S-3ASR

Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 14, 2011

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	36-2669023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000,
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 630-1900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
30 North LaSalle Street,
Suite 4000
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 630-1900 with a copy to:
William S. DeCarlo, Esq.
Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 853-7000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

         If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

         If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ý

         If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o                        

         If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o                        

         If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ý

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each class of securities to be registered	Amount to be registered	Proposed maximum offering price per share	Proposed maximum aggregate offering price	Amount of registration fee
Senior Debt Securities (1)	(2)	(2)	(2)	(2)(3)

(1)

This Registration Statement registers an indeterminate amount of Senior Debt Securities to be offered at indeterminate prices.

(2)

As permitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E. of Form S-3, this information is omitted because this registration statement registers securities pursuant to General Instruction I.D. of Form S-3 and the registrant is electing to pay the registration fee on a deferred basis.

(3)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee.

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

Debt Securities

        We may use this Prospectus from time to time to offer, on a continuous, delayed or periodic basis, unsubordinated senior debt securities consisting of debentures, notes, bonds and/or other evidences of indebtedness, which we refer to as "debt securities." We may offer such debt securities in one or more series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The following information about offered debt securities will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement that will accompany this Prospectus: the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, currency denomination, maturity, interest rate—which may be fixed or variable, time of payment of interest, if any, any terms for redemption at our option or the holder's option, any terms for sinking fund payments, whether such securities are exchangeable into other securities, the initial public offering price and any other terms of the debt securities and the offering.

        Debt securities issued under the Indenture described in this Prospectus are expected to be unsecured and to rank pari passu with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

        The debt securities are expected to be issued only in registered form. All or a portion of the debt securities of any series may be issued to a depository as a global security and may be exchangeable for physical securities only under limited conditions.

        We may sell debt securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may sell debt securities to other purchasers directly or through agents. An accompanying Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the debt securities offered hereby, the principal amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters and the compensation of such underwriters, dealers or agents.

        Our Common Shares and our Special Common Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TDS" and "TDS.S," respectively. In addition, certain of our debt is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The relevant Prospectus Supplement will contain information, if applicable, as to whether the debt securities offered will be listed for trading on any securities exchange or other market.

Investing in our debt securities involves risk. See "Risk Factors" on page 8 of this Prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or has passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is September 14, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
Forward Looking Statements	3
About This Prospectus	6
Summary	7
Risk Factors	8
TDS	8
Use of Proceeds	8
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges	8
Description of Debt Securities	9
Plan of Distribution	18
Legal Matters	20
Experts	20
Where You Can Find More Information	20

2

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risks included or incorporated by reference under "Risk Factors" below and the following risks:

•

Intense competition in the markets in which TDS operates could adversely affect TDS' revenues or increase its costs to compete.

•

A failure by TDS to successfully execute its business strategy or allocate resources or capital could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

A failure by TDS' service offerings to meet customer expectations could limit TDS' ability to attract and retain customers and could have an adverse effect on TDS' operations.

•

TDS' system infrastructure may not be capable of supporting changes in technologies and services expected by customers, which could result in lost customers and revenues.

•

An inability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on terms that are acceptable to TDS could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

TDS currently receives a significant amount of roaming revenues from its wireless business. Further consolidation within the wireless industry and/or continued network build outs by other wireless carriers could cause roaming revenues to decline from current levels, which would have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition and results of operations.

•

A failure by TDS to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs and/or to accurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS' business and operations.

•

To the extent conducted by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), TDS is likely to participate in FCC auctions of additional spectrum in the future as an applicant or as a noncontrolling partner in another auction applicant and, during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC's anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on TDS.

•

Changes in the regulatory environment or a failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any applicable regulatory requirements could adversely affect TDS' financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

•

Changes in universal service fund ("USF") funding and/or intercarrier compensation could have a material adverse impact on TDS' financial condition or results of operations.

•

An inability to attract and/or retain highly competent management, technical, sales and other personnel could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

TDS' assets are concentrated in the U.S. telecommunications industry. As a result, its results of operations may fluctuate based on factors related entirely to conditions in this industry.

3

•

The completion of acquisitions by other companies has led to increased consolidation in the wireless telecommunications industry. TDS' lower scale relative to larger wireless carriers has in the past and could in the future prevent or delay its access to new products including wireless devices, new technology and/or new content and applications which could adversely affect TDS' ability to attract and retain customers and, as a result, could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

TDS' inability to manage its supply chain or inventory successfully could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Changes in general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the markets in which TDS operates, could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Changes in various business factors could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Advances or changes in telecommunications technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP"), High-Speed Packet Access ("HSPA"), WiMAX or Long-Term Evolution ("LTE"), could render certain technologies used by TDS obsolete, could put TDS at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce TDS' revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

•

Complexities associated with deploying new technologies, such as TDS's planned upgrade to LTE technology, present substantial risk.

•

TDS could incur higher than anticipated intercarrier compensation costs.

•

TDS is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments, and the applicability and the amount of these fees are subject to great uncertainty.

