Intangible Assets:

The changes in the carrying value of intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):



	FCC Licenses			Microwave Relocation Costs
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	2,451,544		$	18,638
Additions	$	56,451		$	4,183
Disposals	$	(7,803	)	$	(772	)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	2,500,192		$	22,049
Additions	13,578			3,222
Disposals	—			—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	2,513,770		$	25,271

FCC licenses represent the PCS licenses acquired by the Company in the FCC auctions in May 1996 and February 2005, the AWS licenses acquired in FCC Auction 66, the 700 MHz license acquired in FCC Auction 73 and FCC licenses acquired from other licensees.

The grant of the licenses by the FCC subjects the Company to certain FCC ongoing ownership restrictions. Should the Company cease to continue to qualify under such ownership restrictions, the PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses may be subject to revocation or require the payment of fines or forfeitures. Although PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses are issued with a stated term, ten years in the case of the PCS licenses, fifteen years in the case of the AWS licenses and approximately ten years for 700 MHz licenses, the renewal of PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses is generally a routine matter without substantial cost and the Company has determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors exist as of December 31, 2011 that limit the useful life of its PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses.

Other Spectrum Acquisitions

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company closed on various agreements for the acquisition and exchange of spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $14.6 million in cash.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company closed on various agreements for the exchange of spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $3.0 million in cash. The exchanges of spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of assets in the amount of $45.8 million.