Document And Entity Information
Document And Entity Information | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020shares | |
Document Type | 10-Q |
Document Quarterly Report | true |
Document Period End Date | Mar. 31, 2020 |
Document Transition Report | false |
Entity File Number | 001-09712 |
Entity Registrant Name | UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION |
Entity Central Index Key | 0000821130 |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2020 |
Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q1 |
Amendment Flag | false |
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
Entity Tax Identification Number | 62-1147325 |
Entity Address, Address Line One | 8410 West Bryn Mawr |
Entity Address, City or Town | Chicago |
Entity Address, State or Province | IL |
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 60631 |
City Area Code | (773) |
Local Phone Number | 399-8900 |
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes |
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes |
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer |
Smaller Reporting Company | false |
Emerging Growth Company | false |
Entity Shell Company | false |
Common Shares | |
Title of 12(b) Security | Common Shares, $1 par value |
Trading Symbol | USM |
Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 52,357,700 |
6.95% Senior Notes | |
Title of 12(b) Security | 6.95% Senior Notes due 2060 |
Trading Symbol | UZA |
Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
7.25% 2063 Senior Notes | |
Title of 12(b) Security | 7.25% Senior Notes due 2063 |
Trading Symbol | UZB |
Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
7.25% 2064 Senior Notes | |
Title of 12(b) Security | 7.25% Senior Notes due 2064 |
Trading Symbol | UZC |
Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
Series A Common Shares | |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 33,005,900 |
Consolidated Statement of Opera
Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Operating revenues | ||
Total operating revenues | $ 963 | $ 966 |
Operating expenses | ||
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $19 million and $20 million, respectively) | 335 | 326 |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 177 | 169 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | 4 | 2 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | 0 | (2) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net | 0 | (2) |
Total operating expenses | 913 | 902 |
Operating income | 50 | 64 |
Investment and other income (expense) | ||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 45 | 44 |
Interest and dividend income | 4 | 6 |
Interest expense | (24) | (29) |
Other, net | 1 | 0 |
Total investment and other income | 26 | 21 |
Income before income taxes | 76 | 85 |
Income tax expense | 4 | 27 |
Net income | 72 | 58 |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | 1 | 4 |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ 71 | $ 54 |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) | 86 | 86 |
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (USD per share) | $ 0.82 | $ 0.63 |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) | 88 | 88 |
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (USD per share) | $ 0.81 | $ 0.62 |
Service | ||
Operating revenues | ||
Total operating revenues | $ 762 | $ 741 |
Operating expenses | ||
Cost of equipment sold | 180 | 176 |
Equipment sales | ||
Operating revenues | ||
Total operating revenues | 201 | 225 |
Operating expenses | ||
Cost of equipment sold | $ 217 | $ 233 |
Consolidated Statement of Ope_2
Consolidated Statement of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Operating expenses | ||
Selling, general and administrative, charges from affiliates | $ 19 | $ 20 |
Consolidated Statement of Cash
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | ||
Net income | $ 72 | $ 58 |
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities | ||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 177 | 169 |
Bad debts expense | 33 | 24 |
Stock-based compensation expense | 7 | 9 |
Deferred income taxes, net | 52 | 17 |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (45) | (44) |
Distributions from unconsolidated entities | 24 | 18 |
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net | 4 | 2 |
(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net | 0 | (2) |
(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net | 0 | (2) |
Other operating activities | 0 | 1 |
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations | ||
Accounts receivable | 55 | 31 |
Equipment installment plans receivable | 23 | (10) |
Inventory | (50) | (15) |
Accounts payable | 97 | 56 |
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | (10) | 7 |
Accrued taxes | (49) | 11 |
Accrued interest | 9 | 9 |
Other assets and liabilities | (57) | (52) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 342 | 287 |
Cash flows from investing activities | ||
Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment | (315) | (107) |
Cash paid for licenses | (26) | (1) |
Cash received from investments | 0 | 2 |
Cash paid for investments | (1) | (1) |
Cash received from divestitures and exchanges | 0 | 31 |
Advance payments for license acquisitions | 0 | (135) |
Other investing activities | 0 | (1) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (342) | (212) |
Cash flows from financing activities | ||
Repayment of long-term debt | (2) | (5) |
Repurchase of Common Shares | (21) | 0 |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (1) | (1) |
Net cash used in financing activities | (24) | (6) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (24) | 69 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ||
Beginning of period | 291 | 583 |
End of period | $ 267 | $ 652 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 258 | $ 285 | |
Accounts receivable | |||
Customers and agents, less allowances of $77 and $70, respectively | 865 | 919 | |
Roaming | 24 | 27 | |
Affiliated | 1 | 1 | |
Other, less allowances of $1 and $1, respectively | 40 | 63 | |
Inventory, net | 212 | 162 | |
Prepaid expenses | 58 | 50 | |
Income taxes receivable | 96 | 46 | |
Other current assets | 22 | 20 | |
Total current assets | 1,576 | 1,573 | |
Licenses | 2,502 | 2,471 | |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 469 | 447 | |
Property, plant and equipment | |||
In service and under construction | 8,485 | 8,293 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | 6,217 | 6,086 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,268 | 2,207 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 902 | 900 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | 534 | 566 | |
Total assets | [1] | 8,251 | 8,164 |
Current liabilities | |||
Current portion of long-term debt | 6 | 8 | |
Accounts payable | |||
Affiliated | 7 | 8 | |
Trade | 321 | 296 | |
Customer deposits and deferred revenues | 139 | 148 | |
Accrued taxes | 27 | 30 | |
Accrued compensation | 47 | 76 | |
Short-term operating lease liabilities | 109 | 105 | |
Other current liabilities | 66 | 79 | |
Total current liabilities | 722 | 750 | |
