UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.              )

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
30 North LaSalle Street
Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 630-1900
Fax: (312) 630-1908

GRAPHIC

 

June 26, 2007

Please note: To increase the efficiency of our financial communications, TDS will no longer produce a traditional printed annual report. The letter to shareholders and the attached appendix of Exhibit 13 to TDS’ Form 10-K serve as the company’s annual report to shareholders, and are available, along with other financial and supplemental information, on the TDS web site, www.teldta.com.

To Our Shareholders

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. is a growing, profitable, and sound group of complementary companies that delivers excellent service to its customers, and growth in value to its shareholders. An example of value growth is the annually increasing dividends TDS has paid to its shareholders for 33 consecutive years.

Since its founding in 1969, TDS has committed to differentiating itself by providing an exceptional customer experience through high-quality services and products. This commitment is reflected in low customer churn rates and high rankings for customer satisfaction and wireless call quality in independent surveys.

2006 Overview

The TDS companies focused on their core business strategies in 2006. U.S. Cellular, TDS’ publicly traded wireless subsidiary, grew its customer base, service revenues, revenues per customer, and profitability, and it continued to strengthen its footprint. TDS Telecom, TDS’ primarily wireline subsidiary, rapidly increased its share of high-speed data services in its chosen markets, making important progress toward its goal of being the preferred broadband provider. TDS’ cash flow from operating activities totaled $887.2 million in 2006, compared to $868.2 million in 2005.

TDS recently completed a financial restatement. While this was being completed, our commitment to and focus on our operations remained strong. TDS and U.S. Cellular continue to review and improve our financial processes and controls and the expertise in our accounting functions. These initiatives are being guided by chief financial officer Kenneth R. Meyers, who assumed his new duties on January 1, 2007.

TDS Consolidated

TDS has a disciplined financial approach that gives us the flexibility and access to liquidity to pursue productive business opportunities. This approach includes the following objectives:

·       Grow revenues at rates greater than those of the markets in which we participate. Based on our business mix, our target is seven to ten percent compound annual revenue growth over five years.

·       Generate in each business a return on capital (ROC) greater than its cost of capital.

·       Target a strong, investment-grade credit rating.

TDS’ five-year compound annual growth rate in operating revenues through the end of 2006 was 11 percent. TDS grew its operating revenues 10 percent in 2006 to $4.4 billion.

In 2006, TDS also redeemed $200 million of senior notes and $35 million of medium-term notes.

In March 2007, TDS announced that it was ceasing activity relating to its possible offer to acquire all of the Common Shares of U.S. Cellular that it did not already own. Early in 2005, TDS had disclosed that it




might make an offer to issue its Special Common Shares in exchange for such U.S. Cellular Common Shares.

In ceasing activity related to the acquisition, TDS made it clear that it would not commence or complete a possible transaction for U.S. Cellular shares on uneconomic terms. TDS believes that an acceptable exchange ratio would need to reflect appropriately the relative values of TDS and U.S. Cellular, recognizing that a substantial portion of the value of TDS is comprised of its ownership of U.S. Cellular. TDS believes that the relative prices of TDS Special Common Shares and U.S. Cellular Common Shares do not reflect this fact. As a legal matter, termination of consideration of a possible offer does not preclude TDS from acquiring the remaining Common Shares of U.S. Cellular in the future, should conditions change.

In May 2007, Gregory P. Josefowicz was nominated for election to the TDS board of directors. Mr. Josefowicz brings with him executive management, retail merchandising and consumer marketing insight, and more than 20 years of experience leading large retail organizations. Mr. Josefowicz is being nominated to replace Martin Solomon, who will retire from our board this year. We thank Mr. Solomon for his many years of excellent service.

U.S. CELLULAR

U.S. Cellular’s top strategic objectives are to: 1) differentiate itself from competitors by achieving high customer satisfaction, 2) focus on high-value, postpay customers, 3) compete aggressively by offering attractive Wide Area, National, and Family calling plans, and 4) strengthen its geographic footprint.

Achieved good customer and revenue growth

U.S. Cellular added 297,000 net retail customers in 2006, not including acquisitions or divestitures. Its total customer base grew to 5,815,000 (including wholesale customers), an increase of 6 percent over 2005. The company grew service revenues 14 percent, from $2.8 billion in 2005 to $3.2 billion in 2006. U.S. Cellular continues to maintain an average postpay customer churn rate of 1.5 percent per month—one of the lowest in the wireless industry.

Further improved top-quality network

U.S. Cellular increased its total number of cell sites in service nationwide to 5,925, a 9 percent increase over 2005, enabling the company to further increase the geographic scope and signal quality of its network.

As evidence of the quality of the company’s network, U.S. Cellular received a ranking of “Highest Call Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users In North Central Region” in both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Wireless Call Quality Performance StudySM, and received top ranking again in Volume 1 of the 2007 study. The North Central Region in these studies covers Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

U.S. Cellular also tied for “Highest Overall Satisfaction Among Wireless Telephone Users in North Central Region” in Volume 1 of the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Wireless Regional Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Study SM, demonstrating the company’s commitment to delivering excellent customer satisfaction.

Grew data services revenues 66 percent

Data services revenues for 2006 were $217 million—a 66 percent increase over 2005. Revenue related to data services continues to climb in response to an ever-growing array of easyedgeSM data services offerings, including new games and mobile information applications. U.S. Cellular’s Short Messaging Service (SMS) and BlackBerry® service offerings are increasingly popular with growing numbers of customers. The company also introduced Mobile Shop, a new easyedge user interface for the MOTORAZR™ v3m, one of the strongest-selling handsets.

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Introduced new handsets and services for consumers and businesses

U.S. Cellular introduced 27 new handsets in 2006, including the MOTOKRZR™ K1m, and stylish new BlackBerry® Wireless Solution smart phones. U.S. Cellular was the first to offer the RED MOTORAZR™ V3m, which was designed to raise money for (RED)™, an initiative that raises money and awareness for the Global Fund. Sales of the handset exceeded U.S. Cellular’s sales targets.

To expand offerings for prepaid customers, U.S. Cellular added Text Messaging and Pay-As-You-Go Text Messaging packages to its Prepaid Wireless Plans.

The company rolled out streamlined National, Wide Area, and Family calling plans, making it easier for consumers and businesses to clearly understand the valuable options available.

Strengthened the strategic footprint and improved distribution

In 2006, U.S. Cellular successfully transitioned to U.S. Cellular service plans the 15 Rural Service Area (RSA) markets in Nebraska and Kansas that were acquired through an exchange of assets with Alltel in 2005. U.S. Cellular also acquired the remaining and majority interest in the Tennessee RSA 3 market, adding 21,000 retail customers, 8 retail stores, 17 authorized agent locations, and 46 cell sites.

Carroll Wireless, L.P., in which U.S. Cellular is a limited partner, was granted 16 licenses in 2006 as a result of its successful bids in the 2005 Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Auction 58. Barat Wireless L.P., in which U.S. Cellular is a limited partner, was recently granted the 17 licenses it bid on in FCC Auction 66. All of the Carroll and Barat licenses cover market areas that are contiguous with or overlap U.S. Cellular’s existing markets.

In the greater Chicago market, U.S. Cellular’s largest, the company added 10 new company-owned locations and 11 authorized agent locations. Throughout U.S. Cellular, the store design of many locations was updated.

Added video, music, and games to 3G high-speed data market trial

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin market launch of services using the CDMA, 3G technology known as Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) continues, with the recent addition of video, music, and 3D games. Depending on further results of the Milwaukee launch, U.S. Cellular may decide to offer EV-DO-based services in certain other markets in 2007.

TDS TELECOM

TDS Telecom’s main goals are to be the broadband provider of choice in its chosen markets, and to attract and retain consumer and commercial customers by offering new, high-quality broadband services and products that deliver desired value. The company is also actively improving its cost structure through process redesign, under the guidance of new chief executive officer David A. Wittwer, who was most recently TDS Telecom’s chief operating officer.

Increased DSL penetration

The company made excellent progress toward its broadband goals in 2006, increasing the number of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) accounts by 45,300, to 147,200 (ILEC and CLEC combined) and brought DSL capability to more ILEC markets. The company aggressively offers bundles that include DSL and other popular offerings, such as EchoStar DISH Network™, and long distance service.

Fueled by the growth in DSL lines, the company increased its total access line equivalents by 3 percent in 2006, to 1,213,500.

Trialing key video and fixed wireless technologies

TDS Telecom is trialing fixed wireless technology and services with both consumer and commercial customers in the Fox River Valley and Madison areas of Wisconsin. The trials include high-speed data and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The company is trialing video services using Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)

iii




technology, through favorable franchise agreements in two suburban markets. The company will offer voice, data, and TDS TV in these two markets in 2007, as part of its long-term objective of providing competitive video, voice, and data services in a portion of its markets over a converged infrastructure.

Proactively addressed regulatory issues

TDS Telecom is actively working with state and federal regulatory agencies regarding key issues such as intercarrier compensation, seeking to enable the company to protect and grow revenues.

LOOKING FORWARD: KEY INITIATIVES IN 2007 AND BEYOND

The TDS companies have a number of significant initiatives in progress, including:

U.S. Cellular

·       Grow the number of postpay customers and expand market share in recently developed markets. No major new market launches are planned for 2007.

·       Expand points of distribution in larger markets.

·       Continue to add popular and profitable easyedge services.

·       Add new handsets targeted at both consumer and business segments.

·       Expand services in the 3G market trial in Milwaukee.

·       Improve profitability and cash flow from operating activities.

TDS Telecom

·       Strengthen its leading broadband position through rapid DSL growth.

·       Develop and roll out new services and applications for broadband customers.

·       Continue trials of video and fixed wireless technologies.

·       Aggressively market bundles of voice, high-speed data, and video services.

·       Continue to improve the cost structure.

The TDS, U.S. Cellular, and TDS Telecom associates/employees—now totaling 11,600—continue to dedicate their energy and talents to fulfilling the TDS mission of providing outstanding communications services to our customers, and meeting the needs of our shareholders, our people, and our communities. In closing, we would like to extend our thanks to the shareholders of TDS for your ongoing support of the company’s objectives.

Cordially yours,

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

Walter C.D. Carlson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board

 

iv




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

30 North LaSalle Street

Suite 4000

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Phone: (312) 630-1900

Fax: (312) 630-1908

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

June 26, 2007

 

Dear Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend our 2007 annual meeting of shareholders on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, at The Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, Illinois. At the meeting, we will report on the plans and accomplishments of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”).

The formal notice of the meeting and our board of directors’ proxy statement and our 2006 annual report to shareholders are enclosed. Appendix I to the proxy statement contains audited financial statements and certain other financial information for the year ended December 31, 2006, as required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At our 2007 annual meeting, shareholders are being asked to take the following actions:

1.               elect members of the board of directors;

2.               consider and approve an amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement; and

3.               ratify the selection of independent registered public accountants for the current fiscal year.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” its nominees for election as directors, “FOR” the proposal to approve an amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan and “FOR” the proposal to ratify accountants.

Our board of directors and members of our management team will be at the annual meeting to meet with shareholders and discuss our record of achievement and plans for the future. We would like to have as many shareholders as possible represented at the meeting. Therefore, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please sign and return the enclosed proxy card(s), or vote on the Internet in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card.

We look forward to visiting with you at the annual meeting.

Very truly yours,

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

Walter C.D. Carlson

Chairman of the Board

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Please help us avoid the expense of follow-up

proxy mailings to shareholders by

signing and returning the enclosed proxy card(s) promptly or

vote on the Internet in accordance

with the instructions set forth on the proxy card.




NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

The 2007 annual meeting of shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at The Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, for the following purposes:

1.               To elect members of the board of directors. Your board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the directors nominated.

2.               To consider and approve an amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement. Your board of directors recommends that you vote FOR this proposal.

3.               To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2007. Your board of directors recommends that you vote FOR this proposal.

4.               To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

We are first mailing this notice of annual meeting and proxy statement to you on or about June 26, 2007.

We have fixed the close of business on June 8, 2007, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof.

A complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and by voting group, showing the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder, will be kept open at the offices of TDS, 30 North LaSalle Street, 40th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602, for examination by any shareholder during normal business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the annual meeting.

SUMMARY

The following is a summary of the actions being taken at the 2007 annual meeting and does not include all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement and not rely solely on the following summary.

Proposal 1—Election of Directors

Under TDS’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the terms of all incumbent directors will expire at the 2007 annual meeting.

Holders of Series A Common Shares and the holders of the Preferred Shares, voting as a group, will be entitled to elect eight directors. Your board of directors has nominated the following current directors for election by the holders of Series A Common Shares and the holders of the Preferred Shares: James Barr III, LeRoy T. Carlson, LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Letitia G. Carlson, M.D., Walter C.D. Carlson, Kenneth R. Meyers, Donald C. Nebergall and George W. Off.

Holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares will vote together and be entitled to elect four directors. Your board of directors has nominated (i) the following current directors for election by the holders of Common Shares: Christopher D. O’Leary, Mitchell H. Saranow and Herbert S. Wander; and (ii) the following new nominee: Gregory P. Josefowicz, to fill the directorship being vacated by Martin L. Solomon.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” its nominees for election as directors.




Proposal 2—Approval of an amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

Shareholders are being asked to approve an amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan. The amended plan is more fully described below.

The board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

Proposal 3—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2007

As in prior years, shareholders are being asked to ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2007.

The board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

VOTING INFORMATION

What is the record date for the meeting?

The close of business on June 8, 2007 is the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof.

What shares of stock entitle holders to vote at the meeting?

We have the following classes of stock outstanding, each of which entitles holders to vote at the meeting:

·       Common Shares;

·       Special Common Shares;

·       Series A Common Shares; and

·       Preferred Shares.

The Common Shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “TDS.” The Special Common Shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “TDS.S.”

No public market exists for the Series A Common Shares, but the Series A Common Shares are convertible on a share-for-share basis into Common Shares or Special Common Shares.

No public market exists for the Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares are divided into series, none of which is currently convertible into any class of common stock. All holders of outstanding Preferred Shares vote together with the holders of Common Shares and Series A Common Shares, except in the election of directors. In the election of directors, all outstanding Preferred Shares vote together with the holders of Series A Common Shares.

What is the voting power of the outstanding shares in the election of directors?

The following shows certain information relating to the outstanding shares and voting power of such shares in the election of directors as of the record date:

Class of Stock

 

 

 

Outstanding
Shares

 

Votes
per Share

 

Voting Power

 

Total Number of
Directors Elected
by Voting Group and
Standing for Election

 

Series A Common Shares

 

6,443,109

 

 

10

 

 

64,431,090

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Shares

 

8,603

 

 

1

 

 

8,603

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64,439,693

 

 

8

 

 

Common Shares

 

51,938,875

 

 

1

 

 

51,938,875

 

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

58,402,073

 

 

1

 

 

58,402,073

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,340,948

 

 

4

 

 

Total Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

2




What is the voting power of the outstanding shares in matters other than the election of directors?

The following shows certain information relating to the outstanding shares and voting power of such shares as of the record date:

Class of Stock

 

 

 

Outstanding
Shares

 

Votes
per Share

 

Total 
Voting Power

 

Percent

 

Series A Common Shares

 

6,443,109

 

 

10

 

 

64,431,090

 

 

55.4

%

 

Common Shares

 

51,938,875

 

 

1

 

 

51,938,875

 

 

44.6

%

 

Preferred Shares

 

8,603

 

 

1

 

 

8,603

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116,378,568

 

 

100.0

%

 


*     Less than .1%

Other than as required by law, holders of Special Common Shares do not have any right to vote on any matters except in the election of certain directors, as described above. Accordingly, actions submitted to a vote of shareholders other than the election of directors will generally be voted on only by holders of Common Shares, Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

How may shareholders vote with respect to the election of directors in Proposal 1?

Shareholders may, with respect to directors to be elected by such shareholders:

·       vote FOR the election of such director nominees; or

·       WITHHOLD authority to vote for such director nominees.

Your board of directors recommends a vote FOR its nominees for election as directors.

How may shareholders vote with respect to the amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan in Proposal 2?

Shareholders may, with respect to the proposal to approve the amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan:

·       vote FOR,

·       vote AGAINST, or

·       ABSTAIN from voting on this proposal.

Your board of directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.

How may shareholders vote with respect to the ratification of independent registered public accountants for 2007 in Proposal 3?

Shareholders may, with respect to the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2007:

·       vote FOR,

·       vote AGAINST, or

·       ABSTAIN from voting on this proposal.

Your board of directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.

How does the TDS Voting Trust intend to vote?

The Voting Trust under Agreement dated June 30, 1989, as amended (the “TDS Voting Trust”), holds 6,083,174 Series A Common Shares on the record date, representing approximately 94.4% of the Series A Common Shares. By reason of such holding, the TDS Voting Trust has the voting power to elect all of the directors to be elected by the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares and has approximately 52.3% of the voting power with respect to matters other than the election of directors. The

3




Voting Trust holds 6,072,498 TDS Special Common Shares on the record date, representing approximately 10.4% of the Special Common Shares. By reason of such holding, the Voting Trust has approximately 5.5% of the voting power with respect to the election of directors elected by the holders of Common and Special Common Shares. The Voting Trust does not currently own Common Shares.

The TDS Voting Trust has advised us that it intends to vote:

·       FOR the board of directors’ nominees for election by the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares,

·       FOR the board of directors’ nominees for election by the holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares,

·       FOR the proposal to approve the amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, and

·       FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2007.

How do I vote?

Proxies are being requested from the holders of Common Shares in connection with the election of four directors, the approval of the amended Non-Employee Director Plan and the ratification of independent registered public accountants.

Proxies are being requested from the holders of Special Common Shares in connection with the election of four directors.

Proxies are being requested from the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares in connection with the election of eight directors, the approval of the amended Non-Employee Director Plan and the ratification of independent registered public accountants.

Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting, please sign and mail your proxy in the enclosed self-addressed envelope to Proxy Services, c/o Computershare Investor Services, P.O. Box 43102, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-5068, or vote on the Internet in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card. If you hold more than one class of our shares, you will find enclosed a separate proxy card for each holding. To assure that all your shares are represented, please vote on the Internet or return the enclosed proxy cards as follows:

·       a white proxy card for Common Shares, including Common Shares owned through the TDS dividend reinvestment plan and through the TDS tax-deferred savings plan;

·       a blue proxy card for Special Common Shares, including Special Common Shares owned through the TDS dividend reinvestment plan and through the TDS tax-deferred savings plan;

·       a green proxy card for Series A Common Shares, including Series A Common Shares owned through the dividend reinvestment plan; and

·       a yellow proxy card for Preferred Shares.

How will proxies be voted?

All properly executed and unrevoked proxies received in the accompanying form in time for our 2007 annual meeting of shareholders will be voted in the manner directed on the proxies.

If no direction is made, a proxy by any shareholder will be voted FOR the election of the board of directors’ nominees to serve as directors, FOR the proposal to approve the amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan and FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2007.

Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time prior to the voting of the shares at the annual meeting by written notice to the Secretary of TDS, by submitting a later dated proxy or by attendance and voting in person at the annual meeting.

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What constitutes a quorum for the meeting?

In the election of directors, where a separate vote by a class or classes is required with respect to a director, the holders of a majority of the votes of the stock of such class or classes issued and outstanding and entitled to vote with respect to such director, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum with respect to such election. Withheld votes will be treated as present in person or represented by proxy in connection with such proposal and broker “non-votes” with respect to such proposal will not be treated as present in person or represented by proxy with respect to such proposal. If an authorized representative of the TDS Voting Trust is present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting, the TDS Voting Trust will by itself constitute a quorum at the annual meeting in connection with the election of directors by the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

With respect to the proposal to approve the amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan and the proposal to ratify accountants, the holders of a majority of the votes of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote with respect to such proposals, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the annual meeting in connection with such proposals. Abstentions will be treated as present in person or represented by proxy in connection with such proposals and broker “non-votes” with respect to such proposals will not be treated as present in person or represented by proxy with respect to such proposals. If an authorized representative of the TDS Voting Trust is present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting, the TDS Voting Trust will by itself constitute a quorum at the annual meeting in connection with such proposals.

What vote is required to elect directors in Proposal 1?

The election of each director requires the affirmative vote of holders of a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote with respect to such director at the annual meeting.

Accordingly, if a quorum exists, each person receiving a plurality of the votes of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the election of such director will be elected to serve as a director. Withheld votes and non-votes with respect to the election of such directors will not affect the outcome of the election of such directors.

What vote is required with respect to Proposals 2 and 3?

The holders of Common Shares, Preferred Shares and Series A Common Shares will vote together as a single group with respect to Proposals 2 and 3. Each holder of outstanding Common Shares or Preferred Shares is entitled to one vote for each Common Share or Preferred Share held in such holder’s name. Each holder of Series A Common Shares is entitled to ten votes for each Series A Common Share held in such holder’s name.

If a quorum is present at the annual meeting, the approval of each of Proposal 2 and 3 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the Common Shares, Preferred Shares and Series A Common Shares voting together as a single group and present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at the annual meeting. Abstentions from voting on such proposal will be treated as a vote against such proposal. Broker non-votes with respect to such proposal will not be counted as shares present and entitled to vote on such proposal and, accordingly, will not affect the determination of whether such proposal is approved.

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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The terms of all incumbent directors will expire at the 2007 annual meeting. The board of directors’ nominees for election of directors are identified in the tables below. Each of the nominees has expressed an intention to serve if elected. In the event any such nominee fails to stand for election, the persons named in the proxy presently intend to vote for a substitute nominee if one is designated by the board of directors.

To be Elected by Holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares

Name

 

 

 

Age

 

Position with TDS and Principal Occupation

 

Served as
Director
since

Gregory P. Josefowicz

 

54

 

Director Nominee of TDS, Senior Level Consultant to, and Retired Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of, Borders Group, Inc.

 

N/A

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

47

 

Director of TDS, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer - International, of General Mills, Inc.

 

2006

Mitchell H. Saranow

 

61

 

Director of TDS and Chairman of The Saranow Group

 

2004

Herbert S. Wander

 

72

 

Director of TDS and Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Chicago, Illinois

 

1968

 

Elected by Holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares

Name

 

 

 

Age

 

Position with TDS and Principal Occupation

 

Served as
Director
since

James Barr III

 

67

 

Director of TDS and Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecommunications Corporation

 

1990

LeRoy T. Carlson

 

91

 

Director and Chairman Emeritus of TDS

 

1968

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

60

 

Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS

 

1968

Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

 

46

 

Director of TDS, Physician and Associate Clinical Professor at George Washington University Medical Center

 

1996

Walter C.D. Carlson

 

53

 

Director and non-executive Chairman of the Board of TDS and Partner, Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois

 

1981

Kenneth R. Meyers

 

53

 

Director and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS and Chief Accounting Officer of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom

 

January 2007

Donald C. Nebergall

 

78

 

Director of TDS and Consultant

 

1977

George W. Off

 

60

 

Director of TDS and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

 

1997

 

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Background of Board of Directors’ Nominees for Election by Holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares

Gregory P. Josefowicz.   Gregory P. Josefowicz is currently serving as a non-exclusive, senior level consultant to Borders Group, Inc., a leading global retailer of books, music and movies, until February 2, 2008. From 1999 until his retirement in 2006, Mr. Josefowicz served as a director and president and chief executive officer, and was named chairman of the board in 2002, of Borders Group. Prior to that time, he was chief executive officer of the Jewel-Osco division of American Stores Company, which operated food and drug stores in the greater Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin areas, from 1997 until June 1999 when American Stores merged into Albertson’s Inc., a national retail food-drug chain. At that time, Mr. Josefowicz became president of Albertson’s midwest region. Mr. Josefowicz joined Jewel in 1974, and was elected senior vice president of marketing and advertising in 1993. Mr. Josefowicz is currently a member of the board of directors of PetSmart, Inc., a leading pet supply and services retailer, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., one of the nation’s largest food retailers, and Ryerson, Inc., a leading distributor and processor of metals.

Mr. Josefowicz was nominated for election at the 2007 annual meeting to fill the directorship held by Martin L. Solomon. See below.

Christopher D. O’Leary.   Christopher D. O’Leary was appointed executive vice president, chief operating officer - international, of General Mills, Inc., as of June 1, 2006. Before that, he was a senior vice president of General Mills since 1999. In addition, he was the president of the General Mills Meals division between 2001 and 2006 and was president of the Betty Crocker division between 1999 and 2001. Mr. O’Leary joined General Mills in 1997 after a 17-year career with PepsiCo, where his assignments included leadership roles for the Walkers-Smiths business in the United Kingdom and the Hostess Frito-Lay business in Canada.

Mitchell H. Saranow.   Mitchell H. Saranow has been the chairman of The Saranow Group, L.L.C., a private investment firm that he founded in 1984, for more than five years. Currently, Mr. Saranow is the chairman and principal investor in LENTEQ, L.P., an early stage equipment manufacturer. Previously, he served as chairman of the board and co-chief executive officer of Navigant Consulting, Inc. from November 1999 to May 2000. Prior to this, Mr. Saranow was chairman and managing general partner of Fluid Management, L.P., a specialty machinery manufacturer, for more than five years. Mr. Saranow is currently on the board of directors of Lawson Products, Inc.

Herbert S. Wander.   Herbert S. Wander has been a partner of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP for more than five years. Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP does not provide legal services to TDS or its subsidiaries.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the above nominees for election by the holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares.

Background of Board of Directors’ Nominees for Election by Holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares

James Barr, III.   James Barr, III had been President and Chief Executive Officer (an executive officer of TDS) and a director of TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDS which operates local telephone companies, for more than five years prior to his retirement. On February 21, 2006, TDS announced that Mr. Barr would retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom. Mr. Barr stepped down as President and CEO of TDS Telecom on January 1, 2007. He remained on TDS Telecom’s payroll until March 23, 2007 and retired on March 24, 2007. Pursuant to a letter agreement with TDS, Mr. Barr will continue to serve as a director of TDS after his retirement for so long as he continues to be nominated and elected. For further information, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

LeRoy T. Carlson.   LeRoy T. Carlson was elected Chairman Emeritus of TDS (an executive officer of TDS) in February 2002. Prior to that time, he was Chairman of TDS for more than five years. He is a director of United States Cellular Corporation (American Stock Exchange listing symbol: USM), a subsidiary of TDS which operates and invests in wireless telephone companies and properties (“U.S. Cellular”). Mr. Carlson is the father of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Walter C.D. Carlson and Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

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LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.   LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., has been TDS’s President and Chief Executive Officer (an executive officer of TDS) for more than five years. Mr. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. is also Chairman and a director of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. He is the son of LeRoy T. Carlson and the brother of Walter C.D. Carlson and Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.   Letitia G. Carlson, M.D. has been a physician at George Washington University Medical Center for more than five years. At such medical center, she was an assistant professor between 1992 and 2001 and an assistant clinical professor between 2001 and 2003, and has been an associate clinical professor since 2003. Dr. Carlson is the daughter of LeRoy T. Carlson and the sister of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and Walter C.D. Carlson.

Walter C.D. Carlson.   Walter C.D. Carlson was elected non-executive Chairman of the Board of the board of directors of TDS in February 2002. He has been a partner of Sidley Austin LLP for more than five years and is a member of its executive committee. He is a director of U.S. Cellular. Walter C.D. Carlson is the son of LeRoy T. Carlson and the brother of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and Letitia G. Carlson, M.D. The law firm of Sidley Austin LLP provides legal services to TDS and its subsidiaries on a regular basis. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. Mr. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries.

Kenneth R. Meyers.   Kenneth R. Meyers was appointed a director and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS (an executive officer of TDS) and Chief Accounting Officer of U.S. Cellular (an executive officer of U.S. Cellular) and of TDS Telecom on January 1, 2007. Prior to that, he was the Executive Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of U.S. Cellular for more than five years. Mr. Meyers is also a director of U.S. Cellular.

Donald C. Nebergall.   Donald C. Nebergall has been a consultant to companies since 1988, including TDS from 1988 through 2002. Mr. Nebergall was vice president of The Chapman Company, a registered investment advisory company located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1986 to 1988. Prior to that, he was the chairman of Brenton Bank & Trust Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1982 to 1986, and was its president from 1972 to 1982.

George W. Off.   George W. Off was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Checkpoint Systems, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company, in August 2002. Checkpoint Systems, Inc. is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of integrated system solutions for retail security, labeling and merchandising. Prior to that time, Mr. Off was chairman of the board of directors of Catalina Marketing Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange listed company, from July 1998 until he retired in July 2000. Mr. Off served as president and chief executive officer of Catalina from 1994 to 1998.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the above nominees for election by the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

The following additional information is provided in connection with the election of directors.

Retiring and Former Directors

Martin L. Solomon.   Due to personal reasons, Martin L. Solomon advised TDS that he planned to retire from the TDS board of directors after a search for a qualified successor was completed. As noted above, the TDS board of directors has nominated Gregory P. Josefowicz to fill the directorship held by Mr. Solomon. Accordingly, Mr. Solomon’s term as a director will expire at the 2007 annual meeting.

Martin L. Solomon has been a private investor since 1990. From June 1997 until February 2001, he was chairman of the board of American Country Holdings, Inc., an insurance holding company. He served as a director until April 2002, at which time the company was acquired by Kingsway Financial Services, Inc.

Sandra L. Helton.   Sandra L. Helton resigned as a director of TDS concurrently with her resignation as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS (an executive officer of TDS) effective December 31, 2006, a position she held for more than five years. Ms. Helton also resigned as a member of the board of directors of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom effective December 31, 2006. While she was a director of TDS in 2006, Ms. Helton was a director of The Principal Financial Group, a global financial institution, and Covance, Inc., a drug development services company. As noted above, Kenneth R. Meyers

8




was appointed as a director and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS effective January 1, 2007.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors

The business and affairs of TDS are managed by or under the direction of the board of directors. The board of directors consists of twelve members. Holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares elect 25% of the directors rounded up plus one director, or a total of four directors based on a board size of twelve directors. Holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares elect the remaining eight directors. The TDS Voting Trust has approximately 94% of the voting power in the election of such eight directors and approximately 52% of the voting power in all other maters.

A copy of TDS’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Guidelines.

TDS’s Code of Ethics for directors is available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Code of Ethics for Directors.

Director Independence and American Stock Exchange Listing Standards

Because the TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange, TDS must comply with listing standards applicable to companies which have equity securities listed on the American Stock Exchange.

Under listing standards of the American Stock Exchange, TDS is a “controlled company” as such term is defined by the American Stock Exchange. TDS is a controlled company because over 50% of the voting power of TDS is held by the trustees of the TDS Voting Trust. Accordingly, it is exempt from certain listing standards that require listed companies that are not controlled companies to (i) have a board composed of a majority of directors that qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange, (ii) have certain compensation approved by a compensation committee comprised solely of directors, or by a majority of directors, that qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange, and (iii) have director nominations be made by a committee comprised solely of directors, or by a majority of directors, that qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

As a controlled company, TDS is required to have three directors who qualify as independent to serve on the Audit Committee. The TDS Audit Committee has four members: George W. Off (chairperson), Donald C. Nebergall, Mitchell H. Saranow and Herbert S. Wander. The TDS board of directors has determined that all four members of the TDS Audit Committee do not have any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and qualify as independent under the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange, as well as Section 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

In addition, Martin L. Solomon did not have, and Gregory P. Josefowicz and Christopher D. O’Leary do not have, any relationship with TDS other than in their capacities as directors of TDS and, accordingly, would qualify as independent directors under the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange. As a result, six of the twelve directors, or 50% of the directors, have been determined to qualify or would qualify as independent under the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange.

TDS certifies compliance with specified listing standards to the American Stock Exchange on an annual basis. TDS certified that it was in compliance with such American Stock Exchange listing standards in 2006.

Meetings of Board of Directors

The board of directors held eleven meetings during 2006. Each incumbent director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the board of directors (held during 2006 for which such person has been a director) and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the board on which such person served (during the periods that such person served).

9




Corporate Governance Committee

The members of the Corporate Governance Committee are Walter C.D. Carlson (chairperson), LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and Martin L. Solomon. Mr. Solomon qualified as an independent director under American Stock Exchange listing standards. The American Stock Exchange does not have any requirement that listed companies have a corporate governance committee or, if a company has one, that it be composed in whole or in part by independent directors. The primary function of the Corporate Governance Committee is to advise the board on corporate governance matters, including developing and recommending to the board a set of corporate governance guidelines for TDS. A copy of the charter and the corporate governance guidelines are available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance under “Board Committee Charters” for the charter and under “Corporate Governance Guidelines” for the guidelines.

Audit Committee

The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the quality, integrity and annual independent audit of TDS’s financial statements and other matters set forth in the charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Board Committee Charters.

The Audit Committee is currently composed of four members who are not officers or employees of TDS or any parent or subsidiary of TDS and have been determined by the board of directors not to have any other relationship with TDS that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The board of directors has also determined that such directors qualify as independent under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except as required by listing standards or SEC rule, TDS does not have any categorical standards of independence that must be satisfied. The current members of the Audit Committee are George W. Off (chairperson), Donald C. Nebergall, Mitchell H. Saranow and Herbert S. Wander. The board of directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” and “financially sophisticated” as such terms are defined by the American Stock Exchange.

The board has made a determination that Mr. Saranow is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by the SEC.

In accordance with the SEC’s safe harbor rule for “audit committee financial experts,” no member designated as an audit committee financial expert shall (i) be deemed an “expert” for any other purpose or (ii) have any duty, obligation or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on a member of the board or the audit committee not so designated. Additionally, the designation of a member or members as an “audit committee financial expert” shall in no way affect the duties, obligations or liability of any member of the audit committee, or the board, not so designated.

The Audit Committee held twenty four meetings during 2006.

Pre-Approval Procedures

The Audit Committee adopted a policy, effective May 6, 2003, as amended as of February 26, 2004, pursuant to which all audit and non-audit services must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The following describes the policy as amended. Under no circumstances may TDS’s principal external accountant provide services that are prohibited by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or rules issued thereunder. Non-prohibited audit-related services and certain tax and other services may be provided to TDS, subject to such pre-approval process and prohibitions. The Audit Committee has delegated to the chairperson plus any other member of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve services by the independent registered public accountants and to report any such approvals to the full Audit Committee at each of its regularly scheduled meetings. In the event the chairperson is unavailable, pre-approval may be given by any two members of the Audit Committee. The pre-approval policy relates to all services provided by TDS’s principal external auditor and does not include any de minimis exception.

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Review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons

The Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee shall “be responsible for the review and oversight of all related-party transactions, as such term is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange.” Section 120 of the American Stock Exchange Company Guide, Certain Relationships And Transactions, provides that “Related party transactions must be subject to appropriate review and oversight by the company’s Audit Committee or a comparable body of the Board of Directors.”

Accordingly, pursuant to such provisions, the TDS Audit Committee has review and oversight responsibilities over transactions that are deemed to be related-party transactions under Section 120 of the American Stock Exchange Company Guide. Other than the foregoing provisions, TDS has no further policy relating to (i) the types of transactions that are covered by such policies and procedures; (ii) the standards to be applied pursuant to such policies and procedures; (iii) the persons or groups of persons on the board of directors or otherwise who are responsible for applying such policies and procedures; or (iv) any other written document evidencing such policies and procedures.

Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, the TDS Audit Committee exercised oversight over related-party transactions, but did not take any formal action to approve any related-party transactions. After changes in SEC rules that became effective for the 2007 proxy statement, transactions generally would not be subject to review and oversight by the Audit Committee unless they exceeded $120,000. Prior to the changes in such rules, this amount was $60,000 for 2006.

As disclosed below, a 2005 World Series Ring was given to Mr. Rooney by the Chicago White Sox as an honorarium, following review and approval by the U.S. Cellular Audit Committee. Neither TDS nor U.S. Cellular incurred any out of pocket costs relating to this ring. This transaction did not exceed $60,000, but was approved by the U.S. Cellular Audit Committee pursuant to the TDS and U.S. Cellular Code of Conduct. Accordingly, the TDS Audit Committee did not take action to approve this transaction.

Compensation Committee

Although not required to do so under American Stock Exchange listing standards because it is a controlled company, TDS has established a Compensation Committee comprised solely of directors that qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange. The primary functions of the Compensation Committee are to discharge the board of director’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of the executive officers of TDS, other than U.S. Cellular or any of its subsidiaries. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include the review of salary, bonus, long-term compensation and all other elements of compensation of such executive officers.

For these purposes, “executive officers” means all officers that are employees who are or will be identified in TDS’s annual proxy statement as “executive officers,” including the President and CEO of TDS Telecom, except that the compensation of the President and CEO of U.S. Cellular is established and administered by U.S. Cellular’s chairman and stock option compensation committee, as described in the proxy statement of U.S. Cellular relating to its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

The Compensation Committee is comprised of at least two non-employee members of TDS’s board of directors, each of whom is an “outside director” within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As noted above, such members also qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange. The members of the Compensation Committee were Herbert S. Wander (chairperson) and George W. Off until March 2007 when the TDS board of directors also appointed Christopher D. O’Leary to the Compensation Committee. These persons do not have any compensation committee interlocks and are not related to any other directors.

The Compensation Committee charter permits it to delegate some or all of the administration of the long-term incentive plans or programs to the President and Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of TDS as the committee deems appropriate, to the extent permitted by law and the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan or program, but not regarding any award to the President and CEO. The Compensation Committee has not delegated this authority with respect to any of the officers identified in the below Summary Compensation Table.

11




The Compensation Committee’s charter provides that it will obtain advice and assistance from the Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Human Resources and from any other officer or employee of TDS, as it determines is appropriate. As discussed below, the Compensation Committee also utilizes the services of a compensation consultant. Such consultant did not provide any advice as to director compensation and only provided advice as to compensation to officers and employees.

Towers Perrin is TDS’s primary compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee and its predecessors have utilized the services of this consultant. TDS’s Human Resources Department also supports the Compensation Committee in its work. In 2006, the role of such compensation consultant in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive officer compensation was principally to provide consulting services on the type and amount of compensation to be granted to officers and other employees. The nature and scope of the assignment, and the material elements of the instructions or directions given to such consultants with respect to the performance of their duties under their engagement, was to provide external benchmarking data to TDS from their executive compensation survey database.

In addition, the Compensation Committee charter provides that the committee shall have the authority to engage advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and that TDS shall provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Compensation Committee, for payment of any advisor retained by the committee, as well as ordinary administrative expenses of the committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

The Compensation Committee does not approve director compensation. It is the view of the TDS board of directors that this should be the responsibility of the full board of directors. In particular, only non-employee directors receive compensation in their capacity as directors and, as a result, the view of the TDS board of directors is that all directors should participate in such compensation decisions, rather than only some or all of the non-employee directors.

A copy of the charter of the Compensation Committee is available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Board Committee Charters.

The Compensation Committee held eleven meetings during 2006. It also took actions by unanimous written consent.

Other Committee

TDS has a Pricing Committee, consisting of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., as Chairman, and Kenneth R. Meyers and LeRoy T. Carlson, as alternate members. The Pricing Committee does not have a charter. Pursuant to resolutions of the TDS board of directors from time to time, the Pricing Committee is authorized to take certain action with respect to financing and capital transactions of TDS, such as the issuance, redemption or repurchase of debt or the repurchase of shares of capital stock of TDS.

Director Nomination Process

TDS does not have a nominating committee and, accordingly, does not have a nominating committee charter. Under listing standards of the American Stock Exchange, TDS is exempt from the requirement to have a nominating committee because it is a controlled company as such term is defined by the American Stock Exchange. Instead, the entire board of directors participates in the consideration of director nominees. Similarly, because TDS is a controlled company, TDS also is exempt from the listing standard that requires director nominations to be made by a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors or by a majority of independent directors.

The TDS board of directors does not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of any director candidates recommended by shareholders. However, because the TDS Voting Trust has over 90% of the voting power in the election of directors elected by holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares, nominations of directors for election by the holders of Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares is based on the recommendation of the trustees of the TDS Voting Trust. With respect to candidates for director to be elected by the Common Shares and Special Common Shares, the TDS board may from time to time informally consider candidates submitted by shareholders that hold a significant

12




number of Common Shares and/or Special Common Shares. The TDS board has no formal procedures to be followed by shareholders in submitting recommendations of candidates for director.

The TDS board of directors does not have any specific, minimum qualifications that the board believes must be met by a nominee for a position on the TDS board of directors, or any specific qualities or skills that the board believes are necessary for one or more of the TDS directors to possess. The TDS board has consistently sought to nominate to the board of directors eminently qualified individuals whom the board believes would provide substantial benefit and guidance to TDS. The TDS board believes that substantial judgment, diligence and care are required to identify and select qualified persons as directors and does not believe that it would be appropriate to place limitations on its own discretion.

In general, the TDS board will nominate existing directors for re-election unless the board has a concern about the director’s ability to perform his or her duties. In the event of a vacancy on the board of a director elected by the Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares, nominations are based on the recommendation of the trustees of the TDS Voting Trust. In the event of a vacancy on the board of a director elected by the Common Shares and Special Common Shares, TDS may use various sources to identify potential candidates, including an executive search firm. In addition, the President may consider recommendations by shareholders that hold a significant number of Common Shares and/or Special Common Shares. Potential candidates are initially screened by the President and by other persons as the President designates. Following this process, the President discusses with the Chairman of the Board whether one or more candidates should be considered by the full board of directors. If appropriate, information about the candidate is presented to and discussed by the full board of directors.

Each of the nominees approved by the TDS board for inclusion on TDS’s proxy card for election at the 2007 annual meeting are executive officers and/or directors who are standing for re-election, except for Gregory P. Josefowicz. Mr. Josefowicz was nominated for election by the board of directors upon the recommendation of TDS’s President and CEO to fill the vacancy that will exist as a result of the decision of Martin L. Solomon not to stand for re-election for personal reasons. TDS was obligated to pay a fee to an executive search firm for performing a search for candidates and identifying Mr. Josefowicz as a candidate for the TDS board of directors for the 2007 annual meeting.

TDS was also obligated to pay a fee to an executive search firm for performing a search for identifying Christopher D. O’Leary as a director candidate at the 2006 annual meeting.

Except as disclosed above, TDS has not paid a fee to any third party or parties to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for election of directors at the 2007 annual meeting. From time to time, TDS may pay a fee to an executive search firm to identify potential candidates for election as directors.

Shareholder Communication with Directors

Shareholders may send communications to the TDS board of directors or to specified individual directors of TDS at any time. Shareholders should direct their communication to the board or to specified individual directors, in care of the Secretary of TDS at its corporate headquarters. Any shareholder communications that are addressed to the board of directors or specified individual directors will be delivered by the Secretary of TDS to the board of directors or such specified individual directors. For more information, see the instructions on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Contacting the TDS Board of Directors.

TDS Policy on Attendance of Directors at Annual Meeting of Shareholders

All directors are invited and encouraged to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, which is normally followed by the annual meeting of the board of directors. In general, all directors attend the annual meeting of shareholders unless they are unable to do so due to unavoidable commitments or intervening events. Seven persons serving as directors at the time attended the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

TDS amended its stock ownership guidelines on May 10, 2007.

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Under stock ownership guidelines for directors that were in effect for 2006, each director was expected to own a minimum of 2,000 shares of common stock of TDS. In the event the value of the ownership interest of 2,000 shares fell below $50,000, the board could increase the minimum investment level to ensure an investment equivalent to at least $50,000. Directors had three years to comply with this requirement.

On May 10, 2007, the TDS board of directors amended its stock ownership guidelines for directors to provide that, within three years after (a) March 31, 2007 or (b) the date on which a director first becomes a director, whichever is later, and thereafter for so long as each director remains a director of TDS, each such director is required to own Series A Common Shares, Common Shares and/or Special Common Shares of TDS having a combined value of at least $100,000. The TDS board of directors will review this minimum ownership requirement periodically.

Code of Ethics for Directors

TDS has adopted a Code of Ethics for its directors. This code has been posted to TDS’s internet website, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.

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PROPOSAL 2
AMENDMENT OF COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

The TDS board of directors approved amendments to the TDS Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The amended plan is subject to shareholder approval under the rules of the American Stock Exchange because the amendments are material and the plan involves the issuance of TDS equity securities to directors of TDS. A copy of the amended plan was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The TDS board of directors has determined that it would be desirable to make certain amendments to the Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors to increase director compensation, based on a review of director compensation practices in the telecommunications industry and at other comparable companies. Accordingly, the TDS Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended (the “Directors Plan”), is being submitted for approval by the shareholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting. If approved by shareholders, the Directors Plan will be effective upon such approval. The following is a description of the Directors Plan, as amended.

Description Of The Plan

Non-employee directors will receive an annual director’s retainer fee of $45,000 paid in cash. Non-employee directors also will receive an annual stock award of $45,000 paid in the form of TDS Special Common Shares, which will be distributed in March on or prior to March 15 of each year, beginning March 15, 2008, for services performed during the 12 month period that commenced on March 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year and ended on the last day of February of the calendar year of payment. The number of shares will be determined on the basis of the closing price of TDS Special Common Shares for the last trading day in the month of February of each year. The Chairperson of the board of directors will receive an additional annual retainer fee of $45,000, paid in cash.

Each non-employee director who serves on the Audit Committee, other than the Chairperson, will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $11,000, and the Chairperson will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $22,000.

Each non-employee director who serves on the Compensation Committee, other than the Chairperson, will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $7,000, and the Chairperson will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $14,000.

Each non-employee director who serves on the Corporate Governance Committee, other than the Chairperson, will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $5,000, and the Chairperson will receive an annual committee retainer fee of $10,000.

Non-employee directors also will receive a meeting fee of $1,750 for each board or committee meeting attended.

Under the Directors Plan, annual retainers will be paid in cash on a quarterly basis, as of the last day of each quarter. Fees for board or committee meetings will be paid in cash on a quarterly basis, as of the last day of each quarter.

A total of 75,000 Special Common Shares have previously been approved by shareholders for issuance under the Directors Plan.

Federal Income Taxes

In general, a non-employee director who is issued Special Common Shares under the Directors Plan will recognize taxable compensation in the year of issuance in an amount equal to the fair market value of such Special Common Shares on the date of issuance, and TDS will be allowed a deduction for federal income tax purposes at the time the non-employee director recognizes taxable compensation equal to the amount of compensation recognized by such non-employee director.

In general, a non-employee director’s basis for Special Common Shares received under the Directors Plan will be the amount recognized as taxable compensation with respect to such Special Common

15




Shares, and a non-employee director’s holding period for such shares will begin on the date the non-employee director recognizes taxable compensation with respect to the shares.

The foregoing tax effects may be different if Special Common Shares are subject to restrictions imposed by Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, unless the non-employee director makes an appropriate election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

In general, a non-employee director will recognize taxable compensation in the year of payment of the cash annual retainer or meeting fees in an amount equal to such cash payment, and in the year of payment TDS will be allowed a deduction for federal income tax purposes equal to the compensation recognized by such non-employee director.

Plan Benefits

No disclosure is being made of the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to any participants because the benefit or amount is not determinable until earned and paid.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” approval of the Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan, as amended.

16




PROPOSAL 3
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We anticipate continuing the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accountants for the current fiscal year. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who served as independent registered public accountants for the last fiscal year, are expected to be present at the annual meeting of shareholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions raised by shareholders at the annual meeting or submitted in writing prior thereto.

We are not required to obtain shareholder ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants by the Bylaws or otherwise. However, we have elected to seek such ratification by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by shares entitled to vote with respect to such matter at the annual meeting. Should the shareholders fail to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accountants, the Audit Committee of the board of directors will review whether to retain such firm for the year ending December 31, 2007.

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accountants for the current fiscal year.

FEES PAID TO PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS

The following sets forth the aggregate fees (including expenses) billed by TDS’s principal accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 2006 and 2005:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

5,592,518

 

$

6,045,710

 

Audit Related Fees

 

 

 

Tax Fees

 

 

 

All Other Fees(2)

 

4,500

 

4,500

 

Total Fees

 

$

5,597,018

 

$

6,050,210

 


(1)            Represents the aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 2006 and 2005 (as updated) for professional services rendered for the audit of the annual financial statements for the years 2006 and 2005 included in TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s Forms 10-K for those years and the reviews of the financial statements included in TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s Forms 10-Q for each of these years including the attestation and report relating to internal control over financial reporting as well as accounting research, audit fees related to the restatement of the companies’ financial statements for certain prior years, review of financial information included in other SEC filings and the issuance of consents and comfort letters. Although PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has billed TDS and U.S. Cellular for these fees and expenses, management of TDS and U.S. Cellular have not yet completed their reviews of all of the amounts billed. Includes an estimate for audit fees to be billed upon completion of the 2006 audit.

(2)            Represents the aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services, other than services covered in (1) above, for the years 2006 and 2005.

The Audit Committee determined that the payment of fees for non-audit related services does not conflict with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s independence.

See “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee” for information relating to the audit committee’s pre-approval policies.

17




AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

This report is submitted by the current members of the Audit Committee of the board of directors of TDS. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the TDS board of directors, a copy of which is available on TDS’s web site, www.teldta.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance—Board Committee Charters.

Management is responsible for TDS’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. TDS has an internal audit staff, which performs testing of internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of TDS’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

In this context, the Audit Committee held meetings with management, the internal audit staff and representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, TDS’s independent registered public accountants for 2006. In these meetings, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006. Management represented to the Audit Committee that TDS’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

The discussions with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP also included the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, relating to information regarding the scope and results of the audit. The Audit Committee also received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP written disclosures and a letter regarding its independence as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, and this information was discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Based on, and in reliance upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 be included in TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

By the members of the Audit Committee of the board of directors of TDS:

George W. Off
Chairperson

 

Donald C. Nebergall

 

Mitchell H. Saranow

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

18




EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following executive officers of TDS were identified in the above tables regarding the election of directors:  LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., President of TDS; LeRoy T. Carlson, Chairman Emeritus of TDS; and Kenneth R. Meyers, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS. In addition, James Barr, III was previously the President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom, an executive officer of TDS. In addition to the executive officers identified in the tables regarding the election of directors, set forth below is a table identifying current officers of TDS and its subsidiaries who may be deemed to be executive officers of TDS. Unless otherwise indicated, the position held is an office of TDS.

Name

 

Age

 

Position

John E. Rooney

 

65

 

President and CEO of United States Cellular Corporation

David A. Wittwer

 

46

 

President and CEO of TDS Telecommunications Corporation

D. Michael Jack

 

64

 

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

Kurt B. Thaus

 

48

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Scott H. Williamson

 

56

 

Senior Vice President—Acquisitions and Corporate Development

C. Theodore Herbert

 

71

 

Vice President—Human Resources

Joseph R. Hanley

 

40

 

Vice President—Technology Planning and Services

 

John E. Rooney.   John E. Rooney has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular for more than five years.

David A. Wittwer.   David A. Witter has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom since January 1, 2007.  On February 21, 2006, TDS appointed Mr. Wittwer as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TDS Telecom and designated him to succeed James Barr III as President and CEO of TDS Telecom on January 1, 2007. Prior to his appointment as Executive Vice President and COO of TDS Telecom, Mr. Wittwer was President of TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations since March 2005. Prior to that time, he was Executive Vice President—Staff Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of TDS Telecom for more than five years.

D. Michael Jack.   D. Michael Jack was appointed Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of TDS in March 2003. Prior to that time, he was Vice President and Corporate Controller since November 1999.

Kurt B. Thaus.   Kurt B. Thaus was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer on January 12, 2004. Prior to that time, he was employed by T-Systems North America, Inc., the North American subsidiary of T-Systems International (Deutsche Telekom) for more than five years, most recently as senior vice president of technology management services.

Scott H. Williamson.   Scott H. Williamson has been Senior Vice President—Acquisitions and Corporate Development of TDS for more than five years.

C. Theodore Herbert.   C. Theodore Herbert has been Vice President—Human Resources of TDS for more than five years.

Joseph R. Hanley.   Joseph R. Hanley was appointed Vice President—Technology Planning and Services on August 15, 2004. Prior to that time, he was employed by TDS Telecom for more than five years, most recently as Vice President—Strategic Planning and Emerging Applications.

All of our executive officers devote all their employment time to the affairs of TDS and its subsidiaries.

Codes of Conduct and Ethics

As required by Section 807 of the American Stock Exchange Company Guide, TDS has adopted a Code of Business Conduct, applicable to all officers and employees of TDS and its subsidiaries, which includes a Code of Ethics for certain Senior Executives and Financial Officers, that complies with the definition of a “code of ethics” as set forth in Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the SEC. TDS has also adopted a Code of Ethics for its directors. Each of the foregoing codes has been posted to TDS’s internet website, www.teldta.com, under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.

TDS intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to its Code of Ethics for certain Senior Executives and Financial Officers, and will disclose all other amendments to any of the foregoing codes, by posting such information to such internet website. Any waivers of any of the foregoing codes for directors or executive officers, including any waiver of the Code of Ethics for certain Senior Executives and Financial Officers, will be approved by TDS’s board of directors, as applicable, and disclosed in a Form 8-K that is filed with the SEC within four business days of such waiver.

19




EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Summary of Compensation

The following table summarizes the compensation paid by TDS in 2006 to the identified officers.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position
(a)

 

Year
(b)

 

Salary
($)
(c)

 

Bonus
($)
(d)

 

Stock
Awards
($)
(e)

 

Option
Awards
($)
(f)

 

Non-
Equity
Incen-
tive
Plan($)
(g)

 

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonquali-
fied
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)
(h)

 

All Other
Compen-
sation
($)
(i)

 

Total
($)
(j)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. (1)(6)

 

2006

 

$

1,115,000

 

$

550,000

 

$

603,076

 

$

2,952,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

72,472

 

$

5,293,119

 

President and Chief
Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra L. Helton (2)(6)

 

2006

 

$

668,000

 

$

240,000

 

 

$

1,219,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,228,480

 

$

3,356,435

 

Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer in 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Barr III (3)

 

2006

 

$

654,195

 

$

320,000

 

$

1,034,695

 

$

1,249,513

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,680

 

 

$

61,140

 

$

3,330,223

 

President and Chief
Executive Officer of
TDS Telecom in 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Rooney (4)

 

2006

 

$

734,084

 

$

300,000

 

$

1,185,929

 

$

3,158,606

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,335

 

 

$

51,921

 

$

5,433,875

 

President and Chief
Executive Officer of
U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson (5)(6)

 

2006

 

$

480,000

 

$

200,000

 

$

632,874

 

$

672,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

36,051

 

$

2,021,352

 

Chairman Emeritus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Explanation of Columns:

(a)                Includes the following “named executive officers”:  all individuals serving as TDS’s principal executive officer or acting in a similar capacity during the last completed fiscal year; all individuals serving as the principal financial officer or acting in a similar capacity during the last completed fiscal year; and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the foregoing who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year, including executive officers of subsidiaries. The determination as to which executive officers are most highly compensated is made by reference to total compensation for the last completed fiscal year as set forth in column (j), reduced by any amount in column (h).

(b)               Although three years of compensation are required to be reported, pursuant to transition rules, the amounts for 2005 and 2004 are not reported.

(c)                Represents the dollar value of base salary (cash and non-cash) earned by the named executive officer during the fiscal year, whether or not paid in such year. John E. Rooney deferred 20% of his 2006 base salary, all of which salary is included in column (c) whether or not deferred. See “Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below. The other officers did not defer any salary in 2006.

(d)               Represents the dollar value of bonus (cash and non-cash) earned by the named executive officer during the fiscal year, whether or not paid in such year. Officers do not become entitled to any amount of bonus solely as a result of achievement of any performance measures. The officers are not entitled to any amount of bonus unless and only to the extent awarded and paid. The performance of the company is one category of the factors used to determine the amount of the bonus, all of which is discretionary. The entire amount of the bonus is not earned until awarded. Because officers are not entitled to any bonus until awarded, the bonus amounts reported represent bonuses earned and paid in 2006, regardless of the year to which the bonus relates. The amounts paid and earned in 2006 include a bonus based on 2005 performance that was paid in 2006. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., deferred 20% of his 2005 bonus (earned and paid in 2006). John E. Rooney deferred 100% of his 2005 bonus (earned and paid in 2006).  LeRoy T. Carlson deferred 100% of his 2005 bonus (earned and paid in 2006). The amount  deferred is deemed invested in phantom stock bonus match units in TDS Special Common Shares for TDS officers or in U.S. Cellular Common Shares for U.S. Cellular officers. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” below. The entire amount of bonus earned in 2006, including any amount deferred, is included above in column (d). See “Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.

20




The following is a summary of the amount of bonus earned in 2006 and the amount deferred included above:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

Total Bonus Earned in 2006

 

 

$

550,000

 

 

 

$

240,000

 

 

$

320,000

 

$

300,000

 

$

200,000

 

Percentage Deferred

 

 

20

%

 

 

 

 

 

100

%

100

%

Amount Deferred

 

 

$

110,000

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

300,000

 

$

200,000

 

 

For disclosure purposes, the amount of bonus paid in 2007 as of the date of this proxy statement with respect to 2006 is as follows:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

Total Bonus with respect to 2006

 

 

$

800,000

 

 

N/A

 

$

335,000

 

$

525,000

 

$

200,000

 

Less portion prepaid in 2006

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

Net Bonus for 2006 Paid in 2007

 

 

$

800,000

 

 

N/A

 

$

335,000

 

$

525,000

 

$

200,000

 

 

The amount of the Bonus with respect to 2006 paid in 2007 is only provided for disclosure purposes. These amounts were not earned until paid in 2007 and will be reported in next year’s Summary Compensation Table with respect to 2007.

(e)                Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), Share Based Payments (which we refer to as “FAS 123R”), disregarding the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The vesting period of the awards is set forth under “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” below. Assumptions made in the valuation of the stock awards in this column are incorporated by reference from Note 20 in TDS’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. All TDS stock awards are valued based on grant date fair value using a 0% forfeiture rate (the percentage of stock awards granted in 2006 that are assumed will be forfeited). TDS has used a 0% forfeiture rate due to a lack of historical forfeiture information. There were forfeitures of restricted stock units with respect to 9,138 tandem Common Shares and Special Common Shares, or an aggregate of 18,276 shares, in 2006.

Except with respect to Mr. Rooney, includes amount of FAS 123R expense relating to restricted stock units in TDS Special Common Shares under the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. With respect to Mr. Rooney, includes the amount of FAS 123R expense relating to restricted stock units in U.S. Cellular Common Shares under the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Mr. Rooney’s U.S. Cellular restricted stock units vested on October 10, 2006.  See “Information Regarding Plan Based Awards” below for vesting and other information.

