-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KeBCUKgXUtcmJoWFKvybxlOLnjSqD/iS9TRZ3WgNPcA209G/qrgv3v9vvo9RA6SV TXdohLK/6zGoY5HjxqKfHg== 0001104659-07-059489.txt : 20070807 0001104659-07-059489.hdr.sgml : 20070807 20070807102051 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-059489 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070807 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070807 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070807 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000821130 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS [4812] IRS NUMBER: 621147325 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09712 FILM NUMBER: 071030247 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8410 W BRYN MAWR AVE STREET 2: STE 700 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60631 BUSINESS PHONE: 7733998900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8410 W BRYN MAWR AVE STREET 2: STE 700 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60631 8-K 1 a07-20977_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

FORM 8-K

UNITED STATES

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):  August 7, 2007

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

1-9712

 

62-1147325

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois

 

60631

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(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):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 




Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On August 7, 2007, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) issued a news release announcing its results of operations for the period ended June 30, 2007 and certain other information.  A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this Item 2.02 of Form 8-K is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section.

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.

Attached as Exhibit 99.2 is a safe harbor cautionary statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

2




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, thereto duly authorized.

United States Cellular Corporation

(Registrant)

Date:  August 7, 2007

 

By:

/s/ Steven T. Campbell

 

 

Steven T. Campbell

 

 

Executive Vice President — Finance,

 

 

   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

3




EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith as noted below.

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Earnings Press Release dated August 7, 2007

 

 

 

99.2

 

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement

 

 

4



EX-99.1 2 a07-20977_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Aug. 7, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time.  Interested parties may listen to the call live over the Internet by accessing the conference call page of the Investor Relations section of www.teldta.com or www.uscc.com.

Contact:

 

Mark A. Steinkrauss, Vice President, Corporate Relations

 

 

(312) 592-5384 mark.steinkrauss@teldta.com

 

 

 

 

 

Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations

 

 

(312) 592-5341 julie.mathews@teldta.com

 

FOR RELEASE:   IMMEDIATE

U.S. CELLULAR REPORTS STRONG SECOND QUARTER 2007 RESULTS;
ADJUSTS GUIDANCE UPWARD

CHICAGO – Aug. 7, 2007 - United States Cellular Corporation [AMEX:USM] reported service revenues of $906.2 million for the second quarter of 2007, up 14.5 percent from $791.7 million for the comparable period one year ago.  The company recorded operating income of $123.5 million, up 56.5 percent from $78.9 million for the second quarter of 2006.  Net income and diluted earnings per share were $147.6 million and $1.67, respectively, compared to net income and diluted earnings per share of $50.1 million and $0.57, respectively, for the comparable period one year ago.

Second Quarter Highlights

·       The total number of customers increased 5.4 percent year over year to 6,010,000.  The number of retail customers increased 6.8 percent to 5,448,000.

·       Average monthly revenue per unit (ARPU) increased 8.3 percent to $50.42.

·       Data revenues grew 77.2 percent to $85.4 million, 9.4 percent of service revenues.

·       Operating income grew 56.5 percent to $123.5 million. 

·       Cash flows from operating activities were $181.1 million for the quarter and $436.1 million for the first six months.

“U.S. Cellular is driven to provide the very best in customer satisfaction,” said John E. Rooney, president and chief executive officer.  “We continue to differentiate ourselves from the competition by providing an exceptional quality customer experience each and every time with an emphasis on the postpay customer.  In the quarter, total customers surpassed 6 million and 95 percent were postpay. 

 




 

“U.S. Cellular had a very strong second quarter financially,” said Rooney.  “Service revenues grew an impressive 14.5 percent driven by growth in the subscriber base and higher average revenue per customer.  Our ARPU grew again for the sixth consecutive quarter to $50.42, and an increase of 8 percent over the second quarter a year ago.  Data revenues were up 77 percent in the quarter to over $85 million, representing 9 percent of service revenues.  Coupled with the strong revenue growth was a sharp improvement in operating margin which expanded significantly from the second quarter a year ago. 

“Going forward, we are continuing to concentrate our efforts on growing our existing markets, improving profitability and increasing cash flow.  At this time we have no plans to open any significant new markets this year or next,” concluded Rooney.

