10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                     to

Commission File Number 001-14157

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)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 630-1900

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x   No ¨ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x   No ¨ 

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 x	Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ¨   No x  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at March 31, 2012
Common Shares, $.01 par value	101,411,521 Shares
Series A Common Shares, $.01 par value	7,131,832 Shares

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012
Index
				Page No.
Part I.	Financial Information
	Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)		3
		Consolidated Statement of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		3
		Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		4
		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		5
		Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011		6
		Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011		8
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		10
	Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		22
		Overview		22
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
			Results of Operations — Consolidated	28
			Results of Operations — U.S. Cellular	30
			Results of Operations — TDS Telecom	35
		Recent Accounting Pronouncements		40
		Financial Resources		40
		Liquidity and Capital Resources		43
		Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates		46
		Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement		47
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		50
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		51
Part II.	Other Information
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		52
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors		52
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		52
	Item 5.	Other Information		53
	Item 6.	Exhibits		53
Signatures

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)			2012			2011
Operating revenues			$	1,305,791		$	1,258,681
Operating expenses
	Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)			509,211			486,746
	Selling, general and administrative			507,599			491,106
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion			197,434			190,813
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			(2,095	)		1,143
		Total operating expenses		1,212,149			1,169,808
Operating income				93,642			88,873
Investment and other income (expense)
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities			23,389			19,388
	Interest and dividend income			2,183			2,624
	Interest expense			(24,464	)		(26,509	)
	Other, net			228			80
		Total investment and other income (expense)		1,336			(4,417	)
Income before income taxes				94,978			84,456
	Income tax expense			27,412			30,159
Net income				67,566			54,297
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax				(15,312	)		(10,793	)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders				52,254			43,504
Preferred dividend requirement				(12	)		(12	)
Net income available to common shareholders			$	52,242		$	43,492
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (1)				108,653			108,936
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (1)			$	0.48		$	0.40
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1)				109,098			109,715
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (1)			$	0.48		$	0.39
Dividends per share (2)			$	0.1225		$	0.1175

(1)On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share for the comparative period presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

(2)Dividends per share reflects the amount paid per share outstanding at the date the dividend was declared and has not been retroactively adjusted to reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)				2012			2011
Net income				$	67,566		$	54,297
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income
	Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments				—			—
	Change related to retirement plan
		Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost for the period
			Amortization of prior service cost		(934	)		(954	)
			Amortization of unrecognized net loss		623			480
					(311	)		(474	)
			Deferred income taxes		470			523
		Net change related to retirement plan			159			49
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income				159			49
Comprehensive income					67,725			54,346
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest				(15,312	)		(10,793	)
Comprehensive income attributable to TDS Shareholders				$	52,413		$	43,553

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)				2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income			$	67,566		$	54,297
	Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows
		from operating activities
			Depreciation, amortization and accretion		197,434			190,813
			Bad debts expense		15,105			14,285
			Stock-based compensation expense		10,330			9,459
			Deferred income taxes, net		6,187			47,841
			Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		(23,389	)		(19,388	)
			Distributions from unconsolidated entities		2,938			8,439
			(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net		(2,095	)		1,143
			Noncash interest expense		862			875
			Other operating activities		852			1,159
	Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
			Accounts receivable		38,941			8,438
			Inventory		(4,842	)		2,978
			Accounts payable		(25,372	)		56,189
			Customer deposits and deferred revenues		10,745			10,342
			Accrued taxes		82,014			18,832
			Accrued interest		9,117			15,072
			Other assets and liabilities		(104,148	)		(87,732	)
					282,245			333,042
Cash flows from investing activities
	Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment				(242,611	)		(157,897	)
	Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses				(11,096	)		—
	Cash received from divestitures				50,036			—
	Cash paid for investments				(10,000	)		—
	Cash received for investments				20,249			122,785
	Transfer of cash to Restricted cash				—			(282,500	)
	Other investing activities				(436	)		(1,503	)
					(193,858	)		(319,115	)
Cash flows from financing activities
	Repayment of long-term debt				(493	)		(402	)
	Issuance of long-term debt				358			300,000
	TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares reissued
		for benefit plans, net of tax payments			(33	)		587
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments				357			1,305
	Repurchase of TDS Common and Special Common Shares				—			(11,603	)
	Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares				—			(17,357	)
	Dividends paid				(13,301	)		(12,197	)
	Payment of debt issuance costs				—			(9,848	)
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests				(218	)		(686	)
	Other financing activities				798			968
					(12,532	)		250,767
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents					75,855			264,694
Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of period				563,275			341,683
	End of period			$	639,130		$	606,377

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet — Assets (Unaudited)
			March 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)			2012		2011
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	639,130	$	563,275
	Short-term investments			229,975		246,273
	Accounts receivable
		Due from customers and agents, less allowances of $23,891 and $25,738, respectively		348,371		393,978
		Other, less allowances of $5,464 and $5,333, respectively		147,038		148,599
	Inventory			134,929		130,044
	Net deferred income tax asset			40,898		40,898
	Prepaid expenses			84,201		80,628
	Income taxes receivable			9,314		85,636
	Other current assets			18,117		16,349
				1,651,973		1,705,680
Assets held for sale				—		49,647
Investments
	Licenses			1,505,110		1,494,014
	Goodwill			796,819		797,077
	Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $133,984 and $131,101, respectively			47,851		50,734
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			191,644		173,710
	Long-term investments			50,333		45,138
	Other investments			1,096		3,072
				2,592,853		2,563,745
Property, plant and equipment
	In service and under construction			10,341,851		10,197,596
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			6,518,118		6,413,061
				3,823,733		3,784,535
Other assets and deferred charges				104,109		97,398
Total assets			$	8,172,668	$	8,201,005

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet — Liabilities and Equity (Unaudited)
				March 31,			December 31,
(Dollars and shares in thousands)				2012			2011
Current liabilities
	Current portion of long-term debt			$	1,420		$	1,509
	Accounts payable				327,376			364,746
	Customer deposits and deferred revenues				218,316			207,633
	Accrued interest				16,518			7,456
	Accrued taxes				46,671			41,069
	Accrued compensation				54,990			107,719
	Other current liabilities				94,536			144,001
					759,827			874,133
Liabilities held for sale					—			1,051
Deferred liabilities and credits
	Net deferred income tax liability				821,115			808,713
	Other deferred liabilities and credits				391,397			383,567
Long-term debt					1,529,988			1,529,857
Commitments and contingencies					—			—
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features					1,064			1,005
Equity
	TDS shareholders’ equity
		Series A Common and Common Shares (1)
			Authorized 290,000 shares (25,000 Series A Common and 265,000 Common Shares) (1)
			Issued 132,634 shares (7,132 Series A Common and 125,502 Common Shares) and 132,621 shares (7,119 Series A Common and 125,502 Common Shares), respectively (1)
			Outstanding 108,544 shares (7,132 Series A Common and 101,412 Common Shares) and 108,456 shares (7,119 Series A Common and 101,337 Common Shares), respectively (1)
			Par Value ($.01 per share) ($71 Series A Common and $1,255 Common Shares) (1)		1,326			1,326
		Capital in excess of par value (1)			2,278,384			2,268,711
		Treasury shares at cost:
			24,090 and 24,165 Common Shares, respectively (1)		(746,988	)		(750,921	)
		Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(8,695	)		(8,854	)
		Retained earnings (1)			2,487,936			2,451,899
			Total TDS shareholders' equity		4,011,963			3,962,161
	Preferred shares				830			830
	Noncontrolling interests				656,484			639,688
		Total equity			4,669,277			4,602,679
Total liabilities and equity				$	8,172,668		$	8,201,005

(1)The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
		TDS Shareholders
(Dollars in thousands)		Series A Common and Common Shares (1)		Capital in Excess of Par Value (1)			Treasury Common Shares(1)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings (1)			Total TDS Shareholders' Equity (1)			Preferred Shares		Non controlling Interests			Total Equity (1)
December 31, 2011		$	1,326	$	2,268,711		$	(750,921	)	$	(8,854	)	$	2,451,899		$	3,962,161		$	830	$	639,688		$	4,602,679
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders			—		—			—			—			52,254			52,254			—		—			52,254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		15,252			15,252
Change related to retirement plan			—		—			—			159			—			159			—		—			159
Common and Series A Common Shares dividends			—		—			—			—			(13,289	)		(13,289	)		—		—			(13,289	)
Preferred dividend  requirement			—		—			—			—			(12	)		(12	)		—		—			(12	)
Dividend reinvestment plan			—		296			2,703			—			(1,585	)		1,414			—		—			1,414
Incentive and compensation plans			—		444			1,230			—			(1,331	)		343			—		—			343
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, and
	other compensation plans		—		4,157			—			—			—			4,157			—		1,678			5,835
Stock-based compensation awards (2)			—		4,845			—			—			—			4,845			—		—			4,845
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards (3)			—		(69	)		—			—			—			(69	)		—		—			(69	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		(218	)		(218	)
Other			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		84			84
March 31, 2012		$	1,326	$	2,278,384		$	(746,988	)	$	(8,695	)	$	2,487,936		$	4,011,963		$	830	$	656,484		$	4,669,277

8

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
		TDS Shareholders
(Dollars in thousands)		Series A Common, Special Common and Common Shares		Capital in Excess of Par Value			Treasury Special Common and Common Shares			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings			Total TDS Shareholders' Equity			Preferred Shares		Non controlling Interests			Total Equity
December 31, 2010		$	1,270	$	2,107,929		$	(738,695	)	$	(3,208	)	$	2,450,599		$	3,817,895		$	830	$	647,013		$	4,465,738
Add (Deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders			—		—			—			—			43,504			43,504			—		—			43,504
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		10,754			10,754
Change related to retirement plan			—		—			—			49			—			49			—		—			49
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends			—		—			—			—			(12,185	)		(12,185	)		—		—			(12,185	)
Preferred dividend requirement			—		—			—			—			(12	)		(12	)		—		—			(12	)
Repurchase of shares			—		—			(11,603	)		—			—			(11,603	)		—		—			(11,603	)
Dividend reinvestment plan			—		32			1,238			—			(295	)		975			—		—			975
Incentive and compensation plans			—		489			997			—			(455	)		1,031			—		—			1,031
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and
	other compensation plans		—		1,985			—			—			—			1,985			—		(12,201	)		(10,216	)
Stock-based compensation awards (2)			—		3,667			—			—			—			3,667			—		—			3,667
Tax windfall (shortfall) from from stock awards (3)			—		(254	)		—			—			—			(254	)		—		—			(254	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		(686	)		(686	)
March 31, 2011		$	1,270	$	2,113,848		$	(748,063	)	$	(3,159	)	$	2,481,156		$	3,845,052		$	830	$	644,880		$	4,490,762

(1)The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

(2)Reflects TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom's current year stock-based compensation awards impact on Capital in excess of par value. U.S. Cellular's amounts are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans.

(3)Reflects tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and the vesting of restricted stock awards of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. U.S. Cellular's tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock awards of U.S. Cellular are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, and other compensation plans.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

9

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.   Basis of Presentation

The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and its majority-owned subsidiaries, including TDS’ 84%-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), TDS’ wholly-owned wireline telephone subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”), TDS’ majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. and TDS’ majority-owned wireless telephone subsidiary Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”).  In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Historically, TDS had reported the following business segments: U.S. Cellular, Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) (which included Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations), Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”), and Non-Reportable Segment which includes Suttle-Straus and Airadigm.  TDS’ Corporate operations and intercompany eliminations have been included in “Other Reconciling Items” for purposes of business segment disclosure.  As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS’ strategy, operations, personnel and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated its reportable business segments during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  TDS’ business segments as of March 31, 2012, are U.S. Cellular, ILEC, CLEC, HMS and the Non-Reportable Segment.  Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to this revised presentation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the results of operations, changes in comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.  The results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

As of March 31, 2012, there are no recent accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material impact on TDS’ financial position or results of operations.

Agent Liabilities

U.S. Cellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. Cellular.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, U.S. Cellular had accrued $43.8 million and $75.3 million, respectively, for amounts due to agents, including rebates and commissions.  These amounts are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

If a tax is assessed upon the customer and TDS merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the imposing governmental authority, then amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis within a tax liability account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  If the tax is assessed upon TDS, then amounts collected from customers as recovery of the tax are recorded in Operating revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and $35.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

10

 

2.   Revision of Prior Period Amounts

In preparing its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to the classification of outstanding checks with the right of offset and the classification of Accounts payable for Additions to property, plant and equipment. These errors resulted in the misstatement of Cash and cash equivalents and Accounts payable as of December 31, 2010 and each quarterly period in 2011, and the misstatement of Cash flows from operating activities and Cash flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and each of the quarterly periods in 2011 and 2010. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Nos. 99 and 108 (“SAB 99” and “SAB 108”), TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports was not required. However, in order to provide consistency in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and as permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported amounts were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first and second quarter 2011 interim financial statements and in the 2010, 2009 and 2008 annual periods reported in the Company’s December 31, 2010 financial statements.   In addition to these errors, TDS identified two other immaterial errors, related to interest expense and income tax expense that impacted the year ended December 31, 2010.  The December 31, 2007 Retained earnings balance presented in the December 31, 2010 annual financial statements also was overstated as a result of these errors.  In accordance with SAB 99 and SAB 108, TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendments of previously filed reports were not required. However, if the adjustments to correct the cumulative errors had been recorded in the third quarter 2011, TDS believes that the impact would have been significant to the third quarter results and would have impacted comparisons to prior periods. As permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported annual and quarterly results were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

In accordance with SAB 108, the combined effects of the foregoing revisions to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows were as follows:

Consolidated Statement of Operations — Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	192,518		$	(1,705	)	$	190,813
	Total operating expenses		1,171,513			(1,705	)		1,169,808
	Operating income		87,168			1,705			88,873
	Interest expense		(28,099	)		1,590			(26,509	)
	Total investment and other income (expense)		(6,007	)		1,590			(4,417	)
	Income before income taxes		81,161			3,295			84,456
	Income tax expense		28,917			1,242			30,159
	Net income		52,244			2,053			54,297
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(10,622	)		(171	)		(10,793	)
	Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		41,622			1,882			43,504
	Net income available to common shareholders		41,610			1,882			43,492
	Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			—			0.40
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			(0.01	)		0.39
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows — Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Net income	$	52,244		$	2,053		$	54,297
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		192,518			(1,705	)		190,813
	Change in Accounts payable		(15,134	)		71,323			56,189
	Change in Accrued taxes		17,590			1,242			18,832
	Change in Accrued interest		16,662			(1,590	)		15,072
	Change in Other assets and liabilities		(87,661	)		(71	)		(87,732	)
	Cash flows from operating activities		261,790			71,252			333,042
	Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment		(127,463	)		(30,434	)		(157,897	)
	Cash flows from investing activities		(288,681	)		(30,434	)		(319,115	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		223,876			40,818			264,694

(1)In Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 6, 2011.

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3.   Fair Value Measurements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, TDS did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.

Under the provisions of GAAP, fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement, based on an exchange transaction in which the entity sells an asset or transfers a liability (exit price).  The provisions also established a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.  Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable.  A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets. 

		Level within	March 31,				December 31,
		the Fair Value	2012				2011
		Hierarchy	Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	639,130	$	639,130	$	563,275	$	563,275
Short-term investments (1)(2)
	Certificates of deposit	1		27,195		27,195		27,444		27,444
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		202,780		202,780		218,829		218,829
Long-term investments (1)(4)
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		50,333		50,429		45,138		45,310
Long-term debt (5)
	Publicly traded	1		983,250		1,022,534		983,250		1,043,549
	Non-public	2		542,477		534,805		542,398		543,309

(1)Designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(2)Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.

(3)Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

(4)At March 31, 2012, maturities range between 14 and 24 months.

(5)Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of Long-term investments were estimated using quoted market prices for the individual issuances. The fair value of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations and the current portion of such long-term debt, was estimated using market prices for TDS’ Publicly traded debt, which included the 7.0% Senior Notes, 6.875% Senior Notes and 6.625% Senior Notes, and U.S. Cellular's 6.95% Senior Notes.  TDS estimated the fair value of the Non-public debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 0.0% to 6.99%.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, TDS did not have nonfinancial assets or liabilities that required the application of fair value accounting for purposes of reporting such amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

4.   Income Taxes

TDS’ overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 was 28.9% and 35.7%, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was lower than the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily as a result of tax benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain tax years and the correction of deferred tax balances related to certain partnership investments.  The amount of the correction was $3.8 million and relates to the quarter ended December 31, 2011.  The benefits from these changes, along with other discrete items, decreased income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 by $7.2 million; absent these benefits, the effective tax rate for such period would have been higher by 9.3 percentage points.

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TDS incurred a federal net operating loss in 2011 largely attributable to 100% bonus depreciation applicable to qualified capital expenditures.  TDS carried back this federal net operating loss to prior tax years, and received a $59.9 million refund in the first quarter of 2012 for carrybacks related to 2009 and 2010 tax years.  TDS’ future federal income tax liabilities associated with the benefits realized from bonus depreciation are accrued as a component of Net deferred income tax liability (noncurrent) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The bonus depreciation rate for federal income tax purposes is 50% for 2012 and will expire at the end of the year.  TDS expects federal income tax payments to substantially increase beginning in 2013 and remain at a higher level for several years as the amount of TDS’ federal tax depreciation deduction substantially decreases.

5.   Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units.

On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS whereby (a) each Special Common Share was reclassified as a Common Share on a one-for-one basis, (b) each Common Share was reclassified as 1.087 Common Shares, and (c) each Series A Common Share was reclassified as 1.087 Series A Common Shares.  The weighted average number of shares used in basic and diluted earnings per share as of the beginning of all periods presented, have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation. 

The amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effects of potentially dilutive securities on the weighted average number of Common and Series A Common Shares are as follows:

				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
				2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
	Net income available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings per share			$	52,242		$	43,492
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
	Noncontrolling interest (1)				(345	)		(209	)
	Preferred dividend (2)				12			12
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings per share			$	51,909		$	43,295
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:
		Common Shares			101,534			101,860
		Series A Common Shares			7,119			7,076
			Total		108,653			108,936
Effects of dilutive securities:
	Stock options				202			540
	Restricted stock units				180			184
	Preferred shares				63			55
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share					109,098			109,715
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.40
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.39

(1)The noncontrolling income adjustment reflects the additional noncontrolling share of U.S. Cellular’s income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular’s dilutive securities were outstanding.

(2)The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction related to preferred securities that were dilutive, and therefore treated as if converted for shares.

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Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units or conversion of Convertible preferred shares were not included in average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded is shown in the table below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012	2011
(Shares in thousands)
Stock options	4,301	1,557
Restricted stock units	—	—
Convertible preferred shares	—	—

6.   Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

TDS assesses its existing wireless and wireline interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on investments.  As part of this strategy, TDS reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets and wireless spectrum; and telecommunications companies and related service businesses, such as HMS businesses.  In addition, TDS may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other interests those interests that are not strategic to its long-term success.