Also includes FAS 123R expense relating to phantom stock bonus match units credited to such officer with respect to deferred bonus compensation. Deferred bonus is deemed invested in phantom TDS Special Common Shares for all officers other than John E. Rooney. The TDS  phantom stock units are credited with dividends. The Summary Compensation Table does not include any dividends (or dividend equivalents) on deferred bonus denominated in phantom TDS stock because such dividends are not preferential under SEC rules, because they are not earned at a rate higher than dividends on TDS’s common stock. Deferred bonus by John E. Rooney is deemed invested in phantom U.S. Cellular Common Shares. U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends. For information relating to U.S. Cellular, see U.S. Cellular’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting.

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. deferred 20% of his 2005 bonus (earned and paid in 2006) and, accordingly, received a stock unit match in phantom TDS Special Common Shares in 2006. As a result, he received a matching stock grant having a grant date value of $27,500. However, column (e) above includes the amount of FAS 123R expense recognized in 2006 of $30,000. John E. Rooney deferred 100% of his 2005 bonus, which was paid in 2006. Accordingly, Mr. Rooney received a stock bonus match in phantom U.S. Cellular Common Shares with respect to such deferred bonus in 2006. As a result, he received a matching U.S. Cellular stock grant having a grant date value of $87,510. Column (e) above includes the amount of FAS 123R expense recognized in 2006 of $121,548. LeRoy T. Carlson deferred 100% of his 2005 bonus (earned and paid in 2006) and, accordingly, received a stock unit match in phantom TDS Special Common Shares in 2006. As a result, he received a matching stock grant having a grant date value of $58,000. Column (e) above includes the amount of FAS 123R expense recognized in 2006 of $58,000. See “Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.

The following is a summary of the amount of FAS 123R expense related to stock awards reflected in column (e) above:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

2004 Restricted Stock Units

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

309,388

 

$

 

2005 Restricted Stock Units

 

 

551,886

 

 

519,141

 

453,409

 

563,786

 

350,180

 

2006 Restricted Stock Units

 

 

21,190

 

 

 

581,286

 

191,207

 

224,694

 

Amount of restricted stock expense in 2006

 

 

$

573,076

 

 

$

519,141

 

$

1,034,695

 

$

1,064,381

 

$

574,874

 

Forfeiture in 2006

 

 

 

 

(519,141

)

 

 

 

Amount of bonus match expense in 2006

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

 

121,548

 

58,000

 

Total

 

 

$

603,076

 

 

$

 

$

1,034,695

 

$

1,185,929

 

$

632,874

 

 

21




For Sandra L. Helton, $519,141 of expense was recorded in 2006 but the entire amount of the grant was forfeited as a result of her resignation effective December 31, 2006. This represents the amount of expense recorded in 2006 under FAS 123R with respect to 9,138 restricted stock units granted to Ms. Helton in 2005 that were scheduled to vest on December 15, 2007. However, as reported in the “Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control,” below, 25% of the value of the 9,138 restricted stock units that Ms. Helton forfeited, or $228,016, was paid to Ms. Helton in 2007 pursuant to the Employment Agreement and General Release discussed in the footnotes to such table. This amount is included above in column (i), All Other Compensation, as discussed below in note (i).

Pursuant to an offer letter which was accepted by John E. Rooney on March 28, 2000, all unvested stock option and restricted stock awards granted to him on or prior to April 10, 2006 fully vested on October 10, 2006.

In accordance with FAS 123R, TDS recognized expense in 2006 with respect to 100% of the grant-date value of stock awards granted in 2006 and the remainder of the 2005 stock awards to James Barr and LeRoy T. Carlson because they are 66 years or older and eligible for retirement.

For reference purposes, the following is a summary of the grant date value of stock awards in 2006 reflected in column (l) of the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table below:

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

2006 Restricted Stock Award

 

 

$

1,017,115

 

 

$          

 

$

581,286

 

$

195,584

 

$

224,694

 

2006 Bonus Match Awards

 

 

27,500

 

 

 

 

87,510

 

58,000

 

Total

 

 

$

1,044,615

 

 

$          

 

$

581,286

 

$

283,094

 

$

282,694

 

 

If an award ultimately vests in full, the amount cumulatively recognized in the Summary Compensation Table over a period of years should equal 100% of the grant date fair value of the equity award or the total fair value at the date of settlement for a liability award.

(f)                  Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS 123R, disregarding the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The dates on which the options become exercisable and expire are set forth below under “Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” Assumptions made in the valuation of the option awards in this column are incorporated by reference from Note 20 in TDS’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. All TDS stock options granted in 2006 were valued based on grant date fair value using a 0.6% forfeiture rate (the percentage of stock options granted in 2006 that are assumed will be forfeited). There were no forfeitures of stock options in 2006 for the identified officers. Except with respect to Mr. Rooney, represents the value of options to acquire TDS Special Common Shares awarded during the fiscal year. In the case of John E. Rooney, the awards represent options to acquire U.S. Cellular Common Shares awarded during the fiscal year.

The following is a summary of the amount of FAS 123R expense relating to options reflected in column (f) above:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

2001 Options

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,117

 

$

 

2002 Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,405

 

 

2003 Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

148,036

 

 

2004 Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

282,322

 

 

2005 Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

772,398

 

 

2006 Options

 

 

2,952,571

 

 

1,219,955

 

1,249,513

 

1,939,328

 

672,427

 

Amount of option expense in 2006

 

 

$

2,952,571

 

 

$

1,219,955

 

$

1,249,513

 

$

3,158,606

 

$

672,427

 

 

Pursuant to an offer letter which was accepted by John E. Rooney on March 28, 2000, all unvested stock option and restricted stock awards granted to him on or prior to April 10, 2006 fully vested on October 10, 2006.

For reference purposes, the following is a summary of the grant date value of options granted in 2006 reflected in column (l) of the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table below:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

Grant date value of options awarded in 2006

 

 

$

2,952,571

 

 

$

1,219,955

 

$

1,249,513

 

$

1,939,328

 

$

672,427

 

 

If an option ultimately vests in full, the amount cumulatively recognized in the Summary Compensation Table over a period of years should equal 100% of the grant date fair value of the equity award or the total fair value at the date of settlement for a liability award.

(g)               None of the above executive officers has any earnings for services performed during the fiscal year pursuant to awards under “non-equity incentive plans” or earnings on any outstanding awards, under SEC rules. Accordingly, this column is not applicable.

(h)               Column (h) includes a portion of the interest that Mr. Barr and Mr. Rooney receive on salary that is deferred on a basis that is not tax-qualified. Interest on deferred salary is compounded monthly, computed at a rate equal to one-twelfth of the sum of the average thirty-year Treasury Bond rate plus 1.25 percentage points. As required by SEC rules, column (h) includes the portion of such interest that exceeded 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate, with compounding (as prescribed under section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), at the time each monthly interest rate is set. The other officers have not deferred any of their salaries.

Each of the identified officers participates is a supplemental executive retirement plan or SERP. The interest rate for 2006 was set as of the last trading date of 2005 at 5.6445% per annum, based on the yield on ten year BBB rated industrial bonds at such time. Such rate

22




did not exceed 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate, with compounding (as prescribed under section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), of 5.76% at such time. Accordingly, pursuant to SEC rules, column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table does not include any portion of interest earned under the SERP in 2006.

Pursuant to SEC rules, column (h) does not include any dividends (or dividend equivalents) on deferred bonus denominated in phantom TDS stock because such dividends are not preferential under SEC rules, because they are not earned at a rate higher than dividends on TDS’s common stock.

Does not include any changes in pension values because TDS and U.S. Cellular do not have any defined benefit pension plans or pension plans (including supplemental plans) where the retirement benefit is actuarially determined that covers executive officers. The named executive officers only participate in tax-qualified defined contribution plans and a non-qualified defined contribution plan.

(i)                   Does not include any discount amount under the TDS dividend reinvestment plans because such discounts are available generally to all security holders of TDS.

Does not include any discount amount under the TDS or U.S. Cellular employee stock purchase plans because such discounts are available generally to all employees of TDS or U.S. Cellular, as applicable. The per share cost to each participant is 85% of the market value of the TDS Special Common Shares or U.S. Cellular Common Shares as of the issuance date, as applicable.

Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is $10,000 or more.

Includes the following:   (1) if applicable, the total of perquisites and personal benefits if they equal or exceed $10,000, summarized by type, or specified for any perquisite or personal benefit that exceeds the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits for each officer, in each case, valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost of such perquisite or personal benefit to TDS, including any related tax gross up, (2) contributions by TDS for the benefit of the named executive officer under (a) the TDS tax-deferred savings plan, which is referred to as the TDSP, (b) the TDS Pension Plan and (c) the TDS supplemental executive retirement plan, which is referred to as the SERP, and (3) the dollar value of any insurance premiums paid during the covered fiscal year with respect to Life Insurance for the benefit of the named executive:

 

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson, Jr.

 

Sandra L.
Helton

 

James
Barr III

 

John E.
Rooney

 

LeRoy T.
Carlson

 

Perquisites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate automobile allowance and other personal travel and related expenses

 

 

$

16,657

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

$

24,091

 

 

Tax gross up relating to corporate automobile allowance

 

 

4,279

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

4,070

 

 

Total Perquisites if $10,000 or more

 

 

$

20,936

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

$

28,161

 

 

Contributions to Benefit Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDSP

 

 

$

7,225

 

 

$

7,920

 

$

7,920

 

$

7,921

 

 

$

7,080

 

 

Pension Plan

 

 

25,231

 

 

22,072

 

15,614

 

10,374

 

 

 

 

SERP

 

 

18,769

 

 

21,928

 

28,386

 

33,626

 

 

 

 

Life Insurance

 

 

311

 

 

696

 

9,220

 

 

 

810

 

 

Payments Accrued relating to Resignation

 

 

 

 

1,175,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, including perquisites if $10,000 or more

 

 

$

72,472

 

 

$

1,228,480

 

$

61,140

 

$

51,921

 

 

$

36,051

 

 

 

TDS and U.S. Cellular provide only limited perquisites to senior management. In 2006, this included an automobile allowance and/or reimbursed travel and similar expenses to certain of their executive officers. This benefit is valued based on the actual cost to TDS or U.S. Cellular. Also, TDS and U.S. Cellular reimbursed the officer’s additional taxes related to the automobile allowance. Only LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and LeRoy T. Carlson had perquisites and personal benefits that were $10,000 or more in 2006.

The TDSP is a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan that does not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of executive officers or directors of TDS and that is available generally to all employees. Employees contribute amounts to the plan and TDS makes matching contributions in part.

The Pension Plan is a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan that does not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of executive officers or directors of TDS and that is available generally to all employees. TDS and its subsidiaries make annual employer contributions for each participant.

The SERP is a non-qualified defined contribution plan that is available only to certain officers. This plan provides supplemental benefits under the TDS Pension Plan to offset the reduction of benefits caused by the limitation on annual employee compensation which can be considered for tax qualified pension plans under the Internal Revenue Code. TDS and its subsidiaries make annual employer contributions for each participant.

TDS pays premiums for $100,000 of life insurance for directors of TDS, including directors who are executive officers.

23




Also, pursuant to Item 402(c)(2)(ix)(D) of Regulation S-K, column (i), “All Other Compensation” includes the following amounts accrued pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement and General Release in connection with the resignation of Sandra L. Helton as of December 31, 2006.

Payments Accrued

 

Amount

 

2006 Bonus

 

$

275,600

 

Payment for 25% of the value of the 9,138 Tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares

 

228,016

 

Separation payment

 

672,248

 

Total

 

$

1,175,864

 

 

For further information relating to Sandra L. Helton’s resignation, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

(j)                   Represents the dollar value of total compensation for the fiscal year based on the sum of all amounts reported in columns (c) through (i).

Footnotes:

(1)                LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., as President and Chief Executive Officer, is included in the above table as TDS’s principal executive officer. He is also Chairman of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. TDS does not have any employment, severance or similar agreement with LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. Mr. Carlson is the son of Chairman Emeritus and director LeRoy T. Carlson, and the brother of non-executive Chairman of the Board and director of TDS, Walter C.D. Carlson, and director Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

(2)                Sandra L. Helton is included in the above table because she was TDS’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer during all of 2006. Ms. Helton resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS effective at the end of the day on December 31, 2006. On November 30, 2006, TDS entered into an Employment Agreement and General Release with Ms. Helton as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

(3)                James Barr III, as President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom in 2006, a principal business unit of TDS which operates local telephone companies, was deemed to be an executive officer of TDS in 2006. He was one of the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer or principal financial officer who was serving as an executive officer at the end of the last completed fiscal year, including executive officers of subsidiaries. Mr. Barr retired from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom effective January 1, 2007. He remained an employee of TDS Telecom until March 23, 2007 and retired on March 24, 2007. On March 6, 2006, TDS and James Barr III entered into an amendment of an arrangement relating to Mr. Barr’s employment and retirement, as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

(4)                John E. Rooney, as President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular, a principal business unit of TDS which operates wireless telephone companies, is deemed to be an executive officer of TDS. He is one of the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer or principal financial officer who was serving as an executive officer at the end of the last completed fiscal year, including executive officers of subsidiaries. Pursuant to an offer letter which was accepted by John E. Rooney on March 28, 2000 relating to his employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular, all unvested stock option and restricted stock awards granted on or prior to April 10, 2006 fully vested on October 10, 2006, and all stock option and restricted stock awards granted after April 10, 2006 will fully vest six months after the date they are granted. All of Mr. Rooney’s compensation is paid by U.S. Cellular, which is a public company and SEC registrant. Further information about Mr. Rooney’s compensation is included in the 2007 proxy statement of U.S. Cellular.

(5)                LeRoy T. Carlson, Chairman Emeritus, is one of the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer or principal financial officer of TDS who was serving as an executive officer at the end of the last completed fiscal year, including executive officers of subsidiaries. TDS has an agreement with LeRoy T. Carlson relating to his employment and retirement as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

(6)                LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., director and Chairman of U.S. Cellular, and LeRoy T. Carlson, director of U.S. Cellular, do not receive, and Sandra L. Helton, a director of U.S. Cellular in 2006 did not receive, any compensation from U.S. Cellular. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and LeRoy T. Carlson are compensated, and in 2006 Sandra L. Helton was compensated, by TDS in connection with their services for TDS and TDS subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. A portion of their compensation expense incurred by TDS is allocated to U.S. Cellular by TDS, along with the allocation of other compensation expense and other expenses of TDS. This allocation by TDS to U.S. Cellular is done in the form of a single management fee pursuant to an Intercompany Agreement between TDS and U.S. Cellular. There is no identification or quantification of the compensation of such persons to U.S. Cellular, or of any other allocated expense in this management fee. The management fee is recorded as a single expense by U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular does not obtain details of the components that make up this fee and does not segregate this fee or allocate any part of the management fee to other accounts such as compensation expense. All of the compensation of the foregoing persons was approved by the TDS Compensation Committee and none of it was subject to approval by any U.S. Cellular directors or officers. Accordingly, all of such compensation expense incurred by TDS is reported in the above table by TDS and is not reported by U.S. Cellular. U.S. Cellular discloses the amount of management fee that it pays to TDS in its proxy statement together with a description of the Intercompany Agreement.

24




Information Regarding Plan-Based Awards

The following table shows, as to the executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table, certain information regarding plan-based awards in 2006.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

Name

 

Grant
Date

 

Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan

Awards

 

Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Equity

Incentive
Plan
Awards

 

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)

 

All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)

 

Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)

 

Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

(k)

 

(l)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards in TDS Special Common Shares (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

12/13/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,017,115

 

 

Options

 

12/13/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

213,333

 

 

 

$

49.80

 

 

 

$

2,952,571

 

 

Phantom Stock Bonus Match Units in
TDS Special Common Shares (4)
Deferred Bonus

 

12/13/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

110,000

 

 

Company Match

 

12/13/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

27,500

 

 

2006 Dividends on Phantom Stock
Bonus Match Units (5)
TDS Special Common Shares

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,712

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,509

 

 

Sandra L. Helton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards in TDS Special Common Shares (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options (6)

 

10/13/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,868

 

 

 

$

42.00

 

 

 

$

1,219,955

 

 

James Barr III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards in TDS Special Common Shares (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

06/19/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

581,286

 

 

Options

 

06/19/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

113,587

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

 

 

$

1,249,513

 

 

John E. Rooney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards in USM Common Shares (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

04/03/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,291

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

195,584

 

 

Options

 

04/03/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,000

 

 

 

$

59.43

 

 

 

$

1,939,328

 

 

Phantom Stock Bonus Match Units in
U.S. Cellular Common Shares (3)
Deferred Bonus

 

03/15/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

300,000

 

 

Company Match

 

03/15/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

87,510

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards in TDS Special Common Shares (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

06/19/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

224,694

 

 

Options

 

06/19/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,127

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

 

 

$

672,427

 

 

Phantom Stock Bonus Match Units in
TDS Special Common Shares (4)
Deferred Bonus

 

05/16/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

Company Match

 

05/16/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58,000

 

 

2006 Dividends on Phantom Stock
Bonus Match Units (5)
TDS Special Common Shares

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,251

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,812

 

 

 


Explanation of Columns:

(a)                Includes the persons identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)                Represents the date on which the Compensation Committee took action to grant the awards.

(c)–(e)  These columns as set forth in SEC rules are not applicable because the identified officers did not receive any non-equity incentive plan awards, as defined by SEC rules.

(f)–(h)  These columns as set forth in SEC rules are not applicable because the identified officers did not receive any equity incentive plan awards, as defined by SEC rules.

(i)                   Except with respect to Mr. Rooney, includes the number of TDS Special Common Shares underlying restricted stock units awarded pursuant to the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The TDS restricted stock units will become vested on December 15, 2008, except with respect to Mr. Barr

25




whose restricted stock units became vested upon his retirement on March 24, 2007. With respect to Mr. Rooney, represents the number of U.S. Cellular Common Shares underlying restricted stock units granted to Mr. Rooney pursuant to the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Mr. Rooney’s U.S. Cellular restricted stock units vested on October 10, 2006.

Also includes the number of phantom stock units credited to such officer with respect to deferred bonus compensation. Under the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, executives (other than John E. Rooney) may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive stock unit matches on the amount deferred up to $400,000. Deferred compensation will be deemed invested in phantom TDS Special Common Shares. Participants receive (i) a 25% stock unit match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and (ii) a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus. The matched stock units vest ratably at a rate of one-third per year over three years. The value of phantom stock bonus match units recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS 123R with respect to such officer is included in column (e), “Stock Awards,” of the above Summary Compensation Table. After vesting, the matched stock units are credited with dividends. The Summary Compensation Table does not include any dividends (or dividend equivalents) on deferred bonus denominated in phantom TDS stock because such dividends are not preferential under SEC rules, because they are not earned at a rate higher than dividends on TDS’s common stock. Deferred bonus by John E. Rooney will be deemed invested in phantom U.S. Cellular Common Shares. U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends. For information relating to similar provisions under the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, see U.S. Cellular’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting.

(j)                   Except with respect to John E. Rooney, represents the number of TDS Special Common Shares underlying options awarded during the year pursuant to the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The TDS options granted on December 13, 2006 have an exercise price of $ 49.80 per share, which was the closing price of a TDS Special Common Share on December 13, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and are exercisable until December 13, 2016. The TDS options granted on June 19, 2006 have an exercise price of $38.00 per share, which was the closing price of a TDS Special Common Share on June 19, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and are exercisable until June 19, 2016. The TDS options granted on October 13, 2006 to Sandra L. Helton have an exercise price of $42.00 per share, which was the closing price of a TDS Special Common Share on October 13, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and were scheduled to be exercisable until October 13, 2016.  However, as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below, such options became exercisable during the 90 day period beginning on the later of (i) February 1, 2007 or (ii) the first day on which trading is permitted after TDS removes any blackout period to which Ms. Helton may be subject.

In the case of Mr. Rooney, the amount represents the number of U.S. Cellular Common Shares underlying options awarded during the fiscal year pursuant to the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The U.S. Cellular options were granted on April 3, 2006 at an exercise price of $59.43 per share, which was the closing price of a U.S. Cellular Common Share on April 3, 2006, became fully vested on October 10, 2006, and are exercisable until April 3, 2016.

(k)                Represents the per-share exercise price of the options granted in column (j). Such exercise price is not less than the closing market price of the underlying security on the date of the grant.

(l)                   Represents the grant date fair value of each equity award computed in accordance with FAS 123R or, in the case of any adjustment or amendment of the exercise or base price of options, SARs or similar option-like instruments previously awarded to a named executive officer, whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement grants, or any other means (“repriced”), or other material modification of such awards, represents the incremental fair value, computed as of the repricing or modification date in accordance with FAS 123R, with respect to that repriced or modified award. No options, SARs or other similar awards were repriced or materially modified in the last fiscal year with respect to the identified executive officers.

Footnotes:

(1)                Pursuant to the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, on the date specified, such executive officer was granted restricted stock units and options to purchase TDS Special Common Shares. The FAS 123R expense of the stock awards is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) and the FAS 123R expense of the option awards is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (f). Dividends are not distributed with respect to shares underlying restricted stock units until vested and issued or on shares underlying options unless and until such options are exercised and the shares are issued.

(2)                Pursuant to the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, on the date specified, the U.S. Cellular Stock Option Compensation Committee granted to John E. Rooney restricted stock units and options to purchase U.S. Cellular Common Shares as indicated above. The FAS 123R expense of the stock awards is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) and the FAS 123R expense of the option awards is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (f). U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends.

(3)                Includes the number of phantom stock units in U.S. Cellular Common Shares credited to John E. Rooney with respect to deferred bonus compensation. John E. Rooney participates in the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. This plan permits Mr. Rooney to defer all or a portion of his annual bonus to a deferred compensation account. The entire amount of the bonus earned is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (d) under “Bonus,” whether or not deferred and deemed invested in phantom stock. The FAS 123R expense of the company match stock units is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) under “Stock Awards.”  U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends.

(4)                Includes the number of phantom stock units in TDS Special Common Shares credited to such officer with respect to deferred bonus compensation. The TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides the opportunity for the above officers (other than Mr. Rooney) to defer receipt of a portion of their bonuses and receive TDS matching stock unit credits. The entire amount of the bonus earned is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (d) under “Bonus,” whether or not deferred and deemed invested in phantom stock. The FAS 123R expense of the matched stock units is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) under “Stock Awards.”

(5)                Represents the number of phantom stock units in TDS Common Shares or TDS Special Common Shares credited to such officer with respect to deemed dividends on accumulated deferred phantom stock units. Pursuant to SEC rules, column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table does not include any dividends (or dividend equivalents) on deferred bonus denominated in phantom TDS stock because such dividends are not preferential under SEC rules, because they are not earned at a rate higher than dividends on TDS’s common stock. In addition, dividends are not included in column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table because they are factored into the FAS 123R expense required to be reported for the award in columns (e) of the Summary Compensation Table.

(6)                Sandra L. Helton resigned effective December 31, 2006. On November 30, 2006, TDS entered into an Employment Agreement and General Release with Ms. Helton as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

26




Information Regarding Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End

The following table shows, as to the executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table, certain information regarding outstanding equity awards at year end.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)

 

Option
Exercise
Price

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of 
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

 

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
 ($)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,

 Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Options (3)

 

 

213,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

49.80

 

12/13/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Options (4)

 

 

111,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

77.36

 

4/20/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Options (5)

 

 

67,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.00

 

5/8/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 Options (6)

 

 

65,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

52.92

 

7/3/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 Options (7)

 

 

68,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

60.20

 

8/19/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 Options (8)

 

 

29,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

99.44

 

4/30/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 2nd Options (9)

 

 

56,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

121.12

 

9/16/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 1st Options (10)

 

 

32,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

105.13

 

5/5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1999 Options (11)

 

 

27,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.75

 

4/30/09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1998 Options (12)

 

 

27,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

39.75

 

6/22/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1997 2nd Options (13)

 

 

54,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.75

 

11/5/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1997 1st Options (14)

 

 

11,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.88

 

12/15/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Restricted Stock Units (17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,424

 

 

$

1,013,030

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Restricted Stock Units (18)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,024

 

 

$

1,977,164

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Match in 2006 (26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

370

 

 

$

18,352

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

765,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,818

 

 

$

3,008,546

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra L. Helton (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Options (3)

 

 

98,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

42.00

 

10/13/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Options (4)

 

 

53,353

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

77.36

 

4/20/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Options (5)

 

 

30,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.00

 

5/8/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 Options (6)

 

 

31,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

52.92

 

7/3/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 Options (7)

 

 

29,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.00

 

7/5/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 Options (8)

 

 

12,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

99.44

 

4/30/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 2nd Options (9)

 

 

25,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

121.12

 

9/16/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 1st Options (10)

 

 

18,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

105.13

 

5/5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1998 Initial Options (15)

 

 

24,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

33.87

 

8/7/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

323,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Barr III (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Options (3)

 

 

113,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

6/19/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Options (4)

 

 

47,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

77.36

 

4/20/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Options (5)

 

 

13,905

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.00

 

5/8/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 Options (8)

 

 

6,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

99.44

 

4/30/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 Initial Options (16)

 

 

30,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

104.00

 

3/10/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Restricted Stock Units (17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,297

 

 

$

758,731

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Restricted Stock Units (18)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,981

 

 

$

829,465

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

212,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,278

 

 

$

1,588,196

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Rooney (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 USM Options (19)

 

 

138,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.43

 

4/3/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 USM Options (20)

 

 

131,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

45.63

 

3/31/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 USM Options (21)

 

 

92,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38.65

 

3/31/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 USM Options (22)

 

 

105,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

24.47

 

4/21/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 USM Options (23)

 

 

16,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

41.00

 

3/31/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 USM Options (24)

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.40

 

5/29/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 USM Initial Options (25)

 

 

55,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

69.19

 

4/10/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27




 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)

 

Option
Exercise
Price

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of 
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

 

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
 ($)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,

 Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Match in 2006 (26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,029

 

 

$

71,608

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Match in 2005 (26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,213

 

 

$

84,413

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

557,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,242

 

 

$

156,021

 

 

 

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Options (3)

 

 

61,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

6/19/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Options (4)

 

 

26,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

77.36

 

4/20/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Options (5)

 

 

22,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.00

 

5/8/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 Options (6)

 

 

23,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

52.92

 

7/3/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 Options (7)

 

 

22,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.00

 

7/5/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 Options (8)

 

 

15,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

99.44

 

4/30/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 2nd Options (9)

 

 

34,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

121.12

 

9/16/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 1st Options (10)

 

 

18,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

105.13

 

5/5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1999 Options (11)

 

 

17,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

66.75

 

4/30/09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1998 Options (12)

 

 

17,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

39.75

 

6/22/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1997 2nd Options (13)

 

 

39,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.75

 

11/5/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1997 1st Options (14)

 

 

8,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.88

 

12/15/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Restricted Stock Units (17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,913

 

 

$

293,285

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Restricted Stock Units (18)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,164

 

 

$

640,625

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Match in 2006 (26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,014

 

 

$

50,294

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Match in 2005 (26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

238

 

 

$

24,735

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

307,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,329

 

 

$

1,008,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanation of Columns:

(a)             Includes the persons identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)            Includes, on an award-by-award basis, the number of securities underlying unexercised options, including any awards that have been transferred other than for value, that are exercisable as of December 31, 2006. No awards have been transferred. Except for 2006 TDS awards, which represent awards with respect to TDS Special Common Shares, all prior awards represent the number of tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares subject to options.

(c)             Includes on an award-by-award basis, the number of securities underlying unexercised options, including awards that have been transferred other than for value, that are unexercisable as of December 31, 2006, if any.

(d)            This column is not applicable because the identified officers do not have any options that are equity incentive plan awards, as defined by SEC rules.

(e)             Represents the exercise prices of the awards identified in columns (b) and (c).

(f)                Represents the expiration dates of the awards identified in columns (b) and (c).

(g)            Represents the total number of shares underlying stock awards that have not vested as of December 31, 2006. Except for 2006 TDS awards, which represent awards with respect to TDS Special Common Shares, all prior awards represent the number of tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares subject to stock awards.

(h)             Represents the aggregate market value of shares underlying stock awards that have not vested as of December 31, 2006, calculated using the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006.  With respect to Mr. Rooney, the aggregate market value of shares underlying stock awards that have not vested as of December 31, 2006, was calculated using the closing price of USM Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006.

(i)                 This column is not applicable because the identified officers do not have any stock awards that are equity incentive plan awards, as defined by SEC rules.

(j)                This column is not applicable because the identified officers do not have any stock awards that are equity incentive plan awards, as defined by SEC rules.

28




Footnotes:

The following provides additional information with respect to outstanding equity awards at year end. Number references correspond to numbers in the above table. The following discloses the date that options were scheduled to become exercisable and that restricted stock was scheduled to become vested. However, due to the delay in SEC filings resulting from the restatement announced in 2005 discussed below, TDS and U.S. Cellular suspended the exercise of options and the issuance of shares between March 17 and October 10, 2006. As a result, the options that were scheduled to become exercisable between such dates were not exercisable until October 10, 2006.

(1)                With respect to such officer, information is presented as to the number of TDS shares underlying options or stock awards. Except for 2006 awards, which represent awards with respect to TDS Special Common Shares, all prior awards represent the number of tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares subject to options or stock awards. The tandem options provide that upon exercise or vesting, the optionee will acquire an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. Dividends are not distributed with respect to shares underlying restricted stock units until vested and issued or on shares underlying options unless and until such options are exercised and the shares are issued.

The following footnotes discuss the vesting and exercise periods included in the original awards. However, these periods have been modified with respect to Sandra L. Helton and James Barr III, as follows:

On November 30, 2006, TDS entered into an employment agreement and general release with Sandra L. Helton pursuant to which Ms. Helton resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS effective December 31, 2006, as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

On March 6, 2006, TDS and James Barr III entered into an amendment of an arrangement relating to Mr. Barr’s employment and retirement, as discussed under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

(2)                In the case of John E. Rooney, represents U.S. Cellular Common Shares underlying options or stock awards. U.S. Cellular does not currently pay any dividends. As reflected in the below footnotes, pursuant to an offer letter which was accepted by John E. Rooney on March 28, 2000, all unvested stock option and restricted stock awards granted to him on or prior to April 10, 2006 fully vested on October 10, 2006.

(3)                With respect to James Barr III and LeRoy T. Carlson, such 2006 Options represent options to purchase TDS Special Common Shares, were granted on June 19, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and are exercisable until June 19, 2016 at the exercise price of $38.00 per share. With respect to Sandra L. Helton, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below. With respect to LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., such 2006 Options were granted on December 13, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and are exercisable until December 13, 2016 at the exercise price of $49.80 per share.

(4)                Such 2005 Options became exercisable on December 15, 2005 (except with respect to Mr. Barr, whose options became exercisable on April 30, 2005) and are exercisable until April 20, 2015 at the exercise price of $77.36 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(5)                Such 2004 Options became exercisable on December 15, 2004 and are exercisable until May 8, 2014 at the exercise price of $66.00 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(6)                Such 2003 Options became exercisable on December 15, 2003 and are exercisable until July 3, 2013 at the exercise price of $52.92 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(7)                Such 2002 Options (i) with respect to LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., became exercisable, on December 15, 2002 and are exercisable until August 19, 2012 at the exercise price of $60.20 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares and (ii) with respect to Sandra L. Helton and LeRoy T. Carlson, became exercisable on December 15, 2002 and (except as noted in Note 1 with respect to Ms. Helton) are exercisable until July 5, 2012 at the exercise price of $59.00 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(8)                Such 2001 Options became exercisable on December 15, 2001 and are exercisable until April 30, 2011 at the exercise price of $99.44 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(9)                Such 2000 2nd Options became exercisable in annual increments of 25% on December 15, 2001 and on each anniversary of such date until December 15, 2004 and are exercisable until September 15, 2010 at the exercise price of $121.12 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(10)           Such 2000 1st Options became exercisable on December 15, 2000 and are exercisable until May 5, 2010 at the exercise price of $105.13 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(11)           Such 1999 Options became exercisable on December 15, 1999 and are exercisable until April 30, 2009 at the exercise price of $66.75 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(12)           Such 1998 Options became exercisable on December 15, 1998 and are exercisable until June 22, 2008 at the exercise price of $39.75 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(13)           Such 1997 2nd Options became exercisable with respect to one-third of the shares on each of December 15, 1998, December 15, 1999 and December 15, 2000, and are exercisable until November 5, 2007 at the exercise price of $43.75 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(14)           Such 1997 1st Options became exercisable on February 10, 1998 and are exercisable until December 15, 2007 at the exercise price of $43.88 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(15)           Such 1998 Initial Options became exercisable with respect to 12,000 shares on each of December 15, 1998, December 15, 1999 and December 15, 2000 and were originally exercisable until September 15, 2008 at an exercise price of $33.87 per tandem option to purchase an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(16)           Such 2000 Initial Options became exercisable in annual increments of 20% on December 15, 2000 and on each anniversary of such date through December 15, 2004, and are exercisable until March 10, 2010 at the exercise price of $104.00 per share.

(17)           Such 2006 Restricted Stock Units will become vested on December 15, 2008, except with respect to Mr. Barr whose restricted stock units became vested upon his retirement on March 24, 2007.

29




(18)           Such 2005 Restricted Stock Units will become vested on December 15, 2007, except with respect to Mr. Barr whose tandem restricted stock units became vested upon his retirement on March 24, 2007.

(19)           The 2006 USM Options became fully vested on October 10, 2006, and are exercisable until April 3, 2016 at an exercise price of $59.43.

(20)           The 2005 USM Options were scheduled to become exercisable in annual increments of 25% on March 31 of each year beginning in 2006 and ending in 2009 (except that, as discussed in Note (2), all unvested options became fully vested on October 10, 2006), and are exercisable until March 31, 2015 at an exercise price of $45.63.

(21)           The 2004 USM Options were scheduled to become exercisable in annual increments of 25% on March 31 of each year beginning in 2005 and ending in 2008 (except that, as discussed in Note (2), all unvested options became fully vested on October 10, 2006), and are exercisable until March 31, 2014 at an exercise price of $38.65.

(22)           The 2003 USM Options were scheduled to become exercisable in annual increments of 25% on March 31 of each year beginning in 2004 and ending in 2007 (except that, as discussed in Note (2), all unvested options became fully vested on October 10, 2006), and are exercisable until April 21, 2013 at an exercise price of $24.47.

(23)           The 2002 USM Options became exercisable in annual increments of 25% on March 31 of each year beginning in 2003 and ending in 2006, and are exercisable until March 31, 2012 at an exercise price of $41.00.

(24)           The 2001 USM Options became exercisable in annual increments of 20% on March 31 of each year beginning in 2002 and ending in 2006, and are exercisable until May 29, 2011 at an exercise price of $59.40.

(25)           The 2000 USM Options became exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares underlying the option on April 10 of each year beginning in 2001 and ending in 2005, and are exercisable until April 10, 2010 at an exercise price of $69.19.

(26)           Represents phantom stock units credited to such officer with respect to deferred bonus compensation, including accumulated dividends on such deferred units. See “Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below. Except with respect to Mr. Rooney, represents the number of TDS shares underlying options or stock awards. Except for 2006 awards, which represent awards with respect to TDS Special Common Shares, all prior awards represent the number of tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares subject to options or stock awards. The tandem options provide that upon exercise or vesting, the optionee will acquire an equal number of Common Shares and Special Common Shares. In the case of Mr. Rooney, represents U.S. Cellular Common Shares underlying options or stock awards. One-third of the phantom stock bonus match units become vested on each of the first three anniversaries of the last day of the year for which the applicable bonus is payable, provided that such employee is an employee of TDS or U.S. Cellular or an affiliate on such date and the deferred bonus amount has not been withdrawn or distributed before such date.

30




Information Regarding Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2006

The following table shows, as to the executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table, certain information regarding option exercises and stock vested in 2006.

Option Exercises And Stock Vested

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)

 

Value Realized
 on Exercise ($)

 

Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)

 

Value Realized
on Vesting
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Exercise (2)

 

 

13,233

 

 

 

$

705,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Bonus Match Units in TDS Special Common Shares (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

$

9,027

 

 

Dividends on Bonus Match Units (7)
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

$

4,712

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

$

4,509

 

 

Total

 

 

13,233

 

 

 

$

705,980

 

 

 

360

 

 

 

$

18,248

 

 

Sandra L. Helton (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Barr III (1) (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Rooney (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Restricted Stock Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,291

 

 

 

$

191,207

 

 

2005 Restricted Stock Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,474

 

 

 

$

666,639

 

 

2004 Restricted Stock Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,726

 

 

 

$

506,981

 

 

2003 Restricted Stock Units (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,981

 

 

 

$

870,396

 

 

2006 Bonus Match Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

$

35,769

 

 

2005 Bonus Match Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,213

 

 

 

$

84,413

 

 

2004 Bonus Match Units (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

906

 

 

 

$

63,049

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,105

 

 

 

$

2,418,454

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Exercise (8)

 

 

9,367

 

 

 

$

498,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Bonus Match Units in TDS Special
Common Shares (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

$

24,800

 

 

Prior Year Bonus Match Units (5)
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

578

 

 

 

28.669

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

578

 

 

 

$

31,403

 

 

Dividends on Bonus Match Units (7)
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

$

12,251

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

$

10,812

 

 

Total

 

 

9,367

 

 

 

$

498,137

 

 

 

2,102

 

 

 

$

107,935

 

 

 

31





Explanation of Columns:

(a)            Includes the persons identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)            Represents the number of securities for which the options were exercised.

(c)             Represents the aggregate dollar value realized upon exercise of options, based on the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at exercise and the exercise or base price of the options.

(d)            Represents the number of shares of stock that have vested. This includes restricted stock and bonus plan company-match phantom stock units, including dividends on such deferred units that became vested in 2006.

(e)            Represents the aggregate dollar value realized upon vesting of stock, calculated by multiplying the number of shares of stock or units by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date.

Footnotes:

(1)            With respect to such officer, information is presented as to the number of TDS shares underlying options or stock awards. Except for 2006 awards, which represent awards with respect to TDS Special Common Shares, all prior awards represent the number of tandem TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares subject to options or stock awards. The tandem options provide that upon exercise or vesting, the optionee will acquire an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares.

(2)            On December 4, 2006, LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. exercised tandem options with respect to 13,233 TDS shares. The exercise price was $47.60 per tandem share, for an aggregate of $629,891. Mr. Carlson paid the exercise price through the delivery of 13,000 TDS Special Common Shares having a value of $48.45 per share. He also paid taxes by allowing TDS to withhold 3,960 TDS Common Shares having a value of $52.50 per share. As a result, Mr. Carlson received upon exercise 13,233 TDS Special Common Shares and 9,273 TDS Common Shares. The gain of $705,980 is equal to the difference between the aggregate gross value of the shares exercised, representing the difference between (a) sum of (i) 13,233 TDS Common Shares at $52.50 per share and (ii) 13,233 TDS Special Common Shares at $48.45 per share, for a total of $1,335,871, less (b) the exercise price of $629,891.

(3)            As noted above, subsequent to December 31, 2006, Mr. Barr’s awards vested upon his retirement on March 24, 2007.

(4)            In the case of John E. Rooney, represents U.S. Cellular Common Shares underlying options or stock awards. As discussed above, pursuant to John E. Rooney’s employment letter agreement and award agreements, all unvested options and unvested restricted stock units (except the 2003 Restricted Stock Units—see (5) below) vested on October 10, 2006. The stock price used to calculate the value realized on vesting of the other restricted stock was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $58.10 on October 10, 2006. U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends. The stock price used to calculate the value realized on vesting of the bonus stock was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006.

(5)            Such restricted stock units were scheduled to become vested on March 31, 2006. The closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on such date was $59.36. However, due to the delay in SEC filings resulting from the restatement announced in 2005 discussed below, U.S. Cellular suspended the issuance of shares upon the vesting of restricted stock units between March 17 and October 10, 2006. As a result, the restricted stock that was scheduled to become vested on March 31, 2006 was not issued until October 10, 2006. The stock price used to calculate the value realized on vesting was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $58.10 on October 10, 2006.

(6)            Pursuant to the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the bonus plan company-match phantom stock units vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the last day of the year for which the applicable bonus is payable, provided that such employee is an employee of TDS or an affiliate on such date and the deferred bonus amount has not been withdrawn or distributed before such date. The stock price used to calculate the value realized on vesting was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006. See “Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.

(7)            Represents the number of phantom stock units in TDS Special Common Shares credited to such officer with respect to deemed dividends on accumulated deferred phantom stock units that became vested in 2006. The stock price used to calculate the value realized on vesting was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33

32




and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006. Pursuant to SEC rules, column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table does not include any dividends (or dividend equivalents) on deferred bonus denominated in phantom TDS stock because such dividends are not preferential under SEC rules, because they are not earned at a rate higher than dividends on TDS’s common stock.

(8)            On December 11, 2006, LeRoy T. Carlson exercised tandem options with respect to 9,367 TDS shares. The exercise price was $47.60 per tandem share, for an aggregate of $445,869. Mr. Carlson paid taxes by allowing TDS to withhold 3,037 TDS Special Common Shares having a value of $48.30 per share. As a result, Mr. Carlson received upon exercise 6,330 TDS Special Common Shares and 9,367 TDS Common Shares. The gain of $498,137 is equal to the difference between the aggregate gross value of the shares exercised, representing the difference between (a) sum of (i) 9,367 TDS Common Shares at $52.48 per share and (ii) 9,367 TDS Special Common Shares at $48.30 per share, for a total of $944,006, less (b) the exercise price of $445,869.

Information Regarding Pension Benefits

TDS and U.S. Cellular executive officers are covered by a “defined contribution” tax-deferred saving plan, a “defined contribution” pension plan and a related supplemental plan, as discussed above. The company contributions for each of the named executive officers under these plans is disclosed in column (i), “All Other Compensation,” of the Summary Compensation Table. However, TDS and U.S. Cellular do not have any “defined benefit” pension plans or pension plans (including supplemental plans) where the retirement benefit is actuarially determined that cover executive officers. The named executive officers only participate in tax-qualified defined contribution plans and a non-qualified defined contribution plan. Accordingly, the Pension Benefits table provided by SEC rules is not applicable.

33




Information Regarding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The following table shows, as to the executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table, certain information regarding nonqualified deferred compensation.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Name

 

Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)

 

Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)

 

Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY
($)

 

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)

 

Aggregate
Balance
at Last FYE
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,769

 

 

 

$

14,863

 

 

 

 

 

$

296,947

 

 

Bonus Deferral and Company Match (3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Deferral
2,209 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

$

110,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Match Credited of 182 TDS
Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Credited on Deferred Bonus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83 TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Balance at Year End:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,645 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

726,392

 

 

12,238 TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

664,891

 

 

Total Value of Accumulated Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,391,283

 

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

$

110,000

 

 

 

$

27,796

 

 

 

$

24,084

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,688,230

 

 

Sandra L. Helton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP (1) (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

21,928

 

 

 

$

8,770

 

 

 

 

 

$

186,078

 

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

21,928

 

 

 

$

8,770

 

 

$

 

 

$

186,078

 

 

James Barr III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,386

 

 

 

$

14,677

 

 

 

 

 

$

303,091

 

 

Salary Deferral (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

183,475

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,058,436

 

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

28,386

 

 

 

$

198,152

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,361,527

 

 

John E. Rooney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

33,626

 

 

 

$

7,945

 

 

 

 

 

$

182,336

 

 

Salary Deferral (2)

 

 

$

141,064

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

53,381

 

 

 

 

 

$

953,713

 

 

Bonus Deferral and Company Match (3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Deferral
5,290 USM Common Shares

 

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Match Credited in
USM Common Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

514 shares from 2006 Company Match

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,213 shares from 2005 Company Match

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

84,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

906 shares from 2004 Company Match

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

63,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Balance
56,138 USM Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,906,643

 

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

$

441,064

 

 

 

$

216,857

 

 

 

$

61,326

 

 

$

 

 

$

5,042,692

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,328

 

 

 

 

 

$

343,038

 

 

Bonus Deferral and Company Match (3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Deferral
5,222 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Company Match Credited of 500
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

24,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior Year Bonus Match Units Credited of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

578 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

578 TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

31,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Credited on Deferred Bonus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199 TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Balance at Year End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,741 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,772,754

 

 

29,962 TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,627,835

 

 

Total Value of Accumulated Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,400,589

 

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

$

84,872

 

 

 

$

41,391

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,743,627

 

 

 

34





Explanation of Columns:

(a)                Includes the persons identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)               Represents the dollar amount of executive contributions during the last fiscal year. With respect any deferred salary, includes the actual dollar amount deferred. The entire amount of the salary earned in 2006 is included in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table, whether or not deferred. Only John E. Rooney deferred his salary in 2006. The officer makes an election as to when to receive a distribution of the deferred compensation account.

With respect to deferred bonus, includes the actual dollar amount of bonus deferred, which amount is also included in column (d) of the Summary Compensation Table. The entire amount of the bonus earned in 2006 is included in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table, whether or not deferred. Only LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., John E. Rooney and LeRoy T. Carlson deferred a portion of their bonuses earned in 2006.

(c)                Represents the dollar amount of aggregate contributions by TDS during the last fiscal year. With respect to the SERP, represents the actual dollar amount contributed with respect to 2006 for the officer. This is the same as the amount reported in column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to bonus deferral, represents the amount of bonus deferred by the officer. This is the same as the amount included in column (d) of the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to the company match, the amounts in 2006 represent the value of the shares on the date the bonus match units were credited to the officer. This does not agree with the amount included as stock awards in the column (e) of the Summary Compensation Table, which includes the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with FAS 123R rather than the value of the phantom shares at the time credited to the officer’s account.

(d)               Represents the dollar amount of aggregate interest or other earnings accrued during the last fiscal year. With respect to the SERP, represents the actual dollar amount earned in 2006 by the officer, of which any amount that is deemed to be above-market or preferential earnings as defined by SEC rules is included in column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to any deferred salary, includes the amount of interest credited to the deferred account for 2006, of which any amount that is deemed to be above-market or preferential earnings as defined by SEC rules is included in column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to dividends on bonus deferral and company match, represents the dollar value of the phantom stock units credited to the account of the identified officer as dividends, based on the closing price of the underlying shares on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the year. Dividends are not distributed with respect to shares underlying restricted stock units until vested and issued or on shares underlying options unless and until such options are exercised and the shares are issued.

(e)                Represents the aggregate dollar amount of any withdrawals by or distributions to the executive during the last fiscal year. Any such amounts represent withdrawals or distributions of company and/or employee contributions and/or earnings from prior years and are not included in 2006 compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.

(f)                  Represents the dollar value of the balance of the executive’s account as of the end of the last fiscal year. With respect to the SERP, represents the actual dollar amount in the executive’s account as of December 31, 2006. With respect to any deferred salary, represents the actual dollar amount in the executive’s account as of December 31, 2006. With respect to bonus deferral and company match, represents the dollar value of the number of phantom stock units held in the executive’s account based on the closing price of the underlying shares on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the year. The stock price used for TDS shares was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006. The stock price used for U.S. Cellular shares was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006. U.S. Cellular does not currently pay dividends. Column (f) includes amounts reported as 2006 compensation in the Summary Compensation Table, as indicated in notes to columns (b) through (d).

Footnotes:

(1)                Each of the identified officers participates in a supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”). This plan provides supplemental benefits under the TDS pension plan (“Pension Plan”) to offset the reduction of benefits caused by the limitation on annual employee compensation which can be considered for tax qualified pension plans under the Internal Revenue Code. The SERP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and is intended to be unfunded. Such officers are credited with earnings on this nonqualified defined contribution plan. Under the SERP, the deferred balance is credited with an assumed rate of earnings on all items other than the contributions for the current year equal to the yield on ten year BBB rated industrial bonds for the last trading date of the prior year as quoted by Standard & Poor’s. The interest rate for 2006 was set as of the last trading date of 2005 at 5.6445% per annum, based on the yield on ten year BBB rated industrial bonds at such time. Such rate did not exceed 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate, with compounding (as prescribed under section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), of 5.76% at such time. Accordingly, pursuant to SEC rules, column (h) does not include any portion of interest earned under the SERP in 2006.

See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for information relating to vesting and distribution of amounts under the SERP.

(2)                Represents deferred salary accounts pursuant to deferred salary compensation agreements with Mr. Barr and Mr. Rooney. The other officers have not deferred any of their salaries. All of the annual salary is reported in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table, whether or not deferred. Pursuant to the agreements, Mr. Barr’s and Mr. Rooney’s deferred compensation accounts are credited with interest compounded monthly, computed at a rate equal to one-twelfth of the sum of the average thirty-year Treasury Bond rate plus 1.25 percentage points until the deferred compensation amount is paid to such person. As required by SEC rules, column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table includes the portion of such interest that exceeded interest calculated using 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate, with compounding (as prescribed under section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), at the time each monthly interest rate is set. Mr. Barr elected to receive a distribution of his deferred salary balances as a lump sum payment on April 6, 2007. Mr. Rooney elected to receive a distribution of his deferred salary balance as a lump sum payment upon separation from the company.

(3)                The amounts in column (b) represent deferrals of annual bonus. All of the annual bonus earned is reported in column (d), “Bonus,” of the Summary Compensation Table, whether or not deferred. The amounts in column (c) represent the value of company match awards credited to the officer in the fiscal year. The FAS 123R expense of the matched stock units is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) under “Stock Awards.”

Subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a TDS employee will receive an amount equal to his or her vested deferred compensation account balance on the earlier of the date specified by the employee, the date the employee separates

35




from service for whatever reason, and the date the employee is determined to suffer a permanent disability. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. elected to receive distributions of his deferred bonus and company match balances as a lump sum to be paid after separation from service. LeRoy T. Carlson elected to receive distributions of his deferred bonus and company match balances as a lump sum to be paid after separation from service.

John E. Rooney participates in the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. This plan permits Mr. Rooney to defer all or a portion of his annual bonus to a deferred compensation account. Deferred compensation will be deemed invested in phantom U.S. Cellular Common Shares. The entire amount of the bonus earned is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (d) under “Bonus,” whether or not deferred and deemed invested in phantom stock. The FAS 123R expense of the matched stock units is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in column (e) under “Stock Awards.” For further information relating to U.S. Cellular company match awards, see U.S. Cellular’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting. A U.S. Cellular employee will receive an amount equal to his or her vested deferred compensation account balance on the earlier of the date specified by the employee, the date the employee separates from service for whatever reason, and the date the employee is determined to suffer a permanent disability. Mr. Rooney elected to receive distributions of his deferred bonus and company match balances as a lump sum payment upon separation from the company.

(4)                Ms. Helton resigned as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS effective December 31, 2006. Ms. Helton’s vested SERP balance is $148,862 (80% of the balance at December 31, 2006). She has elected to receive the balance in ten annual installments which will begin in June 2007. She will continue to receive earnings credited annually until the balance is distributed in full.

Potential Payments Upon Termination Or Change-In-Control

This section discusses, with respect to the executives identified in the Summary Compensation Table, each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement, whether written or unwritten, that provides for payments to such executive at, following, or in connection with any termination, including resignation, severance, retirement or constructive termination, or a change in control of TDS or a change in the executive officer’s responsibilities.

Arrangement with Specified Officers

Neither TDS nor its subsidiaries have any agreements with any of the named executive officers providing for severance or other compensation or benefits upon a change in control, except that certain awards accelerate upon a change in control, as discussed below. TDS may enter into limited employment arrangements with newly hired officers, or into employment or similar agreements in connection with the termination of an officer, as discussed below. However, in general, TDS does not enter into employment agreements that provide significant rights or benefits to officers.

TDS does not have any executory employment, severance or similar agreement with LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. Accordingly, any payments upon any termination event or change of control will only be made according to the plans described below that are applicable generally under such plans. However, TDS has entered into certain arrangements with Sandra L. Helton, James Barr and LeRoy T. Carlson that are currently executory in whole or in part, as discussed below. Accordingly, the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control includes such arrangements, in addition to the provisions that will be applicable generally under the plans discussed below. In addition, as discussed below, U.S. Cellular has certain arrangements with John E. Rooney relating to acceleration of options and restricted stock units, but this has already occurred as of October 10, 2006, as discussed above.

General Provisions under Plans and Certain Agreements

Deferred Salary and Bonus

Mr.  Barr and Mr. Rooney are parties to executive deferred compensation agreements, pursuant to which they have deferred a specified portion of their salaries. The executive is always 100% vested in all salary amounts that have been deferred and any interest credited with respect thereto. Accordingly, the executive is entitled to 100% of the amount deferred and all earnings thereon upon any termination. Such amounts are reported above in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table and, because there would not be any increased benefit or accelerated vesting in the event of any termination or change in control, are not included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., John E. Rooney and LeRoy T. Carlson are parties to executive deferred compensation agreements, pursuant to which they have deferred a specified portion of their bonuses. The executive is always 100% vested in all bonus amounts that have been deferred and any dividends credited with respect thereto. Such amounts are reported above in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table and, because there would not be any increased benefit or accelerated vesting in the event of any termination or change in control, are not included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

36




TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan

The TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan and related stock option and restricted stock unit award agreements provide various rights upon termination and/or change in control, as summarized below.

Stock Options.   The TDS option agreements with named executive officers provide as follows:

Disability.   If the officer ceases to be employed by reason of Disability (a total physical disability which prevents the substantial performance of employment duties for a continuous period of at least six months), the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the officer’s termination of employment or service, and after such date may be exercised by the option holder for a period of 12 months after the effective date of the holder’s termination of employment or service or until the expiration date of the option, whichever period is shorter.

Retirement.   If the holder ceases to be employed by reason of Retirement (termination of employment on or after the holder’s attainment of age 65 that does not satisfy the definition of “Special Retirement”), the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the holder’s Retirement, and after such date may be exercised by the holder for a period of 90 days after the effective date of the Retirement or until the option’s expiration date, whichever period is shorter.

Special Retirement.   If the officer ceases to be employed by reason of Special Retirement, (termination of employment on or after the later of reaching age 62 and the officer’s early retirement date or normal retirement date under the TDS Pension Plan), the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the Special Retirement, and after such date may be exercised by the holder for a period of 12 months after the effective date of the Special Retirement or until the option’s expiration date, whichever period is shorter.

Resignation with Prior Consent of the Board. If the officer ceases to be employed by reason of the officer’s resignation of employment or service at any age with the prior consent of the board of directors of TDS, the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the holder’s resignation, and after such date may be exercised by the holder (or the holder’s legal representative) for a period of 90 days after such effective date or until the option’s expiration date, whichever period is shorter.

Death.   If the officer ceases to be employed by reason of death, the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the date of death, and after the date of death may be exercised by the beneficiary or beneficiaries duly designated by the deceased officer, for a period of 180 days after the date of death or until the option’s expiration date, whichever period is shorter.

Other Termination of Employment or Service.   If the officer ceases to be employed for any reason other than Disability, Special Retirement, Retirement, resignation of employment or service with the prior consent of the board of directors of TDS or death, the option will be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the holder’s termination of employment or service, and after such date may be exercised by the holder (or the holder’s legal representative) for a period of 30 days after the effective date of the holder’s termination of employment or until the option’s expiration date, whichever period is shorter.

Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Unit Awards.   The TDS restricted stock unit agreements with named executive officers provide as follows:

Disability or Death.   If officer’s employment terminates prior to vesting by reason of Disability or death, the restricted stock/restricted stock unit will vest upon such termination of employment or service.

Retirement at or after Attainment of Age 66.   If the officer’s employment terminates on or after January 1 in the calendar year after the date of grant but prior to vesting in the year that the restricted stock/restricted stock unit is scheduled to vest, by reason of retirement at or after attainment of age 66, the restricted stock/restricted stock unit will vest upon such termination of employment or service (“Qualified Retirement”). If the officer’s employment terminates prior to January 1 in the calendar year after the date of grant by reason of retirement at or after attainment of age 66, the restricted stock/restricted stock unit will be forfeited.

Other Termination of Employment or Service.   If the officer’s employment terminates prior to vesting in the year that the restricted stock/restricted stock unit is scheduled to vest, for any reason other than

37




Disability, death or retirement at or after attainment of age 66, the restricted stock/restricted stock unit will be forfeited.

Employer Match Awards.   If an employee’s employment with TDS or its affiliates terminates by reason of Disability or death, all employer match awards credited to the employee’s deferred compensation account shall become nonforfeitable upon such termination of employment to the extent such awards had not been forfeited previously. If an employee’s employment with TDS or its affiliates terminates for any other reason, any unvested employer match awards will be forfeited. In addition, the all match awards will become fully vested upon a Change of Control.

Change in Control.

Notwithstanding any provision in the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan or any agreement, in the event of a Change in Control:

·       any restriction period applicable to any outstanding restricted stock award or RSU award shall lapse;

·       any performance period applicable to any outstanding performance share award shall lapse;

·       any performance measures applicable to any outstanding performance share award or to any outstanding restricted stock award or RSU award shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target level;

·       all outstanding options and SARs shall become immediately exercisable in full; and

·       all amounts in a deferred compensation account shall become nonforfeitable.

For the definition of Change in Control, see TDS’s 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to TDS’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2005.

Because certain termination events and/or a Change in Control would result in the acceleration of vesting of options, restricted stock and bonus match units, such increased potential benefits or accelerated vesting in such event are included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Provisions similar to the foregoing are also included in the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan which is applicable to John E. Rooney. For further information, see the U.S. Cellular proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.  However, all of John E. Rooney’s awards other than bonus match awards have vested pursuant to an agreement with U.S. Cellular. See footnote (3) to the below table.

Because certain termination events and/or a change in control would result in the acceleration of vesting of Mr. Rooney’s U.S. Cellular bonus match units, such increased potential benefits or accelerated vesting in such event are included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control. The vesting of his bonus match units will accelerate in the event of a qualified disability, qualified retirement, death or Change in Control as defined by the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

SERP

Each of the identified officers participates in a supplemental executive retirement plan or SERP, which is a non-qualified defined contribution plan. A participant is entitled to distribution of his entire account balance under the SERP if the participant’s employment is terminated, without cause, after either (a) his or her attainment of age 65; or (b) his or her completion of at least ten years of service. If a participant terminates employment under circumstances other than those set forth in preceding sentence, without cause, the participant will be entitled to distribution of 10% of his or her account balance for each year of service up to ten years. Upon termination under circumstances that permit payments under the SERP, the participant may elect to take payments in (a) a single lump sum or (b) annual installments over a period of years. The SERP does not include any provision that would increase benefits or accelerate amounts upon any termination or change in control and, accordingly, no amount is included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control. The balance of the SERP as of December 31, 2006 for each named executive officer is set forth above in the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” Table.

