Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information

Basis of Consolidation and Estimates

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts, those of our 100% owned subsidiaries, and subsidiaries we control or in which we have a controlling financial interest. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). This requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, estimated economic lives and residual values of property, plant and equipment, fair value of identified purchased tangible and intangible assets in a business combination and fair value assessments for purposes of impairment testing.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents generally include highly liquid investments with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less. These investments may include money market funds, certificates of deposit, U.S. government and government-sponsored debt securities, corporate debt securities, municipal securities, bank-related securities, and credit and debit card transactions in process. The carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments generally include time deposits, corporate debt securities and commercial paper with terms greater than three months but less than one year at the date of purchase. The carrying amounts are recorded at amortized cost and approximate fair value. The interest earned is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over the contractual term of the short-term investments.

Installment Receivables

The carrying value of installment receivables generally approximates fair value because the receivables are recorded at their present value, net of the deferred interest and allowance for credit losses. For certain installment sales in our indirect channel, we impute interest on the installment receivable and record a corresponding contract asset and reduction to the face amount of the related receivable. Interest income is recognized over the term of the installment contract in service revenue.

We categorize our installment receivables as prime and subprime based upon subscriber credit profiles and as unbilled, billed-current and billed-past due based upon the age of the receivable. We use proprietary scoring systems that measure the credit quality of our receivables using several factors, such as credit bureau information, subscriber credit risk scores and service plan characteristics. Payment history is subsequently monitored to further evaluate credit profiles. Prime subscriber receivables are those with lower delinquency risk and subprime subscriber receivables are those with higher delinquency risk. Subscribers within the subprime category may be required to make a down payment on their device and accessory purchases. Installment receivables for which invoices have not yet generated for the customer are considered unbilled. Installment receivables for which invoices have been generated but are not past the contractual due date are considered billed-current. Installment receivables for which invoices have been generated and the payment is approximately ten days past the contractual due date are considered billed-past due. Account balances are written-off if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely based on the length of time from the day accounts become past due.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is established to cover probable and reasonably estimable losses. Because of the number of subscriber accounts, it is not practical to review the collectability of each of those accounts individually to determine the amount of allowance for doubtful accounts each period, although some account level analysis is performed with respect to large wireless and wireline subscribers. The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts considers a number of factors, including collection experience, aging of the remaining accounts receivable portfolios, credit quality of the subscriber base and other qualitative considerations, including macro-economic factors. Account balances are written off if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely based on the length of time from the day accounts become past due. Amounts written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries and other adjustments, were $360 million, $451 million, and $371 million for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. See Note 3. Installment Receivables for additional information as it relates to the allowance for doubtful accounts specifically attributable to installment receivables.

Device and Accessory Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company sells wireless devices separately or in conjunction with a service contract. A device sold with a service contract may be sold below cost, as any promotional discounts on the device are expected to be recovered through the service contract.

The net realizable value of devices and other inventory is analyzed on a regular basis. This analysis includes assessing obsolescence, sales forecasts, product life cycle, marketplace and other considerations. If assessments regarding the above factors adversely change, we may sell devices at lower prices or record a write-down to inventory for obsolete or slow-moving items prior to the point of sale.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment (PP&E), including improvements that extend useful lives, are recognized at cost. Depreciation on PP&E is generally calculated using the straight-line method based on estimated economic useful lives of 3 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and network equipment, site costs and related software and 3 to 12 years for non-network internal use software, office equipment and other. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective assets. Leased devices are depreciated using the straight-line method to their estimated residual value generally over the term of the lease. We calculate depreciation on certain network assets using the group life method. Accordingly, ordinary asset retirements and disposals on those assets are charged against accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized. Gains or losses associated with all other asset retirements or disposals are recognized in "Other, net" in the consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation rates for assets are revised periodically to account for changes, if any, related to management's strategic objectives, technological changes, changes in estimated residual values, or obsolescence. Changes in our estimates will result in adjustments to depreciation expense prospectively over the estimated useful lives of our non-leased assets and over the remaining period of benefit for devices leased to our customers. Repair and maintenance costs and research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

We capitalize costs for network and non-network software developed or obtained for internal use during the application development stage. These costs are included in PP&E and, when the software is placed in service, are depreciated over estimated useful lives of three to five years. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stage, as well as maintenance and training costs, are expensed as incurred.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

Sprint evaluates long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Asset groups are determined at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. When the carrying amount of a long-lived asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of the asset group’s carrying value over the estimated fair value. See Note 5. Property, Plant and Equipment for additional information on long-lived asset impairments.