In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash, net of preliminary working capital adjustments.  In connection with the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  At December 31, 2011, assets and liabilities of $49.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to this wireless market were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “held for sale.”

Acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges did not have a material impact in TDS’ consolidated financial statements for the periods presented, and pro forma results, assuming acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported.

7.   Intangible Assets

Changes in TDS’ licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below.  There were no significant changes to Goodwill or Other intangible assets during the periods presented.

Licenses
		U.S.				Non-Reportable
		Cellular (1)		TDS Telecom		Segment (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance December 31, 2011		$	1,475,994	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,494,014
	Acquisitions		11,096		—		—		11,096
Balance March 31, 2012		$	1,487,090	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,505,110
Balance December 31, 2010		$	1,457,326	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,126
	Acquisitions		300		—		—		300
Balance March 31, 2011		$	1,457,626	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,426

(1)Prior to January 1, 2009, TDS accounted for U.S. Cellular’s share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS licenses and goodwill, as required by GAAP in effect at that time.  Consequently, U.S. Cellular's licenses and goodwill on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated licenses and goodwill related to U.S. Cellular.

(2)       “Non-Reportable Segment” consists of amounts related to Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

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8.   Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method. 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $23.4 million and $19.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively; of those amounts, TDS' investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $17.1 million and $13.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. TDS held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership during these periods.

The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS' equity method investments:

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	1,437,008	$	1,329,057
Operating expenses			1,076,750		1,036,245
	Operating income		360,258		292,812
Other income			649		(1,835	)
Net income		$	360,907	$	290,977

9.   Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

Indemnifications

TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties.  The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement.  The events or circumstances that would require TDS to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require TDS to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction.  TDS is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time.  Historically, TDS has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements.

Legal Proceedings

TDS is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts.  If TDS believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss.  If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued.  The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events.  The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures.  The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

TDS has accrued $1.9 million and $1.9 million with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. TDS has not accrued any amount for legal proceedings if it cannot estimate the amount of the possible loss or range of loss. TDS does not believe that the amount of any contingent loss in excess of the amounts accrued would be material.

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10.   Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

Consolidated VIEs

As of March 31, 2012, TDS holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:

·Aquinas Wireless L.P. (“Aquinas Wireless”);

·King Street Wireless L.P. (“King Street Wireless”) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless;

·Barat Wireless L.P. (“Barat Wireless”) and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless;

·Carroll Wireless L.P. (“Carroll Wireless”) and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless; and

·Airadigm Communications, Inc.

The power to direct the activities of Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless that most significantly impact their economic performance is shared. Specifically, the general partner of each of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships; however, the general partner of each partnership needs consent of the limited partner, a TDS subsidiary, to sell or lease certain licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of the VIEs is shared, TDS has a disproportionate level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs in accordance with GAAP.  Accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated.

TDS’ capital contributions and advances made to these VIEs totaled $6.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011.  There were no capital contributions or advances made to these VIEs in 2012.

From time to time, the FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services. U.S. Cellular, TDS’ subsidiary, participated in spectrum auctions indirectly through its interests in Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless, collectively, the “limited partnerships.” Each limited partnership participated in and was awarded spectrum licenses in one of four separate spectrum auctions (FCC Auctions 78, 73, 66 and 58). Each limited partnership qualified as a “designated entity” and thereby was eligible for bidding credits with respect to licenses purchased in accordance with the rules defined by the FCC for each auction. In most cases, the bidding credits resulted in a 25% discount from the gross winning bid.

TDS has a variable interest in Airadigm as a result of a secured loan to Airadigm, a contractual promise to fund a portion of Airadigm’s obligations, and the equity interest it holds in Airadigm. TDS has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Airadigm’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to Airadigm, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of Airadigm in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, TDS has a majority voting interest in Airadigm.  Accordingly, Airadigm is consolidated.

The following table presents the classification of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities in TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet.

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
	Cash	$	5,571	$	13,299
	Other current assets		3,902		3,719
	Intangible assets		503,990		501,829
	Property, plant and equipment		30,123		27,642
	Other assets and deferred charges		3,532		3,612
	Total assets	$	547,118	$	550,101
Liabilities
	Current liabilities	$	5,740	$	5,944
	Deferred liabilities and credits		7,046		5,481
	Total liabilities	$	12,786	$	11,425

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Table of Contents

Other Related Matters

TDS may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to the VIEs discussed above and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for the development of licenses granted in the various auctions. TDS may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that TDS will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support.

Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless are in the process of developing long-term business plans. These entities were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. Airadigm is a Wisconsin-based wireless service provider.  As such, these entities have risks similar to the business risks described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

U.S. Cellular began offering fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) service in certain cities within its service areas during the first quarter of 2012 and has plans to expand the deployment of 4G LTE to cover over 50 percent of customers by the end of 2012.  U.S. Cellular currently provides 4G LTE service in conjunction with King Street Wireless.

11.  Common Stockholder's Equity

On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved certain amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS (“Charter Amendments”).

These approved Charter Amendments include (a) a Share Consolidation Amendment to reclassify (i) each Special Common Share as one Common Share, (ii) each Common Share as 1.087 Common Shares, and (iii) each Series A Common Share as 1.087 Series A Common Shares, (b) a Vote Amendment to fix the percentage voting power in certain matters and (c) amendments to eliminate obsolete and inoperative provisions as more fully described in TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2012.

These approved Charter Amendments were effected on January 24, 2012 at which time each outstanding Special Common Share was reclassified as one Common Share and the Special Common Shares ceased to be outstanding and consequently ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TDS.S.”

As of January 24, 2012, immediately prior to the reclassification, there were outstanding 6,549,000 Series A Common Shares, 49,980,000 Common Shares, 47,012,000 Special Common Shares and 8,300 Preferred Shares.  As of January 24, 2012 immediately following the reclassification, there were outstanding 7,119,000 Series A Common Shares, 101,340,000 Common Shares and 8,300 Preferred Shares.

As a result of the share reclassification, shares outstanding at December 31, 2011, as well as average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share, as of the beginning of all periods presented in this Form 10-Q have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding.

TDS’ Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011 has also been retroactively adjusted to reflect the incremental shares issued to Common and Series A shareholders based on the closing price of TDS Common Shares as of December 31, 2011.  As a result of the reclassification, an increase in Common Shares, Series A Common Shares and Capital in Excess of Par was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retained Earnings with no change to the overall amount of shareholders’ equity.

TDS and U.S. Cellular Share Repurchases

On November 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for both TDS Common and Special Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions.  This authorization will expire on November 19, 2012.

Following the fourth quarter of 2011, Special Common Shares ceased to be authorized, issued and outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment that became effective on January 24, 2012. As a result, the foregoing share repurchase authorization no longer applies to Special Common Shares, but continues to apply to Common Shares until its expiration date.

On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis.  These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions.  This authorization does not have an expiration date.

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Table of Contents

Share repurchases made under these authorizations were as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31,		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share		Amount
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
2012
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	—	$	—	$	—
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
2011
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	357	$	48.61	$	17,357
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
	TDS Special Common Shares	407		28.49		11,603

12.  Noncontrolling Interests

The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS’ ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders			$	52,254		$	43,504
	Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
		Change in TDS’ Capital in excess of par value from  U.S. Cellular’s issuance of U.S. Cellular shares		(428	)		(661	)
		Change in TDS’ Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular’s repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		—			(2,192	)
		Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		(428	)		(2,853	)
		Change from net income attributable to TDS and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	$	51,826		$	40,651

Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Finite-Lived Subsidiaries

TDS’ consolidated financial statements include certain noncontrolling interests that meet the GAAP definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”), where the terms of the underlying partnership or LLC agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders and TDS in accordance with the respective partnership and LLC agreements. The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2107.

The settlement value or estimate of cash that would be due and payable to settle these noncontrolling interests, assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on March 31, 2012, net of estimated liquidation costs, is $168.7 million.  This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount. TDS currently has no plans or intentions relating to the liquidation of any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at March 31, 2012 was $54.3 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders’ share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the noncontrolling interest holders’ share, nor TDS’ share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

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13.  Business Segment Information

Financial data for TDS’ business segments for the three month periods ended, or as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, is as follows. TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers are designated as “ILEC” in the table, its competitive local exchange carrier is designated as “CLEC” and its Hosted and Managed Services operations are designated as “HMS.”

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2012		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,092,121	$	145,065	$	44,044	$	17,558	$	(2,592)	$	204,075	$	14,769	$	(5,174)	$	1,305,791
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)		420,200		49,168		22,564		9,774		(2,161)		79,345		10,205		(539)		509,211
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,244		41,514		16,260		6,732		(431)		64,075		4,186		(2,906)		507,599
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			229,677		54,383		5,220		1,052		—		60,655		378		(1,729)		288,981
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			146,685		37,778		5,489		4,176		—		47,443		1,530		1,776		197,434
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			(2,210)		66		53		1		—		120		—		(5)		(2,095)
Operating income (loss)			85,202		16,539		(322)		(3,125)		—		13,092		(1,152)		(3,500)		93,642
Total assets			6,341,435		1,387,900		113,520		208,785		—		1,710,205		67,950		53,078		8,172,668
Capital expenditures		$	201,337	$	27,526	$	5,058	$	3,091	$	—	$	35,675	$	216	$	(8,764)	$	228,464

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2011		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,057,092	$	149,574	$	45,328	$	6,242	$	(2,228)	$	198,916	$	8,615	$	(5,942)	$	1,258,681
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)		411,963		45,402		22,472		2,282		(1,791)		68,365		6,821		(403)		486,746
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,004		35,482		15,648		2,711		(437)		53,404		1,632		(5,934)		491,106
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			203,125		68,690		7,208		1,249		—		77,147		162		395		280,829
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			143,340		37,200		5,490		2,147		—		44,837		474		2,162		190,813
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			1,037		41		31		32		—		104		—		2		1,143
Operating income (loss)			58,748		31,449		1,687		(930)		—		32,206		(312)		(1,769)		88,873
Total assets (4)			5,934,782		1,355,869		118,674		85,130		—		1,559,673		23,279		527,475		8,045,209
Capital expenditures		$	95,933	$	20,517	$	4,234	$	1,537	$	—	$	26,288	$	1,890	$	3,352	$	127,463

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(1)Represents Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

(2)Consists of corporate operations, intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and corporate operations.

(3)Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). Adjusted OIBDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. This amount may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This amount should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Accordingly you should be aware that TDS may incur such amounts in the future.

(4)In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first quarter 2011 interim financial statements. The amounts herein have been revised to reflect the proper amounts.  See Note 2 ― Revision of Prior Period Amounts for additional information.

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14.  Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards:

TDS
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld		1			—
Special Common Shares withheld (1)		—			5
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	33		$	—
Aggregate value of Special Common Shares withheld		—			167
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	$	—		$	647
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)		(33	)		(60	)
Net cash receipts (payments) from exercise of stock  options and vesting of other stock awards	$	(33	)	$	587

U.S. Cellular
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012		2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)		—		14
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	—	$	675
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	$	357	$	1,396
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)		—		(91	)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	357	$	1,305

(1)Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.

(2)In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

TDS declared and paid dividends of $13.3 million or $0.1225 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2012.  TDS declared and paid dividends of $12.2 million or $0.1175 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

15.  Subsequent Events

On April 17, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to acquire four 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma for $34.0 million.  The acquisition requires approval from the FCC and, if approved, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012.

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Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services to approximately 5.8 million wireless customers and 1.0 million wireline customer connections at March 31, 2012. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless operations through its 84%‑owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), provides wireline services through its incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”), competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) and Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations under its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its majority‑owned subsidiary, Suttle-Straus, Inc. and provides wireless services through its 63%-owned subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”), a Wisconsin-based service provider.  Airadigm operates independently from U.S. Cellular and at this time, there are no plans to combine the operations of these subsidiaries.  Suttle-Straus and Airadigm’s financial results were not significant to TDS’ operations in the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with TDS’ interim consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 above, and with the description of TDS’ business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the TDS Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

OVERVIEW

The following is a summary of certain selected information contained in the comprehensive Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations that follows. The overview does not contain all of the information that may be important. You should carefully read the entire Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and not rely solely on the overview.

Historically, TDS has reported the following business segments: U.S. Cellular, ILEC (which included HMS operations), CLEC, and Non-Reportable Segment which includes Suttle-Straus and, in 2012, Airadigm. TDS’ Corporate operations and intercompany eliminations have been included in “Other Reconciling Items” for purposes of business segment disclosure.  As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS’ strategy, operations, personnel and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated its reportable business segments during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  TDS’ business segments as of March 31, 2012, are U.S. Cellular, CLEC, ILEC, HMS and the Non-Reportable Segment.  Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to this revised presentation.

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular provides wireless telecommunications services to approximately 5.8 million customers in five geographic market areas in 26 states. As of March 31, 2012, U.S. Cellular’s average penetration rate in its consolidated operating markets was 12.4%. U.S. Cellular operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, striving to meet or exceed customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network.

Financial and operating highlights in the three months ended March 31, 2012 included the following:

·Total customers were 5,837,000 at March 31, 2012, including 5,570,000 retail customers.

·In late March 2012, U.S. Cellular, in conjunction with King Street Wireless L.P., began offering fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) service; as of March 31, 2012, the 4G LTE network covered approximately 25 percent of U.S. Cellular's customers.  4G LTE enhances the wireless experience by significantly increasing both the speed and data capacity available compared to 3G networks. See Note 10 – Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about King Street Wireless.

·Retail customer net losses were 34,000 in 2012 compared to net losses of 31,000 in 2011.  In the postpaid category, there was a net loss of 38,000 in 2012 compared to a net loss of 22,000 in 2011. Prepaid net additions were 4,000 in 2012 compared to net losses of 9,000 in 2011.

·Postpaid customers comprised approximately 94% of U.S. Cellular’s retail customers as of March 31, 2012. The postpaid churn rate was 1.6% in 2012 compared to 1.4% in 2011.

·Postpaid customers on smartphone service plans increased to 34% as of March 31, 2012 compared to 20% as of March 31, 2011. In addition, smartphones represented 54% of all devices sold in 2012 compared to 42% in 2011.

·Service revenues of $1,023.8 million increased $38.7 million year-over-year, primarily due to continued growth in both data revenues from U.S. Cellular customers and inbound data roaming revenues.

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·Additions to Property, plant and equipment totaled $201.3 million, including expenditures to construct cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, deploy 4G LTE equipment, outfit new and remodel existing retail stores, develop new billing and other customer management related systems and platforms, and enhance existing office systems. Total cell sites in service increased 3% year-over-year to 7,875.

·U.S. Cellular continued its efforts on a number of multi-year initiatives including the development of a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) with a new point-of-sale system to consolidate billing on one platform; an Electronic Data Warehouse/Customer Relationship Management System to collect and analyze information more efficiently and thereby build and improve customer relationships; and a new Internet/Web platform to enable customers to complete a wide range of transactions and to manage their accounts online.

·In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash net of working capital adjustments.  In connection with the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

U.S. Cellular anticipates that its future results will be affected by the following factors:

·The impact of the Belief Project on long-term profitability.  Under the Belief Project, U.S. Cellular offers several innovative services, including no contract after the first contract; simplified national rate plans; a loyalty rewards program; overage protection, caps and forgiveness; a phone replacement program; and discounts for paperless billing and automatic payment. U.S. Cellular believes that offering these services will increase postpaid gross additions over the next several years and contribute to incremental growth in average revenue per customer and improvement in the postpaid churn rate. As of March 31, 2012, 3.3 million new and existing customers had subscribed to Belief Plans;

·Continued uncertainty related to current economic conditions and their impact on customer purchasing and payment behaviors;

·Relative ability to attract and retain customers, including the ability to reverse recent customer net losses, in a competitive marketplace in a cost effective manner;

·        Effects of industry competition on service and equipment pricing and roaming revenues as well as the impacts associated with the expanding presence of carriers and other retailers offering low-priced, unlimited prepaid service;

·Potential increases in prepaid customers, who generally generate lower ARPU, as a percentage of U.S. Cellular’s customer base in response to changes in customer preferences and industry dynamics;

·A change in the nature and rate of growth in the wireless industry, requiring U.S. Cellular to grow revenues primarily from selling additional products and services to its existing customers, increasing the number of multi-device users among its existing customers, increasing data products and services and attracting wireless customers switching from other wireless carriers rather than by adding customers that are new to wireless service;

·Continued growth in revenues and costs related to data products and services and lower growth or declines in revenues from voice services;

·Rapid growth in the demand for new data devices and services which may result in increased cost of equipment sold and other operating expenses and the need for additional investment in network capacity;

·Costs of developing and enhancing office and customer support systems, including costs and risks associated with the completion and potential benefits of the multi-year initiatives described above;

·Continued enhancements to U.S. Cellular’s wireless networks;

·Uncertainty related to various rulemaking proceedings underway at the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), including uncertainty relating to the impacts on universal service funding, intercarrier compensation and other matters of the Connect America Fund & Intercarrier Compensation Reform Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the FCC on October 27, 2011;

·The FCC’s adoption of mandatory 4G roaming rules which will be of assistance in the negotiation of data roaming agreements with other wireless operators in the future; and

·Exclusive arrangements between manufacturers of wireless devices and other carriers, or other economic or competitive factors, that restrict U.S. Cellular’s access to devices desired by customers.

See “Results of Operations—U.S. Cellular.”

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2012 U.S. Cellular Estimates

U.S. Cellular’s estimates of full-year 2012 results are shown below. Such estimates represent U.S. Cellular’s views as of the date of filing of TDS’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012. Such forward‑looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. U.S. Cellular undertakes no duty to update such information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.

The following is unchanged from guidance as disclosed in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

		2012 Estimated Results (1)
Service revenues		$4,050-$4,150 million
Operating income		$200-$300 million
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, and net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and impairment of assets (2)	Approx.	$600 million
Adjusted OIBDA (2)(3)		$800-$900 million
Capital expenditures	Approx.	$850 million

(1)These estimates are based on U.S. Cellular’s current plans, which include a multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology which commenced in 2011.  New developments or changing conditions (such as customer net growth, customer demand for data services or possible acquisitions, dispositions or exchanges) could affect U.S. Cellular’s plans and, therefore, its 2012 estimated results. 

(2)The 2012 Estimated Results do not include any estimate for unrecognized net gains or losses related to disposals and exchanges of assets or losses on impairments of assets (since such transactions and their effects are uncertain).

(3)Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA): the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any) and loss on impairment of assets (if any) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.  TDS believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding TDS’ financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.

