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Intangible Assets
 6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets
Note 7.
Intangible Assets
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of FCC licenses, which were acquired primarily through FCC auctions and business combinations, certain of our trademarks, and goodwill. At September 30, 2014, we held 1.9 GHz, 800 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. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations (see Note 3. Significant Transactions).
During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Company entered into definitive agreements with various counterparties to sell certain FCC licenses held by its Wireless Segment. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, an agreement totaling $100 million received regulatory approval and was settled. As of September 30, 2014, the carrying value of FCC licenses still pending regulatory approval that was reclassed from FCC licenses into held for sale was approximately $200 million and is included within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. These remaining sales are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations.
 
Successor
 
March 31,
2014
 
Net
Reductions
 
September 30,
2014
 
(in millions)
FCC licenses
$
36,043

 
$
(178
)
 
$
35,865

Trademarks
5,935

 
—

 
5,935

Goodwill
6,383

 
(40
)
(1 
) 
6,343

 
$
48,361

 
$
(218
)
 
$
48,143


 _________________
(1)
Net reduction to goodwill for the Successor six-month period ended September 30, 2014 of approximately $40 million was the result of purchase price allocation adjustments, which consisted of a $44 million decrease associated with the SoftBank Merger and a $4 million increase associated with the Clearwire Acquisition.
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Customer relationships are amortized using the sum-of-the-months' digits method, while all other definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. We reduce the gross carrying value and associated accumulated amortization when specified intangible assets become fully amortized. Amortization expense related to favorable spectrum and tower leases are recognized in cost of services.
 
 
 
Successor
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 
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

 
$
(2,071
)
 
$
4,852

 
$
6,923

 
$
(1,289
)
 
$
5,634

Other intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable spectrum leases
23 years
 
884

 
(51
)
 
833

 
884

 
(30
)
 
854

Favorable tower leases
3 to 7 years
 
589

 
(134
)
 
455

 
589

 
(80
)
 
509

Trademarks
34 years
 
520

 
(19
)
 
501

 
520

 
(12
)
 
508

Other
4 to 10 years
 
67

 
(12
)
 
55

 
60

 
(7
)
 
53

Total other intangible assets
 
2,060


(216
)

1,844


2,053


(129
)

1,924

Total definite-lived intangible assets
 
$
8,983


$
(2,287
)

$
6,696


$
8,976


$
(1,418
)

$
7,558