Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration Nos.    033-08857-99

033-59435-99

333-125001

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

to

 

PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 20, 2007

 

The attached Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 29, 2008 was filed by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated August 20, 2007.

 

The date of this Prospectus Supplement is February 29, 2008

 



 

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): February 29, 2008

 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in their charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-14157

 

36-2669023

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois

60602

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

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

 

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 February 29, 2008, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) issued a news release announcing its results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2007.  A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is 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 their behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

(Registrant)

 

Date:  February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/  Douglas D. Shuma

 

 

Douglas D. Shuma

 

 

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

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

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Earnings Press Release dated February 29, 2008

 

 

 

99.2

 

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement

 

4



 

Exhibit 99.1

Conference call March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time. Access the live call on the Conference Calls page of www.teldta.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

 

TDS REPORTS STRONG 4Q AND FULL-YEAR 2007 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Improves overall profitability

 

Note: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.

 

4Q 2007 Highlights

 

Enterprise/TDS Corporate

 

·      11 percent increase in operating revenues, to $1,242.7 million

 

·      10 percent increase in operating income, to $96.7 million

 

·      Repurchased 593,786 TDS special common shares for $37.6 million

 

Wireless/U.S. Cellular

 

·      15 percent increase in service revenues, to $957.9 million

 

·      65 percent increase in data revenues, to $107.9 million (11 percent of service revenues)

 

·      ARPU (average revenue per unit) reached $52.46 (9 percent increase)

 

Wireline/TDS Telecom

 

·      34 percent increase in operating income to $34.6 million, despite a 3 percent decline in operating revenues

 

·      27 percent increase in combined ILEC and CLEC DSL (digital subscriber line) customers, to 186,800; 37 percent increase in ILEC DSL customers

 



 

Full-Year 2007 Highlights

 

Enterprise/TDS Corporate

 

·      11 percent increase in operating revenues, to $4,829 million

 

·      28 percent increase in operating income, to $527.9 million

 

·      5 percent increase in cash flows from operating activities, to $941 million

 

·      Repurchased 2,076,979 TDS special common shares using $126.7 million of a $250 million stock repurchase program ($123.3 million remains)

 

Wireless/U.S. Cellular

 

·      15 percent increase in service revenues, to $3,679.2 million

 

·      69 percent increase in data revenues, to $367.6 million

 

·      ARPU grew to $51.13 (8 percent increase)

 

·      23 percent increase in cash flows from operating activities, to $863.1 million

 

·      Decrease in retail postpay churn to 1.4 percent from 1.6 percent

 

Wireline/TDS Telecom

 

·      10 percent increase in operating income to $141.2 million, despite a 1.8 percent decrease in operating revenues

 

·      43 percent increase in DSL revenue

 

·      ILEC equivalent access lines grew slightly to 762,700; access lines declined 5 percent to 585,600

 

CHICAGO — Feb. 29, 2008 — Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [AMEX:TDS, TDS.S] reported operating revenues of $1,242.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, up 11 percent from $1,124.7 million in the comparable period one year ago. The company recorded operating income of $96.7 million, up 10 percent from $87.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net loss available to common and diluted loss per share were $56.3 million and $0.48, respectively, compared to net loss and diluted loss per share of $116.2 million and $1.00, respectively, for the comparable period one year ago.

 

TDS recorded a loss of $194.5 million in the fourth quarter related to the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments. This compares to a loss of $322.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. The company recorded a $46.2 million gain in the fourth quarter on the sale of investments, principally related to the delivery of Vodafone American Depositary Receipts to settle the related variable prepaid forward contracts.

 

Sprint Nextel exchange provides more usable spectrum

 

In the fourth quarter, U.S. Cellular agreed to deliver personal communication service (PCS) spectrum in eight licenses covering portions of one state to Sprint Nextel in exchange for more strategically useful spectrum in eight licenses covering portions of four states. The exchange will not include any cash, customers, network assets, or other assets. U.S. Cellular recorded a $20.8 million pre-tax loss on the exchange. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2008.

 

2



 

Steady growth delivers shareholder value

 

“TDS had strong revenue and operating income increases in the fourth quarter and throughout 2007,” said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., TDS president and CEO. “We continued to see dramatic growth in data revenues at U.S. Cellular, our largest business unit, which also achieved strong year-over-year increases in ARPU. Our wireline business, TDS Telecom, reduced operating costs and improved profitability. It also continued to add DSL customers as part of its broadband focus.