U.S. Cellular management currently believes that the foregoing estimates represent a reasonable view of what is achievable considering actions that U.S. Cellular has taken and will be taking. However, the current general economic and competitive conditions in the markets served by U.S. Cellular have created a challenging environment that could continue to significantly impact actual results. U.S. Cellular expects to continue its focus on customer satisfaction by delivering a high quality network, attractively priced service plans, a broad line of wireless devices and other products, and outstanding customer service in its company-owned and agent retail stores and customer care centers. U.S. Cellular believes that future growth in its revenues will result primarily from selling additional products and services, including data products and services, to its existing customers, increasing the number of multi-device users among its existing customers, and attracting wireless users switching from other wireless carriers, rather than by adding users that are new to wireless service. U.S. Cellular is focusing on opportunities to increase revenues, pursuing cost reduction initiatives in various areas and implementing a number of initiatives to enable future growth. The initiatives are intended, among other things, to allow U.S. Cellular to accelerate its introduction of new products and services, better segment its customers for new services and retention, sell additional services such as data, expand its distribution channels, enhance its Internet sales and customer service capabilities, improve its prepaid products and services and reduce operational expenses over the long term.

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TDS Telecom

TDS Telecom seeks to be the preferred telecommunications solutions provider in its chosen markets serving both residential and commercial customers by developing and delivering high-quality products that meet or exceed our customers’ needs and to outperform the competition by maintaining superior customer service. TDS Telecom provides voice, high-speed data, and video services to residential customers through value-added bundling of products. The commercial focus is to provide advanced IP-based voice and data services to small to medium sized businesses. In addition, TDS Telecom seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions, as demonstrated by the three HMS companies that TDS Telecom purchased in 2011 and 2010 which provide colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management and cloud computing services. TDS Telecom’s strategy encompasses many components, including:

·Delivering superior customer service;

·Developing a product portfolio targeted to our chosen customers;

·Investing in networks and deploying advanced technologies;

·Advocating with respect to state and federal regulations for positions that support its ability to provide advanced telecommunications services to its customers; and

·Exploring transactions to acquire or divest properties that would result in strengthening its operations.

TDS Telecom is faced with significant challenges, including growing competition from wireless providers, wireline providers (other CLECs and cable providers) and other HMS providers, changes in regulation, technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) and uncertainty in the economy. These challenges could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of TDS Telecom in the future.

·Operating revenues increased $5.2 million or 3% to $204.1 million in 2012. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of OneNeck IT Services Corporation (“OneNeck”), an HMS company,  partially offset by a decrease in revenues due to the decline in ILEC and CLEC physical access lines and a decline in revenue received from regulatory recovery mechanisms.

·Operating expenses increased $24.3 million or 15% to $191.0 million in 2012 primarily due to operating costs associated with the acquisition of OneNeck coupled with the impacts of discrete expense reductions recorded in 2011 including insurance proceeds, the refund of certain prior year regulatory contributions and the settlement of a legal dispute.

TDS anticipates that TDS Telecom’s future results will be affected by the following factors:

·Continued uncertainty related to current economic conditions and the challenging business environment;

·Continued increases in competition from wireless and other wireline providers, cable providers, and technologies such as VoIP and third-generation (“3G”) and  fourth-generation (“4G”) mobile technology;

·Continued increases in consumer data usage and demand for high-speed data services;

·Continued declines in physical access lines;

·Continued focus on customer retention programs, including discounting for “triple-play” bundles including voice, DSL and Internet Protocol television (“IPTV”);

·The effects of expansion of IPTV to additional markets in 2012;

·Continued growth in hosted and managed services;

·Continued focus on cost-reduction initiatives through product cost improvement and process efficiencies;

·The Federal government’s disbursement of Broadband Stimulus Funds to bring broadband to rural customers;

·Uncertainty related to the National Broadband Plan and other rulemaking by the FCC, including uncertainty related to future funding from the USF, broadband requirements, intercarrier compensation and changes in access reform; and

·Potential acquisitions by TDS Telecom, including additional potential acquisitions of HMS businesses.

See “Results of Operations—TDS Telecom.”

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2012 TDS Telecom Estimates

TDS Telecom’s estimates of full-year 2012 results are shown below. Such estimates represent TDS Telecom’s view as of the filing date of TDS’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Such forward-looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. TDS undertakes no duty to update such information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from these estimated results.

The following is unchanged from guidance as disclosed in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

			2012 Estimated Results (1)
TDS Telecom Operations:
	Operating revenues		$810-$840 million
	Operating income		$55-$85 million
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, and net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets (2)	Approx.	$190 million
	Adjusted OIBDA (3)		$245-$275 million
	Capital expenditures		$150-$180 million

(1)These estimates are based on TDS Telecom’s current plans, which include a multi-year deployment of IPTV that commenced in 2011.  New developments or changing conditions (such as costs to deploy, agreements for content or franchises) could affect TDS Telecom’s plans and therefore, its 2012 estimated results.

(2)The 2012 Estimated Results do not include any estimate for unrecognized net gains or losses related to disposals and exchanges of assets or losses on impairments of assets (since such transactions and their effects are uncertain).

(3)Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any).  This measure also may be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow.  This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.  Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any) and loss on impairment of assets (if any) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.  TDS believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding TDS’ financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on cash flows from operating activities.

The foregoing estimates reflect the expectations of TDS Telecom’s management considering its strategic plans and the current general economic conditions.  In this challenging business environment, TDS Telecom will continue to focus on revenue growth through new service offerings as well as expense reduction through product cost improvement and process efficiencies.  In order to achieve these objectives the company has allocated capital expenditures for:

·Process and productivity initiatives;

·Increased network and product capabilities for broadband services;

·The expansion of terrestrial TV (IPTV) to additional markets;

·Success-based spending to sustain managedIP growth;

·Development of HMS products and services; and

·TDS Telecom will fund its share for projects approved under the Recovery Act to increase broadband access in unserved areas.  Under the Recovery Act, TDS Telecom will receive $105.1 million in federal grants and will provide $30.9 million (a portion of which is included in 2012 estimated capital expenditures) of its own funds to complete 44 projects.  Under the terms of the grants, the projects must be completed by June of 2015.

26

 

Cash Flows and Investments

As of March 31, 2012, TDS and its subsidiaries had the following: Cash and cash equivalents totaling $639.1 million; Short-term investments in the form of U.S. treasury securities, corporate notes and certificates of deposit aggregating $230.0 million; Long-term investments in the form of U.S. treasury securities and corporate notes of $50.3 million; and borrowing capacity under their revolving credit facilities of $699.6 million.  Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, TDS and its subsidiaries generated $282.2 million of Cash flows from operating activities. Management believes that cash on hand, expected future cash flows from operating activities and sources of external financing provide substantial liquidity and financial flexibility and are sufficient to permit TDS and its subsidiaries to finance their contractual obligations and anticipated capital and operating expenditures for the foreseeable future.

See “Financial Resources” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for additional information related to cash flows, investments and revolving credit agreements.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —CONSOLIDATED 

												Percentage
Three Months Ended March 31,			2012			2011			Change			Change
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating revenues
	U.S. Cellular		$	1,092,121		$	1,057,092		$	35,029		3	%
	TDS Telecom			204,075			198,916			5,159		3	%
	All other (1)			9,595			2,673			6,922		>100	%
		Total operating revenues		1,305,791			1,258,681			47,110		4	%
Operating expenses
	U.S. Cellular			1,006,919			998,344			8,575		1	%
	TDS Telecom			190,983			166,710			24,273		15	%
	All other (1)			14,247			4,754			9,493		>100	%
		Total operating expenses		1,212,149			1,169,808			42,341		4	%
Operating income (loss)
	U.S. Cellular			85,202			58,748			26,454		45	%
	TDS Telecom			13,092			32,206			(19,114	)	(59	)%
	All other (1)			(4,652	)		(2,081	)		(2,571	)	>(100	)%
		Total operating income		93,642			88,873			4,769		5	%
Other income and (expenses)
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities			23,389			19,388			4,001		21	%
	Interest and dividend income			2,183			2,624			(441	)	(17	)%
	Interest expense			(24,464	)		(26,509	)		2,045		8	%
	Other, net			228			80			148		>100	%
		Total other income (expenses)		1,336			(4,417	)		5,753		>100	%
Income before income taxes				94,978			84,456			10,522		12	%
	Income tax expense			27,412			30,159			(2,747	)	(9	)%
Net income				67,566			54,297			13,269		24	%
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax			(15,312	)		(10,793	)		(4,519	)	(42	)%
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders				52,254			43,504			8,750		20	%
		Preferred dividend requirement		(12	)		(12	)		—		—
Net income available to commonshareholders			$	52,242		$	43,492		$	8,750		20	%
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders (2)			$	0.48		$	0.40		$	0.08		20	%
Diluted earnings per share attributable  to TDS shareholders (2)			$	0.48		$	0.39		$	0.09		23	%

N/M – Not meaningful

(1)Consists of Non-Reportable Segment, other corporate operations, intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and corporate investments.

(2)On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS.  Shares outstanding at December 31, 2011, as well as average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share as of the beginning of all periods presented, have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.  See Note11—Common Stockholder's Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Operating revenues and expenses

See “Results of Operations — U.S. Cellular” and “Results of Operations — TDS Telecom” below for factors that affected consolidated Operating revenues and expenses.

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Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities represents TDS’ share of net income from entities in which it has a noncontrolling interest and that are accounted for by the equity method. TDS generally follows the equity method of accounting for unconsolidated entities in which its ownership interest is less than or equal to 50% but equals or exceeds 20% for corporations and 3% for partnerships and limited liability companies.

TDS’ investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $17.1 million and $13.0 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The remaining change resulted from decreases in net income of other equity interests.

Income tax expense

See Note 4 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the change in Income tax expense and the overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax includes the noncontrolling public shareholders’ share of U.S. Cellular’s net income and the noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’ share of certain U.S. Cellular subsidiaries’ net income or loss.

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular noncontrolling interests, net of tax
	Noncontrolling public shareholders’	$	10,184	$	5,980
	Noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’		5,128		4,813
		$	15,312	$	10,793

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — U.S. CELLULAR

TDS provides wireless telephone service through U.S. Cellular, an 84%-owned subsidiary.  U.S. Cellular owns, manages and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States.  

Following is a table of summarized operating data for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations.

As of March 31, (1)		2012			2011
Customers
Customers on postpaid service plans in which the end user is a  customer of U.S. Cellular (“postpaid customers”)			5,261,000			5,394,000
Customers on prepaid service plans in which the end user is a  customer of U.S. Cellular (“prepaid customers”)			309,000			304,000
Total retail customers			5,570,000			5,698,000
End user customers acquired through U.S. Cellular’s agreements  with third parties (“reseller customers”)			267,000			335,000
Total customers			5,837,000			6,033,000
Total market population of consolidated operating markets (2)			46,966,000			46,774,000
	Market penetration in consolidated operating markets (2)		12.4	%		12.9	%
Total market population of consolidated operating and non-operating markets (2)			92,684,000			91,090,000
Market penetration in consolidated operating and non-operating markets (2)			6.3	%		6.6	%
Employees
Full-time employees			7,651			8,247
Part-time employees			1,026			1,066
Total employees			8,677			9,313
Cell sites in service			7,875			7,663
Smartphone penetration (3)(4)			34.4	%		20.3	%
For the Three Months Ended March 31, (5)		2012			2011
Net retail customer additions (losses) (6)			(34,000	)		(31,000	)
Net customer additions (losses) (6)			(49,000	)		(39,000	)
Average monthly service revenue per customer (7)
Service revenues per Consolidated Statement of Operations (000s)		$	1,023,820		$	985,113
Divided by total average customers during period (000s)			5,863			6,048
Divided by number of months in each period			3			3
Average monthly service revenue per customer		$	58.21		$	54.29
Postpaid churn rate (8)			1.6	%		1.4	%
Smartphones sold as a percent of total devices sold (3)			54.1	%		42.5	%

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Table of Contents

(1)Amounts include results for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated markets as of March 31.

(2)Calculated using 2011 and 2010 Claritas population estimates for 2012 and 2011, respectively. “Total market population of consolidated operating markets” is used only for the purposes of calculating market penetration of consolidated operating markets, which is calculated by dividing customers by the total market population (without duplication of population in overlapping markets).

The total market population and penetration measures for consolidated operating markets apply to markets in which U.S. Cellular provides wireless service to customers.  The total market population and penetration measures for consolidated operating and non-operating markets apply to all consolidated markets in which U.S. Cellular owns an interest.

(3)Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an Android^TM, BlackBerry® or Windows Mobile® operating system, excluding tablets.

(4)Smartphone penetration is calculated by dividing postpaid smartphone customers by total postpaid customers.

(5)Amounts include results for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets for the period January 1 through March 31; operating markets acquired during a particular period are included as of the acquisition date.

(6)“Net retail customer additions (losses)” represents the number of net customers added to (deducted from) U.S. Cellular’s retail customer base through its marketing distribution channels; this measure excludes activity related to reseller customers and customers transferred through acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges.  “Net customer additions (losses)” represents the number of net customers added to (deducted from) U.S. Cellular’s overall customer base through its marketing distribution channels; this measure includes activity related to reseller customers but excludes activity related to customers transferred through acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges.

(7)Management uses these measurements to assess the amount of revenue that U.S. Cellular generates each month on a per customer basis. Average monthly revenue per customer is calculated as shown in the table above.  Average customers during the period is calculated by adding the number of total customers at the beginning of the first month of the period and at the end of each month in the period and dividing by the number of months in the period plus one. Acquired and divested customers are included in the calculation on a prorated basis for the amount of time U.S. Cellular included such customers during each period.

(8)Postpaid churn rate represents the percentage of the postpaid customer base that disconnects service each month. This amount represents the average postpaid churn rate for the three months of the respective year.

31

 

Components of Operating Income

Three Months Ended March 31,		2012			2011		Change			Percentage Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Retail service		$	888,527		$	864,602	$	23,925		3	%
Inbound roaming			80,132			64,386		15,746		24	%
Other			55,161			56,125		(964	)	(2	)%
	Service revenues		1,023,820			985,113		38,707		4	%
Equipment sales			68,301			71,979		(3,678	)	(5	)%
	Total operating revenues		1,092,121			1,057,092		35,029		3	%
System operations (excluding Depreciation,  amortization and accretion reported below)			233,164			217,603		15,561		7	%
Cost of equipment sold			187,036			194,360		(7,324	)	(4	)%
Selling, general and administrative			442,244			442,004		240		—
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			146,685			143,340		3,345		2	%
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			(2,210	)		1,037		(3,247	)	>(100	)%
	Total operating expenses		1,006,919			998,344		8,575		1	%
	Operating income	$	85,202		$	58,748	$	26,454		45	%

Operating Revenues

Service revenues

Service revenues consist primarily of: (i) charges for access, airtime, roaming, recovery of regulatory costs and value‑added services, including data products and services, provided to U.S. Cellular’s retail customers and to end users through third‑party resellers (“retail service”); (ii) charges to other wireless carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems when roaming, including long-distance roaming (“inbound roaming”); and (iii) amounts received from the Federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”).

Retail service revenues

Retail service revenues increased by $23.9 million, or 3%, in 2012 to $888.5 million as the impact of an increase in billed ARPU was partially offset by a decrease in U.S. Cellular's average customer base.

Billed ARPU increased to $50.52 in 2012 from $47.65 in 2011. This overall increase reflects an increase in Postpaid ARPU to $54.00 in 2012 from $51.21 in 2011, reflecting increases in revenues from data products and services.

The average number of customers decreased to 5,863,000 in 2012 from 6,048,000 in 2011, driven primarily by reductions in postpaid and reseller customers.

U.S. Cellular expects continued pressure on revenues in the foreseeable future due to industry competition for customers and related effects on pricing of service plan offerings.

As discussed in the Overview section above, U.S. Cellular’s Belief Project allows customers selecting Belief Plans to earn loyalty reward points.  U.S. Cellular accounts for loyalty reward points under the deferred revenue method.  Under this method, U.S. Cellular allocates a portion of the revenue billed to customers under the Belief Plans to the loyalty reward points. The revenue allocated to these points is initially deferred in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is recognized in future periods when the loyalty reward points are redeemed or used.  Application of the deferred revenue method of accounting related to loyalty reward points resulted in deferring net revenues of $6.4 million and $7.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are included in the Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Inbound roaming revenues

Inbound roaming revenues increased by $15.7 million, or 24%, in 2012 to $80.1 million. The growth was driven primarily by increased data usage by customers of other carriers who used U.S. Cellular’s networks when roaming.  U.S. Cellular expects continued growth in Inbound roaming revenue but expects that the rate of growth in the future will be less than recent growth rates.

Other revenues

Other revenues decreased by $1.0 million, or 2%, in 2012 to $55.2 million, primarily due to a decrease in amounts received from the Federal USF.  Such revenues recorded in 2012 were $39.7 million compared to $41.8 million in 2011, reflecting revisions to amounts received in prior years as determined by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

On November 18, 2011 the FCC released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Reform Order”) adopting reforms of its universal service and intercarrier compensation mechanisms, and proposing further rules to advance reform.  The Reform Order substantially revises the current USF high cost program and intercarrier compensation regime.  The current USF program, which supports voice services, is to be phased out over time and replaced with the Connect America Fund (“CAF”), a new Mobility Fund and a Remote Area Fund, which will collectively support broadband-capable networks.  Mobile wireless carriers such as U.S. Cellular are eligible to receive funds in both the CAF and the Mobility Fund, although some areas that U.S. Cellular currently serves may be declared ineligible for support if they are already served, or are subject to certain rights of first refusal by incumbent carriers.

U.S. Cellular is contemplating participating in the Mobility Fund proceedings, and the CAF, but it is uncertain whether U.S. Cellular will obtain support through any of these mechanisms.  If U.S. Cellular is successful in obtaining support, it will be required to meet certain regulatory conditions to obtain and retain the right to receive support including, for example, allowing other carriers to collocate on U.S. Cellular’s towers, allowing voice and data roaming on U.S. Cellular’s network, and submitting various reports and certifications to retain eligibility each year.  It is possible that additional regulatory requirements will be imposed pursuant to the Commission’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. 

U.S. Cellular’s current USF support is scheduled to be phased down.  Support for 2012 (excluding certain adjustments) was frozen on January 1, 2012 using support for 2011 as a baseline and will be reduced by 20% starting in July, 2012.  Support will be reduced by 20% in July of each subsequent year; however, if the Phase II Mobility Fund is not operational by July 2014, the phase down will halt at that time with a 40% reduction in support, until such time as the Phase II Mobility Fund is operational. 