•

Changes in TDS' enterprise value, changes in the market supply or demand for wireless licenses or wireline markets, adverse developments in the business or the industry in which TDS is involved and/or other factors could require TDS to recognize impairments in the carrying value of its license costs, goodwill and/or physical assets.

•

Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with developing and enhancing business support systems, acquisitions/divestitures of properties or licenses and/or expansion of TDS' business could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

A significant portion of TDS' wireless revenues is derived from customers who buy services through independent agents who market TDS' services on a commission basis. If TDS' relationships with these agents are seriously harmed, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

•

TDS' investments in technologies which are unproven may not produce the benefits that TDS expects.

•

A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network and support systems could have an adverse effect on its operations.

•

Financial difficulties (including bankruptcy proceedings) or other operational difficulties of TDS' key suppliers or vendors, termination or impairment of TDS' relationships with such suppliers or vendors, or a failure by TDS to manage its supply chain effectively could result in delays or termination of TDS' receipt of required equipment or services, or could result in excess quantities of required equipment or services, any of which could adversely affect TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

4

•

TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control. Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on TDS' financial condition or results of operations.

•

A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technology, or a material disruption thereof, including breaches of network or information technology security, could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Wars, conflicts, hostilities and/or terrorist attacks or equipment failures, power outages, natural disasters or other events could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

The market prices of TDS' Common Shares and Special Common Shares are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.

•

Identification of errors in financial information or disclosures could require amendments to or restatements of financial information or disclosures included in this or prior filings with the SEC. Such amendments or restatements and related matters, including resulting delays in filing periodic reports with the SEC, could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

The existence of material weaknesses in the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting could result in inaccurate financial statements or other disclosures or failure to prevent fraud, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Changes in facts or circumstances, including new or additional information that affects the calculation of potential liabilities for contingent obligations under guarantees, indemnities, claims, litigation or otherwise, could require TDS to record charges in excess of amounts accrued in the financial statements, if any, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' financial condition or results of operations.

•

Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events, could, among other things, impede TDS' access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on TDS' financial condition or results of operations.

•

Uncertainty of access to capital for telecommunications companies, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in market conditions, changes in TDS' credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs.

•

Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business and/or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on TDS' financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

•

The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on TDS' wireless business, financial condition or results of operations.

•

Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

5

•

Certain matters, such as control by the Voting Trust that controls TDS and provisions in the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of TDS.

•

Any of the foregoing events or other events could cause customer net additions, revenues, operating income, capital expenditures and/or any other financial or statistical information to vary from TDS' forward-looking estimates by a material amount.

Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in documents filed by TDS with the SEC and included or incorporated by reference herein. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        We filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 related to the offering described in this Prospectus. We filed such Registration Statement as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. By using an automatic shelf Registration Statement, we may, at any time and from time to time, sell senior debt securities under this Prospectus in one or more offerings in an indeterminate amount. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of such senior debt securities. We may, by filing a post-effective amendment to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, add additional types of securities to such automatic shelf Registration Statement that may be sold under this Prospectus.

        As allowed by SEC rules, this Prospectus does not contain all of the information which you can find in the Registration Statement. You are referred to the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto for further information. This document is qualified in its entirety by such other information. The Registration Statement can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices specified under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" below.

        As used in this Prospectus, "TDS," the "Company", "we," "us", and/or "our" refers to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., unless the context requires otherwise.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this Prospectus. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of such Prospectus, and neither the mailing of this Prospectus to shareholders nor the issuance of any securities hereunder shall create any implication to the contrary. This Prospectus does not offer to buy or sell securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so.

6

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this document and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire document and the documents incorporated by reference in this document. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

TDS

        TDS is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services in 36 states to approximately 6.0 million wireless customers and 1.1 million wireline equivalent access lines at June 30, 2011. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless operations through its 84%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation, and provides wireline services through its incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier operations under its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation. TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its majority-owned subsidiary, Suttle Straus, Inc., which represents a small portion of TDS' operations. TDS has its principal executive offices at 30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602, and its telephone number is (312) 630-1900.

Risk Factors

        Our business is subject to risks and uncertainties. See "Risk Factors" below.

The Securities We May Offer

        We may offer from time to time, on a delayed or continuous basis, an indeterminate amount of debt securities consisting of debentures, notes, bonds and/or other evidences of indebtedness. This Prospectus describes the general terms of the debt securities that we may offer under the terms of the Indenture which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. See "Description of Debt Securities" below.

Rank of Securities

        Securities issued under the Indenture described in this Prospectus are expected to be unsecured and to rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of TDS, except to the extent described below. See "Description of Debt Securities" below.

Designation and Specific Terms of Series of Securities

        The following information about offered debt securities will be included in a Prospectus Supplement that will accompany this Prospectus: the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, currency denomination, maturity, interest rate—which may be fixed or variable, time of payment of interest, if any, any terms for redemption at our option or the holder's option, any terms for sinking fund payments, whether such securities are exchangeable into other securities, the initial public offering price and any other terms of the debt securities and the offering. See "Description of Debt Securities" below.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

        The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years ended December 31, 2006 through 2010 and for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Six Months Ended June 30,	Year Ended December 31,
2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006
2.85x	2.51x	2.99x	1.67x	3.52x	2.04x

        See "Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges" below for additional information.