 

“At the enterprise level, we sought to create additional value for our shareholders through the TDS stock repurchase program. And, we continued to pay a modest dividend, which has increased for more than 30 consecutive years.

 

U.S. Cellular reaches data revenue, ARPU milestones

 

“U.S. Cellular’s customer satisfaction focus helped drive strong service revenue growth,” said Carlson, “with data revenues passing the $100 million mark in the quarter. The company also achieved an impressive increase in ARPU in 2007. U.S. Cellular’s core retail postpay customers continue to be receptive to its family, wide area, and national plans, as well as to the new handsets, smart phones, and data services introduced in 2007.

 

TDS Telecom achieves broadband gains

 

“TDS Telecom’s broadband focus drove another quarter of DSL customer gains,” added Carlson, “as the company emphasized its Triple Play bundles of voice, high-speed data, and DISH Network television services. Operating income increased significantly in the quarter, due in part to effective cost controls instituted throughout 2007. Equivalent access lines increased year over year on the ILEC side, as did the number of access lines equipped for DSL. TDS Telecom also increased the average speed of its DSL service throughout 2007.

 

OUTLOOK FOR 2008

 

“For 2008,” continued Carlson, “U.S. Cellular remains committed to adding customers and growing profitably in its existing markets. The company does not plan to enter any significant new markets in 2008. U.S. Cellular continues to target the retail postpay customers that are at the core of its strategy. As always, the company will offer high-quality services and products that are easy for customers to understand. U.S. Cellular will continue to evaluate the timing and potential benefits for its target customers of EVDO/3G and Long-Term Evolution technologies.

 

“Going forward,” said Carlson, “TDS Telecom will continue to focus on adding DSL customers and increasing the DSL speeds it offers. The company’s long-term broadband goal is to provide 25 megabits per second or higher data speeds to a majority of its customers.”

 

Guidance

 

Guidance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2008 is as follows. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from this guidance.

 

U.S. Cellular 2008 guidance as of Feb. 29, 2008 is as follows:

 

 

 

Net Retail Customer Additions

 

250,000 - 325,000

 

Service Revenues

 

$

3.9 - $4.0 billion

 

Operating Income

 

$

460 - $535 million

 

Depreciation, Amortization & Accretion*

 

Approx. $615 million

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

590 - $640 million

 

 

3



 

TDS Telecom (ILEC and CLEC) 2008 guidance as of Feb. 29, 2008 is as follows:

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

815 - $855 million

 

Operating Income

 

$

110 - $140 million

 

Depreciation, Amortization & Accretion

 

Approx. $160 million

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

130 - $160 million

 


* Includes losses on disposals of assets

 

This guidance represents the views of management as of Feb. 29, 2008 and should not be assumed to be accurate as of any other date. TDS undertakes no legal duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

TDS remediates two material weaknesses; makes progress on third

 

TDS has reduced its material weaknesses related to personnel and accounting knowledge and fixed assets to the level of deficiency and significant deficiency, respectively.  TDS has made progress toward remediating the third material weakness related to income tax accounting.   The companies’ efforts in these areas are summarized below:

 

·      Personnel and accounting knowledge: TDS conducted a multi-year program to increase technical accounting expertise at the corporate and business unit levels, improve review and documentation procedures, and automate more aspects of its accounting and financial reporting. The company developed many new accounting policies and procedures, added personnel in key areas, and developed an ongoing training program for its accounting personnel.

 

·      Fixed assets: U.S. Cellular conducted a detailed physical inventory and valuation review of its property, plant, and equipment, and enhanced its controls over the recording of transfers and disposals of such assets. There was a resulting non-cash charge of $14.6 million included in loss on asset disposals/exchanges for the fourth quarter.

 

·      Income tax accounting: TDS created and staffed a new tax accounting group (including adding a director of accounting) that implemented new tax provisioning software to enhance internal controls related to income taxes at the corporate and business unit levels. As part of this implementation, the company instituted several new controls to help ensure the accuracy of accounting for income taxes.

 

Item 9A (Controls and Procedures) of TDS’ SEC Form 10-K contains an expanded discussion of the company’s remediation efforts.

 

Conference Call Information

 

TDS will hold a conference call on March 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time.

 

·      Access the live call online at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=46101 or on the Conference Calls page of www.teldta.com.

 

·      Access the call by phone at 800/706-9695 (US/Canada) and use conference ID #37621356

 

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to the Conference Calls page of www.teldta.com, together with reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of any non-GAAP information to be disclosed. The call will be archived on the Conference Calls page of www.teldta.com.

 

About TDS

 

TDS provides wireless, local and long-distance telephone, and broadband services to more than 7.3 million customers in 36 states through its business units, U.S. Cellular (wireless) and TDS

 

4



 

Telecom (wireline). Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed 11,900 people as of year end.

 

About U.S. Cellular

 

U.S. Cellular Corporation, the nation’s sixth-largest full-service wireless carrier, provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, superior customer support, and a high-quality network to more than 6.1 million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employed 8,400 associates as of year end.

 

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, projections, and assumptions, 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 U.S. Cellular to successfully manage and grow the operations of more recently launched markets; changes in the overall economy, competition, the access to and pricing of unbundled network elements, the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment, and the value of assets and investments, including variable prepaid forward contracts; adverse changes in the ratings afforded TDS and U.S. Cellular debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; likely participation in FCC spectrum auctions; advances in telecommunications technology; uncertainty of access to the capital markets; risks and uncertainties relating to restatements and possible future restatements; ability to remediate material weaknesses; pending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings; acquisitions/divestitures of properties and/or licenses; and changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per unit, churn rates, roaming terms, the availability of devices, or the mix of products and services offered by U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K used by TDS to furnish this press release to the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

For more information about TDS and its business units, visit our web sites:

 

TDS: www.teldta.com

 

USM: www.uscellular.com

 

TDS Telecom: www.tdstelecom.com

 

###

 

5



 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

SUMMARY OPERATING DATA

 

Quarter Ended

 

12/31/2007

 

9/30/2007

 

6/30/2007

 

3/31/2007

 

12/31/2006

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Population:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets (1)

 

82,371,000

 

81,841,000

 

81,581,000

 

56,048,000

 

55,543,000

 

Consolidated operating markets (1)

 

44,955,000

 

44,955,000

 

44,955,000

 

44,416,000

 

44,043,000

 

All customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

6,122,000

 

6,067,000

 

6,010,000

 

5,973,000

 

5,815,000

 

Gross customer unit additions

 

437,000

 

447,000

 

418,000

 

459,000

 

389,000

 

Net customer unit additions

 

55,000

 

57,000

 

37,000

 

152,000

 

86,000

 

Market penetration at end of period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets (2)

 

7.4

%

7.4

%

7.4

%

10.7

%

10.5

%

Consolidated operating markets (2)

 

13.6

%

13.5

%

13.4

%

13.4

%

13.2

%

Retail customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer units

 

5,564,000

 

5,500,000

 

5,448,000

 

5,377,000

 

5,225,000

 

Gross customer unit additions

 

367,000

 

374,000

 

347,000

 

397,000

 

375,000

 

Net customer unit additions

 

64,000

 

52,000

 

71,000

 

146,000

 

98,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cell sites in service

 

6,383

 

6,255

 

6,140

 

6,004

 

5,925

 

Average monthly revenue per unit (3)

 

$

52.46

 

$

52.71

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

Retail service revenue per unit (3)

 

$

45.36

 

$

45.00

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit (3)

 

$

3.09

 

$

3.36

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit (3)

 

$

4.01

 

$

4.35

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

Minutes of use (MOU) (4)

 

906

 

887

 

858

 

783

 

749

 

Retail postpay churn rate per month (5)

 

1.5

%

1.6

%

1.4

%

1.3

%

1.5

%

Construction Expenditures (000s)

 

$

188,100

 

$

130,600

 

$

137,100

 

$

109,700

 

$

158,400

 

 


(1)   “Total population of consolidated markets” and “Total population of consolidated operating markets” are used only for the purposes of calculating market penetration of consolidated operating markets, which is calculated by dividing customers by the total market population (without duplication of population in overlapping markets). Effective with this report, U.S. Cellular is expanding its reporting of total population to include the population of its consolidated operating markets - i.e., markets in which U.S. Cellular provides wireless service to customers - in order to reflect its market penetration more accurately. Historically, total population has been reported only for total consolidated markets, regardless of whether U.S. Cellular was providing wireless services in those markets.

