v3.25.4
Fair Value Measurements
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

The carrying values of Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The carrying values of EIP receivables approximate fair value as the receivables are generally recorded at their present value using an imputed interest rate.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivatives to manage exposure to market risk, such as exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We designate certain derivatives as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship to mitigate fluctuations in values or cash flows related to such risks caused by foreign currency or interest rate volatility. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Cash flows associated with qualifying hedge derivative instruments are presented in the same category on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as the item being hedged. For fair value hedges, other than foreign currency hedges, the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments is recognized in earnings through the same income statement line item as the change in the fair value of the hedged item. For cash flow hedges, as well as fair value foreign currency hedges, the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments is reported in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and recognized in earnings when the hedged item is recognized in earnings, again, through the same income statement line item.
We record derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value that is derived primarily from observable market data, including exchange rates, interest rates and forward curves. These market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument's term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to derivative valuations are generally observable in active markets and, as such, are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Cross-Currency Swaps

We enter into cross-currency swaps to offset changes in the value of our payments on foreign-denominated debt in USD and to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

We have entered into cross-currency swap agreements, with the same notional amounts as our EUR-denominated debt issuances, to effectively convert €4.8 billion to USD borrowings, with the same maturities as our EUR-denominated debt issuances. The swaps qualify and have been designated as fair value hedges of our EUR-denominated debt, mitigating our exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

Accordingly, all changes in the fair value of the swaps will be initially recorded through Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified to earnings in an amount that exactly offsets the periodic transaction gain or loss on remeasuring the debt, such that there will be no earnings volatility due to changes in foreign-currency exchange rates. Transaction gains or losses on remeasuring the EUR-denominated debt, as well as the offsetting swap amounts, are recorded within Other (expense) income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Changes in the fair value of the swaps may be different from the current period transaction gain or loss on remeasurement of the debt, in which case the difference will remain in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These differences generally represent credit or liquidity risk, referred to as a basis spread, and the time value of money (“excluded components”). The value of the excluded components is recognized in earnings using a systematic and rational method by accruing the current-period swap settlements into Interest expense, net, on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. If an amount remains in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets upon settlement of the derivative, those amounts will be reclassified to earnings at that time.

The following table summarizes the activity of our cross-currency swaps:
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20252024
Other (expense) income, net
Pre-tax transaction (loss) gain on remeasurement of EUR-denominated debt$(661)$79 
Amount recognized in Other (expense) income, net reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss
661 (79)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassified to Other (expense) income, net
$(661)$79 
Gain (loss) associated with the change in fair value of cross-currency swaps recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
410 (58)

Interest Rate Lock Derivatives

In April 2020, we terminated our interest rate lock derivatives entered into in October 2018. Aggregate changes in the fair value of our terminated interest rate lock derivatives, net of amortization, of $771 million and $960 million are presented in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we amortized $254 million, $236 million, and $219 million respectively, from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense, net, on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. We expect to amortize $274 million of the Accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with the derivatives into Interest expense, net, over the 12 months ending December 31, 2026.

Recourse Guarantee Liabilities

In connection with the sales of certain service and EIP accounts receivable pursuant to the sale arrangements, we have recourse guarantee liabilities measured at fair value that are based on a discounted cash flow model using unobservable Level 3 inputs, including estimated customer default rates and credit worthiness. See Note 5 – Sales of Certain Receivables for further information.
The carrying amounts of our recourse guarantee liabilities of $130 million and $148 million are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Debt

The fair values of our Senior Notes and spectrum-backed Senior Secured Notes to third parties were determined based on quoted market prices in active markets. Accordingly, our Senior Notes and spectrum-backed Senior Secured Notes to third parties were classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of our Senior Notes to affiliates was determined based on the fair value of the Senior Notes to third parties with similar terms and maturities. Accordingly, our Senior Notes to affiliates were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our Senior Notes to third parties (EUR-denominated) and ABS Notes were primarily based on quoted prices in inactive markets for identical instruments and observable changes in market interest rates, both of which are Level 2 inputs. Accordingly, our Senior Notes to third parties (EUR-denominated) and ABS Notes were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of our ECA Facilities (as defined below) was determined based on a discounted cash flow approach using market interest rates of instruments with similar maturities and credit risk. Accordingly, our ECA Facilities were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Although we have determined the estimated fair values using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, judgment was required in interpreting market data to develop fair value estimates for the Senior Notes to third parties (EUR-denominated), Senior Notes to affiliates, ABS Notes and ECA Facilities. The fair value estimates were based on information available as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. As such, our estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amount we could realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts and fair values of our short-term and long-term debt, excluding accrued interest, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
(in millions)Level within the Fair Value HierarchyDecember 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Liabilities:
Senior Notes to third parties1$74,575 $70,517 $71,783 $65,631 
Senior Notes to third parties (EUR-denominated)25,551 5,460 2,058 2,125 
Senior Notes to affiliates21,498 1,500 1,497 1,491 
Senior Secured Notes to third parties1844 835 1,361 1,330 
ABS Notes to third parties21,995 2,017 1,566 1,570 
ECA Facilities to third parties21,819 1,876 — —