At this time, U.S. Cellular cannot predict the net effect of the FCC’s changes to the USF high cost support program in the Reform Order or whether reductions in support will be offset with additional support from the CAF or the Mobility Fund.  Accordingly, U.S. Cellular cannot predict whether such changes will have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Equipment sales revenues

Equipment sales revenues include revenues from sales of wireless devices (handsets, modems and tablets) and related accessories to both new and existing customers, as well as revenues from sales of devices and accessories to agents. All Equipment sales revenues are recorded net of rebates.

U.S. Cellular strives to offer a competitive line of quality wireless devices to both new and existing customers. U.S. Cellular’s customer acquisition and retention efforts include offering new devices to customers at discounted prices; in addition, customers on the Belief Plans receive loyalty reward points that may be used to purchase a new device or accelerate the timing of a customer’s eligibility for a device upgrade at promotional pricing. U.S. Cellular also continues to sell devices to agents; this practice enables U.S. Cellular to provide better control over the quality of devices sold to its customers, establish roaming preferences and earn volume discounts from device manufacturers which are passed along to agents. U.S. Cellular anticipates that it will continue to sell devices to agents in the future.

The decrease in 2012 Equipment sales revenues of $3.7 million, or 5%, to $68.3 million was driven by a decrease of 5% in average revenue per device sold as well as a decrease of 3% in total devices sold. Average revenue per device sold decreased due to more aggressive promotional customer equipment pricing.

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Operating Expenses

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization, and accretion) include charges from telecommunications service providers for U.S. Cellular’s customers’ use of their facilities, costs related to local interconnection to the wireline network, charges for cell site rent and  maintenance of U.S. Cellular’s network, long-distance charges, outbound roaming expenses and payments to third‑party data product and platform developers.

Key components of the $15.6 million, or 7%, increase in System operations expenses to $233.2 million were as follows:

·Maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $10.8 million, or 12%, driven in part by an increase in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network. The number of cell sites totaled 7,875 at March 31, 2012 and 7,663 at March 31, 2011, as U.S. Cellular continued to expand and enhance coverage in its existing markets.  Expenses also increased to support rapidly growing demand for data services and the deployment of 4G LTE networks.

·Customer usage expenses increased by $2.5 million, or 3%, primarily due to an increase in data usage and increases in network capacity.

·Expenses incurred when U.S. Cellular’s customers used other carriers’ networks while roaming increased $2.3 million, or 4%, primarily due to higher data roaming expenses offset by a decline in voice roaming expenses.

U.S. Cellular expects total system operations expenses to increase on a year-over-year basis in the foreseeable future to support the continued growth in cell sites and other network facilities as it continues to add capacity, enhance quality and deploy new technologies to support increases in total customer usage, particularly data usage.

Cost of equipment sold

Cost of equipment sold decreased by $7.3 million, or 4%, in 2012 to $187.0 million. The decrease was driven by a 3% decrease in the average cost per device sold as well as a decrease of 3% in total devices sold.  Average cost per device sold decreased due primarily to competitive pricing conditions and the introduction of lower cost smartphones into the portfolio. The impact of lower acquisition costs across all categories of devices was partially offset by a shift in the mix of sales to smartphones.

U.S. Cellular’s loss on equipment, defined as Equipment sales revenues less Cost of equipment sold, was $118.7 million and $122.4 million for 2012 and 2011, respectively. U.S. Cellular expects loss on equipment to continue to be a significant cost in the foreseeable future as wireless carriers continue to use device availability and pricing as a means of competitive differentiation. In addition, U.S. Cellular expects increasing sales of data centric wireless devices such as smartphones and tablets to result in higher equipment subsidies over time; these devices generally have higher purchase costs which cannot be recovered through proportionately higher selling prices to customers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, commissions and expenses of field sales and retail personnel and facilities; telesales department salaries and expenses; agent commissions and related expenses; corporate marketing and merchandise management; and advertising expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include bad debts expense, costs of operating customer care centers and corporate expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2012 of $442.2 million remained flat in comparison to 2011.

For the full year 2012, U.S. Cellular expects Selling, general and administrative expenses to be relatively flat on a year-over-year basis.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased $3.3 million, or 2%, in 2012 to $146.7 million due to an increase in Property, plant and equipment reflecting significant capital expenditures in 2011 and 2012.

See “Financial Resources” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a discussion of U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures.

34

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — TDS TELECOM

TDS Telecom’s ILEC and CLEC operations served 987,700 wireline customer connections at March 31, 2012, a net decrease of 23,500 customer connections from the 1,011,200 customer connections served at March 31, 2011.  In addition, TDS Telecom provides business communication services including colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management and cloud computing through its HMS operations.

Historically, TDS Telecom has reported Results of Operations for its ILEC (which included HMS operations) and CLEC segments.  As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS’ strategy, operations, personnel and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated its reportable business segments during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  As of March 31, 2012, TDS Telecom is reporting Results of Operations for its ILEC, CLEC and HMS segments.  TDS Telecom also revised its presentation of Revenues for its ILEC and CLEC segments.  ILEC Operating revenues had previously been presented in Voice, Data, Network Access and Miscellaneous categories.  CLEC Operating revenues had been previously presented in Retail and Wholesale categories.  As of March 31, 2012, TDS Telecom is reporting ILEC and CLEC Operating revenues in Residential, Commercial and Wholesale categories which correlate with internal reporting and management’s assessment of results. Also, instead of reporting equivalent access lines, ILEC and CLEC now report customer connections, which are internal metrics and are shown in the table below.  Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to the revised presentation described above.

TDS Telecom acquired OneNeck, an HMS company, in July of 2011.

The following table summarizes key operating data for TDS Telecom’s ILEC and CLEC operations:

As of March 31,				2012	2011	Change
ILEC
	Residential Connections
		Physical access lines (1)		363,500	382,400	(18,900	)
		Data connections (2)		219,500	214,100	5,400
		IPTV customers		4,900	4,000	900
			ILEC Residential Connections	587,900	600,500	(12,600	)
	Commercial Connections
		Physical access lines (1)		112,600	118,800	(6,200	)
		Data connections (2)		18,200	17,300	900
		managedIP connections (3)		10,800	4,700	6,100
			ILEC Commercial Connections	141,600	140,800	800
CLEC
	Residential Connections
		Physical access linesm (1)		29,600	39,300	(9,700	)
		Data connections (2)		10,100	13,600	(3,500	)
			CLEC Residential Connections	39,700	52,900	(13,200	)
	Commercial Connections
		Physical access lines (1)		151,100	171,000	(19,900	)
		Data connections (2)		13,700	16,200	(2,500	)
		managedIP connections (3)		53,700	29,700	24,000
			CLEC Commercial Connections	218,500	216,900	1,600
Total ILEC and CLEC Customer Connection				987,700	1,011,200	(23,500	)

(1)    Individual circuits connecting customers to a telephone company’s central office facilities.

(2)    The number of customers provided high-capacity data circuits via various technologies, including DSL and dedicated Internet circuit technologies.

(3)    The number of telephone handsets, data lines and IP trunks providing communications using IP networking technology.

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TDS Telecom
Components of Operating Income
												Percentage
Three months ended March 31,			2012			2011			Change			Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
	ILEC revenues		$	145,065		$	149,574		$	(4,509	)	(3	)%
	CLEC revenues			44,044			45,328			(1,284	)	(3	)%
	HMS revenues			17,558			6,242			11,316		>100	%
	Intra-company elimination			(2,592	)		(2,228	)		(364	)	(16	)%
		TDS Telecom operating revenues		204,075			198,916			5,159		3	%
Operating expenses
	ILEC expenses			128,526			118,125			10,401		9	%
	CLEC expenses			44,366			43,641			725		2	%
	HMS expenses			20,683			7,172			13,511		>100	%
	Intra-company elimination			(2,592	)		(2,228	)		(364	)	(16	)%
		TDS Telecom operating expenses		190,983			166,710			24,273		15	%
	TDS Telecom operating income		$	13,092		$	32,206		$	(19,114	)	(59	)%

36

 

ILEC Operations

Components of Operating Income

											Percentage
Three months ended March 31,					2012		2011		Change		Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
	Residential			$	69,399	$	69,713	$	(314	)	—
	Commercial				24,130		25,371		(1,241	)	(5	)%
	Wholesale				51,536		54,490		(2,954	)	(5	)%
		Total operating revenues			145,065		149,574		(4,509	)	(3	)%
Operating expenses
	Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				49,168		45,402		3,766		8	%
	Selling, general and administrative expenses				41,514		35,482		6,032		17	%
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				37,778		37,200		578		2	%
	(Gain) or Loss on asset disposals, net				27		41		(14	)	(34	)%
	(Gain) or Loss on asset held for sale				39		—		39		N/M
		Total operating expenses			128,526		118,125		10,401		9	%
			Total operating income	$	16,539	$	31,449	$	(14,910	)	(47	)%

Operating Revenues

Residential revenues consist of voice, data and video services to our residential customer base.

Residential revenues were relatively unchanged at $69.4 million in 2012. A 2% reduction in the number of residential connections reduced revenues by $1.1 million offset by a 2% increase in average revenue per residential connection.  The increase in average revenue was mainly driven by customers opting for higher data speeds.

Commercial revenues consist of data and voice services and sales and installation of business telephone systems to our commercial customer base.

The decrease in Commercial revenues of $1.2 million or 5% to $24.1 million in 2012 was primarily due to a decline in the average revenue per commercial connection as well as declines in directory assistance and business system sales revenues.

Wholesale revenues represent compensation from other carriers for utilizing TDS Telecom’s network infrastructure and regulatory recoveries.

Wholesale revenues declined $3.0 million or 5% to $51.5 million.  Network access revenues decreased $2.7 million in 2012 due to declines in revenues received through inter-state regulatory recovery mechanisms which resulted primarily from an FCC order issued in November 2011.  Wholesale revenues also declined $0.9 million due to a 9% reduction in intra-state usage.

On November 18, 2011, the FCC issued a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Reform Order”) to establish a new, broadband-focused support mechanism, called the Connect America Fund, and to reform the rules governing intercarrier compensation. Under the existing intercarrier compensation system carriers recover their costs, in part, from one another. The existing system generally ensures that TDS Telecom is able to recover its costs. The Reform Order established certain rules for transitioning, over time, from the existing system to one where carriers will recover their costs directly from their end user subscribers. The Reform Order also included a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a range of follow up proposals. The future proposed rulemaking is especially important to TDS Telecom, as numerous issues relevant to rate of return carriers, such as TDS Telecom, will be addressed in it. The Reform Order is also the subject of numerous Petitions for Reconsideration, which ask the FCC to reconsider portions of its decision, and it is also the subject of numerous judicial appeals. TDS Telecom cannot predict the outcome of future rulemaking, reconsideration and legal challenges and as a consequence, the impacts these may have on TDS Telecom's Network access revenues.

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Operating Expenses

Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

Cost of services and products increased $3.8 million or 8% to $49.2 million in 2012 primarily due to increased network maintenance costs of $1.6 million, higher labor and contractor costs of $1.5 million and higher costs associated with the IPTV expansion of $0.6 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million or 17% to $41.5 million in 2012.  Discrete items recorded in 2011 including receipt of insurance proceeds, the refund of certain prior year regulatory contributions and the settlement of a legal dispute decreased 2011 Selling, general and administrative expenses by $5.2 million. 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $0.6 million or 2% to $37.8 million in 2012 due to increased capital additions.

CLEC Operations

Components of Operating Income

											Percentage
Three months ended March 31,			2012			2011		Change			Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
	Residential		$	4,788		$	6,497	$	(1,709	)	(26	)%
	Commercial			34,341			34,017		324		1	%
	Wholesale			4,915			4,814		101		2	%
		Total operating revenues		44,044			45,328		(1,284	)	(3	)%
Operating expenses
	Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)			22,564			22,472		92		—
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			16,260			15,648		612		4	%
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion			5,489			5,490		(1	)	—
	(Gain) or Loss on asset disposals, net			53			31		22		71	%
		Total operating expenses		44,366			43,641		725		2	%
		Total operating income (loss)	$	(322	)	$	1,687	$	(2,009	)	>(100	)%

Operating Revenues

Residential revenues consist of data and voice services to our residential customer base.

The decrease in Residential revenues of $1.7 million or 26% to $4.8 million in 2012 was due to a 25% decrease in the number of residential connections as the CLEC operations continue to implement a strategic shift towards serving primarily a commercial subscriber base. 

Commercial revenues consist of data and voice services to our commercial customer base.

Commercial revenues were relatively unchanged at $34.3 million in 2012, as the revenue from the growth in managedIP connections was offset by a 12% decline in the number of physical access lines served.

Wholesale revenues represent charges to other carriers for utilizing TDS Telecom’s network infrastructure.

Wholesale revenues were relatively unchanged at $4.9 million in 2012, as an increase in special access revenues was offset by an 8% reduction in minutes of use.

38

 

Operating Expenses

Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

Cost of services and products were relatively unchanged at $22.6 million in 2012. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

The increase of $0.6 million or 4% to $16.3 million in Selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to an increase in employee related costs.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense were relatively unchanged at $5.5 million in 2012.

HMS Operations

Components of Operating Income

													Percentage
Three months ended March 31,				2012			2011			Change			Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues
		Total operating revenues		$	17,558		$	6,242		$	11,316		>100	%
Operating expenses
	Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)				9,774			2,282			7,492		>100	%
	Selling, general and administrative expenses				6,732			2,711			4,021		>100	%
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion				4,176			2,147			2,029		95	%
	(Gain) Loss on asset disposals, net				1			32			(31	)	(97	)%
		Total operating expenses			20,683			7,172			13,511		>100	%
			Total operating income (loss)	$	(3,125	)	$	(930	)	$	(2,195	)	>100	%

Operating Revenues

HMS Operating revenues consist of colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management and cloud computing services.

Operating revenues increased $11.3 million to $17.6 million in 2012.  The acquisition of OneNeck in July of 2011 contributed $10.6 million of this increase.

Operating Expenses

Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion) increased $7.5 million to $9.8 million in 2012. The OneNeck acquisition resulted in increased cost of services and products of $6.8 million in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $4.0 million to $6.7 million in 2012 primarily due to the acquisition of OneNeck and expenses incurred as the company develops the management team and products and services to grow the HMS operations.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

The $2.0 million increase in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense to $4.2 million was primarily due to acquisition of OneNeck, with customer list and trade names amortization accounting for $1.2 million of the increase.

39

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a significant effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations.  See Note 1 —  Basis of Presentation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

TDS operates a capital‑ and marketing‑intensive business. TDS utilizes cash from its operating activities, cash proceeds from divestitures and disposition of investments, short-term credit facilities, long-term debt financing and cash on hand to fund its acquisitions (including licenses), construction costs, operating expenses and share repurchases. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions, capital expenditures and other factors. The table below and the following discussion in this Financial Resources section summarize TDS’ cash flow activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.

		2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from (used in):
	Operating activities (1)	$	282,245		$	333,042
	Investing activities (1)		(193,858	)		(319,115	)
	Financing activities		(12,532	)		250,767
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	75,855		$	264,694

(1)In preparing its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to the classification of outstanding checks with the right of offset and the classification of Accounts payable for Additions to property, plant and equipment. These errors resulted in the misstatement of Cash flows from operating activities and Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The amounts herein have been revised to reflect the proper amounts.  See Note 2 — Revision of Prior Period Amounts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The following table presents Adjusted OIBDA and is included for purposes of analyzing changes in operating activities. TDS believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding TDS’ financial condition and results of operations because it highlights certain key cash and non-cash items and their impacts on Cash flows from operating activities:

		2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating income		$	93,642		$	88,873
Non-cash items
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		197,434			190,813
	Loss on impairment of intangible assets		—			—
	(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net		(2,095	)		1,143
Adjusted OIBDA (1)		$	288,981		$	280,829

(1)Adjusted OIBDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance.  Adjusted OIBDA is defined as Operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any).  This measure may commonly be referred to by management as operating cash flow.  This measure should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. See Note 13 — Business Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and loss on impairment of assets (if any) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and, accordingly, they may be incurred in the future.  

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Cash flows from operating activities in 2012 were $282.2 million, a decrease of $50.8 million from 2011. Significant changes included the following:

·Adjusted OIBDA, as shown in the table above, increased by $8.2 million primarily due to an increase in U.S. Cellular operating income.  See discussion in the “Results of Operations — Wireless” for factors that affected U.S. Cellular operating income.

·Income tax refunds, net of $57.0 million were recorded in 2012 compared to income tax refunds, net of $40.3 million in 2011.  Federal tax refunds of $59.9 million were received in March 2012 primarily for carrybacks related to the 2009 and 2010 tax years. TDS incurred a federal net operating loss in 2011 largely attributable to 100% bonus depreciation applicable to qualified capital expenditures.  TDS’ future federal income tax liabilities associated with the current benefits realized from bonus depreciation are accrued as a component of Net deferred income tax liability (noncurrent) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. TDS expects federal income tax payments to substantially increase beginning in 2013 and remain at a higher level for several years as the amount of TDS' federal tax depreciation deduction substantially decreases as a result of having accelerated depreciation in earlier years. This expectation assumes that federal bonus depreciation provisions are not enacted in future periods. To the extent further federal bonus depreciation provisions are enacted, this expectation will change.

·Changes in Accounts receivable provided $38.9 million and $8.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, resulting in a year-over-year increase in cash flows of $30.5 million.  Accounts receivable balances fluctuate based on the timing of customer payments, promotions and other factors.

·Changes in Accounts payable required $25.4 million in 2012, and provided $56.2 million in 2011, causing a year-over-year decrease in cash flows of $81.6 million.  Changes in Accounts payable were primarily driven by payment timing differences related to operating expenses and device purchases.

·Changes in Inventory required $4.8 million in 2012, and provided $3.0 million in 2011, causing a year-over-year decrease in cash flows of $7.8 million.  This change was primarily due to higher inventory levels at March 31, 2012.

·Changes in other assets and liabilities required $104.1 million and $87.7 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, causing a year-over-year net decrease in cash flows of $16.4 million.  This was primarily due to changes in accrued payroll costs.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

TDS makes substantial investments to acquire wireless licenses and properties and to construct, operate and upgrade modern high-quality communications networks and facilities as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities have required substantial investments in potentially revenue‑enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades to TDS’ networks.

Capital expenditures (i.e. additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures) totaled $228.5 million in 2012 and $127.5 million in 2011. Cash used for capital expenditures totaled $242.6 million in 2012 and $157.9 million in 2011. These expenditures were made to provide for customer and usage growth (in recent periods, particularly with respect to data usage growth), to upgrade service and to take advantage of service-enhancing and cost-reducing technological developments in order to maintain competitive services. 

·U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures totaled $201.3 million in 2012 and $95.9 million in 2011. These expenditures were made to construct new cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, develop new and enhance existing office systems, and construct new and remodel existing retail stores.

·TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for its ILEC operations totaled $27.5 million in 2012 and $20.6 million in 2011 representing expenditures to upgrade plant and equipment to provide enhanced services.  TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for its CLEC operations totaled $5.1 million in 2012 and $4.2 million in 2011 for switching and other network facilities.  TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for its HMS operations totaled $3.1 million in 2012 and $1.5 million in 2011.

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Cash payments for acquisitions of U.S. Cellular licenses in 2012 were $11.1 million.  There were no cash payments for acquisitions of licenses in 2011.

In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash.  See Note 6 —  Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to this sale. 

In 2012, TDS invested $10.0 million in U.S. treasuries and corporate notes with maturities of greater than three months from the acquisition date.  TDS did not make temporary cash investments in the first quarter of 2011.  TDS realized proceeds of $20.2 million and $122.8 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the maturities of its investments in U.S. treasuries, corporate notes, and certificates of deposit.  Accordingly, the net impact of this activity was to decrease Cash flows from investing activities by $112.6 million on a year-over-year basis.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities 

Cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect changes in short-term and long-term debt balances, dividends to shareholders, distributions to noncontrolling interests, cash used to repurchase Common Shares and cash proceeds from reissuance of Common Shares pursuant to stock-based compensation plans.  TDS has used short-term debt to finance acquisitions, for general corporate purposes and to repurchase Common Shares. Internally generated funds as well as proceeds from the sale of non-strategic investments, from time to time, have been used to reduce short-term debt.

In March 2011, TDS issued $300 million of 7% Senior Notes due 2060, and paid related debt issuance costs of $9.7 million.  The net proceeds from the 7% Senior Notes were primarily used to redeem $282.5 million of TDS’ 7.6% Series A Notes in May 2011.  The redemption price of the 7.6% Series A Notes was equal to 100% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

TDS did not repurchase any Common Shares in the first quarter of 2012.  In 2011, TDS repurchased Common and Special Common Shares at an aggregate cost of $11.6 million.  U.S. Cellular did not repurchase any Common Shares in the first quarter of 2012.  Payments for repurchases of U.S. Cellular Common Shares required $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2011.  See Note 11 — Common Stockholder's Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

Free Cash Flow

The following table presents Free cash flow. TDS believes that Free cash flow as reported by TDS may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment.

Three Months Ended March 31,		2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	282,245		$	333,042
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment		(242,611	)		(157,897	)
Free cash flow (1)	$	39,634		$	175,145

(1)Free cash flow is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. 

See Cash Flows from Operating Activities and Cash Flows from Investing Activities for details on the changes to the components of Free cash flow.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At March 31, 2012, TDS had Cash and cash equivalents of $639.1 million, Short-term investments of $230.0 million, Long-term investments of $50.3 million and available funds under its revolving credit facility of $399.8 million, as discussed in more detail below.  TDS believes that existing cash and investments balances, funds available under its revolving credit facilities and expected cash flows from operating activities provide substantial liquidity and financial flexibility for TDS to meet its normal financing needs (including working capital, construction and development expenditures and share repurchases under approved programs) for the foreseeable future. In addition, TDS and its subsidiaries may have access to public and private capital markets to help meet their financing needs. 

Consumer spending significantly impacts TDS’ operations and performance. Factors that influence levels of consumer spending include: unemployment rates, increases in fuel and other energy costs, conditions in residential real estate and mortgage markets, labor and health care costs, access to credit, consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors. Changes in these and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for TDS’ products and services and on TDS’ financial condition and results of operations.

TDS cannot provide assurances that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur. Economic conditions, changes in financial markets or other factors could restrict TDS’ liquidity and availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development, acquisition or share repurchase programs. Such reductions could have a material adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

At March 31, 2012, TDS had $639.1 million in Cash and cash equivalents; of this amount U.S. Cellular held $511.1 million of the Cash and cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  The primary objective of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents investment activities is to preserve principal.  At March 31, 2012, the majority of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents was held in bank deposit accounts and in money market funds that invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury securities with original maturities of less than three months or in repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such obligations.  TDS monitors the financial viability of the money market funds and direct investments in which it invests and believes that the credit risk associated with these investments is low.

Short-term and Long-term Investments

At March 31, 2012, TDS had $230.0 million in Short-term investments and $50.3 million in Long-term investments; of this amount U.S. Cellular held $116.4 million and $40.3 million of the Short-term investments and Long-term investments, respectively.  Short-term and Long-term investments consist of certificates of deposit (short-term only), U.S. treasuries and corporate notes all of which are designated as held-to-maturity investments, and are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The corporate notes are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  For these investments, TDS’ objective is to earn a higher rate of return on cash balances that are not anticipated to be required to meet liquidity needs in the near term, while maintaining a low level of investment risk.  See Note 3 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on Short-term and Long-term investments. 

Revolving Credit Facilities

TDS and U.S. Cellular have revolving credit facilities available for general corporate purposes. 

In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated December 17, 2010 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility.  At March 31, 2012, no U.S. Cellular debt was subordinated pursuant to this subordination agreement.

TDS’ and U.S. Cellular’s interest cost on their revolving credit facilities is subject to increase if their current credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies are lowered, and is subject to decrease if the ratings are raised.  The credit facilities would not cease to be available nor would the maturity date accelerate solely as a result of a downgrade in TDS’ or U.S. Cellular’s credit rating.  However, a downgrade in TDS’ or U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect their ability to renew the credit facilities or obtain access to other credit facilities in the future.

As of March 31, 2012 TDS’ and U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies remained at investment grade.

The following table summarizes the terms of such revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2012:

(Dollars in millions)		TDS	U.S. Cellular
Maximum borrowing capacity	$	400.0	$	300.0
Letter of credit outstanding	$	0.2	$	0.2
Amount borrowed	$	—	$	—
Amount available for use	$	399.8	$	299.8
Agreement date	December 2010		December 2010
Maturity date	December 2015		December 2015

The continued availability of the revolving credit facilities requires TDS and U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing.  TDS and U.S. Cellular believe they were in compliance as of March 31, 2012 with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in their revolving credit facilities.

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Long-Term Financing

TDS and its subsidiaries had the following debt outstanding as of March 31, 2012:

						Aggregate
(Dollars in thousands)			Issuance date	Maturity date	Call date (1)	Principal Amount
TDS -
	Unsecured Senior Notes
		6.625%	March 2005	March 2045	March 2010	$	116.,250
		6.875%	November 2010	November 2059	November 2015		225,000
		7.0%	March 2011	March 2060	March 2016		300,000
U.S. Cellular -
	Unsecured Senior Notes
		6.7%	December 2003 and June 2004	December 2033	December 2003	$	544,000
		6.95%	May 2011	May 2060	May 2016		342,000

(1)TDS may redeem callable notes, in whole or in part at any time after the respective call date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.  U.S. Cellular may redeem the 6.7% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points.  U.S. Cellular may redeem the 6.95% Senior Notes, in whole or in part at any time after the call date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.

TDS and its subsidiaries’ long-term debt and indentures do not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in TDS’ credit rating. However, a downgrade in TDS’ credit rating could adversely affect its ability to obtain long-term debt financing in the future. TDS believes it and its subsidiaries were in compliance as of March 31, 2012 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in long-term debt indentures. TDS and U.S. Cellular have not failed to make nor do they expect to fail to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest under such indentures.

The long-term debt principal payments due for the remainder of 2012 and the next four years represent less than 1% of the total long-term debt obligation at March 31, 2012.  Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Part I, Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to TDS’ Long-term debt.

TDS, at its discretion, may from time to time seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

TDS and U.S. Cellular each have effective shelf registration statements on Form S-3 that they can use to issue senior debt securities that can be used for general corporate purposes, including to finance the redemption of any of the above existing debt.  The TDS shelf registration statement is an automatic shelf registration that permits TDS to issue at any time and from time to time senior debt securities in one or more offerings in an indeterminate amount.  The U.S. Cellular shelf registration statement permits U.S. Cellular to issue at any time and from time to time senior debt securities in one or more offerings up to an aggregate principal amount of $500 million.  The ability of TDS or U.S. Cellular to complete an offering pursuant to such shelf registration statements is subject to market conditions and other factors at the time. 

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Table of Contents

Capital Expenditures

U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures for 2012 are expected to be approximately $850 million. These expenditures are expected to be for the following general purposes: 

·Expand and enhance U.S. Cellular’s network coverage in its service areas, including providing additional capacity to accommodate increased network usage, principally data usage, by current customers;

·Deploy 4G LTE technology in certain markets;

·Enhance U.S. Cellular’s retail store network;

·Develop and enhance office systems; and

·Develop new billing and other customer management related systems and platforms.

TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for 2012  are expected to be approximately $150 million to $180 million.  These expenditures are expected to be for the following general purposes:

·Process and productivity initiatives;

·Increased network and product capabilities for broadband services;

·Expansion of terrestrial TV (IPTV) to additional markets;

·Success-based spending to sustain managedIP and IPTV growth; and

·Fund its share for projects approved under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

TDS plans to finance its capital expenditures program for 2012 using cash flows from operating activities, existing cash balances, short-term investments and, if necessary, debt.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

TDS assesses its existing wireless and wireline interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on investment. As part of this strategy, TDS reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets, telecommunications companies, wireless spectrum and related service businesses, such as HMS businesses. In addition, TDS may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other wireless interests those wireless interests that are not strategic to its long-term success.

TDS also may be engaged from time to time in negotiations relating to the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, strategic properties or wireless spectrum. In general, TDS may not disclose such transactions until there is a definitive agreement.  See Note 6 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on significant transactions.

Variable Interest Entities

TDS consolidates certain entities because they are “variable interest entities” under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). See Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the details of these variable interest entities. TDS may elect to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these variable interest entities in future periods in order to fund their operations.

Share Repurchase Programs

TDS and U.S. Cellular have repurchased, and expect to continue to repurchase, their Common Shares, subject to their repurchase programs. For additional information related to the current TDS and U.S. Cellular repurchase authorizations and repurchases made during 2012 and 2011, see Note 11 — Common Stockholder's Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Part II, Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Contractual and Other Obligations

There was no material change between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 to the Contractual and Other Obligations disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 other than the material commitments described below.

Since December 31, 2011, future minimum rental payments under operating leases increased by the following amounts due to lease extensions signed in the first quarter of 2012: Total: $161.3 million; Less Than 1 Year from December 31, 2011: $0.3 million; 2 – 3 Years from December 31, 2011: $6.0 million; 4 – 5 Years from December 31, 2011: $14.1 million; and More than 5 Years from December 31, 2011: $140.9 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

TDS had no transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities involving “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)  rules, that had or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

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APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

TDS prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  TDS’ significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 —  Basis of Presentation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and TDS’ Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates is discussed in detail in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are included in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  There were no material changes to TDS’ application of critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Goodwill and Licenses Impairment Assessment

TDS has significant amounts recorded as Licenses and Goodwill in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Licenses and Goodwill must be assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.  TDS performs annual impairment testing of Licenses and Goodwill, as required by GAAP, in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, based on fair values and net carrying values determined as of November 1.  The continuing weak macroeconomic conditions and financial markets and/or the performance of TDS’ stock price in the second quarter of 2012 could require an interim impairment test of Licenses and Goodwill as of June 30, 2012.  In such event, it is possible that TDS could be required to recognize an impairment of its Licenses and/or Goodwill in the second quarter of 2012.  The amount of any possible impairment is uncertain at this time, but could be material depending on conditions at June 30, 2012.

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PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Form 10-Q, including exhibits, contains statements that are not based on historical facts and represent forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that TDS intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future 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 risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth below, as more fully described under “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  However, such factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements.  TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You should carefully consider the Risk Factors in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, the following factors and other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 10-Q to understand the material risks relating to TDS’ business.

·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.

·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.    

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·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’ ongoing upgrade to 4G LTE technology, present substantial risk.

·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 any 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.

·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 price of TDS’ Common Shares is 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (“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.

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·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.

·Certain matters, such as control by the TDS Voting Trust 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.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

MARKET RISK

Refer to the disclosure under Market Risk in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for additional information, including information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to TDS’ Long-term debt.  There have been no material changes to such information since December 31, 2011.

See Note 3 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the fair market value of TDS’ Long-term debt as of March 31, 2012.

50

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

TDS maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to TDS’ management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), TDS carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of TDS’ disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.  Based on this evaluation, TDS’ Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that TDS’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012, at the reasonable assurance level. 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in TDS’ internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect TDS’ internal control over financial reporting.

51

 

Part II.  Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

TDS is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the FCC, other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts.  If TDS believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss.  If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued.  The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events.  The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures.  The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect TDS’ business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, may not be the only risks that could affect TDS.  Additional unidentified or unrecognized risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition and/or operating results.  In addition, you are referred to the above Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in particular the section captioned “Overview,” for disclosures of certain developments that have occurred since TDS filed its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Subject to the foregoing, TDS has not identified for disclosure any material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

On November 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a new $250 million stock repurchase program for both TDS Common and Special Common shares.  Depending on market conditions, such shares may be repurchased in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, or pursuant to accelerated share repurchase arrangements, prepaid share repurchases, private transactions or as otherwise authorized.  This authorization will expire in November 2012.

Following the fourth quarter of 2011, Special Common Shares ceased to be authorized, issued and outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment that became effective on January 24, 2012. As a result, the foregoing share repurchase authorization no longer applies to Special Common Shares, but continues to apply to Common Shares until its expiration date.

The following table provides certain information with respect to all purchases made by or on behalf of TDS, and any open market purchases made by any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined by the SEC) of TDS, of TDS Common Shares during the quarter covered by this Form 10-Q.

TDS PURCHASES OF COMMON SHARES
		(a)	(b)		(c)		(d)
Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 – 31, 2012		—	$	—	—	$	157,570,912
February 1 – 29, 2012		—		—	—		157,570,912
March 1 – 31, 2012		—		—	—		157,570,912
	Total for or as of the quarter ended March 31, 2012	—	$	—	—	$	157,570,912

The following is additional information with respect to the Common Share authorization:

i.The date the program was announced was November 20, 2009 by Form 8-K.

ii.The amount originally approved was up to $250 million in aggregate purchase price of TDS Common and Special Common Shares.

iii.The expiration date for the program is November 19, 2012.

iv.The Common Share authorization did not expire during the first quarter of 2012.

v.TDS did not determine to terminate the foregoing Common Share repurchase program prior to expiration, or cease making further purchases thereunder, during the first quarter of 2012.

52

 

Item 5.  Other Information.

The following information is being provided to update prior disclosures made pursuant to the requirements of Form 8-K, Item 2.03 — Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

Neither TDS nor U.S. Cellular borrowed or repaid any amounts under their revolving credit facilities in the first quarter of 2012 and had no borrowings outstanding under their revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2012. 

A description of TDS’ revolving credit facility is included under Item 1.01 in TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 17, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein. 

A description of U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility is included under Item 1.01 in U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 17, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein. 

Item 6.  Exhibits.

Exhibit 10.1 — Amendment to the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, is hereby incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 2012.

Exhibit 10.2 — Amendment to the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 15, 2012.

Exhibit 11 — Statement regarding computation of per share earnings is included herein as Note 5 — Earnings Per Share in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Exhibit 12 — Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

Exhibit 31.1 — Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exhibit 31.2 — Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exhibit 32.1 — Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Exhibit 32.2 — Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Exhibit 101.INS — XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit 101.PRE — XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.CAL — XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.LAB — XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.DEF — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

The foregoing exhibits include only the exhibits that relate specifically to this Form 10-Q or that supplement the exhibits identified in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Reference is made to TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for a complete list of exhibits, which are incorporated herein except to the extent supplemented or supersededabove.  

53

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
		(Registrant)
Date:	May 4, 2012		/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
			LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Date:	May 4, 2012		/s/ Kenneth R. Meyers
			Kenneth R. Meyers, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
Date:	May 4, 2012		/s/ Douglas D. Shuma
			Douglas D. Shuma, Senior Vice President and Controller (principal accounting officer)

Signature page for the TDS 2012 First Quarter Form 10-Q

54

EX-12

Exhibit 12

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

			Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)			2012			2011
EARNINGS:
	Income before income taxes		$	94,978		$	84,456
	Add (deduct):
		Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities		(23,389	)		(19,388	)
		Distributions from unconsolidated entities		2,938			8,439
		Amortization of capitalized interest		389			266
		Income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges		(6,034	)		(4,988	)
				68,882			68,785
	Add fixed charges:
		Consolidated interest expenses (1)		24,464			26,509
		Inerest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expenses		13,797			12,817
			$	107,143		$	108,111
FIXED CHARGES
		Consolidated interest expense (1)	$	24,464		$	26,509
		Capitalized interest		3,198			1,927
		Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense		13,797			12,817
			$	41,459		$	41,253
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES				2.58			2.62
		Tax-effected preferred dividends	$	17		$	19
		Fixed charges		41,459			41,253
		Fixed charges and preferred dividends	$	41,476		$	41,272
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS				2.58			2.62

(1)Interest expense on income tax contingencies is not included in fixed charges.

EX-31.1

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 4, 2012

/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Kenneth R. Meyers, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 4, 2012

/s/ Kenneth R. Meyers

Kenneth R. Meyers
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.2

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63

of Title 18 of the United States Code

                I, LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., the chief executive officer of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2012 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.
May 4, 2012

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and will be retained by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63

of Title 18 of the United States Code

                I, Kenneth R. Meyers, the chief financial officer of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2012 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

/s/ Kenneth R. Meyers

Kenneth R. Meyers
May 4, 2012

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and will be retained by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 U.S. Cellular		Mar. 31, 2011 U.S. Cellular		Mar. 31, 2012 TDS Telecom	Dec. 31, 2011 TDS Telecom	Mar. 31, 2011 TDS Telecom	Dec. 31, 2010 TDS Telecom	Mar. 31, 2012 Non-Reportable Segment		Dec. 31, 2011 Non-Reportable Segment
Licenses
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,494,014	$ 1,460,126	$ 1,475,994	[1]	$ 1,457,326	[1]	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 15,220	[2]	$ 15,220	[2]
Acquisitions	11,096	300	11,096		300
Balance, end of period	$ 1,505,110	$ 1,460,426	$ 1,487,090	[1]	$ 1,457,626	[1]	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 15,220	[2]	$ 15,220	[2]

[1] Prior to January 1, 2009, TDS accounted for U.S. Cellular's share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS licenses and goodwill, as required by GAAP in effect at that time. Consequently, U.S. Cellular's licenses and goodwill on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated licenses and goodwill related to U.S. Cellular.

[2] "Non-Reportable Segment'' consists of amounts related to Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) (U.S. Cellular, Licenses, Aquisition, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Subsequent events
Subsequent event, date	Apr. 17, 2012
Expected event
Subsequent events
License acquisitions, pending FCC approval	34.0

XML

Business Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	$ 1,305,791		$ 1,258,681
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	509,211		486,746
Selling, general and administrative	507,599		491,106
Adjusted OIBDA	288,981	[1]	280,829	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	197,434		190,813
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(2,095)		1,143
Operating income (loss)	93,642		88,873
Total assets	8,172,668		8,045,209	[2]	8,201,005
Capital expenditures	228,464		127,463
U.S. Cellular
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	1,092,121		1,057,092
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	420,200		411,963
Selling, general and administrative	442,244		442,004
Adjusted OIBDA	229,677	[1]	203,125	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	146,685		143,340
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(2,210)		1,037
Operating income (loss)	85,202		58,748
Total assets	6,341,435		5,934,782	[2]
Capital expenditures	201,337		95,933
TDS Telecom ILEC
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	145,065		149,574
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	49,168		45,402
Selling, general and administrative	41,514		35,482
Adjusted OIBDA	54,383	[1]	68,690	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	37,778		37,200
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	66		41
Operating income (loss)	16,539		31,449
Total assets	1,387,900		1,355,869	[2]
Capital expenditures	27,526		20,517
TDS Telecom CLEC
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	44,044		45,328
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	22,564		22,472
Selling, general and administrative	16,260		15,648
Adjusted OIBDA	5,220	[1]	7,208	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	5,489		5,490
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	53		31
Operating income (loss)	(322)		1,687
Total assets	113,520		118,674	[2]
Capital expenditures	5,058		4,234
TDS Telecom HMS
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	17,558		6,242
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	9,774		2,282
Selling, general and administrative	6,732		2,711
Adjusted OIBDA	1,052	[1]	1,249	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	4,176		2,147
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	1		32
Operating income (loss)	(3,125)		(930)
Total assets	208,785		85,130	[2]
Capital expenditures	3,091		1,537
TDS Telecom Eliminations
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	(2,592)		(2,228)
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	(2,161)		(1,791)
Selling, general and administrative	(431)		(437)
TDS Telecom
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	204,075		198,916
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	79,345		68,365
Selling, general and administrative	64,075		53,404
Adjusted OIBDA	60,655	[1]	77,147	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	47,443		44,837
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	120		104
Operating income (loss)	13,092		32,206
Total assets	1,710,205		1,559,673	[2]
Capital expenditures	35,675		26,288
Non-Reportable Segment
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	14,769	[3]	8,615	[3]
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	10,205	[3]	6,821	[3]
Selling, general and administrative	4,186	[3]	1,632	[3]
Adjusted OIBDA	378	[1],[3]	162	[1],[3]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,530	[3]	474	[3]
Operating income (loss)	(1,152)	[3]	(312)	[3]
Total assets	67,950	[3]	23,279	[2],[3]
Capital expenditures	216	[3]	1,890	[3]
Other Reconciling Items
Business Segment Information
Operating revenues	(5,174)	[4]	(5,942)	[4]
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	(539)	[4]	(403)	[4]
Selling, general and administrative	(2,906)	[4]	(5,934)	[4]
Adjusted OIBDA	(1,729)	[1],[4]	395	[1],[4]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,776	[4]	2,162	[4]
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(5)	[4]	2	[4]
Operating income (loss)	(3,500)	[4]	(1,769)	[4]
Total assets	53,078	[4]	527,475	[2],[4]
Capital expenditures	$ (8,764)	[4]	$ 3,352	[4]

[1] Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). Adjusted OIBDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. This amount may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This amount should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Accordingly you should be aware that TDS may incur such amounts in the future.

[2] In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first quarter 2011 interim financial statements. The amounts herein have been revised to reflect the proper amounts. See Note 2 ― Revision of Prior Period Amounts for additional information.

[3] Represents Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

[4] Consists of corporate operations, intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and corporate operations.

XML

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Basis of Presentation
TDS ownership	84.00%
Agent liability	$ 43.8		$ 75.3
Amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities	$ 39.6	$ 35.5
Explanation for change in segment reporting	Historically, TDS had reported the following business segments: U.S. Cellular, Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) (which included Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations), Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”), and Non-Reportable Segment which includes Suttle-Straus and Airadigm. TDS’ Corporate operations and intercompany eliminations have been included in “Other Reconciling Items” for purposes of business segment disclosure. As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS’ strategy, operations, personnel and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated its reportable business segments during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. TDS’ business segments as of March 31, 2012, are U.S. Cellular, ILEC, CLEC, HMS and the Non-Reportable Segment. Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to this revised presentation.

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per share

				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
				2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
	Net income available to common shareholders of TDS
		used in basic earnings per share		$	52,242		$	43,492
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
	Noncontrolling interest (1)				(345	)		(209	)
	Preferred dividend (2)				12			12
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of
		TDS used in diluted earnings per share		$	51,909		$	43,295
Weighted average number of shares used in basic
	earnings per share:
		Common Shares			101,534			101,860
		Series A Common Shares			7,119			7,076
			Total		108,653			108,936
Effects of dilutive securities:
	Stock options				202			540
	Restricted stock units				180			184
	Preferred shares				63			55
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted
	earnings per share				109,098			109,715
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.40
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.39

• The noncontrolling income adjustment reflects the additional noncontrolling share of U.S. Cellular's income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular's dilutive securities were outstanding.
• The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction related to preferred securities that were dilutive, and therefore treated as if converted for shares.

Summary of antidilutive shares

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012	2011
(Shares in thousands)
Stock options	4,301	1,557
Restricted stock units	—	—
Convertible preferred shares	—	—

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Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 606,377,000	$ 639,130,000	$ 563,275,000	$ 341,683,000
Other current assets		18,117,000	16,349,000
Intangible assets	1,460,426,000	1,505,110,000	1,494,014,000	1,460,126,000
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,823,733,000	3,784,535,000
Other assets and deferred charges		104,109,000	97,398,000
Liabilities
Current liabilities		759,827,000	874,133,000
Capital contributions and advances to VIEs	6,800,000
Variable Interest Entities (VIE's)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		5,571,000	13,299,000
Other current assets		3,902,000	3,719,000
Intangible assets		503,990,000	501,829,000
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,123,000	27,642,000
Other assets and deferred charges		3,532,000	3,612,000
Total assets		547,118,000	550,101,000
Liabilities
Current liabilities		5,740,000	5,944,000
Deferred liabilities and credits		7,046,000	5,481,000
Total liabilities		$ 12,786,000	$ 11,425,000

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Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings per share
Net income available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings per share	$ 52,242		$ 43,492
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings
Noncontrolling interest adjustment	(345)	[1]	(209)	[1]
Preferred dividend adjustment	12	[2]	12	[2]
Net income available to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings per share	$ 51,909		$ 43,295
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	108,653,000	[3]	108,936,000	[3]
Effects of dilutive securities:
Stock options	202,000		540,000
Restricted stock units	180,000		184,000
Preferred shares	63,000		55,000
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	109,098,000	[3]	109,715,000	[3]
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[3]	$ 0.40	[3]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[3]	$ 0.39	[3]
Shareholder Vote Share Consolidation Amendment
Share Consolidation
Significant event, date	January 13, 2012
Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	101,534,000		101,860,000
Share Consolidation
Share conversion ratio, Common shares	1.087
Common Shares | Stock Options
Effects of dilutive securities:
Antidilutive shares	4,301,000		1,557,000
Special Common Shares
Share Consolidation
Share conversion ratio, Common shares	1
Series A Common Shares
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share	7,119,000		7,076,000
Share Consolidation
Share conversion ratio, Series A Common shares	1.087

[1] The noncontrolling income adjustment reflects the additional noncontrolling share of U.S. Cellular's income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular's dilutive securities were outstanding.

[2] The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction related to preferred securities that were dilutive, and therefore treated as if converted for shares.

[3] On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share for the comparative period presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$ (33)		$ 587
U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	357		1,396
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes			(91)	[1]
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	357		1,305
TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options			647
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(33)	[1]	(60)	[1]
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	(33)		587
Common Shares | TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	1	[2]
Aggregate value of shares withheld	33
Special Common Shares | TDS Parent Company
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld			5	[2]
Aggregate value of shares withheld			167
US Cellular Common Shares | U.S. Cellular
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld			14	[2]
Aggregate value of shares withheld			$ 675

[1] In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

[2] Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.

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Revision of Prior Period Amounts

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Revision of Prior Period Amounts

2. Revision of Prior Period Amounts

In preparing its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to the classification of outstanding checks with the right of offset and the classification of Accounts payable for Additions to property, plant and equipment. These errors resulted in the misstatement of Cash and cash equivalents and Accounts payable as of December 31, 2010 and each quarterly period in 2011, and the misstatement of Cash flows from operating activities and Cash flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and each of the quarterly periods in 2011 and 2010. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Nos. 99 and 108 ("SAB 99" and "SAB 108"), TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports was not required. However, in order to provide consistency in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and as permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported amounts were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilitiesand credits in the first and second quarter 2011 interim financial statements and in the 2010, 2009 and 2008 annual periods reported in the Company's December 31, 2010 financial statements. In addition to these errors, TDS identified two other immaterial errors, related to interest expense and income tax expense that impacted the year ended December 31, 2010. The December 31, 2007 Retained earnings balance presented in the December 31, 2010 annual financial statements also wasoverstated as a result of these errors. In accordance with SAB 99 andSAB 108, TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendments of previously filed reports were not required. However, if the adjustments to correct the cumulative errors had been recorded in the third quarter 2011, TDS believes that the impact would have been significant to the third quarter results and would have impacted comparisons to prior periods. As permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported annual and quarterly results were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

In accordance with SAB 108, the combined effects of the foregoing revisions to theConsolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows were as follows:

Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	192,518		$	(1,705	)	$	190,813
	Total operating expenses		1,171,513			(1,705	)		1,169,808
	Operating income		87,168			1,705			88,873
	Interest expense		(28,099	)		1,590			(26,509	)
	Total investment and other income (expense)		(6,007	)		1,590			(4,417	)
	Income before income taxes		81,161			3,295			84,456
	Income tax expense		28,917			1,242			30,159
	Net income		52,244			2,053			54,297
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(10,622	)		(171	)		(10,793	)
	Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		41,622			1,882			43,504
	Net income available to common shareholders		41,610			1,882			43,492
	Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			—			0.40
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			(0.01	)		0.39
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -- Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Net income	$	52,244		$	2,053		$	54,297
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		192,518			(1,705	)		190,813
	Change in Accounts payable		(15,134	)		71,323			56,189
	Change in Accrued taxes		17,590			1,242			18,832
	Change in Accrued interest		16,662			(1,590	)		15,072
	Change in Other assets and liabilities		(87,661	)		(71	)		(87,732	)
	Cash flows from operating activities		261,790			71,252			333,042
	Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment		(127,463	)		(30,434	)		(157,897	)
	Cash flows from investing activities		(288,681	)		(30,434	)		(319,115	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		223,876			40,818			264,694

• In Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 6, 2011.

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Common Stockholders' Equity, Share Consolidation (Details)	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2012 Common Shares	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Shares		Mar. 31, 2012 Special Common Shares	Mar. 31, 2012 Series A Common Shares	Dec. 31, 2011 Series A Common Shares		Jan. 24, 2012 Before Share Consolidation Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 Before Share Consolidation Special Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 Before Share Consolidation Series A Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 Before Share Consolidation Preferred Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 After Share Consolidation Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 After Share Consolidation Series A Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Jan. 24, 2012 After Share Consolidation Preferred Shares TDS Parent Company	Mar. 31, 2012 Shareholder Vote Share Consolidation Amendment	Mar. 31, 2012 Share Consolidation Amendment
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Significant event, date																		January 13, 2012	January 24, 2012
Share conversion ratio, Common shares				1.087			1
Share conversion ratio, Series A Common shares								1.087
Common stock, shares outstanding	108,544,000	108,456,000	[1]	101,412,000	101,337,000	[1]		7,132,000	7,119,000	[1]	49,980,000	47,012,000	6,549,000		101,340,000	7,119,000
Preferred stock, outstanding shares														8,300			8,300

[1] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

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Common Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Share repurchases

Three Months Ended March 31,		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share		Amount
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
2012
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	—	$	—	$	—
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
2011
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	357	$	48.61	$	17,357
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
	TDS Special Common Shares	407		28.49		11,603

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Variable Interest Entities VIEs (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Variable Interest Entities VIEs

Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
	Cash	$	5,571	$	13,299
	Other current assets		3,902		3,719
	Intangible assets		503,990		501,829
	Property, plant and equipment		30,123		27,642
	Other assets and deferred charges		3,532		3,612
	Total assets	$	547,118	$	550,101
Liabilities
	Current liabilities	$	5,740	$	5,944
	Deferred liabilities and credits		7,046		5,481
	Total liabilities	$	12,786	$	11,425

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Common Stockholders' Equity, Equity Repurchase (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011 Treasury Shares	Mar. 31, 2012 U.S. Cellular	Mar. 31, 2012 TDS Parent Company	Mar. 31, 2011 Special Common Shares TDS Parent Company	Mar. 31, 2011 US Cellular Common Shares U.S. Cellular
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired					407,000	357,000
Average cost per share					$ 28.49	$ 48.61
Amount	$ 11,603,000	$ 11,603,000			$ 11,603,000	$ 17,357,000
Common share repurchase authorization			On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.	On November 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for both TDS Common and Special Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization will expire on November 19, 2012.
Repurchase authorization, dollar value				$ 250,000,000
The increase in number of shares allowed to be repurchased			1,300,000
Repurchase expiration			does not have an expiration date	November 19, 2012

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Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]

Noncontrolling interests

				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
				2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders				$	52,254		$	43,504
	Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
		Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from
			U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares		(428	)		(661	)
		Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from
			U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		—			(2,192	)
		Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			(428	)		(2,853	)
	Change from net income attributable to TDS and
		transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	51,826		$	40,651

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Business Segment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business segment information

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2012		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,092,121	$	145,065	$	44,044	$	17,558	$	(2,592)	$	204,075	$	14,769	$	(5,174)	$	1,305,791
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion
	expense reported below)		420,200		49,168		22,564		9,774		(2,161)		79,345		10,205		(539)		509,211
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,244		41,514		16,260		6,732		(431)		64,075		4,186		(2,906)		507,599
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			229,677		54,383		5,220		1,052		—		60,655		378		(1,729)		288,981
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			146,685		37,778		5,489		4,176		—		47,443		1,530		1,776		197,434
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			(2,210)		66		53		1		—		120		—		(5)		(2,095)
Operating income (loss)			85,202		16,539		(322)		(3,125)		—		13,092		(1,152)		(3,500)		93,642
Total assets			6,341,435		1,387,900		113,520		208,785		—		1,710,205		67,950		53,078		8,172,668
Capital expenditures		$	201,337	$	27,526	$	5,058	$	3,091	$	—	$	35,675	$	216	$	(8,764)	$	228,464

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2011		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,057,092	$	149,574	$	45,328	$	6,242	$	(2,228)	$	198,916	$	8,615	$	(5,942)	$	1,258,681
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion
	expense reported below)		411,963		45,402		22,472		2,282		(1,791)		68,365		6,821		(403)		486,746
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,004		35,482		15,648		2,711		(437)		53,404		1,632		(5,934)		491,106
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			203,125		68,690		7,208		1,249		—		77,147		162		395		280,829
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			143,340		37,200		5,490		2,147		—		44,837		474		2,162		190,813
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			1,037		41		31		32		—		104		—		2		1,143
Operating income (loss)			58,748		31,449		1,687		(930)		—		32,206		(312)		(1,769)		88,873
Total assets (4)			5,934,782		1,355,869		118,674		85,130		—		1,559,673		23,279		527,475		8,045,209
Capital expenditures		$	95,933	$	20,517	$	4,234	$	1,537	$	—	$	26,288	$	1,890	$	3,352	$	127,463

• Represents Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.
• Consists of corporate operations, intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and corporate operations.
• Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). Adjusted OIBDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. This amount may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This amount should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Accordingly you should be aware that TDS may incur such amounts in the future.
• In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first quarter 2011 interim financial statements. The amounts herein have been revised to reflect the proper amounts. See Note 2 ― Revision of Prior Period Amounts for additional information.

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Basis Of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Basis of Presentation Disclosure

1. Basis of Presentation

The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and its majority-owned subsidiaries, including TDS' 84%-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), TDS' wholly-owned wireline telephone subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”), TDS' majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. and TDS' majority-owned wireless telephone subsidiary Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”). In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS' Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Historically, TDS had reported the following business segments: U.S. Cellular, Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (“ILEC”) (which included Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations), Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”), and Non-Reportable Segment which includes Suttle-Straus and Airadigm. TDS' Corporate operations and intercompany eliminations have been included in “Other Reconciling Items” for purposes of business segment disclosure. As a result of recent acquisitions and changes in TDS' strategy, operations, personnel and internal reporting, TDS has reevaluated its reportable business segments during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. TDS' business segments as of March 31, 2012, are U.S. Cellular, ILEC, CLEC,HMS and the Non-Reportable Segment. Periods presented for comparative purposes have been re-presented to conform to this revised presentation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the results of operations,changes in comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the threemonths ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

As of March 31, 2012, there are no recent accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material impact on TDS' financial position or results of operations.

