Investments In Unconsolidated Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

8. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled$25.0 million and $22.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $73.8 million and $64.0 million in the nine monthsendedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively;of those amounts, TDS' 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, respectively, and $54.6million and $43.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. TDS held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA 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 TDS' equity method investments:

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2012		2011		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	1,451,642	$	1,392,082	$	4,314,727	$	4,081,942
Operating expenses			1,067,915		1,038,697		3,164,334		3,114,173
	Operating income		383,727		353,385		1,150,393		967,769
Other income (expense), net			(334)		755		1,304		(83)
Net income		$	383,393	$	354,140	$	1,151,697	$	967,686