Reseller Customers

Reseller customers historically have been classified as postpay and represented approximately 10% of total postpay customers as of June 30, 2007.  In 2007, U.S. Cellular and its third party reseller changed the method of reporting reseller customer disconnects.  The change affects the calculation of total postpay churn per month.  Under the new method of reporting, the total postpay churn rate including reseller customers was 1.9 percent.  The retail postpay churn rate, which excludes reseller customers and thus was not impacted by the change, was 1.4 percent. 

Gain on Investments

The forward contracts related to U.S. Cellular’s investment in Vodafone American Depository Receipts (ADRs) matured on May 7, 2007.  U.S. Cellular delivered the Vodafone ADRs in settlement of the forward contracts and sold the remaining shares.  U.S. Cellular recorded a $131.7 million pre-tax gain on the settlement of the forward contracts and sale of the remaining shares.

Share Repurchases

On April 4, 2007, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with an investment bank to purchase 670,000 of its common shares through an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) for approximately $49 million.  Also, on July 10, 2007, U.S. Cellular entered into an additional agreement with the same investment bank to purchase 168,000 of its common shares through an ASR for approximately $16 million.

Guidance

Guidance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2007 is as follows.  There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from this guidance.

U.S. Cellular 2007 guidance as of Aug. 7, 2007 is as follows:

 

 

 

Net Retail Customer Additions

 

375,000 – 425,000

 

Service Revenues

 

Approx. $3.6 billion

 

Operating Income

 

$

395 - $445 million

 

Depreciation, Amortization & Accretion

 

Approx. $615 million

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

600 - $615 million

 

 

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Aug. 7, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time.  Interested parties may listen to the call live over the Internet by accessing http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=41601 or the conference call page of the Investor Relations section of www.uscc.com.  You can also connect to the teleconference by telephone (US/Canada) at (800)706-9695 with a conference ID # 11759028.  The conference call will be archived on the conference call section of the U.S. Cellular web site at www.uscc.com. 

 

2




 

Prior to the start of the call, certain financial and statistical information discussed during the conference call comments will be posted to the web site, together with reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of any non-GAAP information to be disclosed.  Investors may access this additional information on the conference call page of the Investor Relations section of the U.S. Cellular web site.

About U.S. Cellular

As of June 30, 2007, U.S. Cellular Corporation, the nation's sixth-largest network wireless service carrier, employed 8,100 associates and provided wireless service to 6 million customers in 26 states.  The Chicago-based company operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, superior customer support, and a high-quality network.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:   All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates and projections, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:  The ability of the company to successfully manage and grow the newly launched markets; changes in competition in the markets in which the company operates; changes in the overall economy; changes due to industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; changes in the telecommunications regulatory environment; changes in the value of assets; changes in the value of investments; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; risks and uncertainties relating to restatements and possible future restatements; pending and future litigation; acquisitions/divestitures of properties and/or licenses; and changes in customer growth rates,  average monthly revenue per unit, churn rates, roaming terms and the mix of products and services offered in the company’s markets. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K used by U.S. Cellular to furnish this press release to the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein.

For more information about U.S. Cellular, visit: www.uscellular.com.

###

 

3




UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
SUMMARY OPERATING DATA

Quarter Ended

 

6/30/2007

 

3/31/2007

 

12/31/2006

 

9/30/2006

 

6/30/2006

 

Consolidated Markets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total population (000s) (1)

 

81,581

 

56,048

 

55,543

 

55,543

 

55,543

 

All customers -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

6,010,000

 

5,973,000

 

5,815,000

 

5,729,000

 

5,704,000

 

Gross customer unit activations

 

418,000

 

459,000

 

389,000

 

365,000

 

347,000

 

Net customer unit activations

 

37,000

 

152,000

 

86,000

 

25,000

 

48,000

 

Market penetration (1)

 

7.4

%

10.7

%

10.5

%

10.3

%

10.3

%

Retail customers -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

5,448,000

 

5,377,000

 

5,225,000

 

5,127,000

 

5,099,000

 

Gross customer unit activations

 

347,000

 

397,000

 

375,000

 

353,000

 

331,000

 

Net customer unit activations

 

71,000

 

146,000

 

98,000

 

28,000

 

49,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cell sites in service

 

6,140

 

6,004

 

5,925

 

5,726

 

5,583

 

Average monthly revenue per unit (2)

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

$

47.93

 

$

46.54

 

Retail service revenue per unit (2)

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

$

41.75

 

$

40.92

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit (2)

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

$

2.55

 

$

2.28

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit (2)

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

$

3.63

 

$

3.34

 

Minutes of use (MOU) (3)

 

858

 

783

 