38




Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Under the TDS and U.S. Cellular Employee Stock Purchase Plans, all shares purchased are distributed quarterly and no shares are retained for distribution upon retirement or otherwise. These plans do not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and are available generally to all employees of TDS or U.S. Cellular, as applicable, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Tax-Deferred Savings Plan

Under the TDS Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, a qualified defined contribution plan, vesting is not accelerated upon a Change in Control or other termination event. The vested portion of an employee’s account becomes payable following the employee’s termination of employment as (a) a lump sum or (b) a series of annual or more frequent installments. This plan does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and is available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Pension Plan

Under the TDS  Pension Plan, a qualified defined contribution plan,, vesting is not accelerated upon a Change in Control or other termination event. The vested portion of an employee’s account becomes payable following the employee’s termination of employment as (a) an annuity or (b) a lump sum payment. This plan does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and is available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Post-Retirement Benefits

TDS sponsors two post-retirement plans that cover most of the employees of TDS, TDS Telecom and the subsidiaries of TDS Telecom. One plan provides medical benefits and the other provides life insurance benefits. These plans do not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and are available generally to all salaried employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Health and Welfare Benefits

TDS also provides customary health and welfare and similar plans for the benefit of its employees. These group life, health, hospitalization, disability and/or medical reimbursement plans do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation, in favor of executive officers or directors of TDS and are available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

Perquisites

TDS does not provide any significant perquisites to its officers. In addition, TDS has no formal plan, policy or procedure relating to providing perquisites to any executive officers following termination or change in control. However, in connection with any termination, TDS may enter into a retirement, severance of similar agreement that may provide for certain limited perquisites. With respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, TDS has entered into an agreement relating to the retirement of James Barr discussed above. In such agreement, TDS agreed that Mr. Barr would be permitted to retain his company car upon retirement. The value of this benefit is included in the below table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.

39




Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table summarizes the estimated payments to be made under each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement which provides for payments to a named executive officer at, following, or in connection with any termination of employment including by resignation, retirement, disability or a constructive termination of a named executive officer, or a Change in Control or a change in the named executive officer’s responsibilities. However, in accordance with SEC regulations, the following does not report any amount to be provided to a named executive officer under any arrangement that does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of our executive officers and which is available generally to all employees. Also, the following table does not repeat information disclosed above under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table or the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End table, except to the extent that the amount payable to the named executive officer would be enhanced or accelerated by the termination event.

The following table provides quantitative disclosure, assuming that the triggering event took place on December 29, 2006 and, if applicable, that the price per share of the registrant’s securities is the closing market price as of December 29, 2006, the last trading day in 2006. Sandra L. Helton resigned effective at the end of the day on December 31, 2006. Accordingly, pursuant to the instructions to Item 402(j) of Regulation S-K, the below table shows the actual amount payable to Ms. Helton in 2007 pursuant to such termination event. All of John E. Rooney’s awards other than bonus match awards have vested pursuant to an agreement with U.S. Cellular. See footnote (3) to the below table. With respect to the other officers, because all of the options are exercisable as of December 31, 2006, no additional amounts would become payable with respect to options upon any termination or Change in Control. However, additional payments may become due as a result of the acceleration of the vesting of restricted stock units and/or bonus match units upon the following triggering events: (i) a qualified Disability (as described above), (ii) death, (iii) a Change in Control (as defined above) and (iv) a Qualified Retirement (as defined above for restricted stock/restricted stock units only) (collectively, “Triggering Events”). No such additional payments would be made in the event of any other termination of employment or service. In addition, the below table identifies other payments that have been, will be or would be made pursuant to certain agreements as discussed below.

40




Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Name

 

Early Vesting
of Options
($)

 

Early Vesting
of Restricted
Stock Units
($)

 

Early Vesting
of Bonus Stock
Match Units
($)

 

Other
($)

 

Total
($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,424 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,013,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,013,030

 

19,024 Tandem TDS Common Shares and
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,977,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,977,164

 

Bonus Stock Match Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

370 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,352

 

 

 

 

$

18,352

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,990,194

 

 

 

$

18,352

 

 

 

$

3,008,546

 

Sandra L. Helton (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Bonus accrued in 2006 pursuant to the
terms of an Employment Agreement and
General Release

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

275,600

 

$

275,600

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment in 2007 for value of 25% of 9,138
Tandem TDS Common Shares and
TDS Special Common Shares
pursuant to Employment Agreement and
General Release (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

228,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

228,016

 

Aggregate separation payment made in 2007
pursuant to Employment Agreement and
General Release (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

672,248

 

$

672,248

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

 

 

 

$

228,016

 

 

 

 

 

$

947,848

 

$

1,175,864

 

James Barr III (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,297 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

758,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

758,731

 

7,981 Tandem TDS Common Shares and
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

829,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

829,465

 

Aggregate payments due on retirement in 2007
pursuant to agreement (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

654,000

 

$

654,000

 

Value of company car retained on retirement in 2007
pursuant to agreement (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,000

 

$

38,000

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,588,196

 

 

 

 

 

$

692,000

 

$

2,280,196

 

John E. Rooney (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options for USM Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock for USM Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Stock Match Units for 2,242 USM
Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

156,021

 

 

 

 

$

156,021

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

156,021

 

 

 

$

156,021

 

LeRoy T. Carlson (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,913 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

293,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

293,285

 

6,164 Tandem TDS Common Shares and
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

640,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

640,625

 

Bonus Stock Match Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,014 TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

50,294

 

 

 

 

$

50,294

 

238 Tandem TDS Common Shares and
TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

24,735

 

 

 

 

$

24,735

 

Potential annual payments on retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

150,000

 

$

150,000

 

Aggregate Totals

 

 

 

 

 

$

933,910

 

 

 

$

75,029

 

 

$

150,000

 

$

1,158,939

 

 

41





Explanation of Columns:

(a)             Includes the persons identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)            Represents the maximum potential value of accelerated options assuming that a Triggering Event took place on December 29, 2006 and that the price per share of the registrant’s securities is the closing market price as of December 29, 2006, the last trading day in 2006. The stock price used for TDS shares was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006. The stock price used for U.S. Cellular shares was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006. See Note (2) below with respect to James Barr.

(c)             Represents the maximum value of accelerated restricted stock units assuming that a Triggering Event took place on December 29, 2006 and that the price per share of the registrant’s securities is the closing market price as of December 29, 2006, the last trading day in 2006. The stock price used for TDS shares was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006. The stock price used for U.S. Cellular shares was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006. In accordance with FAS 123R, TDS recognized expense in 2006 with respect to the above stock awards to James Barr and LeRoy T. Carlson because they are 66 years or older and eligible for retirement, even though such stock awards have not yet vested. Accordingly, an expense with respect to such shares is also included in column (e), Stock Awards, in the Summary Compensation Table. See also Note (2) below with respect to James Barr.

(d)            Represents the maximum potential value of accelerated bonus match units assuming that a Triggering Event took place on December 29, 2006 and that the price per share of the registrant’s securities is the closing market price as of December 29, 2006, the last trading day in 2006. The stock price used for TDS shares was the closing price of TDS Common Shares of $54.33 and TDS Special Common Shares of $49.60, or a total of $103.93 per tandem share, on December 29, 2006. The stock price used for U.S. Cellular shares was the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares of $69.59 on December 29, 2006. See Note (2) below with respect to James Barr.

(e)             Includes payments or potential payments with respect to Sandra L. Helton, James Barr and LeRoy T. Carlson, as discussed in Notes (1), (2) and (4) below.

(f)                Represents the total of columns (b) through (e).

Although TDS has attempted to make a reasonable estimate (or a reasonable estimated range of amounts) applicable to the payment or benefit based on the disclosed material assumptions, the calculation of the foregoing represents forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be significantly different from the amounts expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include those set forth under “Risk Factors” in TDS’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Perquisites and other personal benefits or property payable upon termination or change in control are excluded only if the aggregate amount of such compensation will be less than $10,000. A perquisite or personal benefit is specifically identified only if it exceeds the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits for an officer. Any perquisite or benefit is valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost of such perquisite or personal benefit to TDS

No information is provided with respect to contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements to the extent they do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of executive officers of the registrant and that are available generally to all employees.

Footnotes:

(1)             For Sandra L. Helton, the amounts reported represent the actual amounts accrued in 2006 and paid or to be paid in 2007 pursuant to an employment agreement and general release dated November 30, 2006 between TDS and Sandra L. Helton. These amounts are also reported in column (i), “All Other Compensation,” in the above Summary Compensation Table. Reference is made to TDS’s Form 8-K dated November 30, 2006 for further information and a copy of such agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, Ms. Helton continued to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TDS through December 31, 2006 and continued to receive her current base salary and other benefits through that date, which are reported in the above Summary Compensation Table. Under the agreement, Ms. Helton received a bonus of $275,600 for 2006. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Helton has the right to exercise previously granted stock options that are exercisable as of December 31, 2006 during the 90 day period beginning on the later of (i) February 1, 2007 or (ii) the first day on which trading is permitted after TDS removes any blackout period to which Ms. Helton may be subject. No options were accelerated. TDS also agreed to pay Ms. Helton 25% of the value of her 2005 restricted stock units that would have otherwise vested in full on December 15, 2007. Accordingly, the above table shows the value of the payment of $228,016, representing 25% of the value of the 9,138 restricted stock units that Ms. Helton forfeited pursuant to the foregoing agreement. Also the above table shows the aggregate cash payment made to Ms. Helton in 2007 pursuant to the foregoing agreement of $672,248, representing twelve months of her salary and the cash equivalent of twelve months of healthcare coverage on a gross basis (without reflecting deductions for tax withholding). Under the agreement, Ms Helton will also be paid for unused vacation days and will receive pension and other retirement payments in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. These amounts are not included in the above table because they are paid pursuant to non-discriminatory plans and/or do not represent enhanced or accelerated payments.

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(2)             Mr. Barr relinquished his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom effective January 1, 2007. He remained on TDS Telecom’s payroll until March 23, 2007 and retired on March 24, 2007. On March 6, 2006, TDS and James Barr III entered into an amendment of an arrangement relating to Mr. Barr’s employment and retirement. Reference is made to TDS’s Form 8-K dated March 6, 2006 for further information. Under the amended arrangement, because Mr. Barr remained employed with TDS Telecom until at least March 31, 2005, the agreement provided that (i) all of Mr. Barr’s stock options became fully vested on the date of his retirement and (ii) TDS will pay Mr. Barr a sum equal to his then current annual salary in twenty-four equal monthly installments, with the initial six installments to be paid on or as soon as administratively practicable following the six month anniversary of his retirement and the remaining 18 installments to be paid each month after the six month anniversary of his retirement. Mr. Barr is required to provide consulting services to TDS during such period in consideration for such payments. Upon his retirement, all of his options vested pursuant to the foregoing agreement. Mr. Barr’s 2005 and 2006 restricted stock awards also vested upon his retirement in accordance with such award agreements. Because the above table already assumes the vesting of all options and restricted stock as a result of a Change in Control, no additional changes are reflected in connection with this agreement. However, column (e) includes the aggregate amount of payments that Mr. Barr will receive over twenty-four months pursuant to the foregoing agreement.

(3)             U.S. Cellular has certain arrangements with John E. Rooney relating to acceleration of options and restricted stock units. Reference is made to U.S. Cellular’s Form 8-K dated March 26, 2000 for further information. However, the acceleration of such awards has already occurred as of October 10, 2006, as discussed above. Accordingly, Mr. Rooney would have no further benefits or acceleration as a result of termination of Change in Control, except with respect to bonus stock match units as set forth in the above table.

(4)             TDS has entered into an agreement with LeRoy T. Carlson whereby it will employ Mr. Carlson until he elects to retire from TDS. Mr. Carlson is to be paid at least $60,000 per annum until his retirement. The agreement also provides that upon his retirement, Mr. Carlson will be retained by TDS as a part-time consultant (for not more than 60 hours in any month) until his death or disability. Upon his retirement, Mr. Carlson will receive $75,000 per annum as a consultant, plus increments beginning in 1985 equal to the greater of three percent of his consulting fee or two-thirds of the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the Chicago metropolitan area. If Mr. Carlson becomes disabled before retiring, TDS can elect to discontinue his employment and retain him in accordance with the consulting arrangement described above. Upon Mr. Carlson’s death (unless his death follows his voluntary termination of his employment or the consulting arrangement), his widow will receive until her death an amount equal to that which Mr. Carlson would have received as a consultant. TDS may terminate payments under the agreement if Mr. Carlson becomes the owner of more than 21% of the stock, or becomes an officer, director, employee or paid agent of any competitor of TDS within the continental United States. No amounts have ever been paid or become payable under this agreement. Column (e) includes the annual amount that Mr. Carlson would receive in 2007 assuming he retired on December 31, 2006. This amount represents $75,000, plus increments beginning in 1985 equal to the greater of three percent of his consulting fee or two-thirds of the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the Chicago metropolitan area through 2006, which is approximately $150,000. This amount would increase on an annual basis in 2008 and each year thereafter at increments equal to the greater of three percent of his consulting fee or two-thirds of the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the Chicago metropolitan area until such payments ceased pursuant to the foregoing agreement.

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Compensation of Directors

The following table shows, as to directors who are not executive officers of TDS, certain information regarding director compensation.

Director Compensation

Name 
(a)

 

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
(b)

 

Stock
Awards
($)
(c)

 

Option
Awards
($)
(d)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
(e)

 

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
(f)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)
(g)

 

Total
($)
(h)

 

Walter C.D. Carlson

 

 

$

10,773

 

 

$

90,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

101,473

 

Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

 

 

$

34,217

 

 

$

28,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

62,489

 

Donald C. Nebergall

 

 

$

81,067

 

 

$

33,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

114,413

 

George W. Off

 

 

$

106,623

 

 

$

41,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

148,260

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

 

$

12,870

 

 

$

12,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

36

 

 

$

25,591

 

Mitchell H. Saranow

 

 

$

79,317

 

 

$

33,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

112,663

 

Martin L. Solomon

 

 

$

9,003

 

 

$

55,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

64,227

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

 

$

102,995

 

 

$

35,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

138,904

 


Explanation of Columns:

(a)             Includes each director unless such director is an executive officer whose compensation, including any compensation for service as a director, is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Accordingly, this includes only non-employee directors. Directors who are employees of TDS or its subsidiaries are identified in the Summary Compensation Table. Such directors do not receive director fees or compensation except for director life insurance, as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.

(b)            Includes the aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned or paid in cash for services as a director, including annual retainer fees, committee and/or chairmanship fees, and meeting fees.

(c)             Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS 123R. The following table discloses certain additional information with respect to stock awards to non-employee directors:

Name

 

Aggregate Number of
awards of TDS Special
Common Shares
outstanding at
December 31, 2006

 

Aggregate Number of
TDS Special Common
Shares underlying
Stock Awards
Granted in 2006

 

Aggregate Grant Date
Fair Value of Stock 
Awards in 2006

 

Walter C.D. Carlson

 

 

 

 

 

2,114

 

 

 

$

90,592

 

 

Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

 

 

 

 

 

657

 

 

 

$

28,164

 

 

Donald C. Nebergall

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

$

33,238

 

 

George W. Off

 

 

 

 

 

969

 

 

 

$

41,529

 

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

 

 

 

 

279

 

 

 

$

12,685

 

 

Mitchell H. Saranow

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

$

33,238

 

 

Martin L. Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

1,284

 

 

 

$

55,116

 

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

 

 

 

 

834

 

 

 

$

35,801

 

 

 

Shares due with respect to stock awards for retainers or meeting fees are issued promptly after the date upon which the awards become effective and, accordingly, there are no awards outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.

(d)            This column is not applicable because non-employee directors do not receive options.

(e)             This column is not applicable because non-employee directors do not participate in any non-equity incentive plans, as defined by SEC rules.

(f)                This column is not applicable because non-employee directors do not participate in any pension plans or receive any earnings on deferred compensation.

(g)            Represents the dollar value of insurance premiums paid by, or on behalf of, TDS during the fiscal year with respect to life insurance for the benefit of such director, which is the only category of other compensation.

(h)             Represents the sum of all amounts reported in columns (b) through (g).

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Narrative Disclosure to Director Compensation Table

The following provides additional information with respect to director compensation. All director compensation is approved by the full board of directors.

The board of directors has approved a Non-Employee Directors’ Plan for non-employee directors. A non-employee director is a director of TDS who is not an employee of TDS or its affiliates, U.S. Cellular or TDS Telecom. The purpose of the Non-Employee Directors’ Plan is to provide reasonable compensation to non-employee directors for their services to TDS, and to induce qualified persons to serve as non-employee members of the board of directors. This plan was amended by the TDS board of directors on May 10, 2007, subject to shareholder approval, to increase the fees paid to directors, as discussed above under Proposal 2.

During 2006, the Non-Employee Directors’ Plan provided that each non-employee director will receive an annual director’s fee of $44,000 payable quarterly, and the chairperson will receive an additional $34,000 fee.

During 2006, the plan also provided that each non-employee director serving on the Audit Committee will receive an annual fee of $11,000 payable quarterly, except for the chairperson, who will receive a fee of $22,000.

During 2006, the plan also provided that each non-employee director will receive an annual fee of $5,000 payable quarterly, for serving on the Compensation Committee, except for the chairperson, who will receive a fee of $7,000.

During 2006, the plan also provided that each non-employee director will receive a fee of $1,750 for board of directors, Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee meetings, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with travel to, and attendance at, each regularly scheduled or special meeting.

The Non-Employee Directors’ Plan further provided that each non-employee director will receive 50%, and may elect to receive on an annual basis up to 100%, of their retainers and meeting fees for regularly scheduled meetings of the board (five per year), by the delivery of common stock of TDS having a fair market value as of the date of payment equal to the cash amount of the retainer or fee foregone. For retainers and regularly scheduled meetings of the board in 2006 and subsequent years, such common stock consists of TDS Special Common Shares.

Under the Non-Employee Directors’ Plan, for purposes of determining the number of Special Common Shares deliverable in connection with any of the foregoing elections, the fair market value of a Common or Special Common Share was the average closing price of our Common or Special Common Shares as reported in the American Stock Exchange Composite Transactions section of The Wall Street Journal for the twenty trading days before the end of the quarter or the date of the board meeting, as applicable. The TDS board of directors has reserved 75,000 Special Common Shares of TDS for issuance pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors’ Plan.

In addition, TDS pays life insurance premiums to provide life insurance of $100,000 for each of its directors. Except for such life insurance premiums, directors who are also employees of TDS or any affiliate do not receive any additional compensation for services rendered as directors.

Directors are also reimbursed for travel and expenses incurred in attending board and committee meetings, director education and other Board or company related matters pursuant to TDS’s travel and expense reimbursement policy. TDS also reimburses directors for the cost of attending director education programs.

None of the directors had stock awards or option awards outstanding at fiscal year end.

Directors who are officers of TDS do not receive fees or compensation as directors. The compensation of such directors and officers who are named executive officers are disclosed in the tables under Executive and Director Compensation above.

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Compensation Discussion And Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

Overview

TDS’s compensation policies for executive officers are intended to provide incentives for the achievement of corporate and individual performance goals and to provide compensation consistent with the financial performance of TDS. TDS’s policies establish incentive compensation performance goals for executive officers based on factors over which such officers have control and which are important to TDS’s long-term success. TDS believes compensation should be related to the financial performance of TDS and should be sufficient to enable TDS to attract and retain individuals possessing the talents required for long-term successful performance. Nevertheless, although performance influences compensation and awards, all elements of compensation are discretionary and officers do not become entitled to any compensation or awards as a result of the achievement of performance levels. Compensation is not earned until approved and paid or awarded.

Although not required to do so under American Stock Exchange listing standards or otherwise, on February 21, 2006, TDS established a Compensation Committee comprised solely of directors that qualify as independent under the rules of the American Stock Exchange. The primary functions of the Compensation Committee are to discharge the board of director’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of the executive officers of TDS, other than U.S. Cellular or any of its subsidiaries. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include the review of salary, bonus, long-term compensation and all other elements of compensation of such executive officers.

For these purposes, “executive officers” means all officers that are employees who are or will be identified in TDS’s annual proxy statement as “executive officers,” including the President and CEO of TDS Telecom, except that the compensation of the President and CEO of U.S. Cellular is established and administered by U.S. Cellular’s chairman and stock option compensation committee, as described in the proxy statement of U.S. Cellular relating to its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders. Accordingly, except as expressly indicated below, the following discussion does not apply to John E. Rooney.

The Compensation Committee’s charter provides that it will obtain advice and assistance from the Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Human Resources and from any other officer or employee of TDS, as it determines is appropriate. As discussed above, the Compensation Committee also utilizes the services of a compensation consultant.

The Compensation Committee charter permits it to delegate some or all of the administration of the long-term incentive plans or programs to the President and Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of TDS as the Committee deems appropriate, to the extent permitted by law and the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan or program, but not regarding any award to the President and CEO. The Compensation Committee has not delegated this authority with respect to any of the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table.

Objectives and Reward Structure of TDS’s Compensation Programs

The above Overview generally described the objectives and reward structure of TDS’s compensation programs. This section further discusses, with respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, (1) the objectives of TDS’s compensation programs and (2) what the compensation programs are designed to reward.

The objectives of TDS’s general compensation programs for executive officers of TDS, and their relationship to the reward structure, are to:

·       support TDS’s overall business strategy and objectives;

·       attract and retain high quality management;

46




·       link individual compensation with attainment of individual performance goals and with attainment of business unit and TDS objectives; and

·       provide competitive compensation opportunities consistent with the financial performance of TDS.

The primary financial focus of TDS as a consolidated enterprise is the increase of long-term shareholder value through growth, measured primarily in such terms as return on capital, revenues, customer units in service, operating cash flow (operating income plus depreciation and amortization) and operating income. Operating units of TDS may have somewhat different primary financial measures. However, there is no quantifiable relationship between elements of compensation or total compensation and such measures of performance. Instead, compensation decisions are made subjectively by the Compensation Committee, considering certain performance measures, as well as all other appropriate facts and circumstances. TDS’s compensation policies for executive officers are designed to reward the achievement of such corporate performance goals, as follows.

Each element of compensation and total compensation of the named executive officers is determined on the basis of the committee’s analysis of multiple factors rather than specific measures of performance. The Compensation Committee does not rely on predetermined formulas or a limited set of criteria when it evaluates the performance of the named executive officers.

TDS’s compensation programs are designed to reward performance of TDS on both a short-term and long-term basis. With respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, the design of compensation programs and performance rewarded is similar but with some differences for (1) the President and CEO and (2) the other executive officers.

The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the President and CEO of TDS in light of the annual and ongoing objectives for TDS and for its primary business units and the attainment of those objectives, and sets the elements of compensation for the President and CEO based on such performance evaluation and compensation principles, as discussed below.

With respect to the other officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, the Compensation Committee reviews management’s evaluation of the performance of such executive officers and determines and approves the elements of compensation for such executive officers based on such performance evaluations and compensation principles, as discussed below.

Elements of Compensation

This section discusses, with respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, (i) each element of compensation paid to such officers, (ii) why TDS chooses to pay each element of compensation, (iii) how TDS determines the amount or formula for each element to pay, and (iv) how each compensation element and TDS’s decisions regarding that element fit into TDS’s overall compensation objectives and affect decisions regarding other elements.

Each element of compensation paid to officers is as follows:

·       Annual Cash Compensation

o      Salary

o      Bonus

·       Long-term equity compensation

o      Stock Awards

       Bonus Stock Match Awards

       Restricted Stock Unit Awards

o      Stock Options

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·       Benefits and Plans Available to Identified Officers

o      Deferred Compensation

o      Long-Term Incentive Plans

o      SERP

o      Perquisites

·       Other Generally Applicable Benefits and Plans

o      Employee Stock Purchase Plan

o      Tax Deferred Savings Plan

o      Pension Plan

o      Post-Retirement Benefits

o      Health and Welfare Plans

TDS has chosen to pay or provide these elements of compensation after considering common compensation practices of peers and other companies with similar characteristics, in order to support TDS’s overall business strategy and objectives. TDS recognizes that it must compensate its executive officers in a competitive manner comparable to other similar companies in order to attract and retain high quality management, attain business objectives and financial performance and increase shareholder value. Executive compensation is intended to provide, in the judgment of the Compensation Committee, an appropriate balance between the long-term and short-term performance of TDS, and also a balance between TDS’s financial performance and shareholder return.

TDS does not have defined guidelines that determine the amount or formula for each element to pay or provide. TDS also does not have defined guidelines that determine how each compensation element and decisions regarding that element fit into the TDS’s overall compensation objectives and affect decisions regarding other elements. TDS has no target levels for cash versus equity compensation. Instead, TDS establishes elements of compensation and determines how they fit together and overall in the manner described in the following discussion.

As noted above, the elements of executive compensation consists of both annual cash and long-term equity compensation. Annual cash compensation consists of base salary and an annual bonus. Annual compensation decisions are based partly on individual and corporate short-term performance and partly on the individual and corporate cumulative long-term performance during the executive’s tenure in his or her position, particularly with regard to the President and CEO. Long-term equity compensation is intended to compensate executives primarily for their contributions to long-term increases in shareholder value and is generally provided through the grant of stock options and restricted stock units.

Grants of equity awards by TDS to the President and CEO and the other executive officers are generally made to all such executive officers at the same time once a year. This was done for James Barr and LeRoy T. Carlson on June 19, 2006. However, in 2006, the awards to the Executive Vice President and CFO and the President and CEO were delayed due to the delay in SEC filings as a result of the restatement announced in 2005, as discussed below. As a result, such awards were granted on October 13, 2006 and December 13, 2006, respectively. TDS may also make grants of equity awards during other times of the year as it deems appropriate. TDS does not backdate options or have any program, plan or practice to time the grant of awards in coordination with the release of material non-public information.

The Compensation Committee determines annually each such executive officer’s base salary, taking into consideration: (1) the appropriate salary range for the executive officer’s position and responsibilities, (2) his or her performance during the preceding year, (3) his or her performance during the executive’s tenure in the position, (4) TDS’s and its business units’ performance during the year compared to plan and compared with that of similar companies, and (5) such other factors and circumstances as the committee may deem relevant.

48




In addition, the Compensation Committee determines annually the executive officer’s bonus, taking into consideration: (1) the executive officer’s performance during the preceding year, including contributions to TDS and its business units, and achievement of individual objectives, (2) TDS’s and its business units’ performance during the year compared to plan and compared with that of similar companies, (3) the achievement of important corporate and business unit objectives for the year and (4) such other factors and circumstances as the committee may deem relevant.

The Compensation Committee also determines long-term equity compensation awards to the identified executive officers under the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which include options and restricted stock units.

Annual Cash Compensation

Annual cash compensation decisions, consisting of base salary for the current year and bonus based on performance for the prior year, are generally made concurrently by the Compensation Committee each year for each of the identified executive officers.

As part of the process of determining the appropriate elements of annual cash compensation for the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee is provided with information about the compensation of similar executive officers at other companies, including chief executive officers of companies, chief executive officers and chief operating officers of their principal business units, if available, chief financial officers and other officers with responsibilities comparable to the foregoing TDS officers, as reported in proxy statements and salary surveys. The Compensation Committee also considers recommendations from the President and CEO regarding compensation for the named executives other than the President and CEO, each of which reports directly to him. The Vice President—Human Resources prepares for the committee an analysis of compensation paid to chief executive officers of other comparable companies.

TDS engages in benchmarking with the companies in the peer group index included in the “Stock Performance Graph” that is included in the TDS annual report to shareholders, as well as other companies in the telecommunications industry and other industries, to the extent considered appropriate, based on similar size, function, geography or otherwise. The peer group included in the Stock Performance Graph are ALLTEL Corp., Centennial Communications Corp., CenturyTel, Inc., Citizens Communications Co. and Dobson Communications Corp., in addition to TDS. The benchmarks and components considered include the same elements of compensation identified above, to the extent available and comparable.

Annually, the nature and extent of each executive officer’s personal accomplishments and contributions for the year are determined, based on information submitted by the executive and by others familiar with his or her performance, including the President and CEO in the case of the named executive officers other than the President and CEO. The Compensation Committee evaluates the information in terms of the personal objectives established for such executive officer for the performance appraisal period.

The Compensation Committee also makes an assessment of how well TDS did as a whole during the year and the extent to which the President and CEO believes the executive officer other than the President and CEO contributed to the results. With respect to executive officers having primary responsibility over a certain business unit or division of TDS, such as James Barr, the Compensation Committee considers the performance of the business unit or division and the contribution of the executive officer thereto.

The Compensation Committee uses these sources and makes the determination of appropriate elements of compensation and ranges for such elements for such identified executive officers based on its informed judgment, using the information provided to it by the Vice President of Human Resources. The elements of compensation and ranges for such elements are not based on any formal analysis nor is there any documentation of this decision making process.

Beginning with this proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting, TDS is required to disclose each element of compensation and an amount of total compensation, as defined by new SEC rules, in the Summary Compensation Table for the officers identified in such table. The fact that such new SEC regulations will require other telecommunications companies and other companies to prepare similar tables under the same new rules will make such information more comparable and relevant. Accordingly, the

49




Compensation Committee will be able to use such tables to more effectively compare and benchmark elements of compensation and total compensation in the future. Although the Compensation Committee considered total compensation and its elements in comparison to peers in an informal manner in the past based on prior SEC disclosure rules, as well as salary surveys, the new rules will facilitate such comparisons and make them more consistent and relevant.

The Compensation Committee also has access to numerous performance measures and financial statistics prepared by TDS. This financial information includes the audited financial statements of TDS, as well as internal financial reports such as budgets and actual results, operating statistics and other analyses. The committee may also consider such other factors the committee deems appropriate in making its compensation decisions. No specific measures of performance are considered determinative in the compensation of executive officers. Instead, all the facts and circumstances are taken into consideration by the Compensation Committee. Ultimately, it is the informed judgment of the committee, after reviewing the compensation information provided by the Vice President—Human Resources, that determines the elements of compensation and total compensation for the President and CEO.

The base salary element of compensation of each officer is set within the range identified for this element based on an assessment of the responsibilities and the performance of such officer, also taking into account the performance of TDS and/or its business units or divisions, other comparable companies, the industry and the overall economy during the preceding year. Column (c), “Salary,” of the above Summary Compensation Table includes the dollar value of base salary (cash and non-cash) earned by the identified executive officers during 2006, whether or not paid in such year.

With respect to the bonus element of compensation, the Vice President-Human Resources also prepares and provides to the Compensation Committee information to be used for the annual bonus reviews of executive officers. Prior to 2007, TDS had no written or formal bonus plan for the named executive officers. The bonuses for named executive officers were determined by the Compensation Committee based on its evaluation of each executive’s contribution to TDS, the achievement of individual objectives, the performance of TDS and/or its business units and divisions and all other facts and circumstances considered appropriate in its judgment.

As a result of the foregoing process, bonuses for 2005 were not earned by the other executive officers until they were approved and awarded in 2006. Bonuses with respect to 2005 are included in the above Summary Compensation Table as compensation earned in 2006. This amount is included in column (d), “Bonus,” of the above Summary Compensation Table and represents the dollar value of bonus (cash and non-cash) earned by the identified executive officers during 2006, whether or not paid in such year.

Beginning with the 2007 performance year, TDS has established performance guidelines and procedures for awarding bonuses. These guidelines and procedures were filed by TDS as Exhibit 10.1 to TDS’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Long-Term Equity Compensation

The Compensation Committee also determines long-term equity compensation awards for the named executive officers under the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which include options and restricted stock units. The Compensation Committee may establish performance measures and restriction periods, and determine the form, amount and timing of each grant of an award, the number of shares of stock subject to an award, the purchase price or base price per share of stock associated with the award, the exercise price of an option award, the time and conditions of exercise or settlement of the award and all other terms and conditions of the award.

Although the Compensation Committee has the discretion to grant various awards, it generally only grants service-based restricted stock units and service-based options. The restricted stock units generally vest in full (cliff vesting) on December 15 in the second year following grant, subject to continued employment. Options granted in 2007 and prior years are generally scheduled to become exercisable on December 15 of the year of grant and are exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the date of grant, subject to continued employment. However, the Compensation Committee took action in 2007 to provide that options granted on or after January 1, 2008 will instead become exercisable with respect to one-third of

50




the number of shares subject to the option on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.

With respect to long-term compensation, the Vice President—Human Resources prepares for the Compensation Committee an analysis of compensation paid to similar officers of other comparable companies, including the companies in the peer group index included in the “Stock Performance Graph” as reported in TDS’s annual report to shareholders, as well as other companies in the telecommunications industry and other industries, to the extent considered appropriate, based on similar size, function, geography or otherwise. This information is presented to the committee, which approves the long-term compensation of the named executive officers based on such information.

Long-term compensation decisions for the named executive officers are made by the Compensation Committee in a manner similar to that described for annual base salary and bonus decisions, except that the stock options and restricted stock units will generally vest over several years, in order to reflect the goal of relating long-term compensation of the named executive officers to increases in shareholder value over the same period. The President and CEO may recommend to the Compensation Committee long-term compensation in the form of stock option and restricted stock grants, stock appreciation rights or otherwise for executive officers other than the President and CEO.

The performance of TDS is also a factor in determining the number of stock options which will be awarded and become exercisable with respect to the executive officers. The named executive officer receives an award of options and restricted stock units in the current year based on the achievement of certain levels of corporate and individual performance in the immediately preceding year.

However, as with the annual salary and bonus, the executive officers do not become entitled to any options or restricted stock units as a result of the achievement of any corporate or individual performance levels. The award of options and restricted stock is entirely discretionary and named executive officer has no right to any options or awards unless and until they are awarded. As a result, similar to the bonus, the awards for 2005 were not earned by the named executive officers until they were approved and awarded in 2006. Accordingly, awards with respect to 2005 performance are included in the above Summary Compensation Table as compensation earned in 2006.

The named executive officers received an award of restricted stock units in 2006 based on the achievement of certain levels of corporate and individual performance in 2005. Column (e), “Stock Awards,” of the Summary Compensation Table includes the dollar amount of expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in 2006.

The named executive officers received an award of options in 2006 based on the achievement of certain levels of corporate and individual performance in 2005. Column (f), “Option Awards,” of the Summary Compensation Table includes the dollar amount of expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to 2006.

With respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table, the design of compensation programs and performance rewarded is separated between (1) the President and CEO and (2) other executive officers.

President and CEO

The compensation of the President and CEO of TDS is approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the President and CEO of TDS in light of the annual and ongoing objectives for TDS and for its primary business units and the attainment of those objectives, and sets the elements of compensation for the President and CEO based on such performance evaluation and compensation principles.

The President and CEO has a substantial beneficial interest in TDS, as described below under “Security Ownership of Management”, and will benefit together with other shareholders based on the performance of TDS. The Compensation Committee takes this fact into account in their review and approval of the President and CEO’s compensation.

51




The base salary of the President and CEO for 2005 was $1,050,000. On December 13, 2006, this was increased to $1,115,000 for 2006, representing an increase of approximately 6.2%. This amount is included in column (c) of the above Summary Compensation Table, which represents the dollar value of base salary (cash and non-cash) earned by the President during 2006, whether or not paid in such year. In 2007, the base salary of the President and CEO for 2007 was increased to $1,193,000, representing an increase of approximately 7% over the 2006 base salary.

On December 13, 2006, the Compensation Committee also approved a bonus of $550,000 for the President and CEO with respect to 2005 performance, which was earned and paid in 2006. Because this was earned in 2006, this is reported in the above Summary Compensation Table.  This amount is included in column (d) of the above Summary Compensation Table, which represents the dollar value of bonus (cash and non-cash) earned by the President during 2006, whether or not paid in such year. In 2007, the Compensation Committee approved a bonus of $800,000 for the President and CEO with respect to 2006, which was earned and paid in 2007.

On December 13, 2006, the Compensation Committee awarded the President and CEO restricted stock units with respect to 20,424 TDS Special Common Shares based on 2005 performance. The TDS restricted stock units will become vested on December 15, 2008. Column (e) of the Summary Compensation Table includes the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to 2006.

On December 13, 2006, the Compensation Committee awarded the President and CEO stock options to acquire 213,333 TDS Special Common Shares based on 2005 performance. The TDS options granted on December 13, 2006 have an exercise price of $49.80 per share, which was the closing price of a TDS Special Common Share on December 13, 2006, became exercisable on December 15, 2006 and are exercisable until December 13, 2016. Column (f) of the Summary Compensation Table includes the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to 2006.

For 2006, based on the Summary Compensation Table, with respect to the President and CEO, salary represented 21.1% of total compensation, bonus represented 10.4% of total compensation, stock awards represented 11.4% of total compensation and option awards represented 55.8% of total compensation.

The Compensation Committee believes that each element of compensation and total compensation of the President and CEO has been set at an appropriate level considering, among other things, compensation of executives at companies which it considers comparable. The members of the Compensation Committee base this belief on their personal assessment and judgment of the President and CEO’s responsibilities in comparison to those of chief executive officers of the comparable companies discussed above.

Other Executive Officers

With respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table other than the President and CEO, the Compensation Committee reviews management’s evaluation of the performance of such executive officers and sets the annual base and bonus compensation levels for such executive officers based on such performance evaluations and compensation principles.

In addition to the general factors described above, the compensation elements of certain officers are based on their specific responsibilities.

Sandra L. Helton’s compensation was evaluated based on her responsibilities as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and considering the compensation of officers at comparable companies with similar responsibilities. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved an Employment Agreement and General Release dated November 30, 2006 between TDS and Ms. Helton. This agreement was negotiated between TDS and Ms. Helton and their counsel following Ms. Helton’s notice to TDS that she intended to resign from her positions with TDS effective December 31, 2006. Column (i), “All Other Compensation” of the Summary Compensation Table includes the amounts accrued in 2006 and payable to Ms. Helton in 2007 in connection with her resignation.

52




The percentages of the elements of Ms. Helton’s compensation in 2006 are not representative due to the inclusion of amounts accrued relating to her resignation in 2006.

James Barr’s compensation was evaluated based on his responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS Telecom, and considering the compensation of officers at comparable companies with similar responsibilities. In addition, the performance of TDS Telecom in relation to objectives provided by the President and CEO of TDS to James Barr was taken into account.

For 2006, based on the Summary Compensation Table, with respect to Mr. Barr, salary represented 19.6% of total compensation, bonus represented 9.6% of total compensation, stock awards represented 31.1% of total compensation and option awards represented 37.5% of total compensation. Stock awards are a larger percentage of total compensation in 2006 than is typical is due to the recognition of additional expense in 2006 because Mr. Barr was eligible for retirement in 2006, as discussed in footnote (e) to the Summary Compensation Table.

LeRoy T. Carlson’s compensation was evaluated based on his historical and current responsibilities and activities as Chairman Emeritus for TDS.

For 2006, based on the Summary Compensation Table, with respect to the LeRoy T. Carlson, salary represented 23.7% of total compensation, bonus represented 9.9% of total compensation, stock awards represented 31.3% of total compensation and option awards represented 33.3% of total compensation. Stock awards are a larger percentage of total compensation in 2006 than is typical is due to the recognition of additional expense in 2006 because Mr. Carlson was eligible for retirement in 2006, as discussed in footnote (e) to the Summary Compensation Table.

John E. Rooney’s annual compensation is approved by LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., the Chairman of U.S. Cellular, and long-term compensation for John E. Rooney is approved by the stock option compensation committee of U.S. Cellular, as described in the 2007 proxy statement of U.S. Cellular.

For 2006, based on the Summary Compensation Table, with respect to the Mr. Rooney’s, salary represented 13.5% of total compensation, bonus represented 5.5% of total compensation, stock awards represented 21.8% of total compensation and option awards represented 58.1% of total compensation. Stock and option awards are such a larger percentage of total compensation in 2006 than is typical is due to the acceleration of awards pursuant to the letter agreement with John E. Rooney, as discussed above.

The Compensation Committee believes that the elements of compensation and total compensation of the other identified officers of TDS were set at an appropriate level considering the foregoing principles.

Financial Restatement

Depending on the facts and circumstances, TDS may seek to adjust or recover awards or payments if the relevant TDS performance measures upon which they are based are restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of an award or payment. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, TDS announced the restatement of financial statements and financial information for certain prior periods. This resulted in TDS being late in certain SEC filings. The company has not identified any facts that would suggest that the restatements involved any fraud, misrepresentation, misconduct or improprieties.  The restatements related to unintentional misapplication of technical accounting rules or errors in calculations or posting of entries. The restatements had little effect on operating metrics and little effect on financial measures that are the primary measures that were used to determine the level of bonuses. In particular, the most significant areas of adjustment in the restatements were income tax accounting, derivative accounting and step acquisition accounting, which have no relationship to metrics or measures used to determine bonuses. Accordingly, there was no adjustment of prior year bonuses due to the restatements. The restatement announced in 2005 was considered in approving compensation elements in 2006 for certain officers responsible for accounting matters.

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Benefits and Plans Available to Identified Officers

The identified officers participate in certain benefits and plans, as described above under “Summary Compensation Table” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control”. These benefits are considered by the Compensation Committee to the extent deemed appropriate.

Perquisites and personal benefits represent a relatively insignificant portion of the named executive officers’ total compensation. Accordingly, they do not materially influence the Compensation Committee’s consideration in setting compensation.

Impact of Accounting and Tax Treatments of Particular Forms of Compensation

The Compensation Committee considers the accounting and tax treatments of particular forms of compensation.  Accounting treatments do not significantly impact the Compensation Committee’s determinations of the appropriate compensation. The Compensation Committee considers the accounting treatments primarily to be informed and to confirm that company personnel understand and recognize the appropriate accounting that will be required with respect to compensation decisions.

The Compensation Committee places more significance on the tax treatments of particular forms of compensation, because these may involve an actual cash expense to the company or the executive. One objective of the Compensation Committee is to maximize tax benefits to the company and executives to the extent feasible within the overall goals of the compensation policy discussed above. In particular, one consideration is the effect of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides a $1 million annual limit on the amount that a publicly held corporation is allowed to deduct as compensation paid to each of the corporation’s principal executive officer (“PEO”) and the corporation’s three most highly compensated officers, exclusive of the corporation’s PEO and principal financial officer. TDS does not believe that the $1 million deduction limitation should have a material effect on TDS in the immediate future. If the $1 million deduction limitation is expected to have a material effect on TDS in the future, TDS will consider ways to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation, while retaining the discretion TDS deems necessary to compensate executive officers in a manner commensurate with performance and the competitive environment for executive talent.

TDS does not have any arrangements with its executive officers pursuant to which it has agreed to “gross-up” payments due to taxes or to otherwise reimburse officers for the payment of taxes, except with respect to certain perquisites as noted above.

TDS Policy on Stock Ownership

TDS does not have a formal policy relating to stock ownership by executive officers. However, it should be noted that the President and CEO of TDS is a substantial shareholder of TDS. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” below. TDS does not have any policies regarding hedging the economic risk of such ownership but none of the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table have taken any such action.

Compensation Consultant

Information relating to TDS’s compensation consultant is discussed above under “Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee”

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the board of directors of TDS oversees TDS’s compensation program on behalf of the board of directors. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above in this proxy statement.

In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board of directors that the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included

54




in TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and TDS’s proxy statement related to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

This Compensation Committee Report is submitted by Christopher D. O’Leary, George W. Off and Herbert S. Wander.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee has responsibilities relating to the compensation of the executive officers of TDS (which does not include U.S. Cellular or any of its subsidiaries), including the review of salary, bonus, long-term compensation and all other compensation. The members of the Compensation Committee are Herbert S. Wander (chairperson), George W. Off and Christopher D. O’Leary.  Such persons are independent, as discussed above. None of such persons was, during 2006 or during any of the preceding three years, an officer or employee of TDS (or its affiliates), or had any relationship requiring disclosure by TDS under any paragraph of Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K.

Long-term compensation for executive officers who are employees of U.S. Cellular is approved by the stock option compensation committee of U.S. Cellular. The stock option compensation committee of U.S. Cellular is composed of directors of such subsidiary who are neither officers nor employees of TDS or any of its subsidiaries nor directors of TDS. The annual compensation of U.S. Cellular’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rooney, is approved by LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., the Chairman of U.S. Cellular. LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. is also President and CEO of TDS. Mr. Carlson is a member of the board of directors of TDS, U.S. Cellular, and TDS Telecom. He is also the Chairman of TDS Telecom and, as such, approves the executive officer annual compensation decisions for TDS Telecom other than the President and CEO of TDS Telecom, and recommends the annual compensation of the President and CEO of TDS Telecom to the TDS Compensation Committee. James Barr III was the President and CEO of TDS Telecom in 2006. Mr. Carlson is compensated by TDS for his services to TDS and all its subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. However, U.S. Cellular effectively reimburses TDS for a portion of such compensation as part of a management fee pursuant to an intercompany agreement between TDS and U.S. Cellular, as discussed above. Further information is included in the proxy statement of U.S. Cellular for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

As disclosed above, a 2005 World Series Ring was given to Mr. Rooney by the Chicago White Sox as an honorarium, following review and approval by the U.S. Cellular Audit Committee. Neither TDS nor U.S. Cellular incurred any out of pocket costs relating to this ring. This transaction did not exceed $60,000 but was approved by the U.S. Cellular Audit Committee pursuant to the TDS and U.S. Cellular Code of Conduct. Accordingly, the TDS Audit Committee did not take action to approve this transaction.

In addition to such compensation committee interlocks and insider participation in compensation decisions, TDS and certain related parties are involved in the following relationships and transactions.

The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of TDS, U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries: Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS and U.S. Cellular, the non-executive Chairman of the Board and member of the board of directors of TDS and a director of U.S. Cellular; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel and/or an Assistant Secretary of U.S. Cellular and certain subsidiaries of TDS. Mr. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries. TDS, U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries incurred legal expenses from Sidley Austin LLP of $12.0 million in 2006, $7.8 million in 2005 and $10.1 million in 2004. The Audit Committee of the board of directors is responsible for the review and oversight of all related party transactions, as such term is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

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SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 regarding TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares that may be issued under equity compensation plans currently maintained by TDS.

Plan Category

 

(a)
Number of securities to be
issued upon the exercise
of outstanding options
and rights

 

(b)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options and rights
for tandem shares

 

(c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

2,333,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

916,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

67.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

3,861,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,981,716

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

2,333,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

925,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

67.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

3,861,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,981,716

 

 


(1)                                          This includes the following plans that have been approved by TDS shareholders:

Plan

 

Number of securities to
be issued upon the
exercise of outstanding
options and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance
(excluding securities
reflected in prior
column)

 

Total

 

2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

2,310,777

 

 

 

916,317

 

 

3,227,094

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

3,837,296

 

 

 

7,601,047

 

 

11,438,343

 

1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

22,367

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

22,367

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

22,367

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

22,367

 

2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

313,477

 

 

313,477

 

Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

1,815

 

 

 

67,192

 

 

69,007

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

2,333,144

 

 

 

916,317

 

 

3,249,461

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

3,861,478

 

 

 

7,981,716

 

 

11,843,194

 

 

As a result of the TDS Special Common Share dividend in 2005, all options to purchase Common Shares as of May 13, 2005 under the 2004 and 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, whether vested or unvested, were adjusted into tandem options. The tandem options provide that upon exercise, the optionee will acquire the number of TDS Common Shares originally subject to the option plus an equal number of TDS Special Common Shares for the original exercise price.

As a result of the TDS Special Common Share dividend in 2005, the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was amended as of January 1, 2006 to replace the right to purchase TDS Common Shares with the right to purchase TDS Special Common Shares.

As a result of the TDS Special Common Share dividend in 2005, the Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors was amended to provide that, for retainers and regularly scheduled meetings of the board in 2006 and subsequent years, such common stock shall consist of TDS Special Common Shares.

See Note 20—Stock Based Compensation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders for certain information about these plans, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The material terms of the Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors are set forth above under “Compensation of Directors” and are incorporated by reference herein.

(2)                                          The only plan that has not been approved by TDS shareholders is the TDS Quest Plan under which 9,607 TDS Common Shares are available for future issuance.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

On April 30, 2007 TDS had outstanding and entitled to vote 51,937,620 Common Shares, par value $.01 per share (excluding 4,621,204 Common Shares held by TDS and 484,012 Common Shares held by a subsidiary of TDS); 58,402,073 Special Common Shares, par value $.01 per share (excluding 4,539,375 Special Common shares held by TDS and 484,012 Special Common Shares held by a subsidiary of TDS); 6,444,364 Series A Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; and 8,603 Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share.

Each of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares is entitled to one vote and each of the outstanding Series A Common Shares is entitled to ten votes. Accordingly, the voting power of all outstanding Series A Common Shares was 64,443,640 votes. The total voting power of all outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock was 116,389,863 votes at April 30, 2007 with respect to matters other than the election of directors.

Each of the outstanding Special Common Shares is entitled to one vote per share in the election of 25 percent of the directors plus one director (or four of the twelve present directors). Other than as required by law, holders of Special Common Shares do not have any right to vote on any matters except in the election of certain directors, as described above.

Security Ownership of Management

The following table sets forth as of April 30, 2007, or the latest practicable date, the number of Common Shares, Special Common Shares and Series A Common Shares beneficially owned, and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class so owned by each director and nominee for director of TDS, by each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and executive officers as a group.

Name of Individual or Number of Persons in Group

 

Title of Class
or Series

 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)

 

Percent of
Class or
Series

 

Percent of
Shares of
Common
Stock

 

Percent of
Voting
Power(2)

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Walter C.D. Carlson, Letitia G. Carlson, M.D. and Prudence E. Carlson(3)

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

6,072,898

 

 

 

10.4

%

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

6,084,381

 

 

 

94.4

%

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

52.3

%

 

LeRoy T. Carlson(4)(10)

 

Common Shares

 

 

291,063

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

397,525

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

53,055

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.(5)(10)

 

Common Shares

 

 

581,560

 

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

805,656

 

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

17,908

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

Walter C.D. Carlson(6)

 

Common Shares

 

 

5,826

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

7,182

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

879

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.(7)

 

Common Shares

 

 

2,109

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

3,178

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

949

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

Kenneth R. Meyers(8)(10)

 

Common Shares

 

 

2,681

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

2,126

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

James Barr III(10)

 

Common Shares

 

 

112,328

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

241,490

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Donald C. Nebergall(9)

 

Common Shares

 

 

3,302

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

4,533

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

1,052

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

Common Shares

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

3,331

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

George W. Off

 

Common Shares

 

 

4,391

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

4,611

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

57




 

Martin L. Solomon

 

Common Shares

 

 

3,794

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

4,147

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory P. Josefowicz

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

279

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Mitchell H. Saranow

 

Common Shares

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

2,106

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

John E. Rooney

 

Common Shares

 

 

2,227

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

1,303

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Other executive officers (8) (10) (11)

 

Common Shares

 

 

278,696

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

514,722

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

5,500

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (20 persons)(8)(10)

 

Common Shares

 

 

1,293,062

 

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

8,065,087

 

 

 

13.8

%

 

 

6.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares

 

 

6,163,724

 

 

 

95.6

%

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

53.0

%

 


*       Less than 1%

(1)             The nature of beneficial ownership for shares in this column is sole voting and investment power, except as otherwise set forth in these footnotes. Except with respect to customary brokerage agreement terms pursuant to which shares in a brokerage account are pledged as collateral security for the repayment of debit balances, none of the above shares are pledged as security, unless otherwise specified.

(2)             Represents the percent of voting power in matters other than the election of directors.

(3)             The shares listed are held by the persons named as trustees under a voting trust which expires June 30, 2035, created to facilitate long-standing relationships among the trust certificate holders. Under the terms of the voting trust, the trustees hold and vote the TDS Special Common and Series A Common Shares held in the trust. If the voting trust were terminated, the following individuals, directly or indirectly, would each be deemed to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding TDS Series A Common Shares: LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Catherine Mouly (wife of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.), Walter C.D. Carlson, Prudence E. Carlson, Richard Beckett (husband of Prudence E. Carlson), and Letitia G. Carlson, M.D.

(4)             Includes 37,694 Special Common Shares and 53,055 Series A Common Shares held by Mr. Carlson’s wife. Mr. Carlson disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Does not include 29,147 Special Common Shares and 32,945 Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of LeRoy T. Carlson or 187,554 Special Common and 188,623 Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of Mr. Carlson’s wife (an aggregate of 216,701 Special Common Shares, or 0.4% of class, and 221,568 Series A Common Shares, or 3.4% of class) in the voting trust described in footnote (3). Beneficial ownership is disclaimed as to Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of his wife.

(5)             Includes 1,156 Common Shares, 6,434 Special Common Shares and 5,275 Series A Common Shares held by Mr. Carlson’s wife outside the voting trust.

Special Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,812,745 Special Common Shares (3.1% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which 172,271 shares are held for the benefit of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and 1,547,603 shares are held by family partnerships, of which Mr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 92,871 Special Common Shares held for the benefit of his wife, his children and others in such voting trust.

Series A Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,816,776 Series A Common Shares (28.2% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which 174,953 shares are held for the benefit of LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and 1,548,988 shares are held by family partnerships, of which Mr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 92,835 Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of his wife, his children and others in such voting trust.

(6)             Special Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,893,548 Special Common Shares (3.2% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which shares 1,093,814 are held for the benefit of Walter C.D. Carlson and 684,910 shares are held by a family partnership, of which Mr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 114,824 Special Common Shares held for the benefit of his wife and children in such voting trust.

58




Series A Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,896,607 Series A Common Shares (29.4% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which shares 1,095,529 are held for the benefit of Walter C.D. Carlson and 686,295 shares are held by a family partnership, of which Mr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 114,783. Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of his wife and children in such voting trust.

(7)             Special Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,838,872 Special Common Shares (3.1% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which shares 1,056,351 are held for the benefit of Letitia G. Carlson, M.D. and 684,910 shares are held by a family partnership, of which Dr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownerships is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 97,610 Special Common Shares held for the benefit of her husband and children in such voting trust.

Series A Common Shares in Voting Trust.   Does not include 1,840,820 Series A Common Shares (28.6% of class) held in the voting trust described in footnote (3), of which 1,055,035 shares are held for the benefit of Letitia G. Carlson, M.D. and 686,295  shares are held by a family partnership, of which Dr. Carlson is a general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to an aggregate of 99,490 Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of her husband and children in such voting trust.

(8)             Includes shares as to which voting and/or investment power is shared, and/or shares held by spouse and/or children.

(9)             Does not include 353,350 Special Common (0.6% of class) and 353,214 Series A Common Shares (5.5% of class) held as trustee under trusts for the benefit of the heirs of LeRoy T. and Margaret D. Carlson, or 287 Special Common Shares or 286 Series A Common Shares held for the benefit of Donald C. Nebergall, which are included in the voting trust described in footnote (3).

(10)    Includes the following number of Common Shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options and/or restricted stock units which are currently vested or will vest within 60 days: LeRoy T. Carlson, 246,046 shares; LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., 552,036 shares; James Barr III, 98,583 shares; all other executive officers, 256,886 shares; and all directors and executive officers as a group 1,153,551 shares. Includes the following number of Special Common Shares that may be purchased pursuant to stock options and/or restricted stock units which are currently vested or vested within 60 days: LeRoy T. Carlson, 307,173 shares; LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., 765,369 shares; James Barr III, 212,170 shares; all other executive officers, 483,978 shares; and all directors and executive officers as a group 1,768,690 shares.

(11)    Includes shares held by the other executive officers identified in the above list of executive officers:  David A. Wittwer, Scott H. Williamson, D. Michael Jack, Kurt B. Thaus, C. Theodore Herbert and Joseph R. Hanley.

59




Security Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners

In addition to persons listed in the preceding table and the footnotes thereto, the following table sets forth as of April 30, 2007 or the latest practicable date, information regarding each person who is known to TDS to own beneficially more than 5% of any class of voting securities of TDS, based on publicly available information and TDS’s stock records as of such date. The nature of beneficial ownership in this table is sole voting and investment power except as otherwise set forth in footnotes thereto.

Shareholder’s Name and Address

 

Title of Class or Series

 

Shares of Class
or Series
Owned

 

Percent of
Class

 

Percent of
Shares of
Common Stock

 

Percent of
Voting
Power(1)

 

Southeastern Asset
Management, Inc.(2)(3)
6410 Poplar Ave., Suite 900
Memphis, TN 38119

 

Common Shares

 

 

4,218,700

 

 

 

8.1

%

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

17,894,037

 

 

 

30.6

%

 

 

15.3

%

 

 

 

 

Capital Research and Management Company(4)(5)
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

Common Shares

 

 

4,156,100

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

8,899,200

 

 

 

15.2

%

 

 

7.6

%

 

 

 

 

Gabelli Funds, LLC(6)(7)
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580

 

Common Shares

 

 

3,763,623

 

 

 

7.2

%

 

 

3.2

%

 

 

3.2

%

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

3,466,470

 

 

 

5.9

%

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

 

 

Barclays Global Investors,
NA(8)
45 Freemont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

 

Common Shares

 

 

3,707,464

 

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

3.2

%

 

 

3.2

%

 

Wallace R. Weitz & Company(9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1125 South 103rd Street,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suite 600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omaha, NE 68124-6008

 

Common Shares

 

 

2,446,300

 

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

 

3,805,819

 

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

 

 


(1)            Represents voting power in matters other than election of directors.

(2)            Based on a Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 11) filed with the SEC, Southeastern Asset Management reports that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 2,291,100 Common Shares and shared power to vote  1,530,800 Common Shares. Southeastern Asset Management reports that it has sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 2,681,900 Common Shares and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 1,530,800 Common Shares, and no power of disposition with respect to 6,000 Common Shares.

(3)            Based on a Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 9) filed with the SEC, Southeastern Asset Management reports that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 10,028,100 Special Common Shares and shared power to vote 5,666,200 Special Common Shares. Southeastern Asset Management reports that it has sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 12,221,837 Special Common Shares and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 5,666,200 Special Common Shares, and no power of disposition with respect to 6,000 Common Shares.

(4)            Based on a Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 4) filed with the SEC. In such Schedule 13G, Capital Research and Management Company reports that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of, and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of, 4,156,100 Common Shares.

60




(5)            Based on a Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 2) filed with the SEC. In such Schedule 13G, Capital Research and Management Company reports that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 6,596,100 Special Common Shares and reports sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 8,899,200 Special Common Shares.

(6)            Based upon a Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 12) filed with the SEC. Includes Common Shares held by the following affiliates: GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.—2,264,823 Common Shares; Gabelli Funds, LLC—1,490,300 Common Shares; Gabelli Foundation, Inc.—1,000; GGC, Inc.—4,000 Common Shares; Mario J. Gabelli—2,500 Common Shares; and Gabelli Securities, Inc.—1,000 Common Shares. In such Schedule 13D, such group reports sole or shared investment authority over 3,763,623 Common Shares and has reported sole voting power with respect to 3,680,623 Common Shares.

