SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 30, 2015
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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1-9712 |
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62-1147325 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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8410 West Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Illinois |
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60631 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 399-8900
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item
1.01. Entry into a
Material Definitive Agreement.
See disclosure under Item 8.01 – Other Events, which is incorporated herein to the extent applicable.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an
Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
See disclosure under Item 8.01 – Other Events, which is incorporated herein to the extent applicable.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
As previously disclosed, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) participated in the FCC auction of spectrum of Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-3), known as Auction 97, indirectly through its interest in Advantage Spectrum, L.P. (“Advantage Spectrum”). A subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Advantage Spectrum. Advantage Spectrum intends to qualify as a “designated entity” and be eligible for bid credits with respect to spectrum purchased in Auction 97.
The FCC released the results of Auction 97 on January 30, 2015. Advantage Spectrum was the provisional winning bidder for 124 licenses for an aggregate bid of $338.3 million, net of its anticipated designated entity discount of 25%. As of October 2014, U.S. Cellular made capital contributions and advances to Advantage Spectrum and/or its general partner of $60.9 million. Advantage Spectrum used existing funds from the subsidiary of U.S. Cellular and the general partner of Advantage Spectrum plus a portion of the funding to pay the FCC an initial deposit of $60 million in November 2014 to allow it to participate in Auction 97. Advantage Spectrum’s bid amount, less the initial deposit, plus certain other charges totaling $2.3 million, are required to be paid to the FCC by March 2, 2015. U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to Advantage Spectrum and/or its general partner to provide additional funding for the payment and development of such licenses. U.S. Cellular may finance such amounts from cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit agreement or term loan credit agreement and/or long-term debt. There is no assurance that U.S. Cellular will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all. While the bidding in Auction 97 has ended, the FCC has not yet awarded any of the licenses to winning bidders nor is there any prescribed timeframe for the FCC to review the qualifications of the various winning bidders and award licenses. The licenses expected to be awarded to Advantage Spectrum primarily cover areas that overlap or are proximate or contiguous to areas covered by licenses that U.S. Cellular currently owns, operates and/or consolidates. U.S. Cellular consolidates Advantage Spectrum and its general partner, Frequency Advantage, L.P., as variable interest entities for financial reporting purposes under GAAP, but does not have control of such entities.
Attached as Exhibit 99.1 is a press release issued by U.S. Cellular on January 30, 2015 with additional information, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits:
In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, any Exhibits filed or furnished herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
SIGNATURES |
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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, thereto duly authorized. |
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United States Cellular Corporation |
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(Registrant) |
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Date: |
February 2, 2015 |
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By: |
/s/ Steven T. Campbell |
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Steven T. Campbell |
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Executive Vice President - Finance, |
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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(principal financial officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX |
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The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith as noted below. |
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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U.S. Cellular Press Release dated January 30, 2015 |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
Advantage Spectrum is high bidder for 124 licenses in auction 97
CHICAGO – Jan. 30, 2015 -- Advantage Spectrum, LP was the high bidder for 124 licenses in the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) AWS-3 spectrum auction (No. 97) that concluded on Jan. 29, 2015. United States Cellular Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, USCC Wireless Investment, Inc., is a limited partner in Advantage Spectrum, LP, a Delaware limited partnership. The net license cost for the 124 licenses acquired by Advantage Spectrum amounted to $338.3 million.
Exhibit A contains a list of the licenses.
About U.S. Cellular
United States Cellular Corporation [NYSE: USM] provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to 4.7 million customers in 23 states. The Chicago-based company had 6,500 full- and part-time associates as of Sept. 30, 2014. At the end of the third quarter of 2014, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 84 percent of U.S. Cellular. For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit uscellular.com.
Visit investors.uscellular.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more.
