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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 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 $25.2 million and $22.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $46.8 million and $43.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively; o f those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $19.2 million and $14.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respective ly, and $36.3 million and $27.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 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 |  |  | Six Months Ended |
| June 30, |  |  | June 30,
| 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  | 2011
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 1,420,492 |  |  | $ | 1,355,114 |  |  | $ | 2,851,865 |  |  | $ | 2,679,573 |
Operating expenses |  | 1,014,995 |  |  |  | 1,034,407 |  |  |  | 2,086,883 |  |  |  | 2,065,762 |
Operating income |  | 405,497 |  |  |  | 320,707 |  |  |  | 764,982 |  |  |  | 613,811 |
Other income (expense), net |  | 1,320 |  |  |  | 1,386 |  |  |  | 2,236 |  |  |  | 2,813 |
Net income | $ | 406,817 |  |  | $ | 322,093 |  |  | $ | 767,218 |  |  | $ | 616,624 |

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