(7)            Based upon a Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 1) filed with the SEC. Includes Special Common Shares held by the following affiliates: GAMCO Investors, Inc.—2,132,170 Special Common Shares; Gabelli Funds, LLC—1,299,800 Special Common Shares; GGCP, Inc.—4,000 Special Common Shares; Mario J. Gabelli—2,500 Special Common Shares; and Gabelli Securities, Inc.—28,000 Special Common Shares. In such Schedule 13D, such group reports sole or shared investment authority over 3,466,470 Common Shares and has reported sole voting power with respect to 3,301,470 Common Shares.

(8)            Based on the most recent Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. Includes Common Shares held by the following affiliates:  Barclays Global Investors, NA—1,795,305 Common Shares; Barclays Global Fund Advisors—1,723,522 Common Shares; Barclays Global Investors, Ltd.—114,829 Common Shares; Barclays Global Investors Japan Trust and Banking Company Limited—52,440 Common Shares; and Barclays Global Investors Japan Limited—21,368 Common Shares. In such Schedule 13G, such group reports sole investment authority over 3,247,895 Common Shares and has reported sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 3,707,464 Common Shares.

(9)            Based on the most recent Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 1) filed with the SEC, Wallace R. Weitz & Company reports that it has sole or shared power to vote or direct the vote of  3,775,019 Special Common Shares and sole or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of  3,805,819 Special Common Shares.

61




SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder require TDS’s directors and officers, and persons who are deemed to own more than ten percent of the Common Shares, to file certain reports with the SEC with respect to their beneficial ownership of Common Shares. The reporting persons are also required to furnish TDS with copies of all such reports they file.

Based on a review of copies of such reports furnished to TDS by the reporting persons and written representations by directors and officers of TDS, TDS believes that all filing requirements under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act applicable to the reporting persons during and with respect to 2006 were complied with on a timely basis.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

See “Executive and Director Compensation—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING

TDS’s 2007 annual meeting is being held on July 26, 2007. TDS expects to hold the 2008 annual meeting on May 22, 2008. Because May 22 is a change of more than 30 days from July 26, under SEC rules, the deadline for shareholder proposals to be included in TDS’s proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting is a reasonable time before TDS begins to print and mail its proxy materials. Because TDS intends to resume its regular schedule of holding its annual meeting in May next year, it will regard any proper shareholder proposal submitted for inclusion in the 2008 proxy statement to have been received a reasonable time before TDS begins to print and mail its proxy materials if such proposal is duly received by TDS not later than December 24, 2007, which is 120 days prior to the expected date of TDS’s 2008 proxy statement, which is expected to be dated April 22, 2008.

Under TDS’s bylaws, if the date of the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date of the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders, director nominations by shareholders and shareholder proposals must be received by TDS not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date of public notice of the date of the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders. Although TDS is hereby giving public notice that the date of the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders is scheduled for May 22, 2008, pursuant to the preceding paragraph, any proper director nomination or shareholder proposal duly received by TDS no later than December 24, 2007 will be permitted to be presented at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.

Because December 24, 2007 will be at least 45 days prior to the date of the proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting, which is expected to be approximately April 22, 2008, the proxy solicited by the board of directors for the 2008 annual meeting will confer discretionary authority to vote on any matter that may properly come before such meeting or any adjournment thereof, other than with respect to proposals that are included in the proxy statement relating to such meeting.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

Your proxy is being solicited by the board of directors and its agents, and the cost of solicitation will be paid by TDS. Officers, directors and regular employees of TDS, acting on its behalf, may also solicit proxies by mail, email, advertisement, telephone, telecopy, in person or other methods. None of such persons will receive additional compensation for such solicitations. TDS has also retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The standard fee for an annual meeting is $7,500 plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. TDS will, at its expense, request brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons.

62




FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We will furnish you without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, including the financial statements and the schedules thereto, upon the written or oral request of any shareholder as of the record date, and will provide copies of the exhibits to any such documents upon payment of a reasonable fee which shall not exceed our reasonable expenses incurred to do so. Requests for such materials should be directed to Investor Relations, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., 30 North LaSalle Street, 40th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602, telephone (312) 630-1900.

OTHER BUSINESS

It is not anticipated that any action will be asked of the shareholders other than those set forth above, but if other matters are properly brought before the annual meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.

 

By order of the Board of Directors

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

Kevin C. Gallagher

Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

All shareholders are urged to sign, date and mail their proxies promptly or

vote on the Internet in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy

63




APPENDIX I

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
Pursuant to SEC RULE 14(a)-3 and American Stock Exchange Section 611

The following audited financial statements and certain other financial information for the year ended December 31, 2006, represents TDS’s annual report to shareholders as required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and under the requirements of the American Stock Exchange.

TDS also is required to comply with certain listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange because it has debt listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols TDA and TDI, including the disclosure of the following information in this annual report. TDS is required to certify compliance with such standards to the New York Stock Exchange on an annual basis within 30 days after filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K. In 2006, TDS submitted a Section 303A Special Entities Annual Written Certification to the New York Stock Exchange within 30 days after filing its 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K stating that it was in compliance with all applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards, this confirms that TDS filed with the SEC the CEO/CFO certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as an Exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The following information was filed as Exhibit 13 to TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.




Exhibit 13

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Financial Report

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

 

1

Overview

 

2

Results of Operations

 

5

Wireless Telephone Operations

 

9

Wireline Telephone Operations

 

20

Inflation

 

25

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

25

Financial Resources

 

27

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

30

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

40

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

48

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe Harbor Cautionary Statement

 

49

Market Risk

 

52

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

55

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

56

Consolidated Balance Sheets—Assets

 

57

Consolidated Balance Sheets—Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

58

Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity

 

59

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

60

Reports of Management

 

123

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

126

Consolidated Quarterly Income Information (Unaudited)

 

129

Five-Year Statistical Summary

 

131

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

133

Shareholder Information

 

134

 




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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 7.0 million wireless telephone customers and wireline telephone equivalent access lines in 36 states at December 31, 2006. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless telephone operations through its 80.7%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), and its Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier and Competitive Local Exchange Carrier wireline telephone operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its 80%-owned subsidiary, Suttle Straus, which represents a small portion of TDS’s operations.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with TDS’s audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included herein and the description of TDS’s business included in Item 1 of the TDS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Restatement

TDS and its audit committee concluded on April 20, 2007, that TDS would restate its financial statements and financial information for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, including quarterly information for 2006 and 2005, and certain selected financial data for 2003 and 2002. The restatements are being reflected in TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The restatement adjustments are described below.

Step acquisition accounting for U.S. Cellular treasury share repurchases—In reviewing the accounting at TDS for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of its common shares in 2004, 2001 and 2000, TDS concluded that TDS should have recorded these transactions as step acquisitions using purchase accounting rather than recording these transactions as adjustments to TDS’s capital in excess of par value. Such a repurchase of shares by U.S. Cellular gives rise to an increase in the net assets of U.S. Cellular as part of the TDS consolidated entity. In the restatement, TDS has adjusted licenses, goodwill, net deferred income tax liability and capital in excess of par value to properly record the purchase price allocation associated with TDS’s increased ownership percentage in U.S. Cellular due to U.S. Cellular repurchasing its own common shares. Such adjustments also required an increase in the amortization of the licenses and goodwill in 2001 and 2000. The impacts of these adjustments on the balance sheets are reflected in the table below.

 

 

2004

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) dollars in thousands

 

Initial recording of repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

 

$

259

 

 

 

$

2,172

 

 

$

33,082

 

Goodwill

 

 

892

 

 

 

9,580

 

 

100,328

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

100

 

 

 

841

 

 

12,806

 

Capital in excess of par

 

 

$

1,051

 

 

 

$

10,911

 

 

$

120,604

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(827

)

 

$

(414

)

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

(2,509

)

 

(1,254

)

Deferred tax liability

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(320

)

 

$

(160

)

 

In conjunction with the step acquisition correction, which increased intangible assets, TDS updated its past annual license and goodwill impairment tests to include the increased carrying value. The additional TDS license and goodwill amounts were allocated to the same reporting units used by U.S. Cellular. The inclusion of the additional goodwill and intangible asset balances at each reporting unit, resulted in one reporting unit failing step 1 of the 2003 annual goodwill impairment test. Upon performance of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for the reporting unit, TDS recorded an impairment charge for the entire goodwill balance at that reporting unit. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test requires a comparison of the implied

1




fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The significant impairment arose as a result of unrecognized assets that were included in the implied goodwill calculation. TDS also recorded incremental impairment charges related to goodwill and licenses in certain years. Certain divestiture transactions were also corrected to allocate a portion of the increase in goodwill and licenses to the markets that were sold, thus reducing the gain previously recorded on the sale of the markets. The impacts of these adjustments on the balance sheets for each year and on the Statement of Operations in 2005 are reflected in the table below. There were no adjustments in 2004.

 

 

2005

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts

 

Licenses

 

 

$

(6

)

 

$

(9,501

)

 

$

(1,485

)

 

Goodwill

 

 

(2,229

)

 

(343,340

)

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

$

 

 

$

(67,140

)

 

$

(575

)

 

(Gain) Loss on sale of assets

 

 

(2,235

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Diluted Earnings per Share

 

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The net impact on retained earnings at January 1, 2004 of the initial adjustments and the subsequent impairments recorded prior to January 1, 2004 is a reduction of $291.1 million.

OVERVIEW

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

U.S. Cellular—U.S. Cellular positions itself as a regional operator, focusing its efforts on providing wireless service to customers in the geographic areas where it has licenses to provide such service. U.S. Cellular differentiates itself from its competitors through a customer satisfaction strategy, reflecting broad product distribution, a customer service focus and a high-quality wireless network. Its largest contiguous service area is in the Midwest/Southwest, where it serves 3.6 million customers and owns licenses covering a total population of more than 38 million.

U.S. Cellular’s business development strategy is to acquire, develop and operate controlling interests in wireless licenses in areas adjacent to or in proximity to its other wireless licenses, thereby building contiguous operating market areas. U.S. Cellular’s operating strategy is to strengthen the geographic areas where it can continue to build long-term operating synergies and to exit those areas where it does not have opportunities to build such synergies.

Operating highlights in 2006 included the following:

·       Total customers increased 6% year-over-year to 5,815,000 and average monthly service revenue per customer increased 4% to $47.23;

·       The postpay churn rate per month was 1.5%;

·       Additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $579.8 million, including expenditures to construct cell sites, increase capacity in existing cell sites and switches, outfit new and remodel existing retail stores and continue the development and enhancements of U.S. Cellular’s support systems;

·       Total cell sites in service increased 9% year-over-year to 5,925; and

·       In April 2006, U.S. Cellular completed the purchase of the remaining majority interest in the Tennessee RSA No. 3 Limited Partnership, a wireless market operator in which U.S. Cellular had previously owned a 16.7% interest, for approximately $19.0 million in cash.

Service Revenues increased $387.4 million, or 14%, to $3,214.4 million in 2006 from $2,827.0 million in 2005. Revenues from data products and services increased 66% to $217.4 million in 2006 from $131.3 million in 2005 as customers continue to increase usage of U.S. Cellular’s easyedgeSM products and offerings such as Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Blackberry® handsets and service.

2




Operating Income in 2006 increased $58.7 million, or 25%, to $289.9 million from $231.2 million in 2005. The increase in Operating Income reflected both higher operating revenues and a higher operating income margin (as a percent of service revenues), which was 9.0% in 2006 compared to 8.2% in 2005.

Although operating income margin improved in 2006, TDS anticipates that there will be continued pressure on U.S. Cellular operating income and operating income margins in the next few years related to the following factors:

·       costs of customer acquisition and retention;

·       effects of competition;

·       providing service in recently launched areas;

·       potential increases in prepaid and reseller customers as a percentage of U.S. Cellular’s customer base; and

·       continued enhancements to its wireless networks.

See “Results of Operations—Wireless Telephone Operations.”

TDS Telecom—TDS Telecom provides high-quality telecommunication services, including full-service local exchange service, long distance telephone service, and Internet access, to rural and suburban area communities. TDS Telecom’s business plan is designed for a full-service telecommunications company, including competitive local exchange carrier operations, by leveraging TDS Telecom’s strength as an incumbent local exchange carrier. TDS Telecom is focused on achieving three central strategic objectives: growth, market leadership, and profitability. TDS Telecom’s strategy includes gaining additional market share and deepening penetration of vertical services within established markets and becoming the premier broadband provider in its chosen markets. The strategy places primary emphasis on small- and medium-sized commercial customers and residential customers. An important component of TDS Telecom’s business strategy is to develop high-growth services, particularly in the data area. In light of the growth of Internet use and rapid introduction of new telecommunications technology, TDS Telecom intends to offer a suite of data services in all of its markets, thereby positioning itself as a full-service data networking service provider.

Both incumbent local exchange carriers and competitive local exchange carriers are faced with significant challenges, including the industry decline in use of second lines by customers, growing competition from wireless and other wireline providers, changes in regulation, new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol, and the uncertainty in the economy. These challenges could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of TDS Telecom.

TDS Telecom was able to increase equivalent access lines in 2006 and 2005. By penetrating into existing markets, TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier equivalent access lines increased 2% and 5% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier equivalent access lines increased 3% and 1% in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

TDS Telecom revenues decreased 3% in 2006 from 2005 after increasing 3% in 2005 from 2004. The decrease in 2006 was primarily due to a decline in network access minutes of use and lower compensation from state and national revenue pools. The increase in 2005 was primarily due to the growth in competitive local exchange carrier’s equivalent access lines as well as growth in vertical services provided, such as long distance and digital subscriber line services, to existing incumbent local exchange carrier customers.

Operating margins decreased in 2006 to 14.7% from 17.8% in 2005. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in network access minutes of use and lower compensation from state and national revenue pools noted above, coupled with higher cost of providing services and products. The operating margin in 2004 was 4.2%. The increase in 2005 was due to a loss on impairment of long-lived assets of $87.9 million and a loss on impairment of intangible assets of $29.4 million both recorded in 2004 and associated with the competitive local exchange carrier operations.

See “Results of Operations—Wireline Telephone Operations.”

Cash Flows and Investments—TDS and its subsidiaries had cash and cash equivalents totaling $1,013.3 million, $1,261.2 million of availability under their revolving credit facilities and an additional

3




$75 million of bank lines of credit as of December 31, 2006. TDS and its subsidiaries are also generating substantial internal funds from operations. Cash flow from operating activities totaled $887.2 million in 2006, $868.2 million in 2005 and $777.3 million in 2004. Management believes that cash on hand, expected future cash flows from operating activities and sources of external financing provide substantial financial flexibility and are sufficient to permit TDS and its subsidiaries to finance their contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.

TDS seeks to maintain a strong balance sheet and an investment grade rating. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, TDS entered into several financing transactions that have provided financial flexibility as it continues to seek to grow its wireless and wireline businesses.

On October 3, 2006, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications, L.L.C., which interest was convertible into an interest of approximately 11% in Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C., a privately-held wireless telecommunications company that controlled Midwest Wireless Communications. As a result of the closing of this transaction, U.S Cellular became entitled to receive approximately $106.0 million in cash in consideration with respect to its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. Of this amount, $95.1 million was received on October 6, 2006; the remaining balance was held in escrow to secure true-up, indemnification and other adjustments and, subject to such adjustments, will be distributed in installments over a period of four to fifteen months following the closing. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded a gain of $70.4 million related to the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. The gain recognized during the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $4.3 million received during the first four months of 2007 from the aforementioned escrow. In addition, U.S. Cellular owns 49% of an entity which, prior to October 3, 2006, owned approximately 2.9% of Midwest Wireless Holdings; U.S. Cellular accounts for that entity by the equity method. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities of $6.3 million and received a cash distribution of $6.5 million related to its ownership interest in that entity; such income and cash distribution were due primarily to the sale of the entity’s interest in Midwest Wireless Holdings to ALLTEL.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Barat Wireless, L.P. (“Barat Wireless”), an entity which participated in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the FCC as Auction 66. Barat Wireless was qualified to receive a 25% discount available to “very small businesses” which were defined as having annual gross revenues of less than $15 million. At the conclusion of the auction on September 18, 2006, Barat Wireless was the high bidder with respect to 17 licenses and had bid $127.1 million, net of its discount. On April 30, 2007, the FCC granted Barat Wireless’ applications with respect to the 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder.

Barat Wireless is in the process of developing its long-term business and financing plans. As of December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had made capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner of $127.2 million. Barat Wireless used the funding to pay the FCC an initial deposit of $79.9 million on July 14, 2006 to allow it to participate in Auction 66. On October 18, 2006, Barat Wireless paid the balance due for the licenses with respect to which Barat Wireless was the high bidder; such amount due was $47.1 million. For financial reporting purposes, U.S. Cellular consolidates Barat Wireless and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless, pursuant to the guidelines of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46(R)”), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Barat Wireless’ expected gains or losses. Pending finalization of Barat Wireless’ permanent financing plan, and upon request by Barat Wireless, U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 25, 2006, shareholders of Vodafone approved a Special Distribution of £0.15 per share (£1.50 per American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”)) and a Share Consolidation under which every 8 ADRs of Vodafone were consolidated into 7 ADRs. As a result of the Special Distribution which was paid on August 18, 2006, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom received approximately $28.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in cash; these amounts, representing a return of capital for financial statement purposes, were recorded as a reduction in the accounting cost basis of marketable equity securities. Also, as a result of the Share Consolidation which was effective on July 28, 2006, U.S. Cellular’s previous 10,245,370 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs and TDS Telecom’s previous 2,700,545 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 2,362,976 ADRs.

4




As a result of the liquidation and dissolution of the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”), TDS Telecom remitted its shares and received $101.7 million from the RTB and recorded a gain of $90.3 million in 2006.

TDS repaid $200.0 million plus accrued interest on its 7% unsecured senior notes using cash on hand in 2006. Also in 2006, TDS redeemed $35.0 million of medium-term notes which carried interest rates of 10%.

See “Financial Resources” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—for additional information related to cash flows and investments.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operating Revenues increased $411.5 million, or 10%, to $4,364.5 million in 2006 from $3,953.0 million in 2005, and increased $250.9 million, or 7%, in 2005 from $3,702.1 million in 2004 reflecting growth in wireless customers. U.S. Cellular operating revenues increased $442.4 million, or 15%, to $3,473.2 million in 2006 from $3,030.8 million in 2005, and increased $224.4 million, or 8%, in 2005 from $2,806.4 million in 2004. Revenue growth primarily reflects wireless customer growth of 6% in 2006 and 11% in 2005. TDS Telecom operating revenues decreased $28.2 million, or 3%, to $875.9 million in 2006 from $904.1 million in 2005, and increased $24.0 million, or 3%, in 2004 from $880.1 million in 2004. Equivalent access lines increased 3% in 2006 and 2% in 2005.

Operating Expenses increased $379.4 million, or 11%, to $3,951.7 million in 2006 from $3,572.3 million in 2005, and increased $71.4 million, or 2%, in 2005 from $3,500.9 million in 2004. U.S. Cellular operating expenses increased $383.7 million, or 14%, to $3,183.3 million in 2006 from $2,799.6 million in 2005, and increased $155.8 million, or 6%, in 2005 from $2,643.8 million in 2004 due primarily to the costs associated with providing service to an expanding customer base, additional depreciation expense and costs associated with launching new markets and acquisitions. In 2005 and 2004, U.S. Cellular operating expenses were reduced by $44.7 million and $10.8 million, respectively, due to gains on sales of assets.

TDS Telecom operating expenses increased $3.7 million, or less than 1%, to $747.1 million in 2006 from $743.4 million in 2005, and decreased $99.7 million, or 12%, in 2005 from $843.1 million in 2004. The decrease in 2005 was primarily caused by an $87.9 million loss on the impairment of long-lived assets and a $29.4 million loss on the impairment of intangible assets recorded in 2004. These impairments resulted from the write-off of certain property, plant and equipment, and all of the goodwill at the competitive local exchange carrier business.

Operating Income increased $32.1 million, or 8%, to $412.8 million in 2006 from $380.7 million in 2005, and increased $179.4 million, or 89%, in 2005 from $201.3 million in 2004. U.S. Cellular’s operating income increased $58.7 million, or 25%, to $289.9 million in 2006 from $231.2 million in 2005, and increased $68.6 million, or 42%, in 2005 from $162.6 million in 2004. U.S. Cellular’s operating income margin (as a percent of service revenues) was 9.0% in 2006, 8.2% in 2005 and 6.2% in 2004. The increase in operating income in 2006 compared to 2005 reflect higher operating revenues and a higher operating income margin. The increase in operating income and operating income margin in 2005 reflected increased service revenues primarily due to the growth in the number of retail customers and increased gains recorded on sales of assets. The increase in 2005 was partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses, increased expenses related to the launch of the new markets, decreased inbound roaming revenue resulting from a decrease in revenue per roaming minute of use, increased depreciation expense, and increased equipment subsidies. TDS Telecom’s operating income decreased $31.8 million or 20%, to $128.9 million in 2006 from $160.7 million in 2005, and increased $123.6 million in 2005 from $37.1 million in 2004. The decrease in 2006 was primarily due to the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier decrease in revenues generated from lower network usage and lower average access rates coupled with higher costs of providing services and products. The increase in 2005 primarily reflects the competitive local exchange carrier losses on the impairment of long-lived assets of $87.9 million and of goodwill of $29.4 million both recorded in 2004.

Investment and other income (expense) primarily includes interest and dividend income, equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, gain (loss) on investments and interest expense.

5




Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, which represents TDS’s share of net income from markets in which it has a minority interest and that are accounted for by the equity method, totaled $95.2 million in 2006, $68.0 million in 2005 and $65.3 million in 2004. TDS follows the equity method of accounting for minority interests in which its ownership interest equals or exceeds 20% for corporations and greater than 3% to 5% for partnerships and limited liability companies.

TDS’s investment in the Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership contributed $62.3 million, $52.2 million and $41.8 million to equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Interest and dividend income increased $38.1 million to $194.6 million in 2006 from $156.5 million in 2005, and increased $127.6 million in 2005 from $28.9 million in 2004. In 2006, TDS recorded $120.3 dividend income from its investment in Deutsche Telekom and recorded $14.5 million from its investment in Vodafone. In 2005, TDS recorded $105.7 million of dividend income from its investment in Deutsche Telekom and recorded $10.1 million from its investment in Vodafone. The increase in dividend income in 2006 is primarily due to increases in the dividends paid by Deutsche Telekom ($14.6 million) and Vodafone ($4.4 million), and higher average rates of interest earned on investments in 2006 than 2005. Interest income increased $20.6 million in 2006 primarily due to higher interest rates.

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments totaled a loss of $299.5 million in 2006, a gain of $733.7 million in 2005 and a loss of $519.0 million in 2004. Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments reflects the change in the fair value of the bifurcated embedded collars within the forward contracts related to the Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities not designated as a hedge. The accounting for the embedded collars as derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship results in increased volatility in the results of operations, as fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities result in changes in the fair value of the embedded collars being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments are the gains and losses related to the ineffectiveness of the VeriSign fair value hedge which aggregated a $1.6 million gain, $0.6 million gain and $2.2 million gain for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

Gain (loss) on investments TDS recorded a gain of $161.8 million in 2006, a loss of $6.3 million in 2005 and a gain of $38.2 million in 2004.

On October 3, 2006, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless and recorded a gain of $70.4 million. See Note 5—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for more information on the disposition of Midwest Wireless.

TDS Telecom has in the past obtained financing from the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”). In connection with such financings, TDS Telecom purchased stock in the RTB. TDS Telecom has repaid all of its debt to the RTB, but continued to own the RTB stock. In August 2005, the board of directors of the RTB approved resolutions to liquidate and dissolve the RTB. In order to effect the dissolution and liquidation, shareholders were asked to remit their shares to receive cash compensation for those shares. TDS Telecom remitted its shares and received $101.7 million from the RTB and recorded a gain of $90.3 million in 2006.

In 2005, TDS finalized the working capital adjustment related to the sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless interests on November 30, 2004. The working capital adjustment increased the total gain on investment from this transaction by $0.5 million.

In 2005, U.S. Cellular reduced the carrying value of one of its equity method investments by $6.8 million to its underlying equity value based on a cash flow analysis.

In 2004, TDS recorded a $40.8 million gain on the sale of investment interests to ALLTEL. TDS recorded a $1.8 million loss to reflect an impairment in the carrying value of U.S. Cellular’s investment in the Daytona license sold to MetroPCS and a $0.3 million loss associated with buying out the partner in the Daytona investment. TDS also recorded a $0.5 million loss on an investment in a telephone company accounted for using the cost method.

Interest Expense increased $18.5 million, or 9%, to $234.5 million in 2006 from $216.0 million in 2005, and increased $17.3 million, or 9%, in 2004 from $198.7 million in 2003.

6




The increase in interest expense in 2006 was primarily due to an increase in interest paid on forward contracts related to interest rate increases ($24.1 million), the new debt issuance of 6.625% Senior Notes in March 2005 of $116.25 million ($1.9 million) and the increase in interest rates on revolving credit facilities ($5.7 million). The increase in interest expense was partially offset by the repayment of TDS’s $200.0 million 7% unsecured Senior Notes in August 2006 ($6.0 million), the repayment of TDS Telecom’s subsidiary debt in March and June of 2005 ($5.2 million) and the repayment of $35.0 million of medium-term notes ($3.1 million) in 2006.

The increase in interest expense in 2005 was primarily due to an increase in interest paid on forward contracts related to interest rate increases ($24.8 million), a new debt issuance of 30-year 6.625% senior notes in March 2005 of $116.25 million ($5.9 million) and the effects of having U.S. Cellular’s 6.7% and 7.5% senior notes outstanding for all of 2005 ($14.9 million). The increase in interest expense was partially offset by the repayment of U.S. Cellular’s 7.25% Senior Notes ($11.6 million) and 6% Liquid Yield Option Notes, ($5.9 million) in 2004 and TDS Telecom subsidiaries’ $232.6 million of RUS, RTB and FFB notes in March and June of 2005 ($9.0 million). TDS also redeemed $17.2 million of medium term notes ($1.4 million) in the first quarter of 2005.

Other income (expense), net increased $2.5 million to $(7.0) million in 2006 from $(9.5) million in 2005, and decreased $0.7 million in 2005 from $(8.8) million in 2004. Borrowing costs on the prepaid forward contracts decreased $1.6 million in 2006 compared to 2005. In addition, in 2005 TDS Telecom recorded prepayment penalties and unamortized debt issuance cost write-offs of $2.2 million on the repayment of long-term debt and TDS incurred $2.9 million of expenses from the Special Common Share proposal and stock dividend.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) was $116.5 million in 2006, $423.2 million in 2005 and $(158.1) million in 2004. The corresponding effective tax rates were 36.0% in 2006, 38.2% in 2005 and 40.2% in 2004.

Income from continuing operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, includes gains and losses (reported in the captions Gain (loss) on investments, Loss on impairment of long-lived assets, Loss on impairment of intangible assets, and (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations).

2006

·       Tax expense of $30.9 million was recorded on the gain from the sale of Midwest Wireless.

·       Tax expense of $32.4 million was recorded on the sale of RTB stock.

·       Tax benefit of $115.6 million was recorded on the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments.

2005

·       Tax expense of $17.4 million was recorded on the gain from the exchange of assets with ALLTEL.

·       Tax benefit of $2.6 million was recorded on the loss on impairment of an unconsolidated investment.

·       Tax expense of $289.6 million was recorded on the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments.

2004

·       Tax expense of $37.0 million was recorded on the gain from the sale of assets to ALLTEL and to AT&T Wireless.

·       Tax benefit of $27.9 million was recorded on the loss on impairment of competitive local exchange carrier assets.

·       Tax benefits of $0.9 million were recorded on impairments of assets.

·       Tax benefit of $206.3 million was recorded on the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments.

The gains and losses listed above increased (decreased) the effective tax rate by (0.5), 3.1 and 20.1 percentage points for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its audit of TDS’s federal income tax returns for the years

7




1997 - 2001 and TDS’s claims for research tax credits for the years 1995 - 2001. Primarily based on the final results of the audit, TDS reduced its accrual for audit contingencies by $3.1 million (0.3 percentage points) in 2005. Also in 2005, TDS recorded a $0.5 million (0.0 percentage points) benefit for the research tax credits. TDS reduced its accrual for audit contingencies by $21.4 million (5.4 percentage points) and recorded a $6.3 million (1.6 percentage points) benefit for the research tax credits in 2004 based on the IRS’s preliminary findings in the income tax return and research tax credit audits. See Note 3—Income Taxes of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the effective tax rates.

Minority Share of Income includes the minority public shareholders’ share of U.S. Cellular’s net income, the minority shareholders’ or partners’ share of certain U.S. Cellular subsidiaries’ net income or loss and other TDS minority interests.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Share of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Public Shareholders’ Interest

 

$

(33,996

)

$

(28,703

)

$

(16,275

)

Subsidiaries’ Minority Interests

 

(10,891

)

(8,366

)

(8,151

)

 

 

(44,887

)

(37,069

)

(24,426

)

Other Subsidiaries

 

(233

)

(138

)

(91

)

 

 

$

(45,120

)

$

(37,207

)

$

(24,517

)

 

Discontinued Operations TDS is party to an indemnity agreement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. regarding certain contingent liabilities for Aerial Communications, Inc. (“Aerial”), a former subsidiary of TDS. TDS has recorded an accrual for expenses, primarily tax related, resulting from Aerial’s merger into VoiceStream Wireless Corporation (“VoiceStream”) in 2000.

In 2005, TDS also recorded a gain of $1.0 million ($1.5 million, net of a $0.5 million income tax expense), or $0.01 per diluted share, for discontinued operations relating to a reduction in this indemnity accrual due to the favorable outcome of a state tax audit which reduced the potential indemnity obligation.

In 2004, TDS reduced the accrued indemnity and recorded gains on discontinued operations totaling $6.4 million ($10.2 million, net of an income tax expense of $3.8 million), or $0.05 per diluted share. The accrual was reduced due to favorable outcomes of federal and state tax audits, which reduced TDS’s indemnity requirements.

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common totaled $161.6 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, in 2006 compared to $647.5 million, or $5.57 per diluted share, in 2005 and $(253.1) million, or $(2.21) per diluted share, in 2004.

8




WIRELESS TELEPHONE OPERATIONS

TDS provides wireless telephone service through U.S. Cellular, an 80.7%-owned subsidiary. U.S. Cellular owns, manages and invests in wireless markets throughout the United States. Growth in the customer base is the primary reason for the change in U.S. Cellular’s results of operations in 2006 and 2005. The number of customers increased 6% to 5,815,000 at December 31, 2006, and increased 11% to 5,482,000 at December 31, 2005, from 4,945,000 at December 31, 2004. In 2006, U.S. Cellular added 310,000 net new customers from its marketing distribution channels and acquired a net total of 23,000 customers in three transactions. In 2005 U.S. Cellular added 477,000 net new customers from its marketing distribution channels and disposed of a net total of 60,000 customers in two transactions. See “Acquisitions, Exchanges and Divestitures” for a discussion of these transactions.

U.S. Cellular owned, or had the right to acquire pursuant to certain agreements, either majority or minority interests in 235 wireless markets at December 31, 2006. A summary of the number of markets U.S. Cellular owns or has rights to acquire as of December 31, 2006 follows:

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Markets

 

Consolidated markets (1)

 

 

201

 

 

Consolidated markets to be acquired pursuant to existing agreements (2)

 

 

17

 

 

Minority interests accounted for using equity method

 

 

12

 

 

Minority interests accounted for using cost method

 

 

5

 

 

Total markets to be owned after completion of pending transactions (3)

 

 

235

 

 


(1)             Includes majority interests in 190 markets and other interests in 11 licenses acquired through Carroll Wireless, L.P. (“Carroll Wireless”). U.S. Cellular consolidates Carroll Wireless and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless, for financial statement purposes, pursuant to the guidelines of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Carroll Wireless’ expected gains or losses.

Carroll Wireless was the winning bidder of 17 wireless licenses in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) as Auction 58. On January 6, 2006, the FCC granted Carroll Wireless applications with respect to 16 of the 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder and dismissed one application relating to Walla Walla, Washington. Following the completion of Auction 58, the FCC determined that a portion of the Walla Walla license was already licensed to another party and should not have been included in Auction 58. In March 2006, Carroll Wireless received a full refund of the amount paid to the FCC with respect to the Walla Walla license. Of the 16 licenses which were granted to Carroll Wireless, 11 licenses represent markets which are incremental to U.S. Cellular’s currently owned or acquirable markets and 5 represent markets in which U.S. Cellular currently owns spectrum. Only licenses which add incremental territory to U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets are included in the number of consolidated markets so as to avoid duplicate reporting of overlapping markets.

(2)             U.S. Cellular owns rights to acquire majority interests in 17 wireless licenses resulting from an exchange transaction which closed in August 2003 with AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (“AT&T Wireless”), now a subsidiary of Cingular Wireless LLC, which is now a subsidiary of AT&T Inc., (formerly SBC Communications, Inc.). Pursuant to the exchange transaction, U.S. Cellular also has rights to acquire 4 additional licenses. However, those 4 additional licenses are in markets where U.S. Cellular currently owns spectrum. Only licenses which add incremental territory to U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating markets are included in the number of consolidated markets so as to avoid duplicate reporting of overlapping markets. The rights to acquire licenses from AT&T Wireless expire on August 1, 2008.

(3)             Total markets to be owned after completion of pending transactions does not include the 17 licenses for which Barat Wireless was the successful bidder in Auction 66, which ended on September 18, 2006. On April 30, 2007, the FCC granted Barat Wireless’ applications with respect to the 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder.

9




Following are tables of summarized operating data for U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations:

December 31, (1a)

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Total market population (2) (4)

 

55,543,000

 

45,244,000

 

44,391,000

 

Customers (3)

 

5,815,000

 

5,482,000

 

4,945,000

 

Market penetration (4)

 

10.5

%

12.1

%

11.1

%

Total full-time equivalent employees

 

7,608

 

7,300

 

6,725

 

Cell sites in service

 

5,925

 

5,428

 

4,856

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, (1b)

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net customer additions (5)

 

310,000

 

477,000

 

627,000

 

Net retail customer additions (5)

 

297,000

 

411,000

 

464,000

 

Average monthly service revenue per customer (6)

 

$

47.23

 

$

45.24

 

$

46.58

 

Postpay churn rate per month (7)

 

1.5

%

1.5

%

1.5

%

Sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition (8)

 

$

478

 

$

460

 

$

403

 


(1a)       Amounts in 2006 include information related to all markets included in U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations as of December 31, 2006. Such markets include (i) the market acquired during April 2006, (ii) the 15 markets acquired from ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005 and (iii) the 11 markets granted to Carroll Wireless by the FCC in January 2006 which are incremental to U.S. Cellular’s currently owned or acquirable markets. Such markets exclude the two markets transferred to ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005.

Amounts in 2005 include (i) the market acquired from AT&T Inc. in April 2005 and (ii) the 15 markets acquired from ALLTEL in December 2005; and do not include  the two markets transferred to ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005.

(1b)      Amounts in 2006 include results from all markets included in U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations for the period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. Such markets include (i) the market acquired during April 2006 from April 1 through December 31, (ii) the 15 markets acquired from ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005 for the period January 1 through December 31, 2006 and (iii) the 11 markets granted to Carroll Wireless by the FCC in January 2006 for the period January 6 through December 31, 2006. Such amounts exclude results from the two markets transferred to ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005. Amounts in 2005 include results from all markets included in U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operations for the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, excluding the two markets transferred to ALLTEL in the exchange transaction completed in December 2005 from December 19 through December 31.

(2)             Represents 100% of the population of the markets in which U.S. Cellular had a controlling financial interest for financial reporting purposes as of December 31 of each respective year.

(3)             U.S. Cellular’s customer base consists of the following types of customers:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Customers on postpay service plans in which the end user is a customer of U.S. Cellular (“postpay customers”)

 

4,912,000

 

4,633,000

 

4,303,000

 

End user customers acquired through U.S. Cellular’s agreement with a third party (“reseller customers”) *

 

590,000

 

555,000

 

467,000

 

Total postpay customers

 

5,502,000

 

5,188,000

 

4,770,000

 

Customers on prepaid service plans in which the end user is a customer of U.S. Cellular (“prepaid customers”)

 

313,000

 

294,000

 

175,000

 

Total customers

 

5,815,000

 

5,482,000

 

4,945,000

 

 

* Pursuant to its agreement with the third party, U.S. Cellular is compensated by the third party on a postpay basis; as a result, all customers U.S. Cellular has acquired through this agreement are considered to be postpay customers.

(4)             Calculated using 2005, 2004 and 2003 Claritas population estimates for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. “Total market population” is used only for the purposes of calculating market penetration, which is calculated by dividing customers by the total market population (without duplication of population in overlapping markets).

The decrease in the market penetration for 2006 compared to 2005 is due to the inclusion of the market population related to the incremental territory acquired as a result of the completion of Auction 58. As of December 31, 2006, this incremental territory has not yet been built out. According to the 2005 Claritas population estimates, total market population related to this incremental territory was 7,775,000.

(5)             “Net customer additions” represents the number of net customers added to U.S. Cellular’s overall customer base through all of its marketing distribution channels, excluding any net customers transferred through acquisition or divestiture activity. “Net retail

10




customer additions” represents the number of net customers added to U.S. Cellular’s customer base, excluding net reseller customers added to its reseller customer base, through its marketing distribution channels, excluding any net customers transferred through acquisition or divestiture activity.

(6)             Management uses this measurement to assess the amount of service revenue that U.S. Cellular generates each month on a per customer basis. Variances in this measurement are monitored and compared to variances in expenses on a per customer basis. Average monthly service revenue per customer is calculated as follows:

Year Ended or at December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Service Revenues (000s)

 

$

3,214,410

 

$

2,827,022

 

$

2,615,163

 

Divided by average customers during period (000s)

 

5,671

 

5,207

 

4,679

 

Divided by number of months in each period

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

Average monthly service revenue per customer

 

$

47.23

 

$

45.24

 

$

46.58

 

 

* “Average customers during period” is calculated by adding the number of total customers, including reseller customers, at the beginning of the first month of the period and at the end of each month in the period and dividing by the number of months in the period plus one. Acquired and divested customers are included in the calculation on a prorated basis for the amount of time U.S. Cellular included such customers during each period.

(7)             Postpay churn rate per month represents the percentage of the postpay customer base that disconnects service each month, including both postpay customers and reseller customers. Reseller customers can disconnect service without the associated account numbers being disconnected from U.S. Cellular’s network if the reseller elects to reuse the customer telephone numbers. Only those reseller customer numbers that are disconnected from U.S. Cellular’s network are counted in the number of postpay disconnects. The calculation is performed by first dividing the total number of postpay and reseller customers who disconnect service during the period by the number of months in such period, and then dividing that quotient by the average monthly postpay customer base, which includes both postpay and reseller customers, for such period.

(8)             For a discussion of the components of this calculation, see “Operating expenses—Selling, general and administrative expenses”, below.

Operating Revenues

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail service (1)

 

$

2,820,303

 

$

2,484,571

 

$

2,270,873

 

Inbound roaming

 

158,249

 

145,026

 

171,600

 

Long-distance and other (1)

 

235,858

 

197,425

 

172,690

 

Service Revenues

 

3,214,410

 

2,827,022

 

2,615,163

 

Equipment sales

 

258,745

 

203,743

 

191,255

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

$

3,473,155

 

$

3,030,765

 

$

2,806,418

 


(1)             Reflects reclassification of data-related revenue of $6.0 million in 2006, $3.0 million in 2005 and $1.4 million in 2004, respectively, from long-distance and other revenues to retail service revenues. These reclassifications did not result in a change in previously reported total service revenues.

Operating revenues increased $442.4 million, or 15%, to $3,473.2 million in 2006 from $3,030.8 million in 2005, and increased $224.4 million, or 8%, in 2005 from $2,806.4 million in 2004.

Service revenues increased $387.4 million, or 14%, to $3,214.4 million in 2006 from $2,827.0 million in 2005, and increased $211.8 million, or 8%, from $2,615.2 million in 2004. Service revenues primarily consist 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 (“inbound roaming”); and (iii) charges for long-distance calls made on U.S. Cellular’s systems. The increases in service revenues were due primarily to the growth in the customer base, which increased to 5,815,000 in 2006 from 5,482,000 in 2005 and from 4,945,000 in 2004, and, in 2006, higher monthly service revenue per customer; monthly service revenue per customer averaged $47.23 in 2006, $45.24 in 2005 and $46.58 in 2004.

See footnote 6 to the table of summarized operating data in “Results of Operations” above for the calculation of average monthly service revenue per customer.

11




Retail service revenues increased $335.7 million, or 14%, to $2,820.3 million in 2006 from $2,484.6 million in 2005, and increased $213.7 million, or 9%, in 2005 from $2,270.9 million in 2004. Growth in U.S. Cellular’s average customer base and an increase in average monthly retail service revenue per customer in 2006 were the primary reasons for the increases in retail service revenues. Average monthly retail service revenues per customer increased 4% to $41.44 in 2006 from $39.76 in 2005 following a decrease of 2% in 2005 from $40.44 in 2004.

U.S. Cellular’s average customer base increased 9% in 2006 and 11% in 2005 to 5,671,000 in 2006 and 5,207,000 in 2005. The increases in the average number of customers each year were primarily driven by the net customer additions that U.S. Cellular generated from its marketing distribution channels. The average number of customers in each year was affected also by the timing of acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of markets in April 2005, December 2005 and April 2006 and the disposition of markets in February 2004, November 2004 and December 2005.

U.S. Cellular anticipates that net additions to its customer base will increase during 2007 as a result of its continuing focus on customer satisfaction, attractively priced service plans, a broader line of handsets and other products, and improvements in distribution and from growth in customers in newer markets. However, the level of growth in the customer base for 2007 will depend upon U.S. Cellular’s ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers in a highly, and increasingly, competitive marketplace.

Monthly local retail minutes of use per customer averaged 704 in 2006, 625 in 2005 and 539 in 2004. The increases in both years were driven by U.S. Cellular’s focus on designing sales incentive programs and customer billing rate plans to stimulate overall usage. The impact on retail service revenue of the increases in average monthly minutes of use was offset by decreases in average revenue per minute of use in all years. The decreases in average revenue per minute of use reflect the impact of increasing competition, which has led to the inclusion of an increasing number of minutes in package pricing plans and the inclusion of features such as unlimited night and weekend minutes and unlimited inbound call minutes in certain pricing plans. U.S. Cellular has seen stabilization in its average revenue per minute of use during 2006 but anticipates that it could decline in the future, reflecting increased competition and continued penetration of the consumer market.

Revenues from data products and services grew significantly in 2006 and 2005, totaling $217.4 million in 2006, $131.3 million in 2005 and $68.4 million in 2004. Such growth, which positively impacted average monthly retail service revenues per customer in those years, reflected customers’ increasing acceptance and usage of U.S. Cellular’s easyedgeSM products and offerings such as Short Messaging Service (“SMS”) and Blackberry® handsets and service.

In addition, the increases in retail service revenues in both years reflect increases of $23.7 million in 2006 and $36.4 million in 2005 in amounts billed to customers to offset costs related to certain regulatory mandates, such as universal service funding, wireless number portability and E-911 infrastructure.

Inbound roaming revenues increased $13.2 million, or 9%, to $158.2 million in 2006 from $145.0 million in 2005, and decreased $26.6 million, or 15%, in 2005 from $171.6 million in 2004. The increase in revenues in 2006 was related primarily to an increase in inbound roaming minutes of use, partially offset by a decrease in average inbound roaming revenue per roaming minute of use. The increase in inbound roaming minutes of use was driven primarily by the overall growth in the number of customers throughout the wireless industry. The decline in roaming revenue per minute of use was due primarily to the general downward trend in negotiated rates. The decrease in revenues in 2005 primarily resulted from a decrease in revenue per roaming minute of use, partially offset by an increase in inbound roaming minutes. Also contributing to the decrease were the sales and transfers of markets to ALLTEL in November 2004 and AT&T Wireless in February 2004. These markets had historically provided substantial amounts of inbound roaming revenues.

U.S. Cellular anticipates that inbound roaming minutes of use might continue to grow over the next few years, reflecting continuing industry-wide growth in customers and increased usage of data services while roaming, but that the rate of growth will decline due to higher penetration and slower growth of the consumer wireless market. In addition, U.S. Cellular anticipates that the rate of decline in average inbound

12




roaming revenue per roaming minute of use may be lower over the next few years, reflecting the wireless industry trend toward longer term negotiated rates.

Long-distance and other revenues increased $38.5 million, or 19%, to $235.9 million in 2006 from $197.4 million in 2005, and increased $24.7 million, or 14%, in 2005 from $172.7 million in 2004.

In 2006, the $38.5 million increase compared to 2005 reflected a $10.2 million increase in long-distance revenues and a $28.3 million increase in other revenues. In 2005, the $24.7 million increase compared to 2004 reflected a $2.4 million increase in long-distance revenues and a $22.3 million increase in other revenues. The increase in long-distance revenues in both years was driven by an increase in the volume of long-distance calls billed to U.S. Cellular’s customers and to other wireless carriers whose customers used U.S. Cellular’s systems to make long-distance calls. The growth in other revenues in both years was primarily due to an increase of $8.7 million and $3.4 million in tower rental revenues in 2006 and 2005, respectively, and by an increase of $17.3 million and $18.2 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively, in the amount of funds received from the federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”). Each increase in tower rental revenues was driven by an increase in the number of tower space lease agreements in effect. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, U.S. Cellular was eligible to receive eligible telecommunication carrier funds in seven, five and three states, respectively.

Equipment sales revenues increased $55.0 million, or 27%, to $258.7 million in 2006 from $203.7 million in 2005, and increased $12.4 million, or 7%, in 2005 from $191.3 million in 2004. Equipment sales revenues include revenues from sales of handsets and related accessories to both new and existing customers, as well as revenues from sales of handsets to agents. All equipment sales revenues are recorded net of anticipated rebates.

U.S. Cellular continues to offer a competitive line of quality handsets to both new and existing customers. U.S. Cellular’s customer retention efforts include offering new handsets at discounted prices to existing customers as the expiration date of the customer’s service contract approaches. U.S. Cellular also continues to sell handsets to agents; this practice enables U.S. Cellular to provide better control over the quality of handsets sold to its customers, establish roaming preferences and earn quantity discounts from handset manufacturers which are passed along to agents. U.S. Cellular anticipates that it will continue to sell handsets to agents in the future.

The increase in equipment sales revenues in both years was driven by an increase in the number of handsets sold to customers and agents. In 2006, the increase also was attributable to an increase in average revenue per handset. In 2005, the effect of the increase in the number of handsets sold was partially offset by a decrease in the average revenue per handset sold. Average revenue per handset sold increased 14% in 2006 and decreased 3% in 2005, primarily due to changes in both the mix of handsets sold and promotional discounts. The number of handsets sold increased 12% in 2006 and 10% in 2005. The increase in the number of handsets sold in 2006 was partly due to the increase in the number of handsets sold to agents in preparation for the 2007 Valentine’s Day holiday sales event and to existing customers to replace non-GPS enabled handsets.

Operating Expenses

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System operations (excluding depreciation shown below)

 

$

639,683

 

$

604,093

 

$

574,125

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

568,903

 

511,939

 

486,605

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,399,561

 

1,217,709

 

1,091,347

 

Depreciation

 

516,637

 

465,097

 

454,654

 

Amortization and accretion

 

58,475

 

45,390

 

47,910

 

(Gain) on sales of assets

 

 

(44,660

)

(10,806

)

Total Operating Expenses

 

$

3,183,259

 

$

2,799,568

 

$

2,643,835

 

 

Operating expenses increased $383.7 million, or 14%, to $3,183.3 million in 2006 from $2,799.6 million in 2005, and increased $155.8 million, or 6%, in 2005 from $2,643.8 million in 2004.

13




System operations expenses (excluding depreciation) increased $35.6 million, or 6%, to $639.7 million in 2006 from $604.1 million in 2005, and increased $30.0 million, or 5%, in 2005 from $574.1 million in 2004. System operations expenses include charges from landline telecommunications service providers for U.S. Cellular’s customers’ use of their facilities, costs related to local interconnection to the landline network, charges for 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 overall increase in system operations expenses were as follows:

·       maintenance, utility and cell site expenses increased $40.1 million, or 18%, in 2006 and $23.6 million, or 12%, in 2005, primarily driven by increases in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network. The number of cell sites totaled 5,925 in 2006, 5,428 in 2005 and 4,856 in 2004, as U.S. Cellular continued to grow by expanding and enhancing coverage in its existing markets, by acquisitions and by launching operations in new markets;

·       the cost of network usage on U.S. Cellular’s systems increased $18.7 million, or 8%, in 2006 and $31.2 million, or 16%, in 2005, as total minutes used on U.S. Cellular’s systems increased 26% in 2006 and 35% in 2005, offset by the ongoing reduction in the per-minute cost to deliver such usage on U.S. Cellular’s network; and

·       expenses incurred when U.S. Cellular’s customers used other systems while roaming decreased $22.7 million, or 14%, in 2006 and $24.9 million, or 13%, in 2005, primarily due to a reduction in roaming rates negotiated with other carriers and the elimination of roaming expenses incurred in previous periods when U.S. Cellular customers traveled into non-U.S. Cellular markets that are now operated by U.S. Cellular, partially offset by increased usage.

In total, management expects system operations expenses to increase over the next few years, driven by the following factors:

·       increases in the number of cell sites within U.S. Cellular’s network as it continues to add capacity and enhance quality in most markets, and continues development activities in recently launched markets; and

·       increases in minutes of use, both on U.S. Cellular’s network and by U.S. Cellular’s customers on other carriers’ networks when roaming.

These factors are expected to be partially offset by anticipated decreases in the per-minute cost of usage for U.S. Cellular’s network and in the cost of roaming per minute of use on other carriers’ networks.

Cost of equipment sold increased $57.0 million, or 11%, to $568.9 million in 2006 from $511.9 million in 2005, and increased $25.3 million, or 5%, in 2005 from $486.6 million in 2004. The increase was due primarily to an increase in the number of handsets sold (12% in 2006 and 10% in 2005.), as discussed above. In 2005, the effect of the increase in the number of handsets sold was partially offset by a decrease in the average cost per handset sold (5%), which reflected changes in both the mix of handsets sold and vendor discounts.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $181.9 million, or 15%, to $1,399.6 million in 2006 from $1,217.7 million in 2005, and increased $126.4 million, or 12%, in 2005 from $1,091.3 million in 2004. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, commissions and other expenses of field sales and retail personnel and offices; agent commissions and related expenses; corporate marketing, merchandise management and telesales department salaries and expenses; advertising; and public relations expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include the costs of operating U.S. Cellular’s customer care centers and the majority of U.S. Cellular’s corporate expenses.

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2006 and 2005 primarily are due to higher expenses associated with acquiring, serving and retaining customers, primarily as a result of the increase in U.S. Cellular’s customer base in both years. Key components of the increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows:

14




2006-

·       a $63.5 million increase in expenses related to sales employees and agents. The increase in expenses related to sales employees and agents was driven by the 14% increase in retail service revenues during 2006 compared to 2005 combined with a 4% increase in full-time equivalent employees. In addition, initiatives focused on providing wireless GPS enabled handsets to customers who did not previously have such handsets contributed to higher sales employee-related and agent-related commissions;

·       a $34.0 million increase in expenses primarily related to the operations of U.S. Cellular’s regional support offices, primarily due to the increase in the customer base;

·       a $24.2 million increase in bad debt expense, reflecting both higher revenues and slightly higher bad debts experience as a percent of revenues;

·       a $18.7 million increase in expenses related to universal service fund contributions and other regulatory fees and taxes. Most of the expenses related to universal service fund contributions are offset by increases in retail service revenues for amounts passed through to customers;

·       a $19.8 million increase in advertising expenses related to marketing of the U.S. Cellular brand in newly acquired and launched markets as well as increases in spending for specific direct marketing, segment marketing, product advertising and sponsorship programs;

·       a $13.9 million increase in stock-based compensation expense primarily due to the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised) (“SFAS 123(R)”), Share-Based Payment, as of January 1, 2006; and

·       a $7.7 million increase in consulting and outsourcing costs as U.S. Cellular increased its use of third parties to perform certain functions and participate in certain projects.

2005-

·       a $28.3 million increase in agent related and sales employee-related expenses, primarily driven by the increase in full-time equivalent employees in 2005. These employees were added mostly in the markets launched in 2005 and 2004;

·       a $27.6 million increase in advertising costs, primarily related to the continued marketing of the U.S. Cellular brand, with additional emphasis in the markets launched in 2005 and 2004, and also related to increases in specific sponsorships and direct and segment marketing programs;

·       a $21.5 million increase in consulting and outsourcing costs as U.S. Cellular increased its use of third parties to perform certain functions and participate in certain projects; and

·       a $17.1 million increase in expenses related to federal universal service fund contributions, driven by increases in both total retail service revenues, upon which the contributions are based, and the specified contribution rates. Most of the expenses related to universal service fund contributions are offset by increases in retail service revenues for amounts passed through to customers.

Sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition increased 4% in 2006 to $478 from $460 in 2005, and increased 14% in 2005 from $403 in 2004. The increase in both years is primarily due to increased agent-related expenses, employee-related expenses and advertising expenses, partially offset by reduced losses on sales of handsets. Management uses the sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition measurement to assess the cost of acquiring customers and the efficiency of its marketing efforts. Sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition is not calculable using financial information derived directly from the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The definition of sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition that U.S. Cellular uses as a measure of the cost to acquire additional customers through its marketing distribution channels may not be comparable to similarly titled measures that are reported by other companies.

15




Below is a summary of sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition for each period:

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per customer amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition of new customers (1)

 

$

612,086

 

$

551,236

 

$

496,436

 

Cost of equipment sold to new customers (2)

 

409,390

 

385,715

 

346,052

 

Less equipment sales revenues from new customers (3)

 

(287,962

)

(228,095

)

(214,696

)

Total cost

 

$

733,514

 

$

708,856

 

$

627,792

 

Gross customer activations (000s) (4)

 

1,535

 

1,540

 

1,557

 

Sales and marketing cost per gross customer addition

 

$

478

 

$

460

 

$

403

 


(1)             Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition of new customers is reconciled to total selling, general and administrative expenses as follows:

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported

 

$

1,399,561

 

$

1,217,709

 

$

1,091,347

 

Less expenses related to serving and retaining customers

 

(787,475

)

(666,473

)

(594,911

)

Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition of new customers

 

$

612,086

 

$

551,236

 

$

496,436

 

 

(2)             Cost of equipment sold to new customers is reconciled to reported cost of equipment sold as follows:

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold as reported

 

$

568,903

 

$

511,939

 

$

486,605

 

Less cost of equipment sold related to the retention of existing customers

 

(159,513

)

(126,224

)

(140,553

)

Cost of equipment sold to new customers

 

$

409,390

 

$

385,715

 

$

346,052

 

(3)             Equipment sales revenues from new customers is reconciled to reported equipment sales revenues as follows:

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment sales revenues, as reported

 

$

258,745

 

$

203,743

 

$

191,255

 

Less equipment sales revenues related to the retention of existing customers, excluding agent rebates

 

(53,552

)

(30,118

)

(27,267

)

Add agent rebate reductions of equipment sales revenues related to the retention of existing customers

 

82,769

 

54,470

 

50,708

 

Equipment sales revenues from new customers

 

$

287,962

 

$

228,095

 

$

214,696

 

 

(4)             Gross customer additions represent customers added to U.S. Cellular’s customer base through its marketing distribution channels, including customers added through third party resellers, during the respective periods presented.

Monthly general and administrative expenses per customer, including the net costs related to the renewal or upgrade of service contracts of existing U.S. Cellular customers (“net customer retention costs”), increased 10% to $14.34 in 2006 from $13.08 in 2005 and decreased 3% in 2005 from $13.52 in 2004. The increase in 2006 is due primarily to the increase in employee-related expenses associated with serving and retaining customers and to increased spending on retention activities that are focused on providing wireless GPS enabled handsets to customers who did not previously have such handsets. In addition, in 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded additional stock-based compensation due primarily to the implementation of SFAS 123(R). The decrease in 2005 reflected reductions in handset subsidies related to retention transactions and bad debts expense, as well as an increase of 11% in the average customer base.

16




U.S. Cellular uses this monthly general and administrative expenses per customer measurement to assess the cost of serving and retaining its customers on a per unit basis. This measurement is reconciled to total selling, general and administrative expenses as follows:

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per customer amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of cost (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported

 

$

1,399,561

 

$

1,217,709

 

$

1,091,347

 

Less selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition of new customers

 

(612,086

)

(551,236

)

(496,436

)

Add cost of equipment sold related to the retention of existing customers

 

159,513

 

126,224

 

140,553

 

Less equipment sales revenues related to the retention of existing customers, excluding agent rebates

 

(53,552

)

(30,118

)

(27,267

)

Add agent rebate reductions of equipment sales revenues related to the retention of existing customers

 

82,769

 

54,470

 

50,708

 

Net cost of serving and retaining customers

 

$

976,205

 

$

817,049

 

$

758,905

 

Divided by average customers during period (000s) (2)

 

5,671

 

5,207

 

4,679

 

Divided by twelve months in each period

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

Average monthly general and administrative expenses per customer

 

$

14.34

 

$

13.08

 

$

13.52

 


(1)             These components were previously identified in the summary of sales and marketing cost per customer addition and related footnotes above.

(2)             The calculation of “Average customers during the period” is set forth in footnote 6 of the table of summarized operating data above.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased $64.6 million, or 13%, to $575.1 million in 2006 from $510.5 million in 2005, and increased $7.9 million, or 2%, from $502.6 million in 2004.

Depreciation expense increased $51.5 million, or 11%, to $516.6 million in 2006 from $465.1 million in 2005, and increased $10.4 million, or 2%, from $454.7 million in 2004. The increases in both years reflect rising average fixed asset balances, which increased 12% in 2006 and 12% in 2005. Increased fixed asset balances in both 2006 and 2005 resulted from the following factors:

·       the addition of 450, 431 and 840 new cell sites to U.S. Cellular’s network in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, built to improve coverage and capacity in U.S. Cellular’s existing service areas, and built in new areas where U.S. Cellular launched commercial service in 2005 and 2006; and

·       the addition of radio channels and switching capacity to U.S. Cellular’s network to accommodate increased usage.