 

(2)   Calculated by dividing the number of wireless customers at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively, as estimated by Claritas.

 

(3)   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

 

$

957,896

 

$

954,540

 

$

906,218

 

$

860,583

 

$

831,663

 

Components:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail service revenue during quarter

 

$

828,169

 

$

814,948

 

$

788,535

 

$

754,515

 

$

729,072

 

Inbound roaming revenue during quarter

 

$

56,358

 

$

60,843

 

$

48,084

 

$

41,268

 

$

40,354

 

Long-distance/other revenue during quarter

 

$

73,369

 

$

78,749

 

$

69,599

 

$

64,800

 

$

62,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divided by average customers during quarter (000s)

 

6,086

 

6,036

 

5,991

 

5,892

 

5,757

 

Divided by three months in each quarter

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average monthly revenue per unit

 

$

52.46

 

$

52.71

 

$

50.42

 

$

48.69

 

$

48.15

 

Retail service revenue per unit

 

$

45.36

 

$

45.00

 

$

43.87

 

$

42.69

 

$

42.21

 

Inbound roaming revenue per unit

 

$

3.09

 

$

3.36

 

$

2.68

 

$

2.33

 

$

2.34

 

Long-distance/other revenue per unit

 

$

4.01

 

$

4.35

 

$

3.87

 

$

3.67

 

$

3.60

 

 

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

 

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

 

6



 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

SUMMARY OPERATING DATA

 

Quarter Ended

 

12/31/2007

 

9/30/2007

 

6/30/2007

 

3/31/2007

 

12/31/2006

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ILEC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access line equivalents (1)

 

762,700

 

763,000

 

761,200

 

763,400

 

757,300

 

Access lines

 

585,600

 

595,100

 

601,600

 

610,300

 

616,500

 

Dial-up Internet service accounts

 

56,300

 

61,300

 

65,800

 

71,100

 

77,100

 

Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) customers

 

143,500

 

135,500

 

127,400

 

118,000

 

105,100

 

Long Distance customers

 

345,200

 

346,400

 

346,500

 

343,800

 

340,000

 

Construction Expenditures (000s)

 

$

41,300

 

$

23,500

 

$

30,900

 

$

16,100

 

$

39,400

 

CLEC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access line equivalents (1)

 

435,000

 

443,700

 

448,400

 

456,200

 

456,200

 

Dial-up Internet service accounts

 

7,600

 

8,200

 

8,800

 

10,200

 

10,200

 

Percent of access lines on-switch

 

94.0

%

93.9

%

93.7

%

93.3

%

93.0

%

Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) customers

 

43,300

 

43,600

 

43,800

 

42,600

 

42,100

 

Construction Expenditures (000s)

 

$

5,700

 

$

3,400

 

$

4,800

 

$

2,500

 

$

5,700

 

 


(1) Equivalent access lines are the sum of physical access lines and high-capacity data lines adjusted to estimate the equivalent number of physical access lines in terms of capacity. A physical access line is the individual circuit connecting a customer to a telephone company’s central office facilities.

 

7



 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Three Months Ended December 31,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

$

1,024,110

 

$

902,119

 

$

121,991

 

13.5

%

TDS Telecom

 

211,656

 

218,277

 

(6,621

)

(3.0

)%

All Other (1)

 

6,942

 

4,288

 

2,654

 

61.9

%

 

 

1,242,708

 

1,124,684

 

118,024

 

10.5

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

771,608

 

692,813

 

78,795

 

11.4

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

142,279

 

138,246

 

4,033

 

2.9

%

Loss on asset disposals/exchanges

 

46,958

 

7,415

 

39,543

 

N/M

 

 

 

960,845

 

838,474

 

122,371

 

14.6

%

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

136,422

 

151,881

 

(15,459

)

(10.2

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

40,639

 

40,497

 

142

 

0.4

%

 

 

177,061

 

192,378

 

(15,317

)

(8.0

)%

All Other (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

 

4,478

 

5,301

 

(823

)

(15.5

)%

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,667

 

622

 

3,045

 