Deferred liabilities and credits | |||
Deferred income tax liability, net | 559 | 507 | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 865 | 865 | |
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 327 | 319 | |
Long-term debt, net | 1,503 | 1,502 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features | 11 | 11 | |
U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity | |||
Series A Common and Common Shares Authorized 190 shares (50 Series A Common and 140 Common Shares) Issued 88 shares (33 Series A Common and 55 Common Shares) Outstanding 85 shares (33 Series A Common and 52 Common Shares) and 86 shares (33 Series A Common and 53 Common Shares) Par Value ($1.00 per share) ($33 Series A Common and $55 Common Shares) | 88 | 88 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,636 | 1,629 | |
Treasury shares, at cost, 3 and 2 Common Shares, respectively | (92) | (70) | |
Retained earnings | 2,620 | 2,550 | |
Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | 4,252 | 4,197 | |
Noncontrolling interests | 12 | 13 | |
Total equity | 4,264 | 4,210 | |
Total liabilities and equity | [1] | $ 8,251 | $ 8,164 |
[1] | The consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $ 933 million and $ 930 million, respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of U.S. Cellular. The consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $ 20 million and $ 22 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of U.S. Cellular. See Note 9 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information. |
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Accounts receivable | ||
Customer and agent allowances | $ 77 | $ 70 |
Other allowances | $ 1 | $ 1 |
U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity | ||
Authorized shares (in shares) | 190,000,000 | 190,000,000 |
Issued shares (in shares) | 88,000,000 | 88,000,000 |
Outstanding shares (in shares) | 85,000,000 | 86,000,000 |
Par value | $ 88 | $ 88 |
Variable Interest Entities VIEs | ||
Total VIE assets that can be used to settle only the VIEs' obligations | 933 | 930 |
Total VIE liabilities for which creditors have no recourse | $ 20 | $ 22 |
Series A Common Shares | ||
U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity | ||
Authorized shares (in shares) | 50,000,000 | 50,000,000 |
Issued shares (in shares) | 33,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Outstanding shares (in shares) | 33,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Par value per share (USD per share) | $ 1 | $ 1 |
Par value | $ 33 | $ 33 |
Common Shares | ||
U.S. Cellular shareholders’ equity | ||
Authorized shares (in shares) | 140,000,000 | 140,000,000 |
Issued shares (in shares) | 55,000,000 | 55,000,000 |
Outstanding shares (in shares) | 52,000,000 | 53,000,000 |
Par value per share (USD per share) | $ 1 | $ 1 |
Par value | $ 55 | $ 55 |
Treasury shares (in shares) | 3,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
Consolidated Statement of Chang
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions | Total | Series A Common and Common shares | Additional paid-in capital | Treasury shares | Retained earnings | Total U.S. Cellular shareholders' equity | Noncontrolling interests |
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018 | $ 4,067 | $ 88 | $ 1,590 | $ (65) | $ 2,444 | $ 4,057 | $ 10 |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 54 | 54 | 54 | ||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||
Incentive and compensation plans | 1 | 2 | (1) | 1 | |||
Stock-based compensation awards | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (1) | 0 | (1) | ||||
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019 | 4,134 | 88 | 1,599 | (63) | 2,497 | 4,121 | 13 |
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019 | 4,210 | 88 | 1,629 | (70) | 2,550 | 4,197 | 13 |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 71 | 71 | 71 | ||||
Repurchase of Common Shares | (23) | (23) | (23) | ||||
Incentive and compensation plans | 0 | 1 | (1) | 0 | |||
Stock-based compensation awards | 7 | 7 | 7 | ||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (1) | 0 | (1) | ||||
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020 | $ 4,264 | $ 88 | $ 1,636 | $ (92) | $ 2,620 | $ 4,252 | $ 12 |
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Basis of Presentation | Note 1 Basis of Presentation United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular), a Delaware Corporation, is an 83% -owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS). The accounting policies of U.S. Cellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB ASC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of U.S. Cellular, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, general partnerships in which U.S. Cellular has a majority partnership interest and certain entities in which U.S. Cellular has a variable interest that requires consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by U.S. Cellular pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, U.S. Cellular believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019 . The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for the fair statement of U.S. Cellular’s financial position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and its results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was not included because comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , equaled net income. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. U.S. Cellular has not changed its significant accounting and reporting policies from those disclosed in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 except as noted below for the estimation of credit losses. Restricted Cash U.S. Cellular presents restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 258 $ 285 Restricted cash included in Other current assets 9 6 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows $ 267 $ 291 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequently amended the standard with additional Accounting Standards Updates, collectively referred to as ASC 326. This standard requires entities to use a new forward-looking, expected loss model to estimate credit losses and requires additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade and other receivables. U.S. Cellular adopted the provisions of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective method. Under this method, U.S. Cellular applied the new accounting standard only to the most recent period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the accounting change, if any, as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Accordingly, prior periods have not been recast to reflect the new accounting standard. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of ASC 326 had no impact on retained earnings. U.S. Cellular’s accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices and accessories under installment plans, by agents and third-party distributors for sales of equipment to them, by third party vendors and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems. U.S. Cellular estimates expected credit losses related to accounts receivable balances based on a review of available and relevant information including current economic conditions, projected economic conditions, historical loss experience, account aging, and other factors that could affect collectability. Expected credit losses are determined individually or collectively depending on whether the accounts receivable balances share similar risk characteristics. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses related to existing accounts receivable. U.S. Cellular does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the existing guidance for capitalizing implementation costs for an arrangement that has a software license. The service element of a hosting arrangement will continue to be expensed as incurred. Any capitalized implementation costs will be amortized over the period of the service contract. U.S. Cellular's hosting arrangements that are service contracts consist primarily of software used to perform administrative functions. U.S. Cellular adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020, using the prospective method. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did no t have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations. |
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Revenue Recognition | Note 2 Revenue Recognition Disaggregation of Revenue In the following table, U.S. Cellular's revenues are disaggregated by type of service, which represents the relevant categorization of revenues for U.S. Cellular, and timing of recognition. Service revenues are recognized over time and Equipment sales are point in time. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Retail service $ 671 $ 659 Inbound roaming 37 34 Other service 35 32 Service revenues from contracts with customers 743 725 Equipment sales 201 225 Total revenues from contracts with customers 944 950 Operating lease income 19 16 Total operating revenues $ 963 $ 966 Contract Balances The following table provides balances for contract assets from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Contract assets $ 7 $ 7 Contract liabilities $ 146 $ 154 Revenue recognized related to contract liabilities existing at January 1, 2020 was $99 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations The following table includes estimated service revenues expected to be recognized related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period. These estimates represent service revenues to be recognized when wireless services are delivered to customers pursuant to service plan contracts and under certain roaming agreements with other carriers. These estimates are based on contracts in place as of March 31, 2020 and may vary from actual results. As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates. Service Revenues (Dollars in millions) Remainder of 2020 $ 180 2021 100 Thereafter 164 Total $ 444 Contract Cost Assets U.S. Cellular expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and, therefore, U.S. Cellular defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. The contract cost asset balance related to commission fees and other costs was $127 million at March 31, 2020 , and $133 million at December 31, 2019 , and was recorded in Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Deferred commission fees are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term. Amortization of contract cost assets was $27 million for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 |
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Fair Value Measurements | Note 3 Fair Value Measurements As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , U.S. Cellular did not have any material financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. The provisions of GAAP establish a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets. U.S. Cellular has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 258 $ 258 $ 285 $ 285 Long-term debt Retail 2 917 795 917 943 Institutional 2 535 527 534 594 Other 2 83 83 83 83 The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Long-term debt excludes lease obligations, other installment arrangements, the current portion of Long-term debt and debt financing costs. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt was estimated using market prices for the 7.25% 2063 Senior Notes, 7.25% 2064 Senior Notes and 6.95% Senior Notes. U.S. Cellular’s “Institutional” debt consists of the 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. U.S. Cellular’s “Other” debt consists of a senior term loan credit agreement. U.S. Cellular estimated the fair value of its Institutional and Other debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 2.74% to 7.05% and 3.55% to 5.73% at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. |
Equipment Installment Plans
Equipment Installment Plans | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Receivables [Abstract] | |
Equipment Installment Plans | Note 4 Equipment Installment Plans U.S. Cellular sells devices to customers under equipment installment plans over a specified time period. For certain equipment installment plans, after a specified period of time or amount of payments, the customer may have the right to upgrade to a new device and have the remaining unpaid equipment installment contract balance waived, subject to certain conditions, including trading in the original device in good working condition and signing a new equipment installment contract. The following table summarizes equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equipment installment plan receivables, gross $ 964 $ 1,008 Allowance for credit losses (90 ) (84 ) Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 Net balance presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as: Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion) $ 566 $ 587 Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion) 308 337 Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 U.S. Cellular uses various inputs, including internal data, information from credit bureaus and other sources, to evaluate the credit profiles of its customers. From this evaluation, a credit class is assigned to the customer that determines the number of eligible lines, the amount of credit available, and the down payment requirement, if any. These credit classes are grouped into four credit categories: lowest risk, lower risk, slight risk and higher risk. A customer's assigned credit class is reviewed periodically and a change is made, if appropriate. An equipment installment plan billed amount is considered past due if not paid within 30 days. The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total (Dollars in millions) Unbilled $ 774 $ 95 $ 22 $ 9 $ 900 $ 812 $ 99 $ 23 $ 8 $ 942 Billed — current 35 5 2 1 43 37 5 2 1 45 Billed — past due 11 6 3 1 21 11 6 3 1 21 Total $ 820 $ 106 $ 27 $ 11 $ 964 $ 860 $ 110 $ 28 $ 10 $ 1,008 The balance of the equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 on a gross basis by year of origination were as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total (Dollars in millions) Lowest Risk $ 15 $ 200 $ 480 $ 125 $ 820 Lower Risk 1 19 67 19 106 Slight Risk — 3 16 8 27 Higher Risk — 1 6 4 11 Total $ 16 $ 223 $ 569 $ 156 $ 964 Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , in the allowance for credit losses for equipment installment plan receivables was as follows: March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 84 $ 77 Bad debts expense 25 18 Write-offs, net of recoveries (19 ) (18 ) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 90 $ 77 |