Certain assets that have not yet been deployed in the business, including network equipment, cell site development costs and software in development, are periodically assessed to determine recoverability. Network equipment and cell site development costs are expensed whenever events or changes in circumstances cause the Company to conclude the assets are no longer needed to meet management's strategic network plans and will not be deployed. Software development costs are expensed when it is no longer probable that the software project will be deployed. Network equipment that has been removed from the network is also periodically assessed to determine recoverability. If we experience significant operational challenges, including retaining and attracting subscribers, future cash flows of the Company may not be sufficient to recover the carrying value of our assets or asset groups, and we could record asset impairments that are material to Sprint's consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill, certain of our trademarks and FCC licenses. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. In determining whether an intangible asset, other than goodwill, is indefinite-lived, we consider the expected use of the assets, the regulatory and economic environment within which they are being used, and the effects of obsolescence on their use. We assess our indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, for impairment at least annually or, if necessary, more frequently, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset may be impaired. As a result of our annual evaluation, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.0 billion related to goodwill in our wireless reporting unit during the year ended March 31, 2019.

These evaluations, which include the determination of fair value, require considerable judgment and are highly sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for the purposes of estimating the fair values of our indefinite-lived assets, including goodwill, will prove to be an accurate prediction of the future. Sustained declines in the Company’s operating results, number of wireless subscribers, forecasted future cash flows, growth rates and other assumptions, as well as significant, sustained declines in the Company’s stock price and related market capitalization could impact the underlying key assumptions and our estimated fair values, potentially leading to an additional future material impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets. See Note 6. Intangible Assets for additional information on indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments.

Derivatives and Hedging

The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate risks arising from operating and financing activities. In accordance with its risk management policies, the Company generally does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. When the Company becomes a party to a derivative instrument and intends to apply hedge accounting, it formally documents the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge which includes designating the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a net investment hedge. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether the Company had designated it in a qualifying hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. At March 31, 2019, the Company only held and applied hedge accounting for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.

Changes in the fair value of a derivative not designated in a hedging relationship are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The changes in the fair value of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is recorded in "Other comprehensive (loss) income" in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which the hedged item affects earnings.

For derivative instruments designated as hedges, the Company assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Highly effective means that cumulative changes in the fair value of the derivative are between 80% and 125% of the cumulative changes in the fair value of the hedged item. In addition, when the Company determines that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies any gains or losses in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" to earnings in the consolidated statements of operations. When a derivative in a hedge relationship is terminated or the hedged item is sold, extinguished or terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively.

Benefit Plans

We provide a defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement benefits to certain employees, and we sponsor a defined contribution plan for all employees.

As of March 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of our pension plan assets and certain other postretirement benefit plan assets in aggregate was $1.4 billion in each period and the fair value of our projected benefit obligations in aggregate was $2.2 billion in each period. As a result, the plans were underfunded by approximately $800 million as of both March 31, 2019 and 2018 and were recorded as a net liability in our consolidated balance sheets. Estimated contributions totaling approximately $77 million are expected to be paid during the fiscal year 2019.

The offset to the pension liability is recorded in equity as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss," net of tax, including net actuarial losses of $49 million and $30 million for the years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and a net actuarial gain of $35 million for the year ended March 31, 2017, which is amortized to "Other income (expense), net" in our consolidated statements of operations. The change in the net liability of the Plan in the year ended March 31, 2019 was affected by the lower than expected actual rate of return on Plan assets experienced during the year. There was no change in the discount rate used to estimate the projected benefit obligation during the year ended March 31, 2019. The change in the net liability of the Plan in the year ended March 31, 2018 was affected by a change in the discount rate used to estimate the projected benefit obligation, decreasing from 4.3% for the year ended March 31, 2017 to 4.1% for the year ended March 31, 2018. The change in the net liability of the Plan in the year ended March 31, 2017 was affected by the higher than expected actual rate of return on Plan assets experienced during the year. There was no change in the discount rate used to estimate the projected benefit obligation during the year ended March 31, 2017. We intend to make future cash contributions to the Plan in an amount necessary to meet minimum funding requirements according to applicable benefit plan regulations.