749

 

725

 

719

 

Retail postpay churn rate per month (4)

 

1.4

%

1.3

%

1.5

%

1.7

%

1.6

%

Capital Expenditures (000s)

 

$

137,100

 

$

109,700

 

$

158,400

 

$

152,800

 

$

151,400

 


(1)             Market penetration is calculated using 2006 Claritas population estimates for all periods of 2007 and 2005 Claritas estimates for all periods of 2006. “Total population” represents the total population of each of U.S. Cellular’s consolidated markets, regardless of whether the market has begun marketing operations (without duplication of population in overlapping markets). The population of markets in which U.S. Cellular has deferred the transfer of licenses from AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. are not included in the total population counts for any period. In the quarter ended 6/30/07, the FCC granted Barat Wireless’ applications with respect to 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder in Auction 66.

(2)             Per unit revenue measurements are derived from Service Revenues as reported in Financial Highlights for each respective quarter as follows:

Service Revenues per Financial Highlights

 

906,218

 

860,583

 

831,663

 

821,820

 

791,705

 

Components:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail service revenue during quarter

 

$

788,535

 

$

754,515

 

$

729,072

 

$

715,896

 

$

696,079

 

Inbound roaming revenue during quarter

 

$

48,084

 

$

41,268

 

$

40,354

 

$

43,806

 

$

38,745

 

Long-distance/other revenue during quarter

 

$

69,599

 

$

64,800

 

$

62,237

 

$

62,118

 

$

56,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divided by average customers during quarter (000s)

 

5,991

 

5,892

 

5,757

 

5,716

 

5,670

 

Divided by three months in each quarter

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average monthly revenue per unit

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

$

47.93

 

$

46.54

 

Retail service revenue per unit

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

$

41.75

 

$

40.92

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

$

2.55

 

$

2.28

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

$

3.63

 

$

3.34

 


(3)             Average monthly local minutes of use per customer (without roaming).

(4)             Retail postpay churn rate per month is calculated by dividing the average monthly customer disconnects during the quarter by the average customer base for the quarter.

4




UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Three Months Ended June 30,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

 

$

906,218

 

$

791,705

 

$

114,513

 

14.5

%

Equipment sales

 

65,428

 

54,432

 

10,996

 

20.2

%

Total Operating Revenues

 

971,646

 

846,137

 

125,509

 

14.8

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding depreciation shown below)

 

176,409

 

150,555

 

25,854

 

17.2

%

Cost of equipment sold

 

151,015

 

133,416

 

17,599

 

13.2

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

371,894

 

342,769

 

29,125

 

8.5

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

148,856

 

140,486

 

8,370

 

6.0

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

848,174

 

767,226

 

80,948

 

10.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

123,472

 

78,911

 

44,561

 

56.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

22,980

 

21,957

 

1,023

 

4.7

%

Interest and dividend income

 

2,653

 

9,807

 

(7,154

)

(72.9

%)

Interest expense

 

(21,325

)

(23,007

)

1,682

 

(7.3

%)

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(17,849

)

(922

)

(16,927

)

N/M

 

Gain (loss) on investments

 

131,686

 

 

131,686

 

N/M

 

Other income

 

91

 

(140

)

231

 

N/M

 

 

 

118,236

 

7,695

 

110,541

 

N/M

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

241,708

 

86,606

 

155,102

 

N/M

 

Income tax expense

 

91,500

 

33,683

 

57,817

 

N/M

 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

150,208

 

52,923

 

97,285

 

N/M

 

Minority share of income

 

(2,637

)

(2,859

)

222

 

(7.8

%)

Net Income

 

$

147,571

 

$

50,064

 

$

97,507

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

87,590

 

87,281

 

309

 

0.4

%

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.68

 

$

0.57

 

$

1.11

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

88,410

 

88,083

 

327

 

0.4

%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.67

 

$

0.57

 

$

1.10

 

N/M

 


N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

5




UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Three Months Ended June 30,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

 

$

1,766,801

 

$

1,560,927

 

$

205,874

 

13.2

%

Equipment sales

 

139,519

 

121,586

 

17,933

 

14.7

%

Total Operating Revenues

 

1,906,320

 

1,682,513

 

223,807

 

13.3

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding depreciation shown below)

 

343,693

 

303,873

 

39,820

 

13.1

%

Cost of equipment sold

 

305,694

 

276,732

 

28,962

 

10.5

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

726,825

 

670,473

 

56,352

 

