-----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, OJ9UmoM52+RyYfPXRanKEtKOwufjSoMiQJtN0nhHDQRsvEJn2T+Xmd6KMIV3CTvO Y+d/kuqJSX7olfoaT+HKUw== 0001104659-07-080036.txt : 20071106 0001104659-07-080036.hdr.sgml : 20071106 20071106101332 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-080036 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071106 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20071106 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20071106 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: 071216270 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 a07-28190_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

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):  November 6, 2007

 

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

 

 

Delaware

 

1-9712

 

 

62-1147325

 

(State or other

 

(Commission

 

 

(IRS Employer

 

jurisdiction of

 

File Number)

 

 

Identification No.)

 

incorporation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 November 6, 2007, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) issued a news release announcing its results of operations for the period ended September 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:  November 6, 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 November 6, 2007

 

 

 

99.2

 

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement

 

 

4


EX-99.1 2 a07-28190_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Nov. 6, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time.  Interested parties may listen to the call live via the Internet by accessing the Conference Calls page 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 THIRD QUARTER 2007 RESULTS;

ADJUSTS GUIDANCE UPWARD

 

 

CHICAGO — Nov. 6, 2007 - United States Cellular Corporation [AMEX:USM] reported service revenues of $954.5 million for the third quarter of 2007, up 16.1 percent from $821.8 million for the comparable period one year ago.  The company recorded operating income of $100.9 million, up 30.5 percent from $77.3 million for the third quarter of 2006.  Net income and diluted earnings per share were $63.6 million and $0.72, respectively, compared to net income and diluted earnings per share of $35.9 million and $0.41, respectively, for the comparable period one year ago.

 

Third Quarter Highlights

      The total number of customers increased 5.9 percent year over year to 6,067,000.  The number of retail customers increased 7.3 percent to 5,500,000.

      Average monthly revenue per unit (ARPU) increased 10.0 percent to $52.71.

      Data revenues grew 66.0 percent to $96.8 million, 10.1 percent of service revenues.

      Operating income grew 30.5 percent to $100.9 million. 

      Cash flows from operating activities were $181.3 million for the quarter and $617.4 million for the first nine months.

 

“This quarter we had strong service revenues growth of 16 percent, as well as a 31 percent increase in operating income,” said John E. Rooney, president and chief executive officer.  “In addition, cash flows from operating activities were $181.3 million.  There were a number of factors contributing to our success this quarter.  For one, data revenues continue to be a strong revenue growth driver for U.S. Cellular, growing 66 percent this quarter to $97 million.  Data revenues now account for more than 10 percent of service revenues and helped average revenue per unit, or ARPU, increase by 10 percent, to $52.71.  In addition, the popularity of our national and wide area calling plans helped to



increase ARPU as more than half of our customer base has shifted to these high-value plans.  We expect these trends to continue.

 

“We also continue to see results from our customer satisfaction strategy and high-quality network,” continued Rooney. “We recently received our fourth consecutive award from J.D. Power and Associates for call quality in the North Central region. The award highlights both our associates’ efforts to provide the best customer service and our commitment to ensuring a high-quality call experience. Our retail postpay churn rate of 1.6 percent, down from 1.7 percent in the third quarter of 2006, reflects this commitment.”

 

Net Customer Additions

The company acquired 73,000 net retail postpay customers in the quarter.   Postpay customers are the cornerstone of U.S. Cellular’s customer acquisition and satisfaction strategy and comprise 95 percent of the retail customer base.   The number of prepay customers declined 21,000.  The company also acquired 5,000 net reseller customers.