As of December 31, 2005, the Plan was amended to freeze benefit plan accruals for participants. The objective for the investment portfolio of the pension plan is to achieve a long-term nominal rate of return, net of fees, which exceeds the plan's long-term expected rate of return on investments for funding purposes which was 7.25% and 7.50% for the years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. To meet this objective, our investment strategy for the seven-month period ended October 31, 2017 was governed by an asset allocation policy, whereby a targeted allocation percentage is assigned to each asset class as follows: 38% to U.S. equities; 16% to international equities; 28% to fixed income investments; 9% to real estate investments; and 9% to other investments including hedge funds. Actual allocations are allowed to deviate from target allocation percentages within a range for each asset class as defined in the investment policy. As of November 1, 2017, the target allocation percentage assigned to each asset class was revised as follows: 38% to U.S. equities; 16% to international equities; 37% to fixed income investments; and 9% to real estate investments and remains consistent at March 31, 2019. The long-term expected rate of return on investments for funding purposes is 7.00% for the year ended March 31, 2020.

Investments of the Plan are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which is determined using quoted market prices or estimated fair values. As of March 31, 2019, 27% of the investment portfolio was valued at quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; 64% was valued using quoted prices for similar assets in active or inactive markets, or other observable inputs; and 9% was valued using unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, the majority of which used the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient to measure the fair value.

Under our defined contribution plan, participants may contribute a portion of their eligible pay to the plan through payroll withholdings. The Company will match 100% of the participants' pre-tax and Roth contribution (in aggregate) on the first 3% of eligible compensation for the calendar years 2019 and 2018. The Company matched 50% of the participants' pre-tax and Roth contribution (in aggregate) on the first 4% of eligible compensation for the calendar years 2017 and 2016. Fixed matching contributions totaled approximately $47 million, $38 million, and $28 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

We earn revenue from contracts with customers, primarily through the provision of telecommunications and other services and the sale or rental of wireless devices and accessories. Net operating revenues primarily consist of Wireless and Wireline service revenues, revenues generated from device and accessory sales, revenues from wholesale operators and third-party affiliates. Our contracts with customers may involve multiple performance obligations, which include services, wireless devices or a combination thereof, and we allocate the transaction price between each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.

Contracts with Customers

Service-related components of the total transaction price typically consist of fixed monthly recurring charges, variable usage charges and miscellaneous fees such as activation fees, international long distance and roaming, commissions on the device insurance program, late payment and administrative fees, and certain regulatory-related fees, net of service credits. For contracts involving multiple performance obligations, such as equipment and service, revenue is allocated based on relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation. We generally recognize revenue allocated to service performance obligations as those services are rendered. As a result of the timing of our multiple billing cycles throughout each month, we are required to estimate the amount of subscriber revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period, and to estimate and defer amounts billed but not earned as of the end of each reporting period. These estimates are based primarily on rate plans in effect and our historical usage and billing patterns. Regulatory fees and costs are recorded gross. The largest component of regulatory fees is the Universal Service Fund, which represented no more than 1% of net operating revenues for each of the years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and no more than 2% for the year ended March 31, 2017, in the consolidated statements of operations.

We recognize equipment sales and corresponding costs of equipment sales when title and risk of loss passes to the indirect dealer or end-use subscriber, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. This typically occurs at the point of sale for direct channel sales and freight-on-board dealer destination for indirect channel sales. For the year ended March 31, 2019, equipment sales to our indirect dealers were approximately $3.5 billion. In subsidized postpaid and prepaid Wireless contracts, we subsidize the cost of the device as an incentive to retain and acquire subscribers.

We recognize revenue on equipment rentals subject to leasing contracts in accordance with the classification of the lease, which is over the lease term for operating leases or upon transfer of control over the equipment for most capital leases. Qualified subscribers can lease a device for a contractual period of time. At the end of the lease term, subscribers have the option to return the device, continue leasing the device or purchase the device. Accounting for device leases involves specific determinations under applicable lease accounting standards, which involve complex and prescriptive provisions. These provisions impact the timing and amount of revenue recognized for our leased devices. The critical elements that are considered with respect to our lease accounting are the economic life of the device and the fair value of the device, including the residual value. We only lease devices to qualifying subscribers that also purchase a service plan. To date, substantially all of our device leases were classified as operating leases. Revenues under these arrangements are allocated amongst the deliverables in the multiple-element arrangement considering the relative fair values of the lease and non-lease elements. The amount allocable to the operating lease element is included within "Equipment rentals" in the consolidated statements of operations and is recognized ratably over the lease term, which is typically two years or less.