Agent Liabilities

U.S. Cellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. Cellular. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, U.S. Cellular had accrued $43.8million and $75.3 million, respectively, for amounts due to agents, including rebates and commissions. These amounts are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

If a tax is assessed upon the customer and TDS merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the imposing governmental authority, then amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis within a tax liability account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If the tax is assessed upon TDS, then amounts collected from customers as recovery of the tax are recorded in Operating revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and $35.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Supplemental cash flow disclosures

Supplemental cash flow disclosures

TDS
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)			1			—
Special Common Shares withheld (1)			—			5
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld		$	33		$	—
Aggregate value of Special Common Shares withheld			—			167
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		$	—		$	647
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)			(33	)		(60	)
Net cash receipts (payments) from exercise of stock
	options and vesting of other stock awards	$	(33	)	$	587

U.S. Cellular
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)			—		14
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld		$	—	$	675
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		$	357	$	1,396
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)			—		(91	)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock
	options and vesting of other stock awards	$	357	$	1,305

• Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.
• In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity and cost method investments
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 191,644		$ 173,710
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	23,389	19,388
Equity investments, combined income statements
Revenues	1,437,008	1,329,057
Operating expenses	1,076,750	1,036,245
Operating income (loss)	360,258	292,812
Other income (expense)	649	(1,835)
Net income	360,907	290,977
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership
Equity and cost method investments
Ownership interest in equity method investment	5.50%	5.50%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	$ 17,100	$ 13,000

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Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 1,305,791		$ 1,258,681
Operating expenses
Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense reported below)	509,211		486,746
Selling, general and administrative	507,599		491,106
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	197,434		190,813
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(2,095)		1,143
Total operating expenses	1,212,149		1,169,808
Operating income (loss)	93,642		88,873
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	23,389		19,388
Interest and dividend income	2,183		2,624
Interest expense	(24,464)		(26,509)
Other, net	228		80
Total investment and other income (expense)	1,336		(4,417)
Income before income taxes	94,978		84,456
Income tax expense	27,412		30,159
Net income	67,566		54,297
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(15,312)		(10,793)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	52,254		43,504
Preferred dividend requirement	(12)		(12)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 52,242		$ 43,492
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	108,653	[1]	108,936	[1]
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.40	[1]
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	109,098	[1]	109,715	[1]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.39	[1]
Dividends per share	$ 0.1225	[2]	$ 0.1175	[2]

[1] On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share for the comparative period presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

[2] Dividends per share reflects the amount paid per share outstanding at the date the dividend was declared and has not been retroactively adjusted to reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

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Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 52,254,000	$ 43,504,000
Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares	(428,000)	(661,000)
Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		(2,192,000)
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	(428,000)	(2,853,000)
Change from net income attributable to TDS and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	51,826,000	40,651,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Termination dates of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	2085 to 2107
Settlement value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	168,700,000
Carrying value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 54,300,000

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Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Due from customers, less allowances of $23,891 and $25,738, respectively	$ 23,891	$ 25,738
Other, less allowances of $5,464 and $5,333, respectively	5,464	5,333
Investments
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $133,984 and $131,101, respectively	133,984	131,101
TDS shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	290,000,000	290,000,000	[1]
Issued shares	132,634,000	132,621,000	[1]
Outstanding shares	108,544,000	108,456,000	[1]
Par value	1,326	1,326	[1]
Treasury shares at cost:	24,090,000	24,165,000	[1]
Series A Common Shares
TDS shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	25,000,000	25,000,000	[1]
Issued shares	7,132,000	7,119,000	[1]
Outstanding shares	7,132,000	7,119,000	[1]
Par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	[1]
Par value	71	71	[1]
Common Shares
TDS shareholders' equity
Authorized shares	265,000,000	265,000,000	[1]
Issued shares	125,502,000	125,502,000	[1]
Outstanding shares	101,412,000	101,337,000	[1]
Par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	[1]
Par value	$ 1,255	$ 1,255	[1]
Treasury shares at cost:	24,090,000	24,165,000	[1]

[1] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 639,130		$ 563,275		$ 606,377	$ 341,683
Short-term investments	229,975		246,273
Long-term investments	50,333		45,138
Long term investment maturities - begin	14 months from March 31, 2012
Long term investment maturities - end	24 months from March 31, 2012
Fair Value | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	639,130		563,275
Fair Value | Level 1 | Public debt
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,022,534	[1]	1,043,549	[1]
Fair Value | Level 2 | Non public debt
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	534,805	[1]	543,309	[1]
Fair Value | Certificates Of Deposit | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	27,195	[2],[3]	27,444	[2],[3]
Fair Value | Government Backed Securities | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	202,780	[2],[3],[4]	218,829	[2],[3],[4]
Long-term investments	50,429	[3],[4],[5]	45,310	[3],[4],[5]
Book Value
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	639,130		563,275
Book Value | Public debt
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	983,250	[1]	983,250	[1]
Book Value | Non public debt
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	542,477	[1]	542,398	[1]
Book Value | Certificates Of Deposit
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	27,195	[2],[3]	27,444	[2],[3]
Book Value | Government Backed Securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	202,780	[2],[3],[4]	218,829	[2],[3],[4]
Long-term investments	$ 50,333	[3],[4],[5]	$ 45,138	[3],[4],[5]

[1] Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

[2] Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.

[3] Designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

[4] Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

[5] At March 31, 2012, maturities range between 14 and 24 months.

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Subsequent Events

15. Subsequent Events

On April 17, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to acquire four 700 MHz licenses covering portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma for $34.0 million. The acquisition requires approval from the FCC and, if approved, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012.

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure
Effective income tax rate	28.90%	35.70%
Minor discrete income tax benefits	$ 7.2
Difference in effective income tax rate	9.30%
Correction of deferred taxes	3.8
Federal
Income Tax Disclosure
Federal income tax refund received	$ 59.9

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Fair value measurements

		Level within	March 31,				December 31,
		the Fair Value	2012				2011
		Hierarchy	Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	639,130	$	639,130	$	563,275	$	563,275
Short-term investments (1)(2)
	Certificates of deposit	1		27,195		27,195		27,444		27,444
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		202,780		202,780		218,829		218,829
Long-term investments (1)(4)
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		50,333		50,429		45,138		45,310
Long-term debt (5)
	Publicly traded	1		983,250		1,022,534		983,250		1,043,549
	Non-public	2		542,477		534,805		542,398		543,309

• Designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
• Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.
• Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.
• At March 31, 2012, maturities range between 14 and 24 months.
• Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Total		Series A Common , Special Common and Common Shares		Capital in Excess of Par Value		Treasury Shares		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings		Total TDS Shareholders' Equity		Preferred Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 4,465,738		$ 1,270		$ 2,107,929		$ (738,695)		$ (3,208)	$ 2,450,599		$ 3,817,895		$ 830	$ 647,013
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		43,504									43,504		43,504
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		10,754														10,754
Changes related to retirement plan		49								49			49
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends		(12,185)									(12,185)		(12,185)
Preferred dividend requirement		(12)									(12)		(12)
Repurchase of shares		(11,603)						(11,603)					(11,603)
Dividend reinvestment plan		975				32		1,238			(295)		975
Incentive and compensation plans		1,031				489		997			(455)		1,031
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases		(10,216)				1,985							1,985			(12,201)
Stock-based compensation awards	[1]	3,667				3,667							3,667
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2]	(254)				(254)							(254)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(686)														(686)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2011		4,490,762		1,270		2,113,848		(748,063)		(3,159)	2,481,156		3,845,052		830	644,880
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011		4,602,679		1,326	[3]	2,268,711	[3]	(750,921)	[3]	(8,854)	2,451,899	[3]	3,962,161	[3]	830	639,688
Add (deduct)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		52,254									52,254	[3]	52,254	[3]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity		15,252	[3]													15,252
Changes related to retirement plan		159	[3]							159			159	[3]
Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares dividends	[3]	(13,289)									(13,289)		(13,289)
Preferred dividend requirement		(12)									(12)	[3]	(12)	[3]
Dividend reinvestment plan	[3]	1,414				296		2,703			(1,585)		1,414
Incentive and compensation plans	[3]	343				444		1,230			(1,331)		343
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, other compensation plans and noncontrolling interest purchases		5,835	[3]			4,157	[3]						4,157	[3]		1,678
Stock-based compensation awards	[1],[3]	4,845				4,845							4,845
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards	[2],[3]	(69)				(69)							(69)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(218)	[3]													(218)
Other		84	[3]													84
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012		$ 4,669,277		$ 1,326	[3]	$ 2,278,384	[3]	$ (746,988)	[3]	$ (8,695)	$ 2,487,936	[3]	$ 4,011,963	[3]	$ 830	$ 656,484

[1] Reflects TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom's current year stock-based compensation awards impact on Capital in excess of par value. U.S. Cellular's amounts are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans.

[2] Reflects tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and the vesting of restricted stock awards of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. U.S. Cellular's tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock awards of U.S. Cellular are included in Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances, and other compensation plans.

[3] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

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Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 67,566		$ 54,297
Change related to retirement plan
Amortization of prior service cost	(934)		(954)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	623		480
Retirement plan gains (losses) recognized in Comprehensive Income before income tax benefit (expense)	(311)		(474)
Deferred income taxes	470		523
Net change related to retirement plan	159	[1]	49
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income	159		49
Comprehensive income	67,725		54,346
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15,312)		(10,793)
Comprehensive income attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 52,413		$ 43,553

[1] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

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Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Variable Interest Entities

10.Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

Consolidated VIEs

As of March 31, 2012, TDS holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:

• Aquinas WirelessL.P. (“Aquinas Wireless”);
• King Street WirelessL.P. (“King Street Wireless”) and King Street Wireless, Inc., the general partner of King Street Wireless;
• Barat Wireless L.P. (“Barat Wireless”) and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless;
• Carroll WirelessL.P. (“Carroll Wireless”) and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless; and
• Airadigm Communications, Inc.

The power to direct the activities of Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless that most significantly impact their economic performance is shared. Specifically, the general partner of each of these VIEs has the exclusive right to manage, operate and control the limited partnerships and make all decisions to carry on the business of the partnerships; however, the general partner of each partnership needs consent of the limited partner, a TDS subsidiary, to sell or lease certain licenses, to make certain large expenditures, admit other partners or liquidate the limited partnerships. Although the power to direct the activities of the VIEs is shared, TDS has a disproportionate level of exposure to the variability associated with the economic performance of the VIEs, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated.

TDS' capital contributions and advances made to these VIEs totaled $6.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011. There were no capital contributions or advances made to these VIEs in 2012.

From time to time, the FCC conducts auctions through which additional spectrum is made available for the provision of wireless services. U.S. Cellular, TDS' subsidiary, participated in spectrum auctions indirectly through its interests in Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless, collectively, the “limited partnerships.” Each limited partnership participated in and was awarded spectrum licenses in one of four separate spectrum auctions (FCC Auctions 78, 73, 66 and 58). Each limited partnership qualified as a “designated entity” and thereby was eligible for bidding credits with respect to licenses purchased in accordance with the rules defined by the FCC for each auction. In most cases, the bidding credits resulted in a 25% discount from the gross winning bid.

TDS has a variable interest in Airadigm as a result of a secured loan to Airadigm, a contractual promise to fund a portion of Airadigm's obligations, and the equity interest it holds in Airadigm.TDS has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Airadigm's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to Airadigm, indicating that TDS is the primary beneficiary of Airadigm in accordance with GAAP. In addition, TDS has a majority voting interest in Airadigm. Accordingly, Airadigm is consolidated.

The following table presents the classification of the consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities in TDS' Consolidated Balance Sheet.

		March 31,		December 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
	Cash	$	5,571	$	13,299
	Other current assets		3,902		3,719
	Intangible assets		503,990		501,829
	Property, plant and equipment		30,123		27,642
	Other assets and deferred charges		3,532		3,612
	Total assets	$	547,118	$	550,101
Liabilities
	Current liabilities	$	5,740	$	5,944
	Deferred liabilities and credits		7,046		5,481
	Total liabilities	$	12,786	$	11,425

Other Related Matters

TDS may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to the VIEs discussed above and/or to their general partners to provide additional funding for the development of licenses granted in the various auctions. TDS may finance such amounts with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that TDS will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all to provide such financial support.

Aquinas Wireless, King Street Wireless, Barat Wireless and Carroll Wireless are in the process of developing long-term business plans. Theseentities were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. Airadigm is a Wisconsin-based wireless service provider. As such, these entities have risks similar to the business risks described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

U.S. Cellular began offering fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) service in certain cities within its service areas during the first quarter of 2012 and has plans to expand the deployment of 4G LTE to cover over 50 percent of customers by the end of 2012. U.S. Cellular currently provides 4G LTE service in conjunction with King Street Wireless.

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Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0001051512
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	TDS
Common Shares
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	101,411,521
Series A Common Shares
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,131,832

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Common Stockholder's Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Common Stockholders' Equity

11. Common Stockholder's Equity

On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved certain amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS (“Charter Amendments”).

These approved Charter Amendments include (a) a Share Consolidation Amendment to reclassify (i) each Special Common Share as one Common Share, (ii) each Common Share as 1.087 Common Shares, and (iii) each Series A Common Share as 1.087 Series A Common Shares, (b) a Vote Amendment to fix the percentage voting power in certain matters and (c) amendments to eliminate obsolete and inoperative provisions as more fully described in TDS' Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2012.

These approved Charter Amendments were effected on January 24, 2012 at which time each outstanding Special Common Share was reclassified as one Common Share and the Special Common Shares ceased to be outstanding and consequently ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TDS.S.”

As of January 24, 2012, immediately prior to the reclassification, there were outstanding 6,549,000 Series A Common Shares, 49,980,000 Common Shares, 47,012,000 Special Common Shares and 8,300 Preferred Shares. As of January 24, 2012 immediately following the reclassification, there were outstanding 7,119,000 Series A Common Shares, 101,340,000 Common Shares and 8,300 Preferred Shares.

As a result of the share reclassification, shares outstanding at December 31, 2011, as well as average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share, as of the beginning of all periods presented in this Form 10-Q have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding.

TDS' Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011 has also been retroactively adjusted to reflect the incremental shares issued to Common and Series A shareholders based on the closing price of TDS Common Shares as of December 31, 2011. As a result of the reclassification, an increase in Common Shares, Series A Common Shares and Capital in Excess of Par was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retained Earnings with no change to the overall amount of shareholders' equity.

TDS and U.S. Cellular Share Repurchases

On November 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized a $250 million stock repurchase program for both TDS Common and Special Common Shares from time to time pursuant to open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise, depending on market conditions. This authorization will expire on November 19, 2012.

Following the fourth quarter of 2011, Special Common Shares ceased to be authorized, issued and outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment that became effective on January 24, 2012. As a result, the foregoing share repurchase authorization no longer applies to Special Common Shares, but continues to apply to Common Shares until its expiration date.

On November 17, 2009, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 1,300,000 Common Shares on an annual basis beginning in 2009 and continuing each year thereafter, on a cumulative basis. These purchases will be made pursuant to open market purchases, block purchases, private purchases, or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.

Share repurchases made under these authorizations were as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31,		Number of Shares	Average Cost Per Share		Amount
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)
2012
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	—	$	—	$	—
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
2011
	U.S. Cellular Common Shares	357	$	48.61	$	17,357
	TDS Common Shares	—		—		—
	TDS Special Common Shares	407		28.49		11,603

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Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 67,566	$ 54,297
Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	197,434	190,813
Bad debts expense	15,105	14,285
Stock-based compensation expense	10,330	9,459
Deferred income taxes, net	6,187	47,841
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(23,389)	(19,388)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	2,938	8,439
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(2,095)	1,143
Noncash interest expense	862	875
Other operating activities	852	1,159
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts receivable	38,941	8,438
Inventory	(4,842)	2,978
Accounts payable	(25,372)	56,189
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	10,745	10,342
Accrued taxes	82,014	18,832
Accrued interest	9,117	15,072
Other assets and liabilities	(104,148)	(87,732)
Cash flows from operating activities	282,245	333,042
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	(242,611)	(157,897)
Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses	(11,096)
Cash received from divestitures	50,036
Cash paid for investments	(10,000)
Cash received for investments	20,249	122,785
Transfer of cash to Restricted cash		(282,500)
Other investing activities	(436)	(1,503)
Cash flows from investing activities	(193,858)	(319,115)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(493)	(402)
Issuance of long-term debt	358	300,000
TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	(33)	587
U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments	357	1,305
Repurchase of TDS Common and Special Common Shares		(11,603)
Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares		(17,357)
Dividends paid	(13,301)	(12,197)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(9,848)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(218)	(686)
Other financing activities	798	968
Cash flows from financing activities	(12,532)	250,767
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	75,855	264,694
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	563,275	341,683
End of period	$ 639,130	$ 606,377

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Earnings per Share

5. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders is computed by dividing Net income available to common shareholders of TDS by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units.

On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS whereby (a) each Special Common Share was reclassified as a Common Share on a one-for-one basis, (b) each Common Share was reclassified as 1.087 Common Shares, and (c) each Series A Common Share was reclassified as 1.087 Series A Common Shares.  The weighted average number of shares used in basic and diluted earnings per share as of the beginning of all periods presented, have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation. 

The amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effects of potentially dilutive securities on the weighted average number of Common and Series A Common Shares are as follows:

				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
				2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders:
	Net income available to common shareholders of TDS
		used in basic earnings per share		$	52,242		$	43,492
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:
	Noncontrolling interest (1)				(345	)		(209	)
	Preferred dividend (2)				12			12
	Net income attributable to common shareholders of
		TDS used in diluted earnings per share		$	51,909		$	43,295
Weighted average number of shares used in basic
	earnings per share:
		Common Shares			101,534			101,860
		Series A Common Shares			7,119			7,076
			Total		108,653			108,936
Effects of dilutive securities:
	Stock options				202			540
	Restricted stock units				180			184
	Preferred shares				63			55
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted
	earnings per share				109,098			109,715
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.40
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders				$	0.48		$	0.39

• The noncontrolling income adjustment reflects the additional noncontrolling share of U.S. Cellular's income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular's dilutive securities were outstanding.
• The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction related to preferred securities that were dilutive, and therefore treated as if converted for shares.

Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units or conversion of Convertible preferred shares were not included in average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded is shown in the table below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012	2011
(Shares in thousands)
Stock options	4,301	1,557
Restricted stock units	—	—
Convertible preferred shares	—	—

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Income Taxes

4. Income Taxes

TDS' overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 was 28.9%and 35.7%, respectively.The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was lower than the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily as a result oftax benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain tax years and the correction of deferred tax balances related to certain partnership investments. The amount of the correction was $3.8 million and relates to the quarter ended December 31, 2011. The benefits from these changes, along with other discrete items, decreased income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 by $7.2million; absent these benefits, the effective tax rate for such period would have been higher by 9.3 percentage points.

TDS incurred a federal net operating loss in 2011 largely attributable to 100% bonus depreciation applicable to qualified capital expenditures. TDS carried back this federal net operating loss to prior tax years, and received a $59.9 million refund in the first quarter of 2012 for carrybacks related to 2009 and 2010 tax years. TDS' future federal income tax liabilities associated with the benefits realized from bonus depreciation are accrued as a component of Net deferred income tax liability (noncurrent) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The bonus depreciation rate for federal income tax purposes is 50% for 2012 and will expire at the end of the year. TDS expects federal income tax payments to substantially increase beginning in 2013and remain at a higher level for several years as the amount of TDS' federal tax depreciation deduction substantially decreases.

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Revision of Prior Period Amounts (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Text Block [Abstract]

Revision of prior period amounts

Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	192,518		$	(1,705	)	$	190,813
	Total operating expenses		1,171,513			(1,705	)		1,169,808
	Operating income		87,168			1,705			88,873
	Interest expense		(28,099	)		1,590			(26,509	)
	Total investment and other income (expense)		(6,007	)		1,590			(4,417	)
	Income before income taxes		81,161			3,295			84,456
	Income tax expense		28,917			1,242			30,159
	Net income		52,244			2,053			54,297
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(10,622	)		(171	)		(10,793	)
	Net income attributable to TDS shareholders		41,622			1,882			43,504
	Net income available to common shareholders		41,610			1,882			43,492
	Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			—			0.40
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders		0.40			(0.01	)		0.39
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -- Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
			As previously
	(Dollars in thousands)		reported (1)			Adjustment			Revised
	Net income	$	52,244		$	2,053		$	54,297
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		192,518			(1,705	)		190,813
	Change in Accounts payable		(15,134	)		71,323			56,189
	Change in Accrued taxes		17,590			1,242			18,832
	Change in Accrued interest		16,662			(1,590	)		15,072
	Change in Other assets and liabilities		(87,661	)		(71	)		(87,732	)
	Cash flows from operating activities		261,790			71,252			333,042
	Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment		(127,463	)		(30,434	)		(157,897	)
	Cash flows from investing activities		(288,681	)		(30,434	)		(319,115	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		223,876			40,818			264,694

• In Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 6, 2011.

