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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2010
Notes To The Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | NOTE 9 INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of a mounts invested in wireless entities which are accounted for using either the equity or cost method as shown in the following table:
| December 31, | 2010 |  | 2009
| (Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Equity method investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Capital contributions, loans and advances | $ | 21,714 |  |  | $ | 21,120 |
|  | Goodwill |  | 1,171 |  |  |  | 1,171 |
|  | Cumulative share of income |  | 857,533 |  |  |  | 768,005 |
|  | Cumulative share of distributions |  | (721,182 | ) |  |  | (630,426 | )
|  |  |  | 159,236 |  |  |  | 159,870 |
| Cost method investments |  | 1,611 |  |  |  | 1,611 |
| Total investments in unconsolidated entities | $ | 160,847 |  |  | $ | 161,481 |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $97.3 million, $96.8 million and $92.0 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively; of those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $64.8 million, $64.7 million and $66.1 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. U.S. Cellular held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership throughout and at the end of each of these years. T he following table s, which are based on information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular's equity method investments:
| December 31, | 2010 |  | 2009
| (Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |
| Assets |  |  |  |  |
|  | Current | $ | 411,000 |  | $ | 418,000
|  | Due from affiliates |  | 377,000 |  |  | 468,000
|  | Property and other |  | 1,962,000 |  |  | 1,869,000
|  |  | $ | 2,750,000 |  | $ | 2,755,000
| Liabilities and Equity |  |  |  |  |
|  | Current liabilities | $ | 277,000 |  | $ | 249,000
|  | Deferred credits |  | 70,000 |  |  | 68,000
|  | Long-term liabilities |  | 25,000 |  |  | 26,000
|  | Long-term capital lease obligations |  | 44,000 |  |  | 43,000
|  | Partners' capital and shareholders' equity |  | 2,334,000 |  |  | 2,369,000
|  |  | $ | 2,750,000 |  | $ | 2,755,000
| Year Ended December 31, | 2010 |  | 2009 |  | 2008
| (Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Results of Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Revenues | $ | 4,950,000 |  | $ | 4,793,000 |  | $ | 4,764,000
|  | Operating expenses |  | 3,549,000 |  |  | 3,418,000 |  |  | 3,358,000
|  | Operating income |  | 1,401,000 |  |  | 1,375,000 |  |  | 1,406,000
|  | Other income, net |  | 38,000 |  |  | 43,000 |  |  | 27,000
|  | Net income | $ | 1,439,000 |  | $ | 1,418,000 |  | $ | 1,433,000

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- Definition Equity investment disclosure, or group of investments for which combined disclosure is appropriate, including: (a) the name of each investee and percentage of ownership of common stock, (b) accounting policies for investments in common stock, (c) difference between the amount at which the investment is carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets and the accounting treatment of the difference, (d) the total fair value of each identified investment for which a market value is available, (e) summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investees (for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, common stock of joint ventures, or other investments using the equity method), and (f) material effects of possible conversions, exercises, or contingent issuances of the investee. Other disclosures include (a) the names of any investee in which the investor owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock and investment is not accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why not, and (b) the names of any investee in which the investor owns less than 20% of the voting stock and the investment is accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why it is. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 20 + Details
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