If a multiple-element arrangement includes an option to purchase, on a monthly basis, an annual trade-in right, the amount of the total arrangement consideration is reduced by the estimated fair value of the trade-in right or the guarantee and the remaining proceeds are then allocated amongst the other deliverables in the arrangement.

Performance Obligations

Performance obligations related to our Wireless segment involve the provision of equipment and service. In most circumstances, equipment performance obligations provided to the customer as part of subsidized and installment billing contracts, or as part of standalone equipment sales, are satisfied when title and risk of loss passes to the indirect dealer or end-use subscriber, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. This typically occurs at the point of sale for direct channel sales and freight-on-board dealer destination for indirect channel sales. We recognize revenue on equipment rentals subject to leasing contracts in accordance with the classification of the lease, which is over the lease term for operating leases or upon transfer of control over the equipment for most capital leases. Wireless service performance obligations are typically satisfied over 24 months for subsidized and installment billing contracts with substantive termination penalties such as Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) contracts, over 18 to 30 months for leasing contracts, and over one month for traditional installment billing contracts. Amounts due for subsidized equipment are due at point of sale. Amounts due for equipment subject to an operating or capital lease are invoiced and collected monthly over the term of the lease. Amounts due for equipment subject to an installment billing note are invoiced and collected monthly over the term of the note, typically between 24 and 30 months for handsets and 12 to 18 months for accessories. A financing component exists in relation to subsidized and installment billing Wireless contracts. However, we do not consider the financing component to be quantitatively or qualitatively significant for installment billing contracts with durations longer than one year. For those installment billing contracts with durations of one year or less, we have elected to apply the practical expedient and not adjust the transaction price for the effects of a financing component. Amounts due for Wireless services are typically invoiced and collected monthly over the relevant service period. Wireless contracts generally do not involve variable consideration, other than expected adjustments to the total transaction price related to expected future price concessions and product returns and service refunds. Our Wireless contracts include consideration resulting from monthly customer charges intended to partially recover taxes imposed on the Company, including fees related to the Universal Service Fund. These fees are based on the customer's estimated monthly voice usage and are therefore allocated to corresponding distinct months of Wireless services. We update our estimates related to return and refund obligations for Wireless equipment and services on a quarterly basis. Returns and refunds are typically provided for up to 14 days after contract inception for individual customers and for 30 days for business customers.

Performance obligations related to our Wireline business involve the provision of services to corporate customers. Wireline service performance obligations are typically satisfied over a period between 24 and 36 months. Amounts due for services are invoiced and collected periodically over the relevant service period. Wireline contracts are not subject to significant amounts of variable consideration, other than charges intended to partially recover taxes imposed on the Company, including fees related to the Universal Service Fund. Such fees are based on the customer's estimated monthly usage and are therefore allocated to corresponding distinct months of Wireline services. Our Wireline contracts do provide the customer with monthly options to purchase goods or services at prices commensurate with the standalone selling prices for those goods or services, as determined at contract inception.

Significant Judgments

The accounting estimates and judgments related to the recognition of revenue require us to make assumptions about numerous factors such as future billing adjustments, future returns, and the total contract consideration (e.g., for contracts which include customer incentives or consideration payable to the customer).

We use output methods to recognize revenue for performance obligations satisfied over time (i.e., service performance obligations). Output methods measure progress toward satisfying a performance obligation on the basis of direct measurements of the goods or services transferred to date, relative to the remaining goods or services promised under a contract. Management asserts that this method most reasonably represents the transfer of goods or services to the customer. For prepaid contracts which provide the customer with the ability to redeem fixed prepayments for future goods or services, we utilize the proportional amount of redemptions from the customer in comparison to the total expected amount of redemptions as an estimate of our progress toward satisfaction of our performance obligations. For postpaid contracts with unlimited amounts of monthly service and for Wireline contracts, we utilize the time elapsed in relation to the total contract duration as an estimate of our progress toward satisfaction of our performance obligations.