 

Share Repurchases

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

 

In addition, on Oct. 25, 2007, U.S. Cellular entered into a third agreement with the same firm 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 Nov. 6, 2007 is as follows:

 

 

Net Retail Customer Additions

 

375,000 - 425,000

Service Revenues

 

$3.6 - $3.7 billion

Operating Income

 

$410 - $460 million

Depreciation, Amortization & Accretion

 

Approx. $600 million

Capital Expenditures

 

Approx. $600 million

 

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, U.S. Cellular will hold a teleconference Nov. 6, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time.   Interested parties may listen to the call live via the Internet by accessing http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=43702 or visiting the Conference Calls page of www.uscc.com.  To connect by phone, call 800/706-9695 (US/Canada) and use conference ID #22669548.  The call will be archived on the Conference Calls page of www.uscc.com.

 

Prior to the start of the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to the Conference Call page of www.uscc.com, together with reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of any non-GAAP information to be disclosed.

 

About U.S. Cellular

As of Sept. 30, 2007, U.S. Cellular Corporation, the nation’s sixth-largest wireless service carrier, employed 8,200 associates and provided wireless service to 6.1 million customers in 26 states.  The

 

 

2



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; 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

 

9/30/2007

 

6/30/2007

 

3/31/2007

 

12/31/2006

 

9/30/2006

 

Consolidated Markets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total population (000s) (1)

 

81,841

 

81,581

 

56,048

 

55,543

 

55,543

 

All customers -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

6,067,000

 

6,010,000

 

5,973,000

 

5,815,000

 

5,729,000

 

Gross customer unit activations

 

447,000

 

418,000

 

459,000

 

389,000

 

365,000

 

Net customer unit activations

 

57,000

 

37,000

 

152,000

 

86,000

 

25,000

 

Market penetration (1)

 

7.4

%

7.4

%

10.7

%

10.5

%

10.3

%

Retail customers -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

5,500,000

 

5,448,000

 

5,377,000

 

5,225,000

 

5,127,000

 

Gross customer unit activations

 

374,000

 

347,000

 

397,000

 

375,000

 

353,000

 

Net customer unit activations

 

52,000

 

71,000

 

146,000

 

98,000

 

28,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cell sites in service

 

6,255

 

6,140

 

6,004

 

5,925

 

5,726

 

Average monthly revenue per unit (2)

 

$

52.71

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

$

47.93

 

Retail service revenue per unit (2)

 

$

45.00

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

$

41.75

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit (2)

 

$

3.36

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

$

2.55

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit (2)

 

$

4.35

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

$

3.63

 

Minutes of use (MOU) (3)

 

887

 

858

 

783

 

749

 

725

 

Retail postpay churn rate per month (4)

 

1.6

%

1.4

%

1.3

%

1.5

%

1.7

%

Construction Expenditures (000s)

 

$

130,600

 

$

137,100

 

$

109,700

 

$

158,400

 

$

152,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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

 

$

954,540

 

$

906,218

 

$

860,583

 

$

831,663

 

$

821,820

 

Components:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail service revenue during quarter

 

$

814,948

 

$

788,535

 

$

754,515

 

$

729,072

 

$

715,896

 

Inbound roaming revenue during quarter

 

$

60,843

 

$

48,084

 

$

41,268

 

$

40,354

 

$

43,806

 

Long-distance/other revenue during quarter

 

$

78,749

 

$

69,599

 

$

64,800

 

$

62,237

 

$

62,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divided by average customers during quarter (000s)

 

6,036

 

5,991

 

5,892

 

5,757

 

5,716

 

Divided by three months in each quarter

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average monthly revenue per unit

 

$

52.71

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

$

47.93

 

Retail service revenue per unit

 

$

45.00

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

$

41.75

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit

 

$

3.36

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

$

2.55

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit

 

$

4.35

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

$

3.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

4



 

 

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Three Months Ended September 30,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

 

$

954,540

 

$

821,820

 

$

132,720

 

16.1

%

Equipment sales

 

61,294

 

66,703

 

(5,409

)

(8.1

%)

Total Operating Revenues

 

1,015,834

 

888,523

 

127,311

 

14.3

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding depreciation shown below)

 

185,479

 

165,107

 

20,372

 

12.3

%

Cost of equipment sold

 

164,662

 

140,757

 

23,905

 

17.0

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

414,978

 

