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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 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 $24.8 million and $21.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $71.6 million and $65.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively; o f those amounts, U.S. Cellular's investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $18.3 million and $16.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respective ly, and $54.6 million and $43.7 million in the nine months ended September 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 |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011
(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 1,446,311 |  | $ | 1,386,808 |  | $ | 4,298,176 |  | $ | 4,066,382
Operating expenses |  | 1,063,285 |  |  | 1,033,792 |  |  | 3,150,168 |  |  | 3,099,555
Operating income |  | 383,026 |  |  | 353,016 |  |  | 1,148,008 |  |  | 966,827
Other income (expense), net |  | (51) |  |  | 853 |  |  | 2,185 |  |  | 3,666
Net income | $ | 382,975 |  | $ | 353,869 |  | $ | 1,150,193 |  | $ | 970,493

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