569 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of investments in and advances to affiliates. Does not include the tabular disclosure of the disaggregation of investments in and advances to affiliates across legal entities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 320 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=50485924&loc=d3e611322-123010 + Details
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