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Other Operating Expenses, Net (Notes)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Other Operating Expenses, Net [Abstract]  
Other Operating Expenses, Net Other Operating Expenses, Net

Other operating expenses, net consist of the following for the periods presented:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Special charges, net
$
19

 
$
14

 
$
38

 
$
125

(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net
(5
)
 
4

 
33

 
(9
)
 
$
14

 
$
18

 
$
71

 
$
116



Special charges, net

Special charges, net primarily includes employee termination costs and net amounts of litigation settlements. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 includes $14 million and $85 million of merger and restructuring costs, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2018 also includes a $22 million charge related to the Company's withdrawal liability from a multiemployer pension plan.

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net represents the net gain (loss) recognized on the sales and disposals of fixed assets and cable systems. The nine months ended September 30, 2019 includes a $41 million impairment of non-strategic assets.