XML 46 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2018
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract] |
Equity and measurement alternative method investments | U.S. Cellular’s Investments in unconsolidated entities are accounted for using either the equity method or measurement alternative method as shown in the table below. The measurement alternative method was elected for investments without readily determinable fair values formerly accounted for under the cost method. The measurement alternative fair value represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes. U.S. Cellular did not have an impairment or observable price change related to these investments for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(Dollars in millions) |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments | $ | 444 |  | $ | 411
Measurement alternative method investments |  | 6 |  |  | 4
Total investments in unconsolidated entities | $ | 450 |  | $ | 415
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations | The following table, which is based in part on information provided by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments.
| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(Dollars in millions) |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ | 1,657 |  | $ | 1,610
Operating expenses |  | 1,208 |  |  | 1,212
Operating income |  | 449 |  |  | 398
Other expense, net |  | (1) |  |  | –
Net income | $ | 448 |  | $ | 398

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndJointVenturesAbstract
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 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2196965 + 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