Comcast 2015 Annual Report Download - page 67

Interest payments increased in 2015 primarily due to a higher level of debt outstanding. Interest payments
remained relatively flat in 2014.
The increase in income tax payments in 2015 was primarily due to higher taxable income from operations
offset by the timing of certain tax deductions. The decrease in income tax payments in 2014 was primarily
due to the settlement of tax disputes and the repatriation of foreign earnings in 2013. The decrease was
partially offset by higher taxable income from operations and the net impact of the economic stimulus legis-
lation in 2014. We expect income tax payments to increase in 2016 primarily due to higher taxable income
from operations.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in 2015 consisted primarily of cash paid for capital expenditures,
intangible assets, acquisitions and the purchases of investments, which was partially offset by proceeds from
the sales of businesses and investments. Net cash used in investing activities in 2014 consisted primarily of
cash paid for capital expenditures and intangible assets. Net cash used in investing activities in 2013 con-
sisted primarily of cash paid for capital expenditures, acquisitions and construction of real estate properties,
purchases of investments, and cash paid for intangible assets.
Capital Expenditures
Our most significant recurring investing activity has been capital expenditures in our Cable Communications
segment, and we expect that this will continue in the future. The table below summarizes the capital
expenditures we incurred in our Cable Communications segment in 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2015 2014 2013
Cable distribution system $ 2,424 $ 2,047 $ 1,819
Customer premise equipment 3,698 3,397 2,990
Other equipment 756 613 527
Buildings and building improvements 156 97 67
Total $ 7,034 $ 6,154 $ 5,403
Cable Communications capital expenditures increased in 2015 and 2014 primarily due to increased spending
on customer premise equipment related to our X1 platform and wireless gateways, our continued investment
in network infrastructure to increase network capacity, increased investment in support capital as we expand
our cloud-based initiatives, and our continued investment to expand business services.
Capital expenditures in our NBCUniversal segments increased 13.5% to $1.4 billion in 2015 and 5.3% to
$1.2 billion in 2014 primarily due to continued investment in our Universal theme parks, including a purchase
of land in 2015.
Our capital expenditures for 2016 are focused on the continued deployment of our X1 platform and Cloud
DVR technology, acceleration of wireless gateways, network infrastructure to increase network capacity, and
the expansion of business services. Capital expenditures for subsequent years will depend on numerous
factors, including acquisitions, competition, changes in technology, regulatory changes, the timing and rate of
deployment of new services, and the capacity required for existing services. In addition, we expect to con-
tinue to invest in existing and new attractions at our Universal theme parks. We are developing a Universal
theme park in Beijing, China. We expect the development of this park to continue in 2016.
Cash Paid for Intangible Assets
In 2015, 2014 and 2013, cash paid for intangible assets consisted primarily of expenditures for software.
Comcast 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K 64