In determining the amounts of revenue to recognize, we use the following methods, inputs, and assumptions:

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Determination of transaction price - we include any fixed and determinable charges per our contracts as part of the total transaction price. To the extent that variable consideration is not constrained, we include a probability-weighted estimate of the variable amount within the total transaction price and update our assumptions over the duration of the contract. We do not accept non-cash consideration from our customers as direct payment for the purchase of equipment at contract inception or for the purchase of ongoing services. Subject to certain restrictions, we may purchase used equipment from customers entering into a new subscriber contract. Our payment for the purchase of this used equipment may not equal its market value. In those circumstances, the expected difference between the purchase price and the market value of the used equipment is treated as an adjustment to the total transaction price of the customer's contract at contract inception.

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Assessment of estimates of variable consideration - our Wireless contracts generally do not involve variable consideration which must be allocated amongst performance obligations at contract inception, other than expected adjustments to the total transaction price related to (a) customer equipment rebates; (b) customer retention credits; and (c) product returns and service refunds, all of which we are able to reasonably estimate at contract inception based upon historical experience with similar or identical contracts and similar or identical customers. Our Wireline contracts are generally not subject to significant amounts of variable consideration. We do not consider any of our variable consideration to be constrained for the purpose of estimating the total transaction price to be allocated to our performance obligations.

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Allocation of transaction price - we allocate the total transaction price in our contracts amongst performance obligations based upon the relative standalone selling prices of those performance obligations. We use observable external pricing of performance obligations when sold on a standalone basis as evidence of standalone selling prices. Discounts and premiums built into our transaction prices are typically allocated proportionately to all performance obligations within the contracts, exclusive of performance obligations for the delivery of accessories, which are consistently sold at a standalone selling price regardless of bundling, and with the exception of estimated Wireless customer retention credits, which are treated as a reduction in the portion of the total transaction price allocated to service revenue.

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Measurement of returns, refunds, and other similar obligations are estimated separately for separate product and service types based upon historical experience with similar contracts and similar types of customers. The total transaction price is reduced by the amount estimated as a return, refund, or other similar obligation in relation to the sale. This amount is recorded as a current liability, unless and until our estimates have changed or the relevant obligation has been satisfied.

Costs to Acquire a Customer Contract

We compensate our dealers and retail employees using specific compensation programs. Sales commissions through these compensation programs are generally earned upon the sale of our devices, service contracts, or both, to an end-use subscriber. Incremental and direct costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers, such as sales commissions, are deferred and amortized consistent with the transfer of the related good or service. We capitalize incremental commissions directly related to the acquisition or renewal of customer contracts, to the extent that the costs are expected to be recovered. Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the expected customer life or the expected benefit related directly to those costs.

We assess our capitalized contract acquisition asset for impairment on a quarterly basis. We impair our capitalized costs to the extent that the carrying amount of a capitalized cost exceeds (a) the remaining amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the goods and services related to the cost, less (b) the expected costs related directly to providing those goods and services that have not yet been recognized as expenses.

Severance and Exit Costs

Liabilities for severance and exit costs are recognized based upon the nature of the cost to be incurred. For involuntary separation plans that are completed within the guidelines of our written involuntary separation plan, a liability is recognized when it is probable and reasonably estimable. For voluntary separation plans (VSP), a liability is recognized when the VSP is irrevocably accepted by the employee. For one-time termination benefits, such as additional severance pay or benefit payouts, and other exit costs, such as lease termination costs, the liability is measured and recognized initially at fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred, with subsequent changes to the liability recognized as adjustments in the period of change. Severance and exit costs associated with business combinations are recorded in the results of operations when incurred.

Compensation Plans

As of March 31, 2019, Sprint sponsored three incentive plans: the Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2015 Plan); the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2007 Plan); and the 1997 Long-Term Incentive Program (1997 Program) (together, Compensation Plans). Sprint also sponsors an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Under the 2015 Plan, we may grant share and non-share based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other equity-based and cash awards to employees, outside directors and other eligible individuals as defined by the plan. As of March 31, 2019, the number of shares available and reserved for future grants under the 2015 Plan and ESPP totaled approximately 190 million common shares. The Compensation Committee of our board of directors, or one or more executive officers should the Compensation Committee so authorize, as provided in the 2015 Plan, will determine the terms of each share and non-share based award. No new grants can be made under the 2007 Plan or the 1997 Program. We use new shares to satisfy share-based awards or treasury shares, if available.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, based on several assumptions including the risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected dividend yield and expected term. During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted approximately 3 million stock options with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.98 per share based upon assumptions of a risk-free interest rate from 1.93% to 2.65%, expected volatility from 41.9% to 51.8%, expected dividend yield of 0% and expected term from 5.5 to 6.5. In general, options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying shares on the grant date, vest on an annual basis over three years, and have a contractual term of ten years. The Company did not grant any stock options during the year ended March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, 22 million options were outstanding, of which 18 million options were exercisable.

