Metro PCS 2010 Annual Report Download - page 76

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temporary differences and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the
valuation allowance. Should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of a deferred tax asset in
the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to earnings in the period we made that
determination.
We establish reserves when, despite our belief that our tax returns are fully supportable, we believe that certain
positions may be challenged and ultimately modified. We adjust the reserves in light of changing facts and
circumstances. Our effective tax rate includes the impact of income tax related reserve positions and changes to
income tax reserves that we consider appropriate. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which
we have established a reserve is finally resolved. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue may require the use
of cash or a reduction in our net operating loss carryforwards. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a
reduction to the effective rate in the year of resolution. Tax reserves as of December 31, 2010 were $13.0 million of
which approximately $5.8 million and $7.2 million are presented on the consolidated balance sheet in accounts
payable and accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Depreciation on property and equipment is applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of the assets once the assets are placed in service, which are seven to ten years for network infrastructure assets,
three to ten years for capitalized interest, up to fifteen years for capital lease assets, three to eight years for office
equipment, which includes software and computer equipment, three to seven years for furniture and fixtures and five
years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease and
any renewal periods reasonably assured or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. The
estimated life of property and equipment is based on historical experience with similar assets, as well as taking into
account anticipated technological or other changes. If technological changes were to occur more rapidly than
anticipated or in a different form than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened,
resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation expense in future periods. Likewise, if the anticipated
technological or other changes occur more slowly than anticipated, the life of the assets could be extended based on
the life assigned to new assets added to property and equipment. This could result in a reduction of depreciation
expense in future periods.
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying
value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include
significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results or significant changes in the
manner of use of the assets or in the strategy for our overall business. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is
not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual
disposition of the asset. 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. There have been no indicators that the carrying value of long-lived assets may
not be recoverable and accordingly no impairment tests have been performed. The carrying value of property and
equipment was approximately $3.7 billion as of December 31, 2010.
Fair Value Measurements
We follow the provisions of ASC 820 (Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”). ASC 820
establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value
calculations. ASC 820 requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable
inputs. If a financial instrument uses inputs that fall in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument will be
categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value calculation.
FCC Licenses
We operate wireless broadband mobile networks under licenses granted by the FCC for a particular geographic
area on spectrum allocated by the FCC for terrestrial wireless broadband mobile services. We hold personal
communications services, or PCS, licenses granted or acquired on various dates, and in November 2006, we
acquired a number of AWS licenses which can be used to provide wireless broadband mobile services comparable to
the wireless broadband mobile services provided by us, as well as other advanced wireless services. Our license
holdings have grown also to include a 700 MHz license which can be used to provide services comparable to those
we can provide over our AWS spectrum. The PCS licenses previously included, and the AWS licenses currently