XML 54 R33.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information |
Equity and cost method investments | Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless entities in which U.S. Cellular holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method as shown in the following table:
December 31, |  | 2016 |  | 2015
(Dollars in millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments: |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital contributions, loans, advances and adjustments |  | $ | 108 |  | $ | 112
Cumulative share of income |  |  | 1,577 |  |  | 1,432
Cumulative share of distributions |  |  | (1,276) |  |  | (1,183)
Total equity method investments |  |  | 409 |  |  | 361
Cost method investments |  |  | 4 |  |  | 2
Total investments in unconsolidated entities |  | $ | 413 |  | $ | 363
Equity method investments, summarized financial position | The following tables, which are based on information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments:
December 31, |  | 2016 |  | 2015
(Dollars in millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Current | $ | 739 |  | $ | 632
Due from affiliates |  | 387 |  |  | 89
Property and other |  | 4,615 |  |  | 4,555
Total assets |  | $ | 5,741 |  | $ | 5,276
Liabilities and Equity |  |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities | $ | 466 |  | $ | 808
Deferred credits |  | 184 |  |  | 237
Long-term liabilities |  | 187 |  |  | 147
Long-term capital lease obligations |  | 6 |  |  | 2
Partners' capital and shareholders' equity |  | 4,898 |  |  | 4,082
Total liabilities and equity |  | $ | 5,741 |  | $ | 5,276
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations |
Year Ended December 31, | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
(Dollars in millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Results of Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 6,747 |  | $ | 6,958 |  | $ | 6,669
Operating expenses |  | 5,047 |  |  | 5,226 |  |  | 5,036
Operating income |  | 1,700 |  |  | 1,732 |  |  | 1,633
Other income (expense), net |  | (11) |  |  | (7) |  |  | 1
Net income | $ | 1,689 |  | $ | 1,725 |  | $ | 1,634

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 35 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64825282&loc=d3e32847-111569 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64825282&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of equity method investments including, but not limited to, name of each investee or group of investments, percentage ownership, difference between recorded amount of an investment and the value of the underlying equity in the net assets, and summarized financial information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Text block disclosure of the aggregated financial position of equity method investments. Aggregated financial position disclosures may include current assets, noncurrent assets, current liabilities, noncurrent liabilities and equity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | usm_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationFinancialPositionTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | usm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration