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TELEPHONE & DATA SYSTEMS INC /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2013 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from                                    to                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission file number 001-14157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

 

36-2669023

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark

Yes

No

•  whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

x

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2013

Common Shares, $0.01 par value

 

 

100,917,126 Shares

Series A Common Shares, $0.01 par value

 

 

7,160,055 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

Part I.

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

1

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

2

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

3

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

6

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

21

 

 

Divestiture Transaction

24

 

 

2013 Estimates

25

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations — Consolidated

28

 

 

 

Results of Operations — U.S. Cellular

30

 

 

 

Results of Operations — TDS Telecom

35

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

39

 

 

Financial Resources

39

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

40

 

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

43

 

 

Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

48

 

 

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

51

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

 


 

 

Part I.  Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 31,

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

2013

 

2012

Operating revenues

$

 1,308,573  

 

$

 1,305,791  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (excluding Depreciation,

  amortization and accretion expense reported below)

 

 559,892  

 

 

 509,211  

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 486,903  

 

 

 507,599  

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 242,077  

 

 

 197,434  

 

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 5,616  

 

 

 2,079  

 

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

 

 6,931  

 

 

 (4,174) 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 1,301,419  

 

 

 1,212,149  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 7,154  

 

 

 93,642  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 27,089  

 

 

 23,389  

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 1,578  

 

 

 2,183  

 

Interest expense

 

 (24,498) 

 

 

 (24,464) 

 

Other, net

 

 (154) 

 

 

 228  

 

 

Total investment and other income (expense)

 

 4,015  

 

 

 1,336  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 11,169  

 

 

 94,978  

 

Income tax expense

 

 4,180  

 

 

 27,412  

Net income

 

 6,989  

 

 

 67,566  

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests,

  net of tax

 

 (5,570) 

 

 

 (15,312) 

Net income attributable to TDS shareholders

 

 1,419  

 

 

 52,254  

Preferred dividend requirement

 

 (12) 

 

 

 (12) 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

 1,407  

 

$

 52,242  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 108,255  

 

 

 108,653  

Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS

  shareholders

$

 0.01  

 

 $  

 0.48  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 108,693  

 

 

 109,098  

Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS

  shareholders

$

 0.01  

 

 $  

 0.48  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

$

 0.1275  

 

$

 0.1225  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 


 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2013

 

2012

Net income

$

 6,989  

 

$

 67,566  

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 15  

 

 

 -  

 

Change related to retirement plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost for the

  period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 (902) 

 

 

 (934) 

 

 

 

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

 

 602  

 

 

 623  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (300) 

 

 

 (311) 

 

 

 

Change in deferred income taxes

 

 114  

 

 

 470  

 

 

Change related to retirement plan, net of tax

 

 (186) 

 

 

 159  

 

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 (171) 

 

 

 159  

Comprehensive income

 

 6,818  

 

 

 67,725  

 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling

  interest

 

 (5,570) 

 

 

 (15,312) 

Comprehensive income attributable to

  TDS Shareholders

$

 1,248  

 

$

 52,413  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 


 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2013

 

2012

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

 6,989  

 

$

 67,566  

 

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows

  from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 242,077  

 

 

 197,434  

 

 

 

Bad debts expense

 

 17,874  

 

 

 15,105  

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 7,585  

 

 

 10,330  

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 3,009  

 

 

 6,187  

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 (27,089) 

 

 

 (23,389) 

 

 

 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

 

 8,089  

 

 

 2,938  

 

 

 

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 5,616  

 

 

 2,079  

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

 

 6,931  

 

 

 (4,174) 

 

 

 

Noncash interest expense

 

 497  

 

 

 862  

 

 

 

Other operating activities

 

 256  

 

 

 852  

 

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 34,038  

 

 

 38,941  

 

 

 

Inventory

 

 16,860  

 

 

 (4,842) 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 (3,203) 

 

 

 (25,372) 

 

 

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

 7,904  

 

 

 10,745  

 

 

 

Accrued taxes

 

 5,309  

 

 

 82,014  

 

 

 

Accrued interest

 

 9,279  

 

 

 9,117  

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

 (95,669) 

 

 

 (104,148) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 246,352  

 

 

 282,245  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 (176,318) 

 

 

 (242,611) 

 

Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses

 

 (14,150) 

 

 

 (11,096) 

 

Cash received from divestitures

 

 -  

 

 

 50,036  

 

Cash paid for investments

 

 -  

 

 

 (10,000) 

 

Cash received for investments

 

 -  

 

 

 20,249  

 

Other investing activities

 

 6,364  

 

 

 (436) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (184,104) 

 

 

 (193,858) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 (328) 

 

 

 (493) 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

 -  

 

 

 358  

 

TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares reissued for benefit plans,

  net of tax payments

 

 140  

 

 

 (33) 

 

U.S. Cellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

 

 123  

 

 

 357  

 

Repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares

 

 (18,425) 

 

 

 -  

 

Dividends paid

 

 (13,792) 

 

 

 (13,301) 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 (2,396) 

 

 

 (218) 

 

Other financing activities

 

 (1,351) 

 

 

 798  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (36,029) 

 

 

 (12,532) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 26,219  

 

 

 75,855  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 740,481  

 

 

 563,275  

 

End of period

$

 766,700  

 

$

 639,130  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

3

 


 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet — Assets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31,

2013

 

December 31,

2012

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 766,700  

 

$

 740,481  

 

Short-term investments

 

 125,595  

 

 

 115,700  

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due from customers and agents, less allowances of $27,413 and $28,152, respectively

 

 374,715  

 

 

 409,720  

 

 

Other, less allowances of $3,670 and $5,263, respectively

 

 131,995  

 

 

 164,608  

 

Inventory

 

 143,832  

 

 

 160,692  

 

Net deferred income tax asset

 

 44,288  

 

 

 43,411  

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 86,879  

 

 

 86,385  

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 11,301  

 

 

 9,625  

 

Other current assets

 

 30,498  

 

 

 32,815  

 

 

 

 

 

 1,715,803  

 

 

 1,763,437  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

 

 160,073  

 

 

 163,242  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

 1,494,189  

 

 

 1,480,039  

 

Goodwill

 

 797,194  

 

 

 797,194  

 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $146,578 and $143,613,

  respectively

 

 55,557  

 

 

 58,522  

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

 201,171  

 

 

 179,921  

 

Long-term investments

 

 40,142  

 

 

 50,305  

 

Other investments

 

 778  

 

 

 824  

 

 

 

 

 

 2,589,031  

 

 

 2,566,805  

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

 10,917,301  

 

 

 10,808,499  

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 7,010,706  

 

 

 6,811,233  

 

 

 

 

 

 3,906,595  

 

 

 3,997,266  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets and deferred charges

 

 130,321  

 

 

 133,150  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

 8,501,823  

 

$

 8,623,900  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 


 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet — Liabilities and Equity

(Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

March 31,

2013

 

December 31,

2012

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

$

 1,318  

 

$

 1,233  

 

Accounts payable

 

 335,065  

 

 

 377,291  

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

 231,478  

 

 

 222,345  

 

Accrued interest

 

 15,774  

 

 

 6,565  

 

Accrued taxes

 

 55,944  

 

 

 48,237  

 

Accrued compensation

 

 75,324  

 

 

 134,932  

 

Other current liabilities

 

 102,208  

 

 

 134,005  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 817,111  

 

 

 924,608  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

 18,360  

 

 

 19,594  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liabilities and credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

 867,954  

 

 

 862,580  

 

Other deferred liabilities and credits

 

 445,614  

 

 

 438,727  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 1,721,338  

 

 

 1,721,571  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

 

 466  

 

 

 493  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common and Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized 290,000 shares (25,000 Series A Common and 265,000 Common Shares)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued 132,672 shares (7,160 Series A Common and 125,512 Common Shares)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding 108,077 shares (7,160 Series A Common and 100,917 Common Shares) and 108,031 shares (7,160 Series A Common and 100,871 Common Shares), respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Par Value ($.01 per share)  ($72 Series A Common and $1,255 Common Shares)

 

 1,327  

 

 

 1,327  

 

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 2,302,785  

 

 

 2,304,122  

 

 

Treasury shares at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,595 and 24,641 Common Shares, respectively

 

 (747,831) 

 

 

 (750,099) 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 (8,303) 

 

 

 (8,132) 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 2,449,720  

 

 

 2,464,318  

 

 

 

Total TDS shareholders' equity

 

 3,997,698  

 

 

 4,011,536  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares

 

 825  

 

 

 825  

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 632,457  

 

 

 643,966  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

 4,630,980  

 

 

 4,656,327  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

 8,501,823  

 

$

 8,623,900  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

5

 


 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Series A Common and Common Shares

 

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

 

Treasury Common Shares

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

Retained

Earnings

 

Total TDS

Shareholders'

Equity

 

 

Preferred Shares

 

Non

controlling Interests

 

Total

Equity

December 31, 2012

$

 1,327  

 

$

 2,304,122  

 

$

 (750,099) 

 

$

 (8,132) 

 

$

 2,464,318  

 

$

 4,011,536  

 

$

 825  

 

$

 643,966  

 

$

 4,656,327  

Add (Deduct)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to TDS

  shareholders

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,419  

 

 

 1,419  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,419  

Net income attributable

  to noncontrolling interests

  classified as equity

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 5,597  

 

 

 5,597  

Change in foreign currency

  translation adjustment

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 15  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 15  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 15  

Change related to retirement

  plan

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (186) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (186) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (186) 

Common and Series A

  Common Shares dividends

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (13,780) 

 

 

 (13,780) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (13,780) 

Preferred dividend requirement

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (12) 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 3  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (2) 

 

 

 1  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1  

Incentive and compensation

  plans

 

 -  

 

 

 534  

 

 

 2,265  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (2,223) 

 

 

 576  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 576  

Adjust investment in

  subsidiaries for repurchases,

  issuances, other compensation

  plans and noncontrolling interest

  purchases

 

 -  

 

 

 (3,734) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (3,734) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (14,710) 

 

 

 (18,444) 

Stock-based compensation

  awards

 

 -  

 

 

 2,395  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 2,395  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 2,395  

Tax windfall (shortfall) from

  stock awards

 

 -  

 

 

 (532) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (532) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (532) 

Distributions to

  noncontrolling interests

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (2,396) 

 

 

 (2,396) 

March 31, 2013

$

 1,327  

 

$

 2,302,785  

 

$

 (747,831) 

 

$

 (8,303) 

 

$

 2,449,720  

 

$

 3,997,698  

 

$

 825  

 

$

 632,457  

 

$

 4,630,980  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

6

 


 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Series A Common and Common Shares

 

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

 

Treasury Common Shares

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 Income (Loss)

 

Retained

Earnings

 

Total TDS

Shareholders'

Equity

 

 

Preferred Shares

 

Non

controlling

Interests

 

Total

Equity

December 31, 2011

$

 1,326  

 

$

 2,268,711  

 

$

 (750,921) 

 

$

 (8,854) 

 

$

 2,451,899  

 

$

 3,962,161  

 

$

 830  

 

$

 639,688  

 

$

 4,602,679  

Add (Deduct)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to TDS

  shareholders

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 52,254  

 

 

 52,254  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 52,254  

Net income attributable to

  noncontrolling interests

  classified as equity

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 15,252  

 

 

 15,252  

Change related to retirement

  plan

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 159  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 159  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 159  

Common and Series A

  Common Shares dividends

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (13,289) 

 

 

 (13,289) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (13,289) 

Preferred dividend

  requirement

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (12) 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 -  

 

 

 296  

 

 

 2,703  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (1,585) 

 

 

 1,414  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,414  

Incentive and compensation

  plans

 

 -  

 

 

 444  

 

 

 1,230  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (1,331) 

 

 

 343  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 343  

Adjust investment in

  subsidiaries for repurchases,

  issuances and other

  compensation plans

 

 -  

 

 

 4,157  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 4,157  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,678  

 

 

 5,835  

Stock-based compensation

  awards

 

 -  

 

 

 4,845  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 4,845  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 4,845  

Tax windfall (shortfall) from

  stock awards

 

 -  

 

 

 (69) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (69) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (69) 

Distributions to noncontrolling

  interests

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (218) 

 

 

 (218) 

Other

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 84  

 

 

 84  

March 31, 2012

$

 1,326  

 

$

 2,278,384  

 

$

 (746,988) 

 

$

 (8,695) 

 

$

 2,487,936  

 

$

 4,011,963  

 

$

 830  

 

$

 656,484  

 

$

 4,669,277  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

7

 


 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

1.   Basis of Presentation

 

The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and its majority-owned subsidiaries, including TDS’ 85%-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) and TDS’ wholly-owned wireline telephone subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). In addition, the consolidated financial statements include certain entities in which TDS has a variable interest that require consolidation under GAAP.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, TDS believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

TDS’ business segments reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013, are U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers, (“ILEC”), its competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”), its Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”) operations, and the Non-Reportable Segment which includes TDS’ majority-owned printing and distribution company, Suttle-Straus, Inc. (“Suttle-Straus”) and TDS’ wholly-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”). All of TDS’ segments operate only in the United States, except for HMS, which includes an insignificant foreign operation.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the results of operations, cash flows, changes in comprehensive income and equity for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

As of March 31, 2013, there are no recent accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material impact on TDS’ financial position or results of operations.