Contacts
Jane W. McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Corporate Secretary
(312) 592-5379
jane.mccahon@tdsinc.com
Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations
(312) 592-5341
julie.mathews@tdsinc.com
Exhibit A
Market |
Market Name |
Block |
Net $/MHz Pop |
Net $ |
BEA001 |
Bangor ME |
I |
$0.30 |
$1,611,750 |
BEA001 |
Bangor ME |
H |
$0.35 |
$1,875,000 |
BEA002 |
Portland ME |
H |
$0.41 |
$3,239,250 |
BEA002 |
Portland ME |
I |
$0.71 |
$5,562,750 |
BEA016 |
Staunton VA-WV |
H |
$0.17 |
$603,000 |
BEA017 |
Roanoke VA-NC-WV |
H |
$0.76 |
$6,710,250 |
BEA019 |
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill NC |
H |
$0.77 |
$17,720,250 |
BEA021 |
Greenville NC |
H |
$0.39 |
$3,599,250 |
BEA022 |
Fayetteville NC |
H |
$0.31 |
$1,757,250 |
BEA025 |
Wilmington NC-SC |
H |
$1.00 |
$10,555,500 |
BEA042 |
Asheville NC |
H |
$0.51 |
$2,605,500 |
BEA042 |
Asheville NC |
I |
$0.87 |
$4,460,250 |
BEA044 |
Knoxville TN |
H |
$2.93 |
$32,370,750 |
BEA089 |
Monroe LA |
I |
$0.20 |
$660,000 |
BEA093 |
Joplin MO-KS-OK |
H |
$0.57 |
$1,608,750 |
BEA093 |
Joplin MO-KS-OK |
I |
$0.61 |
$1,715,250 |
BEA094 |
Springfield MO |
H |
$1.44 |
$14,199,000 |
BEA098 |
Columbia MO |
H |
$1.18 |
$4,779,750 |
BEA102 |
Davenport-Moline IA-IL |
H |
$1.44 |
$8,074,500 |
BEA120 |
Grand Island NE |
H |
$2.83 |
$8,157,000 |
BEA121 |
North Platte NE-CO |
H |
$2.72 |
$1,673,250 |
BEA123 |
Topeka KS |
H |
$0.75 |
$3,559,500 |
BEA126 |
Western Oklahoma OK |
H |
$0.13 |
$191,250 |
BEA165 |
Redding CA-OR |
H |
$0.23 |
$837,000 |
BEA166 |
Eugene-Springfield OR-CA |
H |
$0.47 |
$4,035,750 |
BEA168 |
Pendleton OR-WA |
H |
$0.25 |
$523,500 |
BEA169 |
Richland-Kennewick-Pasco WA |
H |
$0.51 |
$4,047,000 |
BEA169 |
Richland-Kennewick-Pasco WA |
I |
$0.44 |
$3,510,750 |
CMA045 |
Oklahoma City, OK |
G |
$3.75 |
$44,756,250 |
CMA098 |
Davenport-Rock Island, IA-IL |
G |
$1.79 |
$6,501,000 |
CMA131 |
Rockford, IL |
G |
$1.21 |
$4,214,250 |
CMA133 |
Manchester-Nashua, NH |
G |
$1.48 |
$5,935,500 |
CMA157 |
Roanoke, VA |
G |
$1.33 |
$3,356,250 |
CMA191 |
Yakima, WA |
G |
$0.24 |
$582,750 |
CMA203 |
Lynchburg, VA |
G |
$0.64 |
$1,128,750 |
CMA214 |
Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA |
G |
$0.81 |
$2,057,250 |
CMA216 |
Janesville-Beloit, WI |
G |
$0.54 |
$867,750 |
CMA218 |
Wilmington, NC |
G |
$1.20 |
$3,724,500 |
CMA229 |
Medford, OR |
G |
$0.77 |
$1,560,000 |
CMA233 |
Wichita Falls, TX |
G |
$0.82 |
$1,161,000 |
CMA244 |
Kenosha, WI |
G |
$3.38 |
$5,619,750 |
CMA256 |
Charlottesville, VA |
G |
$0.97 |
$1,816,500 |
CMA258 |
Jacksonville, NC |
G |
$0.70 |
$1,239,000 |
CMA260 |
Lawton, OK |
G |
$3.29 |
$4,076,250 |
CMA269 |
Cumberland, MD-WV |
G |
$4.00 |
$4,131,750 |
CMA278 |
Columbia, MO |
G |
$2.15 |
$3,501,750 |
CMA305 |
Alton-Granite City, IL |
G |
$2.96 |
$680,250 |
CMA336 |
California 1 - Del Norte |
G |
$0.23 |
$503,250 |
CMA337 |
California 2 - Modoc |
G |
$0.33 |
$216,000 |
CMA344 |
California 9 - Mendocino |
G |
$0.47 |
$718,500 |
CMA394 |
Illinois 1 - Jo Davie |
G |
$0.22 |
$754,500 |
CMA397 |
Illinois 4 - Adams |
G |
$1.02 |
$2,152,500 |
CMA412 |
Iowa 1 - Mills |
G |
$2.50 |
$1,485,000 |
CMA413 |
Iowa 2 - Union |
G |
$0.54 |
$272,250 |
CMA414 |
Iowa 3 - Monroe |
G |
$0.63 |
$567,000 |
CMA415 |
Iowa 4 - Muscatine |
G |
$0.80 |
$1,208,250 |
CMA416 |
Iowa 5 - Jackson |
G |
$0.33 |
$356,250 |
CMA417 |
Iowa 6 - Iowa |
G |
$0.40 |
$631,500 |
CMA418 |
Iowa 7 - Audubon |
G |
$0.66 |
$357,750 |
CMA420 |
Iowa 9 - Ida |
G |
$1.92 |
$1,101,000 |
CMA421 |
Iowa 10 - Humboldt |
G |
$0.66 |
$1,262,250 |
CMA422 |
Iowa 11 - Hardin |
G |
$0.50 |
$568,500 |
CMA423 |
Iowa 12 - Winneshiek |
G |
$0.66 |
$741,000 |
CMA425 |
Iowa 14 - Kossuth |
G |
$0.80 |
$801,000 |
CMA426 |
Iowa 15 - Dickinson |
G |
$0.59 |
$474,750 |
CMA430 |
Kansas 3 - Jewell |
G |
$0.25 |
$117,750 |
CMA431 |
Kansas 4 - Marshall |
G |
$2.05 |
$3,017,250 |
CMA435 |
Kansas 8 - Ellsworth |
G |
$0.11 |
$144,750 |
CMA436 |
Kansas 9 - Morris |
G |
$1.24 |
$694,500 |
CMA437 |
Kansas 10 - Franklin |
G |
$1.44 |
$1,685,250 |
CMA441 |
Kansas 14 - Reno |
G |
$0.22 |
$386,250 |
CMA442 |
Kansas 15 - Elk |
G |
$0.23 |
$351,750 |
CMA467 |
Maryland 1 - Garrett |
G |
$1.14 |
$342,000 |
CMA505 |
Missouri 2 - Harrison |
G |
$1.66 |
$575,250 |
CMA506 |
Missouri 3 - Schuyler |
G |
$0.66 |
$370,500 |
CMA508 |
Missouri 5 - Linn |