Income Taxes
Income Taxes | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Income Taxes | Note 5 Income Taxes The effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, was 5.0% and 31.4% , respectively. The lower effective tax rate in 2020 as compared to 2019 is due primarily to the income tax benefits of the CARES Act enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides retroactive eligibility of bonus depreciation on qualified improvement property put into service after December 31, 2017 and a 5-year carryback of net operating losses generated in years 2018-2020. As the statutory federal tax rate applicable to certain years within the carryback period is 35% , carryback to those years provides a tax benefit in excess of the current federal statutory rate of 21% , resulting in a reduction of income tax expense. |
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Earnings Per Share | Note 6 Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders is computed by dividing Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of performance and restricted stock units. The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders were as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 71 $ 54 Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share 86 86 Effects of dilutive securities 2 2 Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share 88 88 Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 0.82 $ 0.63 Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 0.81 $ 0.62 Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of performance and restricted stock units were not included in weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded was 1 million and less than 1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Intangible Assets | Note 7 Intangible Assets Activity related to Licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 , is presented below: Licenses (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2,471 Acquisitions 30 Capitalized interest 1 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 2,502 In March 2020, the FCC announced by way of public notice that U.S. Cellular was the provisional winning bidder for 237 wireless spectrum licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands (Auction 103) for $146 million. U.S. Cellular paid $24 million of this amount in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and substantially all of the remainder in April 2020. The wireless spectrum licenses from Auction 103 are expected to be granted by the FCC during 2020. |
Investments in Unconsolidated E
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] | |
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities | Note 8 Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in entities in which U.S. Cellular holds a noncontrolling interest. 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 carrying value of measurement alternative method investments represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equity method investments $ 461 $ 440 Measurement alternative method investments 8 7 Total investments in unconsolidated entities $ 469 $ 447 The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues $ 1,657 $ 1,689 Operating expenses 1,162 1,215 Operating income 495 474 Other income (expense), net 3 (5 ) Net income $ 498 $ 469 |
Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entities | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] | |
Variable Interest Entities | Note 9 Variable Interest Entities Consolidated VIEs U.S. Cellular consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and the right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. U.S. Cellular reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 . During 2017, U.S. Cellular formed USCC EIP LLC (Seller/Sub-Servicer), USCC Receivables Funding LLC (Transferor) and the USCC Master Note Trust (Trust), collectively the special purpose entities (SPEs), to facilitate a securitized borrowing using its equipment installment plan receivables. Under a Receivables Sale Agreement, U.S. Cellular wholly-owned, majority-owned and unconsolidated entities, collectively referred to as “affiliated entities”, transfer device equipment installment plan contracts to the Seller/Sub-Servicer. The Seller/Sub-Servicer aggregates device equipment installment plan contracts, and performs servicing, collection and all other administrative activities related to accounting for the equipment installment plan contracts. The Seller/Sub-Servicer sells the eligible equipment installment plan receivables to the Transferor, a bankruptcy remote entity, which subsequently sells the receivables to the Trust. The Trust, which is bankruptcy remote and isolated from the creditors of U.S. Cellular, will be responsible for issuing asset-backed variable funding notes (Notes), which are collateralized by the equipment installment plan receivables owned by the Trust. Given that U.S. Cellular has the power to direct the activities of these SPEs, and that these SPEs lack sufficient equity to finance their activities, U.S. Cellular is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the SPEs and, therefore, consolidates them. All transactions with third parties (e.g., issuance of the asset-backed variable funding notes) will be accounted for as a secured borrowing due to the pledging of equipment installment plan contracts as collateral, significant continuing involvement in the transferred assets, subordinated interests of the cash flows, and continued evidence of control of the receivables. The following VIEs were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum licenses and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC wireless spectrum licenses won in the auctions: ▪ Advantage Spectrum, L.P. (Advantage Spectrum) and Sunshine Spectrum, Inc., the general partner of Advantage Spectrum; and ▪ King Street Wireless, L.P. (King Street Wireless) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless. These particular VIEs are collectively referred to as designated entities. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs is shared. Specifically, the general partner of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships. The general partner of each partnership needs the consent of the limited partner, an indirect U.S. Cellular subsidiary, to sell or lease certain wireless spectrum licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of these VIEs is shared, U.S. Cellular has the most significant level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that U.S. Cellular is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, these VIEs are consolidated. U.S. Cellular also consolidates other VIEs that are limited partnerships that provide wireless service. A limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless the limited partners hold substantive participating rights or kick-out rights over the general partner. For certain limited partnerships, U.S. Cellular is the general partner and manages the operations. In these partnerships, the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights and, further, such limited partners do not have the authority to remove the general partner. Therefore, these limited partnerships also are recognized as VIEs and are consolidated under the variable interest model. The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24 $ 19 Accounts receivable 614 639 Inventory, net 4 6 Other current assets 11 7 Licenses 649 649 Property, plant and equipment, net 106 104 Operating lease right-of-use assets 44 44 Other assets and deferred charges 317 346 Total assets $ 1,769 $ 1,814 Liabilities Current liabilities $ 30 $ 32 Long-term operating lease liabilities 40 41 Other deferred liabilities and credits 14 14 Total liabilities $ 84 $ 87 Unconsolidated VIEs U.S. Cellular manages the operations of and holds a variable interest in certain other limited partnerships, but is not the primary beneficiary of these entities and, therefore, does not consolidate them under the variable interest model. U.S. Cellular’s total investment in these unconsolidated entities was $4 million and $5 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively, and is included in Investments in unconsolidated entities in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maximum exposure from unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the investment held by U.S. Cellular in those entities. Other Related Matters U.S. Cellular made contributions, loans or advances to its VIEs totaling $69 million and $183 million , during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, of which $55 million in 2020 and $168 million in 2019 , are related to USCC EIP LLC as discussed above. U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these or other VIEs and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for operations or the development of wireless spectrum licenses granted in various auctions. U.S. Cellular may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit or receivables securitization agreements and/or other long-term debt. There is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support. The limited partnership agreement of Advantage Spectrum also provides the general partner with a put option whereby the general partner may require the limited partner, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, to purchase its interest in the limited partnership. The general partner’s put option related to its interest in Advantage Spectrum will become exercisable in 2021 and 2022. The greater of the carrying value of the general partner's investment or the value of the put option, net of any borrowings due to U.S. Cellular, is recorded as Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Also in accordance with GAAP, minority share of income or changes in the redemption value of the put option, net of interest accrued on the loans, are recorded as a component of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. |
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Subsequent Events [Abstract] | |
Subsequent Events | Note 10 Subsequent Events In April 2020, U.S. Cellular borrowed $125 million under its receivables securitization agreement, which permits securitized borrowings for general corporate purposes using its equipment installment plan receivables. |
Basis of Presentation (Policies
Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Principles of Consolidation | The accounting policies of U.S. Cellular conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Unless otherwise specified, references to accounting provisions and GAAP in these notes refer to the requirements of the FASB ASC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of U.S. Cellular, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, general partnerships in which U.S. Cellular has a majority partnership interest and certain entities in which U.S. Cellular has a variable interest that requires consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. |
Basis of Accounting | The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by U.S. Cellular pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, U.S. Cellular believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Certain numbers included herein are rounded to millions for ease of presentation; however, certain calculated amounts and percentages are determined using the unrounded numbers. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in U.S. Cellular’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019 . The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for the fair statement of U.S. Cellular’s financial position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and its results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was not included because comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , equaled net income. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. U.S. Cellular has not changed its significant accounting and reporting policies from those disclosed in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 except as noted below for the estimation of credit losses. |
Accounts Receivable | U.S. Cellular’s accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts owed by customers for wireless services and equipment sales, including sales of certain devices and accessories under installment plans, by agents and third-party distributors for sales of equipment to them, by third party vendors and by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems. |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | U.S. Cellular estimates expected credit losses related to accounts receivable balances based on a review of available and relevant information including current economic conditions, projected economic conditions, historical loss experience, account aging, and other factors that could affect collectability. Expected credit losses are determined individually or collectively depending on whether the accounts receivable balances share similar risk characteristics. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses related to existing accounts receivable. U.S. Cellular does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequently amended the standard with additional Accounting Standards Updates, collectively referred to as ASC 326. This standard requires entities to use a new forward-looking, expected loss model to estimate credit losses and requires additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade and other receivables. U.S. Cellular adopted the provisions of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective method. Under this method, U.S. Cellular applied the new accounting standard only to the most recent period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the accounting change, if any, as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. Accordingly, prior periods have not been recast to reflect the new accounting standard. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of ASC 326 had no impact on retained earnings. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the existing guidance for capitalizing implementation costs for an arrangement that has a software license. The service element of a hosting arrangement will continue to be expensed as incurred. Any capitalized implementation costs will be amortized over the period of the service contract. U.S. Cellular's hosting arrangements that are service contracts consist primarily of software used to perform administrative functions. U.S. Cellular adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020, using the prospective method. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did no t have a significant impact on U.S. Cellular's financial position or results of operations. |