 

Agent Liabilities

 

U.S. Cellular has relationships with agents, which are independent businesses that obtain customers for U.S. Cellular.  At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, U.S. Cellular had accrued $63.9 million and $88.2 million, respectively, for amounts due to agents, including rebates and commissions.  These amounts are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Amounts Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

 

If a tax is assessed upon the customer and TDS merely acts as an agent in collecting the tax on behalf of the imposing governmental authority, then amounts collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis within a tax liability account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  If the tax is assessed upon TDS, then amounts collected from customers as recovery of the tax are recorded in Operating revenues and amounts remitted to governmental authorities are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amounts recorded gross in revenues that are billed to customers and remitted to governmental authorities totaled $36.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

2.   Fair Value Measurements

 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, TDS did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were required to be recorded at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. However, TDS has applied the provisions of fair value accounting for purposes of computing the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes as displayed below.

 

8

 


 

 

 

 

 

Level within the Fair Value Hierarchy

 

March 31, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

Book Value

 

Fair Value

 

Book Value

 

Fair Value

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

1

 

$

 766,700  

 

$

 766,700  

 

$

 740,481  

 

$

 740,481  

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-backed securities

1

 

 

 125,595  

 

 

 125,595  

 

 

 115,700  

 

 

 115,700  

Long-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-backed securities

1

 

 

 40,142  

 

 

 40,175  

 

 

 50,305  

 

 

 50,339  

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

1

 

 

 1,178,250  

 

 

 1,230,244  

 

 

 1,178,250  

 

 

 1,238,204  

 

Institutional and other

2

 

 

 538,369  

 

 

 591,696  

 

 

 538,657  

 

 

 589,435  

 

Short-term investments and Long-term investments are both designated as held-to-maturity investments and recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Long-term investment maturities are 20 months at March 31, 2013.  Government-backed securities include U.S. treasuries and corporate notes guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  Long-term debt excludes capital lease obligations and current portion of Long-term debt.

 

The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents and Short-term investments approximate their book values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of Long-term investments were estimated using quoted market prices for the individual issuances. The fair value of “Retail” Long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations and the current portion of such Long-term debt, was estimated using market prices for TDS’ 7.0% Senior Notes, 6.875% Senior Notes, 6.625% Senior Notes and 5.875% Senior Notes, and U.S. Cellular's 6.95% Senior Notes.  TDS’ institutional debt includes U.S. Cellular’s 6.7% Senior Notes which are traded over the counter. TDS estimated the fair value of its institutional and other debt through a discounted cash flow analysis using the interest rates or estimated yield to maturity for each borrowing, which ranged from 0.0% to 6.05% at March 31, 2013. 

 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, TDS did not have nonfinancial assets or liabilities that required the application of fair value accounting for purposes of reporting such amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

3.   Income Taxes

 

TDS’ overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 was 37.4% and 28.9%, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was higher than the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily as a result of tax benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain tax years and the adjustment of deferred tax balances related to certain partnership investments in 2012.

 

TDS incurred a federal net operating loss in 2011 largely attributable to 100% bonus depreciation applicable to qualified capital expenditures.  TDS carried back this federal net operating loss to prior tax years, and received a $71.4 million federal income tax refund in 2012 for carrybacks to 2009 and 2010 tax years.  Of this amount, $59.9 million of the refund was received in the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

4.   Earnings Per Share

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders of TDS used in basic earnings per share

$

 1,407  

 

$

 52,242  

Adjustments to compute diluted earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest adjustment

 

 (28) 

 

 

 (345) 

 

Preferred dividend adjustment

 

 -  

 

 

 12  

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of TDS used in diluted earnings per share

$

 1,379  

 

$

 51,909  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

 101,095  

 

 

 101,534  

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 7,160  

 

 

 7,119  

 

 

 

Total

 

 108,255  

 

 

 108,653  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 112  

 

 

 202  

 

Restricted stock units

 

 326  

 

 

 180  

 

Preferred shares

 

 -  

 

 

 63  

Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share

 

 108,693  

 

 

 109,098  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders

$

 0.01  

 

$

 0.48  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to TDS shareholders

$

 0.01  

 

$

 0.48  

9

 


 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

Stock options

 6,672  

 

 4,301  

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares

 61  

 

 -  

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.   Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

 

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

 

Divestiture Transaction

  

On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that U.S. Cellular will transfer customers and certain PCS licensed spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash at closing, subject to pro-rations of certain assets and liabilities. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplates certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.”  The transaction was approved by the FCC in March 2013 and the closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2013.

  

U.S. Cellular will retain other assets and liabilities related to the Divestiture Markets, including network assets, retail stores and related equipment, and other buildings and facilities. The transaction does not affect spectrum licenses held by U.S. Cellular or variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are not currently used in the operations of the Divestiture Markets. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplates certain other agreements, including customer and network transition services agreements, which will require that U.S. Cellular provide customer, billing and network services to Sprint for a period of up to 24 months after the closing date. Sprint will reimburse U.S. Cellular for providing such services at an amount equal to U.S. Cellular's cost, including applicable overhead allocations. In addition, these agreements will require Sprint to reimburse U.S. Cellular up to $200 million

10

 


 

 

(the “Sprint Cost Reimbursement”) for certain network decommissioning costs, network site lease rent and termination costs, network access termination costs, and employee termination benefits for specified engineering employees.

 

Financial impacts of the Divestiture Transaction are classified in the Consolidated Statement of Operations within Operating income. The table below describes the amounts TDS has recognized, and expects to recognize, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations between the date the Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed and the end of the transition services period, as a result of the transaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Expected Period of Realization/ Incurrence

 

Projected Range

 

Cumulative Amount Incurred as of March 31, 2013

 

Actual Amount Incurred Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from Sprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price

 

2013

 

$

 (480,000) 

 

$

 (480,000) 

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

 

Sprint Cost Reimbursement

 

2013-2014

 

 

 (150,000) 

 

 

 (200,000) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

Net assets transferred

 

2013

 

 

 150,000  

 

 

 170,000  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

Non-cash charges for the write-off and

  write-down of property under construction

  and related assets

 

2012-2013

 

 

 11,000  

 

 

 15,000  

 

 

 10,894  

 

 

 222  

 

Employee related costs including severance,

  retention and outplacement

 

2012-2014

 

 

 16,000  

 

 

 25,000  

 

 

 15,659  

 

 

 3,050  

 

Contract termination costs

 

2012-2014

 

 

 125,000  

 

 

 175,000  

 

 

 2,959  

 

 

 2,900  

 

Transaction costs

 

2012-2013

 

 

 4,000  

 

 

 6,000  

 

 

 2,055  

 

 

 918  

 

 

Total (Gain) loss on sale of business and

  other exit costs, net

 

 

 

$

 (324,000) 

 

$

 (289,000) 

 

$

 31,567  

 

$

 7,090  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incremental depreciation, amortization and

  accretion, net of salvage values

 

2012-2013

 

 

 175,000  

 

 

 210,000  

 

 

 58,104  

 

 

 38,046  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash charges for the write-off and

  write-down of various operating assets

  and liabilities

 

2013

 

 

 -  

 

 

 10,000  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

(Increase) decrease in Operating income

 

 

 

$

 (149,000) 

 

$

 (69,000) 

 

$

 89,671  

 

$

 45,136  

 

Incremental depreciation, amortization and accretion, net of salvage values represents anticipated amounts to be recorded in the specified time periods as a result of revising the useful life of certain assets and revising the settlement dates of certain asset retirement obligations in conjunction with the Divestiture Transaction.  Specifically, for the years indicated, this is estimated depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded on assets and liabilities of the Divestiture Markets after the November 6, 2012 transaction date less depreciation, amortization and accretion that would have been recorded on such assets and liabilities in the normal course, absent the Divestiture Transaction.

 

11

 


 

 

 

 

As a result of the transaction, TDS recognized the following amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance

December 31, 2012

 

Costs Incurred

 

Cash Settlements (1)

 

Non-cash Settlements

 

Adjustments

 

Balance

March 31, 2013

Accrued compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee related costs

  including severance,

  retention, outplacement

$

 12,305  

 

$

 3,050  

 

$

 (1,607) 

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 13,748  

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract termination costs

$

 30  

 

$

 2,900  

 

$

 (784) 

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 2,146  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Cash settlement amounts are included in either the Net income or changes in Other assets and liabilities line items as part of Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

 

 

At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the following assets and liabilities were classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

Goodwill

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Total Assets Held for Sale

 

Liabilities Held for Sale (1)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divestiture Transaction

$

 140,599  

 

$

 19,474  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 160,073  

 

$

 18,360  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divestiture Transaction

$

 140,599  

 

$

 19,474  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 160,073  

 

$

 19,594  

Bolingbrook Customer Care Center (2)

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 3,169  

 

 

 3,169  

 

 

 -  

 

Total

$

 140,599  

 

$

 19,474  

 

$

 3,169  

 

$

 163,242  

 

$

 19,594  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Liabilities held for sale primarily consisted of Customer deposits and deferred revenues.

(2)

Effective January 1, 2013, U.S. Cellular transferred its Bolingbrook Customer Care Center operations to an existing third party vendor.

 

Other Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

 

On February 25, 2013, TDS entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Baja Broadband, LLC (“Baja”) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Baja for $267.5 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. Baja is a cable company that passes approximately 212,000 households in markets in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah and offers video, broadband and voice services. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.

 

6.   Intangible Assets

 

Changes in TDS’ Licenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.  There were no significant changes to Goodwill or Other intangible assets during the periods presented.

 

12

 


 

 

Licenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

TDS Telecom CLEC

 

Non-Reportable Segment

 

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2012

$

 1,462,019  

 

$

 2,800  

 

$

 15,220  

 

$

 1,480,039  

 

Acquisitions

 

 14,150  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 14,150  

Balance March 31, 2013

$

 1,476,169  

 

$

 2,800  

 

$

 15,220  

 

$

 1,494,189  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2011

$

 1,475,994  

 

$

 2,800  

 

$

 15,220  

 

$

 1,494,014  

 

Acquisitions

 

 11,096  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 11,096  

Balance March 31, 2012

$

 1,487,090  

 

$

 2,800  

 

$

 15,220  

 

$

 1,505,110  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously under GAAP, TDS accounted for U.S. Cellular’s share repurchases as step acquisitions, allocating a portion of the share repurchase value to TDS' Licenses.  Consequently, U.S. Cellular’s Licenses on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated Licenses related to U.S. Cellular.

 

7.   Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

 

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

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $27.1 million and $23.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; of those amounts, TDS’ investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $20.6 million and $17.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  TDS held a 5.5% ownership interest in the LA Partnership during these periods.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

 1,498,260  

 

$

 1,437,008  

Operating expenses

 

 1,071,692  

 

 

 1,076,750  

 

Operating income

 

 426,568  

 

 

 360,258  

Other income

 

 423  

 

 

 649  

Net income

$

 426,991  

 

$

 360,907  

 

8.  Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

 

Agreements

 

As previously disclosed, on August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”) entered into a Software License and Maintenance Agreement (“SLMA”) and a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) (collectively, the “Amdocs Agreements”) to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”).  Pursuant to an updated Statement of Work dated June 29, 2012, the implementation of B/OSS is expected to take until the end of 2013 to complete and total payments to Amdocs are estimated to be approximately $179.0 million (subject to certain potential adjustments) over the period from commencement of the SLMA in 2010 through the second half of 2013.  As of March 31, 2013, $114.0 million had been paid to Amdocs.

 

Indemnifications

 

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

13

 


 

 

 

Legal Proceedings

 

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

 

TDS has accrued $1.7 million with respect to legal proceedings and unasserted claims as of both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. TDS has not accrued any amount for legal proceedings if it cannot reasonably estimate the amount of the possible loss or range of loss. TDS does not believe that the amount of any contingent loss in excess of the amounts accrued would be material.

 

Apple iPhone Products Purchase Commitment

 

In March 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Apple to purchase an estimated $1.2 billion of Apple iPhone products over a three-year period beginning later in 2013.

 

9.  Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

 

Consolidated VIEs

 

As of March 31, 2013, TDS holds a variable interest in and consolidates the following VIEs under GAAP:

 

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

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

 

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

 

On March 13, 2013, TDS acquired the remaining 37% ownership interest in Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”) that it did not own for $3.5 million in cash.  Prior to this acquisition, TDS consolidated Airadigm as a VIE.  Subsequent to the acquisition date, Airadigm ceased to be a VIE but continues to be consolidated based on TDS’ controlling financial interest in the entity.

