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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract] |
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 8. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of a mounts invested in wireless entities in which U.S. Cellular holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost met hod. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $21.9 million and $24.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $65.3 million and $74.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively; o f those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $16.6 million and $16.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respective ly, and $43.7 million and $49.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. U.S. Cellular held a 5.5% ownership interest in the L A Partnership during these periods. The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular's equity method investments:
| Three Months Ended |  |  | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, |  |  | September 30,
| 2011 |  | 2010 |  |  | 2011 |  | 2010
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 1,387,000 |  | $ | 1,260,000 |  |  | $ | 4,066,000 |  |  | $ | 3,680,000 |
Operating expenses |  | 1,034,000 |  |  | 908,000 |  |  |  | 3,099,000 |  |  |  | 2,613,000 |
Operating income |  | 353,000 |  |  | 352,000 |  |  |  | 967,000 |  |  |  | 1,067,000 |
Other income |  | 1,000 |  |  | 8,000 |  |  |  | 3,000 |  |  |  | 28,000 |
Net income | $ | 354,000 |  | $ | 360,000 |  |  | $ | 970,000 |  |  | $ | 1,095,000 |

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