v3.25.4
Goodwill, Spectrum License Transactions and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, are as follows:
(in millions)Goodwill
Balance as of December 31, 2023, net of accumulated impairment losses of $10,984
$12,234 
Goodwill from the Ka’ena Acquisition771 
Balance as of December 31, 2024
13,005 
Adjustment to goodwill from the Ka’ena Acquisition6 
Provisionally assigned goodwill from acquisitions in 2025667 
Balance as of December 31, 2025, net of accumulated impairment losses of $10,984
$13,678 
Schedule of Spectrum Licenses
The following table summarizes our spectrum license activity for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
(in millions)202520242023
Spectrum licenses, beginning of year$100,558 $96,707 $95,798 
Spectrum license acquisitions1,417 4,822 103 
Spectrum licenses acquired from the UScellular Acquisition1,730 — — 
Spectrum licenses transferred to held for sale(5,674)(1,024)(2)
Costs to clear spectrum1 53 808 
Spectrum licenses, end of year$98,032 $100,558 $96,707 
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets
The components of Other intangible assets were as follows:
Useful LivesDecember 31, 2025December 31, 2024
(in millions)Gross AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet AmountGross AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Amount
Customer relationships (1)
Up to 10 years
$7,599 $(4,878)$2,721 $5,427 $(4,123)$1,304 
Reacquired rights
Up to 9 years
770 (416)354 770 (323)447 
Tradenames and patents (1)
Up to 19 years
430 (191)239 338 (157)181 
Favorable spectrum leases
Up to 27 years
564 (184)380 620 (169)451 
Other (1)
Up to 10 years
557 (408)149 478 (349)129 
Other intangible assets$9,920 $(6,077)$3,843 $7,633 $(5,121)$2,512 
(1)Includes intangible assets acquired through our acquisitions. See Note 2 - Business Combinations and Note 3 - Joint Ventures for more information.
Schedule of Estimated Aggregate Future Amortization Expense
The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization is summarized below:
(in millions)Estimated Future Amortization
Twelve Months Ending December 31,
2026$987 
2027769 
2028569 
2029430 
2030278 
Thereafter810 
Total$3,843