John,
Back to last night's discussion of net Property and Equipment. I think it might be appropriate to actually post the detail from the 10K? (In 3 posts)
So skip if you want, but here it is:
f) Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, which includes amounts under capitalized leases, are stated at cost, net of depreciation and amortization. Major enhancements are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. Costs recorded prior to a network segment's completion are reflected
F-12
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GLOBAL CROSSING LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) as construction in progress, which is reclassified to property and equipment at the date each segment of the applicable system becomes operational.
Construction in progress includes direct expenditures for construction of network systems and is stated at cost. Capitalized costs include costs incurred under the construction contract; advisory, consulting and legal fees; interest; internal labor and operating costs; and amortized finance costs incurred during the construction phase. Once it is probable that a cable system will be constructed, costs directly identifiable with the cable system under development are capitalized. Costs relating to the evaluation of new projects incurred prior to the date the development of the network system becomes probable are expensed as incurred.
Interest incurred and directly identifiable with a cable system, which includes the amortization of deferred finance fees and issuance discount, is capitalized to construction in progress.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, with the exception of leasehold improvements and assets acquired through capital leases, which are depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings........................................................ 10-40 years Leasehold improvements........................................... 2-25 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment................................ 2-30 years Transmission equipment........................................... 7-25 years
Beginning October 1, 1999, the Company commenced service contract accounting. Carrying amounts related to in-service subsea systems were reclassified from capacity available for sale to depreciable assets, and are being depreciated over their remaining economic useful lives.
When property or equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are relieved from the accounts, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in net income |