358,392

 

56,586

 

15.8

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

149,776

 

146,940

 

2,836

 

1.9

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

914,895

 

811,196

 

103,699

 

12.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

100,939

 

77,327

 

23,612

 

30.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

23,782

 

23,483

 

299

 

1.3

%

Interest and dividend income

 

3,395

 

601

 

2,794

 

N/M

 

Interest expense

 

(19,625

)

(23,974

)

4,349

 

18.1

%

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

 

(21,285

)

21,285

 

N/M

 

Other, net

 

179

 

(225

)

404

 

N/M

 

 

 

7,731

 

(21,400

)

29,131

 

N/M

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

108,670

 

55,927

 

52,743

 

94.3

%

Income tax expense

 

41,154

 

15,510

 

25,644

 

N/M

 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

67,516

 

40,417

 

27,099

 

67.0

%

Minority share of income

 

(3,961

)

(4,542

)

581

 

12.8

%

Net Income

 

$

63,555

 

$

35,875

 

$

27,680

 

77.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

87,757

 

87,281

 

476

 

0.5

%

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.31

 

75.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

88,589

 

88,092

 

497

 

0.6

%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.31

 

75.6

%

 

 

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

 

5



 

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Nine Months Ended September 30,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service

 

$

2,721,341

 

$

2,382,747

 

$

338,594

 

14.2

%

Equipment sales

 

200,813

 

188,289

 

12,524

 

6.7

%

Total Operating Revenues

 

2,922,154

 

2,571,036

 

351,118

 

13.7

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding depreciation shown below)

 

529,172

 

468,980

 

60,192

 

12.8

%

Cost of equipment sold

 

470,356

 

417,489

 

52,867

 

12.7

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,141,803

 

1,028,865

 

112,938

 

11.0

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

447,889

 

429,451

 

18,438

 

4.3

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

2,589,220

 

2,344,785

 

244,435

 

10.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

332,934

 

226,251

 

106,683

 

47.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

69,860

 

64,923

 

4,937

 

7.6

%

Interest and dividend income

 

8,598

 

10,996

 

(2,398

)

(21.8

%)

Interest expense

 

(64,634

)

(70,189

)

5,555

 

7.9

%

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(5,388

)

(17,392

)

12,004

 

69.0

%

Gain on sale of investments

 

131,686

 

 

131,686

 

N/M

 

Other, net

 

(315

)

(163

)

(152

)

(93.3

%)

 

 

139,807

 

(11,825

)

151,632

 

N/M

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

472,741

 

214,426

 

258,315

 

N/M

 

Income tax expense

 

176,542

 

77,903

 

98,639

 

N/M

 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

296,199

 

136,523

 

159,676

 

N/M

 

Minority share of income

 

(10,672

)

(11,138

)

466

 

4.2

%

Net Income

 

$

285,527

 

$

125,385

 

$

160,142

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

87,743

 

87,258

 

485

 

0.6

%

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.25

 

$

1.44

 

$

1.81

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

88,680

 

88,071

 

609

 

0.7

%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.22

 

$

1.42

 

$

1.80

 

N/M

 

 

 

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

 

6



 

 

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

182,020

 

$

32,912

 

Marketable equity securities

 

16,133

 

249,039

 

Accounts receivable from customers and other

 

429,684

 

407,438

 

Inventory

 

113,078

 

117,189

 

Prepaid expenses

 

46,634

 

34,955

 

Other current assets

 

13,557

 

13,385

 

 

 

801,106

 

854,918

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

1,500,092

 

1,494,327

 

Goodwill

 

491,316

 

485,452

 

Customer lists

 

17,442

 

26,196

 

Marketable equity securities

 

 

4,873

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

176,557

 

150,325

 

Notes and interest receivable—long-term

 

4,452

 

4,541

 

 

 

2,189,859

 

2,165,714

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

5,414,358

 

5,120,994

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

2,844,527

 

2,492,146

 

 

 

2,569,831

 