 

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

 

14

 


 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 3,465  

 

$

 7,028  

 

Other current assets

 

 178  

 

 

 3,267  

 

Licenses and other intangible assets

 

 308,091  

 

 

 325,707  

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 15,899  

 

 

 31,544  

 

Other assets and deferred charges

 

 1,449  

 

 

 3,026  

 

Total assets

$

 329,082  

 

$

 370,572  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

$

 82  

 

$

 9,985  

 

Deferred liabilities and credits

 

 3,015  

 

 

 6,213  

 

Total liabilities

$

 3,097  

 

$

 16,198  

 

Other Related Matters

 

Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless were formed to participate in FCC auctions of wireless spectrum and to fund, establish, and provide wireless service with respect to any FCC licenses won in the auctions. As such, these entities have risks similar to the business risks described in the “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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

 

There were no capital contributions or advances made to Aquinas Wireless and King Street Wireless and/or their general partners in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

U.S. Cellular began offering fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) service in certain cities within its service areas during the first quarter of 2012 and has plans to continue the deployment of 4G LTE. U.S. Cellular currently provides 4G LTE service in conjunction with King Street Wireless. Aquinas Wireless is still in the process of developing long-term business plans.

 

10.  Common Share Repurchases

 

U.S. Cellular Share Repurchases

 

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

 

Share repurchases made under this authorization were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

Number of Shares

 

Average Cost

Per Share

 

Amount

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except cost per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular Common Shares

 496  

 

$

 37.16  

 

$

 18,425  

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular Common Shares

 -  

 

$

 -    

 

$

 -  

 

11.  Noncontrolling Interests

 

The following schedule discloses the effects of Net income attributable to TDS shareholders and changes in TDS’ ownership interest in U.S. Cellular on TDS’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

15

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net income attributable to TDS shareholders

$

 1,419  

 

$

 52,254  

 

Transfer (to) from the noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from

  U.S. Cellular's issuance of U.S. Cellular shares

 

 (1,012) 

 

 

 (428) 

 

 

Change in TDS' Capital in excess of par value from

  U.S. Cellular's repurchase of U.S. Cellular shares

 

 3,470  

 

 

 -  

 

 

Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests

 

 2,458  

 

 

 (428) 

 

 

Change from net income attributable to TDS and

  transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests

$

 3,877  

 

$

 51,826  

 

Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Finite-Lived Subsidiaries

 

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

 

The settlement value or estimate of cash that would be due and payable to settle these noncontrolling interests, assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on March 31, 2013, net of estimated liquidation costs, is $149.2 million.  This amount excludes redemption amounts recorded in Noncontrolling interests with redemption features in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions which are subjective in nature. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount. TDS currently has no plans or intentions relating to the liquidation of any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at March 31, 2013 was $54.5 million, and is included in Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of these mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the noncontrolling interest holders’ share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the noncontrolling interest holders’ share, nor TDS’ share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

 

12.  Reclassification Adjustments Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes amounts related to TDS’ defined benefit post-retirement plan.  During the three months ended March 31, 2013, reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Operating expenses, related to the retirement plan, were approximately $0.2 million (net of income tax of $0.1 million).  Of this amount, $0.2 million was recorded as a decrease to Cost of services and products and $0.1 million was recorded as a decrease to Selling, general and administrative.

16

 


 

 

 

13.  Business Segment Information

 

Financial data for TDS’ business segments for the three months ended, or as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, is as follows.  See Note 1 — Basis of Presentation for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2013

 

U.S. Cellular

 

ILEC

 

CLEC

 

HMS

 

TDS Telecom Eliminations

 

TDS Telecom Total

 

Non- Reportable Segment

 

Other Reconciling Items

 

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 1,081,746  

 

$

 141,520  

 

$

 42,554  

 

$

 35,564  

 

$

 (2,577) 

 

$

 217,061  

 

$

 14,446  

 

$

 (4,680) 

 

$

 1,308,573  

Cost of services and products (excluding

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense reported below)

 

 

 457,990  

 

 

 47,595  

 

 

 21,962  

 

 

 24,814  

 

 

 (2,186) 

 

 

 92,185  

 

 

 10,073  

 

 

 (356) 

 

 

 559,892  

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 420,080  

 

 

 41,839  

 

 

 15,932  

 

 

 9,921  

 

 

 (391) 

 

 

 67,301  

 

 

 3,761  

 

 

 (4,239) 

 

 

 486,903  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense

 

 

 189,845  

 

 

 38,576  

 

 

 5,447  

 

 

 5,468  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 49,491  

 

 

 1,509  

 

 

 1,232  

 

 

 242,077  

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 5,434  

 

 

 122  

 

 

 41  

 

 

 30  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 193  

 

 

 1  

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 5,616  

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other

  exit costs, net

 

 

 6,931  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 6,931  

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 1,466  

 

 

 13,388  

 

 

 (828) 

 

 

 (4,669) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 7,891  

 

 

 (898) 

 

 

 (1,305) 

 

 

 7,154  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 

 26,835  

 

 

 7  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 7  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 247  

 

 

 27,089  

Interest and dividend income

 

 

 903  

 

 

 329  

 

 

 57  

 

 

 16  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 402  

 

 

 1  

 

 

 272  

 

 

 1,578  

(Interest expense) Capitalized interest

 

 

 (10,910) 

 

 

 759  

 

 

 72  

 

 

 (405) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 426  

 

 

 (982) 

 

 

 (13,032) 

 

 

 (24,498) 

Other, net

 

 

 (215) 

 

 

 (52) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (122) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (174) 

 

 

 237  

 

 

 (2) 

 

 

 (154) 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 18,079  

 

 

 14,431  

 

 

 (699) 

 

 

 (5,180) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 8,552  

 

 

 (1,642) 

 

 

 (13,820) 

 

 

 11,169  

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense

 

 

 189,845  

 

 

 38,576  

 

 

 5,447  

 

 

 5,468  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 49,491  

 

 

 1,509  

 

 

 1,232  

 

 

 242,077  

(Gain) loss on sale of business and

  other exit costs, net

 

 

 6,931  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 6,931  

(Interest expense) Capitalized interest

 

 

 10,910  

 

 

 (759) 

 

 

 (72) 

 

 

 405  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (426) 

 

 

 982  

 

 

 13,032  

 

 

 24,498  

Adjusted income before income taxes

 

$

 225,765  

 

$

 52,248  

 

$

 4,676  

 

$

 693  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 57,617  

 

$

 849  

 

$

 444  

 

$

 284,675  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

$

 165,529  

 

$

 3,814  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 3,814  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 31,828  

 

$

 201,171  

Total assets

 

 

 6,523,635  

 

 

 1,372,394  

 

 

 112,497  

 

 

 264,586  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,749,477  

 

 

 61,178  

 

 

 167,533  

 

 

 8,501,823  

Capital expenditures

 

$

 118,410  

 

$

 22,384  

 

$

 5,482  

 

$

 2,591  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 30,457  

 

$

 285  

 

$

 984  

 

$

 150,136  

 

17

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended or as of March 31, 2012

 

U.S. Cellular

 

ILEC

 

CLEC

 

HMS

 

TDS Telecom Eliminations

 

TDS Telecom Total

 

Non- Reportable Segment

 

Other Reconciling Items

 

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 1,092,121  

 

$

 145,065  

 

$

 44,044  

 

$

 17,558  

 

$

 (2,592) 

 

$

 204,075  

 

$

 14,769  

 

$

 (5,174) 

 

$

 1,305,791  

Cost of services and products (excluding

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense reported below)

 

 

 420,200  

 

 

 49,168  

 

 

 22,564  

 

 

 9,774  

 

 

 (2,161) 

 

 

 79,345  

 

 

 10,205  

 

 

 (539) 

 

 

 509,211  

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 442,244  

 

 

 41,514  

 

 

 16,260  

 

 

 6,732  

 

 

 (431) 

 

 

 64,075  

 

 

 4,186  

 

 

 (2,906) 

 

 

 507,599  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense

 

 

 146,685  

 

 

 37,778  

 

 

 5,489  

 

 

 4,176  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 47,443  

 

 

 1,530  

 

 

 1,776  

 

 

 197,434  

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 2,003  

 

 

 27  

 

 

 53  

 

 

 1  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 81  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (5) 

 

 

 2,079  

(Gain) loss on sale of business and

  other exit costs, net

 

 

 (4,213) 

 

 

 39  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 39  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (4,174) 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 85,202  

 

 

 16,539  

 

 

 (322) 

 

 

 (3,125) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 13,092  

 

 

 (1,152) 

 

 

 (3,500) 

 

 

 93,642  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 

 21,614  

 

 

 6  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 6  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,769  

 

 

 23,389  

Interest and dividend income

 

 

 1,043  

 

 

 630  

 

 

 71  

 

 

 2  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 703  

 

 

 2  

 

 

 435  

 

 

 2,183  

(Interest expense) Capitalized interest

 

 

 (13,411) 

 

 

 455  

 

 

 89  

 

 

 (241) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 303  

 

 

 (971) 

 

 

 (10,385) 

 

 

 (24,464) 

Other, net

 

 

 202  

 

 

 (156) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (156) 

 

 

 182  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 228  

Income before income taxes

 

 

 94,650  

 

 

 17,474  

 

 

 (162) 

 

 

 (3,364) 

 

 

 -  

 

 

 13,948  

 

 

 (1,939) 

 

 

 (11,681) 

 

 

 94,978  

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  expense

 

 

 146,685  

 

 

 37,778  

 

 

 5,489  

 

 

 4,176  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 47,443  

 

 

 1,530  

 

 

 1,776  

 

 

 197,434  

(Gain) loss on sale of business and

  other exit costs, net

 

 

 (4,213) 

 

 

 39  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 39  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (4,174) 

(Interest expense) Capitalized interest

 

 

 13,411  

 

 

 (455) 

 

 

 (89) 

 

 

 241  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 (303) 

 

 

 971  

 

 

 10,385  

 

 

 24,464  

Adjusted income before income taxes

 

$

 250,533  

 

$

 54,836  

 

$

 5,238  

 

$

 1,053  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 61,127  

 

$

 562  

 

$

 480  

 

$

 312,702  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

$

 154,431  

 

$

 3,813  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 3,813  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 33,400  

 

$

 191,644  

Total assets

 

 

 6,341,435  

 

 

 1,387,900  

 

 

 113,520  

 

 

 208,785  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 1,710,205  

 

 

 67,950  

 

 

 53,078  

 

 

 8,172,668  

Capital expenditures

 

$

 201,337  

 

$

 27,526  

 

$

 5,058  

 

$

 3,091  

 

$

 -  

 

$

 35,675  

 

$

 216  

 

$

 (8,764) 

 

$

 228,464  

                                                           

 

Adjusted income before income taxes is a segment measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance.  Adjusted income before income taxes is defined as Income before income taxes, adjusted for: Depreciation, amortization and accretion; net Gain or loss on sale of business and other exit costs (if any), and Interest expense.  Adjusted income before income taxes excludes significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses and financing charges (Interest expense) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period. TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such amounts may occur in the future.

18

 


 

 

 

14.  Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

 

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards.  In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

 

TDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares withheld

 

 2  

 

 

 -  

Special Common Shares withheld

 

 -  

 

 

 1  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld

$

 45  

 

$

 -  

Aggregate value of Special Common Shares withheld

$

 -  

 

$

 33  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options

$

 185  

 

$

 -  

Cash disbursements for payment of taxes

 

 (45) 

 

 

 (33) 

Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock

  options and vesting of other stock awards

$

 140  

 

$

 (33) 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares withheld

 

 9  

 

 

 -  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld

$

 328  

 

$

 -  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options

$

 129  

 

$

 357  

Cash disbursements for payment of taxes

 

 (6) 

 

 

 -  

Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock

  options and vesting of other stock awards

$

 123  

 

$

 357  

 

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, (“the Recovery Act”), TDS Telecom was awarded $105.1 million in federal grants and will provide $30.9 million of its own funds to complete 44 projects to provide broadband access in unserved areas. TDS Telecom received $19.9 million and $4.3 million in grants during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. TDS Telecom has received cumulative grants of $41.5 million as of March 31, 2013. These funds reduced the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate. TDS Telecom had recorded $16.2 million and $27.6 million in grants receivable at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  These amounts were included as a component of Accounts receivable, Other, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

TDS declared and paid dividends on Series A Common and Common Shares of $13.8 million or $0.1275 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $13.3 million or $0.1225 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

19

 


 

 

15.  Subsequent Event

 

On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement relating to the Partnerships (as defined below) with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”).  U.S. Cellular holds a 60.00% interest in St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and a 57.14% interest in New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2” and, together with NY1, the “Partnerships”).  The remaining interests are held by Verizon Wireless.  The Partnerships are operated by Verizon Wireless under the Verizon Wireless brand.  Because U.S. Cellular owns a greater than 50% interest in each of these markets and based on U.S. Cellular’s rights under the Partnership Agreements, prior to April 3, 2013, TDS consolidated the financial results of these markets in accordance with GAAP.  The agreement amends the Partnership Agreements in several ways, which provide Verizon Wireless with substantive participating rights that allow Verizon Wireless to make decisions that are in the ordinary course of business of the Partnerships and which are significant to directing and executing the activities of the business.   Accordingly, as required by GAAP, effective April 3, 2013, TDS will deconsolidate the Partnerships and thereafter will report them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements (the “Deconsolidation”). After the Deconsolidation, TDS will continue to record only its share of the net income of the Partnerships in Net income attributable to TDS shareholders. In accordance with GAAP, TDS will recognize a non-cash pre-tax gain in the range of $12 million to $28 million in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Amounts recorded in TDS’ consolidated financial statements related to the Partnerships as of or for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are shown below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