N/M

 

 

 

8,145

 

5,923

 

2,222

 

37.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

1,146,051

 

1,036,775

 

109,276

 

10.5

%

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

63,265

 

63,645

 

(380

)

(0.6

)%

TDS Telecom

 

34,595

 

25,899

 

8,696

 

33.6

%

All Other (1)

 

(1,203

)

(1,635

)

432

 

26.4

%

 

 

96,657

 

87,909

 

8,748

 

10.0

%

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

20,437

 

28,794

 

(8,357

)

(29.0

)%

Interest and dividend income

 

16,784

 

20,293

 

(3,509

)

(17.3

)%

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(194,497

)

(322,406

)

127,909

 

39.7

%

Gain on investments

 

46,213

 

70,428

 

(24,215

)

(34.4

)%

Interest expense

 

(45,960

)

(57,358

)

11,398

 

19.9

%

Other, net

 

(1,444

)

(844

)

(600

)

(71.1

)%

 

 

(158,467

)

(261,093

)

102,626

 

39.3

%

(Loss) Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

(61,810

)

(173,184

)

111,374

 

64.3

%

Income tax (benefit)

 

(14,791

)

(68,787

)

53,996

 

78.5

%

(Loss) Before Minority Interest

 

(47,019

)

(104,397

)

57,378

 

55.0

%

Minority share of income

 

(9,304

)

(11,839

)

2,535

 

21.4

%

Net (Loss)

 

(56,323

)

(116,236

)

59,913

 

51.5

%

Preferred dividend requirement

 

(13

)

(13

)

 

0.0

%

Net (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

(56,336

)

$

(116,249

)

$

59,913

 

51.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

117,914

 

116,335

 

1,579

 

1.4

%

Basic (Loss) Per Share

 

$

(0.48

)

$

(1.00

)

$

0.52

 

52.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

117,914

 

116,335

 

1,579

 

1.4

%

Diluted (Loss) Per Share

 

$

(0.48

)

$

(1.00

)

$

0.52

 

52.0

%

 


(1) Consists of Suttle Straus printing and distribution operations and intercompany eliminations.

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

8



 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Year Ended December 31,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

$

3,946,264

 

$

3,473,155

 

$

473,109

 

13.6

%

TDS Telecom

 

860,211

 

875,918

 

(15,707

)

(1.8

)%

All Other (1)

 

22,509

 

15,445

 

7,064

 

45.7

%

 

 

4,828,984

 

4,364,518

 

464,466

 

10.6

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

2,912,939

 

2,608,147

 

304,792

 

11.7

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

582,269

 

555,525

 

26,744

 

4.8

%

Loss on asset disposals/exchanges

 

54,857

 

19,587

 

35,270

 

N/M

 

 

 

3,550,065

 

3,183,259

 

366,806

 

11.5

%

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

561,547

 

587,450

 

(25,903

)

(4.4

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

157,462

 

159,612

 

(2,150

)

(1.3

)%

 

 

719,009

 

747,062

 

(28,053

)

(3.8

)%

All Other (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

 

19,524

 

18,666

 

858

 

4.6

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

12,488

 

2,754

 

9,734

 

N/M

 

 

 

32,012

 

21,420

 

10,592

 

49.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

4,301,086

 

3,951,741

 

349,345

 

8.8

%

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

396,199

 

289,896

 

106,303

 

36.7

%

TDS Telecom

 

141,202

 

128,856

 

12,346

 

9.6

%

All Other (1)

 

(9,503

)

(5,975

)

(3,528

)

(59.0

)%

 

 

527,898

 

412,777

 

115,121

 

27.9

%

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

91,831

 

95,170

 

(3,339

)

(3.5

)%

Interest and dividend income

 

199,435

 

194,644

 

4,791

 

2.5

%

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(351,570

)

(299,525

)

(52,045

)

(17.4

)%

Gain on investments

 

432,993

 

161,846

 

271,147

 

N/M

 

Interest expense

 

(208,736

)

(234,543

)

25,807

 

11.0

%

Other, net

 

(6,401

)

(7,031

)

630

 

9.0

%

 

 

157,552

 

(89,439

)

246,991

 

N/M

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

685,450

 

323,338

 

362,112

 

N/M

 

Income tax expense

 

269,054

 

