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Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] |
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets | Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following:
| March 31, 2020 |  | December 31, 2019
| (Dollars in millions)
Goodwill | $ | 9,360 |  |  | 9,360 |
Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $5,330 and $5,231 | $ | 369 |  |  | 468 |
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $1,802 and $1,780 | $ | 313 |  |  | 311 |
Substantially, all of our goodwill was derived from CenturyLink's acquisition of us where the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired. We assess our goodwill for impairment annually, or, under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the carrying value of equity exceeds the estimated fair value of equity, limited to the amount of goodwill. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assessed goodwill at our reporting unit. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are one reporting unit. Because CenturyLink's low stock price was a trigger for impairment testing, we estimated the fair value of our operations using only the market approach in the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Applying this approach, we utilized company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry, which have historically supported a range of fair values of annualized revenue and EBITDA multiples between 2.1x and 4.9x and 4.9x and 9.8x, respectively. We selected a revenue and EBITDA multiple within this range. As of March 31, 2019, based on our assessments performed as described above, we concluded that our goodwill was not impaired as of that date. The market multiples approach that we used in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 incorporated significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year, including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of certain cost synergies. In developing the market multiple, we also considered observed trends of our industry participants. Our assessment included many qualitative factors that required significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the size of our impairments. During the first quarter of 2020, we observed a decline in CenturyLink's stock price as a result of events occurring after the end of 2019, including the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated whether such events would indicate the fair value of our reporting unit was below its carrying value. We believe these events have impacted the global economy more directly than us, and when considered with other factors, we have concluded it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value as of the quarter ended March 31, 2020. In light of the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy, we will continue to evaluate the general economic trends which could have an impact on our assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Future changes could cause our reporting unit fair value to be less than its carrying value, resulting in potential impairments of our goodwill which could have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The extent of the impact, if any, will depend on future developments including actions taken to contain the coronavirus and its long-term impacts on the overall economy. As of March 31, 2020, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets was $17.2 billion. The total amortization expense for intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 totaled $124 million and $137 million, respectively. We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2020 through 2024 will be as follows:
| (Dollars in millions)
2020 (remaining nine months) | $ | 359 |
2021 | 154 |
2022 | 52 |
2023 | 42 |
2024 | 33 |

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