NY1 & NY2

Total assets

 $  

 117,142  

Total liabilities

 

 10,847  

Operating revenues

 

 43,302  

Total operating expenses

 

 31,690  

Net income

 

 11,619  

Net income attributable to TDS shareholders

 

 6,824  

20

 


 

 

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

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services to approximately 5.7 million wireless customers and 1.0 million wireline customer connections at March 31, 2013. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless operations through its 85%‑owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”).  TDS provides wireline services through its incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) and competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”), and provides Hosted and Managed Services (“HMS”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its majority‑owned subsidiary, Suttle-Straus, Inc. (“Suttle-Straus”) and provides wireless services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”), a Wisconsin-based service provider (collectively, the “Non-Reportable Segment”).  Airadigm operates independently from U.S. Cellular and at this time, there are no plans to combine the operations of these subsidiaries.  Suttle-Straus and Airadigm’s financial results were not significant to TDS’ operations in the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with TDS’ interim consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 above, and with the description of TDS’ business, its audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the TDS Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

OVERVIEW

 

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

 

The following provides historical and forward-looking information and analysis about TDS’ existing business segments and provides estimates for certain metrics with respect to 2013 for U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom.  In addition, TDS’ consolidated operations include corporate operations, corporate investments and the Non-Reportable Segment and may in the future include other possible activities or businesses that are not included within the operating results or estimates of U.S. Cellular or TDS Telecom.  Accordingly, the combined operating results and estimates for U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom do not currently represent, and in the future will not represent, the only components of the consolidated operating results or estimates of TDS, which will continue to reflect such other operations, investments, segments, activities or businesses.

 

U.S. Cellular

 

U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets cover 5.7 million customers in five geographic market areas in 26 states. As of March 31, 2013, U.S. Cellular’s average penetration rate in its consolidated operating markets was 12.1%. U.S. Cellular operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, striving to meet or exceed customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network.

 

Financial and operating highlights in the three months ended March 31, 2013 included the following:

 

·         Total consolidated customers were 5,736,000 at March 31, 2013, including 5,506,000 retail customers (96% of total).

 

·         Retail customer net losses were 51,000 in 2013 compared to net losses of 34,000 in 2012. In the postpaid category, there were net losses of 74,000 in 2013, compared to net losses of 38,000 in 2012. Prepaid net additions were 23,000 in 2013 compared to net additions of 4,000 in 2012.

 

·         Postpaid customers comprised approximately 92% of U.S. Cellular’s retail customers as of March 31, 2013. The postpaid churn rate was 1.7% in 2013 compared to 1.6% in 2012. The prepaid churn rate was 6.2% in 2013 compared to 6.4% in 2012.

 

·         Postpaid customers on smartphone service plans increased to 43% as of March 31, 2013 compared to 34% as of March 31, 2012. In addition, smartphones represented 62% of all devices sold in 2013 compared to 54% in 2012.

 

·         Retail service revenues of $884.0 million decreased $4.5 million year-over-year, due to a lower average number of postpaid customers, partially offset by a higher average number of prepaid customers. Total service revenues of $996.3 million decreased $27.5 million year-over-year, primarily due to the net loss of retail customers and decreases in inbound roaming and eligible telecommunications carriers (“ETC”) revenues.

 

·         Billed ARPU increased to $51.13 in 2013 from $50.52 in 2012 reflecting an increase in postpaid ARPU due to increases in smartphone adoption and corresponding revenues from data products and services. Service revenue ARPU decreased to $57.63 in 2013 from $58.21 in 2012 primarily due to decreases in inbound roaming and ETC revenues.

21

 


 

 

 

·         U.S. Cellular continued its efforts on a number of multi-year initiatives including the development of a new Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) which will include a new point-of-sale system and consolidate billing on one platform.

 

·         Total additions to Property, plant and equipment were $118.4 million, including expenditures to construct cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, deploy fourth generation Long-term Evolution (“4G LTE”) equipment, outfit new and remodel existing retail stores, develop new billing and other customer management related systems and platforms, and enhance existing office systems. Total cell sites in service increased 2% year-over-year to 8,027.

 

·         Operating income decreased $83.7 million, or 98%, to $1.5 million in 2013. The decrease was due primarily to lower service revenues, higher cost of equipment sold, and accelerated depreciation and losses related to the Divestiture Transaction described below.

 

·         In March 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement with Apple to purchase Apple iPhone products over three years beginning later in 2013.

 

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

 

·         Impacts of the Divestiture Transaction (described below) including, but not limited to, successfully completing the transaction and the actual financial impacts of such transaction;

 

·         Impacts of selling Apple iPhone products;

 

·         Relative ability to attract and retain customers in a competitive marketplace in a cost effective manner;

 

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

 

·         Expanded distribution of products and services in third-party national retailers such as Walmart and Sam’s Club;

 

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

 

·         The nature and rate of growth in the wireless industry, requiring U.S. Cellular to grow revenues primarily from selling additional products and services to its existing customers, increasing the number of multi-device users among its existing customers, increasing data products and services and attracting wireless customers switching from other wireless carriers;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·         Further consolidation among carriers in the wireless industry, which could result in increased competition for customers and/or cause roaming revenues to decline;

 

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

 

·         Uncertainty related to various rulemaking proceedings underway at the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”);

 

·         The ability to negotiate satisfactory data roaming agreements, including 4G LTE, with other wireless operators;

 

·         Economic or competitive factors that restrict U.S. Cellular’s access to devices desired by customers; and

 

·         Possible effects of industry litigation relating to patents, other intellectual property or otherwise, that may restrict U.S. Cellular’s access to devices for sale to customers.

 

·         On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement relating to St. Lawrence Seaway RSA Cellular Partnership (“NY1”) and New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership (“NY2” and, together with NY1, the “Partnerships”) with Cellco Partnership d/b/a

22

 


 

 

Verizon Wireless, which will require U.S. Cellular to deconsolidate the Partnerships and thereafter account for them as equity method investments.  See Note 15 – Subsequent Event in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and refer to TDS’ Form 8-K filed May 3, 2013 for more information regarding this transaction.

 

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

 

TDS Telecom

 

TDS Telecom seeks to be the preferred telecommunications solutions provider in its chosen markets serving both residential and commercial customers by developing and delivering high-quality products that meet or exceed customers’ needs and to outperform the competition by maintaining superior customer service. TDS Telecom provides broadband, voice, and video services to residential customers through value-added bundling of products.  The commercial focus is to provide advanced IP-based voice and data services to small to medium sized businesses.  In addition, TDS Telecom seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions, as demonstrated by recent HMS acquisitions which provide colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management, cloud computing services and planning, engineering, procurement, installation, sales and management of Information Technology (“IT”) infrastructure hardware solutions. 

 

On February 25, 2013, TDS entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Baja Broadband, LLC (“Baja”) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Baja for $267.5 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. Baja is a cable company that passes approximately 212,000 households in markets in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah and offers video, broadband and voice services. The transaction is subject to governmental regulatory approvals, compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other conditions. Subject to approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.

 

TDS Telecom’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 included the following:

 

·         Operating revenues increased $13.0 million or 6% to $217.1 million in 2013. The increase was primarily due to $16.9 million from the acquisition of Vital Support Systems, LLC in 2012, partially offset by a decrease in revenues due to declines in ILEC and CLEC connections and a decline in wholesale revenue and revenue received from regulatory recovery mechanisms.

 

·         Operating expenses increased $18.2 million or 10% to $209.2 million in 2013 primarily due to $18.1 million from the acquisition of Vital Support Systems, LLC in 2012.

 

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

 

·         Continued increases in competition from wireless and other wireline providers, cable providers, and technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), DOCSIS 3.0 offered by cable providers, and fourth-generation (“4G”) mobile technology;

 

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

 

·         Continued declines in physical access lines;

 

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

 

·         The expansion of IPTV into additional market areas in 2013;

 

·         Continued growth in hosted and managed services;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·         Impacts of the Baja transaction, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain regulatory approval, successfully complete the transaction, successfully integrate and operate the cable business of Baja, and the financial impacts of such transaction; and

 

23

 


 

 

·         Potential acquisitions or divestitures by TDS and/or TDS Telecom of other ILEC, CLEC, HMS, cable or other businesses.

 

See “Results of Operations—TDS Telecom.”

 

FCC Reform Order

 

In 2011, the FCC released an order (“Reform Order”) to reform its universal service and intercarrier compensation mechanisms, establish a new, broadband-focused support mechanism and propose further rules to advance reform.  Appeals of the Reform Order are pending.

 

There have been no significant changes to the Reform Order since December 31, 2012 that are expected to affect U.S. Cellular or TDS Telecom.  U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom cannot predict the outcome of future rulemaking, reconsideration and legal challenges and, as a consequence, the impacts that such potential developments may have on U.S. Cellular’s or TDS Telecom's business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Cash Flows and Investments

 

See “Financial Resources” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for additional information.

 

DIVESTITURE TRANSACTION

 

On November 6, 2012, U.S. Cellular entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”). The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that U.S. Cellular will transfer customers and certain PCS licensed spectrum to Sprint in U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets (“Divestiture Markets”) in consideration for $480 million in cash at closing, subject to pro-rations of certain assets and liabilities. The Purchase and Sale Agreement also contemplates certain other agreements, together with the Purchase and Sale Agreement collectively referred to as the “Divestiture Transaction.”  The transaction was approved by the FCC in March 2013 and the closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Selected information related to Divestiture Markets and Core Markets is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

As Reported

 

Divestiture

Markets

 

Core

Markets

For the Quarter ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Operating revenues

$

 1,309  

 

$

99

 

$

 1,210  

U.S. Cellular Service revenues

$

 996  

 

$

97

 

$

 899  

TDS Capital expenditures

$

 150  

 

$

5

 

$

 145  

U.S. Cellular Capital expenditures

$

 118  

 

$

5

 

$

 113  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarter ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Operating revenues

$

 1,306  

 

$

114

 

$

 1,192  

U.S. Cellular Service revenues

$

 1,024  

 

$

111

 

$

 913  

TDS Capital expenditures

$

 229  

 

$

22

 

$

 207  

U.S. Cellular Capital expenditures

$

 201  

 

$

22

 

$

 179  

 

The As-Reported amounts of Operating revenues and Capital expenditures represent GAAP financial measures and the U.S. Cellular Service revenues and the Divestiture Markets and Core Markets amounts represent non-GAAP financial measures.  Divestiture Markets are comprised of U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets.  Core Markets are comprised of all other markets in which U.S. Cellular conducts business including Peoria, Rockford and certain other areas in Illinois, and in Columbia, Joplin, Jefferson City and certain other areas in Missouri.  Core Markets as defined also includes any other income or expenses due to U.S. Cellular’s direct or indirect ownership interests in other spectrum in the Divestiture Markets which was not included in the sale and other retained assets from the Divestiture Markets.  TDS believes that the amounts under Divestiture Markets and Core Markets may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the separate amounts for the Core Markets. 

 

See Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding (i) the amounts TDS expects to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations between the date the Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed and the end of the transition services period, (ii) the cumulative amounts incurred as of March 31, 2013 and (iii) the actual amounts incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 as a result of the transaction.  The Divestiture Transaction resulted in a net reduction of $45.1 million in TDS’ Operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

24

 


 

 

 

2013 ESTIMATES

 

Estimates of full-year 2013 results for U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and TDS are shown below.  Such estimates represent management’s view as of the date of filing of TDS’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Such forward-looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date.  TDS undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results.

 

 

 

 

2013 Estimated Results (1)

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular (2)

 

TDS Telecom (3)

 

TDS (2)(3)(7)

 

 

 

Previous

Current

 

Previous

Current

 

Previous

Current

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating

  revenues (4)

 

$3,765-$3,885

$3,620-$3,740

 

Unchanged

 $850-$900  

 

$4,660-$4,830

$4,515-$4,685

Adjusted income before

  income taxes (5) (8)

 

$780-$900

$595-$715

 

Unchanged

$220-$250

 

$995-$1,145

$810-$960

Capital expenditures

 

 Approx. $600

 Approx. $735

 

Unchanged

 Approx. $155

 

 Approx. $765

 Approx. $900

 

(1)     These estimates are based on TDS’ current plans, which include an expansion of the multi-year deployment of 4G LTE technology which commenced in 2011; such expansion includes deployment in additional markets as well as deployment on the 850 MHz band to provide additional capacity for future growth in data usage, enable potential future 4G LTE roaming, and support the sale of Apple products.  These estimates also reflect the estimated impacts of selling Apple products and the deconsolidation of certain partnerships that will be accounted for as equity method investments effective April 3, 2013 at U.S. Cellular, and a multi-year deployment of IPTV which commenced in 2011 at TDS Telecom.  New developments or changing conditions (such as, but not limited to, regulatory developments, customer net growth, customer demand for data services, costs to deploy, agreements for content or franchises, or possible acquisitions, dispositions or exchanges) could affect TDS’ plans and, therefore, its 2013 estimated results.