Revenue From Contract With Customer | As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates. Deferred commission fees are amortized based on the timing of transfer of the goods or services to which the assets relate, typically the contract term.U.S. Cellular expects that commission fees paid as a result of obtaining contracts are recoverable and, therefore, U.S. Cellular defers and amortizes these costs. As a practical expedient, costs with an amortization period of one year or less are expensed as incurred. |
Variable Interest Entities | U.S. Cellular consolidates VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as defined by GAAP and is therefore deemed the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and the right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. U.S. Cellular reviews these criteria initially at the time it enters into agreements and subsequently when events warranting reconsideration occur. These VIEs have risks similar to those described in the “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 . |
Basis of Presentation (Tables)
Basis of Presentation (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 258 $ 285 Restricted cash included in Other current assets 9 6 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows $ 267 $ 291 |
Revenue Recognition (Tables)
Revenue Recognition (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Disaggregation of Revenue | In the following table, U.S. Cellular's revenues are disaggregated by type of service, which represents the relevant categorization of revenues for U.S. Cellular, and timing of recognition. Service revenues are recognized over time and Equipment sales are point in time. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues from contracts with customers: Retail service $ 671 $ 659 Inbound roaming 37 34 Other service 35 32 Service revenues from contracts with customers 743 725 Equipment sales 201 225 Total revenues from contracts with customers 944 950 Operating lease income 19 16 Total operating revenues $ 963 $ 966 |
Contract with Customer, Assets and Liabilities | The following table provides balances for contract assets from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are recorded in Customer deposits and deferred revenues and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Contract assets $ 7 $ 7 Contract liabilities $ 146 $ 154 |
Remaining Performance Obligations | The following table includes estimated service revenues expected to be recognized related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period. These estimates represent service revenues to be recognized when wireless services are delivered to customers pursuant to service plan contracts and under certain roaming agreements with other carriers. These estimates are based on contracts in place as of March 31, 2020 and may vary from actual results. As practical expedients, revenue related to contracts of less than one year, generally month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a fixed per-unit price and variable quantity, are excluded from these estimates. Service Revenues (Dollars in millions) Remainder of 2020 $ 180 2021 100 Thereafter 164 Total $ 444 |
Fair Value Measurements (Tables
Fair Value Measurements (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Fair value measurements | U.S. Cellular has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 258 $ 258 $ 285 $ 285 Long-term debt Retail 2 917 795 917 943 Institutional 2 535 527 534 594 Other 2 83 83 83 83 |
Equipment Installment Plans (Ta
Equipment Installment Plans (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Receivables [Abstract] | |
Equipment installment plan receivables | The following table summarizes equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equipment installment plan receivables, gross $ 964 $ 1,008 Allowance for credit losses (90 ) (84 ) Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 Net balance presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as: Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion) $ 566 $ 587 Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion) 308 337 Equipment installment plan receivables, net $ 874 $ 924 |
Equipment installment plan receivables credit categories | The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total Lowest Risk Lower Risk Slight Risk Higher Risk Total (Dollars in millions) Unbilled $ 774 $ 95 $ 22 $ 9 $ 900 $ 812 $ 99 $ 23 $ 8 $ 942 Billed — current 35 5 2 1 43 37 5 2 1 45 Billed — past due 11 6 3 1 21 11 6 3 1 21 Total $ 820 $ 106 $ 27 $ 11 $ 964 $ 860 $ 110 $ 28 $ 10 $ 1,008 The balance of the equipment installment plan receivables as of March 31, 2020 on a gross basis by year of origination were as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total (Dollars in millions) Lowest Risk $ 15 $ 200 $ 480 $ 125 $ 820 Lower Risk 1 19 67 19 106 Slight Risk — 3 16 8 27 Higher Risk — 1 6 4 11 Total $ 16 $ 223 $ 569 $ 156 $ 964 |
Equipment installment plans allowance for credit losses | Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , in the allowance for credit losses for equipment installment plan receivables was as follows: March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period $ 84 $ 77 Bad debts expense 25 18 Write-offs, net of recoveries (19 ) (18 ) Allowance for credit losses, end of period $ 90 $ 77 |
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
Earnings Per Share (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Earnings per share | The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders were as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 71 $ 54 Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share 86 86 Effects of dilutive securities 2 2 Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share 88 88 Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 0.82 $ 0.63 Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders $ 0.81 $ 0.62 |
Intangible Assets (Tables)