116,459

 

152,595

 

N/M

 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

416,396

 

206,879

 

209,517

 

N/M

 

Minority share of income

 

(73,111

)

(45,120

)

(27,991

)

(62.0

)%

Income Before Extraordinary Item

 

343,285

 

161,759

 

181,526

 

N/M

 

Extraordinary item, net of taxes

 

42,827

 

 

42,827

 

N/M

 

Net Income

 

386,112

 

161,759

 

224,353

 

N/M

 

Preferred dividend requirement

 

(52

)

(165

)

113

 

68.5

%

Net Income Available to Common

 

$

386,060

 

$

161,594

 

$

224,466

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

117,624

 

115,904

 

1,720

 

1.5

%

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before extraordinary item

 

$

2.92

 

$

1.39

 

$

1.53

 

N/M

 

Extraordinary item

 

0.36

 

 

0.36

 

N/M

 

 

 

$

3.28

 

$

1.39

 

$

1.89

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

119,126

 

116,844

 

2,282

 

2.0

%

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before extraordinary item

 

$

2.86

 

$

1.37

 

$

1.49

 

N/M

 

Extraordinary item

 

0.36

 

 

0.36

 

N/M

 

 

 

$

3.22

 

$

1.37

 

$

1.85

 

N/M

 

 


(1) Consists of Suttle Straus printing and distribution operations and intercompany eliminations.

N/M - Percentage change not meaningful

 

9



 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,174,446

 

$

1,013,325

 

Marketable equity securities

 

1,917,893

 

1,205,344

 

Accounts receivable from customers and other

 

530,421

 

520,167

 

Inventory

 

115,818

 

128,981

 

Other current assets

 

137,010

 

105,267

 

 

 

3,875,588

 

2,973,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

1,516,629

 

1,520,407

 

Goodwill

 

679,129

 

647,853

 

Customer lists

 

25,851

 

26,196

 

Marketable equity securities

 

1

 

1,585,286

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

206,418

 

197,636

 

Other investments

 

11,508

 

11,073

 

 

 

2,439,536

 

3,988,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

2,595,096

 

2,628,848

 

TDS Telecom

 

900,267

 

920,350

 

Other

 

29,739

 

32,188

 

 

 

3,525,102

 

3,581,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets and Deferred Charges

 

53,917

 

56,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

9,894,143

 

$

10,599,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid forward contracts

 

$

1,005,512

 

$

738,408

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

3,860

 

2,917

 

Derivative liability

 

711,692

 

359,970

 

Notes payable

 

 

35,000

 

Accounts payable

 

308,882

 

294,932

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

166,191

 

141,164

 

Accrued taxes

 

40,439

 

38,324

 

Accrued compensation

 

91,703

 

72,804

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

327,162

 

236,397

 

Other current liabilities

 

144,078

 

164,815

 

 

 

2,799,519

 

2,084,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Liabilities and Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

555,593

 

950,348

 

Derivative liability

 

 

393,776

 

Other deferred liabilities and credits

 

328,070

 

369,045

 

 

 

883,663

 

1,713,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Debt

 

1,632,226

 

2,620,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

 

651,537

 

609,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Shares

 

860

 

863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, $.01 par value

 

566

 

566

 

Special Common Shares, $.01 par value

 

629

 

629

 

Series A Common Shares, $.01 par value

 

64

 

64

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

2,048,110

 

1,992,597

 

Treasury Shares, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

(120,544

)

(187,103

)

Special Common Shares

 

(204,914

)

(187,016

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

511,776

 

522,113

 

Retained earnings

 

1,690,651

 

1,428,570

 

 

 

3,926,338

 

3,570,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

9,894,143

 

$

10,599,514

 

 

10



 

BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

DECEMBER 31, 2007

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

U.S.
Cellular

 

TDS
Telecom

 

TDS Corporate
& Other

 

Intercompany
Eliminations

 

TDS
Consolidated

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

204,533

 

$

379,007

 

$

590,906

 

$

 

$

1,174,446

 

Affiliated cash investments

 

 

737,889

 

 

(737,889

)

 

Marketable equity securities

 

16,352

 

 

1,901,541

 

 

1,917,893

 

Notes receivable—affiliates

 

 

 

270,582

 

(270,582

)

 

 

 

$

220,885

 

