Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following:

	December 31,						Depreciable Lives (Years)
(dollars in millions)	2018			2017
Land and rights-of-way	$	117.2		$	4.3		20	-	Indefinite
Buildings and leasehold improvements	305.2			179.1			5	-	40
Network equipment	3,913.3			3,339.4			2	-	50
Office software, furniture, fixtures and vehicles	216.3			162.5			2	-	14
Construction in process	47.1			14.7			n/a
Gross value	4,599.1			3,700.0
Accumulated depreciation	(2,755.1		)	(2,571.0		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,844.0		$	1,129.0

Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment totaled $239.6 million in 2018, $190.4 million in 2017 and $182.0 million in 2016. The portion of depreciation expense associated with cost of providing services was 85%, 84% and 85% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There are numerous assets included within network equipment resulting in a range of depreciable lives between 2 and 50 years, the majority of which fall within the range of 7 to 25 years. In 2016, we reduced the estimated useful life of certain set-top boxes, as well as the related software, as we upgraded to new technology.

No asset impairment losses were recognized in 2018, 2017 or 2016 on property, plant and equipment.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $114.9 million and $112.0 million, respectively, of assets accounted for as capital leases including network equipment, office software, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, buildings and building equipment. Depreciation of capital lease assets is included in "Depreciation and amortization" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.