Intangible Assets (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Licenses | Activity related to Licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 , is presented below: Licenses (Dollars in millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 2,471 Acquisitions 30 Capitalized interest 1 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 2,502 |
Investments in Unconsolidated_2
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [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 carrying value of measurement alternative method investments represents cost minus any impairments plus or minus any observable price changes. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Equity method investments $ 461 $ 440 Measurement alternative method investments 8 7 Total investments in unconsolidated entities $ 469 $ 447 |
Equity method investments, summarized results of operations | The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of U.S. Cellular’s equity method investments. Three Months Ended 2020 2019 (Dollars in millions) Revenues $ 1,657 $ 1,689 Operating expenses 1,162 1,215 Operating income 495 474 Other income (expense), net 3 (5 ) Net income $ 498 $ 469 |
Variable Interest Entities (Tab
Variable Interest Entities (Tables) | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] | |
Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities | The following table presents the classification and balances of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in U.S. Cellular’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (Dollars in millions) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24 $ 19 Accounts receivable 614 639 Inventory, net 4 6 Other current assets 11 7 Licenses 649 649 Property, plant and equipment, net 106 104 Operating lease right-of-use assets 44 44 Other assets and deferred charges 317 346 Total assets $ 1,769 $ 1,814 Liabilities Current liabilities $ 30 $ 32 Long-term operating lease liabilities 40 41 Other deferred liabilities and credits 14 14 Total liabilities $ 84 $ 87 |
Basis of Presentation - Narrati
Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
ASC 326 | ||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||
Cumulative effect of change in retained earnings due to adoption of new accounting pronouncement | $ 0 | |
ASU 2018-15 | ||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||
Cumulative effect of change in retained earnings due to adoption of new accounting pronouncement | $ 0 | |
TDS | U.S. Cellular | ||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||
Ownership percentage | 83.00% |
Basis of Presentation - Cash, C
Basis of Presentation - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 258 | $ 285 | ||
Restricted cash included in Other current assets | 9 | 6 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows | $ 267 | $ 291 | $ 652 | $ 583 |
Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg
Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation Of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | $ 944 | $ 950 |
Operating lease income | 19 | 16 |
Total operating revenues | 963 | 966 |
Transferred over time | ||
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 743 | 725 |
Transferred over time | Retail service | ||
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 671 | 659 |
Transferred over time | Inbound roaming | ||
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 37 | 34 |
Transferred over time | Other service | ||
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | 35 | 32 |
Transferred at point in time | Equipment sales | ||
Disaggregation of revenue | ||
Revenue from contracts with customers | $ 201 | $ 225 |
Revenue Recognition - Contract
Revenue Recognition - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | ||
Contract assets | $ 7 | $ 7 |
Contract liabilities | 146 | $ 154 |
Revenue recognized | $ 99 |
Revenue Recognition - Performan
Revenue Recognition - Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020USD ($) |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Remaining performance obligation amount | $ 444 |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-04-01 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Remaining performance obligation amount | $ 180 |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] | |
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period | 9 months |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Remaining performance obligation amount | $ 100 |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] | |
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period | 1 year |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Remaining performance obligation amount | $ 164 |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] | |
Expected timing of remaining performance obligation, period |
Revenue Recognition - Narrative
Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Capitalized Contract Cost | |||
Capitalized contract cost asset | $ 127 | $ 133 | |
Amortization of contract cost assets | $ 27 | $ 27 |
Fair Value Measurements (Detail
Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Financial Instruments | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 258 | $ 285 |
7.25% 2063 Senior Notes | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Interest rate | 7.25% | |
7.25% 2064 Senior Notes | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Interest rate | 7.25% | |
6.95% Senior Notes | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Interest rate | 6.95% | |
6.7% Senior Notes | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Interest rate | 6.70% | |
Book Value | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 258 | 285 |
Book Value | Retail | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | 917 | 917 |
Book Value | Institutional | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | 535 | 534 |
Book Value | Other | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | 83 | 83 |
Fair Value | Level 1 | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 258 | 285 |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Retail | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | 795 | 943 |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Institutional | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | 527 | 594 |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Other | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Long-term debt | $ 83 | $ 83 |
Interest rate | Institutional and Other | Minimum | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Fair value assumption, interest rate | 2.74% | 3.55% |
Interest rate | Institutional and Other | Maximum | ||
Financial Instruments | ||
Fair value assumption, interest rate | 7.05% | 5.73% |
Equipment Installment Plans - E
Equipment Installment Plans - EIP Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | $ 964 | $ 1,008 |
Allowance for credit losses | (90) | (84) |
Equipment installment plan receivables, net | 874 | 924 |
Accounts receivable — Customers and agents (Current portion) | ||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, net | 566 | 587 |
Other assets and deferred charges (Non-current portion) | ||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, net | $ 308 | $ 337 |