We generally determine the fair value of each restricted stock unit award based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units generally have performance and service requirements or service requirements only with vesting periods ranging from one to three years.

During the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we also granted performance-based restricted stock units to executive and non-executive employees that are earned (Earned Shares) based upon the achievement of certain market conditions equal to specified volume-weighted average prices of the Company's common stock during regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange over any 150-day calendar period during a performance period specific to each grant (Performance Period). For these awards granted in the year ended March 31, 2018, the specified market criteria has not yet been achieved within the Performance Period. Upon achievement, the Earned Shares will generally vest 50% over four years from the grant date and 50% over five years from the grant date, with continuous service required through each vesting date. For these awards granted in the year ended March 31, 2017, the specified market criteria has been achieved at a threshold price target qualifying for a 100% payout, however, the Earned Shares remain subject to the vesting requirements. During the year ended March 31, 2018, the vesting schedule for Earned Shares was modified, with no incremental impact on compensation expense, to generally vest one-third over two years from the grant date, one-third over three years from the grant date, and one-third over four years from the grant date, with continuous service required through each vesting date. The fair value of these market-based restricted stock units is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation methodology, which incorporates into the valuation the possibility that the market condition may not be satisfied. For the year ended March 31, 2018, assumptions used in the Monte Carlo valuation model are consistent with those we use to value stock options and include a risk-free interest rate from 1.79% to 2.42%, expected volatility from 41.9% to 51.8%, and expected dividend yield of 0%. The number of restricted stock units that ultimately vest can increase depending upon the future performance of the Company's common stock and the achievement of a higher threshold price target during the Performance Period, with a maximum payout of 120%. Compensation cost related to the share-based awards with market conditions is recognized regardless of the level of threshold price target achievement. No such awards were granted during the year ended March 31, 2019.

Employees and directors who are granted restricted stock units are not required to pay for the shares but generally must remain employed with us, or continue to serve as a member of our board of directors, until the restrictions lapse, which is typically three years for employees and one year for directors. Certain restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2019, are entitled to dividend equivalents paid in cash, if dividends are declared and paid on common shares, but performance-based restricted stock units are not entitled to dividend equivalent payments until the applicable performance and service criteria have been met. During the year ended March 31, 2019, the Company granted approximately 17 million service only and performance-based restricted stock units, including those with market conditions, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $5.35 per share. At March 31, 2019, approximately 71 million restricted stock unit awards were outstanding.

Compensation Costs

The cost of employee services received in exchange for share-based awards classified as equity is measured using the estimated fair value of the award on the date of the grant, and that cost is recognized over the period that the award recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Awards of instruments classified as liabilities are measured at the estimated fair value at each reporting date through settlement.

Pre-tax share and non-share based compensation charges from our incentive plans included in net income (loss) were $132 million, $182 million, and $93 million for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The net income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements for share-based compensation awards was $30 million, $65 million, and $33 million for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, there was $102 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested incentive awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.60 years.

Advertising Costs

We recognize advertising expense when incurred as selling, general and administrative expense. Advertising expenses totaled $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.1 billion for each of the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Variable Interest Entities (VIE)

VIEs are entities which lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, have equity investors which do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity's operations through voting rights, do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses, or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. A common type of VIE is a special purposes entity (SPE). SPEs are commonly used in securitization transactions in order to isolate certain assets and distribute the cash flows from those assets to investors. SPEs are generally structured to insulate investors from claims on the SPE's assets by creditors of other entities, including the creditors of the seller of the assets.

We are required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of VIEs when we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party which has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new authoritative literature, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This standard update, along with related subsequently issued updates, clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP. The new standard supersedes much of the existing authoritative literature for revenue recognition (Topic 605). The standard update also amends current guidance for the recognition of costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers such that incremental costs of obtaining and direct costs of fulfilling contracts with customers will be deferred and amortized consistent with the transfer of the related good or service. Upon adoption, the Company applied the standard only to contracts that were not completed, referred to as open contracts.