 

(2)     These estimates assume the Divestiture Transaction closes in the second quarter of 2013.  Actual effects could vary significantly from these estimates as a result of a change in the expected timing of the Divestiture Transaction or changes in other terms and conditions of the sale.  See Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Divestiture Transaction.

 

These estimates reflect U.S. Cellular’s consolidated results for 2013.  Estimated results reflecting U.S. Cellular’s Divestiture Markets and Core Markets are shown in the table below:

 

 

 

2013 Estimated Results

 

 

U.S. Cellular Core

Markets (6)

U.S. Cellular Divestiture

Markets (6)

U.S. Cellular

Consolidated (6)

 

 

Previous

Current

Previous

Current

Previous

Current

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating

  revenues (4)

 $3,600-$3,700  

 $3,475-$3,575  

 $165-$185  

 $145-$165  

 $3,765-$3,885  

 $3,620-$3,740  

Adjusted income before

  income taxes (5) (8)

 $765-$865  

 $560-$660  

 $15-$35  

 $35-$55  

 $780-$900  

 $595-$715  

Capital expenditures

 Approx. $600

 Approx. $730

 —  

$5

 Approx. $600

 Approx. $735

 

(3)     These estimates do not reflect the effects of the acquisition of Baja.

 

(4)     Adjusted operating revenues is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Operating revenues excluding U.S. Cellular Equipment sales revenues. U.S. Cellular Equipment sales revenues are excluded from Adjusted operating revenues since U.S. Cellular equipment is generally sold at a net loss, and such net loss that results from U.S. Cellular Equipment sales revenues less U.S. Cellular Cost of equipment sold is viewed as a cost of earning service revenues for purposes of assessing business results.  For purposes of developing this guidance, TDS does not calculate an estimate of U.S. Cellular Equipment sales revenues.  TDS believes this measure provides useful information to investors regarding TDS’ results of operations. Adjusted operating revenues is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Operating revenues as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance.

 

25

 


 

 

(5)     Adjusted income before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Income before income taxes, adjusted for: Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net Gain or loss on sale of business and other exit costs (if any), and Interest expense. Adjusted income before income taxes is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Income before income taxes as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or as an alternative to Cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows or as a measure of liquidity.  TDS believes Adjusted income before income taxes is a meaningful measure of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses and financing charges (Interest expense) in order to show operating results on a more comparable basis from period to period.  TDS does not intend to imply that any of such amounts that are excluded are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such amounts may occur in the future. The following tables provide a reconciliation of Income (loss) before income taxes to Adjusted income before income taxes for 2013 Estimated Results and 2012 actual results:

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Current Estimated Results

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular Core

Markets (6)

 

U.S. Cellular Divestiture Markets (2)(6)

 

U.S. Cellular Consolidated (6)

 

TDS

Telecom

 

TDS (7)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes (8)

 

($30)-$70

 

($215)-($195)

 

($245)-($125)

 

$25-$55

 

($285)-($135)

Depreciation, amortization and

  accretion expense (9)

 

Approx. $540

 

Approx. $250

 

Approx. $790

 

Approx. $195

 

Approx. $990

Interest expense

 

Approx. $50

 

 

Approx. $50

 

 

Approx. $105

Adjusted income before

  income taxes

 

$560-$660

 

$35-$55

 

$595-$715

 

$220-$250

 

$810-$960

 

 

 

Actual Results

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular Consolidated (6)

 

 

TDS

Telecom

 

 

TDS (7)

 

 

U.S. Cellular Consolidated (6)

 

 

TDS

Telecom

 

 

TDS (7)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

$

 18  

 

$

 9  

 

$

 11  

 

$

 205  

 

$

 45  

 

$

 196  

Depreciation, amortization and

  accretion expense (9)

 

 190  

 

 

 50  

 

 

 242  

 

 

 609  

 

 

 193  

 

 

 814  

(Gain) loss on sale of business

  and other exit costs, net

 

 7  

 

 

 —  

 

 

 7  

 

 

 21  

 

 

 —  

 

 

 21  

Interest expense

  (Capitalized interest)

 

 11  

 

 

 (1) 

 

 

 25  

 

 

 42  

 

 

 (1) 

 

 

 87  

Adjusted income before

  income taxes

$

 226  

 

$

 58  

 

$

 285  

 

$

 877  

 

$

 237  

 

$

 1,118  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

The U.S. Cellular Consolidated amounts represent GAAP financial measures and include the results of both the Core Markets and the Divestiture Markets.  The amounts for Core Markets and Divestiture Markets represent non-GAAP financial measures.  TDS believes that the amounts for the Core Markets and Divestiture Markets may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the separate results for the Core Markets.  Divestiture Markets are comprised of U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets.  Core Markets are comprised of all other markets in which U.S. Cellular conducts business including Peoria, Rockford and certain other areas in Illinois, and in Columbia, Joplin, Jefferson City and certain other areas in Missouri.  Core Markets as defined also includes any other income or expenses due to U.S. Cellular’s direct or indirect ownership interests in other spectrum in the Divestiture Markets which was not included in the sale and other retained assets from the Divestiture Markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

The TDS column includes U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and also the impacts of consolidating eliminations, corporate operations and non-reportable segments, all of which are not presented above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

This amount does not include any estimate for (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net, as the timing of such amount is not readily estimable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

The 2013 estimated amounts for depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the U.S. Cellular Divestiture Markets include approximately $185 million of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction.  Actual results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 include $38 million and $20 million, respectively, of incremental accelerated depreciation, amortization and accretion resulting from the Divestiture Transaction.

26

 


 

 

 

TDS’ management currently believes that the foregoing estimates represent a reasonable view of what is achievable considering actions that TDS and its subsidiaries have taken and will be taking. However, the current competitive conditions in the telecommunications industry have created a challenging environment that could continue to significantly impact actual results.

 

U.S. Cellular expects to continue its focus on customer satisfaction by delivering a high quality network, attractively priced service plans, a broad line of wireless devices and other products, and outstanding customer service. U.S. Cellular believes that future growth in its revenues will result primarily from selling additional products and services, including data products and services, to its existing customers, increasing the number of multi-device users among its existing customers, and attracting wireless users switching from other wireless carriers. U.S. Cellular is focusing on opportunities to increase revenues, pursuing cost reduction initiatives in various areas and implementing a number of initiatives to enable future growth. The initiatives are intended, among other things, to allow U.S. Cellular to accelerate its introduction of new products and services, better segment its customers for new services and retention, sell additional services such as data, expand its distribution channels, enhance its internet sales and customer service capabilities, improve its prepaid products and services and reduce operational expenses over the long term.

 

TDS Telecom will continue to focus on revenue growth through new service offerings as well as expense reduction through product and service cost improvement and process efficiencies.  In order to achieve these objectives TDS Telecom has allocated capital expenditures for: process and productivity initiatives, increased network and product capabilities for broadband services, the expansion of IPTV, success-based spending to sustain managedIP growth and development of HMS products and services. Additionally, TDS Telecom will fund its share for projects approved under the Recovery Act to increase broadband access in unserved areas.  Under the Recovery Act, TDS Telecom will receive $105.1 million in federal grants and will provide $30.9 million ($15.8 million of which is included in 2013 estimated capital expenditures) of its own funds to complete 44 projects.  Under the terms of the grants, the projects must be completed by June of 2015.  TDS Telecom will also experience financial effects as a result of the Baja acquisition and the operations of Baja after the closing, the effects of which are not included in the above estimates for 2013.

 

27

 


 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — CONSOLIDATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2013

 

2012

Change

Change

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

$

 1,081,746  

 

$

 1,092,121  

 

$

 (10,375) 

 

 (1) 

%

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 217,061  

 

 

 204,075  

 

 

 12,986  

 

 6  

%

 

All other (1)

 

 

 9,766  

 

 

 9,595  

 

 

 171  

 

 2  

%

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 1,308,573  

 

 

 1,305,791  

 

 

 2,782  

 

 -  

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 1,080,280  

 

 

 1,006,919  

 

 

 73,361  

 

 7  

%

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 209,170  

 

 

 190,983  

 

 

 18,187  

 

 10  

%

 

All other (1)

 

 

 11,969  

 

 

 14,247  

 

 

 (2,278) 

 

 (16) 

%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 1,301,419  

 

 

 1,212,149  

 

 

 89,270  

 

 7  

%

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 1,466  

 

 

 85,202  

 

 

 (83,736) 

 

 (98) 

%

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 7,891  

 

 

 13,092  

 

 

 (5,201) 

 

 (40) 

%

 

All other (1)

 

 

 (2,203) 

 

 

 (4,652) 

 

 

 2,449  

 

 53  

%

 

 

Total operating income

 

 

 7,154  

 

 

 93,642  

 

 

 (86,488) 

 

 (92) 

%

Other income and (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

 

 27,089  

 

 

 23,389  

 

 

 3,700  

 

 16  

%

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

 1,578  

 

 

 2,183  

 

 

 (605) 

 

 (28) 

%

 

Interest expense

 

 

 (24,498) 

 

 

 (24,464) 

 

 

 (34) 

 

 -  

 

 

Other, net

 

 

 (154) 

 

 

 228  

 

 

 (382) 

 

 >(100)  

%

 

 

Total other income (expenses)

 

 

 4,015  

 

 

 1,336  

 

 

 2,679  

 

 >100  

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 11,169  

 

 

 94,978  

 

 

 (83,809) 

 

 (88) 

%

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 4,180  

 

 

 27,412  

 

 

 (23,232) 

 

 (85) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 6,989  

 

 

 67,566  

 

 

 (60,577) 

 

 (90) 

%

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling

  interests, net of tax

 

 

 (5,570) 

 

 

 (15,312) 

 

 

 9,742  

 

 64  

%

Net income attributable to TDS shareholders

 

 

 1,419  

 

 

 52,254  

 

 

 (50,835) 

 

 (97) 

%

 

Preferred dividend requirement

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 (12) 

 

 

 -  

 

 -  

 

Net income available to common shareholders 

 

$

 1,407  

 

$

 52,242  

 

$

 (50,835) 

 

 (97) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable

  to TDS shareholders

 

$

 0.01  

 

$

 0.48  

 

$

 (0.47) 

 

 (98) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable

  to TDS shareholders

 

$

 0.01  

 

$

 0.48  

 

$

 (0.47) 

 

 (98) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consists of Non-Reportable Segment, corporate operations and intercompany eliminations between U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, the Non-Reportable Segment and corporate operations.

 

Operating revenues and expenses

 

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

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

TDS’ investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership (“LA Partnership”) contributed $20.6 million and $17.1 million to Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The remaining change resulted from decreases in net income of other equity interests.

 

On April 3, 2013, U.S. Cellular will deconsolidate NY1 and NY2 and thereafter will report them as equity method investments in its consolidated financial statements. See Note 15 – Subsequent Event in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this transaction.

 

Income tax expense

28

 


 

 

 

See Note 3 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the change in Income tax expense and the overall effective tax rate on Income before income taxes.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular noncontrolling public shareholders’

$

 770  

 

$

 10,184  

 

Noncontrolling shareholders’ or partners’

 

 4,800  

 

 

 5,128  

 

 

 

 

$

 5,570  

 

$

 15,312  

29

 


 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — U.S. CELLULAR

 

TDS provides wireless telephone service through U.S. Cellular, an 85%-owned subsidiary.  U.S. Cellular owns, manages and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States. 