$

1,116,896

 

$

2,763,029

 

$

(1,008,471

)

$

3,092,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses, goodwill and customer lists

 

$

1,989,137

 

$

401,711

 

$

(169,239

)

$

 

$

2,221,609

 

Marketable equity securities

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Investment in unconsolidated entities

 

157,693

 

3,677

 

50,618

 

(5,570

)

206,418

 

Other investments

 

4,422

 

3,277

 

3,809

 

 

11,508

 

 

 

$

2,151,252

 

$

408,665

 

$

(114,811

)

$

(5,570

)

$

2,439,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and
Equipment, net

 

$

2,595,096

 

$

900,267

 

$

29,739

 

$

 

$

3,525,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable:

cash management

 

 

 

737,889

 

(737,889

)

 

 

intercompany

 

 

270,582

 

 

(270,582

)

 

 

 

$

 

$

270,582

 

$

737,889

 

$

(1,008,471

)

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward contracts (all current)

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,005,512

 

 

$

1,005,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion

 

$

 

$

474

 

$

3,386

 

$

 

$

3,860

 

Non-current portion

 

1,002,293

 

3,114

 

626,819

 

 

1,632,226

 

Total

 

$

1,002,293

 

$

3,588

 

$

630,205

 

$

 

$

1,636,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Shares

 

$

 

$

 

$

860

 

$

 

$

860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended 12/31/07

 

$

188,096

 

$

47,039

 

$

1,412

 

 

 

$

236,547

 

Year ended 12/31/07

 

$

565,495

 

$

128,180

 

$

5,891

 

 

 

$

699,566

 

 

11



 

TDS Telecom Highlights

Three Months Ended December 31,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Local Telephone Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local service

 

$

46,564

 

$

49,155

 

$

(2,591

)

(5.3

)%

Network access and long-distance

 

80,347

 

85,305

 

(4,958

)

(5.8

)%

Miscellaneous

 

29,137

 

25,837

 

3,300

 

12.8

%

 

 

156,048

 

160,297

 

(4,249

)

(2.7

)%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products

 

44,878

 

50,099

 

(5,221

)

(10.4

)%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

45,770

 

50,793

 

(5,023

)

(9.9

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

34,528

 

34,785

 

(257

)

(0.7

)%

 

 

125,176

 

135,677

 

(10,501

)

(7.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

$

30,872

 

$

24,620

 

$

6,252

 

25.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

57,440

 

$

59,205

 

$

(1,765

)

(3.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

47,606

 

52,214

 

(4,608

)

(8.8

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

6,111

 

5,712

 

399

 

7.0

%

 

 

53,717

 

57,926

 

(4,209

)

(7.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

$

3,723

 

$

1,279

 

$

2,444

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany revenues

 

$

(1,832

)

$

(1,225

)

$

(607

)

N/M

 

Intercompany expenses

 

(1,832

)

(1,225

)

(607

)

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total TDS Telecom Operating Income

 

$

34,595

 

$

25,899

 

$

8,696

 

33.6

%

 


N/M - Percentage change not meaningful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12



 

TDS Telecom Highlights

Year Ended December 31,

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Local Telephone Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local service

 

$

193,823

 

$

200,213

 

$

(6,390

)

(3.2

)%

Network access and long-distance

 

330,627

 

352,299

 

(21,672

)

(6.2

)%

Miscellaneous

 

105,533

 

93,013

 

12,520

 

13.5

%

 

 

629,983

 

645,525

 

(15,542

)

(2.4

)%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products

 

193,761

 

191,932

 

1,829

 

1.0

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

175,392

 

188,229

 

(12,837

)

(6.8

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

133,440

 

135,370

 

(1,930

)

(1.4

)%

 

 

502,593

 

515,531

 

(12,938

)

(2.5

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

$

127,390

 

$

129,994

 

$

(2,604

)

(2.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

236,529

 

$

235,804

 

$

725

 

0.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

198,695

 

212,700

 

(14,005

)

(6.6

)%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

24,022

 

24,242

 

(220

)

(0.9

)%

 

 

222,717

 

236,942

 

(14,225

)

(6.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

$

13,812

 

$

(1,138

)

$

14,950

 

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany revenues

 

$

(6,301

)

$

(5,411

)

$

(890

)

N/M

 

Intercompany expenses

 

(6,301

)

(5,411

)

(890

)

N/M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total TDS Telecom Operating Income

 

$

141,202

 

$

128,856

 

$

12,346

 

9.6

%

 


N/M - Percentage change not meaningful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13



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 TDS intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth below, as more fully discussed under “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  However, such factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements.  TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You should carefully consider the Risk Factors in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, 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 TDS’ business.