2,628,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets and Deferred Charges

 

28,658

 

31,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

5,589,454

 

$

5,680,616

 

 

 

7



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid forward contracts

 

$

 

$

159,856

 

Derivative liability

 

 

88,840

 

Notes payable

 

 

35,000

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliated

 

9,175

 

13,568

 

Trade

 

244,176

 

241,303

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

143,923

 

123,344

 

Accrued taxes

 

46,641

 

26,913

 

Accrued compensation

 

50,801

 

47,842

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

 

26,326

 

Other current liabilities

 

103,338

 

93,718

 

 

 

598,054

 

856,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Debt

 

1,002,180

 

1,001,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Liabilities and Credits

 

759,600

 

792,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest

 

41,898

 

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

 

1,319,038

 

1,290,829

 

Treasury Shares

 

(28,601

)

(14,462

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

10,009

 

80,382

 

Retained earnings

 

1,799,224

 

1,548,478

 

 

 

3,187,722

 

2,993,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

5,589,454

 

$

5,680,616

 

 

 

8


EX-99.2 3 a07-28190_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, 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 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.

                       U.S. Cellular is likely to participate in FCC auctions of additional spectrum in the future and during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC’s anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellular.

                       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, WiMAX, or LTE (Long-Term Evolution) 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 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.

 

 

 


 