G |
$0.86 |
$586,500 |
CMA509 |
Missouri 6 - Marion |
G |
$0.75 |
$689,250 |
CMA514 |
Missouri 11 - Moniteau |
G |
$0.58 |
$966,000 |
CMA518 |
Missouri 15 - Stone |
G |
$0.43 |
$630,000 |
CMA519 |
Missouri 16 - Laclede |
G |
$0.42 |
$487,500 |
CMA534 |
Nebraska 2 - Cherry |
G |
$2.96 |
$788,250 |
CMA535 |
Nebraska 3 - Knox |
G |
$3.07 |
$3,411,000 |
CMA536 |
Nebraska 4 - Grant |
G |
$3.66 |
$1,172,250 |
CMA548 |
New Hampshire 1 - Coos |
G |
$0.34 |
$834,000 |
CMA549 |
New Hampshire 2 - Carroll |
G |
$0.22 |
$561,750 |
CMA566 |
North Carolina 2 - Yancey |
G |
$0.17 |
$318,750 |
CMA567 |
North Carolina 3 - Ashe |
G |
$0.40 |
$732,000 |
CMA568 |
North Carolina 4 - Henderson |
G |
$0.48 |
$1,983,750 |
CMA570 |
North Carolina 6 - Chatham |
G |
$0.29 |
$599,250 |
CMA572 |
North Carolina 8 - Northampton |
G |
$1.08 |
$3,345,750 |
CMA573 |
North Carolina 9 - Camden |
G |
$0.35 |
$483,750 |
CMA574 |
North Carolina 10 - Harnett |
G |
$1.40 |
$5,683,500 |
CMA575 |
North Carolina 11 - Hoke |
G |
$1.10 |
$3,030,750 |
CMA576 |
North Carolina 12 - Sampson |
G |
$0.83 |
$1,449,000 |
CMA577 |
North Carolina 13 - Greene |
G |
$0.34 |
$942,750 |
CMA578 |
North Carolina 14 - Pitt |
G |
$0.32 |
$946,500 |
CMA599 |
Oklahoma 4 - Nowata |
G |
$0.23 |
$496,500 |
CMA601 |
Oklahoma 6 - Seminole |
G |
$1.05 |
$2,397,000 |
CMA602 |
Oklahoma 7 - Beckham |
G |
$0.46 |
$618,000 |
CMA603 |
Oklahoma 8 - Jackson |
G |
$0.43 |
$391,500 |
CMA604 |
Oklahoma 9 - Garvin |
G |
$1.21 |
$2,709,750 |
CMA605 |
Oklahoma 10 - Haskell |
G |
$2.46 |
$2,060,250 |
CMA607 |
Oregon 2 - Hood River |
G |
$0.83 |
$707,250 |
CMA608 |
Oregon 3 - Umatilla |
G |
$0.21 |
$350,250 |
CMA610 |
Oregon 5 - Coos |
G |
$0.37 |
$1,005,750 |
CMA611 |
Oregon 6 - Crook |
G |
$0.60 |
$1,554,750 |
CMA632 |
South Carolina 8 - Hampton |
G |
$0.31 |
$765,000 |
CMA646 |
Tennessee 4 - Hamblen |
G |
$1.44 |
$4,776,750 |
CMA655 |
Texas 4 - Briscoe |
G |
$0.07 |
$27,750 |
CMA656 |
Texas 5 - Hardeman |
G |
$0.12 |
$91,500 |
CMA680 |
Vermont 2 - Addison |
G |
$0.37 |
$885,750 |
CMA682 |
Virginia 2 - Tazewell |
G |
$0.42 |
$565,500 |
CMA683 |
Virginia 3 - Giles |
G |
$0.43 |
$972,750 |
CMA684 |
Virginia 4 - Bedford |
