EX-12 4 exhibit12q302.txt EXHIBIT 12 Exhibit 12 ---------- TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2002 (Dollars In Thousands) EARNINGS: (Loss) before income taxes and minority interest $ (1,547,494) Add (Deduct): Earnings on Equity Method (32,144) Distributions from Minority Subsidiaries 25,519 Minority interests in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges (7,811) -------------- (1,561,930) Add fixed charges: Consolidated interest expense 110,777 Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated Rent Expense 13,983 -------------- $ (1,437,170) ============== FIXED CHARGES: Consolidated interest expense $ 110,777 Interest Portion (1/3) of Consolidated Rent Expense 13,983 -------------- $ 124,760 ============== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES N/A ============== Tax-Effected Redeemable Preferred Dividends $ 22 Fixed Charges 124,760 -------------- Fixed Charges and Redeemable Preferred Dividends $ 124,782 ============== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED DIVIDENDS N/A ============== Tax-Effected Preferred Dividends $ 572 Fixed Charges 124,760 -------------- Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends $ 125,332 ============== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS N/A ============== The dollar deficiency resulting in less than one-to-one coverage is $1,561,930.