7

RISK FACTORS

        Our business is subject to risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings filed after such Annual Report, which are incorporated by reference herein. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below. It is possible that our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of such risks. The Prospectus Supplement related to an offering may also include certain risks relating to that offering.

TDS

        TDS is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services in 36 states to approximately 6.0 million wireless customers and 1.1 million wireline equivalent access lines at June 30, 2011. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless operations through its 84%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation, and provides wireline services through its incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier operations under its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation. TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its majority-owned subsidiary, Suttle Straus, Inc., which represents a small portion of TDS' operations. TDS has its principal executive offices at 30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602, and its telephone number is (312) 630-1900. TDS was incorporated in 1968 and changed its corporate domicile from Iowa to Delaware in 1998.

        For current selected financial information and other information about TDS, see TDS' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, which includes certain portions of the TDS Annual Report to Shareholders, as incorporated by reference herein. See also our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings filed after such Annual Report, which are incorporated by reference herein. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds to be received by TDS from the sale of debt securities offered by this Prospectus will be used principally for general corporate purposes, including the possible reduction of other long-term debt; the repurchase of shares; in connection with our acquisition, construction and development programs; for the reduction of short-term debt; for working capital; or to provide additional investments in our subsidiaries. Until the proceeds are used for these purposes, we may deposit them in interest-bearing accounts or invest them in short-term investment securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years ended December 31, 2006 through 2010 and for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Six Months Ended June 30,		Year Ended December 31,
2011		2010		2009		2008		2007		2006
	2.85x		2.51x		2.99x		1.67x		3.52x		2.04x

        For purposes of calculating this ratio, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, fixed charges, distributions from unconsolidated investments and amortization of capitalized interest, less equity in undistributed earnings of unconsolidated investments and noncontrolling interest in pretax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of deferred debt expenses and the estimated interest portion of rentals. Interest expense on income tax contingencies is not included in fixed charges.

8

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We expect to issue the debt securities under an Indenture dated November 1, 2001 between TDS and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company), as Trustee, the form of which has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The following is a summary of the material terms of the Indenture relating to unsubordinated senior debt securities.

        The statements contained in this Prospectus relating to the Indenture and the debt securities we may issue are summaries and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Indenture (including those terms made a part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act")) and the other instruments defining the rights of holders of specific debt securities to be filed with the SEC at the time that such debt securities are issued. You should read the Indenture and such other documents for information that may be important to you before you buy any debt securities.

General

        The debt securities that we may issue under the Indenture will be our direct obligations and may include debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness.

        The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities, secured or unsecured, which we may issue under the Indenture or otherwise.

        We may issue debt securities under the Indenture from time to time in one or more series or tranches thereof, as authorized by a resolution of our board of directors and as set forth in a company order or one or more supplemental indentures creating such series.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Indenture also permits us to increase the principal amount of any series of debt securities previously issued and to issue such increased principal amount.

        The debt securities may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or relating to foreign currencies.

        We will describe any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities in the Prospectus Supplement relating to those debt securities.

        Debt securities issued under the Indenture are expected to be unsecured obligations of TDS and to rank pari passu with all other unsecured debt of TDS.

        However, because TDS is a holding company, the right of TDS, and hence the right of the creditors of TDS (including the holders of debt securities), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of such subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of TDS as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized.

        In addition, the ability of TDS to make payments of principal and interest on the debt securities will be dependent upon the payment to it by its subsidiaries of dividends, loans or advances. As described in the notes to the TDS financial statements incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, such payments by TDS' regulated telephone company subsidiaries may be subject to regulatory restrictions.

        There is no restriction in the Indenture against TDS or its subsidiaries incurring secured or unsecured indebtedness or issuing secured or unsecured debt securities under the Indenture or other indentures.

9

        The Indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act.

Designation of Terms of Securities

        We will execute a company order and/or a supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of debt securities if and when we issue any debt securities.

        We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities in a Prospectus Supplement relating to that series.

        We can issue these debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount.