 

Following is a table of summarized operating data for U.S. Cellular's Consolidated Markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of or for Three Months Ended March 31,

2013

 

 

2012

 

Retail Customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period(1)

 

 5,060,000  

 

 

 

 5,261,000  

 

 

 

Gross additions

 

 191,000  

 

 

 

 210,000  

 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

 (74,000) 

 

 

 

 (38,000) 

 

 

 

ARPU(2)

$

 54.85  

 

 

$

 54.00  

 

 

 

Churn rate(3)

 

1.7

%

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

Smartphone penetration(4)(5)

 

43.5

%

 

 

34.4

%

 

Prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

 446,000  

 

 

 

 309,000  

 

 

 

Gross additions

 

 104,000  

 

 

 

 63,000  

 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

 23,000  

 

 

 

 4,000  

 

 

 

ARPU(2)

$

 33.31  

 

 

$

 33.17  

 

 

 

Churn rate(3)

 

6.2

%

 

 

6.4

%

Total customers at end of period(1)

 

 5,736,000  

 

 

 

 5,837,000  

 

Billed ARPU(2)

$

 51.13  

 

 

$

 50.52  

 

Service revenue ARPU(2)

$

 57.63  

 

 

$

 58.21  

 

Smartphones sold as a percent of total devices sold

 

61.7

%

 

 

54.1

%

Total Population

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets(6)

 

 93,943,000  

 

 

 

 92,684,000  

 

 

Consolidated operating markets(6)

 

 47,440,000  

 

 

 

 46,966,000  

 

Market penetration at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets(7)

 

6.1

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

Consolidated operating markets(7)

 

12.1

%

 

 

12.4

%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

 118,410  

 

 

$

 201,337  

 

Total cell sites in service

 

 8,027  

 

 

 

 7,875  

 

Owned towers in service

 

 4,411  

 

 

 

 4,318  

 

 

Following is a table of summarized operating data for U.S. Cellular's Core Markets.  Divestiture Markets are comprised of U.S. Cellular's Chicago, central Illinois, St. Louis and certain Indiana/Michigan/Ohio markets.  Core Markets are comprised of all other markets in which U.S. Cellular conducts business including Peoria, Rockford and certain other areas in Illinois, and in Columbia, Joplin, Jefferson City and certain other areas in Missouri.  Core Markets as defined also includes any other income or expenses due to U.S. Cellular's direct or indirect ownership interests in other spectrum in the Divestiture Markets which was not included in the sale and other retained assets from the Divestiture Markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of or for Three Months Ended March 31,

2013

 

 

2012

 

Retail Customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period(1)

 

 4,639,000  

 

 

 

 4,736,000  

 

 

 

Gross additions

 

 184,000  

 

 

 

 182,000  

 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

 (32,000) 

 

 

 

 (21,000) 

 

 

 

ARPU(2)

$

 54.23  

 

 

$

 53.25  

 

 

 

Churn rate(3)

 

1.5

%

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

Smartphone penetration(4)(5)

 

43.0

%

 

 

34.3

%

 

Prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total at end of period

 

 373,000  

 

 

 

 223,000  

 

 

 

Gross additions

 

 92,000  

 

 

 

 42,000  

 

 

 

Net additions (losses)

 

 31,000  

 

 

 

 5,000  

 

 

 

ARPU(2)

$

 32.92  

 

 

$

 32.69  

 

 

 

Churn rate(3)

 

5.7

%

 

 

5.6

%

Total customers at end of period(1)

 

 5,225,000  

 

 

 

 5,210,000  

 

Billed ARPU (2)

$

 50.65  

 

 

$

 49.91  

 

Service revenue ARPU(2)

$

 57.37  

 

 

$

 58.20  

 

Smartphones sold as a percent of total devices sold

 

62.1

%

 

 

54.1

%

Total Population

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets(6)

 

 84,625,000  

 

 

 

 82,763,000  

 

 

Consolidated operating markets(6)

 

 32,422,000  

 

 

 

 31,590,000  

 

Market penetration at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated markets(7)

 

6.2

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

Consolidated operating markets(7)

 

16.1

%

 

 

16.5

%

Capital expenditures (000s)

$

 113,337  

 

 

$

 179,720  

 

Total cell sites in service

 

 6,277  

 

 

 

 6,146  

 

Owned towers in service

 

 3,846  

 

 

 

 3,761  

 

30

 


 

 

 

(1)     Includes 176,000 and 168,000 postpaid customers at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to NY1 and NY2.  See Note 15 — Subsequent Event in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding the deconsolidation of the Partnerships effective April 3, 2013.

 

(2)     ARPU metrics are calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of customers by the number of months in the period.  These revenue bases and customer populations are shown below:

a.       Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid customers.

b.       Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid customers.

c.        Billed ARPU consists of total retail service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.

d.       Service revenue ARPU consists of total retail service revenues, inbound roaming and other service revenues and postpaid, prepaid and reseller customers.

 

(3)     Churn metrics represent the percentage of the postpaid or prepaid customers that disconnect service each month. These metrics represent the average monthly postpaid or prepaid churn rate for each respective period.

 

(4)     Smartphones represent wireless devices which run on an AndroidTM, BlackBerry® or Windows Mobile® operating system, excluding tablets.

 

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

 

(6)     Used only to calculate market penetration of consolidated markets and consolidated operating markets, respectively. See footnote (7) below.

 

(7)     Market penetration is 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®.

 

31

 


 

 

Components of Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail service

 

$

 883,991  

 

$

 888,527  

 

$

 (4,536) 

 

 (1) 

%

Inbound roaming

 

 

 65,874  

 

 

 80,132  

 

 

 (14,258) 

 

 (18) 

%

Other

 

 

 46,484  

 

 

 55,161  

 

 

 (8,677) 

 

 (16) 

%

 

Service revenues

 

 

 996,349  

 

 

 1,023,820  

 

 

 (27,471) 

 

 (3) 

%

Equipment sales

 

 

 85,397  

 

 

 68,301  

 

 

 17,096  

 

 25  

%

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 1,081,746  

 

 

 1,092,121  

 

 

 (10,375) 

 

 (1) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding Depreciation,

  amortization and accretion reported below)

 

 

 216,299  

 

 

 233,164  

 

 

 (16,865) 

 

 (7) 

%

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

 241,691  

 

 

 187,036  

 

 

 54,655  

 

 29  

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 420,080  

 

 

 442,244  

 

 

 (22,164) 

 

 (5) 

%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 

 189,845  

 

 

 146,685  

 

 

 43,160  

 

 29  

%

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 5,434  

 

 

 2,003  

 

 

 3,431  

 

 >100  

%

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

 

 6,931  

 

 

 (4,213) 

 

 

 11,144  

 

 >100  

%

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 1,080,280  

 

 

 1,006,919  

 

 

 73,361  

 

 7  

%

 

Operating income

 

$

 1,466  

 

$

 85,202  

 

$

 (83,736) 

 

 (98) 

%

 

Operating Revenues

 

Service revenues

 

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

 

Retail service revenues

 

Retail service revenues decreased by $4.5 million, or 1%, in 2013 to $884.0 million due to a decrease in U.S. Cellular’s average customer base partially offset by an increase in billed ARPU.

 

The average number of customers decreased to 5,763,000 in 2013 from 5,863,000 in 2012. Average postpaid customers were 5,095,000 and 5,280,000 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Average prepaid customers were 434,000 and 307,000 in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Billed ARPU increased to $51.13 in 2013 from $50.52 in 2012. This overall increase reflects primarily an increase in postpaid ARPU to $54.85 in 2013 from $54.00 in 2012, reflecting increases in smartphone adoption and corresponding revenues from data products and services.

 

U.S. Cellular expects continued pressure on revenues in the foreseeable future due to industry competition for customers and related effects on pricing of service plan offerings offset to some degree by continued adoption of smartphones and data usage.

 

U.S. Cellular accounts for loyalty reward points under the deferred revenue method. Under this method, U.S. Cellular allocates a portion of the revenue billed to customers with applicable plans to the loyalty reward points. The revenue allocated to these points is initially deferred in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is recognized in future periods when the loyalty reward points are redeemed or used. Application of the deferred revenue method of accounting related to loyalty reward points resulted in deferring net revenues of $4.5 million and $6.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deferred revenues related to loyalty reward points are included in Customer deposits and deferred revenues in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Inbound roaming revenues

 

Inbound roaming revenues decreased by $14.3 million, or 18%, in 2013 to $65.9 million. The decrease was due to lower rates.  Data volume increased significantly year-over-year but the impact of this increase was offset by the combined impacts of lower volume for voice and lower rates for both data and voice.  U.S. Cellular expects continued growth in data volume but also expects that the revenue impact of this growth will be offset by the impacts of decreases in data rates and voice volume.

 

32

 


 

 

Other revenues

 

Pursuant to the FCC's Reform Order (see “Overview – FCC Reform Order” above), ETC support was frozen on January 1, 2012 at the 2011 level and is being phased down at the rate of 20% per year beginning July 1, 2012.  As a result, Other revenues decreased by $8.7 million, or 16%, in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

If the Phase II Mobility Fund is not operational by July 2014, the aforementioned phase down will halt at that time and U.S. Cellular will receive 60% of its baseline support until the Phase II Mobility Fund is operational.  At this time, U.S. Cellular cannot predict the net effect of the FCC's changes to the USF high cost support program in the Reform Order. Accordingly, U.S. Cellular cannot predict whether such changes will have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular's business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Equipment sales revenues

 

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

 

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

 

The increase in 2013 Equipment sales revenues of $17.1 million, or 25%, to $85.4 million was driven primarily by an increase of 24% in average revenue per device sold and an increase in equipment activation fees.  Average revenue per device sold increased due to general customer preference for higher-priced smartphones.

 

Operating Expenses

 

System operations expenses (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion)

 

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

 

Key components of the $16.9 million, or 7%, decrease in System operations expenses to $216.3 million were as follows:

 

·         Expenses incurred when U.S. Cellular’s customers used other carriers’ networks while roaming decreased $13.4 million, or 23%, primarily due to lower rates. Data roaming usage increased; however, the impact of the increase was more than offset by lower rates.

 

·         Customer usage expenses decreased by $5.0 million, or 7%, driven by decreases in intercarrier charges and certain data expenses offset by increases due to network costs for 4G LTE.

 

·         Maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $1.5 million, or 2%, driven in part by an increase in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network and 4G LTE deployment and operation. The number of cell sites totaled 8,027 at March 31, 2013 and 7,875 at March 31, 2012, as U.S. Cellular continued to expand and enhance coverage in its existing markets. 

 

U.S. Cellular expects system operations expenses to increase in the future to support the continued growth in cell sites and other network facilities as it continues to add capacity, enhance quality and deploy new technologies as well as to support increases in total customer usage, particularly data usage. However, these increases are expected to be offset to some extent by cost savings generated by shifting data traffic to the 4G LTE network from the 3G network, containment of roaming expense through lower rates and initiatives designed to reduce overall customer usage.

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

Cost of equipment sold increased by $54.7 million, or 29%, in 2013 to $241.7 million. The increase was driven by a 28% increase in the average cost per device sold.  Average cost per device sold increased primarily due to a shift in customer preference to higher cost devices, such as high-end smartphones.

 

33

 


 

 

U.S. Cellular's loss on equipment, defined as equipment sales revenues less cost of equipment sold, was $156.3 million and $118.7 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. U.S. Cellular expects loss on equipment to continue to be a significant cost in the foreseeable future as wireless carriers continue to use device availability and pricing as a means of competitive differentiation. In addition, U.S. Cellular expects increasing sales of smartphones to result in higher equipment subsidies over time; these devices generally have higher purchase costs which cannot be recovered through proportionately higher selling prices to customers. Smartphones sold as a percentage of total devices sold were 61.7% and 54.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

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

 

Key components of the $22.2 million, or 5%, decrease to $420.1 million were as follows:

 

·         Selling and marketing expense decreased by $16.5 million, or 8%, primarily from more cost-effective advertising spending.

                                                                                                                                             

·         General and administrative expense decreased by $5.7 million, or 2%, driven by corporate cost containment and reduction initiatives partially offset by an increase in bad debts expense.

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion increased $43.2 million, or 29%, in 2013 to $189.8 million primarily due to the acceleration of depreciation, amortization and accretion in the Divestiture Markets.  The impact of the acceleration was $38.0 million in 2013.

 

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

 

The net loss in 2013 was related to agent termination agreements and other items in the Divestiture Markets.  The net gain in 2012 resulted from the sale of a wireless market.

34

 


 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — TDS TELECOM

 

TDS Telecom’s ILEC and CLEC operations served 975,000 wireline customer connections at March 31, 2013, a net decrease of 12,700 customer connections from the 987,700 customer connections served at March 31, 2012.  In addition, TDS Telecom provides IT infrastructure solutions including colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management and cloud computing services, and sales, installation and management of IT infrastructure hardware solutions through its HMS operations.