See “Financial Resources” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further discussions of U.S. Cellular’s capital expenditures.

In 2006, additional depreciation expense was recorded related to the following:

·       $19.6 million related to disposals of assets, trade-ins of older assets for replacement assets and write-offs of Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”) equipment upon disposal or consignment for future sale.

In 2005, additional depreciation expense was recorded related to the following:

·       $15.3 million of write-offs of fixed assets related to the disposal of assets or trade-in of older assets for replacement assets; and

·       $5.1 million of write-offs of certain TDMA digital radio equipment related to its disposal or consignment for future sale. This write-off was necessary to reduce the book value of the assets to be sold to their estimated proceeds from disposition.

17




In 2004, additional depreciation expense was recorded related to the following:

·       certain TDMA digital radio equipment consigned to a third party for future sale was taken out of service and written down by $17.2 million prior to its consignment, increasing depreciation expense by that amount. This write-down was necessary to reduce the book value of the assets to be sold to their estimated proceeds from disposition;

·       a reduction of useful lives of certain TDMA radio equipment, switch software and antenna equipment, which increased depreciation expense $17.2 million;

·       in preparation for the implementation of a fixed asset management and tracking software system, including a bar code asset identification system, U.S. Cellular conducted a physical inventory review of its cell site fixed assets. As a result of the review, U.S. Cellular charged $11.9 million to depreciation expense for the write-off of certain assets; and

·       an $11.3 million addition to depreciation expense related to the write-down of the book value of certain assets to their estimated proceeds prior to their disposition.

Amortization and accretion expense increased $13.1 million, or 29%, to $58.5 million in 2006 from $45.4 million in 2005, and decreased $2.5 million, or 5%, in 2005 from $47.9 million in 2004.

Amortization expense increased $11.8 million in 2006, primarily reflecting amortization of customer list intangible assets acquired through various transactions during the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2006. The decrease in 2005 primarily represents a $2.4 million decrease in amortization of customer list intangible assets acquired in various transactions since 2002. Customer list intangible assets are amortized using the double declining balance method in the first year, switching to the straight-line method in subsequent years.

In accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, U.S. Cellular accretes liabilities for future remediation obligations associated with leased properties. Such accretion expense totaled $7.2 million in 2006, $5.9 million in 2005 and $5.0 million in 2004.

Gain on sales of assets totaled a gain of $44.7 million in 2005 and a gain of $10.8 million in 2004. The 2005 gain was reduced as part of the restatement described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the TDS consolidated level as TDS allocated additional U.S. Cellular step acquisition goodwill of $2.3 million to the markets divested. There was no gain on sales of assets in 2006.

In 2005, the gain represented the difference between the fair value of the properties U.S. Cellular received in the ALLTEL exchange transaction completed on December 19, 2005 and the $58.1 million of cash paid plus the recorded value of the assets it transferred to ALLTEL.

In 2004, the gain related to two divestitures completed in 2004. The sale of two consolidated markets to ALLTEL in November 2004 resulted in a $10.1 million gain on sales of assets. The remaining amount of $0.7 million was recorded in 2004 as a reduction of a $22.0 million estimated loss recorded in the fourth quarter 2003 on the sale of U.S. Cellular markets in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless on February 18, 2004. The result was an aggregate loss of $21.3 million, representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets sold and the cash received in the transaction.

For further discussion of these transactions, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Acquisitions, Exchanges and Divestitures.”

Operating Income

Operating income increased $58.7 million, or 25%, to $289.9 million in 2006, from $231.2 million in 2005, and increased $68.6 million, or 42%, in 2005 from $162.6 million in 2004. The operating income margins (as a percent of service revenues) were 9.0% in 2006, 8.2% in 2005 and 6.2% in 2004.

18




The increases in operating income and operating income margin were due to the fact that operating revenues increased more in both dollar and percentage terms, than operating expenses as a result of the factors which are described in detail in Operating Revenues and Operating Expenses above.

U.S. Cellular expects the above factors to continue to have an effect on operating income and operating income margin for the next several quarters. Any changes in the above factors, as well as the effects of other factors that might impact U.S. Cellular’s operating results, could cause operating income and operating income margin to fluctuate over the next several quarters.

The following are U.S. Cellular’s estimates of full-year 2007 service revenues; depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses; operating income; and net retail customer additions. Such estimates were reaffirmed by U.S. Cellular on June 19, 2007 and continue to represent U.S. Cellular’s views as of the date of filing of TDS’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Such forward-looking statements should not be assumed to be accurate as of any future date. U.S. Cellular 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.

 

 

2007
Estimated Results

 

2006
Actual Results

 

Service revenues

 

Approx. $3.5 billion

 

$3.21 billion

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses

 

$615 million

 

$575.1 million

 

Operating income

 

$375-$425 million

 

$289.9 million

 

Net retail customer additions

 

375,000-425,000

 

297,000

 

 

Effects of Competition on Operating Income

U.S. Cellular competes directly with several wireless communications services providers in each of its markets. In general, there are between four and six competitors in each wireless market in which U.S. Cellular provides service. U.S. Cellular generally competes against each of the four near-nationwide wireless companies: Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel (and affiliates), AT&T (formerly Cingular) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. However, not all of these competitors operate in all markets where U.S. Cellular does business. U.S. Cellular believes that these competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, sales, purchasing and distribution resources than it does.

The use of national advertising and promotional programs by such national wireless operators may be a source of additional competitive and pricing pressures in all U.S. Cellular markets, even if those operators may not provide service in a particular market. U.S. Cellular provides wireless services comparable to the national competitors, but the other wireless companies operate in a wider geographic area and are able to offer no- or low-cost roaming and long-distance calling packages over a wider area on their own networks than U.S. Cellular can offer on its network. If U.S. Cellular offers the same no- or low-cost calling area as one of these competitors, it will incur roaming charges for calls made in portions of the calling area that are not part of its network.

In the Midwest, U.S. Cellular’s largest contiguous service area, it can offer larger regional service packages without incurring significant roaming charges than it is able to offer in other parts of its network. U.S. Cellular also employs a customer satisfaction strategy throughout its markets which it believes has contributed to a relatively low customer churn rate, and which it also believes has had a positive impact on its cost to add a net new customer.

Some of U.S. Cellular’s competitors bundle other services, such as landline telephone service, television service and Internet access, with their wireless communications services. U.S. Cellular either does not have the ability to offer these other services or has chosen not to offer them.

In addition, U.S. Cellular competes against both larger and smaller regional wireless companies in certain areas, including ALLTEL and Rural Cellular Corporation, and against resellers of wireless services. Since each of these competitors operates on systems using spectrum licensed by the FCC and has comparable technology and facilities, competition within each market is principally on the basis of quality of service, price, brand image, size of area covered, services offered and responsiveness of customer service.

19




Since U.S. Cellular’s competitors do not disclose their subscriber counts in specific regional service areas, market share for the competitors in each regional market cannot be accurately determined.

WIRELINE TELEPHONE OPERATIONS

TDS operates its wireline telephone operations through TDS Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary. TDS Telecom served 1,213,500 equivalent access lines at the end of 2006, an increase of 29,600 lines over 2005. At the end of 2005, TDS Telecom served 1,183,900 equivalent access lines, an increase of 26,700 lines over 2004. An incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) is an independent local telephone company that formerly had the exclusive right and responsibility to provide local transmission and switching services in its designated service territory. Competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) is a term that depicts companies that enter the operating areas of incumbent local exchange telephone companies to offer local exchange and other telephone services. Equivalent access lines are derived by converting each high-capacity data line to the estimated equivalent number, in terms of capacity, of switched access lines. Each digital subscriber line (“DSL”) is treated as an equivalent line in addition to a voice line that may operate off the same copper loop.

TDS Telecom provides service through incumbent local exchange carriers and through a competitive local exchange carrier.

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers served 757,300 equivalent access lines at the end of 2006 compared to 735,300 at the end of 2005 and 730,400 at the end of 2004. The incumbent local exchange carrier operations have grown primarily through internal growth.

TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier served 456,200 equivalent access lines at the end of 2006 compared to 448,600 at the end of 2005 and 426,800 lines at the end of 2004. Internal growth in equivalent access lines has occurred as competitive local exchange carrier operations have increased their presence in current markets.

TDS Telecom Operating Income

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incumbent Local Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrier Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

645,525

 

$

669,724

 

$

658,330

 

Operating expenses

 

515,531

 

500,791

 

475,152

 

Operating income

 

129,994

 

168,933

 

183,178

 

Competitive Local Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrier Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

235,804

 

239,341

 

226,259

 

Operating expenses

 

236,942

 

247,549

 

372,367

 

Operating (loss)

 

(1,138

)

(8,208

)

(146,108

)

Intra-company elimination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

(5,411

)

(4,980

)

(4,444

)

Expense

 

(5,411

)

(4,980

)

(4,444

)

TDS Telecom Operating Income

 

$

128,856

 

$

160,725

 

$

37,070

 

 

TDS Telecom operating revenues decreased $28.2 million, or 3%, to $875.9 million in 2006 from $904.1 million in 2005, and increased $24.0 million, or 3%, in 2005 from $880.1 million in 2004. The decrease in 2006 was primarily due to a decline in network access minutes of use and lower compensation from state and national revenue pools. The increase in 2005 was primarily due to the growth in competitive local exchange carrier’s equivalent access lines as well as growth in vertical services, such as long distance and digital subscriber line services, provided to existing incumbent local exchange carrier customers.

Operating expenses increased $3.7 million, or less than 1%, to $747.1 million in 2006 from $743.4 million in 2005, and decreased $99.7 million, or 12%, in 2005 from $843.1 million in 2004. The

20




increase in 2006, was primarily due to higher cost of providing services and products. The decrease in 2005 was due to a loss on impairment of long-lived assets of $87.9 million and a loss on impairment of intangible assets of $29.4 million both recorded in 2004 and associated with the competitive local exchange carrier operations.

TDS Telecom’s operating income decreased $31.8 million to $128.9 million in 2006 from $160.7 million in 2005, while it increased $123.6 million in 2005 from $37.1 million in 2004. The primary causes for the decrease in 2006 were the incumbent local exchange carrier decrease in revenues generated from network usage and lower average access rates coupled with higher costs of services and products. TDS Telecom’s total costs were also impacted by stock based compensation which increased $9.3 million in 2006, resulting primarily from the implementation of SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. The primary causes for the increase in 2005 were an $87.9 million loss on the impairment of long-lived assets and a $29.4 million loss on the impairment of intangible assets of the competitive local exchange carrier recorded in 2004.

The following are estimates of full-year 2007 service revenues; depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses and operating income. The following estimates were reaffirmed by TDS Telecom on June 19, 2007 and continue to represent TDS Telecom’s views as of the date of filing of TDS’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Such forward-looking statements should not be assumed to be accurate as of any future date. TDS Telecom 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 these estimated results.

 

 

2007
Estimated Results

 

2006
Actual Results

 

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier and Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$850 - $900 million

 

$875.9 million

 

Operating income

 

$130 - $150 million

 

$128.9 million

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

$155 million

 

$159.6 million

 

 

Following is a table of summarized operating data for TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier operations.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent access lines

 

757,300

 

735,300

 

730,400

 

Growth in equivalent access lines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internal growth

 

22,000

 

4,900

 

8,200

 

Dial-up Internet service accounts

 

77,100

 

90,700

 

101,300

 

Digital subscriber line (DSL) accounts

 

105,100

 

65,500

 

41,900

 

Long distance customers

 

340,000

 

321,500

 

295,000

 

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent access lines

 

456,200

 

448,600

 

426,800

 

Dial-up Internet service accounts

 

10,200

 

14,200

 

18,200

 

Digital subscriber line (DSL) accounts

 

42,100

 

36,400

 

29,000

 

Full-time equivalent TDS Telecom employees

 

2,940

 

3,295

 

3,375

 

 

21




Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier Operations

Operating Revenues

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local service

 

$

200,213

 

$

202,021

 

$

204,834

 

Network access and long distance

 

352,299

 

373,737

 

362,890

 

Miscellaneous

 

93,013

 

93,966

 

90,606

 

Total Incumbent Local Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrier Operating Revenues

 

$

645,525

 

$

669,724

 

$

658,330

 

 

Operating revenues decreased $24.2 million, or 4%, to $645.5 million in 2006 from $669.7 million in 2005, and increased $11.4 million, or 2%, in 2005 from $658.3 million in 2004.

Local service revenues (provision of local telephone exchange service within the local serving area of TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers) decreased $1.8 million, or 1%, to $200.2 million in 2006 from $202.0 million in 2005, and decreased $2.8 million, or 1%, in 2005 from $204.8 million in 2004. Physical access line decreases of 3% in both 2006 and 2005 negatively impacted revenues by $4.2 million in 2006 and $3.3 million in 2005. Declines in second lines accounted for 34% of the decline in access lines in both 2006 and 2005. These second line disconnections were significantly influenced by customers converting to TDS Telecom’s digital subscriber line service. The sale of custom calling and advanced features increased revenues by $1.5 million in 2006 and $1.9 million in 2005.

Network access and long distance revenues (compensation for carrying interstate and intrastate long distance traffic on TDS Telecom’s local telephone networks and customer revenues from reselling long distance service) decreased $21.4 million, or 6%, to $352.3 million in 2006 from $373.7 million in 2005, and increased $10.8 million, or 3%, in 2005 from $362.9 million in 2004. Revenues from reselling long distance service increased by $6.4 million in 2006 and $3.9 million in 2005, reflecting an increase in long distance customers. As of December 31, 2006, TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carrier operations were reselling long distance service on 340,000 access lines compared to 321,500 and 295,000 access lines at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Revenue generated from network usage, including compensation from state and national pools, decreased $28.2 million in 2006 primarily due to a 4.9% decrease in access minutes of use, a decrease in revenue resulting from revenue disputes with inter-exchange carriers and lower average access rates in 2006. Revenues generated from network usage increased $7.6 million in 2005 due to 1.1% increase in minutes of use along with higher average access rates in 2005 as compared to 2004.

Miscellaneous revenues (charges for providing Internet services; leasing, selling, installing and maintaining customer premise equipment; providing billing and collection services; and selling of direct broadcast satellite service and other miscellaneous services) decreased $1.0 million, or 1%, to $93.0 million in 2006 from $94.0 million in 2005, and increased $3.4 million, or 4%, in 2005 from $90.6 million in 2004. Digital subscriber line revenues increased $12.7 million or 44% in 2006, but were offset by decreases in dial-up internet, direct broadcast satellite service and other non-regulated revenues. As of December 31, 2006, TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carrier operations were providing digital subscriber line service and dial-up Internet service to 105,100 and 77,100 customers respectively, as compared to 65,500 digital subscriber line service customers and 90,700 dial-up Internet customers as of December 31, 2005. Additionally, bundled service discounts decreased revenues by $3.6 million in 2006 as compared to 2005. The revenue increase in 2005 over 2004 was primarily due to digital subscriber line service revenues increasing $10.0 million, offset by decreases in dial-up Internet revenues of $3.8 million, direct broadcast satellite revenues of $1.1 million and other miscellaneous non-regulated revenues of $1.0 million.

22




Operating Expenses

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)

 

$

191,932

 

$

177,252

 

$

162,007

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

188,229

 

188,361

 

181,480

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

135,370

 

135,178

 

131,665

 

Total Incumbent Local Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrier Operating Expenses

 

$

515,531

 

$

500,791

 

$

475,152

 

 

Operating expenses increased $14.7 million, or 3%, to $515.5 million in 2006 from $500.8 million in 2005, and increased $25.6 million, or 5%, in 2005 from $475.2 million in 2004. Stock based compensation expense increased $7.1 million due to the implementation of SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. Expenses also increased $4.7 million in 2006 due to costs of an organizational realignment. A $3.2 million charge for an early retirement incentive plan was partially responsible for the operating expense increase in 2005.

Cost of services and products increased $14.6 million, or 8%, to $191.9 million in 2006 from $177.3 million in 2005, and increased $15.3 million, or 9%, from $162.0 million in 2004. Increases in line charges, circuit expenses and other cost of goods sold associated with the growth in digital subscriber line customers increased expenses $6.6 million and $5.3 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively. These increases were offset in part by decreases in circuit and telephone expenses related to dial-up Internet services, which declined $2.4 and $2.1 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Growth in long distance customers combined with increased usage stimulated by calling plans increased expenses $4.1 million in 2006 and $ 6.9 million in 2005. Network related payroll increased $2.9 million in 2006 and $2.0 million in 2005. The payroll increase in 2006 was primarily due to an increase in stock based compensation expense resulting from implementation of SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006 and the effects of the organizational realignment which occurred in 2006. The 2005 increase was primarily due to the implementation of an early retirement incentive plan. Cost of goods sold related to business customer premises equipment and reciprocal compensation expense increased $1.3 million and $2.1 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million, less than 1%, to $188.2 million in 2006 from $188.4 million in 2005, and increased $6.9 million, or 4%, in 2005 from $181.5 million in 2004. Stock based compensation increased expenses by $6.1 million in 2006, primarily due to the implementation of SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. Additionally, organizational realignment costs of $3.8 million were incurred in 2006. Cost savings from the 2005 early retirement incentive plan as well as a partial year benefit from the 2006 organizational realignment were primarily responsible for offsetting these increases. The increased costs associated with the 2005 early retirement incentive plan was the primary reason for 2005 expenses exceeding the 2004 levels.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $0.2 million, or less than 1%, to $135.4 million in 2006 from $135.2 million in 2005, and increased $3.5 million or 3% in 2005 from $131.7 million in 2004. New investments in plant and equipment increased 16% in 2006 after being fairly consistent in 2005 and 2004.

Operating Income decreased $38.9 million, or 23%, to $130.0 million in 2006 from $168.9 million in 2005, and decreased $14.3 million, or 8%, in 2005 from $183.2 million in 2004. The incumbent local exchange carrier operating margin was 20.1% in 2006, 25.2% in 2005 and 27.8% in 2004.

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. TDS Telecom periodically reviews the criteria for applying these provisions to determine whether continuing application of SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. TDS Telecom believes that such criteria are still being met and therefore adherence to the provisions of SFAS No. 71 is still appropriate for the incumbent local exchange carrier operations.

23




Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations

TDS Telecom offers competitive local exchange carrier services in the Madison, greater Fox Valley, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Janesville and Beloit, Wisconsin markets; in the Rockford and Lake County, Illinois markets; in the greater Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, Grand Haven, Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and the western suburbs of Detroit, Michigan markets; and in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud and Brainerd, Minnesota markets. Equivalent access lines increased by 2% in 2006 (7,600), 5% in 2005 (21,800) and 17% in 2004 (62,000).

Operating Revenues

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Competitive Local Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrier Operating Revenues

 

$

235,804

 

$

239,341

 

$

226,259

 

 

Operating revenues (revenue from the provision of local and long-distance telephone service and access revenue from long-distance providers) decreased $3.5 million, or 1%, to $235.8 million in 2006 from $239.3 million in 2005 and increased $13.0 million, or 6%, in 2005 from $226.3 million in 2004.

Retail revenues decreased $1.5 million or less than 1% to $214.2 million in 2006 from $215.7 million in 2005 and increased $18.9 million or 10% in 2005 from $196.8 million in 2004. A 2% growth in access lines in 2006 increased revenues by $7.2 million. This increase was more than offset by lower average revenue per customer resulting from competitive pressures on voice and data services pricing. The increase in 2005 was primarily due to access line growth which added approximately $20.8 million to retail revenues. This increase was offset by lower average revenue per access line due to both price decreases and the change in customer mix.

Wholesale revenues, which represent charges to other carriers for utilizing TDS Telecom network infrastructure, decreased $2.0 million, or 9%, to $21.6 million in 2006 from $23.6 million in 2005 and decreased $5.8 million, or 20%, in 2005 from $29.4 million in 2004. The decrease in 2006 is primarily due to lower average access rates caused by a change in the mix of traffic and to an increase in revenue disputes with inter-exchange carriers. Revenues in 2005 were impacted by a mandated decrease in inter-state access rates which lowered revenues by $4.7 million compared to 2004.

Operating Expenses

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)

 

$

122,527

 

$

120,924

 

$

116,525

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

90,173

 

96,187

 

100,143

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

24,242

 

30,438

 

38,349

 

Loss on impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

87,910

 

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

 

 

 

29,440

 

Total Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operating Expenses

 

$

236,942

 

$

247,549

 

$

372,367

 

 

Operating expenses decreased $10.6 million, or 4%, to $236.9 million in 2006 from $247.5 million in 2005, and decreased $124.9 million or 34% in 2005 from $372.4 million in 2004. The large decrease in 2005 was primarily due to impairment losses of $87.9 million and $29.4 million recorded in 2004 on property, plant and equipment and on goodwill, respectively. See “Regulatory Orders” for a discussion of the impairment losses.

Cost of services and products increased $1.6 million or 1%, to $122.5 million in 2006 from $120.9 million in 2005 and increased $4.4 million or 4% in 2005 from $116.5 million in 2004. In 2006, additional expenses of $6.9 million related to access line growth was mostly offset by lower costs, due in large part to more efficient network routing arrangements. In 2006, the competitive local exchange carrier also recognized a $5.1 million reduction in expenses resulting from favorable settlements with inter-

24




exchange carriers. In 2005, expenses increased $6.9 million due to access line growth and $3.9 million due to rate increases for unbundled network elements. In 2005, the cost of leased network components declined $7.3 million, of which $5.3 million was due to a favorable rate settlement with an incumbent carrier.

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $6.0 million, or 6%, to $90.2 million in 2006 from $96.2 million in 2005 and decreased $3.9 million or 4% in 2005 from $100.1 in 2004. In 2006, the reduction in expense was primarily caused by changes in the mix of customers and consolidation of customer service and provisioning functions, which resulted in $4.7 million lower payroll related expenses, and $1.9 million lower sales and marketing expenses. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in stock based compensation expense resulting primarily from the implementation of SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. In 2005, sales and marketing expenses decreased $3.8 million as a result of changes in the mix of customers. Additionally, payroll expenses decreased $2.6 million in 2005, partially offset by additional operating costs to support access line growth.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $6.2 million, or 20%, to $24.2 million in 2006 from $30.4 million in 2005 and decreased $7.9 million or 21% in 2005 from $38.3 million in 2004. The 2006 and 2005 decreases were the result of the 2004 impairment related decreases in the value of fixed assets. In December 2004, TDS Telecom concluded that the long lived tangible assets of the competitive local exchange carrier operations were impaired and recorded a loss of $87.9 million to reduce the book value of those assets. See “Regulatory Orders” for a discussion of the impairment losses.

Operating Loss decreased $7.1 million to $1.1 million in 2006 from $8.2 million in 2005, and decreased $137.9 million in 2005 from $146.1 million in 2004. The operating loss from competitive local exchange carrier operations decreased notably in 2005 due to the loss on asset impairments reported in 2004.

Regulatory Orders

In 2004, in response to petitions filed by a Regional Bell Operating Company for increases in rates for certain wholesale services that it provides to competitive local exchange carriers, the state public service commissions of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan issued orders that adversely affected the cost of providing some services for TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier operations in those states, primarily services to residential customers and certain small business customers. The pricing data for the major markets of TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier became available in the fourth quarter of 2004. These pricing changes, as well as other regulatory changes and competitive pressures in 2004, triggered an impairment review by TDS Telecom of its competitive local exchange carrier operations’ tangible and intangible assets. As a result of the impairment review, TDS Telecom concluded that the long-lived tangible assets of its competitive local exchange carrier operations were impaired and recorded an $87.9 million loss in the Statement of Operations in 2004. TDS Telecom also concluded that goodwill associated with the competitive local exchange carrier operations was impaired and recorded a loss of $29.4 million in the Statement of Operations in 2004. See Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—“Licenses and Goodwill” and “Property, Plant and Equipment” for further discussions of the impairments.

Changes in the telecommunications regulatory environment, including the effects of potential changes in the rules governing universal service funding and potential changes in the amounts or methods of intercarrier compensation, could have a material adverse effect on TDS Telecom’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

INFLATION

Management believes that inflation affects TDS’s business to no greater extent than the general economy.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation (FIN) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes -an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) in July 2006. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in

25




accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”). The interpretation applies to all tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS 109 and requires a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. TDS will adopt the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. Under FIN 48, TDS will evaluate the tax uncertainty, assess the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and record an amount based on that assessment. TDS had previously set up tax accruals, as needed, to cover its potential liability for income tax uncertainties pursuant to SFAS 5 Accounting for Contingencies (“SFAS 5”). The FASB has issued guidance, in the form of an FASB Staff Position, regarding effective settlement of tax uncertainties. TDS has followed this guidance in estimating its cumulative effect adjustment. TDS will use the guidance to determine the amount of its cumulative effect adjustment to be recorded to opening Common Stockholders’ Equity upon adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, TDS anticipates recognizing a cumulative effect adjustment as an increase in Common Stockholders’ Equity of less than $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2007.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This Statement defines fair value as used in numerous accounting pronouncements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosure related to the use of fair value measures in financial statements. SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value measures in financial statements, but standardizes its definition and guidance in GAAP. The Statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement based on an exchange transaction in which the entity sells an asset or transfers a liability (exit price). SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, from observable market data as the highest level, to fair value based on an entity’s own fair value assumptions as the lowest level. The Statement is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements, however, earlier application is encouraged. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS 157 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to Manufacturers or Resellers of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider (“EITF 06-1”). This guidance requires the application of EITF 01-9, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (“EITF 01-9”), when consideration is given to a reseller or manufacturer for benefit to the service provider’s end customer. EITF 01-9 requires the consideration given be recorded as a liability at the time of the sale of the equipment and also provides guidance for the classification of the expense. EITF 06-1 is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of EITF 06-1 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), in September 2006. SAB 108 provides guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Prior practice allowed the evaluation of materiality on the basis of (1) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (“rollover method”) or (2) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (“iron curtain method”). Reliance on one or the other method in prior years could have resulted in misstatement of the financial statements. The guidance provided in SAB 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality. SAB 108 became effective for TDS’s financial statements for 2006 and subsequent periods, and did not materially impact TDS’s financial position or results of operations.

SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”), was issued in February 2007. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected shall be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different

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measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS 159 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

TDS operates a capital- and marketing-intensive business. In recent years, TDS has generated cash from its operating activities, received cash proceeds from divestitures, used short-term credit facilities and used long-term debt financing to fund its construction costs and operating expenses. TDS anticipates further increases in customers, revenues and operating expenses, cash flows from operating activities and capital expenditures in the future. Cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and from year to year due to seasonality, the timing of acquisitions, market launches, capital expenditures and other factors.

The following table provides a summary of TDS’s cash flow activities for the periods shown.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in)
Operating activities

 

$887,157

 

$868,212

 

$777,296

 

Investing activities

 

(630,740

)

(902,417

)

(594,434

)

Financing activities

 

(338,883

)

(41,109

)

47,665

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$(82,466

)

$(75,314

)

$230,527

 

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities represent a significant source of funds to TDS. Net income (loss) including adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities, excluding changes in assets and liabilities from operations totaled $1,016.9 million in 2006, $926.8 million in 2005 and $897.3 million in 2004. Included in the adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in 2004 is a deduction for the payment of $68.1 million of accreted interest on the repayment of U.S. Cellular’s Liquid Yield Option Notes. Distributions from unconsolidated investments provided $78.2 in 2006, $52.6 million in 2005 and $49.1 million in 2004. Changes in assets and liabilities from operations required $129.7 million in 2006, $58.6 million in 2005 and required $93.6 million in 2004, reflecting higher net working capital balances required to support higher levels of business activity as well as differences in timing and collection of payments.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities primarily represent uses of funds to construct, operate and upgrade modern high-quality communications networks and facilities as a basis for creating long-term value for shareholders and to acquire licenses and properties. In recent years, rapid changes in technology and new opportunities have required substantial investments in revenue-enhancing and cost-reducing upgrades to TDS’s wireless and wireline telephone properties and in wireless spectrum. Proceeds from merger and divestiture transactions have provided funds in recent years which have partially offset the cash requirements for investing activities; however, such sources cannot be relied upon to provide continuing or regular sources of financing.

The primary purpose of TDS’s construction and expansion expenditures is to provide for customer growth, to upgrade service, launch new market areas, and to take advantage of service-enhancing and cost-reducing technological developments in order to maintain competitive services.

Cash expenditures for capital additions required $722.5 million in 2006, $710.5 million in 2005 and $786.6 million in 2004. U.S. Cellular’s capital additions totaled $579.8 million in 2006, $576.5 million in 2005 and $636.1 million in 2004. These expenditures were made to fund construction of 450, 431 and 840 new cell sites in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, increases in capacity in existing cell sites and switches, remodeling of new and existing retail stores and costs related to the development of U.S. Cellular’s office systems. Additions in all three years also included significant amounts related to the replacement of retired assets.

TDS Telecom’s capital additions for its incumbent local exchange carrier operations totaled $113.2 million in 2006, $97.5 illion in 2005 and $103.1 million in 2004, representing expenditures for switch modernization and outside plant facilities to maintain and enhance the quality of service and offer new

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services with revenue opportunities. TDS Telecom’s capital expenditures for competitive local exchange carrier operations totaled $17.3 million in 2006, $27.1 million in 2005 and $35.2 million in 2004 for switching and other network facilities.

Corporate and other capital expenditures totaled $12.2 million in 2006, $9.4 million in 2005 and $12.3 million in 2004.

Acquisitions required $145.9 million, $191.4 million and $49.8 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. TDS’s acquisitions included primarily the purchase of controlling interests in wireless markets and telephone properties, minority interests that increased the ownership of majority-owned markets and wireless spectrum. Divestitures provided $102.3 million, $0.5 million and $247.6 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In 2006, U.S. Cellular acquired, for approximately $19.0 million in cash, the remaining ownership interest in the Tennessee RSA No. 3 Limited Partnership, a wireless market operator in which U.S. Cellular previously owned a 16.7% interest. Also, U.S. Cellular made capital contributions and advances of $127.2 million to Barat Wireless, and/or its general partner, which are consolidated with U.S. Cellular for financial statement purposes, to provide funding of Barat Wireless’s participation in the FCC’s Auction 66. Also, U.S. Cellular received cash of $95.1 million and $6.5 million in connection with the sale of its interests in Midwest Wireless Communications and Midwest Wireless Holdings, respectively.

In 2005, U.S. Cellular made advances to its consolidated subsidiary, Carroll Wireless, which paid $120.9 million to the FCC to complete the payment for the licenses in which it was the winning bidder in the FCC’s Auction 58. U.S. Cellular also made advances in 2004 and Carroll Wireless deposited $9.0 million with the FCC related to the wireless spectrum Auction 58 in 2004, prior to the commencement of the auction in early 2005.

U.S. Cellular paid $58.1 million to ALLTEL related to the exchange of properties completed in December 2005 and incurred other cash costs associated with the exchange of $2.6 million. Also, in 2005, U.S. Cellular purchased a controlling interest in one wireless property and certain minority interests in wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $6.9 million in cash. TDS Telecom also purchased a wireless license for $2.8 million in 2005.

In 2004, U.S. Cellular purchased certain minority interests in several wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $40.8 million in cash.

TDS received cash of $247.6 million from divestitures in 2004. The sale of wireless properties in southern Texas by U.S. Cellular to AT&T Wireless provided $96.5 million. The sale of wireless properties to ALLTEL provided U.S. Cellular $79.8 million (net of $0.4 million cash divested) and TDS Telecom $62.7 million. U.S. Cellular also received $8.5 million from the sale of Daytona in 2004 and paid $0.3 million to buy out the partner in that investment.

See “Acquisitions, Exchanges and Divestitures” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section.

TDS Telecom in the past obtained financing from the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”). In connection with such financings, TDS Telecom purchased stock in the RTB. TDS Telecom repaid all of its debt to the RTB, but continued to own the RTB stock. In August 2005, the board of directors of the RTB approved resolutions to liquidate and dissolve the RTB. In order to effect the dissolution and liquidation, shareholders were asked to remit their shares to receive cash compensation for those shares. TDS Telecom remitted its shares and received $101.7 million from the RTB in the second quarter of 2006.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 25, 2006, shareholders of Vodafone approved a Special Distribution of £0.15 per share (£1.50 per ADR) and a Share Consolidation under which every 8 ADRs of Vodafone were consolidated into 7 ADRs. As a result of the Special Distribution which was paid on August 18, 2006, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom received approximately $28.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in cash; these amounts, representing a return of capital, were recorded as a reduction in the accounting cost basis of marketable equity securities. Also, as a result of the Share Consolidation which was effective on July 28, 2006, U.S. Cellular’s previous 10,245,370 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs and TDS Telecom’s previous 2,700,545 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 2,362,976 ADRs.

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Cash Flows From Financing Activities primarily reflect issuances and repayments of short-term debt, proceeds from issuance of long-term, debt repayments of long-term debt and repurchases of common shares. TDS has used short-term debt to finance acquisitions, to repurchase common shares and for other general corporate purposes. Cash flows from operating activities, proceeds from forward contracts and, from time to time, the sale of non-strategic cellular and other investments have been used to reduce short-term debt. In addition, from time to time, TDS has used proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt to reduce short-term debt.

On August 1, 2006, TDS repaid $200.0 million plus accrued interest on its 7% unsecured senior notes. In 2006, TDS redeemed $35.0 million of medium-term notes which carried interest rates of 10% and redeemed $17.2 million of medium-term notes which carried interest rates of 9.25% to 9.35% in 2005.

In 2005, TDS issued $116.3 million of 6.625% senior notes due March 2045 which provided proceeds after underwriting discounts of $112.6 million. Also in 2005, TDS Telecom repaid approximately $232.6 million of RUS, RTB and FFB notes.

In 2004, U.S. Cellular issued $330 million of 7.5% senior notes due June 2034 and $100 million of 6.7% senior notes due December 2033. The net proceeds of these offerings totaled approximately $412.5 million. Of this amount, U.S. Cellular used $163.3 million to redeem its Liquid Yield Option Notes at accreted value. The balance of the net proceeds, together with borrowings under revolving credit facilities, was used to redeem all $250 million of U.S. Cellular’s 7.25% senior notes. The Liquid Yield Option Notes redemption included the repayment of principal amount of the original debt of $95.2 million, presented as an item reducing cash flow from financing activities, and the payment of $68.1 million of accreted interest, presented as an item reducing cash flows from operating activities.

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities totaled $415.0 million in 2006, primarily to fund capital expenditures, $510.0 million in 2005, primarily to repay long-term debt and fund capital expenditures and $420.0 million in 2004, primarily to fund capital expenditures. Repayments under the revolving credit facilities totaled $515.0 million in 2006, $405.0 million in 2005 and $390.0 million in 2004. Dividends paid on TDS Common Stock and Preferred Shares, excluding dividends reinvested, totaled $43.0 million in 2006, $40.6 million in 2005 and $38.0 million in 2004.

From time to time, the Board of Directors of TDS has authorized the repurchase of TDS Common Shares and/or Special Common Shares. No TDS Common Shares or Special Common Shares were repurchased in 2006 or 2005. During 2004, TDS repurchased 214,800 of its Common Shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $14.9 million, or an average of $69.15 per share including commissions. Cash required for the repurchase of Common Shares totaled $20.4 million in 2004.

On March 2, 2007, the TDS Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of TDS Special Common Shares from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise. This authorization will expire on March 2, 2010.

The Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular has authorized the repurchase of a limited amount of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on a quarterly basis, primarily for use in employee benefit plans. This authorization does not have an expiration date. No U.S. Cellular Common Shares were repurchased in 2006 or 2005. In 2004, U.S. Cellular repurchased 91,700 of its Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $3.9 million, or an average of $42.62 per share including commissions

On March 6, 2007, U.S. Cellular’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 Common Shares of U.S. Cellular from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private transactions or other methods. This authorization will expire on March 6, 2010. This authorization is in addition to U.S. Cellular’s existing ongoing limited share repurchase authorization discussed above.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

TDS believes that cash flows from operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents and funds available from line of credit arrangements provide substantial financial flexibility for TDS to meet both its short- and long-term needs. TDS and its subsidiaries may also have access to public and private capital markets to help meet their long-term financing needs.

However, the availability of external financial resources is dependent on economic events, business developments, technological changes, financial conditions or other factors, some of which may not be in TDS’s control. TDS cannot provide assurances that circumstances that could materially adversely affect TDS’s liquidity or capital resources will not occur. Economic downturns, changes in financial markets or other factors could affect TDS’s liquidity and availability of capital resources. Uncertainty of access to capital for telecommunications companies, deterioration in the capital markets, other changes in market conditions 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, acquisition programs and Common Share and/or Special Common Share repurchase programs. Any such reductions could have a material adverse effect on TDS’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

TDS generates substantial funds from the operations of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. Cash flows from operating activities totaled $887.2 million in 2006, $868.2 million in 2005 and $777.3 million in 2004. TDS and its subsidiaries had cash and cash equivalents totaling $1,013.3 million at December 31, 2006.

Revolving Credit Facilities

As discussed below, TDS and its subsidiaries had $1,261.2 million of revolving credit facilities available for general corporate purposes as well as an additional $75 million of bank lines of credit as of December 31, 2006.

TDS has a $600 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2006, letters of credit outstanding were $3.4 million, leaving $596.6 million available for use. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a contractual spread based on TDS’s credit rating. TDS may select borrowing periods of either seven days or one, two, three or six months. At December 31, 2006, one-month LIBOR was 5.32% and the contractual spread was 60 basis points. If TDS provides less than two days’ notice of intent to borrow, the related borrowings bear interest at the prime rate less 50 basis points (the prime rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2006). This credit facility expires in December 2009. In 2006, TDS paid fees at an aggregate annual rate of 0.33% of the total $600 million facility. These fees totaled $2.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

TDS also had $75 million in direct bank lines of credit at December 31, 2006, all of which were unused. The terms of the direct bank lines of credit provide for borrowings at negotiated rates up to the prime rate (the prime rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2006).

U.S. Cellular has a $700 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2006, outstanding notes payable and letters of credit were $35.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, leaving $664.6 million available for use. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating. U.S. Cellular may select borrowing periods of either seven days or one, two, three or six months. At December 31, 2006, the one-month LIBOR was 5.32% and the contractual spread was 60 basis points. If U.S. Cellular provides less than two days’ notice of intent to borrow, the related borrowings bear interest at the prime rate less 50 basis points (the prime rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2006). This credit facility expires in December 2009. In 2006, U.S. Cellular paid fees at an aggregate annual rate of 0.33% of the total facility. These fees totaled $2.3 million in 2006, $1.0 million in 2005 and $1.5 million in 2004. The credit facility expires in December 2009.

The financial covenants associated with TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s lines of credit require that each company maintain certain debt-to- capital and interest coverage ratios. In addition, the financial covenants associated with revolving credit facilities and lines of credit of certain subsidiaries require that these subsidiaries maintain certain debt-to-capital and interest coverage ratios. The covenants of U.S. Cellular’s

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revolving credit facility prescribe certain terms associated with intercompany loans from TDS or TDS subsidiaries to U.S. Cellular or U.S. Cellular subsidiaries.

TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s interest costs on their revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2006 would increase if their credit ratings from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) were lowered. However, their credit facilities would not cease to be available or accelerate solely as a result of a decline in their credit ratings. A downgrade in TDS’s or U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings could adversely affect their ability to renew existing, or obtain access to new, credit facilities in the future. TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings as of the dates indicated, are as follows:

Moody’s (Issued November 10, 2005)

Baa3

—under review for possible further downgrade

Standard & Poor’s (Issued April 23, 2007)

BB+

—on credit watch with negative implications

Fitch Ratings (Issued November 10, 2005)

BBB+

—on ratings watch negative

 

On October 26, 2006, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB+ from A-. The outlook was stable. On November 7, 2006, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB from BBB+. The ratings were placed on credit watch with negative implications. On February 13, 2007, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB- from BBB. The ratings remain on credit watch with negative implications. On April 23, 2007, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit rating on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BB+ from BBB-. The ratings remain on credit watch with negative implications.

The maturity dates of certain of TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s credit facilities would accelerate in the event of a change in control.

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 represent certain matters at the time of each borrowing. On November 10, 2005 and November 6, 2006, TDS and U.S. Cellular announced that they would restate certain financial statements which caused TDS and U.S. Cellular to be late in certain SEC filings. In addition, on April 23, 2007, TDS announced another restatement that caused a further delay in TDS’s SEC filings. The restatements and late filings resulted in defaults under the revolving credit agreements and one line of credit agreement. TDS and U.S. Cellular were not in violation of any covenants that require TDS and U.S. Cellular to maintain certain financial ratios. TDS and U.S. Cellular did not fail to make any scheduled payments under such credit agreements. TDS and U.S. Cellular received waivers from the lenders associated with the credit agreements, under which the lenders agreed to waive any defaults that may have occurred as a result of the restatements and late filings. The waivers, as amended, require the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 to be filed by June 30, 2007 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to be filed within 45 days after the filing of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Long-Term Financing

The late filing of TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s Forms 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006, and Forms 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and the failure to deliver such Forms 10-Q and 10-K to the trustees of the TDS and U.S. Cellular debt indentures on a timely basis, resulted in non-compliance under such debt indentures. However, this non-compliance did not result in an event of default or a default and TDS and U.S. Cellular believe that such non-compliance was cured upon the filing of such Forms 10-Q and Forms 10-K. 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.

TDS redeemed $35.0 million of medium-term notes in 2006 which carried interest rates of 10%. TDS redeemed these notes on January 23, 2006 and February 27, 2006 at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

On August 1, 2006, TDS repaid $200.0 million plus accrued interest on its 7% unsecured senior notes.

On March 31, 2005, TDS issued $116.25 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.625% senior notes due March 31, 2045. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly. TDS may redeem the notes, in

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whole or in part, at any time on and after March 31, 2010, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $112.6 million.

On March 31, 2005, TDS Telecom subsidiaries repaid approximately $105.6 million in principal amount of notes to the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) and the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”) plus accrued interest of $0.6 million. TDS Telecom subsidiaries incurred prepayment costs of $0.6 million associated with these repayments. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the notes totaling $0.1 million were expensed and included in Other income (expense), net in the Statements of Operations. The RUS and RTB debt, held at individual TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carriers, had a weighted average interest rate of 5.5% and a maturity of approximately 12 years.

On June 30, 2005, TDS Telecom subsidiaries repaid approximately $127.0 million in principal amount of notes to the RUS, the RTB, and the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), all agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (“RTFC”), a member-owned, not-for-profit lending cooperative that serves the financial needs of the rural telecommunications industry. TDS Telecom subsidiaries paid accrued interest of $0.8 million and additional prepayment costs of $1.2 million associated with these repayments. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the notes totaling $0.3 million were expensed and included in other income (expense), net in the Statements of Operations. The RUS, RTB, FFB and RTFC debt, held at individual TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carriers, had a weighted average interest rate of 6.2% and a maturity of approximately 15 years. TDS determined it was advantageous to repay the RUS, RTB and FFB debt to reduce administrative costs.

TDS redeemed $17.2 million of medium-term notes in 2005 which carried interest rates of 9.25—9.35%. These medium-term notes were redeemed on January 18, 2005 and February 10, 2005 at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

In June 2004, U.S. Cellular issued $330 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.5% senior notes due June 15, 2034. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $319.6 million.

Also, in June 2004, U.S. Cellular issued $100 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.7% senior notes due December 15, 2033, priced to yield 7.21% to maturity. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $92.9 million. This was a further issuance of U.S. Cellular’s 6.7% senior notes that were issued on December 8, 2003 in the aggregate principal amount of $444 million.

The total net proceeds from the 7.5% and 6.7% note offerings completed in June 2004, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $412.5 million. Of this amount, $163.3 million was used to redeem U.S. Cellular’s Liquid Yield Option Notes in July 2004, at accreted value. The balance of the net proceeds, together with borrowings under the revolving credit agreement, was used to redeem all $250 million of U.S. Cellular’s 7.25% senior notes in August 2004. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of such redemptions. However, U.S. Cellular wrote off $3.6 million of deferred debt expenses to Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2004.

Except as described above in the first paragraph of this Long-Term Financing section, TDS believes it and its subsidiaries were in compliance as of December 31, 2006 with all covenants and other requirements set forth in long-term debt indentures. Such indentures do not contain any provisions resulting in acceleration of the maturities of outstanding debt in the event of a change in TDS’s credit rating. However, a downgrade in TDS’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to obtain long-term debt financing in the future.

TDS does not have any credit rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity dates of its debt. However, a downgrade in TDS’s credit rating could adversely affect its ability to issue additional debt in the future.

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Marketable Equity Securities and Forward Contracts

TDS and its subsidiaries hold a substantial amount of marketable equity securities that are publicly traded and can have volatile movements in share prices. TDS and its subsidiaries do not make direct investments in publicly traded companies and all of these interests were acquired as a result of sales, trades or reorganizations of other assets.

The investment in Deutsche Telekom AG (“Deutsche Telekom”) resulted from TDS’s disposition of its over 80%-owned personal communications services operating subsidiary, Aerial Communications, Inc., to VoiceStream in exchange for stock of VoiceStream, which was then acquired by Deutsche Telekom in exchange for Deutsche Telekom stock. The investment in Vodafone Group Plc (“Vodafone”) resulted from certain dispositions of non-strategic wireless investments to or settlements with AirTouch Communications, Inc. (“AirTouch”) in exchange for stock of AirTouch, which was then acquired by Vodafone whereby TDS and its subsidiaries received American Depositary Receipts representing Vodafone stock. The investment in VeriSign, Inc. (“VeriSign”) is the result of the acquisition by VeriSign of Illuminet, Inc., a telecommunications entity in which several TDS subsidiaries held interests. The investment in Rural Cellular Corporation (“Rural Cellular”) is the result of a consolidation of several wireless partnerships in which TDS subsidiaries held interests in Rural Cellular, and the distribution of Rural Cellular stock in exchange for these interests. The tax basis of each investment is significantly below its current market value; therefore, disposition of the investments would result in significant taxable gains.

Subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular have entered into a number of forward contracts with counterparties related to the marketable equity securities that they hold. The forward contracts mature from May 2007 to September 2008 and, at TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s option, may be settled in shares of the respective securities or cash. Currently, TDS and U.S. Cellular intend to settle the forward contracts by delivering shares of the respective securities. TDS and U.S. Cellular have provided guarantees to the counterparties which provide assurance that all principal and interest amounts will be paid by their subsidiaries when due. If shares are delivered in the settlement of a forward contract, TDS and U.S. Cellular would incur a current tax liability at the time of delivery based on the difference between the tax basis of the marketable equity securities delivered and the net amount realized through maturity. Deferred income taxes have been provided for the difference between the book basis and the tax basis of the marketable equity securities and are included in deferred tax liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2006, such deferred income tax liabilities related to current and noncurrent marketable equity securities totaled $395.9 million and $547.6 million, respectively.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 25, 2006, shareholders of Vodafone approved a Special Distribution of £0.15 per share (£1.50 per ADR) and a Share Consolidation under which every 8 ADRs of Vodafone were consolidated into 7 ADRs. As a result of the Special Distribution which was paid on August 18, 2006, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom received approximately $28.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in cash; these amounts, representing returns of capital, were recorded as a reduction in the accounting cost basis of marketable equity securities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Also, as a result of the Share Consolidation which was effective on July 28, 2006, U.S. Cellular’s previous 10,245,370 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs and TDS Telecom’s previous 2,700,545 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 2,362,976 ADRs.

Pursuant to terms of the Vodafone forward contracts, the Vodafone contract collars were adjusted and substitution payments were made as a result of the Special Distribution and the Share Consolidation. After adjustment, the collars had downside limits (floor) ranging from $17.22 to $18.37 and upside potentials (ceiling) ranging from $17.22 to $19.11. In the case of two forward contracts, subsidiaries of TDS made a dividend substitution payment in the amount of $3.2 million to the counterparties in lieu of further adjustments to the collars for such forward contracts. The dividend substitution payments were recorded in Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The forward contracts related to TDS’s 2,361,333 VeriSign common shares and the forward contracts related to U.S. Cellular’s 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs mature in May 2007. TDS elected to deliver the VeriSign common shares in settlement of the forward contracts, and to dispose of all remaining VeriSign common shares in connection therewith. U.S. Cellular elected to deliver the Vodafone ADRs in settlement of the forward contracts, and to dispose of all remaining Vodafone ADRs in connection therewith.  After these

33




forward contracts were settled in May 2007, TDS no longer owns any VeriSign common shares, U.S. Cellular no longer owns any Vodafone ADRs and TDS and U.S. Cellular no longer have any liability or other obligations under the related forward contracts. TDS expects to record a pre-tax gain of approximately $138 million related to the settlement of such forward contracts and the disposition of such remaining VeriSign common shares and such remaining U.S. Cellular owned Vodafone ADRs.

The forward contracts related to TDS’s 45,492,172 Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares mature between July and September 2007. The forward contracts related to TDS Telecom’s 2,362,976 Vodafone ADR’s mature in October 2007. Accordingly, such VeriSign common shares, Vodafone ADRs and Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares are classified as Current Assets and the related forward contracts and derivative liability are classified as Current Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006.

Assuming the delivery of shares upon settlement of all of the forward contracts and based on the fair market value of the marketable equity securities and the related derivative liabilities as of March 31, 2007, TDS would be required to pay federal and state income taxes of approximately $610 million; $45 million related to settlements in the second quarter of 2007; $190 million related to settlements in the third quarter of 2007; $10 million related to settlements in the fourth quarter of 2007; and $365 million related to settlements in 2008. These cash outflows will be offset somewhat by the net after-tax proceeds from the sale of the remaining shares for cash. The amount of income taxes payable will change upon settlement of the forward contracts as the marketable equity securities and the related derivative liabilities will be valued as of the settlement date, not March 31, 2007.

TDS and U.S. Cellular are required to comply with certain covenants under the forward contracts. On November 10, 2005 and November 6, 2006 TDS and U.S. Cellular announced that they would restate certain financial statements, which caused them to be late in certain SEC filings. In addition, on April 23, 2007, TDS announced another restatement that caused a further delay in TDS’s SEC filings. The restatements and late filings resulted in defaults under certain of the forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular were not in violation of any covenants that require TDS and U.S. Cellular to maintain certain financial ratios. TDS and U.S. Cellular did not fail to make any scheduled payments under such forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular received waivers from the counterparty to such forward contracts, under which the counterparty agreed to waive any defaults that may have occurred as a result of the restatements and late filings. The current waivers require the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 to be filed by June 30, 2007 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to be filed within 45 days after the filing of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Deutsche Telekom paid a dividend of EUR 0.72 per share in May 2007. Using a weighted-average exchange rate of $1.36 per EUR, TDS will record dividend income of $128.5 million, before taxes, in the second quarter of 2007.

Capital Expenditures

U.S. Cellular’s anticipated capital expenditures for 2007 primarily reflect plans for construction, system expansion and the continued buildout of certain of its licensed areas. U.S. Cellular plans to finance its construction program using cash flows from operating activities and short-term financing. U.S. Cellular’s estimated capital spending for 2007 is $600 million to $615 million. These expenditures primarily address the following needs:

·       Expand and enhance U.S. Cellular’s coverage in its service areas.

·       Provide additional capacity to accommodate increased network usage by existing customers.

·       Enhance U.S. Cellular’s retail store network and office systems.

TDS Telecom’s estimated capital spending for 2007 is $110 million to $130 million to provide for normal growth and to upgrade plant and equipment to provide enhanced services.

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Acquisitions, Exchanges and Divestitures

TDS assesses its existing wireless interests on an ongoing basis with a goal of improving competitiveness of its operations and maximizing its long-term return on investment. As part of this strategy, TDS reviews attractive opportunities to acquire additional operating markets, telecommunications companies and wireless spectrum. In addition, TDS may seek to divest outright or include in exchanges for other wireless interests those markets and wireless interests that are not strategic to its long-term success. TDS may from time-to-time be engaged in negotiations relating to the acquisition, divestiture or exchange of companies, strategic properties or wireless spectrum. In addition, TDS may participate as a bidder, or member of a bidding group, in auctions administered by the FCC.

2006 Activity

Prior to October 3, 2006, U.S. Cellular owned approximately 14% of Midwest Wireless Communications, L.L.C., which interest was convertible into an interest of approximately 11% in Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C., a privately-held wireless telecommunications company that controlled Midwest Wireless Communications. On November 18, 2005, ALLTEL announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Midwest Wireless Holdings for $1.075 billion in cash, subject to certain conditions, including approval by the FCC, other governmental authorities and the holders of Midwest Wireless Holdings. These conditions were satisfied with the closing of this agreement on October 3, 2006. As a result of the sale, U.S. Cellular became entitled to receive approximately $106.0 million in cash in consideration with respect to its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. Of this amount, $95.1 million was received on October 6, 2006; the remaining balance was held in escrow to secure true-up, indemnification and other adjustments and, subject to such adjustments, will be distributed in installments over a period of four to fifteen months following the closing. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded a gain of $70.4 million related to the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. The gain recognized during the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $4.3 million received during the first four months of 2007 from the aforementioned escrow. In addition, U.S. Cellular owns 49% of an entity which, prior to October 3, 2006, owned approximately 2.9% of Midwest Wireless Holdings; U.S. Cellular accounts for that entity by the equity method. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities of $6.3 million and received a cash distribution of $6.5 million related to its ownership interest in that entity; such income and cash distribution were due primarily to the sale of the entity’s interest in Midwest Wireless Holdings to ALLTEL.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Barat Wireless, L.P. (“Barat Wireless”), an entity which participated in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the FCC as Auction 66. Barat Wireless was qualified to receive a 25% discount available to “very small businesses” which were defined as having annual gross revenues of less than $15 million. At the conclusion of the auction on September 18, 2006, Barat Wireless was the high bidder with respect to 17 licenses and had bid $127.1 million, net of its discount. On April 30, 2007, the FCC granted Barat Wireless’ applications with respect to the 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder.

Barat Wireless is in the process of developing its long-term business and financing plans. As of December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had made capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner of $127.2 million. Barat Wireless used the funding to pay the FCC an initial deposit of $79.9 million on July 14, 2006 to allow it to participate in Auction 66. On October 18, 2006, Barat Wireless paid the balance due for the licenses with respect to which Barat Wireless was the high bidder; such balance due was $47.1 million. For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular consolidates Barat Wireless and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless, pursuant to the guidelines of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46(R)”), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Barat Wireless’ expected gains or losses. Pending finalization of Barat Wireless’ permanent financing plan, and upon request by Barat Wireless, U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner.

On April 3, 2006, TDS Telecom exchanged customers and assets in certain markets with another telecommunications provider and received $0.7 million in cash.

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On April 21, 2006, U.S. Cellular completed the purchase of the remaining majority interest in Tennessee RSA No. 3 Limited Partnership, a wireless market operator in which U.S. Cellular had previously owned a 16.7% interest, for approximately $19.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. This acquisition increased investments in licenses, goodwill and customer lists by $5.5 million, $4.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

In aggregate, the 2006 acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges increased licenses by $132.7 million, goodwill by $4.1 and customer lists by $2.0.

2005 Activity

On December 19, 2005, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange of certain wireless markets in Kansas,  Nebraska and Idaho with a subsidiary of ALLTEL. Under the agreement, U.S. Cellular acquired fifteen Rural Service Area (“RSA”) markets in Kansas and Nebraska in exchange for two RSA markets in Idaho and $58.1 million in cash, including a preliminary working capital adjustment. U.S. Cellular also capitalized $2.6 million of acquisition-related costs. In connection with the exchange, U.S. Cellular recorded a pre-tax gain of $44.7 million in 2005, which is included in (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The previously recorded gain was reduced as part of the restatement described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the TDS consolidated level as TDS allocated additional U.S. Cellular step acquisition goodwill of $2.3 million to the markets divested. The gain represented the excess of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the sum of cash and net carrying value of assets and liabilities delivered in the exchange.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Carroll Wireless, an entity which participated in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the FCC as Auction 58. Carroll Wireless was qualified to bid on “closed licenses”-spectrum that was available only to companies included under the FCC definition of “entrepreneurs,” which are small businesses that have a limited amount of assets and revenues. In addition, Carroll Wireless bid on “open licenses” that were not subject to restriction. With respect to these licenses, however, Carroll Wireless was qualified to receive a 25% discount available to “very small businesses” which were defined as having average annual gross revenues of less than $15 million. Carroll Wireless was a successful bidder for 17 licensed areas in Auction 58, which ended on February 15, 2005. The aggregate amount paid to the FCC for the 17 licenses was $129.9 million, net of all discounts to which Carroll Wireless was entitled. These 17 licensed areas cover portions of 12 states and are in markets which are either adjacent to or overlap current U.S. Cellular licensed areas.

On January 6, 2006, the FCC granted Carroll Wireless’ applications with respect to 16 of the 17 licenses for which it had been the successful bidder and dismissed one application, relating to Walla Walla, Washington. Following the completion of Auction 58, the FCC determined that a portion of the Walla Walla license was already licensed to another party and should not have been included in Auction 58. Accordingly, in 2006, Carroll Wireless received a full refund of the $228,000 previously paid to the FCC with respect to the Walla Walla license.

Carroll Wireless is in the process of developing its long-term business and financing plans. As of December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had made capital contributions and advances to Carroll Wireless and/or its general partner of approximately $129.9 million; $129.7 million of this amount is included in Licenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For financial statement purposes, U.S. Cellular consolidates Carroll Wireless and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless, pursuant to the guidelines of FIN 46(R), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Carroll Wireless’ expected gains or losses. Pending finalization of Carroll Wireless’ permanent financing plan, and upon request by Carroll Wireless, U.S. Cellular may make additional capital contributions and advances to Carroll Wireless and/or its general partner. In November 2005, U.S. Cellular approved additional funding of $1.4 million of which $0.1 million was provided to Carroll Wireless through December 31, 2006.

In the first quarter of 2005, TDS adjusted the previously reported gain related to its sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless properties on November 30, 2004. The adjustment of the gain, which resulted from a working capital adjustment that was finalized in the first quarter of 2005, increased the total gain on the sale by $0.5 million to $51.4 million.

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In addition, in 2005, U.S. Cellular purchased a controlling interest in one wireless market and certain minority interests in wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $6.9 million in cash. The acquisition costs in 2005 were allocated among tangible assets and increased, Licenses, Goodwill and Customer lists by $3.9 million, $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. TDS Telecom purchased a wireless license for $2.8 million in 2005.