        We will set forth in a Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities:

•

the title and designation of such debt securities and series;

•

any limitations on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series;

•

the stated maturity or maturities of such series;

•

the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such interest payment dates and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such interest payment date;

•

the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or method of calculation of such rate or rates, for such series;

•

the terms, if any, regarding the redemption, purchase or repayment of such series;

•

whether or not the debt securities of such series will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security and, if so, the depository for such global security and the related procedures with respect to transfer and exchange of such global security;

•

the form of the debt securities of such series;

•

the maximum annual interest rate, if any, of the debt securities permitted for such series;

•

whether the debt securities of such series shall be subject to periodic offering;

•

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities of such series will be payable, if other than dollars;

•

any other information necessary to complete the debt securities of such series;

•

the establishment of any office or agency at which the principal of and interest, if any, on debt securities of that series will be payable;

•

if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities of the series will be issuable;

•

the obligations or instruments, if any, which may be eligible for use in defeasance of any debt securities in respect of the debt securities of a series denominated in a currency other than dollars or in a composite currency;

•

whether or not the debt securities of such series will be issued as original issue discount securities and the terms thereof, including the portion of the principal amount thereof which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity;

10

•

whether the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such debt securities is payable, at the election of TDS or the holder thereof, in coin or currency, including composite currencies, other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable;

•

whether the amount of payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable;

•

any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any covenants or terms to the Indenture, including events of default with respect to the debt securities of the series;

•

the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities of the series are secured;

•

whether the debt securities of the series will be exchangeable into other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such securities will be exchangeable; and

•

any other terms of such series not inconsistent with the Indenture.

        We may issue debt securities at a discount below their stated principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount of the debt securities to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of maturity. In that event, we will describe any material federal income tax considerations and other material considerations in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

        Debt securities in definitive form will be issued as registered securities without coupons in denominations of $1,000, unless otherwise specified in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, and will be authenticated by the Trustee.

        You may present debt securities for registration of transfer, with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed, or exchange, at the office of the security registrar, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges.

        Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon TDS or the security registrar being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.

        It is expected that the security register will be maintained by the Trustee at its offices in New York, New York.

        We may change the securities registrar and the place for registration of transfer and exchange of the debt securities and may designate one or more additional places for such registration and exchange.

        We will not be required to:

•

issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the outstanding debt securities and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or

•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities or portions thereof called for redemption in whole or in part.

Payment and Paying Agents

        You will receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, on any debt security only against surrender by you to the paying agent of such debt security.

11

        Principal of and any premium and interest on any debt security will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate from time to time, except that at our option, we may pay any interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address will appear in the security register with respect to such debt security.

        It is expected that the Trustee will act as paying agent with respect to debt securities. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

        All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt securities that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest will have become due and payable, subject to applicable law, will be repaid to us and the holder of such debt security will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

        Except under the circumstances described below, the debt securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global debt securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository as we may designate and registered in the name of a nominee of such depository.

        It is expected that Depository Trust Company will be the designated depository. Information about the designated depository will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.

        Book-entry debt securities represented by a global security will not be exchangeable for certificated notes and, except as set forth below or in the Prospectus Supplement, will not otherwise be issuable as certificated notes. Except as set forth below or in the Prospectus Supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual book-entry debt securities represented by a global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such book-entry security and will not be considered the owners thereof under the Indenture, including, without limitation, for purposes of consenting to any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.

        So long as the depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner of the individual book-entry debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the Indenture.

        None of TDS, the Trustee nor any agent for payment on or registration of transfer or exchange of any global security will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depository's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in such global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

        Payments of principal of and premium, if any, and any interest on individual book-entry debt securities represented by a global security will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the owner of such global security.

        If the designated depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed, we will issue individual certificated notes in exchange for the global note representing the corresponding book-entry debt securities.

        In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities represented by the global security and, in such event, will issue individual certificated notes in exchange for the global security representing the corresponding book-entry debt securities. In any such instance, an owner of a book-entry security represented by a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual certificated notes equal in principal amount to such book-entry security and to have such certificated notes registered in his or her name.

12

Modification of the Indenture

        With the Consent of Securityholders.    The Indenture contains provisions permitting TDS and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of debt securities of each series that are affected by the modification, to modify the Indenture or any supplemental indenture affecting that series or the rights of the holders of that series of debt securities. However, no such modification, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security affected thereby, may:

•

extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;

•

reduce the principal amount of any debt securities of any series;

•

reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on any debt securities of any series;

•

reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities of any series;

•

reduce the amount of the principal of a discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of any debt securities of any series;

•

reduce the percentage of holders of aggregate principal amount of debt securities which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; or

•

reduce the percentage of holders of aggregate principal amount of debt securities which are required to waive any default and its consequences.

        Without the Consent of Securityholders.    In addition, TDS and the Trustee may execute, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, any supplemental indenture for certain other usual purposes, including:

•

to evidence the succession of another person to TDS or a successor to TDS, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of TDS contained in the Indenture or otherwise established with respect to the debt securities;

•

to add to the covenants of TDS further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of the debt securities of all or any series, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a default or an Event of Default with respect to such series permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the Indenture;

•

to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the Indenture as are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture and will not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Securities of any series which are outstanding in any material respect;

•

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture or to add any new provision to the Indenture, except that such change, elimination or addition will become effective only as to debt securities issued pursuant to or subsequent to such supplemental indenture unless such change, elimination or addition does not adversely affect the rights of any securityholder of outstanding debt securities in any material respect;

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the Indenture;

•

to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of outstanding debt securities;

13

•

to add guarantees with respect to debt securities or to release a guarantor from guarantees in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of debt securities;

