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Operating costs
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Analysis of income and expense [abstract]  
Operating costs
 
 
Note 5
Operating costs
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
NOTE
2018

2017

Labour costs
 
 
 
 
Wages, salaries and related taxes and benefits
 
(4,274
)
(4,156
)
 
Post-employment benefit plans service cost (net of capitalized amounts)
24
(266
)
(242
)
 
Other labour costs (1)
 
(1,043
)
(1,056
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
Capitalized labour
 
1,093

1,043

Total labour costs
 
(4,490
)
(4,411
)
Cost of revenues (2)
 
(7,360
)
(7,014
)
Other operating costs (3)
 
(2,083
)
(2,050
)
Total operating costs
 
(13,933
)
(13,475
)
(1)
Other labour costs include contractor and outsourcing costs.
(2)
Cost of revenues includes costs of wireless devices and other equipment sold, network and content costs, and payments to other carriers.
(3)
Other operating costs include marketing, advertising and sales commission costs, bad debt expense, taxes other than income taxes, IT costs, professional service fees and rent.

Research and development expenses of $106 million and $119 million are included in operating costs for 2018 and 2017, respectively.