GRAPHIC 4 g281901kai001.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 g281901kai001.gif M1TE&.#EAN`*%`'<`,2'^&E-O9G1W87)E.B!-:6-R;W-O9G0@3V9F:6-E`"'Y M!`$`````+`````"W`H0`AP``````````,P``9@``F0``S```_P`S```S,P`S M9@`SF0`SS``S_P!F``!F,P!F9@!FF0!FS`!F_P"9``"9,P"99@"9F0"9S`"9 M_P#,``#,,P#,9@#,F0#,S`#,_P#_``#_,P#_9@#_F0#_S`#__S,``#,`,S,` M9C,`F3,`S#,`_S,S`#,S,S,S9C,SF3,SS#,S_S-F`#-F,S-F9C-FF3-FS#-F M_S.9`#.9,S.99C.9F3.9S#.9_S/,`#/,,S/,9C/,F3/,S#/,_S/_`#/_,S/_ M9C/_F3/_S#/__V8``&8`,V8`9F8`F68`S&8`_V8S`&8S,V8S9F8SF68SS&8S M_V9F`&9F,V9F9F9FF69FS&9F_V:9`&:9,V:99F:9F6:9S&:9_V;,`&;,,V;, M9F;,F6;,S&;,_V;_`&;_,V;_9F;_F6;_S&;__YD``)D`,YD`9ID`F9D`S)D` M_YDS`)DS,YDS9IDSF9DSS)DS_YEF`)EF,YEF9IEFF9EFS)EF_YF9`)F9,YF9 M9IF9F9F9S)F9_YG,`)G,,YG,9IG,F9G,S)G,_YG_`)G_,YG_9IG_F9G_S)G_ M_\P``,P`,\P`9LP`F/($.*'$FRI,F3*%.J7,FRIO8,.*'4NV MK-FS:-.J7//JW/'D"-+GDRYLN7+F#-KWLRYL^?/H$.+'DVZM.G3J%.K7LVZM>O7L&/+GDV[ MMNW;N'/K!GKM8._=P(/[926\N'&YLP;2PE8""I2!R8]+GXZV59(Y=*AKWUZV ME2F!TKB+_Q]_M54"+.33JX<:7E`"+^OCRT^*)<&@^?CS\^R]?,;[@;_I)^"` M,;5P'H$()LA2>/XE,%`T"D8H84A>).#@A!AFF%%XK2@P@"L:ABCB1!9^,>*) M$H8G$(0$M>**%X/0\`4--&!3'PT6)O!``CC2Z`46B0B"32L'$2E0=$,.9"0V M+"8IT)(J.LFDD@\M:6655#X)8)8-+;F!%XD\L4@ M7WSQ(XT[YF@A#5@,LJ28?!;G18\\TI!((@* MG(/`>%^LB?[Y!1:_]BGL4+2T<*B.$#R`19NHNI?`EPLE\B>-C28P0T&7ZH$= M%'1<:F6EW'I+T!XE?`*A*5`D`<43#;E27P)?J$G+(`D@@":T"ZEJIT"#T&MA M%A(EXHH`=PYK\$]1*@JGG8'J.22A#Q9$9H['ON>%*\M=B8TI2>Q!1RD$18G- M%>P6M$<2IN`K2!)/?'J0LQ!`^V6%!Z*ZHD$&XJBDA1"@)_)"+"K`HX,@@GKP MT4#ERK`7-C]YYIV)X"LK'=SND1"W$K-\T,D+T?PL0O7!]Q"/+B!J'H[HD4B# M`C4BO=BI+BO$*V0O#FTA%DN^BR,$--#_,K="*^_QA-78S"WXEE;HD4212<2] MG*K=Q-)=B"JDIK$?: M2B"7LF[0[*8($LT>F/*N:2F;8C,+[9L:&6LK>WRBQQZ$/Q0>'YLR'WT@C@_Y MR1ZE6%$*[\S3\67NFDI=(Q*1],&E>"0(%`H(T@I2>A! MG$&\)T$'[Y_8E.+>]QA')<(_]\%&(AS%(_@Q1!!/H$/[$G(%\PUD#U#05MRN MH!#_X&AT!\%"VFY7J&29+0$&$IM$$$`#--VN%8EP$>E4]R0'3B8:R'O"NC[5 MBFA`(1IQ:P4K_YXPAU/U,%)/*)E!N/6<)EE'@@3!H=4,1X??1(,.BYN(X,S7 M"CH\P74'6=?^+MBXA+"L>@C984%.4<:%K`R-%[2@0)[PB:NU+&MP%`R$G"6V MY%SC1@V$#I<6PK%1U1$A7(,6$Q7'.XDE9``X2@`(0=<*#G[)T:PDDDJ-[P+$(,DM)KHFCF/'4$R%*$(F&+()A M3(@703:0YT!A#F/$QC`+0C*#!,*&"<&@)Y231#3J<(Q&NI09[_B0=;GN5;E+ M5/N@>1!3#,X@I[!CDPBGJ<:T8@`SJ%%OW+.C&F&A3B.,2.#.BD@E?