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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012
Disclosure Text Block |
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 $21.6 million and $20.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively; o f those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $17.1 million and $13.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, 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 |
| March 31, |
| 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 1,431,372 |  |  | $ | 1,324,459 |
Operating expenses |  | 1,071,887 |  |  |  | 1,031,355 |
Operating income |  | 359,485 |  |  |  | 293,104 |
Other income |  | 916 |  |  |  | 1,427 |
Net income | $ | 360,401 |  |  | $ | 294,531 |

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