f) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at acquisition and/or construction cost, net of accumulated depreciation and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. Such cost includes the borrowing costs for long-term construction projects if the recognition criteria are met, and is stated net of ICMS (State VAT) credits, which were recorded as recoverable taxes.
Asset costs are capitalized until the asset becomes operational. Costs incurred after the asset becomes operational and that do not improve the functionality or extend the useful life of the asset are immediately recognized on the accrual basis. When significant parts of fixed assets are required to be replaced at intervals, the Company recognizes such parts as individual assets with specific useful lives and depreciation. Likewise, expenses that represent asset improvement (expanded installed capacity or useful life) are capitalized. All the other repair and maintenance costs are recognized in the income statement as incurred.
The present value of the expected cost for the decommissioning of property, plant and equipment items (towers and equipment on leased property) is capitalized at the cost of the respective asset matched against the provision for dismantling obligations (Note 18) and depreciated over the useful lives of the related assets, which do not exceed the lease term.
Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the useful lives of assets at rates that take into account the estimated useful lives of assets based on technical analyses. The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed on a yearly basis, adjusted prospectively, if appropriate. Useful life in terms of depreciation rates, which is reviewed annually by the Company.
Property, plant and equipment items are written off when sold or when no future economic benefit is expected from their use or sale. Any gains or losses arising from write-off of assets (measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the net carrying amount of the asset) are recognized in the income statement in the year in which the asset is written off.
A brief description of the main property, plant and equipment items, Note 12 is as follows:
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Switching and transmission media equipment: Includes switching and control centers, gateway, platforms, base radio station, microcells, minicells, repeaters, antennas, radios, access networks, concentrators, cables, TV equipment and other switching and transmission media equipment. |
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Terminal/modem equipment: Includes cellphones and modems (rent and free lease), CPCT, public telephones and other terminal equipment. |
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Infrastructure: This includes buildings, elevators, central air conditioning equipment, towers, posts, containers, energy equipment, land piping, support and protectors, leasehold improvements, etc. |
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Other fixed asset items: These include vehicles, repair and construction tools and instruments, telesupervision equipment, IT equipment, testing and measurement equipment, fixtures and other goods for general use. |