Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]

Equity and measurement alternative method investments

U.S. Cellular’s Investments in unconsolidated entities are accounted for using either the equity method or measurement alternative method as shown in the table below.  The measurement alternative method was elected for investments without readily determinable fair values formerly accounted for under the cost method.  The measurement alternative fair value represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes.  U.S. Cellular did not have an impairment or observable price change related to these investments for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
(Dollars in millions)
Equity method investments	$	444	$	411
Measurement alternative method investments		6		4
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	450	$	415

Equity method investments, summarized results of operations

The following table, which is based in part on information provided by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
(Dollars in millions)
Revenues	$	1,657	$	1,610
Operating expenses		1,208		1,212
Operating income		449		398
Other expense, net		(1)		–
Net income	$	448	$	398