@E_>JAH M8/\'N*'%;"&_N8*A:A0>6N0H@2U@&^:$>&G#VI1O=P9!2R9FVTN\)1!7(4B6&127_L?4@X;G"J)141\'Q%!NL^,[< M(*B_C%C!"A9D16V-QMQ1->F0#J2%.B$20=>Q8)`S?([_`G$0@%(M&J$K2`27 M-,SP$H8&AYI9HTPT$&>54B(0E.!O#7*%.;S,?^WCE@3)2I#+-LHA9TM`9K$A M4@+S[80D'4B%/MA?!>PHLX;B6WOM0Q`O0$!HBAA("]9&86S,H`4#SBF+!/?% M@?A424G\#?(8,@L=LNBI0S*F;!/212]:`786D6I1YZ`,A7!KC+--(Q2@`9&C M$GG&#K&:-PE)*E+1(:EAY&KY((-)@7C-1#^[+`+8"]6L4A2?_&,7M)84""^. M*K"[!0]!2FNHR1T$_TG&TJB)B(1)`?3GV;>1D9%K55(,AE5V^>@Z0`%?,)J"NQ(*-,U"9BPW_?:<6K;N;F5NBA M#>ZC0QX/`J+$S:$4>IBNGTD])"]>[Q,1-.^0JAJRA92@5)_8[V@Y:1"MMF(. M28@5DI`4ZR83$%I((A7VJ/:7:U"8[FT%)JPB496CE8P-$#[N.%C4*8!OX1 MC:<(PJV2G7A%X?(.%)H'N'#.[H)GA3'0/#8'*[0Q(H+#)RO.*-1W;HR_!_]A M&1@9XM45H3RHLB5LESRFQBBSZ!I!5DQ<$;!:'>45(8D@&*I"M]?YFBR+>U;" MGK&5OX\71).&:F=!>`Y)"]DPLHIV&MN^K5(+#7BSJVREZ$#[*&S0BP8(R+!` M$NT@:V.FK0'*'[MR_J3E#HGB;J_JZ?:,KL71'2'%5)P62[5FOL+*FE@\,D$# MY$?2U1Q;CN-6;(<)Y18MCWG!AD)X;7:RE0\D@F.\;J884[9K.(V'5TP*Z=P4*H`!L)'W1@4V50PN\)C%T!VH'6!"+`RU1,DP04E&; M)A!3-CKA(7L'`7K'M!C^LD`X`E4'`2<,(87M@W19$UMSA&F,8SZ.LV[+9Q`W M(A#_5A`+9(CHA6"20UK$_S<0OF(I)(0T9!] M_/-]!K$"/@5!8'80+$"*XC,193952C('?Q=G_J(`(81G`09"[O$EB29:E(5\/:'9V`F9E@,)M M:W-O=-9:]N<&-(:!+7(RW*40&)1R2PI"*78(-L69?1+(R'(+@+QJU+/*F M43R2)PI(EQ]D2W@B(W19ES:REGI6-G<25W9"([0@0GV3&9^@:X!G"G"#8R:Y,"1J>B*;RC@QL# MFCX(+8D0(P&G*@MI:8D`+&FI)%$C,"XB,-NI)JZ066?_&21*0@N*PIWFF9X0 M0PMMDD#EJ2C_")]2PIF+43H(2(22) M,31LXS8,JA\PJ!)_4SH%*B51,J&[B:#:&(-:`&T:$-.J(684`D M>J+J@2.JA9,HVJ+4\2J,XFJ,JX24ZRAN,UJ-`&J1".J1$ M6J1&>J1(FJ1*NJ1,VJ1.^J10&J52.J546J56>J58FJ5:NJ5^J5@&J9B M.J9D6J9F>J9HFJ9JNJ9LVJ9N^J9P&J=R.J=T6J=V>J=XFJ=ZNJ=\VJ=^^J?0 M,CJ!.A"C`R++@3$90PL@XB*+_ZJH0^(*&,.HX!FI\B*I+G*IIQ*>F1I#IS(H M,>2IH!J=GJHJI"JJI=HOI-HOT:FJI\JJKIJJL(JJ7^`F<0(GM1HG;X*KNKJK MO,JK7M"KO]JKM1JLG(ZVTHFWKJMHBH(X2JJ;2*NM"(M;H*NY_HFM#((>5(K<.*NN2*O,/*NN?(K M[OHK^`HL,I(GP/*O^YJO`"LC!#LC,^(K!1MO"6NP"?LG",NP#!MP#[NP"@NQ M%#NQ%GNP%)NQ&]NQ&>NLOVJO]@HC)#NO[ZJN\SJK)0LC*@LGZ#JK*HNNJM(F M7Z`(I]`:G:Z@K3D;GCOKG3P["#SKL]ZY*.%)M-NIGN8Y)$DKG_&9)$W[M$X; MM?^XJ'Y&)%1[M4E"M1E3M<2$75(AH*4QJJ+ZJ3!4MF3;J4;$J66+MD:4J9<* MGF\;MY6:GHVZ'':[D`#ZIWJ[MWS;MW[[MX`;N(([N(1;N(9[N(B;N(J[N(S; MN([[N)`;N9([N91;N99[N9B;N9J[N9S;N9[[N:`;NJ([NJ1;NJ9[NJB;NJJ[ CNJS;NJ[[NK`;N[([N[1;N[9[N[B;N[J[N[S;N[Z;$`$!`#L_ ` end
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----