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Intangible Assets
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets
Note 7 Intangible Assets
Licenses
UScellular reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions. UScellular also may seek to divest outright or exchange wireless spectrum that is not strategic to its long-term success. Activity related to UScellular's Licenses is presented below.
 20212020
(Dollars in millions)  
Balance at beginning of year$2,629 $2,471 
Acquisitions1,464 171 
Transferred to Assets held for sale(18)— 
Divestitures— (18)
Capitalized interest13 5 
Balance at end of year$4,088 $2,629 
Auction 103
In March 2020, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 237 wireless spectrum licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands (Auction 103) for $146 million. UScellular paid $5 million of this amount in 2019 and the remainder in 2020. In June 2020, the wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 103 were granted by the FCC.
Auction 107
In February 2021, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 254 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz bands (Auction 107) for $1,283 million. UScellular paid $30 million of this amount in 2020 and the remainder in March 2021. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 107 were granted by the FCC in July 2021. Additionally, UScellular expects to be obligated to pay approximately $181 million in total from 2021 through 2024 related to relocation costs and accelerated relocation incentive payments. Such additional costs were accrued and capitalized at the time the licenses were granted. In October 2021, UScellular paid $36 million related to the additional costs. The spectrum must be cleared by incumbent providers before UScellular can access it. UScellular does not expect to have access to this spectrum until late 2023.
Auction 110
In January 2022, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 380 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band (Auction 110) for $580 million. UScellular paid $20 million of this amount in 2021 and the remainder in January and February 2022. The advance payment is included in Other assets and deferred charges in the December 31, 2021 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 110 are expected to be granted by the FCC in 2022.