Investments In Unconsolidated Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

NOTE 9 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 as shown in the following table:

December 31,		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Equity method investments:
	Capital contributions, loans and advances	$	21,543	$	25,067
	Cumulative share of income		1,050,618		958,635
	Cumulative share of distributions		(907,509)		(825,261)
			164,652		158,441
Cost method investments			15,269		15,269
Total investments in unconsolidated entities		$	179,921	$	173,710

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $92.9million, $82.5million and $98.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively; of those amounts, TDS' investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $67.2 million, $55.3 million and $64.8 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. TDS held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership throughout and at the end of each of these years.

The following tables, which are based on information provided in part by third parties, summarize the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and the combined results of operations of TDS' equity method investments:

December 31,		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
	Current	$	477,673	$	435,732
	Due from affiliates		298,707		199,167
	Property and other		1,951,887		1,988,331
		$	2,728,267	$	2,623,230
Liabilities and Equity
	Current liabilities	$	353,044	$	304,742
	Deferred credits		84,672		82,371
	Long-term liabilities		33,856		36,056
	Long-term capital lease obligations		405		234
	Partners’ capital and stockholders’ equity		2,256,290		2,199,827
		$	2,728,267	$	2,623,230

Year Ended December 31,		2012		2011		2010
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
	Revenues	$	5,825,150	$	5,540,220	$	4,971,525
	Operating expenses		4,381,731		4,301,758		3,567,131
	Operating income		1,443,419		1,238,462		1,404,394
	Other income (expense)		7,190		960		36,168
	Net income	$	1,450,609	$	1,239,422	$	1,440,562