G |
$0.39 |
$768,000 |
CMA685 |
Virginia 5 - Bath |
G |
$0.52 |
$328,500 |
CMA687 |
Virginia 7 - Buckingham |
G |
$0.21 |
$204,750 |
CMA696 |
Washington 4 - Grays Harbor |
G |
$0.47 |
$621,000 |
CMA697 |
Washington 5 - Kittitas |
G |
$0.12 |
$186,000 |
CMA698 |
Washington 6 - Pacific |
G |
$0.77 |
$1,560,750 |
CMA699 |
Washington 7 - Skamania |
G |
$0.42 |
$131,250 |
CMA703 |
West Virginia 3 - Monongalia |
G |
$1.27 |
$3,661,500 |
CMA704 |
West Virginia 4 - Grant |
G |
$2.44 |
$5,688,750 |
CMA705 |
West Virginia 5 - Tucker |
G |
$4.29 |
$5,524,500 |
CMA707 |
West Virginia 7 - Raleigh |
G |
$0.24 |
$600,750 |
$338,304,000 |
U6E]:WR,]I<13JC%6,;A@#Z< M5Y5\1='FT?Q/%K<,9-O-(DA8=%D7'!^N,_G7HX*2YVNZ/F,;!J*?9GKE-DC2 M5"DB*Z'JK#(-165W#?V4-U;N'BF0.K#T-<]X\\0+HNB&**8I>W3".$*V&`R- MS?@/U(KFA!RDHK*(="^T&'3XI(UN"&VARQ!.3Z`'^= M6/'YT%=!MI=%FL4N[:91&;5U#A<'/W>?2L;Q;;G2?B4EU ^SVVW?Y,.W&<[1C%=LYJDJ;1R0BZCFF>8:YK V^H>!%N+2,K`UXH1MH`<#<-P]C MC@U+X)_Y)?=?[EQ_(T2=Z.UO>".E7>_NF'\)(8[BZU6*:-9(G@161QD,,G@B MJ6G016_Q=$4,:1QI>NJHHP%P!6A\'O^0AJ7_7%/YFJ=L-GQD;=QF^?K[@X MK:3_`'M1>7Z&,?X=-^9T'Q9L[9=%M[H01"X:X5&E"C<5VMQGKBGZ)_R1N;_K MUG_FU-^+MQ&NB65N6'F/<;PO?`4Y/ZBG:)_R1N;_`*]9_P";5@K^PA?^8V?\ M>7H4/@]TU;'7]U_[-5WP_HB:'J.I:AXON;!YYV`B:>16.,G)`/3/''M6)\.[ MF:ST'Q)<6W^NBMPZ>Q"OBI_A5:PZAJFHWU[BXNX@FQY?F8;LY;GOP.:TK)\U M25]-/4BBURTXVUU,Z"]BL?BFCZ/F&UFN438JE%96`S\IQQDDBKWQ;L[:WOK" M2&"*-YA(TK(H! :21]K;"HV`$]`H`XKHO^$=\1 M_P#087\S6]H#JGAS2PS! (G>W:YV0H1M<*Y#XGN4\&3`?Q M31@_GG^E=?7/>.K>.Y\)W23+N7?&<9_VU']:SH.U2+\S2LKTY>ASOPJ\/?9[ M.36;A/WD^8X,CH@ZG\3_`"]Z]#J."".VMXX($"11J%11T`'05)2JU'4FY,*5 M-4X**"BBBLS0Q8O"NGP^)I-=7S?M;K@@M\@.,$X^E;5%%%K%SJ2G;F=[:%#6 M-$L==M/L^HP"5` 6,M#&TKPKIFCM+)!$\EQ*"KSSN7D8>F3T_"J^G>!]'T[3KNQ$3SV]TX M:19FST^Z!C'2NAHHY4+ZQ5U]YZV_#;[CFK7P3;:;N&F:EJ=E&QR8XY@5_)@: MT;#P]96#32`2SW$Z[);B=R\C+Z9[#V&*U**+()8BK/XI&/X=\,6/AF&>*P,I M$S[F,C9/'0?A6G V<5TE%)5)I63!TXMW:,36?"EEKB)%=RW2VZ!0MO%)MC&.AQCWJO;>";* MSLFL[:^U.*V;(,2W&%.>O;O71T4U5FE:X.G!N]CF](\#:;H=T)]/GO8F)&Y1 M-\K@=`1CD4NM^!]+UR_6^D,]O=C'[ZW?:3CH3QU'K71T4>VGSRA;EMH M ]P]C"UK',7?P\T*[GBF$,T$D2JJM M#*5/'0GW]^M%_P"`M.U4QG4+O4;DQ@A/-N,[<]<<>U=/11[:IW#V,.QB0^%K A2*W@A:YO)8X'#1B67=M`&`HXZ<5MT45$I.6Y:BH['__9 ` end