•

to secure a series of debt securities by conveying, assigning, pledging or mortgaging property or assets to the Trustee as collateral security for such series of debt securities;

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

•

to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer debt securities and coupons representing interest, if any, on such debt securities, and for the procedures for the registration, exchange and replacement of such debt securities, and for the giving of notice to, and the solicitation of the vote or consent of, the holders of such debt securities, and for any other matters incidental thereto;

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the debt securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as may be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one Trustee;

•

to change any place or places where

•

the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of debt securities will be payable,

•

all or any series of debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer,

•

all or any series of debt securities may be surrendered for exchange, and

•

notices and demands to or upon TDS in respect of all or any series of debt securities and the Indenture may be served, which must be located in New York, New York or be the principal office of TDS;

•

to provide for the payment by TDS of additional amounts in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain holders and for the treatment of such additional amounts as interest and for all matters incidental thereto;

•

to provide for the issuance of debt securities denominated in a currency other than dollars or in a composite currency and for all matters incidental thereto; or

•

to comply with any requirements of the SEC or the Trust Indenture Act.

Covenants

        Except as may be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of debt securities, the Indenture does not include any covenants restricting or providing any additional rights to holders of debt securities in the event of a merger or similar transaction involving TDS or the granting of security interests or a sale and leaseback transaction by TDS.

Events of Default

        The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described events, which has occurred and is continuing, constitutes an "Event of Default" with respect to each series of debt securities:

•

failure for 30 days to pay interest on debt securities of that series when due and payable; or

14

•

failure for three business days to pay principal or premium, if any, on debt securities of that series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, pursuant to any sinking fund obligation, by declaration or otherwise; or

•

failure by TDS to observe or perform any other covenant (other than those specifically relating to another series) contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to TDS from the Trustee or the holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; or

•

certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of TDS; or

•

any other event of default provided for in a series of debt securities.

        Except as may otherwise be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 33% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any particular series of debt securities may declare the principal due and payable immediately upon an Event of Default with respect to such series. Holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of such series may annul any such declaration and waive the default with respect to such series if the default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal otherwise than by acceleration and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee for that series.

        Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee in case an Event of Default will occur and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless such holders will have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities affected thereby may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive any past default, except as discussed in the following paragraph.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities affected thereby may not waive a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due otherwise than by

•

acceleration, unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal otherwise than by acceleration and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee; or

•

a call for redemption or any series of debt securities.

        We are required to file annually with the Trustee a certificate as to whether or not we are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants under the Indenture.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale

        The Indenture does not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation, sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any person, firm or corporation or otherwise engage in restructuring transactions.

        The successor corporation must assume due and punctual payment of principal or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities.

15

Defeasance

        Debt securities of any series may be defeased in accordance with their terms and, unless the supplemental indenture or company order establishing the terms of such series otherwise provides, as set forth below.

        We at any time may terminate as to a series our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series under any restrictive covenant which may be applicable to that particular series, commonly known as "covenant defeasance." All of our other obligations would continue to be applicable to such series.

        We at any time may also terminate as to a series substantially all of our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series and the Indenture, commonly known as "legal defeasance." However, in legal defeasance, certain of our obligations would not be terminated, including our obligations with respect to the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of a security, to replace destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and to maintain agencies in respect of the debt securities.

        We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of any covenant defeasance option.

        If we exercise a defeasance option, the particular series will not be accelerated because of an event that, prior to such defeasance, would have constituted an Event of Default.

        To exercise either of our defeasance options as to a series, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee or any paying agent money, certain eligible obligations as specified in the Indenture, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on the debt securities of such series that are outstanding.

        Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that:

•

the holders of such debt securities will not recognize gain, loss or income for federal income tax purposes as a result of the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to such series, and

•

that such holders will realize gain, loss or income on such debt securities, including payments of interest thereon, in the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such satisfaction and discharge had not occurred.

        The amount of money and eligible obligations on deposit with the Trustee may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of an acceleration resulting from an Event of Default if:

•

we exercise our option to effect a covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, and

•

the debt securities of that series are thereafter declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default.

        In such event, we would remain liable for such payments.

Governing Law

        The Indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

16

Concerning the Trustee

        The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company), the trustee under the Indenture, is an affiliate of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, which is one of a number of financial services organizations with which TDS and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and other financial relationships including, in certain cases, credit facilities. In connection therewith, we utilize or may utilize some of the banking and other services offered by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation or its affiliates, including The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., in the normal course of business, including securities custody services.

        The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company) is also trustee with respect to TDS' 6.625% Senior Notes due 2045, 6.875% Senior Notes due 2059 and 7% Senior Notes due 2060 that were issued under the Indenture.

17

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell debt securities being offered hereby:

•

directly to purchasers,

•

through agents,

•

through underwriters, and

•

through dealers.

        The distribution of the debt securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Directly to Purchasers

        Offers to purchase debt securities may be solicited directly by TDS and sales thereof may be made by TDS directly to institutional investors or others. The terms of any such sales will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Any purchasers of such debt securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of those debt securities.