Equipment Installment Plans - G
Equipment Installment Plans - Gross Receivables by Credit Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | $ 964 | $ 1,008 |
2017 | 16 | |
2018 | 223 | |
2019 | 569 | |
2020 | 156 | |
Unbilled | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 900 | 942 |
Billed | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 43 | 45 |
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due | 21 | 21 |
Lowest Risk | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 820 | 860 |
2017 | 15 | |
2018 | 200 | |
2019 | 480 | |
2020 | 125 | |
Lowest Risk | Unbilled | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 774 | 812 |
Lowest Risk | Billed | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 35 | 37 |
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due | 11 | 11 |
Lower Risk | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 106 | 110 |
2017 | 1 | |
2018 | 19 | |
2019 | 67 | |
2020 | 19 | |
Lower Risk | Unbilled | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 95 | 99 |
Lower Risk | Billed | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 5 | 5 |
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due | 6 | 6 |
Slight Risk | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 27 | 28 |
2017 | 0 | |
2018 | 3 | |
2019 | 16 | |
2020 | 8 | |
Slight Risk | Unbilled | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 22 | 23 |
Slight Risk | Billed | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 2 | 2 |
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due | 3 | 3 |
Higher Risk | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables, gross | 11 | 10 |
2017 | 0 | |
2018 | 1 | |
2019 | 6 | |
2020 | 4 | |
Higher Risk | Unbilled | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 9 | 8 |
Higher Risk | Billed | ||
Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] | ||
Equipment installment plan receivables | 1 | 1 |
Equipment installment plan receivables, past due | $ 1 | $ 1 |
Equipment Installment Plans - A
Equipment Installment Plans - Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Allowance for credit losses | ||
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period | $ 84 | |
Allowance for credit losses, end of period | 90 | |
Equipment Installment Plan Receivable | ||
Allowance for credit losses | ||
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period | 84 | $ 77 |
Bad debts expense | 25 | 18 |
Write-offs, net of recoveries | (19) | (18) |
Allowance for credit losses, end of period | $ 90 | $ 77 |
Income Taxes (Details)
Income Taxes (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | ||||
Effective tax rate | 5.00% | 31.40% | ||
Statutory federal income tax rate | 21.00% | 35.00% |
Earnings Per Share - Reconcilia
Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | ||
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | $ 71 | $ 54 |
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share (in shares) | 86 | 86 |
Effects of dilutive securities (in shares) | 2 | 2 |
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share (in shares) | 88 | 88 |
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (USD per share) | $ 0.82 | $ 0.63 |
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders (USD per share) | $ 0.81 | $ 0.62 |
Earnings Per Share - Narrative
Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions | 3 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | |
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ||
Antidilutive securities (in shares) | 1 | |
Maximum | ||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ||
Antidilutive securities (in shares) | 1 |
Intangible Assets (Details)
Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020USD ($) | |
Licenses | |
Balance, beginning of period | $ 2,471 |
Acquisitions | 30 |
Capitalized interest | 1 |
Balance, end of period | $ 2,502 |
Intangible Assets - Narrative (
Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - Auction 103 $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)license | |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |
Licenses won | license | 237 |
Total winning bid | $ 146 |
FCC upfront payment | $ 24 |
Investments in Unconsolidated_3
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] | |||
Equity method investments | $ 461 | $ 440 | |
Measurement alternative method investments | 8 | 7 | |
Total investments in unconsolidated entities | 469 | $ 447 | |
Equity method investments, combined income statements | |||
Revenues | 1,657 | $ 1,689 | |
Operating expenses | 1,162 | 1,215 | |
Operating income | 495 | 474 | |
Other income (expense), net | 3 | (5) | |
Net income | $ 498 | $ 469 |
Variable Interest Entities - Co
Variable Interest Entities - Consolidataed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 258 | $ 285 | |
Accounts receivable | 865 | 919 | |
Inventory, net | 212 | 162 | |
Other current assets | 22 | 20 | |
Licenses | 2,502 | 2,471 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,268 | 2,207 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 902 | 900 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | 534 | 566 | |
Total assets | [1] | 8,251 | 8,164 |
Liabilities | |||
Current liabilities | 722 | 750 | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 865 | 865 | |
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 327 | 319 | |
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities | |||
Assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 24 | 19 | |
Accounts receivable | 614 | 639 | |
Inventory, net | 4 | 6 | |
Other current assets | 11 | 7 | |
Licenses | 649 | 649 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 106 | 104 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 44 | 44 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | 317 | 346 | |
Total assets | 1,769 | 1,814 | |
Liabilities | |||
Current liabilities | 30 | 32 | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 40 | 41 | |
Other deferred liabilities and credits | 14 | 14 | |
Total liabilities | $ 84 | $ 87 | |
[1] | The consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include assets held by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) of $ 933 million and $ 930 million, respectively, which are not available to be used to settle the obligations of U.S. Cellular. The consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , include certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs of $ 20 million and $ 22 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of U.S. Cellular. See Note 9 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information. |
Variable Interest Entities - Na
Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | |||
Investments in unconsolidated entities, maximum exposure | $ 4 | $ 5 | |
Capital contributions, loans or advances | 69 | $ 183 | |
USCC EIP LLC | |||
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | |||
Capital contributions, loans or advances | $ 55 | $ 168 |
Subsequent Events (Details)
Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions | Apr. 01, 2020USD ($) |
Subsequent Events [Abstract] | |
Amount borrowed | $ 125 |