The Company adopted this standard update beginning on April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. This method requires that the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard be recognized at the date of application beginning April 1, 2018. We recorded a pre-tax cumulative effect of $1.7 billion ($1.3 billion, net of tax) as a reduction to the April 1, 2018 opening balance of accumulated deficit. Results for reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while amounts reported for prior periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under accounting standards in effect for those periods. See Note 8. Revenues from Contracts with Customers for additional information related to revenues and contract costs, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures required under Topic 606.

In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Financial Instruments, which amended guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Under the new guidance, entities will be required to measure equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded in net income, unless the entity has elected the new practicability exception. For financial liabilities measured using the fair value option, entities will be required to separately present in other comprehensive income the portion of the changes in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk. Additionally, the guidance amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The Company adopted this standard update beginning on April 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis resulting in a pre-tax cumulative effect of $12 million ($8 million, net of tax) to our opening balance of accumulated deficit.

In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Income Taxes, which amended guidance for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Under the new guidance, entities will be required to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, thereby eliminating the recognition exception within current guidance. The Company adopted this standard on April 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis with no impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance amending Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of providing a more robust framework to assist management when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted this standard on April 1, 2018 with prospective application to future business combinations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the goodwill impairment test by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the test), but rather to record an impairment charge based on the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. The Company adopted this standard on April 1, 2018 with no impact to our consolidated financial statements at the date of adoption.

The cumulative after-tax effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of Topic 606 and other ASUs effective for the Company on April 1, 2018 were as follows:



				Adjustments due to
	March 31, 2018			Topic 606			Other ASUs			April 1, 2018
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	3,711		$	97		$	—		$	3,808
Device and accessory inventory	1,003			(24		)	—			979
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	575			271			—			846
Costs to acquire a customer contract	—			1,219			—			1,219
Other assets	921			43			—			964
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	3,962		$	(35	)	$	—		$	3,927
Deferred tax liabilities	7,294			366			—			7,660
Other liabilities	3,483			(32		)	—			3,451
Stockholders' equity:
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(1,255		)	1,307			8			60
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(313		)	—			(8		)	(321		)

The most significant impact upon adoption of Topic 606 on April 1, 2018 was the recognition of a deferred contract cost asset of $1.2 billion, which was recorded in "Costs to acquire a customer contract" in our consolidated balance sheets for incremental contract acquisition costs paid on open contracts at the date of adoption. We are capitalizing and subsequently amortizing commission costs, which were previously expensed, related to new service contracts over the expected customer relationship period, while costs associated with contract renewals are amortized over the anticipated length of the service contract. Operating expenses were lower in fiscal year 2019 under Topic 606 compared to amounts recorded under Topic 605 due to higher deferrals of such costs compared to the amortization of prior period commission costs deferred only for open contracts at the date of adoption as permitted by Topic 606.

A reconciliation of the adjustments from the adoption of Topic 606 relative to Topic 605 on our consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets is as follows:



	Year Ended March 31, 2019
	As reported			Balances without adoption of Topic 606			Change
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net operating revenues:
Service	$	22,857		$	23,585		$	(728	)
Equipment sales	5,606			4,280			1,326
Equipment rentals	5,137			5,200			(63		)
	33,600			33,065			535
Net operating expenses:
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	6,664			6,742			(78		)
Cost of equipment sales	6,082			5,937			145
Cost of equipment rentals (exclusive of depreciation below)	643			643			—
Selling, general and administrative	7,774			8,164			(390		)
Depreciation - network and other	4,245			4,245			—
Depreciation - equipment rentals	4,538			4,538			—
Amortization	608			608			—
Goodwill impairment	2,000			2,000			—
Other, net	648			648			—
	33,202			33,525			(323		)
Operating income (loss)	398			(460		)	858
Total other expenses	(2,376		)	(2,376		)	—
Loss before income taxes	(1,978		)	(2,836		)	858
Income tax benefit	35			215			(180		)
Net loss	(1,943		)	(2,621		)	678
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—
Net loss attributable to Sprint	$	(1,943	)	$	(2,621	)	$	678

Basic net loss per common share attributable to Sprint	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.65	)	$	0.17
Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Sprint	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.65	)	$	0.17
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	4,057			4,057			—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	4,057			4,057			—



	March 31, 2019
	As reported			Balances without adoption of Topic 606			Change
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	3,554		$	3,443		$	111
Device and accessory inventory	999			1,020			(21		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,289			651			638
Costs to acquire a customer contract	1,559			—			1,559
Other assets	1,118			916			202
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	3,597		$	3,610		$	(13	)
Deferred tax liabilities	7,556			7,010			546
Other liabilities	3,437			3,466			(29		)
Stockholders' equity:
Accumulated deficit	(1,883		)	(3,868		)	1,985

