Metro PCS 2009 Annual Report Download - page 123

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MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
F-9
and the related construction of its network infrastructure assets. Capitalization commences with pre-construction
period administrative and technical activities, which includes obtaining leases, zoning approvals and building
permits, and ceases at the point in which the asset is ready for its intended use, which generally coincides with the
market launch date. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company capitalized interest in the
amount of $37.5 million, $64.2 million and $34.9 million, respectively.
Software Costs
In accordance with ASC 350 (Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”), certain costs related to the
purchase of internal use software are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. For the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately $69.2 million, $14.6 million and $9.2 million,
respectively, of purchased software costs under ASC 350 were placed in service. The Company amortizes software
costs over a three to eight year life and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company
recognized amortization expense of approximately $18.0 million, $10.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
Capitalized software costs are classified as office equipment.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, when
there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An
impairment loss may be required to be recognized when the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by a
long-lived asset (or group of such assets) is less than its carrying value. Any required impairment loss would be
measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value and would be recorded as a
reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and charged to results of operations.
Restricted Cash and Investments
Restricted cash and investments consist of cash deposited in escrow accounts, money market instruments and
short-term investments. In general, these investments are pledged as collateral against letters of credit used as
security for payment obligations and are presented as current or non-current assets based on the terms of the
underlying letters of credit.
Long-Term Investments
The Company accounts for its investment securities in accordance with ASC 320 (Topic 320, “Investments –
Debt and Equity Securities”). At December 31, 2009, all of the Company’s long-term investment securities were
reported at fair value. Due to the lack of availability of observable market quotes on the Company’s investment
portfolio of auction rate securities, the fair value was estimated based on valuation models that rely exclusively on
unobservable inputs including those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including
assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital
market liquidity.
Declines in fair value that are considered other-than-temporary are charged to earnings.
The valuation of the Company’s investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict.
Factors that may impact the Company’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as the
underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral values,
discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.
Revenues and Cost of Service
The Company’s wireless services are provided on a month-to-month basis and are paid in advance. Revenues
from wireless services are recognized as services are rendered. Amounts received in advance are recorded as
deferred revenue. Long-term deferred revenue is included in other long-term liabilities. Cost of service generally
includes the direct costs of operating the Company’s networks.