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Noncontrolling Interests

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Noncontrolling Interests

12.Noncontrolling Interests

The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS' ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

				Three Months Ended
				March 31,
				2012			2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders				$	52,254		$	43,504
	Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests
		Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from
			U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares		(428	)		(661	)
		Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from
			U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares		—			(2,192	)
		Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			(428	)		(2,853	)
	Change from net income attributable to TDS and
		transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	51,826		$	40,651

Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Finite-Lived Subsidiaries

TDS' consolidated financial statements include certain noncontrolling interests that meet theGAAPdefinition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”), where the terms of the underlying partnership or LLC agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders and TDS in accordance with the respective partnership and LLC agreements. The termination dates of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests range from 2085 to 2107.

The settlement value or estimate of cash that would be due and payable to settle these noncontrolling interests, assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on March 31, 2012, net of estimated liquidation costs,is $168.7 million. This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount.TDS currently has no plans or intentions relating to the liquidation of any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at March 31, 2012 was $54.3 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in theConsolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders' share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the noncontrolling interest holders' share, nor TDS' share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

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Investments In Unconsolidated Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

8. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a noncontrolling interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $23.4 million and $19.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011,respectively; of those amounts, TDS' investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership ("LA Partnership") contributed $17.1 million and $13.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. TDS held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership during these periods.

The following table, which is based on information provided in part by third parties, summarizes the combined results of operations of TDS' equity method investments:

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	1,437,008	$	1,329,057
Operating expenses			1,076,750		1,036,245
	Operating income		360,258		292,812
Other income			649		(1,835	)
Net income		$	360,907	$	290,977

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Acquisitions Divestures And Exchanges

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Acquisitions, Divestures and Exchanges

6. Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

TDS assesses its existing wireless and wireline interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving the competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on investments. As part of this strategy, TDS reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional wireless operating markets and wireless spectrum; and telecommunications companies and related service businesses, such as HMS businesses. In addition, TDS may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other interests those interests that are not strategic to its long-term success.

InMarch 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash, net of preliminary working capital adjustments. In connection with the sale, a $4.2 million gain was recorded in (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. At December 31, 2011, assets and liabilitiesof $49.6million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to this wireless market were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “held for sale.”

Acquisitions, divestitures and exchangesdid not have a material impact in TDS' consolidated financial statements for the periods presented,and pro forma results, assuming acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported.

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Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure

7. Intangible Assets

Changes in TDS' licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below.There were no significant changes to Goodwill or Other intangible assets during the periods presented.

Licenses
		U.S.				Non-Reportable
		Cellular (1)		TDS Telecom		Segment (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance December 31, 2011		$	1,475,994	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,494,014
	Acquisitions		11,096		—		—		11,096
Balance March 31, 2012		$	1,487,090	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,505,110
Balance December 31, 2010		$	1,457,326	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,126
	Acquisitions		300		—		—		300
Balance March 31, 2011		$	1,457,626	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,426

• Prior to January 1, 2009, TDS accounted for U.S. Cellular's share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS licenses and goodwill, as required by GAAP in effect at that time. Consequently, U.S. Cellular's licenses and goodwill on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated licenses and goodwill related to U.S. Cellular.
• "Non-Reportable Segment'' consists of amounts related to Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

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Commitments And Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

Indemnifications

TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement. The events or circumstances that would require TDS to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require TDS to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction. TDS is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, TDS has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements.

Legal Proceedings

TDS is involved or may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), other regulatory authorities, and/or various state and federal courts. If TDS believes that a loss arising from such legal proceedings is probable and can be reasonably estimated, an amount is accrued in the financial statements for the estimated loss.  If only a range of loss can be determined, the best estimate within that range is accrued; if none of the estimates within that range is better than another, the low end of the range is accrued. The assessment of the expected outcomes of legal proceedings is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. The legal proceedings are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of accruals and related financial statement disclosures. The ultimate outcomes of legal proceedings could differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

TDS has accrued $1.9 million and $1.9 million with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. TDS has not accrued any amount for legal proceedings if it cannot estimate the amount of the possible loss or range of loss. TDS does not believe that the amount of any contingent loss in excess of the amounts accrued would be material.

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Revision of Prior Period Amounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Revision of prior period disclosures, reason for revision	In preparing its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to the classification of outstanding checks with the right of offset and the classification of Accounts payable for Additions to property, plant and equipment. These errors resulted in the misstatement of Cash and cash equivalents and Accounts payable as of December 31, 2010 and each quarterly period in 2011, and the misstatement of Cash flows from operating activities and Cash flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and each of the quarterly periods in 2011 and 2010. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Nos. 99 and 108 ("SAB 99" and "SAB 108"), TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports was not required. However, in order to provide consistency in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and as permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported amounts were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information. In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first and second quarter 2011 interim financial statements and in the 2010, 2009 and 2008 annual periods reported in the Company’s December 31, 2010 financial statements. In addition to these errors, TDS identified two other immaterial errors, related to interest expense and income tax expense that impacted the year ended December 31, 2010. The December 31, 2007 Retained earnings balance presented in the December 31, 2010 annual financial statements also was overstated as a result of these errors. In accordance with SAB 99 and SAB 108, TDS evaluated these errors and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendments of previously filed reports were not required. However, if the adjustments to correct the cumulative errors had been recorded in the third quarter 2011, TDS believes that the impact would have been significant to the third quarter results and would have impacted comparisons to prior periods. As permitted by SAB 108, revisions for these immaterial amounts to previously reported annual and quarterly results were reflected in the financial information as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, are reflected in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$ 197,434		$ 190,813
Total operating expenses	1,212,149		1,169,808
Operating income	93,642		88,873
Interest expense	(24,464)		(26,509)
Total investment and other income (expense)	1,336		(4,417)
Income before income taxes	94,978		84,456
Income tax expense	27,412		30,159
Net income	67,566		54,297
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(15,312)		(10,793)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders	52,254		43,504
Net income avalable to common shareholders	52,242		43,492
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.40	[1]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders	$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.39	[1]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	67,566		54,297
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	197,434		190,813
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts payable	(25,372)		56,189
Accrued taxes	82,014		18,832
Accrued interest	9,117		15,072
Other assets and liabilities	(104,148)		(87,732)
Cash flows from operating activities	282,245		333,042
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment	(242,611)		(157,897)
Cash flows from investing activities	(193,858)		(319,115)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	75,855		264,694
As Previously Reported
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			192,518	[2]
Total operating expenses			1,171,513	[2]
Operating income			87,168	[2]
Interest expense			(28,099)	[2]
Total investment and other income (expense)			(6,007)	[2]
Income before income taxes			81,161	[2]
Income tax expense			28,917	[2]
Net income			52,244	[2]
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax			(10,622)	[2]
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders			41,622	[2]
Net income avalable to common shareholders			41,610	[2]
Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders			$ 0.40	[2]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders			$ 0.40	[2]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income			52,244	[2]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			192,518	[2]
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts payable			(15,134)	[2]
Accrued taxes			17,590	[2]
Accrued interest			16,662	[2]
Other assets and liabilities			(87,661)	[2]
Cash flows from operating activities			261,790	[2]
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment			(127,463)	[2]
Cash flows from investing activities			(288,681)	[2]
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			223,876	[2]
Adjustment
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			(1,705)
Total operating expenses			(1,705)
Operating income			1,705
Interest expense			1,590
Total investment and other income (expense)			1,590
Income before income taxes			3,295
Income tax expense			1,242
Net income			2,053
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax			(171)
Net income attributable to TDS shareholders			1,882
Net income avalable to common shareholders			1,882
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders			$ (0.01)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income			2,053
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			(1,705)
Changes in assets and liabilities from operations
Accounts payable			71,323
Accrued taxes			1,242
Accrued interest			(1,590)
Other assets and liabilities			(71)
Cash flows from operating activities			71,252
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment			(30,434)
Cash flows from investing activities			(30,434)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			$ 40,818

[1] On January 13, 2012, TDS shareholders approved a Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share for the comparative period presented have been retroactively restated to reflect the impact of the increased shares outstanding as a result of the Share Consolidation Amendment.

[2] In Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 6, 2011.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

14. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related tostock-based compensation awards:

TDS
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012			2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)			1			—
Special Common Shares withheld (1)			—			5
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld		$	33		$	—
Aggregate value of Special Common Shares withheld			—			167
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		$	—		$	647
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)			(33	)		(60	)
Net cash receipts (payments) from exercise of stock
	options and vesting of other stock awards	$	(33	)	$	587

U.S. Cellular
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Common Shares withheld (1)			—		14
Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld		$	—	$	675
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		$	357	$	1,396
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes (2)			—		(91	)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock
	options and vesting of other stock awards	$	357	$	1,305

• Such shares were withheld to cover the exercise price of stock options, if applicable, and required tax withholdings.
• In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

TDS declared and paid dividends of $13.3million or $0.1225 per share during the three monthsended March 31, 2012. TDS declared and paid dividends of $12.2 million or $0.1175 per share during the three monthsended March 31, 2011.

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Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Licenses

Licenses

Licenses
		U.S.				Non-Reportable
		Cellular (1)		TDS Telecom		Segment (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance December 31, 2011		$	1,475,994	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,494,014
	Acquisitions		11,096		—		—		11,096
Balance March 31, 2012		$	1,487,090	$	2,800	$	15,220	$	1,505,110
Balance December 31, 2010		$	1,457,326	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,126
	Acquisitions		300		—		—		300
Balance March 31, 2011		$	1,457,626	$	2,800	$	—	$	1,460,426

• Prior to January 1, 2009, TDS accounted for U.S. Cellular's share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS licenses and goodwill, as required by GAAP in effect at that time. Consequently, U.S. Cellular's licenses and goodwill on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated licenses and goodwill related to U.S. Cellular.
• "Non-Reportable Segment'' consists of amounts related to Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.

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Commitments and Contingencies, legal accruals and unasserted claims (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingency Estimate Abstract
Accrual for legal proceedings and unasserted claims	$ 1.9	$ 1.9

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Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 639,130	$ 563,275
Short-term investments	229,975	246,273
Accounts receivable
Due from customers and agents, less allowances of $23,891 and $25,738, respectively	348,371	393,978
Other, less allowances of $5,464 and $5,333, respectively	147,038	148,599
Inventory	134,929	130,044
Net deferred income tax asset	40,898	40,898
Prepaid expenses	84,201	80,628
Income taxes receivable	9,314	85,636
Other current assets	18,117	16,349
Total current assets	1,651,973	1,705,680
Assets held for sale		49,647
Investments
Licenses	1,505,110	1,494,014
Goodwill	796,819	797,077
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $133,984 and $131,101, respectively	47,851	50,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	191,644	173,710
Long-term investments	50,333	45,138
Other investments	1,096	3,072
Total investments	2,592,853	2,563,745
Property, plant and equipment
In service and under construction	10,341,851	10,197,596
Less: Accumulated depreciation	6,518,118	6,413,061
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,823,733	3,784,535
Other assets and deferred charges	104,109	97,398
Total assets	8,172,668	8,201,005
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	1,420	1,509
Accounts payable	327,376	364,746
Customer deposits and deferred revenues	218,316	207,633
Accrued interest	16,518	7,456
Accrued taxes	46,671	41,069
Accrued compensation	54,990	107,719
Other current liabilities	94,536	144,001
Total current liabilities	759,827	874,133
Liabilities held for sale		1,051
Deferred liabilities and credits
Net deferred income tax liability	821,115	808,713
Other deferred liabilities and credits	391,397	383,567
Long-term debt	1,529,988	1,529,857
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features	1,064	1,005
TDS shareholders' equity
Series A Common Common and Common Shares	1,326	1,326	[1]
Capital in excess of par value	2,278,384	2,268,711	[1]
Treasury shares at cost:	(746,988)	(750,921)	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,695)	(8,854)
Retained earnings	2,487,936	2,451,899	[1]
Total TDS shareholders' equity	4,011,963	3,962,161
Preferred shares	830	830
Noncontrolling interests	656,484	639,688
Total equity	4,669,277	4,602,679
Total liabilities and equity	$ 8,172,668	$ 8,201,005

[1] The December 31, 2011 amounts reflect the impact of the Share Consolidation Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS, as approved by the TDS shareholders on January 13, 2012.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Fair Value Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, TDS did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.

Under the provisions of GAAP, fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement, based on an exchange transaction in which the entity sells an asset or transfers a liability (exit price). The provisions also established a fair value hierarchy that contains three levels for inputs used in fair value measurements. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is not representative of its expected performance or its overall risk profile and, therefore, Level 3 assets are not necessarily higher risk than Level 2 assets or Level 1 assets.

		Level within	March 31,				December 31,
		the Fair Value	2012				2011
		Hierarchy	Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	639,130	$	639,130	$	563,275	$	563,275
Short-term investments (1)(2)
	Certificates of deposit	1		27,195		27,195		27,444		27,444
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		202,780		202,780		218,829		218,829
Long-term investments (1)(4)
	Government-backed securities (3)	1		50,333		50,429		45,138		45,310
Long-term debt (5)
	Publicly traded	1		983,250		1,022,534		983,250		1,043,549
	Non-public	2		542,477		534,805		542,398		543,309

• Designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
• Maturities are less than twelve months from the respective balance sheet dates.
• Includes U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.
• At March 31, 2012, maturities range between 14 and 24 months.
• Excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of Long-term investments were estimated using quoted market prices for the individual issuances. The fair value of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations and the current portion of such long-term debt, was estimated using market prices for TDS' Publicly traded debt, which included the 7.0% Senior Notes, 6.875% Senior Notes and 6.625% Senior Notes, and U.S. Cellular's 6.95% Senior Notes. TDS estimated the fair value of the Non-public debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 0.0% to 6.99%.

As of March 31, 2012and December 31, 2011,TDS did not have nonfinancial assets or liabilities that required the application of fair value accounting for purposes of reporting such amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]

Equity method investments, summarized results of operations

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2012		2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	1,437,008	$	1,329,057
Operating expenses			1,076,750		1,036,245
	Operating income		360,258		292,812
Other income			649		(1,835	)
Net income		$	360,907	$	290,977

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Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges, divestitures, exchanges and other information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business acquisition, additional information
Assets held for sale		$ 49,647,000
Liabilities held for sale		1,051,000
Divestitures
Cash received from divestitures	50,036,000
U.S. Cellular | Wireless Market
Divestitures
Divestiture date	March 2012
Cash received from divestitures	49,800,000
Gain on divestiture	$ 4,200,000

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Business Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Disclosure Text Block

Business Segment Information

13. Business Segment Information

Financial data for TDS' business segments for the three month periods ended,or as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, is as follows. TDS Telecom's incumbent local exchange carriers are designated as “ILEC” in the table, its competitive local exchange carrier is designated as “CLEC” and its Hosted and Managed Services operations are designated as “HMS.”

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2012		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,092,121	$	145,065	$	44,044	$	17,558	$	(2,592)	$	204,075	$	14,769	$	(5,174)	$	1,305,791
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion
	expense reported below)		420,200		49,168		22,564		9,774		(2,161)		79,345		10,205		(539)		509,211
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,244		41,514		16,260		6,732		(431)		64,075		4,186		(2,906)		507,599
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			229,677		54,383		5,220		1,052		—		60,655		378		(1,729)		288,981
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			146,685		37,778		5,489		4,176		—		47,443		1,530		1,776		197,434
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			(2,210)		66		53		1		—		120		—		(5)		(2,095)
Operating income (loss)			85,202		16,539		(322)		(3,125)		—		13,092		(1,152)		(3,500)		93,642
Total assets			6,341,435		1,387,900		113,520		208,785		—		1,710,205		67,950		53,078		8,172,668
Capital expenditures		$	201,337	$	27,526	$	5,058	$	3,091	$	—	$	35,675	$	216	$	(8,764)	$	228,464

				TDS Telecom										Non-		Other
Three Months Ended or as of		U.S.								TDS Telecom		TDS Telecom		Reportable		Reconciling
March 31, 2011		Cellular		ILEC		CLEC		HMS		Eliminations		Total		Segment (1)		Items (2)		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,057,092	$	149,574	$	45,328	$	6,242	$	(2,228)	$	198,916	$	8,615	$	(5,942)	$	1,258,681
Cost of services and products (excluding
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion
	expense reported below)		411,963		45,402		22,472		2,282		(1,791)		68,365		6,821		(403)		486,746
Selling, general and administrative expense			442,004		35,482		15,648		2,711		(437)		53,404		1,632		(5,934)		491,106
Adjusted OIBDA (3)			203,125		68,690		7,208		1,249		—		77,147		162		395		280,829
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			143,340		37,200		5,490		2,147		—		44,837		474		2,162		190,813
Loss on impairment of intangible assets			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net			1,037		41		31		32		—		104		—		2		1,143
Operating income (loss)			58,748		31,449		1,687		(930)		—		32,206		(312)		(1,769)		88,873
Total assets (4)			5,934,782		1,355,869		118,674		85,130		—		1,559,673		23,279		527,475		8,045,209
Capital expenditures		$	95,933	$	20,517	$	4,234	$	1,537	$	—	$	26,288	$	1,890	$	3,352	$	127,463

• Represents Suttle-Straus and, as of September 23, 2011, Airadigm.
• Consists of corporate operations, intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and corporate operations.
• Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding the effects of: depreciation, amortization and accretion (OIBDA); the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges (if any); and the loss on impairment of assets (if any). Adjusted OIBDA is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. This amount may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. This amount should not be confused with Cash flows from operating activities, which is a component of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Adjusted OIBDA excludes the net gain or loss on asset disposals and exchanges and loss on impairment of assets (if any), in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Accordingly you should be aware that TDS may incur such amounts in the future.
• In preparing its financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, TDS discovered certain errors related to accounting for asset retirement obligations and asset retirement costs. These errors resulted in the overstatement of Total operating expenses, Property, plant and equipment, net and Other deferred liabilities and credits in the first quarter 2011 interim financial statements. The amounts herein have been revised to reflect the proper amounts. See Note 2 ― Revision of Prior Period Amounts for additional information.