In aggregate, the 2005 acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges increased licenses by $136.3 million, goodwill by $28.2 million and customer lists by $32.7 million.

2004 Activity

On December 20, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of its Daytona Beach Florida 20 megahertz C block personal communications service license to MetroPCS California/Florida, Inc. (“MetroPCS”) for $8.5 million. U.S. Cellular recorded impairment losses related to the Daytona license of $1.8 million in 2004; such losses were included in Gain (loss) on investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in Gain (loss) on investments in 2004 was a loss of $0.3 million associated with buying out the former partner of the Daytona investment.

On November 30, 2004, TDS and U.S. Cellular completed the sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless markets. TDS and U.S. Cellular subsidiaries sold three consolidated properties and six minority interests to ALLTEL for $142.9 million in cash, including repayment of debt and working capital that was subject to adjustment. TDS recorded a gain of $50.9 million related to the ALLTEL transaction representing the excess of the cash received over the net book value of the assets and liabilities sold. The portion of the gain related to the two consolidated markets of $10.1 million, was recorded in (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The remaining portion of the gains of $40.8 million was recorded in Gain (loss) on investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. TDS has included the results of operations of the markets sold to ALLTEL in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through November 30, 2004.

On February 18, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of certain of its wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless for $96.5 million in cash, including a working capital adjustment. The U.S. Cellular properties sold to AT&T Wireless included wireless assets and customers in six markets. An aggregate loss of $21.3 million (including a $22.0 million estimate of the loss on sales of assets in the fourth quarter of 2003 and a $0.7 million reduction of the loss in 2004), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless and the cash received in the transaction, was recorded in (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In addition, in 2004 U.S. Cellular purchased certain minority interests in several wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $40.8 million in cash and $2.0 million to be paid in 2005. These acquisitions increased Licenses by $5.6 million, Goodwill by $4.2 million and Customer lists by $12.9 million.

In aggregate, the 2004 divestitures and exchanges decreased Licenses by $2.8 million and Goodwill by $34.9 million and increased Customer lists by $12.9 million.

Repurchase of Securities and Dividends

On March 2, 2007, the TDS Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of TDS Special Common Shares from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise. This authorization will expire on March 2, 2010.

In 2003, the Board of Directors of TDS authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million TDS Common Shares through February 2006. No TDS common shares were repurchased in 2006 or 2005. In 2004, TDS repurchased 214,800 Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $14.9 million, representing an average per share price of $69.15 including commissions. TDS does not currently have a Board of Directors’ authorization to repurchase Common Shares.

The Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular has authorized the repurchase of a limited amount of U.S. Cellular Common Shares in each three month period, primarily for use in employee benefit plans. This

37




authorization does not have an expiration date. No U.S. Cellular Common Shares were repurchased in 2006 or 2005 under this authorization. In 2004, U.S. Cellular repurchased 91,700 U.S. Cellular Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $3.9 million, representing an average per share price of $42.62 including commissions.

On March 6, 2007, the Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 Common Shares of U.S. Cellular from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private transactions or other methods. This authorization will expire on March 6, 2010. This authorization is in addition to U.S. Cellular’s existing ongoing limited share repurchase authorization discussed above that at the time permitted the repurchase of approximately 170,000 shares every three months.

On April 4, 2007, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to purchase 670,000 of its Common Shares from an investment banking firm in a private transaction in connection with an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”). Including a per share discount and commission payable to the investment bank, the shares were repurchased for approximately $49.1 million or $73.22 per share. The repurchased shares are being held as treasury shares.

In connection with the ASR, the investment bank will purchase an equivalent number of shares in the open-market over time. The program must be completed within two years. At the end of the program, U.S. Cellular will receive or pay a price adjustment based on the average price of shares acquired by the investment bank pursuant to the ASR during the purchase period. The purchase price adjustment can be settled, at U.S. Cellular’s option, in cash or in U.S. Cellular Common Shares. The subsequent purchase price adjustment will change the cost basis of the U.S. Cellular treasury shares.

TDS’s ownership percentage of U.S. Cellular increases upon such U.S. Cellular share repurchases. Therefore, TDS accounts for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. In addition, the subsequent ASR purchase price adjustment may result in additional amounts being allocated to licenses and goodwill at TDS.

TDS paid total dividends on its Common Shares and Special Common Shares and Preferred Shares of $43.0 million in 2006, $40.6 million in 2005 and $38.0 million in 2004. In March, 2007, the TDS Board of Directors declared a $0.0975 dividend per Common, Special Common and Series A Common Share for the first quarter of 2007. TDS has no current plans to change its policy of paying dividends.

Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction

On a Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 17, 2005, TDS disclosed that it may possibly take action at some time in the future to offer and issue TDS Special Common Shares in exchange for all of the Common Shares of U.S. Cellular which are not owned by TDS (a “Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction”).

On March 5, 2007, TDS announced that it has terminated activity relating to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction.

Although TDS is terminating activity with respect to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction at this time, TDS reserves the right to recommence activity with respect to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction at any time in the future. TDS may also at any time acquire the Common Shares of U.S. Cellular through open market, private purchases or otherwise, or take other action to acquire some or all of the shares of U.S. Cellular not owned by TDS, although it has no present plans to do so.

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Contractual and Other Obligations

As of December 31, 2006, the resources required for scheduled repayment of contractual obligations were as follows:

 

 

Payments due by Period

 

 

 

 

 

Less than

 

2–3

 

4–5

 

More than

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total

 

1 Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

5 Years

 

Long-term debt obligations (1)

 

$

1,636.2

 

$

2.9

 

$

17.8

 

$

4.3

 

$

1,611.2

 

Long-term debt interest

 

3,585.2

 

120.0

 

239.2

 

236.7

 

2,989.3

 

Forward contract obligations (2)

 

1,754.1

 

738.7

 

1,015.4

 

 

 

Forward contract interest (3)

 

75.8

 

63.8

 

12.0

 

 

 

Operating leases (4)

 

815.8

 

116.5

 

188.7

 

128.6

 

382.0

 

Capital leases

 

6.4

 

1.9

 

2.5

 

0.4

 

1.6

 

Purchase obligations (5)(6)

 

337.4

 

154.2

 

97.9

 

32.7

 

52.6

 

 

 

$

8,210.9

 

$

1,198.0

 

$

1,573.5

 

$

402.7

 

$

5,036.7

 


(1)             Scheduled debt repayments include long-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt. See Note 13—Long-term Debt.

(2)             Scheduled forward contract repayments include interest (unamortized discount) that has been or will be accreted up to the maturity date. See Note 13—Long-term Debt.

(3)             Interest amounts shown are for variable rate forward contracts based on the December 31, 2006 LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points. The three month LIBOR rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2006.

(4)             Represents the amounts due under noncancellable, long-term operating leases for the periods specified. See Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies. TDS has no material capital leases.

(5)             Includes obligations due under equipment vendor contracts, representing a portion of U.S. Cellular’s estimated 2006 capital expenditures of $600 million to $615 million. See “Capital Expenditures” for further discussion. Also includes amounts payable under other agreements to purchase goods or services, including open purchase orders.

(6)             Includes $6.7 million for post-retirement benefits expected to be paid in 2007. No amounts for other post-retirement benefits are included in periods beyond 2007 as these amounts are discretionary and have not yet been determined.

Sale of Certain Accounts Receivable

In December 2006, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to sell $226.0 million face amount of accounts receivable written off in previous periods for $5.8 million. The agreement transferred all rights, title, and interest in the account balances, along with the right to collect all amounts due, to the buyer. The sale is subject to a 180 day period in which the buyer may request a refund for any unenforceable accounts. The transaction was recognized as a sale during the fourth quarter of 2006 in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”. The full amount of the gain of $5.8 million, net of any refunds approved by U.S. Cellular, will be recognized during the second quarter of 2007, at the expiration of the 180 day recourse period. All expenses related to the transaction were expensed in the period incurred.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

TDS has no transactions, agreements or contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities involving “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined by SEC rules, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, cash flows from operating activities, liquidity, capital resources, or financial flexibility.

TDS has certain variable interests in investments in unconsolidated entities where TDS holds a minority interest. The investments in unconsolidated entities totaled $197.6 million as of December 31, 2006, and are accounted for using either the equity or cost method. TDS’s maximum loss exposure for these variable interests is limited to the aggregate carrying amount of the investments.

Indemnity Agreements.   TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. These include certain asset sales and financings with other parties. The terms of the indemnification vary by agreement. The events or circumstances that would require TDS to

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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.

TDS is party to an indemnity agreement with T-Mobile regarding certain contingent liabilities at Aerial Communications for the period prior to Aerial’s merger into VoiceStream Wireless in 2000. In 2006, TDS paid $1.9 million on behalf of Aerial. As of December 31, 2006, TDS had a liability balance of $0.9 million relating to this indemnity which represents its best estimate of its probable liability.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

TDS prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). TDS’s significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in TDS’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes the following critical accounting estimates reflect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Management has discussed the development and selection of each of the following accounting policies and estimates and the following disclosures with the audit committee of TDS’s Board of Directors.

Licenses and Goodwill

As of December 31, 2006, TDS reported $1,520.4 million of licenses and $647.9 million of goodwill, as a result of acquisitions of interests in wireless licenses and businesses, the acquisition of operating telephone companies, and step acquisitions related to U.S. Cellular’s repurchase of U.S. Cellular Common Shares. Licenses include those won by Barat Wireless in FCC Auction 66 completed in September 2006 and by Carroll Wireless in FCC Auction 58 completed in February 2005, as well as license rights that will be received when the 2003 AT&T Wireless exchange transaction is fully completed.

See Note 6—Licenses and Goodwill for a schedule of license and goodwill activity in 2006 and 2005.

Licenses and goodwill must be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. TDS performs the annual impairment review on licenses and goodwill during the second quarter of its fiscal year. There can be no assurance that upon review at a later date material impairment charges will not be required.

The intangible asset impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the intangible asset to the carrying amount of the intangible asset. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit as identified in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”) to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. To calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, an enterprise allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets

40




and liabilities of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss of goodwill is recognized for that difference.

The fair value of an asset or reporting unit is the amount at which that asset or reporting unit could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. Therefore, quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and should be used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. Other valuation techniques include present value analysis, multiples of earnings or revenues or similar performance measures. The use of these techniques involves assumptions by management about factors that are highly uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs or valuation methodologies could create materially different results.

U.S. Cellular tests goodwill for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. For purposes of impairment testing of goodwill in 2006 and 2005, U.S. Cellular identified five reporting units pursuant to paragraph 30 of SFAS 142. The five reporting units represent five geographic groupings of FCC licenses, constituting five geographic service areas. For purposes of impairment testing of licenses in 2006 and 2005. U.S. Cellular combined its FCC licenses into five units of accounting pursuant to FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 02-7, Units of Accounting for Testing Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (“EITF 02-7”), and SFAS 142, using the same geographic groupings as its reporting units. In addition, in 2006, U.S. Cellular identified six additional geographic groupings of licenses, which, because they are currently undeveloped and not expected to generate cash flows from operating activities in the foreseeable future, are considered separate units of accounting for purposes of impairment testing. Prior to the divestitures of markets in late 2004, there were six reporting units for the purposes of testing goodwill and FCC licenses for impairment.

For purposes of impairment testing of goodwill, U.S. Cellular prepares valuations of each of the five reporting units. A discounted cash flow approach is used to value each of the reporting units, using value drivers and risks specific to each individual geographic region. The cash flow estimates incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. Key assumptions made in this process are the selection of a discount rate, estimated future cash flow levels, projected capital expenditures and selection of terminal value multiples.

Similarly, for purposes of impairment testing of licenses, U.S. Cellular prepares valuations of each of the five units of accounting determined pursuant to EITF 02-7 using an excess earnings methodology. This excess earnings methodology estimates the fair value of the intangible assets (FCC license units of accounting) by measuring the future cash flows of the license groups, reduced by charges for contributory assets such as working capital, trademarks, existing subscribers, fixed assets, assembled workforce and goodwill. For undeveloped licenses, U.S. Cellular prepares estimates of fair value for each unit of accounting by reference to fair market values indicated by recent auctions and market transactions.

TDS has recorded amounts as licenses and goodwill as a result of accounting for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. TDS’s ownership percentage of U.S. Cellular increases upon such U.S. Cellular share repurchases. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets is allocated principally to licenses and goodwill. For impairment testing purposes, the additional TDS licenses and goodwill amounts are allocated to the same reporting units used by U.S. Cellular. In 2003, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill impairment tests did not result in an impairment loss on a stand-alone basis. However, when the license and goodwill amounts recorded at TDS, as a result of the step acquisitions, were added to the U.S. Cellular licenses and goodwill for impairment testing at the TDS consolidated level, an impairment loss on licenses and goodwill was recorded. Consequently, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill balances reported on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated license and goodwill balances for U.S. Cellular.

TDS Telecom has recorded goodwill primarily as a result of the acquisition of operating telephone companies. TDS Telecom has assigned goodwill to its incumbent local exchange carrier reporting unit. This goodwill was valued using a multiple of cash flow valuation technique for purposes of goodwill impairment testing.

41




TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier has two reporting units for purposes of impairment testing as defined by SFAS No. 142; the larger reporting unit was valued using a market approach and the smaller reporting unit was valued using an income approach. The market approach compares the reporting unit to similar companies whose securities are actively traded. Ratios or multiples of value relative to certain significant financial measures, such as revenue and earnings, are developed based upon the comparable companies. The valuation multiples are applied to the appropriate financial measures of the reporting unit to indicate its value. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis based on value drivers and risks specific to its reporting unit. The cash flow estimates incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. Key assumptions made in this process were the selection of a discount rate, estimated future cash flow levels, projected capital expenditures and determination of terminal value.

In 2004, in response to petitions filed by a Regional Bell Operating Company for increases in rates for certain wholesale services that it provides to competitive local exchange carriers, the state public service commissions of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan issued orders that adversely affected the cost of providing some services for TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier operations in those states, primarily services to residential customers and certain small business customers. The pricing data for the major markets of the competitive local exchange carrier became available in the fourth quarter of 2004. These pricing changes, as well as other regulatory changes and competitive pressures, triggered an impairment review by TDS Telecom of its competitive local exchange carrier operations’ tangible and intangible assets in 2004. As a result of the impairment review, TDS Telecom concluded that the carrying value for the competitive local exchange carrier operations exceeded the fair value of such operations, thus requiring the second step of the goodwill test. Pursuant to the second step of the goodwill test, TDS Telecom allocated the fair value of the competitive local exchange carrier operations to all of the assets, including unrecognized intangible assets (e.g., the value of the customer list and trade names), and liabilities of such operations. As a result of this allocation, there was no implied goodwill. Therefore, the carrying amount of goodwill associated with the competitive local exchange carrier operations ($29.4 million) was recorded in Loss on impairment of intangible assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2004.

The U.S. Cellular annual impairment tests for investments in licenses and goodwill were performed in the second quarter of 2006, 2005 and 2004. In 2004, U.S. Cellular recorded $1.8 million of license impairment losses related to the investment in a non-operating market in Florida, which was sold in December 2004 for $8.5 million, its approximate book value. This loss was recorded in Loss on investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No other impairment losses were identified during the annual impairment testing in the second quarter of 2006, 2005 or 2004.

There was no impairment of goodwill assigned to TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations in 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Property, Plant and Equipment

U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier operations each provide for depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. U.S. Cellular depreciates its leasehold improvement assets associated with leased properties over periods ranging from three to ten years, which approximates the shorter of the assets’ economic lives or the specific lease terms, as defined in SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, as amended. TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations provide for depreciation on a group basis according to depreciable rates approved by state public utility commissions. Annually, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom review their property, plant and equipment lives to ensure that the estimated useful lives are appropriate. The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are critical accounting estimates because changing the lives of assets can result in larger or smaller charges for depreciation expense. Factors used in determining useful lives include technology changes, regulatory requirements, obsolescence and type of use.

U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom did not materially change the useful lives of their property, plant and equipment in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.

In 2006, disposals of assets, trade-ins of older assets for replacement assets and write-offs of TDMA equipment totaled $19.6 million.

42




In 2005 and 2004, certain U.S. Cellular TDMA digital radio equipment was taken out of service and consigned to a third party for future sale. Such equipment was written down by $2.7 million and $17.2 million, respectively, to reduce the book value of the assets sold or to be sold to the proceeds received or expected to be received from their disposition.

Also, during 2004, U.S. Cellular adjusted the useful lives of TDMA radio equipment, switch software and antenna equipment still in service. TDMA radio equipment lives were adjusted so that the assets will be fully depreciated by the end of 2008, which is the latest date the wireless industry will be required by law to support analog service. U.S. Cellular currently uses TDMA radio equipment to support analog service, and expects to substantially complete the migration of its digital radio network to Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) 1XRTT or some future generation of CDMA technology by that time. The useful lives for certain switch software were reduced to one year from three years and antenna equipment lives were reduced to seven years from eight years in order to better align the useful lives with the actual length of time the assets are expected to be in use. These changes increased depreciation expense by $17.2 million in 2004. The changes in useful lives reduced net income by $8.5 million, or $0.07 per share in 2004.

In 2004, in preparation for the implementation of a fixed asset management and tracking system, including a bar code asset identification feature, U.S. Cellular conducted a physical inventory of its cell site fixed assets. As a result of the physical inventory and related reconciliation, U.S. Cellular charged $1.0 million and $11.9 million to depreciation expense in 2005 and 2004, respectively, for the write-off of certain assets.

TDS reviews long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The tangible asset impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the assets with the undiscounted cash flows over the remaining asset life. If the carrying value of the assets is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, then the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The second step compares the estimated fair value of the assets to the carrying value of the assets. If the estimated fair value of the assets is less than the carrying value of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.

The fair value of a tangible asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. Therefore, quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and should be used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. A present value analysis of cash flow scenarios is often the best available valuation technique with which to estimate the fair value of a long-lived asset. The use of this technique involves assumptions by management about factors that are highly uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate, and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs or different valuation methodologies could create materially different results.

TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier has two asset groups for purposes of impairment testing; both asset groups were valued using a market approach. The market approach compares the asset group to similar companies whose securities are actively traded. Ratios or multiples of value relative to certain significant financial measures, such as revenue and earnings, are developed based upon the comparable companies. The valuation multiples are applied to the appropriate financial measures of the asset group to indicate its value.

As discussed previously under the Licenses and Goodwill caption under Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, regulatory changes and competitive pressures in 2004 triggered an impairment review by TDS Telecom of its competitive local exchange carrier operations’ tangible assets. As a result of the impairment review, TDS Telecom concluded that the long-lived tangible assets of its competitive local exchange carrier operations were impaired and recorded a loss on impairment of tangible assets of $87.9 million in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivative Instruments

TDS utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce marketable equity security market value risk. TDS does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. TDS recognizes all

43




derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of those instruments are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations or classified as Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative and the effect on the consolidated financial statements depend on the derivative’s hedge designation and whether the hedge is anticipated to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item or cash flows of the asset hedged.

The VeriSign forward contract is designated as a fair value hedge, where effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based upon the intrinsic value of the underlying options. The intrinsic value of the forward contract is defined as the difference between the applicable option strike price and the market value of the contracted shares on the balance sheet date. Changes in the intrinsic value of the options are expected to be perfectly effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of the options are recognized in the Statements of Operations along with the changes in the fair value of the underlying marketable equity securities.

TDS originally designated the embedded collars within its Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone forward contracts as cash flow hedges of marketable equity securities. Accordingly, all changes in the fair value of the embedded collars were recorded in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. Subsequently, upon contractual modifications to the terms of the collars, the embedded collars no longer qualified for the hedge accounting treatment and all changes in fair value of the collars from the time of the contractual modification to the terms of the collars are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The accounting for the embedded collars as derivative instruments that do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting and fair value hedges is expected to result in increased volatility in the results of operations, as fluctuations in the market price of the underlying Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and VeriSign marketable equity securities will result in changes in the fair value of the embedded collars being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The embedded collars are valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The inputs in the model include the stock price, strike price (differs for call options and put options), risk-free interest rate, volatility of the underlying stock, dividend yield and the term of the contracts. Different assumptions could create materially different results. A one percent change in the risk free interest rate could change the fair value of the embedded collars by approximately $30 million. Changing the volatility index by one unit could change the fair value of the embedded collar by approximately $10 million.

Asset Retirement Obligations

TDS accounts for asset retirement obligations under SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, and FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, (“FIN 47”) which require entities to record the fair value of a liability for legal obligations associated with an asset retirement in the period in which the obligations are incurred. At the time the liability is incurred, TDS records a liability equal to the net present value of the estimated cost of the asset retirement obligation and increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by an equal amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the obligations, any differences between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability (including accretion of discount) is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a gain or loss.

The calculation of the asset retirement obligation is a critical accounting estimate for TDS because changing the factors used in calculating the obligation could result in larger or smaller estimated obligations that could have a significant impact on TDS’s results of operations and financial condition. Such factors may include probabilities or likelihood of remediation, cost estimates, lease renewals and salvage values. Actual results may differ materially from estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

U.S. Cellular is subject to asset retirement obligations associated primarily with its cell sites, retail sites and office locations. Asset retirement obligations generally include costs to remediate leased land on which

44




U.S. Cellular’s cell sites and switching offices are located. Also, U.S. Cellular is generally required to return leased retail store premises and office space to their pre-existing conditions. The asset retirement obligation is included in Other deferred liabilities and credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the third quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular reviewed the assumptions related to its asset retirement obligations and, as a result of the review, revised certain of those assumptions. Estimated retirement obligations for cell sites were revised to reflect higher estimated costs for removal of radio and power equipment, and estimated retirement obligations for retail stores were revised to reflect a shift to larger stores and slightly higher estimated costs for removal of fixtures. These changes are reflected in “Revision in estimated cash flows” below. The table also summarizes changes in asset retirement obligations during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.

The change in U.S. Cellular’s asset retirement obligations during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

90,224

 

$

72,575

 

Additional liabilities accrued

 

15,697

 

7,920

 

Revision in estimated cash flows

 

13,415

 

 

Acquisition of assets

 

1,237

 

5,461

 

Disposition of assets

 

(164

)

(2,032

)

Accretion expense

 

7,230

 

6,300

 

Ending balance

 

$

127,639

 

$

90,224

 

 

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ rates are regulated by the respective state public utility commissions and the FCC and therefore, the effects of the rate-making actions of these regulatory bodies are reflected in the financial statements of the incumbent local exchange carriers. The incumbent local exchange carriers have recorded an asset retirement obligation in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 143 and FIN 47 and a regulatory liability for the costs of removal that these state public utility commissions have required to be recorded for regulatory accounting purposes which are in most cases, in excess of the amounts required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 143. These amounts combined make up the asset retirement obligation for the incumbent local exchange carriers.

The change in TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ asset retirement obligation and regulatory obligation during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

97,509

 

$

93,318

 

Additional liabilities incurred

 

4,800

 

4,879

 

Costs of removal

 

(697

)

(688

)

Accretion expense

 

35

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

101,647

 

$

97,509

 

 

The regulatory liability included in TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $62.6 million and $61.0 million, respectively. The asset retirement obligation calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 143 at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $39.0 million and $36.5 million, respectively.

FIN 47 was issued in March 2005 and became effective for TDS beginning December 31, 2005. This Interpretation clarified that the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in SFAS No. 143 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method of settlement. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when

45




sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. In accordance with FIN 47, TDS recorded an asset retirement obligation in the fourth quarter of 2005 of $2.6 million and an increase in gross fixed assets of $1.8 million for TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier. The pre-tax effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.4 million.

The change in TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier’s asset retirement obligation during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

2,649

 

$

 

Additional liabilities incurred

 

186

 

2,649

 

Costs of removal

 

 

 

Accretion expense

 

191

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

3,026

 

$

2,649

 

 

Income Taxes

The accounting for income taxes, the amounts of income tax assets and liabilities and the related income tax provision are critical accounting estimates because such amounts are significant to TDS’s financial condition and results of operations.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires TDS to calculate a provision for income taxes. This process involves estimating the actual current income tax liability together with assessing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax purposes, as well as estimating the impact of potential adjustments to filed tax returns. These temporary differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. TDS must then assess the likelihood that deferred income tax assets will be realized based on future taxable income and to the extent TDS believes that realization is not likely, establish a valuation allowance. Management’s judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred income tax assets.

TDS’s net current deferred income tax (liability) asset totaled $(236.4) million, at December 31, 2006 and $13.4 million at December 31, 2005. The net current deferred income tax liability at December 31, 2006 primarily represented deferred income taxes on the current portion of marketable equity securities. The net current deferred income tax asset  at December 31, 2005 primarily represents the deferred income tax effects of the allowance for doubtful accounts on customer accounts receivable.

46




TDS’s noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the temporary differences that gave rise to them were as follows:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Asset

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

78,399

 

$

71,981

 

Derivative instruments

 

159,039

 

185,707

 

Other

 

54,324

 

45,405

 

 

 

291,762

 

303,093

 

Less valuation allowance

 

(49,506

)

(43,677

)

Total Deferred Tax Asset

 

242,256

 

259,416

 

Deferred Tax Liability

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable equity securities

 

547,628

 

890,081

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

336,213

 

366,400

 

Partnership investments

 

103,576

 

107,638

 

Licenses

 

205,187

 

178,564

 

Total Deferred Tax Liability

 

1,192,604

 

1,542,683

 

Net Deferred Income Tax Liability

 

$

950,348

 

$

1,283,267

 

 

Deferred income taxes have been provided for the difference between the financial reporting bases and the income tax bases of the marketable equity securities and derivatives. The deferred income tax liability related to marketable equity securities totaled $943.5 million as of December 31, 2006; of this amount, $395.9 million was classified as current and $547.6 million was classified as noncurrent. The deferred income tax liability related to marketable equity securities totaled $890.1 million as of December 31, 2005; the entire amount was classified as noncurrent. The deferred income tax asset related to derivatives totaled $302.6 million as of December 31, 2006; of this amount, $143.6 million was classified as current and $159.0 million was classified as noncurrent. At December 31, 2005, the deferred income tax asset related to derivatives totaled $185.7 million; the entire amount was classified as noncurrent.

At December 31, 2006, TDS and certain subsidiaries had $1,414.1 million of state NOL carryforwards (generating a $74.1 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income primarily of the individual subsidiaries which generated the losses. The state NOL carryforwards expire between 2007 and 2026. Certain subsidiaries that are not included in the federal consolidated income tax return, but file separate federal tax returns, had federal NOL carryforwards (generating a $4.3 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The federal NOL carryforwards expire between 2007 and 2026. A valuation allowance was established for certain state NOL carryforwards and the federal NOL carryforwards since it is more than likely that a portion of such carryforwards will expire before they can be utilized.

TDS is routinely subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. TDS periodically assesses the likelihood of adjustments to its tax liabilities resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes, including related interest. TDS’s management judgment is required in assessing the eventual outcome of these examinations. Changes to such assessments affect the calculation of TDS’s income tax expense.

In June of 2006, the Internal Revenue Service commenced its audit of the 2002–2004 consolidated federal tax returns of TDS and subsidiaries. After TDS filed its 2005 consolidated federal tax return in September 2006, the IRS added 2005 to the audit cycle. The audit of 2002-2005 is in its preliminary stages.

Stock-based Compensation

As a result of the adoption of a new accounting pronouncement effective January 1, 2006, TDS’s accounting policy related to stock-based compensation has changed as described below and is now a critical accounting policy due to the significant assumptions and estimates involved.

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As described in more detail in Note 20 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, TDS has established long-term incentive plans, employee stock purchase plans and dividend reinvestment plans, all of which are stock-based compensation plans. Prior to the first quarter of 2006, TDS accounted for share-based payments in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”), No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”) and related interpretations as allowed by SFAS 123 Share-Based Payment. Accordingly, prior to the first quarter of 2006, compensation cost for share-based payments was measured using the intrinsic value method as prescribed by APB 25. Under the intrinsic value method, compensation cost is measured as the amount by which the market value of the underlying equity instrument on the grant date exceeds the exercise price. Effective January 1, 2006, TDS adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified prospective transition method. In addition, TDS applied the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 Share-Based Payments (“SAB 107”), issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2005, in its adoption of SFAS 123(R). Under the modified prospective transition method, compensation cost recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R).

Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), TDS elected to value its share-based payment transactions using a Black-Scholes valuation model, which was previously used by TDS for purposes of preparing the pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. The variables in the model include, but are not limited to, TDS’s and/or U.S. Cellular’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, expected forfeitures, time of exercise, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Different assumptions could create materially different results. A 10% change in certain assumptions related to current year grants would not have a material impact on financial position or results of operations.

Under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that are expected to ultimately vest.

Contingencies, Indemnities and Commitments

Contingent obligations, including indemnities, litigation and other possible commitments are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 5, which requires that an estimated loss be recorded if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, those contingencies that are deemed to be probable and where the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable are accrued in the financial statements. 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. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, even if the amount is not estimable. The assessment of contingencies is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. Contingencies are reviewed at least quarterly to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related financial statement disclosure. The ultimate settlement of contingencies could materially impact the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of TDS and its subsidiaries: Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS, the nonexecutive chairman of the board and member of the board of directors of TDS and a director of U.S. Cellular, a subsidiary of TDS; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecommunications Corporation and an Assistant Secretary of certain subsidiaries of TDS. Walter C.D. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS or its subsidiaries. TDS, U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries incurred Sidley Austin legal costs of $12.0 million in 2006, $7.8 million in 2005 and $10.1 million in 2004. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the review and oversight of all related party transactions as such term is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

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PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Annual Report contain statements that are not based on historical fact, including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” and similar words. These statements constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the 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 factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

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

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

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

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

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

·       Early redemptions of debt or repurchases of debt, issuances of debt, changes in prepaid forward contracts, changes in operating leases, changes in purchase obligations or other factors or developments could cause the amounts reported under Contractual Obligations in TDS’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to be different from the amounts actually incurred.

·       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’s financial condition, results of operations or ability to do business.

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

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

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

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

·       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’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

49




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

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

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

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

·       Financial difficulties of TDS’s key suppliers or vendors, or termination or impairment of TDS’s relationship with such suppliers or vendors, could result in a delay or termination of TDS’s receipt of equipment, services or content, which could adversely affect TDS’s business and results of operations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

50




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

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

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

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

·       The market prices of TDS’s Common Shares and Special Common Shares are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.

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

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

You are referred to a further discussion of these risks as set forth under “Risk Factors” in TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors.

51




MARKET RISK

Long-Term Debt

TDS is subject to risks due to fluctuations in interest rates. The majority of TDS’s debt, excluding long-term debt related to the forward contracts, is in the form of long-term, fixed-rate notes with original maturities ranging up to 40 years. Accordingly, fluctuations in interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of such instruments. The long-term debt related to the forward contracts consists of both variable-rate debt and fixed-rate zero coupon debt. The variable-rate forward contracts require quarterly interest payments that are dependent on market interest rates. Increases in interest rates will result in increased interest expense. As of December 31, 2006, TDS had not entered into any significant financial derivatives to reduce its exposure to interest rate risks.

The following table presents the scheduled principal payments on long-tem debt and forward contracts and the related weighted-average interest rates by maturity dates at December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

Principal Payments Due by Period

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt
Obligations 
(1)

 

Weighted-Avg
Interest Rates on
Long-Term Debt
Obligations 
(2)

 

Forward
Contracts 
(3)

 

Weighted-Avg.
Interest Rates
on Forward
Contracts 
(4)

 

2007

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

$

738.7

 

 

 

5.8

%

 

2008

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

1,015.4

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

2009

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

7.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2010

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

5.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2011

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

After 5 Years

 

 

1,611.2

 

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

Total

 

 

$

1,636.2

 

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

$

1,754.1

 

 

 

5.5

%

 


(1)             Scheduled principal repayments include long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt.

(2)             Represents the weighted-average interest rates at December 31, 2006, for debt maturing in the respective periods.

(3)             Scheduled forward contract repayments include interest (unamortized discount) that has been or will be accreted up to the maturity date.

(4)             Some of the forward contracts have a fixed interest rate, while others have a variable rate based on the LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points. The three-month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2006, was 5.36%.

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the estimated fair value of long- term debt obligations was $1,636.2 million and $1,646.0 million, respectively, and the average interest rate on this debt was 7.3% and 7.3%, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using market prices for TDS’s 7.6% Series A Notes, 6.625% senior notes, and 7% senior notes and U.S. Cellular’s 8.75% senior notes, 7.5% senior notes, 6.7% senior notes, and discounted cash flow analysis for the remaining debt.

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the estimated fair value of the forward contracts was $1,718.1 million and $1,697.6 million, respectively, and the average interest rate on this debt was 5.5% and 4.7%, respectively. The fair value of variable rate forward contracts, aggregating $1,295.3 million at December 31, 2006, approximates the carrying value due to the frequent repricing of these instruments. These contracts require quarterly interest payments at the LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points (the three-month LIBOR rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2006). The fair value of the fixed rate forward contracts, aggregating $422.8 million at December 31, 2006, was estimated based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. These contracts are structured as zero coupon obligations with a weighted average effective interest rate of 4.4% per year.

Marketable Equity Securities and Derivatives

TDS maintains a portfolio of available-for-sale marketable equity securities, the majority of which are the result of sales or trades of non-strategic assets. The market value of these investments aggregated $2,790.6 million at December 31, 2006, and $2,531.7 million at December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2006, the unrealized holding gain, net of tax included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $750.0 million. This amount was $578.3 million at December 31, 2005.

52




Subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular have a number of forward contracts with counterparties related to the marketable equity securities that they hold. TDS and U.S. Cellular have provided guarantees to the counterparties which provide assurance to the counterparties that all principal and interest amounts will be paid by their subsidiaries when due. The economic hedge risk management objective of the forward contracts is to hedge the value of the marketable equity securities from losses due to decreases in the market prices of the securities (“downside limit”) while retaining a share of gains from increases in the market prices of such securities (“upside potential”). The downside limit is hedged at or above the cost basis of the securities.

Under the terms of the forward contracts, subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular will continue to own the contracted shares and will receive dividends paid on such contracted shares, if any. The forward contracts mature from May 2007 to September 2008 and, at TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s option, may be settled in shares of the respective security or in cash, pursuant to formulas that “collar” the price of the shares. The collars effectively limit downside risk and upside potential on the contracted shares. The collars are typically contractually adjusted for any changes in dividends on the underlying shares. If the dividend increases, the collar’s upside potential is typically reduced. If the dividend decreases, the collar’s upside potential is typically increased. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in shares, they will be required to deliver the number of shares of the contracted security determined pursuant to the formula. If shares are delivered in the settlement of the forward contract, TDS and U.S. Cellular would incur a current tax liability at the time of delivery based on the difference between the tax basis of the marketable equity securities delivered and the net amount realized under the forward contract  through maturity. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in cash they will be required to pay an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of the number of shares determined pursuant to the formula.

Deferred income taxes have been provided for the difference between the fair value basis and the income tax basis of the marketable equity securities and derivatives. The deferred income tax liability related to marketable equity securities totaled $943.5 million as of December 31, 2006; of this amount, $395.9 million was classified as current and $547.6 million was classified as noncurrent. The deferred income tax liability related to marketable equity securities totaled $890.1 million as of December 31, 2005; the entire amount was classified as noncurrent. The deferred income tax asset related to derivatives totaled $302.6 million as of December 31, 2006; of this amount, $143.6 million was classified as current and $159.0 million was classified as noncurrent. At December 31, 2005, the deferred income tax asset related to derivatives totaled $185.7 million; the entire amount was classified as noncurrent.

The following table summarizes certain facts surrounding the contracted securities as of December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

Collar (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downside

 

Upside

 

Loan

 

 

 

 

 

Limit

 

Potential

 

Amount (2)

 

Security

 

 

 

Shares

 

(Floor)

 

(Ceiling)

 

(000s)

 

VeriSign

 

2,361,333

 

$

8.82

 

$

11.46

 

$

20,819

 

Vodafone

 

11,327,674

 

$

17.22-$18.37

 

$

17.22-$19.11

 

201,038

 

Deutsche Telekom

 

131,461,861

 

$

10.74-$12.41

 

$

13.04-$15.69

 

1,532,257

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,114

 

Unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,725,709

 


(1)             The per share amounts represent the range of floor and ceiling prices of all securities monetized.

(2)             A total of $738.4 million is included in current liabilities in the caption “Forward contracts” and $987.3 million is included in Long-Term Debt in the caption “Forward Contracts”.

The forward contracts related to the VeriSign common shares held by TDS and the Vodafone ADRs held by U.S. Cellular matured in May 2007. TDS elected to deliver VeriSign common shares and to dispose of all remaining VeriSign common shares in connection therewith. U.S. Cellular elected to deliver Vodafone ADRs in settlement of the related forward contracts and to dispose of all remaining Vodafone ADRs held by U.S. Cellular in connection therewith. Following such transactions in May 2007, TDS continues to hold 2,362,976 Vodafone ADRs and is subject to related forward contracts that mature in October 2007.

53




The following analysis presents the hypothetical change in the fair value of marketable equity securities and derivative instruments at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, using the Black-Scholes model, assuming hypothetical price fluctuations of plus and minus 10%, 20% and 30%. The table presents hypothetical information as required by SEC rules. Such information should not be inferred to suggest that TDS has any intention at this time of selling any marketable equity securities or canceling any derivative instruments prior to their maturity.

(Dollars in millions)

 

Valuation of investments assuming indicated increase

 

December 31, 2006

 

Fair Value

 

+10%

 

+20%

 

+30%

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

$

2,790.6

 

$

3,069.7

 

$

3,348.7

 

$

3,627.8

 

Derivative Instruments (1)

 

$

(753.7

)

$

(1,015.7

)

$

(1,289.6

)

$

(1,563.9

)

 

December 31, 2006

 

Valuation of investments assuming indicated decrease

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

-10%

 

-20%

 

-30%

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

$

2,790.6

 

$

2,511.5

 

$

2,232.5

 

$

1,953.4

 

Derivative Instruments (1)

 

$

(753.7

)

$

(499.7

)

$

(264.7

)

$

(51.9

)

 

December 31, 2005

 

Valuation of investments assuming indicated increase

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

+10%

 

+20%

 

+30%

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

$

2,531.7

 

$

2,784.9

 

$

3,038.0

 

$

3,291.2

 

Derivative Instruments (1)

 

$

(449.2

)

$

(661.3

)

$

(895.9

)

$

(1,133.9

)

 

December 31, 2005

 

Valuation of investments assuming indicated decrease

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

-10%

 

-20%

 

-30%

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

$

2,531.7

 

$

2,278.5

 

$

2,025.4

 

$

1,772.2

 

Derivative Instruments (1)

 

$

(449.2

)

$

(274.4

)

$

(63.5

)

$

108.3

 


(1)             Represents the fair value of the derivative instruments assuming the indicated increase or decrease in the underlying securities.

54




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

4,364,518

 

$

3,952,978

 

$

3,702,137

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately below)

 

1,541,541

 

1,433,723

 

1,355,588

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

1,672,722

 

1,502,124

 

1,363,659

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

737,478

 

678,858

 

675,093

 

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

 

 

 

29,440

 

Loss on impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

87,910

 

(Gain) on sales of assets

 

 

(42,425

)

(10,806

)

Total Operating Expenses

 

3,951,741

 

3,572,280

 

3,500,884

 

Operating Income

 

412,777

 

380,698

 

201,253

 

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

95,170

 

68,039

 

65,303

 

Interest and dividend income

 

194,644

 

156,482

 

28,851

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(299,525

)

733,728

 

(518,959

)

Gain (loss) on investments

 

161,846

 

(6,254

)

38,209

 

Interest expense

 

(234,543

)

(216,021

)

(198,706

)

Other (expense), net

 

(7,031

)

(9,537

)

(8,835

)

Total Investment and Other Income (Expense)

 

(89,439

)

726,437

 

(594,137

)

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

323,338

 

1,107,135

 

(392,884

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

116,459

 

423,185

 

(158,104

)

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest

 

206,879

 

683,950

 

(234,780

)

Minority share of income

 

(45,120

)

(37,207

)

(24,517

)

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations

 

161,759

 

646,743

 

(259,297

)

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

997

 

6,362

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

161,759

 

647,740

 

(252,935

)

Preferred dividend requirement

 

(165

)

(202

)

(203

)

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

161,594

 

647,538

 

(253,138

)

Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

115,904

 

115,296

 

114,592

 

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

 

$

1.39

 

$

5.61

 

$

(2.26

)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

0.01

 

0.05

 

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

1.39

 

$

5.62

 

$

(2.21

)

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

116,844

 

116,081

 

114,592

 

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

 

$

1.37

 

$

5.56

 

$

(2.26

)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

0.01

 

0.05

 

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

1.37

 

5.57

 

(2.21

)

Dividends per Share

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.33

 

 

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

55




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

161,759

 

 

$

647,740

 

 

$

(252,935

)

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

737,478

 

 

678,858

 

 

675,093

 

Bad debts expense

 

70,366

 

 

46,427

 

 

56,372

 

Stock-based compensation

 

43,406

 

 

8,069

 

 

4,796

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

(195,000

)

 

264,948

 

 

(172,649

)

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

299,525

 

 

(733,728

)

 

518,959

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

(95,170

)

 

(68,039

)

 

(65,303

)

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

 

78,248

 

 

52,624

 

 

49,088

 

Minority share of income

 

45,120

 

 

37,207

 

 

24,517

 

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

29,440

 

Loss on impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

 

87,910

 

(Gain) on sales of assets

 

 

 

(42,425

)

 

(10,806

)

(Gain) loss on investments

 

(161,846

)

 

6,254

 

 

(38,209

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

(997

)

 

(6,362

)

Noncash interest expense

 

21,308

 

 

20,365

 

 

24,764

 

Other noncash expense

 

8,533

 

 

9,504

 

 

14,240

 

Accreted interest on repayment of U.S. Cellular long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

(68,056

)

Other operating activities

 

3,162

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accounts receivable

 

(89,612

)

 

(94,346

)

 

(91,486

)

Change in inventory

 

(25,287

)

 

(15,460

)

 

(6,006

)

Change in accounts payable

 

(11,319

)

 

33,214

 

 

(23,922

)

Change in customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

14,148

 

 

7,863

 

 

13,768

 

Change in accrued taxes

 

(26,985

)

 

(3,692

)

 

30,822

 

Change in accrued interest

 

(2,218

)

 

1,010

 

 

(3,947

)

Change in other assets and liabilities

 

11,541

 

 

12,816

 

 

(12,792

)

 

 

887,157

 

 

868,212

 

 

777,296

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(722,458

)

 

(710,507

)

 

(786,623

)

Cash paid for acquisitions

 

(145,908

)

 

(191,370

)

 

(49,786

)

Cash received from divestitures

 

102,305

 

 

500

 

 

247,565

 

Sales of investments

 

102,549

 

 

 

 

 

Return of investment

 

36,202

 

 

 

 

 

Other investing activities

 

(3,430

)

 

(1,040

)

 

(5,590

)

 

 

(630,740

)

 

(902,417

)

 

(594,434

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of notes payable

 

415,000

 

 

510,000

 

 

420,000

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

4,082

 

 

113,139

 

 

422,642

 

Repayment of notes payable

 

(515,000

)

 

(405,000

)

 

(390,000

)

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(204,779

)

 

(242,168

)

 

(376,397

)

Redemption of medium-term notes

 

(35,000

)

 

(17,200

)

 

 

TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares issued for benefit plans

 

26,445

 

 

20,227

 

 

31,938

 

U.S. Cellular Common Shares issued for benefit plans

 

23,529

 

 

23,345

 

 

6,970

 

Repurchase of Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

(24,348

)

Dividends paid

 

(43,040

)

 

(40,576

)

 

(38,047

)

Distributions to minority partners

 

(13,560

)

 

(2,573

)

 

(2,946

)

Other financing activities

 

3,440

 

 

(303

)

 

(2,147

)

 

 

(338,883

)

 

(41,109

)

 

47,665

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(82,466

)

 

(75,314

)

 

230,527

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

1,095,791

 

 

1,171,105

 

 

940,578

 

End of year

 

$

1,013,325

 

 

$

1,095,791

 

 

$

1,171,105

 

 

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

56




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets—Assets

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,013,325

 

$

1,095,791

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

 

Due from customers, less allowance of $15,807 and $15,200, respectively

 

357,279

 

332,278

 

Other, principally connecting companies, less allowance of $9,576 and $5,620, respectively

 

162,888

 

157,182

 

Marketable equity securities

 

1,205,344

 

 

Inventory

 

128,981

 

103,211

 

Prepaid expenses

 

43,529

 

41,746

 

Deferred income tax asset

 

 

13,438

 

Other current assets

 

61,738

 

34,774

 

 

 

2,973,084

 

1,778,420

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable equity securities

 

1,585,286

 

2,531,690

 

Licenses

 

1,520,407

 

1,388,343

 

Goodwill

 

647,853

 

643,636

 

Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $68,110 and $44,616, respectively

 

26,196

 

47,649

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

197,636

 

217,180

 

Notes receivable, less valuation allowance of $55,144 and $55,144, respectively

 

7,916

 

8,084

 

Other investments

 

3,157

 

4,190

 

 

 

3,988,451

 

4,840,772

 

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

In service and under construction

 

7,700,746

 

7,131,977

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

4,119,360

 

3,602,217

 

 

 

3,581,386

 

3,529,760

 

Other Assets and Deferred Charges

 

56,593

 

55,830

 

 

 

$

10,599,514

 

$

10,204,782

 

 

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

57




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets—Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

2,917

 

$

237,948

 

Forward contracts

 

738,408

 

 

Notes payable

 

35,000

 

135,000

 

Accounts payable

 

294,932

 

305,752

 

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

 

141,164

 

126,454

 

Accrued interest

 

26,729

 

28,946

 

Accrued taxes

 

38,324

 

46,061

 

Accrued compensation

 

72,804

 

67,443

 

Derivative liability

 

359,970

 

 

Deferred income tax liability

 

236,397

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

138,086

 

117,721

 

 

 

2,084,731

 

1,065,325

 

Deferred Liabilities and Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

950,348

 

1,283,267

 

Derivative liability

 

393,776

 

449,192

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

232,312

 

190,382

 

Other deferred liabilities and credits

 

136,733

 

107,924

 

 

 

1,713,169

 

2,030,765

 

Long-Term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

1,633,308

 

1,633,519

 

Forward contracts

 

987,301

 

1,707,282

 

 

 

2,620,609

 

3,340,801

 

Commitment and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

 

609,722

 

546,833

 

Preferred Shares

 

863

 

3,863

 

Common Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 56,558,000 and 56,481,000 shares, respectively

 

566

 

565

 

Special Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; authorized 165,000,000 shares; issued 62,941,000 and 62,868,000 shares, respectively

 

629

 

629

 

Series A Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,445,000 and 6,440,000 shares, respectively

 

64

 

64

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

1,992,597

 

1,961,200

 

Treasury Shares at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, 4,676,000 and 5,105,000 shares, respectively

 

(187,103

)

(208,156

)

Special Common Shares 4,676,000 and 5,128,000 shares, respectively

 

(187,016

)

(210,600

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

522,113

 

363,641

 

Retained earnings

 

1,428,570

 

1,309,852

 

 

 

3,570,420

 

3,217,195

 

 

 

$

10,599,514

 

$

10,204,782

 

 

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

58




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury Shares

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special

 

Series A

 

Capital in

 

 

 

Special

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Common

 

Common

 

Excess of

 

Common

 

Common

 

Comprehensive

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

 

 

Shares

 

Shares

 

Shares

 

Par Value

 

Shares

 

Shares

 

Income (Loss)

 

Income (Loss)

 

Earnings

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2003 (As Restated)

 

$

563

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

1,977,196

 

$

(493,714

)

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

474,814

 

 

$

994,300

 

Comprehensive Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(252,935

)

 

 

 

 

(252,935

)

Net unrealized gains on securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

351,692

 

 

 

351,692

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,444

 

 

 

37,444

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

136,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common and Series A Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37,845

)

Preferred Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(203

)

Repurchase of Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,854

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27,459

)

59,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2004 (As Restated)

 

$

564

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

1,957,321

 

$

(449,173

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

863,950

 

 

$

703,317

 

Comprehensive Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

647,740

 

 

 

 

 

647,740

 

Net unrealized losses on securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(499,437

)

 

 

(499,437

)

 

 

Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(872

)

 

 

(872

)

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

147,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40,374

)

Preferred Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(202

)

Distribution of Special Common Shares(1)

 

 

 

629

 

 

 

 

 

 

217,231

 

(217,231

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(629

)

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,085

)

23,786

 

6,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation awards (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2005 (As Restated)

 

$

565

 

 

$

629

 

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

1,961,200

 

$

(208,156

)

$

(210,600

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

363,641

 

 

$

1,309,852

 

Comprehensive Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

161,759

 

 

 

 

 

161,759

 

Net unrealized gains on securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

171,705

 

 

 

171,705

 

 

 

Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(490

)

 

 

(490

)

 

 

Additional liability of defined benefit pension plan (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(322

)

 

 

(322

)

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

332,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application of provisions of SFAS 158 on post-retirement plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,421

)

 

 

Dividends:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42,876

)

Preferred Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(165

)

Conversion of Series A and Preferred Series TT Shares (2)

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,838

)

21,053

 

23,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation awards(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,992

 

 

362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax windfall benefits from stock award exercises(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

$

566

 

 

$

629

 

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

1,992,597

 

$

(187,103

)

$

(187,016

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

522,113

 

 

$

1,428,570

 


(1)             Represents additional liability of an individual telephone company’s defined benefit pension plan which is expected to be terminated in the next twelve months.

(2)             See Note 18—Common Stockholders’ Equity

(3)             Reflects TDS Corporate’s and TDS Telecom’s current year stock-based compensation awards impact on Capital in Excess of Par Value. Amounts for U.S. Cellular are included in “Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans”.

(4)             Reflects tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with options of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. U.S. Cellular’s tax windfalls/(shortfalls) associated with options of U.S. Cellular are included in “Adjust investment in subsidiaries for repurchases, issuances and other compensation plans”.

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

59




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services to approximately 7.0 million wireless telephone customers and wireline telephone equivalent access lines in 36 states at December 31, 2006. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless telephone operations through its 80.7%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) and its incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier wireline telephone operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). TDS conducts printing and distribution services through its 80%-owned subsidiary, Suttle Straus, which represents a small portion of TDS’s operations.

See Note 21—Business Segment Information for summary financial information on each business segment.

Restatement

TDS and its audit committee concluded on April 20, 2007, that TDS would restate its financial statements and financial information for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, including quarterly information for 2006 and 2005, and certain selected financial data for 2003 and 2002. The restatements are being reflected in TDS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The restatement adjustments are described below.

Step acquisition accounting for U.S. Cellular treasury share repurchases—In reviewing the accounting at TDS for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of its common shares in 2004, 2001 and 2000, TDS concluded that TDS should have recorded these transactions as step acquisitions using purchase accounting rather than recording these transactions as adjustments to TDS’s capital in excess of par value. Such a repurchase of shares by U.S. Cellular gives rise to an increase in the net assets of U.S. Cellular as part of the TDS consolidated entity. In the restatement, TDS has adjusted licenses, goodwill, net deferred income tax liability and capital in excess of par value to properly record the purchase price allocation associated with TDS’s increased ownership percentage in U.S. Cellular due to U.S. Cellular repurchasing its own common shares. Such adjustments also required an increase in the amortization of the licenses and goodwill in 2001 and 2000. The impacts of these adjustments on the balance sheets are reflected in the table below.

 

 

2004

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 

Increase (decrease)
dollars in thousands

 

Initial recording of repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

$

259

 

$

2,172

 

$

33,082

 

Goodwill

 

892

 

9,580

 

100,328

 

Deferred tax liability

 

100

 

841

 

12,806

 

Capital in excess of par

 

$

1,051

 

$

10,911

 

$

120,604

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

$

 

$

(827

)

$

(414

)

Goodwill

 

 

(2,509

)

(1,254

)

Deferred tax liability

 

$

 

$

(320

)

$

(160

)

 

In conjunction with the step acquisition correction, which increased intangible assets,TDS updated its past annual license and goodwill impairment tests to include the increased carrying value. The additional TDS license and goodwill amounts were allocated to the same reporting units used by U.S. Cellular. The inclusion of the additional goodwill and intangible asset balances at each reporting unit, resulted in one

60




reporting unit failing step 1 of the 2003 annual goodwill impairment test. Upon performance of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for the reporting unit, TDS recorded an impairment charge for the entire goodwill balance at that reporting unit. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test requires a comparison of the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The significant impairment arose as a result of unrecognized assets that were included in the implied goodwill calculation.TDS also recorded incremental impairment charges related to goodwill and licenses in certain years. Certain divestiture transactions were also corrected to allocate a portion of the increase in goodwill and licenses to the markets that were sold, thus reducing the gain previously recorded on the sale of the markets. The impacts of these adjustments on the balance sheets for each year and on the Statement of Operations in 2005 are reflected in the table below. There were no adjustments in 2004.

 

 

2005

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts

 

Licenses

 

$

(6

)

$

(9,501

)

$

(1,485

)

Goodwill

 

(2,229

)

(343,340

)

 

Deferred tax liability

 

$

 

$

(67,140

)

$

(575

)

(Gain) Loss on sale of assets

 

(2,235

)

 

 

 

 

Change in Diluted Earnings per Share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

 

The net impact on retained earnings at January 1, 2004 of the initial adjustments and the subsequent impairments recorded prior to January 1, 2004 is a reduction of $291.1 million.

The following tables highlight the line items that changed due to the restatement for the step acquisition accounting in the Statement of Operations for 2005, the Statement of Cash Flows for 2005 and the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2005.

Changes to Consolidated Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

As Previously
Reported

 

As
Restated

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) on sales of assets

 

$

(44,660

)

$

(42,425

)

Total Operating Expenses

 

3,570,045

 

3,572,280

 

Operating Income

 

382,933

 

380,698

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

1,109,370

 

1,107,135

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest

 

686,185

 

683,950

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

 

648,978

 

646,743

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

649,975

 

647,740

 

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

649,773

 

$

647,538

 

Basic Weighted Average Share Outstanding (000s)

 

115,296

 

115,296

 

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

 

$

5.63

 

$

5.61

 

Discontinued Operations

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

5.64

 

$

5.62

 

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (000s)

 

116,081

 

116,081

 

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

 

$

5.58

 

$

5.56

 

Discontinued Operations

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

Net Income (Loss) Available to Common

 

$

5.59

 

$

5.57

 

 

61




Changes to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

As Previously
Reported

 

As
Restated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

$

649,975

 

 

$

647,740

 

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

 

 

(44,660

)

 

(42,425

)

Total cash flows from operating activities

 

 

$

868,212

 

 

$

868,212

 

 

Changes to Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

As Previously
Reported

 

As
Restated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Licenses

 

$

1,365,063

 

$

1,388,343

 

Goodwill

 

882,168

 

643,636

 

Total Investments

 

5,056,024

 

4,840,772

 

Total Assets

 

$

10,420,034

 

$

10,204,782

 

Net deferred income tax liability

 

$

1,337,716

 

$

1,283,267

 

Total deferred liabilities and credits

 

2,085,214

 

2,030,765

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

1,828,634

 

1,961,200

 

Retained earnings

 

1,603,221

 

1,309,852

 

Total Common Stockholders’ Equity

 

3,377,998

 

3,217,195

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

10,420,034

 

$

10,204,782

 

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accounting policies of TDS conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS, its majority-owned subsidiaries since acquisition, the wireless partnerships in which it has a majority general partnership interest and any entity in which TDS has a variable interest that requires TDS to recognize a majority of the entity’s expected gains or losses. All material intercompany items have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 financial statement presentation.

Business Combinations

TDS uses the purchase method of accounting for business combinations and, therefore, includes as investments in subsidiaries the value of the consideration given and all direct and incremental costs relating to acquisitions. All costs relating to unsuccessful negotiations for acquisitions are charged to expense when the acquisition is no longer considered probable.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (a) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and (b) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are included in goodwill and indefinite—lived intangible assets, asset retirement obligations, derivatives, depreciation, stock-based compensation and income taxes.

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Stock Dividend

TDS distributed one Special Common Share in the form of a stock dividend with respect to each outstanding Common Share and Series A Common Share of TDS on May 13, 2005 to shareholders of record on April 29, 2005. Prior period earnings per share have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the new capital structure.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and those short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Outstanding checks totaled $17.2 million and $14.1 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and are classified as Accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

U.S. Cellular’s accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts owed by customers pursuant to service contracts and for equipment sales, by agents for equipment sales, by other wireless carriers whose customers have used U.S. Cellular’s wireless systems and by unaffiliated third-party partnerships or corporations pursuant to equity distribution declarations.

TDS Telecom’s accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts owed by customers for services provided, by connecting companies for carrying interstate and intrastate long-distance traffic on its network, and by interstate and intrastate revenue pools that distribute access charges.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on historical experience and other factors that could affect collectibility. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on either an aggregate basis or individual basis for collectibility depending on the type of receivable. When it is probable that an account balance will not be collected, the account balance is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. TDS does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

The changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

20,820

 

$

17,487

 

$

24,055

 

Additions, net of recoveries

 

70,366

 

46,427

 

56,372

 

Deductions

 

(65,803

)

(43,094

)

(62,940

)

Ending Balance

 

$

25,383

 

$

20,820

 

$

17,487

 

 

Inventory

Inventory primarily consists of handsets stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method and market determined by replacement costs. TDS Telecom’s materials and supplies are stated at average cost.

Marketable Equity Securities

Marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, and are stated at fair market value. Net unrealized holding gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific identification.

The market values of marketable equity securities may fall below the accounting cost basis of such securities. If management determines the decline in value to be other than temporary, the unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income is recognized and recorded as a non-operating loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Factors that management considers in determining whether a decrease in the market value of its marketable equity securities is an other-than-temporary decline include: whether there has been a significant change in the financial condition, operational structure or near-term prospects of the issuer of the security; how long and how much the market value of the security has been below the accounting cost basis; and whether TDS has the intent and ability to retain its investment in the issuer’s securities to allow the market value to return to the accounting cost basis.

TDS utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce market risks due to fluctuations in market prices of marketable equity securities. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, TDS had variable prepaid forward contracts (“forward contracts”) maturing in 2007 and 2008 in place with respect to substantially all TDS’s marketable equity security portfolio, hedging the market price risk with respect to the contracted securities. The downside market risk is hedged at or above the accounting cost basis of the securities.

