Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Note 7 Intangible Assets

Licenses

UScellular reviews opportunities to acquire additional wireless spectrum, including pursuant to FCC auctions. UScellular also may seek to divest outright or exchange wireless spectrum that is not strategic to its long-term success.

Auction 107

In February 2021, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 254 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz bands (Auction 107) for $1,283 million. UScellular paid $30 million of this amount in 2020 and the remainder in March 2021. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 107 were granted by the FCC in July 2021. Additionally, UScellular was obligated to pay approximately $179 million in total from 2021 through 2025 related to relocation costs and accelerated relocation incentive payments. Such additional costs were accrued and capitalized at the time the licenses were granted, and are adjusted as necessary as the estimated obligation changes. UScellular paid $122 million, $8 million and $36 million related to the additional costs for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the remaining estimated payments of approximately $13 million are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2022, the remaining estimated payments of approximately $133 million and $8 million were included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. UScellular received full access to the spectrum in the third quarter of 2023.

Auction 110

In January 2022, the FCC announced by way of public notice that UScellular was the provisional winning bidder for 380 wireless spectrum licenses in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band (Auction 110) for $580 million. UScellular paid $20 million of this amount in 2021 and the remainder in the first quarter of 2022. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 110 were granted by the FCC in May 2022.