 

TDS Telecom acquired Vital Support Systems, LLC (“Vital”) in June 2012. The operations of Vital are included in HMS operations since the date of acquisition and impact the comparability of the HMS operating results.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

Change

ILEC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical access lines

 

 

 345,500  

 

 

 363,500  

 

 

 (18,000) 

 

 

Broadband connections

 

 

 221,900  

 

 

 219,500  

 

 

 2,400  

 

 

IPTV customers

 

 

 9,000  

 

 

 4,900  

 

 

 4,100  

 

 

 

ILEC residential connections

 

 

 576,400  

 

 

 587,900  

 

 

 (11,500) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical access lines

 

 

 106,000  

 

 

 112,600  

 

 

 (6,600) 

 

 

Broadband connections

 

 

 18,400  

 

 

 18,200  

 

 

 200  

 

 

managedIP connections

 

 

 18,400  

 

 

 10,800  

 

 

 7,600  

 

 

 

ILEC commercial connections

 

 

 142,800  

 

 

 141,600  

 

 

 1,200  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical access lines

 

 

 23,000  

 

 

 29,600  

 

 

 (6,600) 

 

 

Broadband connections

 

 

 7,700  

 

 

 10,100  

 

 

 (2,400) 

 

 

 

CLEC residential connections

 

 

 30,700  

 

 

 39,700  

 

 

 (9,000) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Connections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical access lines

 

 

 129,700  

 

 

 151,100  

 

 

 (21,400) 

 

 

Broadband connections

 

 

 10,400  

 

 

 13,700  

 

 

 (3,300) 

 

 

managedIP connections

 

 

 85,000  

 

 

 53,700  

 

 

 31,300  

 

 

 

CLEC commercial connections

 

 

 225,100  

 

 

 218,500  

 

 

 6,600  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ILEC and CLEC Customer Connections

 

 

 975,000  

 

 

 987,700  

 

 

 (12,700) 

 

35

 


 

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Change

 

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ILEC revenues

 

$

 141,520  

 

$

 145,065  

 

$

 (3,545) 

 

 (2) 

%

 

CLEC revenues

 

 

 42,554  

 

 

 44,044  

 

 

 (1,490) 

 

 (3) 

%

 

HMS revenues

 

 

 35,564  

 

 

 17,558  

 

 

 18,006  

 

 >100  

%

 

Intra-company elimination

 

 

 (2,577) 

 

 

 (2,592) 

 

 

 15  

 

 1  

%

 

 

TDS Telecom operating revenues

 

 

 217,061  

 

 

 204,075  

 

 

 12,986  

 

 6  

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ILEC expenses

 

 

 128,132  

 

 

 128,526  

 

 

 (394) 

 

 -  

 

 

CLEC expenses

 

 

 43,382  

 

 

 44,366  

 

 

 (984) 

 

 (2) 

%

 

HMS expenses

 

 

 40,233  

 

 

 20,683  

 

 

 19,550  

 

 95  

%

 

Intra-company elimination

 

 

 (2,577) 

 

 

 (2,592) 

 

 

 15  

 

 1  

%

 

 

TDS Telecom operating expenses

 

 

 209,170  

 

 

 190,983  

 

 

 18,187  

 

 10  

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Telecom operating income

 

$

 7,891  

 

$

 13,092  

 

$

 (5,201) 

 

 (40) 

%

 

ILEC Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

Change

 

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

 69,386  

 

 $  

 69,399  

 

 $  

 (13) 

 

 -  

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 24,284  

 

 

 24,130  

 

 

 154  

 

 1  

%

 

Wholesale

 

 

 47,850  

 

 

 51,536  

 

 

 (3,686) 

 

 (7) 

%

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 141,520  

 

 

 145,065  

 

 

 (3,545) 

 

 (2) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (excluding

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  reported below)

 

 

 47,595  

 

 

 49,168  

 

 

 (1,573) 

 

 (3) 

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 41,839  

 

 

 41,514  

 

 

 325  

 

 1  

%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 

 38,576  

 

 

 37,778  

 

 

 798  

 

 2  

%

 

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 122  

 

 

 66  

 

 

 56  

 

 85  

%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 128,132  

 

 

 128,526  

 

 

 (394) 

 

 -  

 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

$

 13,388  

 

 $  

 16,539  

 

 $  

 (3,151) 

 

 (19) 

%

 

Operating Revenues

 

Residential revenues consist of voice, data and video services to TDS Telecom’s residential customer base.

 

Residential revenues were unchanged from 2012 at $69.4 million in 2013.  A 2% reduction in the number of average residential connections reduced revenues by $1.0 million offset by a 2% increase in average revenue per residential connection.  The increase in average revenue was mainly driven by customers opting for higher data speeds and an increase in the average revenue per video subscriber.

 

Commercial revenues consist of data and voice services and sales and installation of business telephone systems to TDS Telecom’s commercial customer base.

 

36

 


 

 

The increase in Commercial revenues of $0.2 million or 1% to $24.3 million in 2013 was primarily due to a 1% increase in average commercial connections as the increase in revenue from growth in managedIP connections of 80% outpaced the decrease in revenue caused by the 6% decline in physical access lines.

 

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

 

Wholesale revenues declined $3.7 million or 7% to $47.9 million. Wholesale revenues declined $1.7 million due to an 18% reduction in intra-state minutes-of-use.  Network access revenues decreased $0.7 million in 2013 as a result of changes in support mechanisms and in intercarrier compensation resulting from the Reform Order released by the FCC in November 2011.  Additionally, revenues received through inter-state regulatory recovery mechanisms decreased $0.4 million primarily due to changes in eligible expense recovery thresholds. 

 

Operating Expenses

 

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

  

Cost of services and products decreased $1.6 million or 3% to $47.6 million in 2013 primarily due to decreases in reciprocal compensation expense which became effective in July of 2012  related to the Reform Order, a decrease in cost of goods sold, and reduced maintenance expenses. These decreases were partially offset by increases in employee related costs and charges related to IPTV expansion.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million or 1% to $41.8 million in 2013. Increases in consulting costs were mostly offset by reductions in property taxes and legal expenses. Increases in wages were offset by reductions in headcount.

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $0.8 million or 2% to $38.6 million in 2013 due to capital additions.

 

CLEC Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Change

 

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

 3,618  

 

$

 4,788  

 

$

 (1,170) 

 

 (24) 

%

 

Commercial

 

 

 35,108  

 

 

 34,341  

 

 

 767  

 

 2  

%

 

Wholesale

 

 

 3,828  

 

 

 4,915  

 

 

 (1,087) 

 

 (22) 

%

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

 42,554  

 

 

 44,044  

 

 

 (1,490) 

 

 (3) 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (excluding

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  reported below)

 

 

 21,962  

 

 

 22,564  

 

 

 (602) 

 

 (3) 

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 15,932  

 

 

 16,260  

 

 

 (328) 

 

 (2) 

%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 

 5,447  

 

 

 5,489  

 

 

 (42) 

 

 (1) 

%

 

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 41  

 

 

 53  

 

 

 (12) 

 

 (23) 

%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 43,382  

 

 

 44,366  

 

 

 (984) 

 

 (2) 

%

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

 

$

 (828) 

 

$

 (322) 

 

$

 (506) 

 

 >(100)  

%

 

Operating Revenues

 

Residential revenues consist of data and voice services to TDS Telecom’s residential customer base.

 

The decrease in Residential revenues of $1.2 million or 24% to $3.6 million in 2013 was due to a 23% decrease in the average number of residential connections as the CLEC operations continue to implement a strategic shift towards serving primarily a commercial subscriber base. 

 

Commercial revenues consist of data and voice services to TDS Telecom’s commercial customer base.

37

 


 

 

 

The increase in Commercial revenues of $0.8 million or 2% to $35.1 million in 2013, was primarily due to the revenue increase from the 63% growth in average managedIP connections offset by a decrease in revenue from the decline in the number of average physical access lines and data connections served.

 

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

 

Wholesale revenues decreased $1.1 million or 22% to $3.8 million due to lower average access rates resulting from the Reform Order and a 9% decline in minutes-of-use.

 

Operating Expenses

 

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

 

Cost of services and products decreased $0.6 million or 3% to $22.0 million in 2013 due to a reduction of purchased network services caused by the declining residential customer base and a decrease in reciprocal compensation expense related to the Reform Order which became effective in July of 2012. 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

 

The decrease of $0.3 million or 2% to $15.9 million in Selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to a decrease in bad debt expense and lower regulatory contributions.

 

HMS Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Change

 

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

 $  

 35,564  

 

 $  

 17,558  

 

 $  

 18,006  

 

 >100  

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (excluding 

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  reported below)

 

 

 24,814  

 

 

 9,774  

 

 

 15,040  

 

 >100  

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 9,921  

 

 

 6,732  

 

 

 3,189  

 

 47  

%

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 

 5,468  

 

 

 4,176  

 

 

 1,292  

 

 31  

%

 

Loss on asset disposals, net

 

 

 30  

 

 

 1  

 

 

 29  

 

 >100  

%

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 40,233  

 

 

 20,683  

 

 

 19,550  

 

 95  

%

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

 

 $  

 (4,669) 

 

 $  

 (3,125) 

 

 $  

 (1,544) 

 

 (49) 

%

 

Operating Revenues

 

HMS Operating revenues consist primarily of colocation, dedicated hosting, hosted application management and cloud computing services, and sales, installation and management of IT infrastructure hardware solutions.

 

Operating revenues increased $18.0 million to $35.6 million in 2013. An acquisition contributed $16.9 million of this increase.

 

Operating Expenses

 

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

 

Cost of services and products increased $15.0 million to $24.8 million in 2013. An acquisition increased Cost of services and products $13.5 million in 2013.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $3.2 million to $9.9 million in 2013 primarily due to $3.7 million from an acquisition.

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

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Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $1.3 million to $5.5 million primarily due to an acquisition, with customer list and trade name amortization contributing $0.9 million of the increase.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a significant effect on TDS’ financial condition or results of operations. 

 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

TDS operates a capital- and marketing-intensive business. TDS utilizes cash on hand, cash from operating activities, cash proceeds from divestitures and disposition of investments, short-term credit facilities and long-term debt financing to fund its acquisitions (including licenses), construction costs, operating expenses and share repurchases. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions, capital expenditures and other factors. The table below and the following discussion in this Financial Resources section summarize TDS' cash flow activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

$

 246,352  

 

$

 282,245  

 

Investing activities

 

 (184,104) 

 

 

 (193,858) 

 

Financing activities

 

 (36,029) 

 

 

 (12,532) 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

$

 26,219  

 

$

 75,855  

 

The Divestiture Transaction, as described above, resulted in net Cash used in operating activities of $3.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013.  Cash flows from operating and investing activities in future periods will be impacted by the Divestiture Transaction.

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Cash flows from operating activities in 2013 were $246.4 million, a decrease of $35.9 million from 2012. Significant items to note are as follows:

 

·         Net income declined by $60.6 million, however this decline was caused primarily by an increase in non-cash expenses, including depreciation expense, so it did not have a significant impact on cash flows from operating activities.

 

·         Income tax payments, net of $1.0 million were recorded in 2013 compared to income tax refunds, net of $57.0 million in 2012.  This resulted in a year-over-year decrease in cash flows of $58.0 million.  Federal tax refunds of $59.9 million were received in March 2012 related to a federal net operating loss in 2011 largely attributable to 100% bonus depreciation applicable to qualified capital expenditures. 

 

·         Changes in Inventory provided $16.9 million in 2013 and required $4.8 million in 2012, resulting in a $21.7 million increase in cash flows.  This change was primarily due to lower inventory levels.

 

·         Changes in Accounts payable required $3.2 million in 2013, and required $25.4 million in 2012, causing a year-over-year increase in cash flows of $22.2 million.  Changes in Accounts payable were primarily driven by payment timing differences related to operating expenses and device purchases.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities   

 

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

 

Capital expenditures (i.e., additions to property, plant and equipment and system development expenditures) totaled $150.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $228.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and excludes amounts accrued in Accounts receivable and Accounts payable for capital expenditures at March 31, 2013 and includes amounts received and/or paid in the current period that were accrued at December 31, 2012.  Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $176.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $242.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. These expenditures were made to provide for customer and usage growth (in recent periods, particularly with respect to data usage growth), to upgrade service and to

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take advantage of service-enhancing and cost-reducing technological developments in order to maintain competitive services. 

 

·         U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures totaled $118.4 million in 2013 and $201.3 million in 2012 representing expenditures made to construct new cell sites, build out 4G LTE networks in certain markets, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, develop new and enhance existing office systems such as the new Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”) and customer relationship management platforms, and construct new and remodel existing retail stores.  The decrease in capital expenditures on a year over year basis is due primarily to the timing of spending for network operations equipment.

 

·         TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures totaled $30.5 million in 2013 and $35.7 million in 2012.  Capital expenditures for ILEC operations totaled $22.4 million in 2013 and $27.5 million in 2012 representing expenditures to upgrade plant and equipment to provide enhanced services.  Capital expenditures for CLEC operations totaled $5.5 million in 2013 and $5.1 million in 2012 for switching and other network facilities.  Capital expenditures for HMS operations totaled $2.6 million in 2013 and $3.1 million in 2012, representing expenditures to expand data center facilities including the purchase of IT related equipment to deliver products and services.

 

Cash payments for acquisitions of U.S. Cellular licenses were $14.2 million and $11.1 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

In March 2012, U.S. Cellular sold the majority of the assets and liabilities of a wireless market for $49.8 million in cash.  

 

In 2012, TDS invested $10.0 million in U.S. treasuries and corporate notes with maturities of greater than three months from the acquisition date.  TDS realized proceeds of $20.2 million in 2012 related to the maturities of its investments in U.S. treasuries, corporate notes, and certificates of deposit.  TDS did not invest in or realize proceeds from U.S. treasuries and corporate notes in 2013.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities 

 

Cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect repayments of and proceeds from short-term and long-term debt balances, dividends to shareholders, distributions to noncontrolling interests, cash used to repurchase Common Shares and cash proceeds from reissuance of Common Shares pursuant to stock-based compensation plans.