Derivative Instruments

TDS utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce marketable equity security market value risk. TDS does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. TDS recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of those instruments are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations or classified as Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative and the effect on the consolidated financial statements depends on the derivative’s hedge designation and whether the hedge is anticipated to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item or cash flows of the asset hedged.

TDS originally designated the embedded collars within its forward contracts as cash flow hedges of the Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities. Accordingly, all changes in the fair value of the embedded collars were recorded in Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. Subsequently, upon contractual modifications to the terms of the collars, the embedded collars no longer qualified for hedge accounting treatment and all changes in fair value of the collars from the time of the contractual modification to the terms of the collars are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The VeriSign forward contract is designated as a fair value hedge. Changes in the fair value of the embedded collars are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Licenses

Licenses consist of costs incurred in acquiring Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to provide wireless and fixed wireless service. These costs include amounts paid to license applicants and owners of interests in entities awarded licenses and all direct and incremental costs relating to acquiring the licenses.

TDS accounts for wireless licenses in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). In accordance with SFAS 142, TDS has determined that such wireless licenses have indefinite lives and, therefore, that the costs of the licenses are not subject to amortization.

TDS has determined that licenses are intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, based on the following factors:

·       Radio spectrum is not a depleting asset.

·       The ability to use radio spectrum is not limited to any one technology.

·       U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are licensed to use radio spectrum through the FCC licensing process, which enables licensees to utilize specified portions of the spectrum for the provision of wireless service.

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·       U.S. Cellular and its consolidated subsidiaries are required to renew their FCC licenses every ten years. From the inception of U.S. Cellular to date, all of U.S. Cellular’s license renewal applications have been granted by the FCC. Generally, license renewal applications filed by licensees otherwise in compliance with FCC regulations are routinely granted. If, however, a license renewal application is challenged, either by a competing applicant for the license or by a petition to deny the renewal application, the license will be renewed if the licensee can demonstrate its entitlement to a “renewal expectancy.” Licensees are entitled to such an expectancy if they can demonstrate to the FCC that they have provided “substantial service” during their license term and have “substantially complied” with FCC rules and policies. U.S. Cellular believes that it could demonstrate its entitlement to a renewal expectancy in any of its markets in the unlikely event that any of its license renewal applications were challenged and, therefore, believes that it is probable that its future license renewal applications will be granted.

Goodwill

TDS has goodwill as a result of its acquisitions of licenses and wireless markets, the acquisition of operating telephone companies and step acquisitions related to U.S. Cellular’s repurchase of U.S. Cellular common shares. Such goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase price of acquisitions over the fair values of acquired assets, including licenses and other identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed.

Impairment of Intangible Assets

Licenses and goodwill must be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. TDS performs the annual impairment review on licenses and goodwill during the second quarter of its fiscal year.

The intangible asset impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the intangible asset to the carrying amount of the intangible asset. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. To calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, an enterprise allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for that difference.

The fair value of an intangible asset and reporting unit goodwill is the amount at which that asset or reporting unit could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. Therefore, quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and should be used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. Other valuation techniques include present value analysis, multiples of earnings or revenue or a similar performance measure. The use of these techniques involve assumptions by management about factors that are highly uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate, and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs or valuation methodologies could create materially different results.

U.S. Cellular tests goodwill for impairment at the level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. For purposes of impairment testing of goodwill in 2006 and 2005, U.S. Cellular identified five reporting units pursuant to paragraph 30 of SFAS 142. The five reporting units represent five geographic groupings of FCC licenses, constituting five geographic service areas. For purposes of impairment testing of licenses in 2006 and 2005, U.S. Cellular combined its FCC licenses into five units of accounting pursuant to FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 02-7, Units of Accounting for Testing Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (“EITF 02-7”), and SFAS 142, using the same geographic groupings as its reporting units. In

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addition, in 2006, U.S. Cellular identified six additional geographic groupings of licenses, which, because they are currently undeveloped and not expected to generate cash flows from operating activities in the foreseeable future, are considered separate units of accounting for purposes of impairment testing. Prior to the divestitures in late 2004, there were six reporting units for the purposes of testing goodwill and FCC licenses for impairment.

For purposes of impairment testing of goodwill, U.S. Cellular prepares valuations of each of the five reporting units. A discounted cash flow approach is used to value each of the reporting units, using value drivers and risks specific to each individual geographic region. The cash flow estimates incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. Key assumptions made in this process are the selection of a discount rate, estimated future cash flow levels, projected capital expenditures and selection of terminal value multiples.

Similarly, for purposes of impairment testing of licenses, U.S. Cellular prepares valuations of each of the five units of accounting determined pursuant to EITF 02-7, using an excess earnings methodology. This excess earnings methodology estimates the fair value of the intangible assets (FCC license units of accounting) by measuring the future cash flows of the license groups, reduced by charges for contributory assets such as working capital, trademarks, existing subscribers, fixed assets, assembled workforce and goodwill. For undeveloped licenses, U.S. Cellular prepares estimates of fair value for each unit of accounting by reference to fair market values indicated by recent auctions and market transactions.

TDS has recorded amounts as licenses and goodwill as a result of accounting for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. TDS’s ownership percentage of U.S. Cellular increases upon such U.S. Cellular share repurchases. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets is allocated principally to licenses and goodwill. For impairment testing purposes, the additional TDS licenses and goodwill amounts are allocated to the same reporting units used by U.S. Cellular. In 2003, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill impairment tests did not result in an impairment loss on a stand-alone basis. However, when the license and goodwill amounts recorded at TDS, as a result of the step acquisitions, were added to the U.S. Cellular licenses and goodwill for impairment testing at the TDS consolidated level, an impairment loss on licenses and goodwill was recorded. Consequently, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill balances reported on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated license and goodwill balances for U.S. Cellular.

TDS Telecom has recorded goodwill primarily as a result of the acquisition of operating telephone companies. TDS Telecom has assigned goodwill to its incumbent local exchange carrier reporting unit and its competitive local exchange carrier reporting units. The incumbent local exchange carrier reporting unit was valued using a multiple of cash flow valuation technique.

TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier has two reporting units for purposes of impairment testing as defined by SFAS No. 142; the larger reporting unit was valued using a market approach and the smaller reporting unit was valued using an income approach. The market approach compares the reporting unit to similar companies whose securities are actively traded. Ratios or multiples of value relative to certain significant financial measures, such as revenue and earnings are developed based upon the comparable companies. The valuation multiples are applied to the appropriate financial measures of the reporting unit to indicate its value. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis based on value drivers and risks specific to its reporting unit. The cash flow estimates incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. Key assumptions made in this process were the selection of a discount rate, estimated future cash flow levels, projected capital expenditures, and determination of terminal value.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities consists of investments in which TDS holds a non-controlling ownership interest of less than 50%. TDS follows the equity method of accounting, for such investments in which its ownership interest equals or exceeds 20% for corporations and is greater than 3% to 5% for partnerships and limited liability companies. The cost method of accounting is followed for such investments in which TDS’s ownership interest is less than 20% for corporations and is less than 3% to 5%

66




for partnerships and limited liability companies, and for investments for which TDS does not have the ability to exercise significant influence.

For its equity method investments for which financial information is readily available, TDS records its equity in the earnings of the entity in the current period. For its equity method investments for which financial information is not readily available, TDS records its equity in the earnings of the entity on generally a one quarter lag basis.

Property, Plant and Equipment

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular’s property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction including capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses and estimated costs to remove the assets.

Renewals and betterments of units of property are recorded as additions to plant in service. The original cost of depreciable property retired (along with the related accumulated depreciation) is removed from plant in service and, together with removal cost less any salvage realized, is charged to depreciation expense. Repairs and renewals of minor units of property are charged to system operations expense.

Costs of developing new information systems are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Position 98-1, Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, (“SOP 98-1”) and amortized over a three- to seven-year period, starting when each new system is placed in service.

TDS Telecom

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier Operations

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction including the capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses, an allowance for funds used during construction and estimated costs to remove the assets.

Renewals and betterments of units of property are recorded as additions to telephone plant in service. The original cost of depreciable property retired is removed from plant in service and, together with removal cost less any salvage realized, is charged to accumulated depreciation. No gain or loss is recognized on ordinary retirements of depreciable telephone property. Repairs and renewals of minor units of property are charged to plant operations expense.

Costs of developing new information systems are capitalized and amortized starting when each new system is placed in service.

TDS’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations follow accounting for regulated enterprises prescribed by SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. Management periodically reviews the criteria for applying these provisions to determine whether continuing application of SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. Management believes that such criteria are still being met, but continues to monitor its circumstances against the criteria of SFAS No. 71.

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations

TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier property, plant and equipment is stated at the original cost of construction including capitalized costs of certain taxes, payroll-related expenses and estimated costs to remove the assets.

Renewals and betterments of units of property are recorded as additions to plant in service. The original cost of depreciable property retired (along with the related accumulated depreciation) is removed from plant in service and, together with removal cost less any salvage realized, is charged to depreciation expense. Repairs and renewals of minor units of property are charged to maintenance expense.

Costs of developing new information systems are capitalized and amortized starting when each new system is placed in service.

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Depreciation

Except for TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations, TDS provides for depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

U.S. Cellular depreciates its leasehold improvement assets associated with leased properties over periods ranging from three to ten years, which periods approximate the shorter of the assets’ economic lives or the specific lease terms, as defined in SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, (“SFAS 13”) as amended.

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carrier operations provide for depreciation on a group basis according to depreciable rates approved by state public utility commissions.

Asset Impairment

TDS reviews long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The tangible asset impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the assets with the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the remaining asset life. If the carrying value of the assets is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, then the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The second step compares the estimated fair value of the assets to the carrying value of the assets. An impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value of the assets (less cost to sell) and the carrying value of the assets.

The fair value of a tangible asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. Therefore, quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and should be used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. A present value analysis of cash flow scenarios is often the best available valuation technique with which to estimate the fair value of the long-lived asset. The use of this technique involves assumptions by management about factors that are highly uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate, and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs or valuation methodologies could create materially different results.

TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier incurred a loss on impairment of long-lived assets in 2004. TDS Telecom has two asset groups for purposes of impairment testing. TDS Telecom valued each asset group using a market approach. The market approach compares the asset group to similar companies whose securities are actively traded. Ratios or multiples of value relative to certain significant financial measures, such as revenue and earnings are developed based upon the comparable companies. The valuation multiples are applied to the appropriate financial measures of the asset group to indicate its value.

Deferred Charges

Other deferred charges primarily represent legal and other charges related to various borrowing instruments, and are amortized over the respective term of each instrument. The amounts for Deferred Charges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are shown net of accumulated amortization of $15.3 million and $10.7 million, respectively.

Asset Retirement Obligations

TDS accounts for asset retirement obligations under SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS 143”), and FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, (“FIN 47”) which require entities to record the fair value of a liability for legal obligations associated with an asset retirement in the period in which the obligations are incurred. At the time the liability is incurred, TDS records a liability equal to the net present value of the estimated cost of the asset retirement obligation and increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by an equal amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the obligations, any differences between the

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cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability (including accretion of discount) is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a gain or loss.

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ rates are regulated by the respective state public utility commissions and the FCC and therefore, reflect the effects of the rate-making actions of these regulatory bodies in the financial statements of the TDS incumbent local exchange carriers. The incumbent local exchange carriers have recorded an asset retirement obligation in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 143 and a regulatory liability for the costs of removal that state public utility commissions have required to be recorded for regulatory accounting purposes which are in excess of the amounts required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 143. These amounts combined make up the asset retirement obligation for the incumbent local exchange carriers.

At the time a liability subject to SFAS No. 143 is incurred, TDS Telecom records a liability equal to the net present value of the estimated cost of the asset retirement obligation and establishes a related long-lived asset of equal amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Both the accretion and depreciation are offset by a decrease in the regulatory liability account. Upon settlement of the obligations, any differences between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability (including accretion of discount) is  recorded as an adjustment to the regulatory liability account and no gain or loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from wireless operations primarily consist of:

·       Charges for access, airtime, roaming and value added services provided to U.S. Cellular’s retail customers and to end users through third-party resellers.

·       Charges to carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellular’s systems when roaming.

·       Charges for long-distance calls made on U.S. Cellular’s systems.

·       Amounts received from the universal service fund (“USF Revenues”) in states where U.S. Cellular has been designated an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier.

·       Equipment and accessory sales.

Revenues are recognized as services are rendered. Revenues billed in advance or in arrears of the service being provided are estimated and deferred or accrued, as appropriate. USF Revenues recognized in the reporting period represent the amounts which U.S. Cellular is entitled to receive for such period, as determined and approved in connection with U.S. Cellular’s designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in various states.

Equipment sales represent a separate earnings process. Revenues from equipment and accessory sales are recognized upon delivery to the customer. In order to provide better control over handset quality, U.S. Cellular sells handsets to agents. In most cases, the agents receive rebates from U.S. Cellular at the time the agents sign up new customers for U.S. Cellular service or retain current U.S. Cellular customers.

U.S. Cellular accounts for the sale of equipment to agents in accordance with EITF Issue 01-09, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products) (“EITF 01-09”). This standard requires that equipment sales revenues be reduced by the anticipated rebates to be paid to the agents at the time the agent purchases the handsets rather than at the time the agent signs up a new customer or retains a current customer. Similarly, U.S. Cellular offers certain rebates to customers related to handset purchases; in accordance with EITF 01-09, the equipment sales revenue from a handset sale which includes such a rebate is recorded net of the rebate anticipated to be applied to the handset sale.

Activation fees charged with the sale of service only, where U.S. Cellular does not also sell a handset to the end user, are deferred and recognized over the average customer service period. U.S. Cellular defers expense recognition of a portion of commission expenses related to customer activation in the amount of

69




deferred activation fee revenues. This method of accounting for such costs provides for matching of revenue from customer activations to direct incremental costs associated with such activations within each reporting period.

Under EITF Issue 00-21, Accounting for Multiple Element Arrangements, activation fees charged with the sale of equipment and service are allocated to the equipment and service based upon the relative fair values of each item. Due to the subsidy provided on customer handsets, this generally results in the recognition of the activation fee as additional handset revenue at the time of sale.

Revenue from incumbent local exchange carriers primarily consists of charges for:

·       The provision of local telephone exchange service;

·       Compensation for carrying interstate and intrastate long-distance traffic on TDS Telecom’s local telephone networks;

·       Leasing, selling, installing and maintaining customer premise equipment;

·       Providing billing and collection services;

·       Providing Internet services;

·       Reselling long-distance services; and

·       Selling digital broadcast satellite service.

Revenues are recognized as services are rendered. Activation fees charged are deferred and recognized over the average customer service period.

TDS’s incumbent local exchange carriers participate in revenue pools with other telephone companies for interstate revenue and for certain intrastate revenue. Such pools are funded by toll revenue and/or access charges within state jurisdictions and by access charges in the interstate market. Revenues earned through the various pooling processes are recorded based on estimates following the National Exchange Carrier Association’s rules as approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Revenue from competitive local exchange carriers primarily consists of charges for:

·       The provision of local telephone exchange service;

·       Compensation for carrying interstate and intrastate long-distance traffic on TDS Telecom’s local telephone networks; and

·       Providing Internet services and reselling long-distance services.

Revenues are recognized as services are rendered.

Advertising Costs

TDS expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $224.9 million, $212.0 million and $171.2 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Income Taxes

TDS files a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred taxes are computed using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Both deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates anticipated to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

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Stock-Based Compensation

TDS has established long-term incentive plans, employee stock purchase plans, dividend reinvestment plans, and a non-employee director compensation plan which are described more fully in Note 20—Stock-Based Compensation. Prior to January 1, 2006, TDS accounted for these plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”). Total stock-based employee compensation cost recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations under APB 25 was $8.1 million and $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, primarily for restricted stock unit and deferred compensation stock unit awards. No compensation cost was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations under APB 25 for stock option awards for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, because all outstanding options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The employee stock purchase plans and dividend reinvestment plans qualified as non-compensatory plans under APB 25; therefore, no compensation cost was recognized for these plans during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Effective January 1, 2006, TDS adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), using the modified prospective transition method. In addition, TDS applied the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”), issued by the SEC in March 2005 in its adoption of SFAS 123(R). Under the modified prospective transition method, compensation cost recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). Results for prior periods have not been restated.

Under SFAS 123(R), the long-term incentive plans and the employee stock purchase plans are considered compensatory plans; therefore, recognition of compensation costs for grants made under these plans is required.

Under SFAS 123(R), the dividend reinvestment plans are not considered compensatory plans, therefore recognition of compensation costs for grants made under these plans is not required.

Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), TDS elected to continue to value its share-based payment transactions using a Black-Scholes valuation model, which was previously used by TDS for purposes of preparing the pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. Under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost recognized during the period is based on the portion of the share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost recognized in 2006 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Pre-vesting forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience related to similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. TDS believes that its historical experience is the best estimate of future expected life. In TDS’s pro forma information required under SFAS 123, TDS also reduced stock-based compensation cost for estimated forfeitures. The expected life assumption was determined based on TDS’s historical experience. For purposes of both SFAS 123 and SFAS 123(R), the expected volatility assumption was based on the historical volatility of TDS’s common stock. The dividend yield was included in the assumptions. The risk-free interest rate assumption was determined using the implied yield currently available for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options.

Compensation cost for stock option awards granted after January 1, 2006 is recognized over the respective requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the awards as if the awards were, in-substance, multiple awards (graded vesting attribution method), which is the same attribution method that was used by TDS for purposes of its pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123.

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Certain employees were eligible for retirement at the time that compensatory stock options and restricted stock units were granted to them. Under the terms of the TDS option agreements, options granted to these individuals do not vest upon retirement. Under the terms of the U.S. Cellular option and restricted stock unit agreements, options and restricted stock units granted to retirement-eligible employees will vest fully upon their retirement if the employees have reached the age of 65. Similarly, under the terms of TDS’s restricted stock unit agreements, restricted stock units vest upon retirement if the employee has reached the age of 66. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), TDS used the “nominal vesting method” to recognize the pro forma stock-based compensation cost related to options and restricted stock units awarded to retirement-eligible employees. This method does not take into account the effect of early vesting due to the retirement of eligible employees. Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), TDS adopted the “non-substantive vesting method”, which requires accelerated recognition of the entire cost of options granted to retirement-eligible employees over the period of time from the date of grant to the date the employee reaches age 65. If the non-substantive vesting method had been applied in prior periods, the effect on previously disclosed pro forma stock-based compensation cost would not have been material.

On March 7, 2006, the TDS Compensation Committee approved amendments to stock option award agreements. The amendments modify current and future options to extend the exercise period until 30 days following (i) the lifting of a “suspension” if options otherwise would expire or be forfeited during the suspension period and (ii) the lifting of a blackout if options otherwise would expire or be forfeited during a blackout period. TDS temporarily suspended issuances of shares under the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan between March 17, 2006 and October 10, 2006 as a consequence of late SEC filings. TDS became current with its periodic SEC filings upon the filing of its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, on October 10, 2006. As required under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), TDS evaluated the impact of this plan modification and recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.7 million in 2006, as a result of this modification.

On November 30, 2006, TDS and Sandra L. Helton, who at the time was TDS’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, entered into an employment agreement and general release with TDS. The agreement specified the terms of Ms. Helton’s resignation from TDS as of December 31, 2006. As part of this agreement, the TDS Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee extended Ms. Helton’s right to exercise her options up to ninety days after the later of (i) February 1, 2007 or (ii) the first day on which trading is permitted after TDS removes any blackout period under which Ms. Helton may be subject. As required under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), TDS evaluated the impact of this plan modification and recognized additional stock-based compensation expense of $27,000 in 2006.

The agreement also called for Ms. Helton to receive 25% of the value of her 2005 unvested restricted stock award in cash less any required withholding. As a result of this provision, Ms. Helton received a gross cash settlement of $228,016 which represents 25% of the value of her grant as of November 30, 2006. SFAS 123(R) required TDS to accelerate and recognize any unrecognized grant date fair value as of the settlement date. TDS recognized additional stock-based compensation expense of $254,048 in the fourth quarter of 2006 as a result of this provision.

Pension Plan

TDS sponsors a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan. The plan provides benefits for the employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and U.S. Cellular. Under this plan, pension costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded currently. Total pension costs were $14.3 million, $13.4 million and $12.3 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Operating Leases

TDS, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are parties to various lease agreements for office space, retail sites, cell sites and equipment that are accounted for as operating leases. Certain leases have renewal options and/or fixed rental increases. Renewal options that are reasonably assured of exercise are included in determining the lease term. TDS accounts for certain operating leases that contain specific scheduled increases in payments over the lease term by recognizing lease revenue and expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with SFAS 13, as amended, and related pronouncements.

72




Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes -an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) in July 2006. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”). The interpretation applies to all tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS 109 and requires a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. TDS will adopt the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. Under FIN 48, TDS will evaluate the tax uncertainty, assess the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and record an amount based on that assessment. TDS had previously set up tax accruals, as needed, to cover its potential liability for income tax uncertainties pursuant to SFAS 5 Accounting for Contingencies (“SFAS 5”). The FASB has issued guidance, in the form of a FASB Staff Position, regarding effective settlement of tax uncertainties. TDS has followed this guidance in estimating its cumulative effect adjustment. TDS will use the guidance to determine the amount of its cumulative effect adjustment to be recorded to opening Common Stockholders’ Equity upon adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, TDS anticipates recognizing a cumulative effect adjustment as an increase to Common Stockholders’ Equity of less than $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2007.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This Statement defines fair value as used in numerous accounting pronouncements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure related to the use of fair value measures in financial statements. SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value measures in financial statements, but standardizes its definition and guidance in U.S. GAAP. The Statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement based on an exchange transaction in which the entity sells an asset or transfers a liability (exit price). SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, from observable market data as the highest level to fair value based on an entity’s own fair value assumptions as the lowest level. The Statement is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements; however, earlier application is encouraged. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS 157 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to Manufacturers or Resellers of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider (“EITF 06-1”). This guidance requires the application of EITF 01-9, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (“EITF 01-9”), when consideration is given to a reseller or manufacturer for benefit to the service provider’s end customer. EITF 01-9 requires the consideration given be recorded as a liability at the time of the sale of the equipment and also provides guidance for the classification of the expense. EITF 06-1 is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of EITF 06-1 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), in September 2006. SAB 108 provides guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Prior practice allowed the evaluation of materiality on the basis of (1) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (“rollover method”) or (2) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (“iron curtain method”). Reliance on one or the other method in prior years could have resulted in misstatement of the financial statements. The guidance provided in SAB 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality. SAB 108 became effective for TDS’s financial statements for 2006 and subsequent periods, and did not materially impact TDS’s financial position or results of operations.

SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”), was issued in February 2007. SFAS 159 permits

73




entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected shall be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for TDS’s 2008 financial statements. TDS is currently reviewing the requirements of SFAS 159 and has not yet determined the impact, if any, on its financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 2   GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

The following table summarizes the components of Gain (loss) on investments included in Investment and Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of investments in unconsolidated entities

 

$

161,846

 

$

500

 

$

40,842

 

Impairment of investments in unconsolidated entities

 

 

(6,754

)

(2,633

)

 

 

$

161,846

 

$

(6,254

)

$

38,209

 

 

On October 3, 2006, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless and recorded a gain of $70.4 million. See Note 5—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for more information on the disposition of Midwest Wireless.

TDS Telecom has in the past obtained financing from the Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”). In connection with such financings, TDS Telecom purchased stock in the RTB. TDS Telecom has repaid all of its debt to the RTB, but continued to own the RTB stock. In August 2005, the board of directors of the RTB approved resolutions to liquidate and dissolve the RTB. In order to effect the dissolution and liquidation, shareholders were asked to remit their shares to receive cash compensation for those shares. TDS Telecom remitted its shares and received $101.7 million from the RTB and recorded a gain of $90.3 million in 2006.

In 2005, TDS finalized the working capital adjustment related to the sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless interests on November 30, 2004. The working capital adjustment increased the total gain on investment from this transaction by $0.5 million. Also in  2005, U.S. Cellular reduced the carrying value of one of its equity method investments by $6.8 million to its underlying equity value based on a cash flow analysis.

In 2004, TDS recorded a gain of $40.8 million related to the aforementioned ALLTEL transaction representing the excess of the cash received over the net book value of the minority investments sold. Also in 2004, TDS recorded impairment losses of $1.8 million related to the Daytona license that was sold to MetroPCS in December 2004 and a loss of $0.3 million associated with buying out the former partner of the Daytona investment.

In 2004, TDS recorded a $0.5 million impairment loss on an investment in a telephone company accounted for using the cost method.

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NOTE 3   INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) charged to Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest is summarized as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

269,331

 

$

129,492

 

$

(227

)

State

 

24,080

 

12,890

 

14,772

 

Foreign

 

18,048

 

15,855

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(163,938

)

228,722

 

(137,589

)

State

 

(31,062

)

36,226

 

(35,060

)

Total income tax expense from continuing operations

 

$

116,459

 

$

423,185

 

$

(158,104

)

 

A reconciliation of TDS’s income tax expense from continuing operations computed at the statutory rate to the reported income tax expense from continuing operations, and the statutory federal income tax expense rate to TDS’s effective income tax expense rate from continuing operations, is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Statutory federal income tax expense

 

 

$

113.2

 

 

 

35.0

%

 

 

$

387.5

 

 

 

35.0

%

 

 

$

(137.5

)

 

 

35.0

%

 

State income taxes, net of federal benefit(1)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

33.7

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

(13.7

)

 

 

3.5

 

 

Minority share of income not included in consolidated tax return

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

Gains (losses) on investments, sales of assets and impairments of assets

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

22.7

 

 

 

(5.8

)

 

Resolution of prior period tax issues

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(21.4

)

 

 

5.4

 

 

Foreign tax

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net research tax credit

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6.3

)

 

 

1.6

 

 

Other differences, net

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

Total income tax expense

 

 

$

116.5

 

 

 

36.0

%

 

 

$

423.2

 

 

 

38.2

%

 

 

$

(158.1

)

 

 

40.2

%

 


(1)             State income taxes include changes in the valuation allowance which is primarily related to the ability to utilize net operating losses.

Income from continuing operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, includes gains and losses (reported in the captions Gain (loss) on investments, Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments, Loss on impairment of intangible assets and Loss on impairment of long-lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations) that significantly affected Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest.

During 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its audit of TDS’s federal income tax returns for the years 1997 through 2001 and TDS’s claims for research tax credits for the years 1995 through 2001. Primarily based on the results of the audit, TDS reduced its accrual for audit contingencies by $3.1 million (0.3 percentage points) in 2005. Also in 2005, TDS recorded a $0.5 million (0.0 percentage points) benefit for the research tax credits. TDS reduced its accrual for audit contingencies by $21.4 million (5.4 percentage points) and recorded a $6.3 million (1.6 percentage points) benefit for the research tax credits in 2004 based on the IRS’s preliminary findings in the income tax return and research tax credit audits.

The foreign tax incurred in 2006 and 2005 related to the dividend received from Deutsche Telekom.

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Income tax expense (benefit) charged to net income (loss) is summarized as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

269,331

 

$

129,492

 

$

(227

)

State

 

24,080

 

12,890

 

14,772

 

Foreign

 

18,048

 

15,855

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(163,938

)

229,249

 

(134,101

)

State

 

(31,062

)

36,255

 

(34,872

)

Total income tax expense

 

$

116,459

 

$

423,741

 

$

(154,428

)

 

Income from discontinued operations was decreased by deferred income tax expense of $0.6 million in 2005 and $3.7 million in 2004.

TDS’s net current deferred income tax liabilities totaled $236.4 million as of December 31, 2006. TDS’s net current deferred income tax liability at 2006 primarily represents the deferred income taxes on the current portion of marketable equity securities.

TDS’s net current deferred income tax assets totaled $13.4 million as of December 31, 2005. The net current deferred income tax asset at 2005 primarily represents the deferred tax effects of the allowance for doubtful accounts on customer receivables.

TDS’s noncurrent deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the temporary differences that gave rise to them are as follows:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Asset

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

78,399

 

$

71,981

 

Derivative instruments

 

159,039

 

185,707

 

Other

 

54,324

 

45,405

 

 

 

291,762

 

303,093

 

Less valuation allowance

 

(49,506

)

(43,677

)

Total Deferred Tax Asset

 

242,256

 

259,416

 

Deferred Tax Liability

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable equity securities

 

547,628

 

890,081

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

336,213

 

366,400

 

Partnership investments

 

103,576

 

107,638

 

Licenses

 

205,187

 

178,564

 

Total Deferred Tax Liability

 

1,192,604

 

1,542,683

 

Net Deferred Income Tax Liability

 

$

950,348

 

$

1,283,267

 

 

At December 31, 2006, TDS and certain subsidiaries had $1,414.1 million of state NOL carryforwards (generating a $74.1 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income primarily of the individual subsidiaries that generated the losses. The state NOL carryforwards expire between 2007 and 2026. Certain subsidiaries that are not included in the federal consolidated income tax return, but file separate federal tax returns, had federal NOL carryforwards (generating a $4.3 million deferred tax asset) available to offset future taxable income. The federal NOL carryforwards expire between 2007 and 2026. A valuation allowance was established for certain state NOL carryforwards and the federal NOL carryforwards since it is more than likely that a portion of such carryforwards will expire before they can be utilized.

TDS is routinely subject to examination by the IRS and other tax authorities. TDS periodically assesses the likelihood of adjustments to its tax liabilities resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes, including related interest. TDS management’s judgment is

76




required in assessing the eventual outcome of these examinations. Changes to such assessments affect the calculation of TDS’s income tax expense.

In June of 2006, the IRS commenced its audit of the 2002—2004 consolidated federal income tax returns of TDS and subsidiaries. After TDS filed its 2005 consolidated federal tax return in September 2006, the IRS added 2005 to the audit cycle. The audit of 2002-2005 is in its preliminary stages.

NOTE 4   EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using net income available to common and weighted average common shares adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units and the potential conversion of preferred stock to Common and Special Common shares.

The amounts used in computing earnings per share and the effect of potentially dilutive securities on income and the weighted average number of Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

161,759

 

 

$

646,743

 

 

$

(259,297

)

Preferred dividend requirement

 

(165

)

 

(202

)

 

(203

)

Income from continuing operations available to common

 

161,594

 

 

646,541

 

 

(259,500

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

997

 

 

6,362

 

Net income available to common used in basic earnings per share

 

$

161,594

 

 

$

647,538

 

 

$

(253,138

)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations available to common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

used in basic earnings per share

 

$

161,594

 

 

$

646,541

 

 

$

(259,500

)

Minority income adjustment (1)

 

(1,255

)

 

(999

)

 

(420

)

Preferred dividend adjustment (2)

 

49

 

 

199

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations available to common

 

160,388

 

 

645,741

 

 

(259,920

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

997

 

 

6,362

 

Net income available to common used in diluted earnings per share

 

$

160,388

 

 

$

646,738

 

 

$

(253,558

)


(1)            The minority income adjustment reflects the additional minority share of U.S. Cellular’s income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular’s dilutive issuable securities were outstanding.

(2)            The preferred dividend adjustment reflects the dividend reduction in the event only preferred series were dilutive, and therefore converted to shares.

77




 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

51,552

 

51,227

 

50,844

 

Special Common Shares

 

57,905

 

57,636

 

57,296

 

Series A Common Shares

 

6,447

 

6,433

 

6,452

 

Total

 

115,904

 

115,296

 

114,592

 

Effect of dilutive securities Common Stock outstanding if

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Shares converted (1)

 

45

 

158

 

 

Stock options and restricted stock units (2)

 

895

 

627

 

 

Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock used in diluted earnings per share

 

116,844

 

116,081

 

114,592

 


(1)            Preferred Shares convertible into 46,919 Common Shares and 46,919 Special Common Shares, in 2006, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because their effects were anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive Preferred Shares convertible into Common and Special Common Shares in 2005. Preferred Shares convertible into 96,207 Common Shares, and 54,540 Special Common Shares, in 2004, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because their effects were anti-dilutive.

(2)            Stock options convertible into 650,243 Common Shares and 342,599 Special Common Shares in 2006, 669,307 Common Shares and 669,307 Special Common Shares in 2005, and 682,122 Common Shares and 682,122 Special Common Shares in 2004, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because their effects were anti-dilutive.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

Basic Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.39

 

 

$

5.61

 

 

$

(2.26

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

$

1.39

 

 

$

5.62

 

 

$

(2.21

)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

Diluted Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.37

 

 

$

5.56

 

 

$

(2.26

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

$

1.37

 

 

$

5.57

 

 

$

(2.21

)

 

NOTE 5   ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES AND EXCHANGES

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

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2006 Activity

Prior to October 3, 2006, U.S. Cellular owned approximately 14% of Midwest Wireless Communications, L.L.C., which interest was convertible into an interest of approximately 11% in Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C., a privately-held wireless telecommunications company that controlled Midwest Wireless Communications. On November 18, 2005, ALLTEL announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Midwest Wireless Holdings for $1.075 billion in cash, subject to certain conditions, including approval by the FCC, other governmental authorities and the holders of Midwest Wireless Holdings. These conditions were satisfied with the closing of this agreement on October 3, 2006. As a result of the sale, U.S. Cellular became entitled to receive approximately $106.0 million in cash in consideration with respect to its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. Of this amount, $95.1 million was received on October 6, 2006; the remaining balance was held in escrow to secure true-up, indemnification and other adjustments and, subject to such adjustments, will be distributed in installments over a period of four to fifteen months following the closing. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded a gain of $70.4 million related to the sale of its interest in Midwest Wireless Communications. The gain recognized during the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $4.3 million received during the first four months of 2007 from the aforementioned escrow. In addition, U.S. Cellular owns 49% of an entity which, prior to October 3, 2006, owned approximately 2.9% of Midwest Wireless Holdings; U.S. Cellular accounts for that entity by the equity method. In the fourth quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular recorded Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities of $6.3 million and received a cash distribution of $6.5 million related to its ownership interest in that entity; such income and cash distribution were due primarily to the sale of the entity’s interest in Midwest Wireless Holdings to ALLTEL.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Barat Wireless, L.P. (“Barat Wireless”), an entity which participated in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) as Auction 66. Barat Wireless was qualified to receive a 25% discount available to “very small businesses” which were defined as having average annual gross revenues of less than $15 million. At the conclusion of the auction on September 18, 2006, Barat Wireless was the high bidder with respect to 17 licenses and had bid $127.1 million, net of its discount. On April 30, 2007, the FCC granted Barat Wireless’ applications with respect to the 17 licenses for which it was the winning bidder.

Barat Wireless is in the process of developing its long-term business and financing plans. As of December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had made capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner of $127.2 million. Barat Wireless used the funding to pay the FCC an initial deposit of $79.9 million on July 14, 2006 to allow it to participate in Auction 66. On October 18, 2006, Barat Wireless paid the balance due for the licenses with respect to which Barat Wireless was the high bidder; such balance due was $47.1 million. For financial reporting purposes, U.S. Cellular consolidates Barat Wireless and Barat Wireless, Inc., the general partner of Barat Wireless, pursuant to the guidelines of FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46(R)”), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Barat Wireless’ expected gains or losses. Pending finalization of Barat Wireless’ permanent financing plan, and upon request by Barat Wireless, U.S. Cellular may agree to make additional capital contributions and advances to Barat Wireless and/or its general partner.

On April 3, 2006, TDS Telecom exchanged customers and assets in certain markets with another telecommunications provider and received $0.7 million in cash.

On April 21, 2006, U.S. Cellular purchased the remaining ownership interest in the Tennessee RSA No. 3 Limited Partnership, a wireless market operator in which it had previously owned a 16.7% interest, for approximately $19.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. This acquisition increased investments in licenses, goodwill and customer lists by $5.5 million, $4.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

In aggregate, the 2006 acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges increased licenses by $132.7 million, goodwill by $4.1 million and customer lists by $2.0 million.

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2005 Activity

On December 19, 2005, U.S. Cellular completed an exchange of certain wireless markets in Kansas, Nebraska and Idaho with a subsidiary of ALLTEL. Under the agreement, U.S. Cellular acquired fifteen Rural Service Area (“RSA”) markets in Kansas and Nebraska in exchange for two RSA markets in Idaho and $58.1 million in cash, including a preliminary working capital adjustment. U.S. Cellular also capitalized $2.6 million of acquisition-related costs. In connection with the exchange, U.S. Cellular recorded a pre-tax gain of $44.7 million in 2005, which is included in (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The previously recorded gain was reduced as part of the restatement described in Note 1 at the TDS consolidated level as TDS allocated additional U.S. Cellular step-acquisition goodwill of $2.3 million to the markets divested. The gain represented the excess of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the sum of cash and net carrying value of assets and liabilities delivered in the exchange. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the heading “Restatements” and Note 6—Licenses and Goodwill for further discussion of the allocation of goodwill and licenses.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities transferred to ALLTEL in the exchange.

 

 

December 19, 2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Assets and (liabilities) acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

$

11,973

 

 

Licenses

 

 

21,550

 

 

Customer list

 

 

31,490

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

30,825

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

79,059

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(1,992

)

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(5,461

)

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

$

167,444

 

 

Assets and (liabilities) delivered:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

$

60,687

 

 

Current assets, excluding cash

 

 

5,544

 

 

Licenses, net

 

 

21,951

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,196

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

35,428

 

 

Other assets

 

 

2,193

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(3,788

)

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(2,192

)

 

Net assets delivered

 

 

$

125,019

 

 

Gain on exchange transaction

 

 

$

42,425

 

 

 

A wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in Carroll Wireless, L.P. (“Carroll Wireless”), an entity which participated in the auction of wireless spectrum designated by the FCC as Auction 58. Carroll Wireless was qualified to bid on “closed licenses”—spectrum that was available only to companies included in the FCC definition of “entrepreneurs,” which are small businesses that have a limited amount of assets and revenues. In addition, Carroll Wireless bid on “open licenses” that were not subject to restriction. With respect to these licenses, however, Carroll Wireless was qualified to receive a 25% discount available to “very small businesses” which were defined as having average annual gross revenues of less than $15 million. Carroll Wireless was a successful bidder for 17 licensed areas in Auction 58, which ended on February 15, 2005. The aggregate amount paid to the FCC for the 17 licenses was $129.9 million, net of all discounts to which Carroll Wireless was entitled. These 17 licensed areas cover portions of 12 states and are in markets which are either adjacent to or overlap current U.S. Cellular licensed areas.

80




On January 6, 2006, the FCC granted Carroll Wireless’ applications with respect to 16 of the 17 licenses for which it had been the successful bidder and dismissed one application, relating to Walla Walla, Washington. Following the completion of Auction 58, the FCC determined that a portion of the Walla Walla license was already licensed to another party and should not have been included in Auction 58. Accordingly, in 2006, Carroll Wireless received a full refund of the $228,000 previously paid to the FCC with respect to the Walla Walla license.

Carroll Wireless is in the process of developing its long-term business and financing plans. As of December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had made capital contributions and advances to Carroll Wireless and/or its general partner of approximately $129.9 million to fund the amount paid to the FCC; $129.7 million of this amount is included in Licenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006. U.S. Cellular consolidates Carroll Wireless and Carroll PCS, Inc., the general partner of Carroll Wireless, for financial statement purposes, pursuant to the guidelines of FIN 46(R), as U.S. Cellular anticipates benefiting from or absorbing a majority of Carroll Wireless’ expected gains or losses. Pending finalization of Carroll Wireless’ permanent financing plan, and upon request by Carroll Wireless, U.S. Cellular may make additional capital contributions and advances to Carroll Wireless and/or its general partner. In November 2005, U.S. Cellular approved additional funding of up to $1.4 million of which $0.1 million was provided to Carroll Wireless through December 31, 2006.

In the first quarter of 2005, TDS adjusted the previously reported gain related to its sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless properties on November 30, 2004. The adjustment of the gain which resulted from a working capital adjustment that was finalized in the first quarter of 2005, increased the total gain on the sale by $0.5 million to $51.4 million.

In addition, in 2005, U.S. Cellular purchased one new wireless market and certain minority interests in other wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $6.9 million in cash. The acquisition costs were allocated among tangible assets and increased Licenses, Goodwill and Customer lists by $3.9 million, $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. TDS Telecom purchased a wireless license for $2.8 million in 2005.

In aggregate, the 2005 acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges increased Licenses by $136.3 million, Goodwill by $28.2 million and Customer lists by $32.7 million.

2004 Activity

On December 20, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of its Daytona Beach Florida 20 megahertz C block personal communications service license to MetroPCS California/Florida Inc. (“MetroPCS”) for $8.5 million. U.S. Cellular recorded impairment losses related to the Daytona license of $1.8 million in 2004; such losses were included in Gain (loss) on investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in Gain (loss) on investments in 2004 was a loss of $0.3 million associated with buying out the former partner of the Daytona investment.

On November 30, 2004, TDS and U.S. Cellular completed the sale to ALLTEL of certain wireless properties. TDS and U.S. Cellular subsidiaries sold three consolidated markets and six minority interests to ALLTEL for $142.9 million in cash, including repayment of debt and working capital that was subject to adjustment. TDS recorded a gain of $50.9 million related to the ALLTEL transaction representing the excess of the cash received over the net book value of the assets and liabilities sold. The portion of the gain related to the two consolidated markets of $10.1 million, was recorded in (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The remaining portion of the gains of $40.8 million was recorded in Gain (loss) on investments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. TDS included the results of operations of the markets sold to ALLTEL in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through November 30, 2004.

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The following table summarizes the recorded value of the assets and liabilities sold to ALLTEL.

 

 

November 30,
2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Assets and liabilities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

$

11,897

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

33,223

 

 

Licenses

 

 

258

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

39,157

 

 

Investment in unconsolidated entities

 

 

21,427

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(3,417

)

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(647

)

 

Minority interest divested

 

 

(9,924

)

 

Net assets sold

 

 

$

91,974

 

 

Gain recorded on sale

 

 

$

50,923

 

 

Cash received

 

 

$

142,897

 

 

 

On February 18, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of certain of its wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless for $96.5 million in cash, including a working capital adjustment. The U.S. Cellular properties sold to AT&T Wireless included wireless assets and customers in six markets. An aggregate loss of $21.3 million (including a $22.0 million estimate of the (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the fourth quarter of 2003 and a $0.7 million reduction of the loss in 2004), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless and the cash received in the transaction, was recorded as a (Gain) loss on sales of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table summarizes the recorded value of the southern Texas assets and liabilities sold to AT&T Wireless.

 

 

February 18,
2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Assets and (liabilities) sold:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

$

4,342

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

46,592

 

 

Licenses

 

 

63,237

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

7,565

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(2,455

)

 

Other assets and liabilities, net

 

 

(1,483

)

 

Net assets sold

 

 

$

117,798

 

 

(Loss) recorded on sale

 

 

$

(21,275

)

 

Cash received

 

 

$

96,523

 

 

 

In addition, in 2004 U.S. Cellular purchased certain minority interests in several wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $40.8 million in cash and $2.0 million to be paid in 2005. These acquisitions increased Licenses, Goodwill and Customer lists by $5.6 million, $4.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively.

In aggregate, the 2004 acquisitions, divestitures and exchanges decreased Licenses by $2.8 million and Goodwill by $34.9 million and increased Customer lists by $12.9 million.

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Pro Forma Operations

Assuming the exchanges and acquisitions accounted for as purchases during the period January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2006, had taken place on January 1, 2005; unaudited pro forma results of operations would have been as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

4,367,692

 

$

3,944,602

 

Interest expense (including cost to finance acquisitions)

 

234,745

 

216,713

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

156,719

 

632,747

 

Net income (loss)

 

156,719

 

633,744

 

Earnings (loss) per share—basic

 

$

1.35

 

$

5.49

 

Earnings (loss) per share—diluted

 

$

1.33

 

$

5.45

 

 

NOTE 6   LICENSES AND GOODWILL

Changes in TDS’s licenses and goodwill are primarily the result of acquisitions, divestitures and impairments of its licenses, wireless markets and telephone companies. See Note 5—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for information regarding purchase and sale transactions which affected licenses and goodwill.

TDS has recorded amounts as licenses and goodwill as a result of accounting for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. TDS’s ownership percentage of U.S. Cellular increases upon such U.S. Cellular share repurchases. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets is allocated principally to licenses and goodwill. For impairment testing purposes, the additional TDS licenses and goodwill amounts are allocated to the same reporting units used by U.S. Cellular. In 2003, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill impairment tests did not result in an impairment loss on a stand-alone basis. However, when the license and goodwill amounts recorded at TDS, as a result of the step acquisitions, was added to the U.S. Cellular licenses and goodwill for impairment testing at the TDS consolidated level, an impairment loss on licenses and goodwill was recorded. Consequently, U.S. Cellular’s license and goodwill balances reported on a stand-alone basis do not match the TDS consolidated license and goodwill balances for U.S. Cellular.

A schedule of activity in Licenses follows:

December 31,

 

 

 


2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Beginning Balance

 

$

1,388,343

 

$

1,252,087

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

1,362,263

 

1,228,801

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

132,674

 

155,407

 

Divestitures

 

 

(21,945

)

Other

 

(610

)

 

 

 

1,494,327

 

1,362,263

 

TDS Licenses related to U.S. Cellular, beginning of year

 

23,280

 

23,286

 

Divestitures

 

 

(6

)

 

 

23,280

 

23,280

 

Balance, end of year

 

1,517,607

 

1,385,543

 

TDS Telecom—CLEC

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

2,800

 

 

Acquisitions

 

 

2,800

 

Balance, end of year

 

2,800

 

2,800

 

Net Change

 

132,064

 

136,256

 

Consolidated Ending Balance

 

$

1,520,407

 

$

1,388,343

 

 

83





(1)            In 2006, includes $127,140 representing deposits made to the FCC for licenses with respect to which Barat Wireless was the high bidder in Auction 66. See Note 5—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for more information related to Barat Wireless.

In response to petitions filed by a Regional Bell Operating Company for increases in rates for certain wholesale services that it provides to competitive local exchange carriers, the state public service commissions of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan issued orders that adversely affected the cost of providing some services for TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier operations in those states, primarily services to residential customers and certain small business customers. The pricing data for the major markets of TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier became available in the fourth quarter of 2004. These pricing changes, as well as other regulatory changes and competitive pressures in 2004, triggered an impairment review by TDS Telecom of its competitive local exchange carrier operation tangible and intangible assets. As a result of the impairment review, TDS Telecom concluded that goodwill associated with the competitive local exchange carrier operations was impaired and recorded a loss on impairment of intangible assets of $29.4 million in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

TDS Telecom’s carrying value for the competitive local exchange carrier operations exceeded the fair value of such operations, thus requiring the second step of the goodwill test. Pursuant to the second step of the goodwill test, TDS Telecom allocated the fair value of the competitive local exchange carrier operations to all of the assets, including unrecognized intangible assets, (e.g., the value of the customer list and trade names) and liabilities of such operations. As a result of this allocation, there was no implied goodwill. Therefore, the carrying amount of goodwill was charged to expense. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the heading “Impairment of Intangible Assets” for a detailed discussion of the goodwill impairment test.

A schedule of activity in Goodwill follows:

December 31,

 

 

 


2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Beginning Balance

 

$

643,636

 

 

$

619,460

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

481,235

 

 

454,830

 

 

Acquisitions

 

4,118

 

 

31,119

 

 

Divestitures

 

 

 

(2,967

)

 

Other

 

99

 

 

(1,747

)

 

 

 

485,452

 

 

481,235

 

 

TDS Goodwill related to U.S. Cellular, beginning of year

 

(238,532

)

 

(236,303

)

 

Divestitures

 

 

 

(2,229

)

 

 

 

(238,532

)

 

(238,532

)

 

Balance, end of year

 

246,920

 

 

242,703

 

 

TDS Telecom—ILEC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

398,652

 

 

398,652

 

 

Balance, end of year

 

398,652

 

 

398,652

 

 

Other (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

2,281

 

 

2,281

 

 

Balance, end of year

 

2,281

 

 

2,281

 

 

Net Change

 

4,217

 

 

24,176

 

 

Consolidated Ending Balance

 

$

647,853

 

 

$

643,636

 

 


(1)            Other consists of goodwill related to Suttle Straus.

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NOTE 7   CUSTOMER LISTS

Customer lists, which are intangible assets resulting from acquisitions of wireless markets, are amortized based on average customer retention periods using the double declining balance method in the first year, switching to the straight-line method over the remaining estimated life. The acquisition of certain consolidated and minority interests in 2006 and 2005 added $2.0 million and $32.7 million, respectively, to the gross balance of customer lists. Amortization expense was $23.5 million, $10.0 million and $12.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense related to customer list assets is expected to be $9.8 million, $7.2 million, $5.4 million, $3.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the years 2007 through 2011.

NOTE 8   MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES

Information regarding TDS’s marketable equity securities is summarized as follows:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable Equity Securities—Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Telekom AG—45,492,172 and 0 Ordinary Shares, respectively

 

$

833,872

 

$

 

Vodafone Group Plc—11,327,674 and 0 American Depositary Receipts, respectively

 

314,683

 

 

VeriSign, Inc.—2,361,333 and 0 Common Shares, respectively

 

56,789

 

 

Aggregate fair value included in Current Assets

 

1,205,344

 

 

Marketable Equity Securities - Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Telekom AG—85,969,689 and 131,461,861 Ordinary Shares, respectively

 

1,575,824

 

2,191,469

 

Vodafone Group Plc—0 and 12,945,915 American Depositary Receipts, respectively

 

 

277,949

 

VeriSign, Inc. - 0 and 2,361,333 Common Shares

 

 

51,760

 

Rural Cellular Corporation - 719,396 equivalent Common Shares

 

9,453

 

10,511

 

Other

 

9

 

1

 

Aggregate fair value included in investments

 

1,585,286

 

2,531,690

 

Total aggregate fair value

 

2,790,630

 

2,531,690

 

Accounting cost basis

 

1,507,477

 

1,543,677

 

Gross holding gains

 

1,283,153

 

988,013

 

Gross realized holding gains

 

(29,729

)

(24,700

)

Gross unrealized holding gains

 

1,253,424

 

963,313

 

Equity method unrealized gains

 

352

 

543

 

Income tax (expense)

 

(488,817

)

(377,845

)

Minority share of unrealized holding gains

 

(14,981

)

(7,738

)

Unrealized holding gains, net of tax and minority share

 

749,978

 

578,273

 

Derivative instruments, net of tax and minority share

 

(215,122

)

(214,632

)

Retirement plans, net of tax

 

(12,743

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

522,113

 

$

363,641

 

 

TDS and its subsidiaries hold a substantial amount of marketable equity securities that are publicly traded and can have volatile movements in share prices. TDS and its subsidiaries do not make direct investments in publicly traded companies and all of these interests were acquired as a result of sales, trades or reorganizations of other assets.

The investment in Deutsche Telekom AG (“Deutsche Telekom”) resulted from TDS’s disposition of its over 80%-owned personal communication services operating subsidiary, Aerial Communications, Inc., to VoiceStream Wireless Corporation (“VoiceStream”) in exchange for stock of VoiceStream, which was then acquired by Deutsche Telekom in exchange for Deutsche Telekom stock. The investment in Vodafone Group Plc (“Vodafone”) resulted from certain dispositions of non-strategic wireless investments to or settlements with AirTouch Communications Inc. (“AirTouch”), in exchange for stock of AirTouch, which was

85




then acquired by Vodafone whereby TDS and its subsidiaries received American Depositary Receipts representing Vodafone stock. The investment in VeriSign, Inc. (“VeriSign”) is the result of the acquisition by VeriSign of Illuminet, Inc., a telecommunication entity in which several TDS subsidiaries held interests. The investment in Rural Cellular Corporation (“Rural Cellular”) is the result of a consolidation of several wireless partnerships in which TDS subsidiaries held interests in Rural Cellular, and the distribution of Rural Cellular stock in exchange for these interests.

The market values of the marketable equity securities may fall below the accounting cost basis of such securities. If TDS determines the decline in value of the marketable equity securities to be other than temporary, the unrealized loss included in Accumulated other comprehensive income is recognized and recorded as a loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

TDS and its subsidiaries have entered into a number of forward contracts related to the majority of its marketable equity securities that they hold. The economic hedge risk management objective of the forward contracts is to hedge the value of the marketable equity securities from losses due to decreases in the market prices of the securities while retaining a share of gains from increases in the market prices of such securities. The downside risk is hedged at or above the accounting cost basis of the securities.

TDS recorded dividend income on its Deutsche Telekom investment of $120.3 million and $105.7 million, before taxes, in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Deutsche Telekom did not pay a dividend in 2004.

The TDS VeriSign forward contracts related to 2,361,333 common shares and the forward contracts related to U.S. Cellular’s 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs mature in May 2007. The forward contracts related to TDS’s 45,492,172 Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares mature between July and September 2007. The forward contracts related to TDS Telecom’s 2,362,976 Vodafone ADR’s mature in October 2007. Accordingly, such VeriSign common shares, Vodafone ADRs and Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares are classified as Current Assets and the related forward contracts and derivative liability are classified as Current Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 25, 2006, shareholders of Vodafone approved a Special Distribution of £0.15 per share (£1.50 per ADR) and a Share Consolidation under which every 8 ADRs of Vodafone were consolidated into 7 ADRs. As a result of the Special Distribution which was paid on August 18, 2006, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom received approximately $28.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in cash; this amount, representing a return of capital for financial statement purposes, was recorded as a reduction in the accounting cost basis of marketable equity securities. Also, as a result of the Share Consolidation which was effective on July 28, 2006, U.S. Cellular’s previous 10,245,370 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs and TDS Telecom’s previous 2,700,545 Vodafone ADRs were consolidated into 2,362,976 ADRs.

Pursuant to terms of the Vodafone forward contracts, the Vodafone contract collars were adjusted and substitution payments were made as a result of the Special Distribution and the Share Consolidation. After adjustment, the collars had downside limits (floor) ranging from $17.22 to $18.37 and upside potentials (ceiling) ranging from $17.22 to $19.11. In the case of two forward contracts, subsidiaries of TDS made a dividend substitution payment in the amount of $3.2 million to the counterparties in lieu of further adjustments to the collars for such forward contracts. The dividend substitution payments were recorded in Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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NOTE 9   INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a minority interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method, as shown in the following table:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Equity method investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital contributions, loans and advances

 

$

30,190

 

$

33,484

 

Goodwill

 

9,156

 

13,758

 

Cumulative share of income

 

528,791

 

471,548

 

Cumulative share of distributions

 

(383,480

)

(314,589

)

 

 

184,657

 

204,201

 

Cost method investments

 

12,979

 

12,979

 

Total investments in unconsolidated entities

 

$

197,636

 

$

217,180

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities totaled $95.2 million, $68.0 million and $65.3 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Investments in unconsolidated entities include goodwill and costs in excess of the underlying book value of certain investments. At December 31, 2006, $188.4 million represented the investment in underlying equity and $9.2 million represented goodwill. At December 31, 2005, $203.4 million represented the investment in underlying equity and $13.8 million represented goodwill.

In 2005, U.S. Cellular reduced the carrying value of one of its equity method investments by $6.8 million, to its estimated fair value. This change was included in Gain (loss) on investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During 2004, TDS reduced the carrying value of one of its cost method investments by $0.5 million. The change was included in Gain (loss) on investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

See Note 5 for additional information related to these transactions.

TDS’s investment in Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership contributed $62.3 million, $52.2 million and $41.8 million in investment income in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. TDS’s more significant investments in unconsolidated entities consist of the following:

 

 

Percentage Ownership

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership

 

5.5

%

5.5

%

Midwest Wireless Communications, L.L.C. (1)

 

 

14.2

%

North Carolina RSA 1 Partnership

 

50.0

%

50.0

%

Oklahoma City SMSA Limited Partnership

 

14.6

%

14.6

%


(1)            In addition, U.S. Cellular owned a 49% interest in an entity which owned an interest of approximately 2.9% in Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C., the parent company of Midwest Wireless Communications L.L.C. See Note 5—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for information on the disposition of this interest.

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Based primarily on data furnished to TDS by third parties, the following summarizes the combined assets, liabilities and equity, and the combined results of operations, of TDS’s equity method investments.

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

516,000

 

$

399,000

 

Due from affiliates

 

387,000

 

447,000

 

Property and other

 

2,015,000

 

1,930,000

 

 

 

$

2,918,000

 

$

2,776,000

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

266,000

 

$

237,000

 

Deferred credits

 

102,000

 

107,000

 

Long-term debt

 

29,000

 

29,000

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

 

45,000

 

39,000

 

Partners’ capital and stockholders’ equity

 

2,476,000

 

2,364,000

 

 

 

$

2,918,000

 

$

2,776,000

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

4,216,000

 

$

3,472,000

 

$

3,088,000

 

Costs and expenses

 

2,922,000

 

2,430,000

 

2,188,000

 

Operating income

 

1,294,000

 

1,042,000

 

900,000

 

Other income (expense)

 

53,000

 

21,000

 

37,000

 

Net income

 

$

1,347,000

 

$

1,063,000

 

$

937,000

 

 

NOTE 10   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

U.S. Cellular’s property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cell site-related equipment

 

$

2,329,898

 

$

2,156,773

 

Land, buildings and leasehold improvements

 

1,002,994

 

873,304

 

Switching-related equipment

 

757,183

 

675,053

 

Office furniture and equipment

 

412,914

 

361,647

 

Other operating equipment

 

285,009

 

229,176

 

Systems development

 

238,347

 

226,864

 

Work in process

 

94,649

 

92,417

 

 

 

5,120,994

 

4,615,234

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(2,492,146

)

(2,062,205

)

 

 

$

2,628,848

 

$

2,553,029

 

 

Useful lives of property, plant and equipment generally range from six to twenty-five years for cell site-related equipment; twenty years for buildings; three to ten years, which approximates the shorter of the assets’ economic lives or the specific lease terms, for leasehold improvements; one to eight years for switching-related equipment; three to five years for office furniture and equipment; three to seven years for systems development; and five to twenty-five years for other operating equipment.

Depreciation expense totaled $516.6 million, $465.1 million and $454.7 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense on system development costs totaled $27.9 million, $29.4 million and $30.3 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In 2006, disposals of assets, trade-ins of older assets for replacement assets and write-offs of Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”) equipment totaled $19.6 million.

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In 2005 and 2004, certain U.S. Cellular TDMA digital radio equipment was taken out of service and written down by $5.1 million and $17.2 million, respectively, increasing depreciation expense accordingly. These writedowns were necessary to reduce the book value of the assets sold or to be sold to the proceeds received or expected to be received from their disposition.

