Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017
	(in millions)
Estimated amortization expense	$	473	$	1,737	$	1,488	$	1,231	$	946

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

At September 30, 2013, we hold 1.9 GHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 2.5 GHz FCC licenses authorizing the use of radio frequency spectrum to deploy our wireless services. As long as the Company acts within the requirements and constraints of the regulatory authorities, the renewal and extension of these licenses is reasonably certain at minimal cost. Accordingly, we have concluded that FCC licenses are indefinite-lived intangible assets.

	Predecessor
	December 31, 2012		Net Additions		July 10, 2013
	(in millions)
FCC licenses	$	20,268	$	12,580	$	32,848
Trademarks	409		—		409
Goodwill	359		715		1,074
	$	21,036	$	13,295	$	34,331

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

		Successor							Predecessor
		September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
							(in millions)
Customer relationships	4 to 8 years	$	6,923	$	(445	)	$	6,478	$	234	$	(230	)	$	4
Other intangible assets
Favorable spectrum leases	23 years	884		(10		)	874		—		—			—
Favorable tower leases	3 to 7 years	589		(26		)	563		—		—			—
Trademarks	34 years	520		(4		)	516		1,168		(681		)	487
Reacquired rights	9 to 14 years	—		—			—		1,571		(785		)	786
Other	4 to 10 years	54		(2		)	52		138		(80		)	58
Total other intangible assets		2,047		(42		)	2,005		2,877		(1,546		)	1,331
Total definite-lived intangible assets		$	8,970	$	(487	)	$	8,483	$	3,111	$	(1,776	)	$	1,335