8.4

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

298,113

 

282,511

 

15,602

 

5.5

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

1,674,325

 

1,533,589

 

140,736

 

9.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

231,995

 

148,924

 

83,071

 

55.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

46,078

 

41,440

 

4,638

 

11.2

%

Interest and dividend income

 

5,203

 

10,395

 

(5,192

)

(49.9

%)

Interest expense

 

(45,009

)

(46,215

)

1,206

 

(2.6

%)

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(5,388

)

3,893

 

(9,281

)

N/M

 

Gain (loss) on investments

 

131,686

 

 

131,686

 

N/M

 

Other income

 

(494

)

62

 

(556

)

N/M

 

 

 

132,076

 

9,575

 

122,501

 

N/M

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

364,071

 

158,499

 

205,572

 

N/M

 

Income tax expense

 

135,388

 

62,393

 

72,995

 

N/M

 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

228,683

 

96,106

 

132,577

 

N/M

 

Minority share of income

 

(6,711

)

(6,596

)

(115

)

1.7

%

Net Income

 

$

221,972

 

$

89,510

 

$

132,462

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

87,735

 

87,247

 

488

 

0.6

%

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

2.53

 

$

1.03

 

$

1.50

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

88,615

 

87,994

 

621

 

0.7

%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

2.50

 

$

1.02

 

$

1.48

 

N/M

 


N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

6




UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

146,082

 

$

32,912

 

Marketable equity securities

 

 

249,039

 

Accounts receivable from customers and other

 

409,771

 

407,438

 

Inventory

 

118,072

 

117,189

 

Prepaid expenses

 

46,277

 

34,955

 

Other current assets

 

19,816

 

13,385

 

 

 

740,018

 

854,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

1,500,092

 

1,494,327

 

Goodwill

 

491,316

 

485,452

 

Customer lists

 

21,381

 

26,196

 

Marketable equity securities

 

16,248

 

4,873

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

155,514

 

150,325

 

Notes and interest receivable—long-term

 

4,482

 

4,541

 

 

 

2,189,033

 

2,165,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

5,313,726

 

5,120,994

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

2,715,722

 

2,492,146

 

 

 

2,598,004

 

2,628,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets and Deferred Charges

 

30,356

 

31,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

5,557,411

 

$

5,680,616

 

 

7




UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of Long-term Debt

 

$

 

$

159,856

 

Derivative Liability

 

 

88,840

 

Notes payable

 

 

35,000

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliates

 

10,038

 

13,568

 

Trade

 

237,522

 

241,303

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

141,116

 

123,344

 

Accrued taxes

 

70,492

 

26,913

 

Accrued compensation

 

38,635

 

47,842

 

Deferred Taxes

 

 

26,326

 

Other current liabilities

 

90,632

 

93,718

 

 

 

588,435

 

856,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Debt

 

1,002,066

 

1,001,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Liabilities and Credits

 

795,983

 

792,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest

 

39,518

 

36,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, par value $1 per share

 

55,046

 

55,046

 

Series A Common Shares, par value $1 per share

 

33,006

 

33,006

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,313,041

 

1,290,829

 

Treasury Shares

 

(21,609

)

(14,462

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

10,082

 

80,382

 

Retained earnings

 

1,741,843

 

1,548,478

 

 

 

3,131,409

 

2,993,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

5,557,411

 

$

5,680,616

 

 

8



EX-99.2 3 a07-20977_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Form 8-K and/or press release attached to this Form 8-K contain statements that are not based on historical fact 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 U.S. Cellular intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends” 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 discussed under “Risk Factors” in U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  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.  U.S. Cellular 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 U.S. Cellular’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, the following factors and other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 8-K and/or press release attached to this Form 8-K to understand the material risks relating to U.S. Cellular’s business.

·                       Intense competition in the markets in which U.S. Cellular operates could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s revenues or increase its costs to compete.

·                       A failure by U.S. Cellular’s service offerings to meet customer expectations could limit U.S. Cellular’s ability to attract and retain customers and could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s operations.

·                       U.S. Cellular’s 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 U.S. Cellular could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       Changes in access to content for data, music or video services and access to new handsets being developed by vendors, or an inability to manage its supply chain or inventory successfully, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       A failure by U.S. Cellular’s business to acquire adequate radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business and operations.

·                       An inability to attract and/or retain management, technical, sales and other personnel could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

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

·                       Consolidation in the telecommunications industry could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s revenues and increase its costs of doing business.