Agents

        Offers to purchase debt securities may be solicited by agents designated by TDS from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the debt securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by TDS to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities so offered and sold.

Underwriters

        If underwriters are utilized in the sale, TDS will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of sale to them and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the debt securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered to the public. Any underwriters will acquire debt securities for their own account and may resell such debt securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Debt securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by the managing underwriters. Only underwriters named in the Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the debt securities offered thereby. If any underwriters are utilized in the sale of the debt securities, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of debt securities will be obligated to purchase all such debt securities, if any are purchased.

Dealers

        If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the debt securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, TDS will sell such debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement

18

relating to those offers and sales. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities so offered and sold.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

        If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, TDS will authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from TDS at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the Prospectus Supplement.

        Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount not less than, and unless TDS otherwise agrees the aggregate principal amount of debt securities sold pursuant to delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom delayed delivery contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to the approval of TDS.

        Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase by an institution of the debt securities covered by its contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject.

        A commission indicated in the Prospectus Supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of debt securities pursuant to delayed delivery contracts accepted by TDS.

Remarketing

        Debt securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment in connection with their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms ("remarketing firms"), acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us and/or any selling shareholders. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the debt securities remarketed by them.

General Information

        Each series of debt securities will be a new issue and may have no established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in a related Prospectus Supplement, we will not be obligated to take any action to list any series of debt securities on an exchange or to otherwise facilitate a trading market for such debt securities. We cannot assure you that there will be any liquidity in the trading market for any of the debt securities. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us, our subsidiaries and/or any selling shareholders in the ordinary course of their businesses. The place, time of delivery and other terms of the sale of the offered debt securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the debt securities offered hereby will be sold in those jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

        In addition, in some states securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and complied with. Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the debt securities in the

19

open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the debt securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the debt securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

        Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements entered into with TDS to indemnification by TDS against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters or dealers may be required to make in respect thereof. In addition, directors, officers and controlling persons of TDS are entitled under the TDS charter and bylaws and Delaware law to indemnification for civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the debt securities offered hereby will be passed upon for TDS by the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois. The following persons are members of such firm: Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS, the non-executive chairman of the board and member of the board of directors of TDS and a director of United States Cellular Corporation ("U.S. Cellular"); William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel and/or an Assistant Secretary of U.S. Cellular and certain subsidiaries of TDS. Walter C.D. Carlson does not perform any legal services for TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries.

EXPERTS

        The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010, except as they relate to the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The financial statements of the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy such reports, proxy statements and other information at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Such materials also may be accessed electronically by means of the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov or on TDS' website at http://www.teldta.com.

        You also may obtain information about us from the New York Stock Exchange. Our Common Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TDS." Our Special Common Shares of TDS are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TDS.S." In addition, our 6.625% Senior Notes due 2045 are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TDI," our 6.875% Senior Notes due 2059 are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TDE" and our 7% Senior Notes due 2060 are listed on the New York Stock Exchange

20

under the symbol "TDJ" The offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. are located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York, 10005.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this Prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this Prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this Prospectus.

        This Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been filed previously with the SEC. These documents contain important information about our business and finances.

1.

TDS' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.



2.

TDS' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2011.



3.

TDS' Current Reports on Form 8-K filed since December 31, 2010, including Forms 8-K dated March 7, March 11, March 21 (Item 8.01), March 21 (Items 1.01 and 8.01), March 31, May 19 (Items 1.02, 2.04 and 8.01), May 19 (Item 5.07), August 8 (Item 2.02 and 8.01—two filings), August 8 (Item 8.01) and August 31, 2011 (Item 8.01), provided that any information in any Form 8-K that is not deemed to be "filed" pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 shall not be incorporated by reference herein.



4.

All other reports filed by TDS pursuant to Section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2010.

        This Prospectus also incorporates by reference additional documents that may be filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this Prospectus and the date our offering is completed or terminated (other than information in such filings that was "furnished" under applicable SEC rules, rather than "filed").

You may obtain copies of such documents which are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (other than exhibits thereto that are not specifically incorporated by reference herein), without charge, upon written or oral request to Investor Relations, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60602, telephone (312) 630-1900. In order to ensure delivery of documents, any request therefor should be made not later than five business days prior to making an investment decision.

21

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

        The estimated fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the registration, issuance and distribution of the debt securities being registered are:

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee	$	—	(1)
Rating Agency Fees		65,000	(2)
Printer Expenses		20,000	(2)
Legal Fees and Expenses		45,000	(2)
Accounting Fees and Expenses		50,000	(2)
Miscellaneous		20,000	(2)
Total	$	200,000

(1)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), registration fees are being deferred. No amount is included above because the actual amount cannot be determined at this time.