 

TDS did not repurchase any Common Shares in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Payments for repurchases of U.S. Cellular Common Shares required $18.4 million in 2013.  U.S. Cellular did not repurchase any Common Shares in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  See Note 10 — Common Share Repurchases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these transactions.

 

Free Cash Flow

 

The following table presents Free cash flow. Free cash flow is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. TDS believes that Free cash flow as reported by TDS may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating the amount of cash generated by business operations, after Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

$

 246,352  

 

$

 282,245  

Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

 (176,318) 

 

 

 (242,611) 

Free cash flow

 

$

 70,034  

 

$

 39,634  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

               

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

TDS believes that existing cash and investments balances, funds available under its revolving credit facilities and expected Cash flows from operating and investing activities provide substantial liquidity and financial flexibility for TDS to meet its normal financing needs (including working capital, construction and development expenditures and share repurchases under approved programs) for the foreseeable future. In addition, TDS and its subsidiaries may access public and private capital markets to help meet their financing needs.

 

TDS cannot provide assurances that circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources will not occur. Economic conditions, changes in financial markets or other factors could restrict TDS’ liquidity and availability of

40

 


 

 

financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development, acquisition or share repurchase programs. Such reductions could have a material adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The following table summarizes TDS’ and U.S. Cellular’s cash and investments as of March 31, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

TDS

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 767  

 

$

 420  

 

 

Short-term investments

$

 126  

 

$

 111  

 

 

Long-term investments

$

 40  

 

$

 40  

 

 

 

See Financial Resources for more information about Cash flows from operating activities and Cash flows from investing activities.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  The primary objective of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents investment activities is to preserve principal.  At March 31, 2013, the majority of TDS’ Cash and cash equivalents was held in bank deposit accounts and in money market funds that invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury securities or in repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such obligations.  TDS monitors the financial viability of the money market funds and direct investments in which it invests and believes that the credit risk associated with these investments is low.

 

Short-term and Long-term Investments

 

Short-term and Long-term investments consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities which are designated as held-to-maturity investments and are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  For these investments, TDS’ objective is to earn a higher rate of return on funds that are not anticipated to be required to meet liquidity needs in the near term, while maintaining a low level of investment risk.  See Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on Short-term and Long-term investments. 

 

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

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

 

In connection with U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility, TDS and U.S. Cellular entered into a subordination agreement dated December 17, 2010 together with the administrative agent for the lenders under U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facility.  At March 31, 2013, no U.S. Cellular debt was subordinated pursuant to this subordination agreement.

 

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

 

As of March 31, 2013, TDS’ and U.S. Cellular’s senior debt credit ratings from nationally recognized credit rating agencies remained at investment grade.

 

The following table summarizes the terms of such revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

TDS

 

U.S. Cellular

 

Maximum borrowing capacity

$

 400.0  

 

$

 300.0  

 

Letter of credit outstanding

$

 0.2  

 

$

 0.2  

 

Amount borrowed

$

 -   

 

$

 -   

 

Amount available for use

$

 399.8  

 

$

 299.8  

 

Agreement date

 

December 2010

 

 

December 2010

 

Maturity date

 

December 2017

 

 

December 2017

 

 

The continued availability of the revolving credit facilities requires TDS and U.S. Cellular to comply with certain negative and affirmative covenants, maintain certain financial ratios and make representations regarding certain matters at the time of each borrowing.  TDS and U.S. Cellular believe they were in compliance as of March 31, 2013 with all of the covenants and requirements set forth in their revolving credit facilities.  TDS also has certain other non-material credit facilities from time to time.

 

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Long-Term Financing

 

There were no material changes to Long-Term Financing as disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

TDS and its subsidiaries’ long-term debt indentures do not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in TDS’ credit rating. However, a downgrade in TDS’ credit rating could adversely affect its ability to obtain long-term debt financing in the future. TDS believes it and its subsidiaries were in compliance as of March 31, 2013 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in its long-term debt indentures. TDS and U.S. Cellular have not failed to make nor do they expect to fail to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest under such indentures.

 

The long-term debt principal payments due for the remainder of 2013 and the next four years represent less than 1% of the total long-term debt obligation at March 31, 2013.  Refer to Market Risk — Long-Term Debt in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for additional information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to TDS’ Long-term debt.

 

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

 

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

 

Capital Expenditures

 

U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures for 2013 are expected to be approximately $735 million. These expenditures are expected to be for the following general purposes: 

 

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

·         Continue to deploy 4G LTE technology in certain markets;

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

·         Develop and enhance office systems; and

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

 

TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for 2013 are expected to be approximately $155 million.  These expenditures are expected to be for the following general purposes:

 

·        Process and productivity initiatives;

·        Increased network and product capabilities for broadband services;

·        Expansion of IPTV;

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

·        Development of HMS products and services; and

·        Fund its share for projects approved under the Recovery Act.

 

TDS plans to finance its capital expenditures program for 2013 using primarily Cash flows from operating activities, and as necessary, existing cash balances and short-term investments.

 

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges

 

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

 

42

 


 

 

TDS also may be engaged from time to time in negotiations relating to the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, strategic properties, wireless spectrum and other possible businesses. In general, TDS may not disclose such transactions until there is a definitive agreement.  See “Divestiture Transaction” above in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Note 5 — Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges and Note 15 — Subsequent Event in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on significant transactions.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

TDS consolidates certain entities because they are “variable interest entities” under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). See Note 9 — Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the details of these variable interest entities. TDS may elect to make additional capital contributions and/or advances to these variable interest entities in future periods in order to fund their operations.

 

Share Repurchase Programs

 

U.S. Cellular has repurchased, and expects to continue to purchase its Common Shares, subject to its repurchase program.  For additional information related to the current U.S. Cellular repurchase authorization and repurchases made during 2013 and 2012, see Note 10 — Common Share Repurchases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Contractual and Other Obligations

 

There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business between December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013 to the Contractual and Other Obligations disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Agreements

 

As previously disclosed, on August 17, 2010, U.S. Cellular and Amdocs Software Systems Limited (“Amdocs”) entered into a Software License and Maintenance Agreement (“SLMA”) and a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) (collectively, the “Amdocs Agreements”) to develop a Billing and Operational Support System (“B/OSS”).  Pursuant to an updated Statement of Work dated June 29, 2012, the implementation of B/OSS is expected to take until the end of 2013 to complete and total payments to Amdocs are estimated to be approximately $179.0 million (subject to certain potential adjustments) over the period from commencement of the SLMA in 2010 through the second half of 2013.  As of March 31, 2013, $114.0 million had been paid to Amdocs.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

TDS prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  TDS’ significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 —  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and TDS’ Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates is discussed in detail in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are included in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  There were no material changes to TDS’ application of critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

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PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

 

This Form 10-Q, including exhibits, contains statements that are not based on historical facts and represent forward-looking statements, as this term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that TDS intends, expects, projects, believes, estimates, plans or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be significantly different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth below, as more fully described under “Risk Factors” in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  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, 2012, the following factors and other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 10-Q to understand the material risks relating to TDS’ business.

 

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

 

·         A failure by TDS to successfully execute its business strategy (including planned acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges) or allocate resources or capital could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         A failure by TDS’ service offerings to meet customer expectations could limit TDS’ ability to attract and retain customers and could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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

 

·         An inability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on terms that are acceptable to TDS could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         TDS currently receives a significant amount of roaming revenues from its wireless business.  Further consolidation within the wireless industry, continued network build-outs by other wireless carriers and/or the inability to negotiate 4G LTE roaming agreements with other operators could cause roaming revenues to decline from current levels, which would have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         A failure by TDS to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs and/or to accurately predict future needs for radio spectrum could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         To the extent conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), TDS is likely to participate in FCC auctions of additional spectrum in the future as an applicant or as a noncontrolling partner in another auction applicant and, during certain periods, will be subject to the FCC’s anti-collusion rules, which could have an adverse effect on TDS.

 

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

 

·         Changes in Universal Service Fund (“USF”) funding and/or intercarrier compensation could have an adverse impact on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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

 

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

 

·         TDS' lower scale relative to larger competitors could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

44

 


 

 

·         Changes in various business factors could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         Advances or changes in technology could render certain technologies used by TDS obsolete, could put TDS at a competitive disadvantage, could reduce TDS’ revenues or could increase its costs of doing business.

 

·         Complexities associated with deploying new technologies present substantial risk.

 

·         TDS is subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and local governments, and the applicability and the amount of these fees are subject to great uncertainty.

 

·         Changes in TDS’ enterprise value, changes in the market supply or demand for wireless licenses, wireline markets or IT service providers, adverse developments in the businesses or the industries in which TDS is involved and/or other factors could require TDS to recognize impairments in the carrying value of its license costs, goodwill and/or physical assets.

 

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

 

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

 

·         TDS’ investments in technologies which are unproven may not produce the benefits that TDS expects.

 

·         A failure by TDS to complete significant network construction and systems implementation activities as part of its plans to improve the quality, coverage, capabilities and capacity of its network and support systems could have an adverse effect on its operations.

 

·         Financial difficulties (including bankruptcy proceedings) or other operational difficulties of TDS’ key suppliers, termination or impairment of TDS’ relationships with such suppliers, or a failure by TDS to manage its supply chain effectively could result in delays or termination of TDS’ receipt of required equipment or services, or could result in excess quantities of required equipment or services, any of which could adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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

 

·         A failure by TDS to maintain flexible and capable telecommunication networks or information technology, or a material disruption thereof, including breaches of network or information technology security, could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         Wars, conflicts, hostilities and/or terrorist attacks or equipment failures, power outages, natural disasters or other events could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         The market price of TDS’ Common Shares is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.

 

·         Identification of errors in financial information or disclosures could require amendments to or restatements of financial information or disclosures included in this or prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such amendments or restatements and related matters, including resulting delays in filing periodic reports with the SEC, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         The existence of material weaknesses in the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting could result in inaccurate financial statements or other disclosures or failure to prevent fraud, which could have an adverse effect on TDS’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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

 

·         Disruption in credit or other financial markets, a deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions or other events could, among other things, impede TDS' access to or increase the cost of financing its operating and investment activities and/or

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result in reduced revenues and lower operating income and cash flows, which would have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         Uncertainty of TDS' ability to access capital, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in market conditions, changes in TDS’ credit ratings or other factors could limit or restrict the availability of financing on terms and prices acceptable to TDS, which could require TDS to reduce its construction, development or acquisition programs.

 

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

 

·         The possible development of adverse precedent in litigation or conclusions in professional studies to the effect that radio frequency emissions from wireless devices and/or cell sites cause harmful health consequences, including cancer or tumors, or may interfere with various electronic medical devices such as pacemakers, could have an adverse effect on TDS’ wireless business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

·         Claims of infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights of others, primarily involving patent infringement claims, could prevent TDS from using necessary technology to provide products or services or subject TDS to expensive intellectual property litigation or monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on TDS' business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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

 

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

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

MARKET RISK

 

Refer to the disclosure under Market Risk in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for additional information, including information regarding required principal payments and the weighted average interest rates related to TDS’ Long-term debt.  There have been no material changes to such information since December 31, 2012.

 

See Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the fair market value of TDS’ Long-term debt as of March 31, 2013.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), TDS carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of TDS’ disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.  Based on this evaluation, TDS’ Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that TDS' disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2013, at the reasonable assurance level. 

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in TDS’ internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect TDS’ internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II.  Other Information

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

 

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

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which could materially affect TDS’ business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, may not be the only risks that could affect TDS.  Additional unidentified or unrecognized risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect TDS’ business, financial condition and/or operating results.  In addition, you are referred to the above Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for disclosures of certain developments that have occurred since TDS filed its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Subject to the foregoing, TDS has not identified for disclosure any material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in TDS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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Item 5.  Other Information.

 

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

 

Neither TDS nor U.S. Cellular borrowed or repaid any amounts under their revolving credit facilities in the first quarter of 2013 and had no borrowings outstanding under their revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2013. 

 

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

 

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

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit 10.1 — TDS 2013 Officer Bonus Program is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 6, 2013.

 

Exhibit 10.2 – TDS Restated Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the TDS Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement dated April 19, 2013.

 

Exhibit 11 — Statement regarding computation of per share earnings is included herein as Note 4 — Earnings Per Share in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Exhibit 101.INS — XBRL Instance Document

 

Exhibit 101.SCH — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

Exhibit 101.PRE — XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Exhibit 101.CAL — XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

 

Exhibit 101.LAB — XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

 

Exhibit 101.DEF — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

The foregoing exhibits include only the exhibits that relate specifically to this Form 10-Q or that supplement the exhibits identified in TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Reference is made to TDS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for a complete list of exhibits, which are incorporated herein except to the extent supplemented or superseded above. 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 3, 2013

 

/s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.,

President and Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 3, 2013

 

/s/ Kenneth R. Meyers

 

 

 

Kenneth R. Meyers,

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 3, 2013

 

/s/ Douglas D. Shuma

 

 

 

Douglas D. Shuma,

Senior Vice President and

Corporate Controller

(principal accounting officer)