·                       Changes in general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the markets in which U.S. Cellular operates, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       Changes in various business factors could have an adverse effect on U.S Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations. These business factors may include but are not limited to demand, usage, pricing, growth, penetration, churn, expenses, customer acquisition and retention, roaming rates, minutes of use, mix of products and service and/or costs.

·                       Advances or changes in telecommunications technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol or WiMAX, could render certain technologies used by U.S. Cellular obsolete, could reduce U.S. Cellular’s revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

·                       Changes in U.S. Cellular’s enterprise value, changes in the supply or demand of the market for wireless licenses, adverse developments in the business or the industry in which U.S. Cellular is involved and/or other factors could require U.S. Cellular to recognize impairments in the carrying value of U.S. Cellular’s license costs, goodwill and/or physical assets.

·                       Costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions/divestitures of properties or licenses and/or expansion of U.S. Cellular’s business could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.




·                       A significant portion of U.S. Cellular’s revenues is derived from customers who buy services through independent agents and dealers who market U.S. Cellular’s services on a commission basis.  If U.S. Cellular’s relationships with these agents and dealers are seriously harmed, its wireless revenues could be adversely affected.

·                       U.S. Cellular’s investments in technologies which are unproven or for which success has not yet been demonstrated may not produce the benefits that U.S. Cellular expects.

·                       A failure by U.S. Cellular to complete significant network build-out and system implementation as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network could have an adverse effect on its operations.

·                       Financial difficulties of U.S. Cellular’s key suppliers or vendors, or termination or impairment of U.S. Cellular’s relationships with such suppliers or vendors, or interruption of or interference in the delivery of equipment from such suppliers or vendors due to intellectual property disputes or other matters, could result in a delay or termination of U.S. Cellular’s receipt of equipment, services or content, which could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s business and results of operations.

·                       U.S. Cellular has significant investments in entities that it does not control.  Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s results of operations or financial condition.

·                       War, conflicts, hostilities and/or terrorist attacks or equipment failure, power outages, natural disasters or breaches of network or information technology security could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       The market price of U.S. Cellular’s Common Shares is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.

·                       Changes in guidance or interpretations of accounting requirements, changes in industry practice, identification of errors or changes in management assumptions could require amendments to or restatements of financial information or disclosures included in this or prior filings with the SEC.

·                       Restatements of financial statements by U.S. Cellular and related matters, including resulting delays in filing periodic reports with the SEC, could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating, liquidity, financing arrangements, capital resources and ability to access the capital markets, including pursuant to shelf registration statements; could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s listing arrangements on the American Stock Exchange and/or New York Stock Exchange; and/or could have other negative consequences, any of which could have an adverse effect on the trading prices of U.S. Cellular’s publicly traded equity and/or debt and/or on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       The pending SEC investigation regarding the restatement of U.S. Cellular’s financial statements could result in substantial expenses, and could result in monetary or other penalties.

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

·                       A failure to successfully remediate existing material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner or the identification of additional material weaknesses in the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting could result in inaccurate financial statements or other disclosures or fail to prevent fraud, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       Early redemptions of debt or repurchases of debt, issuances of debt, changes in prepaid forward contracts, changes in operating leases, changes in purchase obligations or other factors or developments could cause the amounts reported under Contractual or Other Obligations in U.S. Cellullar’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, to be different from the amounts actually incurred.

·                       An increase of U.S. Cellular’s debt in the future could subject U.S. Cellular to various restrictions and higher interest costs and decrease its cash flows and earnings.

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

·                       Changes in the regulatory environment or a failure by U.S. Cellular to timely or fully comply with any regulatory requirements could adversely affect U.S. Cellular’s financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business. For example, if adopted, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service recommendation to impose an interim cap on high-cost support received by competitive eligible telecommunications carriers from the Universal Service Fund could impair U.S. Cellular’s ability to offer service in many rural areas and could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       Changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s financial condition or results of operations.




·                       Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular’s 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 handsets, wireless data 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 U.S. Cellular’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

·                       There are potential conflicts of interests between TDS and U.S. Cellular.

·                       Certain matters, such as control by TDS and provisions in the U.S. Cellular restated certificate of incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of U.S. Cellular.

·                       Any of the foregoing events or other events could cause revenues, customer additions, operating income, capital expenditures and or any other financial or statistical information to vary from U.S. Cellular’s forward estimates by a material amount.

U.S. Cellular undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors.



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