(2)

Represents the estimated fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the registration of debt securities pursuant to this Registration Statement. The actual amounts of fees and expenses related to the issuance and distribution of the indeterminate amount of debt securities registered hereby cannot be determined at this time.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, contains a provision providing that no director or officer of the Registrant shall be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer except for breach of the director's or officer's duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, unlawful payment of dividends, unlawful stock redemptions or repurchases and transactions from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

        The Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, also provides that the Registrant shall indemnify directors and officers of the Registrant, its consolidated subsidiaries and certain other related entities generally in the same manner and to the extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as more specifically provided in the Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. The Restated Bylaws provide for indemnification and permit the advancement of expenses by the Registrant generally in the same manner and to the extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to compliance with certain requirements and procedures specified in the Restated Bylaws. In general, the Restated Bylaws require that any person seeking indemnification must provide the Registrant with sufficient documentation as described in the Bylaws and, if an undertaking to return advances is required, to deliver an undertaking in the form prescribed by the Registrant and provide security for such undertaking if considered necessary by the Registrant. In addition, the Restated Bylaws specify that, except to the extent required by law, the Registrant does not intend to provide indemnification to persons under certain circumstances, such as where the person was not acting in the interests of the Registrant or was otherwise involved in a crime or tort against the Registrant.

        Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, directors and officers, as well as other employees or persons, may be indemnified against judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other

II-1

than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a "derivative action"), and against expenses (including attorney's fees) in any action (including a derivative action), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. However, in the case of a derivative action, a person cannot be indemnified for expenses in respect of any matter as to which the person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and to the extent a court determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.

        Delaware law also provides that, to the extent a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or matter, the corporation must indemnify such party against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such party in connection therewith.

        Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any action may be paid by a Delaware corporation in advance of the final disposition of the action upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such party is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

        The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided thereby are not exclusive of any other rights granted by bylaws, agreements or otherwise, and provides that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person under Delaware law.

        The Registrant has directors' and officers' liability insurance which provides, subject to certain policy limits, deductible amounts and exclusions, coverage for all persons who have been, are or may in the future be, directors or officers of the Registrant, against amounts which such persons must pay resulting from claims against them by reason of their being such directors or officers during the policy period for certain breaches of duty, omissions or other acts done or wrongfully attempted or alleged.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-2

Item 16.    Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement(1)
1.2	Form of Selling Agency Agreement(1)
4.1	Indenture between TDS and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company, dated November 1, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4 to TDS' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001
4.2	Form of Debt Security(1)
4.3	Other instruments defining the rights of security-holders(1)
5	Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP
12	Statements regarding computation of ratios for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the statement regarding computation of ratios for the six month period ended June 30, 2011 is hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit 12 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.3	Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in Exhibit 5 above)
24	Powers of Attorney for certain officers and directors (included on signature page)
25	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company

(1)

To be filed by post-effective amendment or under cover of Forms 8-K, 10-K or 10-Q prior to the offer or sale of any debt securities hereunder, if applicable.

Item 17.    Undertakings

(a)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:



(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



(i)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;



(ii)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum

II-3

aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.



(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:



(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and



(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.



(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:


The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are

II-4

offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;



(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;



(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and



(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.



(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



(d)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of such Act.

II-5

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on September 14, 2011.

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
By:	/s/ LEROY T. CARLSON, JR., LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and/or any filings pursuant to Rule 462(b) or 462(e) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to take such actions in, and file with, the appropriate applications, statements, consents and other documents as may be necessary or expedient to register any securities of the Registrant for sale, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do so and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all the said attorney-in-fact and agent or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and the Registrant hereby confers like authority on its behalf.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 14, 2011.

Signature	Title
/s/ LEROY T. CARLSON, JR. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.	Director and President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
/s/ KENNETH R. MEYERS Kenneth R. Meyers	Director and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
/s/ WALTER C.D. CARLSON Walter C.D. Carlson	Director and Chairman of the Board
/s/ LETITIA G. CARLSON, M.D. Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.	Director

PAGE 1 OF 2 SIGNATURE PAGES
RELATING TO TDS SENIOR DEBT
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Signature	Title
/s/ PRUDENCE E. CARLSON Prudence E. Carlson	Director
/s/ CLARENCE A. DAVIS Clarence A. Davis	Director
/s/ DONALD C. NEBERGALL Donald C. Nebergall	Director
/s/ GEORGE W. OFF George W. Off	Director
/s/ CHRISTOPHER D. O'LEARY Christopher D. O'Leary	Director
/s/ MITCHELL H. SARANOW Mitchell H. Saranow	Director
/s/ GARY L. SUGARMAN Gary L. Sugarman	Director
/s/ HERBERT S. WANDER Herbert S. Wander	Director
/s/ DOUGLAS D. SHUMA Douglas D. Shuma	Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (principal accounting officer)

PAGE 2 OF 2 SIGNATURE PAGES
RELATING TO TDS SENIOR DEBT
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
5	Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.3	Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in Exhibit 5 above)
24	Powers of Attorney for certain officers and directors (included on signature page)
25	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company