 

·

Intense competition in the markets in which TDS operates could adversely affect TDS’ revenues or increase its costs to compete.

 

 

·

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

 

 

·

TDS’ system infrastructure may not be capable of supporting changes in technologies and services expected by customers, which could result in lost customers and revenues.

 

 

·

An inability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on terms that are acceptable to TDS could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.  Such agreements cover traditional voice services, which are an area of strong growth for TDS and other carriers.  TDS’ rate of adoption of new technologies, such as those enabling high-speed data services, could affect its ability to enter into or maintain roaming agreements with other carriers.

 

 

·

Changes in access to content for data or video services or 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 TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

·

A failure by TDS to acquire adequate radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business and operations.

 

 

·

TDS is currently participating and, to the extent conducted by the FCC, 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 TDS.

 

 

·

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

 

 

·

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

 

 

·

Consolidation in the telecommunications industry could adversely affect TDS’ revenues and increase its costs of doing business.

 

 

·

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

 

 

·

Changes in various business factors could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations. These business factors may include but are not limited to demand, pricing, growth, average revenue per unit, penetration, churn, expenses, customer acquisition and retention costs, roaming rates, minutes of use, and mix and costs of products and services.

 

 

·

Advances or changes in telecommunications technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol, WiMAX or LTE (Long-Term Evolution), could render certain technologies used by TDS obsolete, could reduce TDS’ revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

 

 

·

Changes in TDS’ enterprise value, changes in the supply or demand of the market for wireless licenses or telephone company franchises, adverse developments in the business or the industry in which TDS is involved and/or other factors could require TDS to recognize impairments in the carrying value of TDS’ 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 TDS’ business could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 



 

·

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

 

 

·

TDS’ investments in technologies which are unproven or for which success has not yet been demonstrated may not produce the benefits that TDS expects.

 

 

·

A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction 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 TDS’ key suppliers or vendors, or termination or impairment of TDS’ relationship with such suppliers or vendors could result in a delay or termination of TDS’ receipt of equipment, content or services which could adversely affect TDS’ business and results of operations.

 

 

·

TDS has significant investments in entities that it does not control. Losses in the value of such investments could have an adverse effect on TDS’ 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 TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

·

The market prices of TDS’ Common Shares and Special Common Shares are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors such as general economic conditions; wireless and telecommunications industry conditions; fluctuations in TDS’ quarterly customer activations, churn rate, revenues, results of operations or cash flows; variations between TDS’ actual financial and operating results and those expected by analysts and investors; and announcements by TDS’ competitors

 

 

·

Changes in guidance or interpretations of accounting requirements, changes in industry practice, or identification of errors 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 TDS and related matters, including resulting delays in filing periodic reports with the SEC, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ credit rating, liquidity, financing arrangements, capital resources and ability to access the capital markets, including pursuant to shelf registration statements; could adversely affect TDS’ 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 TDS’ publicly traded equity and/or debt and/or on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

·

The pending SEC investigation regarding the restatement of TDS’ 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 TDS to record charges in excess of amounts accrued in the financial statements, if any, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

·

A failure to successfully remediate the existing material weakness 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 TDS’ 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 Obligations in TDS’ 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 TDS’ debt in the future could subject TDS 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 TDS’ credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development and acquisition programs.

 

 

·

Changes in the regulatory environment or a failure by TDS to timely or fully comply with any regulatory requirements could adversely affect TDS’ financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

 

 

·

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

 

 

·

Settlements, judgments, restraints on its current or future manner of doing business and/or legal costs resulting from pending and future litigation could have an adverse effect on TDS’ financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

 



 

·

The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from 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 TDS’ wireless business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

·

Certain matters, such as control by the TDS Voting Trust and provisions in the TDS Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may serve to discourage or make more difficult a change in control of TDS.

 

 

·

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

 

 

TDS 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.