The most significant impacts to our financial statement results as reported under Topic 606 as compared to Topic 605 for the current reporting period are as follows:

•

Consideration paid to customers or on behalf of customers is included as a reduction of the total transaction price of customer contracts, resulting in a contract asset that is amortized to service revenue over the term of the contract. As a result, the income statement impact reflects an increase in equipment sales offset by a reduction in wireless service revenue. Under the previous standard, this consideration paid to customers or on behalf of customers was recognized as a reduction to revenue or as selling, general and administrative expense.


•	Costs to acquire a customer contract or for a contract renewal are now capitalized and amortized to selling, general and administrative expenses over the expected customer relationship period or length of the service contract, respectively. Under the previous standard, these commission costs were expensed as incurred.


•	Deferred tax liabilities were increased for temporary differences established upon adoption of Topic 606, primarily attributable to costs to acquire a customer contract. For income tax purposes, these commission costs will continue to be expensed as incurred.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Leases, and has subsequently modified several areas of the standard in order to provide additional clarity and improvements. The new standard supersedes much of the existing authoritative literature for leases. This guidance requires lessees, among other things, to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on their balance sheet for all leases with lease terms longer than twelve months. In July 2018, the FASB made targeted improvements to the standard, including providing an additional and optional transition method. Under this method, an entity initially applies the standard at the adoption date, including the election of certain transition reliefs, and recognizes a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The standard will be effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year.

The Company will adopt the new leasing standard using the modified retrospective transition method as of the date of initial application (April 1, 2019) such that the comparative period financial statements and disclosures will not be adjusted. Upon transition, companies can elect various practical expedients. We have completed our assessment of the transition practical expedients and have concluded that we will elect practical expedients that will allow the Company to not reassess: whether a contract is a lease or contains a lease (including land easements), the classification of leases, or whether previously incurred costs are eligible for deferral as initial direct costs. Additionally, we expect to elect the use of hindsight for determining the lease term. At transition and prospectively, we will elect to not separate lease and non-lease components for most classes of assets in arrangements where we are the lessee.

As the Company has elected the modified retrospective transition method, any assets and liabilities that were recognized solely as a result of a transaction where the Company was the deemed owner during construction under the previous literature and the construction is completed will be derecognized at transition. The Company funded certain construction costs which were concluded to be prepaid lease payments; consequently, such amounts will be carried over at their depreciated balance of approximately $0.6 billion and included in the associated finance lease right-of-use assets.

Additionally, the Company is party to several leaseback arrangements. Due to the complexity of these arrangements, we have not completed our assessment of the impact upon adoption.

We currently anticipate the standard to have a material impact to our consolidated balance sheets upon adoption and in future periods. Excluding impacts associated with our leaseback arrangements, we currently estimate that upon adoption, the Company will recognize a lease liability of at least $7.0 billion. This impact is expected to be inclusive of the following:


•	The recognition of the lease liability and right-of-use assets for operating leases that were not previously recorded. The right-of-use asset will be adjusted for recognized balances associated with operating leases, including prepaid and deferred rent, cease-use liabilities and favorable or unfavorable intangible assets.


•	The impact of our election to apply hindsight in determining the lease term, such that our lease liability will generally only include payments for the initial non-cancelable lease term.

For lease arrangements where we are the lessor, the Company does not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material impact. While the standard modifies the classification and accounting for sales-type and direct finance leases, substantially all of the Company's current handset leases are classified as operating leases and the Company does not expect material sales-type or direct financing leases in future periods.

The Company is in the process of implementing significant new lease solutions, process and internal controls in order to meet the leasing standard's reporting and disclosure requirements.

In June 2016 and November 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires entities to use a Current Expected Credit Loss impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under this model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost within the scope of the standard. The entity's estimate would consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which will result in recognition of lifetime expected credit losses. The standard will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Compensation - Stock Compensation, which expands the scope of ASC Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The standard will be effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and assessing its overall impact. However, we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Fair Value Measurement: Disclosure Framework, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The standard will be effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and assessing its overall impact. However, we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software, which aligns the requirements for a customer to capitalize implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard will be effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and assessing its overall impact.