EX-5

Exhibit 5

	SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP ONE SOUTH DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO, IL 60603 (312) 853 7000 (312) 853 7036 FAX	BEIJING BRUSSELS CHICAGO DALLAS FRANKFURT GENEVA HONG KONG LONDON LOS ANGELES	NEW YORK PALO ALTO SAN FRANCISCO SHANGHAI SINGAPORE SYDNEY TOKYO WASHINGTON, D.C.
		FOUNDED 1866

 September 14, 2011

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Re:Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are counsel to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and have represented the Company with respect to the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The Registration Statement relates to the registration of an indeterminate amount of senior debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), to be issued under an Indenture dated November 1, 2001 (as supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

In rendering this opinion letter, we have examined and relied upon a copy of the Registration Statement.  We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company, agreements, documents, certificates and other statements of governmental officials and other instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied ourselves as to such matters of fact, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons and the conformity with the original documents of

any copies thereof submitted to us for examination. We have also assumed that the Indenture is the valid and legally binding obligation of the Trustee.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1.             The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2.             The Company has the corporate power and authority to authorize and sell the Debt Securities.

3.             Each series of Debt Securities covered by the Registration Statement will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Company when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) any necessary supplemental indenture to the Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, if necessary; (iii) the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Debt Securities under the Indenture as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iv) a prospectus supplement with respect to such series of Debt Securities shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and (v) such series of Debt Securities shall have been duly executed and authenticated as provided in the Indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture and such resolutions and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

Our opinion in paragraph 3 above is subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including concepts of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief.  Our opinion in paragraph 3 above is also subject to (i) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States of America be expressed only in United States dollars, (ii) requirements that a claim with respect to any debt securities (including the Debt Securities) or other obligations that are denominated or payable other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated or payable other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (iii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside of the United States of America or in a foreign currency.

2

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of each series of Debt Securities: (i) any Debt Securities being offered will be issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement or the prospectus supplement relating thereto; (ii) the terms of such Debt Securities will not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and will comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (iii) the authorization thereof by the Company will not have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof; and (iv) the Indenture will not have been modified or amended.

This opinion letter is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the laws of the State of Illinois and the federal laws of the United States of America (excluding the Federal  Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules and regulations in effect thereunder) to the extent applicable, each as currently in effect.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion letter to cover, and accordingly we express no opinion as to, the application of the securities or blue sky laws of the various states or the District of Columbia to the sale of the Debt Securities.

The foregoing opinions are given as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable laws after the date hereof or of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein that we may become aware of after the date hereof.

The following persons are partners in this Firm:  Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls the Company, the non-executive chairman of the board and member of the board of directors of the Company and a director of a subsidiary of the Company; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of the Company and an Assistant Secretary of the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel and/or an Assistant Secretary of certain subsidiaries of the Company.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to our firm included in or made a part of the Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the related rules promulgated by the Commission.

Very truly yours,

/s/ SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

3

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 25, 2011 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 25, 2011 relating to the financial statement schedule, which appears in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

September 14, 2011

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 25, 2011, relating to the financial statements of Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

September 14, 2011

EX-25

Exhibit 25

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE

ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b)(2)           o

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

	95-3571558
(Jurisdiction of incorporation if not a U.S. national bank)	(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

700 South Flower Street Suite 500 Los Angeles, California	90017
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Delaware	36-2669023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000 Chicago, Illinois	60602
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Senior Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

1.General information.  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

(a)           Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Name	Address
Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury	Washington, DC 20219
Federal Reserve Bank	San Francisco, CA 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation	Washington, DC 20429

(b)           Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

2.Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

16.List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

1.A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

2.A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

3.A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

2

4.A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-162713).

6.The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

7.A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

3

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 2nd day of September, 2011.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By:	/S/ LAWRENCE M. KUSCH
Name:	LAWRENCE M. KUSCH
Title:     VICE PRESIDENT

4

EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

At the close of business June 30, 2011, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

		Dollar Amounts
		in Thousands
ASSETS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin		1,624
Interest-bearing balances		186
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities		0
Available-for-sale securities		828,663
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:
Federal funds sold		60,500
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		0
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale		0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income	0
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses	0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance		0
Trading assets		0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)		8,561
Other real estate owned		0
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies		0
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures		0
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		856,313
Other intangible assets		201,961
Other assets		146,990
Total assets		$	2,104,798

1

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices		506
Noninterest-bearing	506
Interest-bearing	0
Not applicable
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Federal funds purchased		0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		0
Trading liabilities		0
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)		268,691
Not applicable
Not applicable
Subordinated notes and debentures		0
Other liabilities		227,247
Total liabilities		496,444
Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus		0
Common stock		1,000
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)		1,121,520
Not available
Retained earnings		482,674
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,160
Other equity capital components		0
Not available
Total bank equity capital		1,608,354
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries		0
Total equity capital		1,608,354
Total liabilities and equity capital		2,104,798

I, Karen Bayz, CFO and Managing Director of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Karen Bayz            )               CFO and Managing Director

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

Timothy Vara, President	)
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD	)	Directors (Trustees)
William D. Lindelof, MD	)

2