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Investments In Unconsolidated Entities
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block  
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

7. 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.

 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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2014 2013 2014 2013
(Dollars in thousands)           
Revenues $ 1,649,160 $ 1,583,640 $ 4,876,269 $ 4,609,461
Operating expenses   1,230,366   1,130,717   3,554,598   3,270,185
Operating income   418,794   452,923   1,321,671   1,339,276
Other income, net  4,752   656   7,178   1,877
Net income $ 423,546 $ 453,579 $ 1,328,849 $ 1,341,153

NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation

 

U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and a 57.14% interest in New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2”)  (together with NY1, the “Partnerships”). The remaining interests in the Partnerships are held by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). Prior to April 3, 2013, because U.S. Cellular owned a greater than 50% interest in each of these Partnerships and based on U.S. Cellular's rights under the Partnership Agreements, TDS consolidated the financial results of these Partnerships in accordance with GAAP. 

 

On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to the Partnerships. The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business. Accordingly, as required by GAAP, TDS deconsolidated the Partnerships effective as of April 3, 2013 and thereafter reported them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (“NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation”).  After the NY1 & NY2 Deconsolidation, TDS retained the same ownership percentages in the Partnerships and continues to report the same percentages of income from the Partnerships. Effective April 3, 2013, TDS' income from the Partnerships is reported in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.