In 2004, in preparation for the implementation of a fixed asset management and tracking system, including a bar code asset identification feature, U.S. Cellular conducted a physical inventory of its cell site fixed assets. As a result of the physical inventory and related reconciliation, U.S. Cellular charged $1.0 million and $11.9 million to depreciation expense in 2005 and 2004, respectively, for the write-off of certain assets.

During 2004, U.S. Cellular adjusted the useful lives of TDMA radio equipment, switch software and antenna equipment. TDMA radio equipment lives were adjusted so that the assets will be fully depreciated by the end of 2008, which is the latest date the wireless industry will be required by law to support analog service. U.S. Cellular currently uses TDMA radio equipment to support analog service, and expects to have its digital radio network fully migrated to Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) 1XRTT or some future generation of CDMA technology by that time. The useful lives for certain switch software were reduced to one year from three years and antenna equipment lives were reduced to seven years from eight years in order to better align the useful lives with the actual length of time the assets are expected to be in use. These changes increased depreciation expense by $17.2 million in 2004. The changes in useful lives reduced net income by $8.5 million or $0.07 per share in 2004.

TDS Telecom’s property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Incumbent Local Exchange Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Cable and wire

 

$

1,154,572

 

$

1,112,568

 

Central office equipment

 

673,152

 

633,733

 

Office furniture and equipment

 

81,410

 

104,807

 

Systems development

 

124,038

 

133,085

 

Land and buildings

 

83,024

 

83,212

 

Other equipment

 

69,355

 

64,579

 

Work in process

 

37,514

 

44,490

 

 

 

2,223,065

 

2,176,474

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(1,396,684

)

(1,332,357

)

 

 

826,381

 

844,117

 

Competitive Local Exchange Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Cable and wire

 

65,709

 

65,745

 

Central office equipment

 

157,905

 

150,414

 

Office furniture and equipment

 

24,998

 

25,049

 

Systems development

 

15,367

 

13,804

 

Land and buildings

 

365

 

365

 

Other equipment

 

10,794

 

7,405

 

Work in process

 

1,644

 

5,045

 

 

 

276,782

 

267,827

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(182,813

)

(166,090

)

 

 

93,969

 

101,737

 

Total

 

$

920,350

 

$

945,854

 

 

Useful lives of incumbent local exchange property generally range from fifteen to twenty years for cable and wire, eight to twelve years for central office equipment, five to ten years for office furniture and equipment, five to seven years for systems development and ten to fifteen years for other equipment. Buildings are depreciated over thirty years. The provision for depreciation as a percentage of depreciable property was 6.4% in 2006, 6.5% in 2005 and 6.6% in 2004. Depreciation expense totaled $133.9 million, $133.3 million and $129.7 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense totaled $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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Useful lives of competitive local exchange property generally range from fifteen to twenty years for cable and wire, five to twelve years for central office equipment, five to ten years for office furniture and equipment, five to seven years for systems development and ten to fifteen years for other equipment. Buildings are depreciated over thirty years. The provision for depreciation as a percentage of depreciable property was 8.5% in 2006, 11.3% in 2005 and 12.0% in 2004. Depreciation expense totaled $20.2 million, $24.9 million and $33.9 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense totaled $4.0 million, $5.5 million and $4.4 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

As discussed in Note 6—Licenses and Goodwill, regulatory changes and competitive pressures in 2004 triggered an impairment review by TDS Telecom of its competitive local exchange carrier operations’ tangible assets. As a result of the impairment review, TDS Telecom concluded that the long-lived tangible assets of its competitive local exchange carrier operations were impaired and recorded a loss on impairment of tangible assets of $87.9 million in the Statement of Operations.

TDS reviewed the long-lived assets for possible impairment based on an estimate of related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining asset lives. TDS concluded that the undiscounted cash flows attributable to the fixed assets were less than the carrying values of the fixed assets, thus requiring the second step of the long-lived asset impairment test. Pursuant to the second step of the long-lived asset impairment test, TDS Telecom calculated the fair value of the fixed assets. The loss recognized is the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the fixed assets. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under the heading “Impairment of Tangible Assets” for a detailed discussion of the long-lived asset impairment test.

Corporate and other property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

$

79,905

 

$

72,442

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(47,717

)

(41,565

)

Total

 

$

32,188

 

$

30,877

 

 

Corporate and other fixed assets consist of assets at the TDS corporate offices and Suttle Straus. The corporate assets primarily consist of office furniture and equipment with useful lives ranging from three to seven years. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed on a straight line basis and is assessed out to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. The amounts assessed out totaled $6.1 million, $6.2 million and $5.7 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004. The Suttle Straus assets primarily consist of a building, equipment and vehicles with useful lives ranging from 31.5 years for the building to three to seven years for equipment and vehicles. Depreciation expense is computed on a straight line basis and totaled $2.8 million, $2.8 million and $2.5 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004.

NOTE 11   ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

U.S. Cellular is subject to asset retirement obligations associated primarily with its cell sites, retail sites and office locations. Asset retirement obligations generally include obligations to remediate leased land on which U.S. Cellular’s cell sites and switching offices are located. U.S. Cellular is also generally required to return leased retail store premises and office space to their pre-existing conditions.

During the third quarter of 2006, U.S. Cellular reviewed the assumptions related to its asset retirement obligations and, as a result of the review, revised certain of those assumptions. Estimated retirement obligations for cell sites were revised to reflect higher estimated costs for removal of radio and power equipment, and estimated retirement obligations for retail stores were revised to reflect a shift to larger stores and slightly higher estimated costs for removal of fixtures. These changes are reflected in “Revision in estimated cash flows” below.

90




The change in U.S. Cellular’s asset retirement obligation during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

90,224

 

$

72,575

 

Additional liabilities accrued

 

15,697

 

7,920

 

Revision in estimated cash flows

 

13,415

 

 

Acquisition of assets

 

1,237

 

5,461

 

Disposition of assets

 

(164

)

(2,032

)

Accretion expense

 

7,230

 

6,300

 

Ending balance

 

$

127,639

 

$

90,224

 

 

TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ rates are regulated by the respective state public utility commissions and the FCC and, therefore, the effects of the rate-making actions of these regulatory bodies are reflected in the financial statements of the TDS incumbent local exchange carriers. The incumbent local exchange carriers have recorded an asset retirement obligation in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 143 and a regulatory liability for the costs of removal that state public utility commissions have required to be recorded for regulatory accounting purposes which are in excess of the amounts required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 143. These amounts combined make up the asset retirement obligation for the incumbent local exchange carriers.

The change in TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ asset retirement obligation and regulatory obligation during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

97,509

 

$

93,318

 

Additional liabilities incurred

 

4,800

 

4,879

 

Costs of removal

 

(697

)

(688

)

Accretion expense

 

35

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

101,647

 

$

97,509

 

 

The regulatory liability included in TDS Telecom’s incumbent local exchange carriers’ asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $62.6 million and $61.0 million, respectively. The asset retirement obligation calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 143 at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $39.0 million and $36.5 million, respectively.

FIN 47 was issued in March 2005 and became effective for TDS beginning December 31, 2005. This Interpretation clarified that the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in SFAS No. 143 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method of settlement. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. In accordance with FIN 47, TDS recorded an asset retirement obligation in the fourth quarter of 2005 of $2.6 million and an increase in gross fixed assets of $1.8 million for TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carrier. The pre-tax effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.4 million.

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The change in TDS Telecom’s competitive local exchange carriers’ asset retirement obligation during 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

2,649

 

$

 

Additional liabilities incurred

 

186

 

2,649

 

Accretion expense

 

191

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

3,026

 

$

2,649

 

 

NOTE 12 NOTES PAYABLE

TDS has used short-term debt to finance acquisitions, for general corporate purposes and to repurchase common shares. Proceeds from the sale of long-term debt from time to time have been used to reduce such short-term debt. Proceeds from the sale of non-strategic wireless and other investments from time to time also have been used to reduce short-term debt.

TDS has a $600 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2006, letters of credit outstanding were $3.4 million, leaving $596.6 million available for use. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a contractual spread based on TDS’s credit rating. TDS may select borrowing periods of either seven days or one, two, three or six months. At December 31, 2006, one-month LIBOR was 5.32% and the contractual spread was 60 basis points. If TDS provides less than two days’ notice of intent to borrow, the related borrowings bear interest at the prime rate less 50 basis points (the prime rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2006). This credit facility expires in December 2009. In 2006, TDS paid fees at an aggregate annual rate of 0.33% of the total $600 million facility. These fees totaled $2.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

TDS also had $75 million in direct bank lines of credit at December 31, 2006, all of which were unused. The terms of the direct bank lines of credit provide for borrowings at negotiated rates up to the prime rate.

U.S. Cellular has a $700 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2006, outstanding notes payable and letters of credit were $35.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, leaving $664.6 million available for use. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the LIBOR plus a contractual spread based on U.S. Cellular’s credit rating. U.S. Cellular may select borrowing periods of either seven days or one, two, three or six months. At December 31, 2006, the one-month LIBOR was 5.32% and the contractual spread was 60 basis points. If U.S. Cellular provides less than two days’ notice of intent to borrow, the related borrowings bear interest at the prime rate less 50 basis points (the prime rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2006). This credit facility expires in December 2009. In 2006, U.S. Cellular paid fees at an aggregate annual rate of 0.33% of the total facility. These fees totaled $2.3 million in 2006, $1.0 million in 2005 and $1.5 million in 2004.

Information concerning notes payable is shown in the table that follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

35,000

 

$

135,000

 

Weighted average interest rate at end of year

 

5.96

%

5.00

%

Maximum amount outstanding during the year

 

$

170,000

 

$

135,000

 

Average amount outstanding during the year (1)

 

91,250

 

45,000

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year (1)

 

5.68

%

4.00

%


(1)            The average was computed based on month-end balances.

The financial covenants associated with TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s lines of credit require that each company maintain certain debt-to- capital and interest coverage ratios. In addition, the financial covenants associated with revolving credit facilities and lines of credit of certain subsidiaries require that these subsidiaries maintain certain debt-to-capital and interest coverage ratios. The covenants of U.S. Cellular’s

92




revolving credit facility prescribe certain terms associated with intercompany loans from TDS or TDS subsidiaries to U.S. Cellular or U.S. Cellular subsidiaries.

TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s interest cost on their revolving credit facilities as of December 31, 2006 would increase if their credit ratings from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Service (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) were lowered. However, the credit facilities would not cease to be available or accelerate solely as a result of a decline in TDS’s or U.S. Cellular’s credit rating. A downgrade in TDS’s or U.S. Cellular’s credit rating could adversely affect their ability to renew existing, or obtain access to new, credit facilities in the future. TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings as of the dates indicated, are as follows:

Moody’s (Issued November 10, 2005)

Baa3

under review for possible further downgrade

Standard & Poor’s (Issued April 23, 2007)

BB+

on credit watch with negative implications

Fitch Ratings (Issued November 10, 2005)

BBB+

on ratings watch negative

 

TDS and U.S. Cellular’s credit ratings may be changed at any time and such ratings should not be assumed to be accurate as of any future date.

On October 26, 2006, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB+ from A-. The outlook was stable. On November 7, 2006, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB from BBB+. The ratings were placed on credit watch with negative implications. On February 13, 2007, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit ratings on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BBB- from BBB. The ratings remain on credit watch with negative implications. On April 23, 2007, Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit rating on TDS and U.S. Cellular to BB+ from BBB-. The ratings remain on credit watch with negative implications.

The maturity dates of borrowings under TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s revolving credit facilities would accelerate in the event of a change in control.

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 represent certain matters at the time of each borrowing. On November 10, 2005 and November 6, 2006, TDS and U.S. Cellular announced that they would restate certain financial statements which caused TDS and U.S. Cellular to be late in certain filings. In addition, on April 23, 2007, TDS announced another restatement that caused further delay in TDS’s SEC filings. The restatements and late filings resulted in defaults under the revolving credit agreements and one line of credit agreement. TDS and U.S. Cellular were not in violation of any covenants that require TDS and U.S. Cellular to maintain certain financial ratios. TDS and U.S. Cellular did not fail to make any scheduled payments under such credit agreements. TDS and U.S. Cellular received waivers from the lenders associated with the credit agreements, under which the lenders agreed to waive any defaults that may have occurred as a result of the restatements and late filings. The waivers, as amended, require the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 to be filed by June 30, 2007 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to filed within 45 days after the filing of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. U.S. Cellular filed its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 on April 23, 2007 and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 on May 15, 2007.

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NOTE 13 LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is as follows:

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (Parent)

 

 

 

 

 

6.625% senior notes, maturing 2045

 

$

116,250

 

$

116,250

 

7.6% Series A notes, due in 2041

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

Medium-term notes, 0.0% in 2006 and 10.0% in 2005, due 2006

 

 

35,000

 

7.0% senior notes, maturing in 2006

 

 

200,000

 

Purchase contracts, averaging 6.0%, due through 2021

 

1,097

 

1,097

 

Total Parent

 

617,347

 

852,347

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

6.7% senior notes maturing in 2033

 

544,000

 

544,000

 

Unamortized discount

 

(12,161

)

(12,615

)

 

 

531,839

 

531,385

 

7.5% senior notes, maturing in 2034

 

330,000

 

330,000

 

8.75% senior notes, maturing in 2032

 

130,000

 

130,000

 

Other, 9.0% due in 2009

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

TDS Telecom

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Utilities Service notes, 0.0% in 2006 and 0.0% in 2005, due
through 2013

 

4,041

 

4,634

 

Other long-term notes, 0.0% in 2006 and 0.0% in 2005, due
through 2017

 

35

 

35

 

Other Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term notes and leases, 2.7% to 9.9%, due through 2009

 

12,963

 

13,066

 

Total Subsidiaries

 

1,018,878

 

1,019,120

 

Total Long-term debt

 

1,636,225

 

1,871,467

 

Less: Current portion of long-term debt

 

2,917

 

237,948

 

Total Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

$

1,633,308

 

$

1,633,519

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (Parent)

On March 31, 2005, TDS issued $116.25 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.625% senior notes due March 31, 2045. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly. TDS may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on and after March 31, 2010, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $112.6 million.

The unsecured 7.6% Series A notes, issued in 2001, are due in 2041. Interest is payable quarterly. The notes are redeemable by TDS beginning December 2006 at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Medium-term notes aggregating $35.0 million had an initial redemption date in 2006. Interest is payable semi-annually. Medium-term notes may be redeemed by TDS at par value plus accrued but unpaid interest. TDS redeemed these notes on January 23, 2006 and February 27, 2006 at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date. TDS redeemed medium-term notes aggregating $17.2 million in 2005.

The unsecured 7.0% senior notes were due August 2006. Interest was payable semi-annually. On August 1, 2006, TDS repaid $200.0 million plus accrued interest.

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Subsidiaries—U.S. Cellular

In June 2004, U.S. Cellular issued $330 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 7.5% senior notes due June 15, 2034. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly. U.S. Cellular may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on and after June 17, 2009, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $319.6 million.

Also, in June 2004, U.S. Cellular issued $100 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 6.7% senior notes due December 15, 2033, priced to yield 7.21% to maturity. The net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, were approximately $92.9 million. This was a further issuance of U.S. Cellular’s 6.7% senior notes that were issued in December 2003, in the aggregate principal amount of $444 million.

In December 2003, U.S. Cellular issued $444 million of 6.7% senior notes due December 15, 2033, priced to yield 6.83% to maturity. Interest is paid semi-annually. U.S. Cellular may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

U.S. Cellular’s $130 million of 8.75% senior notes are due November 1, 2032. Interest is paid quarterly. U.S. Cellular may redeem the notes beginning in 2007 at the principal amount plus accrued interest.

Subsidiaries—TDS Telecom

Prior to 2005, TDS Telecom’s Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”), Rural Telephone Bank (“RTB”) and Federal Financing Bank Mortgage notes issued under certain loan agreements with the RUS, RTB and Federal Financing Bank, agencies of the United States of America, were repaid in equal monthly or quarterly installments covering principal and interest beginning six months to three years after dates of issue and expiring through 2035. Substantially all telephone plant of the incumbent local exchange companies was pledged under RUS and RTB mortgage notes and various other obligations of the telephone subsidiaries.

On March 31, 2005, TDS Telecom subsidiaries repaid approximately $105.6 million in principal amount of notes to the RUS and the RTB plus accrued interest of $0.6 million. TDS Telecom subsidiaries incurred prepayment costs of $0.6 million associated with these repayments. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the notes totaling $0.1 million were expensed and included in Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The RUS and RTB debt, held at individual TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carriers, had a weighted average interest rate of 5.5% and maturity of approximately 12 years.

On June 30, 2005, TDS Telecom subsidiaries repaid approximately $127.0 million in principal amount of notes to the RUS, the RTB, and the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), all agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (“RTFC”), a member-owned, not-for-profit lending cooperative that serves the financial needs of the rural telecommunications industry. TDS Telecom subsidiaries paid accrued interest of $0.8 million and additional prepayment costs of $1.2 million associated with these repayments. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the notes totaling $0.3 million were expensed and included in Other income (expense), net in the Statements of Operations. The RUS, RTB, FFB and RTFC debt, held at individual TDS Telecom incumbent local exchange carriers, had a weighted average interest rate of 6.2% and maturity of approximately 15 years.

The remaining RUS long-term debt consists of rural economic development loans that are financed by RUS to provide low-to zero-interest loans to electric and telephone utilities to promote sustainable rural economic development and job creation projects. All of these funds have been loaned to businesses in the communities that TDS Telecom serves to promote economic growth.

95




Consolidated

The annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt, excluding amounts due on the forward contracts, are approximately $3.0 million, $3.3 million, $14.5 million, $4.0 million and $0.3 million for the years 2007 through 2011, respectively.

The covenants associated with TDS’s long-term debt obligations, among other things, restrict TDS’s ability, subject to certain exclusions, to incur additional liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and sell, consolidate or merge assets.

The late filing of TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s Forms 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006 and Forms 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and the failure to deliver such Forms 10-Q and 10-K to the trustees of the TDS and U.S. Cellular debt indentures on a timely basis, resulted in non-compliance under such debt indentures. However, this non-compliance did not result in an event of default or a default. TDS and U.S. Cellular believe that such non-compliance was cured upon the filing of their respective Forms 10-Q and Forms 10-K. 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.

In addition, the covenants associated with long-term debt obligations of certain subsidiaries of TDS, among other things, restrict these subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exclusions, to incur additional liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; sell, consolidate or merge assets, and pay dividends.

Forward Contracts

TDS maintains a portfolio of available-for-sale marketable equity securities, the majority of which are the result of sales or trades of non-strategic assets. Subsidiaries of TDS have prepaid forward contracts with counterparties in connection with its Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and VeriSign marketable equity securities with proceeds aggregating $1,631.8 million. The principal amount of the forward contracts was accounted for as a loan. The prepaid forward contracts contain embedded collars that are bifurcated and receive separate accounting treatment in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”). The following table summarizes certain facts surrounding the contracted securities, pledged as collateral for the forward contracts.

December 31,

 

2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2005

 

Security

 

 

 

Shares

 

Loan
Amount

 

Shares

 

Loan
Amount

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward Contracts—Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Telekom

 

45,492,172

 

$

516,892

 

 

 

$

 

Vodafone

 

11,327,674

 

201,038

 

 

 

 

VeriSign

 

2,361,333

 

20,819

 

 

 

 

Unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

(341

)

 

 

 

VeriSign, net of unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

20,478

 

 

 

 

Total Forward Contracts included in Current Liabilities

 

 

 

738,408

 

 

 

 

Forward Contracts—Long-term Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Telekom

 

85,969,689

 

1,015,365

 

131,461,861

 

1,532,257

 

Unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

(28,064

)

 

 

(45,499

)

Deutsche Telekom, net of unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

987,301

 

 

 

1,486,758

 

Vodafone

 

 

 

 

12,945,915

 

201,038

 

VeriSign

 

 

 

 

2,361,333

 

20,819

 

Unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,333

)

VeriSign, net of unamortized debt discount

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,486

 

Total Forward Contracts included in Long-Term Debt

 

 

 

987,301

 

 

 

1,707,282

 

Total Forward Contracts

 

 

 

$

1,725,709

 

 

 

$

1,707,282

 

 

96




The Deutsche Telekom forward contracts mature from July 2007 to September 2008. Contracts aggregating $1,094.3 million require quarterly interest payments at the LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points (the three-month LIBOR rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2006). Contracts aggregating $438.0 million are structured as zero coupon obligations with a weighted average effective interest rate of 4.4% per year. No interest payments are required for the zero coupon obligations during the contract period.

The Vodafone forward contracts mature in May and October 2007. The Vodafone forward contracts require quarterly interest payments at the LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points (the three-month LIBOR rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2006).

The VeriSign forward contract matures in May 2007 and is structured as a zero coupon obligation with an effective interest rate of 5.0% per year. TDS is not required to make interest payments during the contract period.

The TDS VeriSign forward contracts related to 2,361,333 common shares and the forward contracts related to U.S. Cellular’s 8,964,698 Vodafone ADRs mature in May 2007. The forward contracts related to 45,492,172 Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares mature between July and September 2007. The forward contracts related to TDS Telecom’s 2,362,976 Vodafone ADR’s mature in October 2007. Accordingly, such VeriSign common shares, Vodafone ADRs and Deutsche Telekom ordinary shares are classified as Current Assets and the related forward contracts and derivative liability are classified as Current Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006.

Forward contracts aggregating $738.7 million and $1,015.4 million mature in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

The economic hedge risk management objective of the forward contracts is to hedge the value of the marketable equity securities from losses due to decreases in the market prices of the securities (“downside limit”) while retaining a share of gains from increases in the market prices of such securities (“upside potential”). The downside limit is hedged at or above the accounting cost basis of the securities.

Under the terms of the forward contracts, subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular will continue to own the contracted shares and will receive dividends paid on such contracted shares, if any. The forward contracts mature from May 2007 to September 2008 and, at TDS’s and U.S. Cellular’s option, may be settled in shares of the respective security or in cash, pursuant to formulas that “collar” the price of the shares. The collars effectively limit downside risk and upside potential on the contracted shares. The collars typically are adjusted contractually for any changes in dividends on the underlying shares. If the dividend increases, the collar’s upside potential typically is reduced. If the dividend decreases, the collar’s upside potential typically is increased. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in shares, they will be required to deliver the number of shares of the contracted security determined pursuant to the formula. If shares are delivered in the settlement of the forward contract, TDS and U.S. Cellular would incur a current tax liability at the time of delivery based on the difference between the tax basis of the marketable equity securities delivered and the net amount realized through maturity. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in cash, they will be required to pay an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of the number of shares determined pursuant to the formula. TDS and U.S. Cellular have provided guarantees to the counterparties which provide assurance that all principal and interest amounts are paid by their consolidated subsidiaries upon settlement of the contracts.

TDS and U.S. Cellular are required to comply with certain covenants under the forward contracts. On November 10, 2005 and November 6, 2006, TDS and U.S. Cellular announced that they would restate certain financial statements which caused TDS and U.S. Cellular to be late in certain SEC filings. In addition, on April 23, 2007, TDS announced another restatement that caused a further delay in TDS’s SEC filings. The restatements and late filings resulted in defaults under the forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular were not in violation of any covenants that require TDS and U.S. Cellular to maintain certain financial ratios. TDS and U.S. Cellular did not fail to make any scheduled payments under such forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular received waivers from the counterparty to such forward contracts, under which the counterparty agreed to waive any defaults that may have occurred as a result of the restatements and late filings. The waivers, as amended, require the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 to be filed by June 30, 2007 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to filed within 45 days after the filing of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. U.S. Cellular filed its Form 10-K for

97




the year ended December 31, 2006 on April 23, 2007 and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 on May 15, 2007.

NOTE 14   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND DERIVATIVES

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments are as follows:

December 31,

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Book Value

 

Fair Value

 

Book Value

 

Fair Value

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,015,900

 

$

1,015,900

 

$

1,095,791

 

$

1,095,791

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

2,917

 

2,917

 

237,948

 

237,948

 

Notes payable

 

35,000

 

35,000

 

135,000

 

135,000

 

Long-term debt

 

1,633,308

 

1,636,164

 

1,633,519

 

1,645,981

 

Forward contracts

 

1,725,709

 

1,718,104

 

1,707,282

 

1,697,565

 

Preferred shares

 

$

863

 

$

745

 

$

3,863

 

$

2,741

 

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, the current portion of long-term debt and notes payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of TDS’s long-term debt was estimated using market prices for the 7.6% Series A notes, the 7.0% senior notes, the 6.7% senior notes, the 7.5% senior notes, the 8.75% senior notes and discounted cash flow analysis for the remaining debt. The carrying amounts of the variable rate forward contracts approximates fair value due to the repricing of the instruments on a quarterly basis. The fair value of the zero coupon forward contracts and preferred shares were determined using discounted cash flow analysis.

Derivatives

Subsidiaries of TDS have forward contracts in connection with its Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and VeriSign marketable equity securities. The principal amount of the forward contracts is accounted for as a loan. The collar portions of the forward contracts are accounted for as derivative instruments. The following table summarizes the shares contracted and the downside limit and upside potential.

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Downside

 

Upside

 

 

 

 

 

Limit

 

Potential

 

Security

 

 

 

Shares

 

(Floor)

 

(Ceiling)

 

VeriSign

 

2,361,333

 

$

8.82

 

$

11.46

 

Vodafone

 

11,327,674

 

$

17.22-$18.37

 

$

17.22-$19.11

 

Deutsche Telekom

 

131,461,861

 

$

10.74-$12.41

 

$

13.04-$15.69

 

 

The forward contracts for the forecasted transactions and hedged items are designated as cash flow or fair value hedges and recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their fair value. The fair value of the derivative instruments is determined using the Black-Scholes model.

From inception until the initial adjustment in the embedded collars, the forward contracts related to Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone were originally designated as cash flow hedges, where changes in the fair value of the forward contracts are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income until they are recognized in earnings when the forward contract is settled. However, TDS did not de-designate, re-designate, and assess hedge effectiveness when the embedded collars were contractually adjusted for differences between the actual and assumed dividend rate. Consequently, TDS concluded that, after the initial contractual adjustment in the embedded collars, the hedges no longer qualify for cash flow hedge accounting and are accounted for as derivative instruments that do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. The changes in fair value of the embedded collars are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Upon settlement of the forward contracts, the unrealized gain included in Accumulated other comprehensive income from the inception of the forward contracts until the first adjustment of the embedded collars of $215.1 million, as of December 31, 2006, will be reclassified to the Consolidated

98




Statements of Operations along with the unrealized gain or loss on the Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities delivered to the counterparty or otherwise sold.

The VeriSign forward contract is designated as a fair value hedge, where effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based upon the intrinsic value of the underlying options. The intrinsic value of the forward contract is defined as the difference between the applicable option strike price and the market value of the contracted shares on the balance sheet date. Changes in the intrinsic value of the options are expected to be perfectly effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of the options are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations along with the changes in the fair value of the underlying marketable equity securities.

Management has evaluated the expected timing of the hedged forecasted transactions to deliver the underlying shares to settle the forward contracts, and believes that these forecasted transactions are probable of occurring in the periods specified in the related hedge documentation or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter.

TDS reported a derivative liability of $753.8 million at December 31, 2006; of this amount $360.0 million was current and $393.8 million was noncurrent. TDS reported a derivative liability of $449.2 million at December 31, 2005, all noncurrent. These amounts are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets caption Derivative liability.

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments totaled a loss of $299.5 million in 2006, a gain of $733.7 million in 2005 and a loss of $519.0 million in 2004. Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments reflects the change in the fair value of the bifurcated embedded collars within the forward contracts related to the Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities not designated as a hedge. The accounting for the embedded collars as derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship results in increased volatility in the results of operations, as fluctuations in the market price of the underlying Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone marketable equity securities result in changes in the fair value of the embedded collars being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in the fair value adjustment of derivative instruments are the gains and losses related to the ineffectiveness of the VeriSign fair value hedge which aggregated a $1.6 million gain, $0.6 million gain and $2.2 million loss for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

NOTE 15   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension Plan

TDS sponsors a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan. The plan provides benefits for the employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and U.S. Cellular. Under this plan, pension costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded currently. Total pension costs were $14.3 million, $13.4 million and $12.3 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

TDS also sponsors an unfunded nonqualified deferred supplemental executive retirement plan to supplement the benefits under the plan to offset the reduction of benefits caused by the limitation on annual employee compensation under the tax laws.

Other Post-Retirement Benefits

TDS sponsors two defined benefit post-retirement plans that cover most of the employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and the subsidiaries of TDS Telecom. One plan provides medical benefits and the other provides life insurance benefits. Both plans are contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The medical plan anticipates future cost sharing changes that reflect TDS’s intent to increase retiree contributions as a portion of total cost.

In September 2006, the FASB released SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”). Under the new standard, companies must recognize a net liability or asset to report the funded status of their defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans on their balance sheets. The recognition, disclosure and measurement provisions of SFAS 158 have been adopted by TDS as of December 31, 2006.

99




The incremental effect of applying SFAS Statement 158 on individual line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive Income as of December 31, 2006 are shown below.


(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Before Application
of Statement 158

 


Adjustments

 

After Application
of Statement 158

 

Liability for other post-retirement benefits (1)

 

 

$

4,966

 

 

 

$

20,297

 

 

 

$

25,263

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

958,224

 

 

 

(7,876

)

 

 

950,348

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

6,406,088

 

 

 

12,421

 

 

 

6,418,509

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

534,534

 

 

 

(12,421

)

 

 

522,113

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

$

3,582,841

 

 

 

$

(12,421

)

 

 

$

3,570,420

 

 


(1)            Liability for other post-retirement benefits is included in the line item Other deferred liabilities and credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Amounts Recognized in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

Net Transition Obligation

 

 

$

 

 

Net Prior Service Costs

 

 

(6,172

)

 

Net Actuarial Loss (Gain)

 

 

26,469

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,297

 

 

 

The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service cost for the postretirement benefit plan that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost during 2007 are $1.4 million and $0.8 million; respectively.

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the other post-retirement benefit plans.

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Change in benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

51,385

 

$

46,880

 

Service cost

 

2,177

 

2,212

 

Interest cost

 

2,765

 

2,636

 

Actuarial loss

 

6,406

 

2,082

 

Benefits paid

 

(2,325

)

(2,425

)

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

60,408

 

51,385

 

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

28,067

 

23,279

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

4,019

 

1,732

 

Employer contribution

 

5,541

 

5,481

 

Benefits paid

 

(2,482

)

(2,425

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

35,145

 

28,067

 

Funded status

 

(25,263

)

(23,318

)

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

 

 

22,657

 

Unrecognized prior service cost

 

 

(7,002

)

(Accrued) benefit cost

 

$

(25,263

)

$

(7,663

)

 

100




Net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 includes the following components.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

2,177

 

$

2,212

 

$

2,362

 

Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation

 

2,765

 

2,636

 

2,674

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(2,593

)

(2,231

)

(1,776

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized prior service cost (1)

 

(830

)

(1,117

)

(715

)

Unrecognized net loss (2)

 

1,168

 

1,153

 

949

 

Net post-retirement cost

 

$

2,687

 

$

2,653

 

$

3,494

 


(1)            Based on straight-line amortization over the average time remaining before active employees become fully eligible for plan benefits.

(2)            Based on straight-line amortization over the average time remaining before active employees retire.

The following assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost.

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Discount rate

 

5.80

%

5.50

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

8.50

%

8.50

%

 

In determining the discount rate, TDS considered the Moody’s Aa Corporate Bond Index and actuarial bond yield curves that matched the expected timing and cash flows of TDS’s benefit payments. TDS determined that the Moody’s Aa Corporate Bond Index rate adequately matched the expected timing and cash flows of TDS’s benefit payments, and that no adjustments were needed.

The measurement date for actuarial determination was December 31, 2006. For measurement purposes, the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2006 to be 12.5% for plan participants aged 65 and above, and 10.2% for participants under age 65. For all participants the 2006 annual rate of increase is expected to 5% by 2013. The 2005 expected rate of increase was 12% for plan participants aged 65 and above, and 10% for participants under age 65, decreasing to 5.0% by 2011.

The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one percentage point increase or decrease in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects.

 

 

One Percentage Point

 

 

 

Increase

 

Decrease

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

 

 

$

1,093

 

 

 

$

(916

)

 

Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation

 

 

$

8,932

 

 

 

$

(7,781

)

 

 

The following table describes how plan assets are invested.

 

 

 

 

Allocation of Plan Assets

 

Investment

 

Target Asset

 

At December 31,

 

Category

 

 

 

Allocation

 

2006

 

2005

 

U.S. Equities

 

 

50

%

 

52.8

%

52.2

%

International Equities

 

 

15

%

 

15.5

%

15.4

%

Debt Securities

 

 

35

%

 

31.7

%

32.4

%

 

The post-retirement benefit fund engages multiple asset managers to ensure proper diversification of the investment portfolio within each asset category. The investment objective is to exceed the rate of return of a performance index comprised of 50% Wilshire 5000 Stock Index, 15% MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Stock Index, and 35% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. Historical average annual rates of return for this index exceed 8.5%, the expected rate of return used for planning.

101




The post-retirement benefit fund does not hold any debt or equity securities issued by TDS, U.S. Cellular or any related parties.

TDS is not required to set aside current funds for its future retiree health and life insurance benefits. The decision to contribute to the plan assets is based upon several factors, including the funded status of the plan, market conditions, alternative investment opportunities, tax benefits and other circumstances. Total accumulated contributions to fund the costs of future retiree medical benefits are restricted to an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the total accumulated contributions to the pension trust. An additional contribution equal to a reasonable amortization of the past service cost may be made without regard to the 25 percent limitation. TDS expects to fund $7.0 million in 2007 for the 2006 contribution to the plan.

The following estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid:

Year

 

 

 

Post-retirement
Insurance Paid

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

2007

 

$  2,463

 

2008

 

2,618

 

2009

 

2,849

 

2010

 

2,954

 

2011

 

3,068

 

2012-2016

 

$18,371

 

 

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act expanded Medicare coverage, primarily by adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible participants starting in 2006. The Act provided employers currently sponsoring prescription drug programs for Medicare-eligible participants with a range of options for coordinating with the new government-sponsored program to potentially reduce employers’ costs. One alternative allowed employers to receive a subsidy from the federal government for all retirees enrolled in the employer-sponsored prescription drug plan. Final regulations released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) in 2005, along with additional guidance issued throughout 2005, led to a final determination that the plan would qualify for the government subsidy for calendar year 2006. After an evaluation of the options available, TDS determined that the most beneficial option would be to accept the direct subsidy from the federal government. During the fourth quarter of 2005, TDS notified its employees of this decision and applied for the federal subsidy.

TDS’s accumulated postretirement benefit obligation “APBO” has been reduced by approximately $17.1 million and $16.0 million as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 as a result of this subsidy. As previously disclosed, the APBO was reduced by $3.1 million as of December 31, 2004 based on TDS’s original intention to coordinate the plan’s benefits with those of Medicare (wrap-around approach). A reduction in TDS’s FAS No. 106 net periodic postretirement benefit cost due to the anticipated receipt of the federal subsidy was recognized beginning in fiscal 2006. The effect of the subsidy reduced TDS’s fiscal 2006 FAS 106 net periodic postretirement benefit cost by $2.6 million.

NOTE 16   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingent obligations, including indemnities, litigation and other possible commitments are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 5, which requires that an estimated loss be recorded if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, those contingencies that are deemed to be probable and where the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable are accrued in the financial statements. 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. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been or will be incurred, even if the amount is not estimable. The assessment of contingencies is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events. Contingencies are reviewed at least

102




quarterly to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related financial statement disclosure. The ultimate settlement of contingencies may impact the statement of operations, financial position and statement of cash flows.

Lease Commitments

TDS and its subsidiaries have leases for certain plant facilities, office space, retail sites, cell sites and data processing equipment, most of which are classified as operating leases. Certain leases have renewal options and/or fixed rental increases. Renewal options that are reasonably assured of exercise are included in determining the lease term. Any rent abatements or lease incentives, in addition to fixed rental increases, are included in the calculation of rent expense and calculated on a straight-line basis over the defined lease term.

TDS accounts for certain lease agreements as capital leases. The short- and long-term portions of capital lease obligations totaled $1.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2006 and $1.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2005. The short- and long-term portions of capital lease obligations are included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred liabilities and credits, respectively, in TDS’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, rent expense for noncancelable, long-term leases was $130.2 million, $123.2 million and $111.8 million, respectively, and rent expense under cancelable, short-term leases was $20.3 million, $15.0 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Rental revenue totaled $24.1 million, $15.4 million and $12.0 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. At December 31, 2006, the aggregate minimum rental payments required and rental receipts expected under noncancelable, long-term operating and capital leases were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Operating Leases—
Minimum Future
Rental Payments

 

Operating Leases—
Minimum Future
Rental Receipts

 

Capital Leases—
Minimum Future
Rental Payments

 

2007

 

 

$

116,509

 

 

 

$

19,482

 

 

 

$

1,855

 

 

2008

 

 

102,545

 

 

 

17,975

 

 

 

1,846

 

 

2009

 

 

86,162

 

 

 

15,648

 

 

 

709

 

 

2010

 

 

71,984

 

 

 

10,671

 

 

 

200

 

 

2011

 

 

56,635

 

 

 

4,896

 

 

 

206

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

382,010

 

 

 

1,981

 

 

 

1,623

 

 

Total

 

 

$

815,845

 

 

 

$

70,653

 

 

 

6,439

 

 

 

Less: Amounts representing interest

 

 

(1,522

)

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

 

 

4,917

 

 

Less: Current portion of obligations under capital leases

 

 

(1,632

)

 

Long-term portion of obligations under capital leases

 

 

$

3,285

 

 

 

Indemnifications

TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. These agreements include certain asset sales and financings with other parties. The term of the indemnification varies 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.

TDS is party to an indemnity agreement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) regarding certain contingent liabilities at Aerial Communications, Inc. (“Aerial”) for the period prior to Aerial’s merger with VoiceStream Wireless. In 2006, TDS paid $1.9 million on behalf of Aerial. As of December 31, 2006, TDS

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had a liability balance of $0.9 million relating to this indemnity, which represents its best estimate of its probable liability.

Legal Proceedings

TDS is involved in a number of legal proceedings before the FCC and 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 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 the accruals and related financial statement disclosure. The ultimate settlement of proceedings may differ materially from amounts accrued in the financial statements.

TDS Telecom records revenues from originating and terminating access for interexchange carriers based on contracts, tariffs or operational data. Such contracts, tariffs and operational data could be subject to dispute by interexchange carriers. In April 2006, an interexchange carrier for which TDS Telecom provides both originating and terminating access asserted a claim for refund, net of counterclaims, of up to $10 million for past billed amounts for certain types of traffic. TDS Telecom has settled this claim for a net payment of $1.3 million.

NOTE 17   MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES

The following table summarizes the minority shareholders’ and partners’ interests in the equity of consolidated subsidiaries.

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cellular

 

 

 

 

 

Public shareholders

 

$

578,241

 

$

513,827

 

Subsidiaries’ partners and shareholders

 

31,481

 

33,006

 

 

 

$

609,722

 

$

546,833

 

 

The Board of Directors of U.S. Cellular has authorized the repurchase of a limited amount of its common shares on a quarterly basis, primarily for use in the employee benefit plans. In 2004, U.S. Cellular repurchased 91,700 U.S. Cellular Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $3.9 million representing an average per share price of $42.62 including commissions. U.S. Cellular repurchased no shares during 2006 or 2005.

On March 6, 2007, the Board of Directors for U.S. Cellular authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 Common Shares of U.S. Cellular from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private transactions or other methods. This authorization will expire on March 6, 2010. This authorization is in addition to U.S. Cellular’s existing limited share repurchase authorization discussed above.

Under SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, (“SFAS 150”) certain minority interests in consolidated entities with finite lives may meet the standard’s definition of a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument and thus require reclassification as liabilities and remeasurement at the estimated amount of cash that would be due and payable to settle such minority interests under the applicable entity’s organization agreement assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived entity, net of estimated liquidation costs (the “settlement value”). TDS’s consolidated financial statements include minority interests that meet the standard’s definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable minority 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 minority interest holders and TDS in accordance with the respective

104




partnership and LLC agreements. The termination dates of TDS’s mandatorily redeemable minority interests range from 2042 to 2105.

The settlement value of TDS’s mandatorily redeemable minority interests was estimated to be $161.0 million at December 31, 2006 and $126.3 million at December 31, 2005. This represents the estimated amount of cash that would be due and payable to settle minority interests assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on December 31, 2006 and 2005, net of estimated liquidation costs. This amount is being disclosed pursuant to the requirements of FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 150-3, “Effective Date, Disclosures, and Transition for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests” under SFAS 150. TDS has no current plans or intentions to liquidate any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the minority interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $32.1 million and $33.4 million, respectively, and is included in Minority Interest in Subsidiaries in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable minority interests of $128.9 million and $92.9 million, respectively, was primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the minority-interest holders’ share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the minority-interest holders’ share, nor TDS’s share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements under GAAP. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions. Change in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount.

NOTE 18   COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Tax-Deferred Savings Plan

TDS had reserved 45,000 Common Shares and 45,000 Special Common Shares at December 31, 2006, for issuance under the TDS Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, a qualified profit-sharing plan pursuant to Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees have the option of investing their contributions and TDS’s contributions in a TDS Common Share fund, a TDS Special Common Share fund, a U.S. Cellular Common Share fund or certain unaffiliated funds.

Stock Dividend

On February 17, 2005, the TDS Board of Directors unanimously approved, and on April 11, 2005, the TDS shareholders approved an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TDS to increase the authorized number of Special Common Shares of TDS from 20,000,000 to 165,000,000.

As a result, and following the satisfaction of other conditions, the distribution of TDS Special Common Shares became effective on May 13, 2005 to shareholders of record on April 29, 2005. In the distribution, one TDS Special Common Share was distributed in the form of a stock dividend with respect to each TDS Common Share and TDS Series A Common Share issued.

Prior period earnings per share have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the new capital structure.

Common Stock

The holders of Common Shares and Special Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share. The holders of Common Shares have full voting rights, the holders of Special Common Shares have limited voting rights. Other than the election of directors, the Special Common Shares have no votes except as otherwise required by law. The holders of Series A Common Shares are entitled to ten votes per share. Series A Common Shares are convertible, on a share for share basis, into Common Shares and Special Common Shares. TDS has reserved 6,445,000 Common Shares and 6,580,000 Special Common Shares at December 31, 2006, for possible issuance upon such conversion.

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The following table summarizes the number of Common, Special Common and Series A Common Shares outstanding.

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

Common
Shares

 

Special
Common
Shares

 

Common
Treasury
Shares

 

Special
Common
Treasury
Shares

 

Series A
Common
Shares

 

Balance December 31, 2003

 

 

56,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,688

)

 

 

 

 

 

6,440

 

 

Repurchase of Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(215

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of Series A Common Shares

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Balance December 31, 2004

 

 

56,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,362

)

 

 

 

 

 

6,421

 

 

Conversion of Series A Common Shares

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

Distribution of Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

62,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,268

)

 

 

 

 

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

 

100

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

23

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2005

 

 

56,481

 

 

 

62,868

 

 

 

(5,105

)

 

 

(5,128

)

 

 

6,440

 

 

Conversion of Series A Common Shares

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

Dividend reinvestment, incentive and compensation plans

 

 

21

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

426

 

 

 

446

 

 

 

7

 

 

Other

 

 

54

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2006

 

 

56,558

 

 

 

62,941

 

 

 

(4,676

)

 

 

(4,676

)

 

 

6,445

 

 

 

Common Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors of TDS from time to time has authorized the repurchase of TDS Common Shares. In February 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million TDS Common Shares. The repurchase authorization expired on February 28, 2006. TDS repurchased 2,175,700 Common Shares under this authorization. TDS may use repurchased shares to fund acquisitions and for other corporate purposes.

On March 2, 2007, the TDS Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of TDS Special Common Shares from time to time through open market purchases, block transactions, private purchases or otherwise. The authorization will expire March 2, 2010.

No shares were repurchased in 2006 or 2005. In 2004, TDS repurchased 214,800 Common Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $14.9 million, representing an average per share price of $69.15 including commissions. TDS reissued 429,000 Common Shares in 2006 and 256,000 Common Shares in 2005, primarily for incentive and compensation plans. TDS reissued 452,000 Special Common Shares in 2006 and 140,000 Special Common Shares in 2005 primarily for incentive and compensation plans.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The cumulative balance of unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivative instruments and related income tax effects included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

578,273

 

$

1,077,710

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities

 

290,112

 

(839,534

)

Deferred income tax (expense) benefit

 

(110,973

)

333,567

 

 

 

179,139

 

(505,967

)

Equity method unrealized gains

 

(190

)

281

 

Minority share of unrealized (gains) losses

 

(7,244

)

6,249

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities in comprehensive income

 

171,705

 

(499,437

)

Balance, end of year

 

$

749,978

 

$

578,273

 

Derivative Instruments

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

(214,632

)

$

(213,760

)

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax (expense) benefit

 

(473

)

(851

)

Minority share of unrealized (gains) losses

 

(17

)

(21

)

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments included in comprehensive income

 

(490

)

(872

)

Balance, end of year

 

$

(215,122

)

$

(214,632

)

Retirement Plans

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

 

$

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

Additional liability of defined benefit pension plan (1)

 

(322

)

 

Net change in retirement plans included in comprehensive income

 

(322

)

 

Application of provisions of SFAS 158 on post-retirement pension plan, net of tax

 

(12,421

)

 

Net change due to application of SFAS 158 included in comprehensive income

 

(12,421

)

 

Balance, end of year

 

$

(12,743

)

$

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

363,641

 

$

863,950

 

Net change in marketable equity securities

 

171,705

 

(499,437

)

Net change in derivative instruments

 

(490

)

(872

)

Net change in retirement plans

 

(322

)

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income

 

170,893

 

(500,309

)

Net change due to application of SFAS 158

 

(12,421

)

 

Net change in accumulated comprehensive income

 

158,472

 

(500,309

)

Balance, end of year

 

$

522,113

 

$

363,641

 


(1)            Represents additional liability of an individual telephone company’s defined benefit pension plan which is expected to be terminated in the next twelve months.

NOTE 19   PREFERRED SHARES

The holders of outstanding Preferred Shares are entitled to one vote per share. TDS had 8,627 and 38,627 Cumulative Preferred Shares ($100 per share stated value) authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006, no Preferred Shares were convertible at

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the option of the holder, and at December 31, 2005, 30,000 Cumulative Preferred Shares were convertible into 54,540 TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares at the option of the holder. The holder converted the 30,000 Preferred Shares into the 54,540 TDS Common Shares and Special Common Shares in November 2006. Preferred Shares totaling 8,228 are redeemable at the option of TDS for 4.35 U.S. Cellular common shares or equivalent value in cash or TDS Common Shares. The remaining Preferred Shares are not redeemable. The average dividend rate was $5.23 per share in 2006 and 2005.

The following is a schedule of Preferred Shares activity.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

3,863

 

$

3,864

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of preferred

 

(3,000

)

 

Redemption of preferred

 

 

(1

)

Balance, end of year

 

$

863

 

$

3,863

 

 

NOTE 20   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006, TDS’s income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest and cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $30.6 million lower, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB 25. Similarly, as a result of adopting SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006, TDS’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $17.6 million lower, basic earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.15 lower, and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.15 lower, than if TDS had continued to account for stock-based compensation expense under APB 25.

For comparison, the following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net income and earnings per share had TDS applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R) to its stock-based employee compensation plans for the year ended December 31, 2005:

 

 

Year Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)

 

 

 

Net income (loss), as reported

 

 

$

647,740

 

 

 

$

(252,935

)

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects and minority interest

 

 

4,534

 

 

 

3,291

 

 

Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects and minority interest

 

 

(25,250

)

 

 

(26,945

)

 

Pro forma net income

 

 

$

627,024

 

 

 

$

(276,589

)

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic—as reported

 

 

$

5.62

 

 

 

$

(2.21

)

 

Basic—pro forma

 

 

5.44

 

 

 

(2.42

)

 

Diluted—as reported

 

 

5.57

 

 

 

(2.21

)

 

Diluted—pro forma

 

 

$

5.40

 

 

 

$

(2.42

)

 

 

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), TDS presented all tax benefits resulting from tax deductions associated with the exercise of stock options by employees as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. SFAS 123(R) requires that “excess tax benefits” be classified as cash flows from financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For this purpose, the excess tax benefits are tax benefits related to the difference between the total tax deduction associated with the exercise of stock options by employees and the amount of compensation cost recognized for those options. For the year ended December 31, 2006, excess tax benefits of $5.1 million were included within

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Other Financing Activities of the Cash Flows from Financing Activities pursuant to this requirement of SFAS 123(R).

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006:

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

Stock option awards

 

 

$

30,630

 

 

Restricted stock unit awards

 

 

13,025

 

 

Deferred compensation matching stock unit awards

 

 

(742

)

 

Employee stock purchase plans

 

 

87

 

 

Awards under non-employee director’s compensation plan

 

 

406

 

 

Total stock-based compensation, before income taxes

 

 

43,406

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

16,588

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes

 

 

$

26,818

 

 

 

At December 31, 2006, unrecognized compensation cost for all stock-based compensation awards was $19.5 million. The unrecognized compensation cost for stock-based compensation awards at December 31, 2006 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 years.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, $42.1 million of stock-based compensation was recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense and $1.3 million was recorded in cost of services and products, respectively.

TDS

The information in this section relates to stock-based compensation plans utilizing the equity instruments of TDS. Participants in these plans are generally employees of TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom, although U.S. Cellular employees are eligible to participate in the TDS Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Information related to plans utilizing the equity instruments of U.S. Cellular are shown in the U.S. Cellular section following the TDS section.

Under the TDS 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (and a predecessor plan), TDS may grant fixed and performance-based incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation stock unit awards to key employees. TDS had reserved 3,249,000 Common Shares and 11,461,000 Special Common Shares at December 31, 2006, for equity awards granted and to be granted under this plan. At December 31, 2006, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, and deferred compensation stock unit awards. As of December 31, 2006, TDS also had reserved 313,000 Special Common Shares under an employee stock purchase plan. The maximum number of TDS Common Shares, TDS Special Common Shares and TDS Series A Common Shares that may be issued to employees under all stock-based compensation plans in effect at December 31, 2006 was 3,249,000, 11,774,000 and 0 shares, respectively. TDS has also created a Non-Employee Directors’ Plan under which it has reserved 33,000 Common Shares and 69,000 Special Common Shares of TDS stock for issuance as compensation to members of the board of directors who are not employees of TDS.

Stock Options—Stock options granted to key employees are exercisable over a specified period not in excess of ten years. Stock options generally vest over periods up to four years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006 expire between 2007 and 2016. However, vested stock options typically expire 30 days after the effective date of an employee’s termination of employment for reasons other than retirement. Employees who leave at the age of retirement have 90 days (or one year if they satisfy certain requirements) within which to exercise their vested stock options. The exercise price of the option generally equals the market value of TDS common stock on the date of grant.

TDS granted 1,447,000, 630,000 and 547,000 stock options during the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. TDS estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-

109




Scholes valuation model. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, for each separately vesting portion of the awards as if the awards were, in-substance, multiple awards, which is the same attribution method that was used by TDS for purposes of its pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. TDS used the assumptions shown in the table below in valuing the options granted in 2006, 2005 and 2004:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Expected Life

 

4.9 Years

 

4.9 Years

 

7.3 Years

 

Expected Annual Volatility Rate

 

25.9

%

30.8

%

31.8

%

Dividend Yield

 

0.7% – 1.0

%

0.9

%

1.0

%

Risk-free Interest Rate

 

3.9% – 4.8

%

3.8

%

4.5

%

Estimated Annual Forfeiture Rate

 

0.6

%

0.7

%

0.6

%

 

Any employee with stock options granted prior to the distribution of the TDS Special Common Share Dividend on May 13, 2005, more fully described in Note 18—Common Stockholders’ Equity, receives one Common Share and one Special Common Share per tandem option exercised. Each tandem option is exercisable at its original exercise price. TDS options granted after the distribution of the TDS Special Common Share Dividend will receive one Special Common Share per option exercised.

A summary of TDS stock options (total and portion exercisable) at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table and narrative below:

Tandem Options

 

 

Number
of Tandem
Options
(1)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Prices

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Stock options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2003

 

2,353,000

 

$

67.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,762,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

547,000

 

65.98

 

 

$

25.73

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(518,000

)

49.08

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,310,000

 

Forfeited

 

(51,000

)

77.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

 

2,331,000

 

$

70.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,791,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

630,000

 

77.63

 

 

$

23.78

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(228,000

)

51.91

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,375,000

 

Forfeited

 

(32,000

)

83.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

2,701,000

 

$

73.86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,461,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(415,000

)

58.45

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,313,000

 

Forfeited

 

(17,000

)

59.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(15,000

)

105.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

2,254,000

 

$

76.59

 

 

 

 

 

$

65,430,000

 

(2,193,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

63,100,000

 


(1)            Upon exercise, each tandem option is converted into one TDS Common Share and one TDS Special Common Share.

110




 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Number
Outstanding
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number
Exercisable
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

$33.87-$49.99

 

 

288,000

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

$

42.09

 

 

288,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

42.09

 

$50.00-$74.99

 

 

774,000

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

61.95

 

 

713,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

61.60

 

$75.00-$99.99

 

 

699,000

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

82.27

 

 

699,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

82.27

 

$100.00-$127.00

 

 

493,000

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

111.61

 

 

493,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

111.61

 

 

 

 

2,254,000

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

$

76.59

 

 

2,193,000

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

$

76.89

 

 

Special Common Share Options

 

 

Number of
Options
(1)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Prices

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Stock options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,447,000

 

 

  40.07

 

 

 

$

11.51

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(31,000

)

 

38.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

374,000

 

Forfeited

 

(14,000

)

 

38.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

1,402,000

 

 

$

40.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,296,000

 

(1,400,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,269,000

 


(1)            Upon exercise, each Special Common share option is converted into one TDS Special Common Share.

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Number
Outstanding
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number
Exercisable
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

$38.00-$39.99

 

 

1,059,000

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

 

 

1,057,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

38.00

 

 

$40.00-$49.99

 

 

343,000

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

46.76

 

 

 

343,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

46.76

 

 

 

 

 

1,402,000

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

$

40.15

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

$

40.15

 

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between TDS’s closing stock prices and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that was received by the option holders upon exercise or that would have been received by option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2006. TDS received $24.3 million and $1.2 million in cash from the exercise of Tandem and Special Common options, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2006.

A summary of TDS’s nonvested stock options at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the tables that follow:

Tandem Options

 

 

Number of
Stock Options
(1)

 

Weighted
Average
Fair Values of
Stock Options

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

240,000

 

 

 

$

21.67

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

(162,000

)

 

 

20.07

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(17,000

)

 

 

23.04

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

61,000

 

 

 

$

25.55

 

 


(1)            Upon exercise, each tandem stock option is converted into one TDS Common Share and one TDS Special Common Share.

111




Special Common Share Options

 

 

Number of
Stock Options
(2)

 

Weighted
Average
Fair Values of
Stock Options

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

Granted

 

 

1,447,000

 

 

 

11.51

 

 

Vested

 

 

(1,431,000

)

 

 

11.51

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(14,000

)

 

 

11.00

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

$

11.18

 

 


(2)            Upon exercise, each Special Common share option is converted into one TDS Special Common Share.

Restricted Stock Units—Beginning in April 2005, TDS granted restricted stock unit awards to key employees. These awards generally vest after three years. All TDS tandem restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2006 were granted prior to the distribution of the TDS Special Common Share Dividend in 2005. As a result of the Special Common Share Dividend, an employee will receive one Common Share and one Special Common Share upon the vesting of such restricted stock units. The tandem restricted stock unit awards granted in 2005 and outstanding at December 31, 2006 will vest in December 2007. When vested, employees will receive an equal number of TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares with respect to such tandem restricted stock units. Each restricted stock unit granted after the distribution of the TDS Special Common Share Dividend in 2005 is convertible into one Special Common Share upon the vesting of such restricted stock units. The restricted stock unit awards granted in 2006 will vest in December 2008. When vested, employees will receive one TDS Special Common Share for each restricted stock unit.

TDS estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of TDS shares on the date of grant. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.

A summary of TDS nonvested restricted stock units at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table that follows:

Tandem Restricted Stock Units

 

 

Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
(1)

 

Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Values of
Restricted
Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

90,000

 

 

 

$

77.55

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(10,000

)

 

 

77.43

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

80,000

 

 

 

$

77.57

 

 


(1)            Upon exercise, each tandem restricted stock unit is converted into one TDS Common Share and one TDS Special Common Share.

112




Special Common Restricted Stock Units

 

 

Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
(2)

 

Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Values of
Restricted
Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

Granted

 

 

128,000

 

 

 

40.00

 

 

Vested

 

 

(2,000

)

 

 

38.62

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

38.00

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

125,000

 

 

 

$

40.04

 

 


(2)            Upon exercise, each Special Common restricted stock unit is converted into one TDS Special Common Share.

The total fair value of restricted stock units vested for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $74,000. No restricted stock units vested for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Deferred Compensation Stock Units—Certain TDS employees may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive stock unit matches on the amount deferred up to $400,000. Deferred compensation, which is immediately vested, is deemed to be invested in TDS Common Share units or, at the election of the committee that administers the plan after the TDS Special Common Share Dividend in 2005, TDS Special Common Share units. TDS match amounts depend on the amount of annual bonus that is deferred into stock units. Participants receive a 25% stock unit match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus. The matched stock units vest ratably at a rate of one-third per year over three years. When fully vested and upon distribution, employees will receive the vested TDS Common Shares and/or TDS Special Common Shares, as applicable.

TDS estimates the fair value of deferred compensation matching stock units based on the closing market price of TDS shares on the date of grant. The fair value of the matched stock units is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.

A summary of TDS nonvested deferred compensation stock units at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table that follows:

Tandem Deferred Compensation Stock Units

 

 

Number of
Tandem
Stock Units
(1)

 

Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Values of
Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

1,025

 

 

 

$

75.05

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

(730

)

 

 

72.45

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

295

 

 

 

$

81.53

 

 


(1)            Upon exercise, each tandem deferred compensation stock unit outstanding at December 31, 2006 is converted into one TDS Common Share and one TDS Special Common Share.

113




Special Common Deferred Compensation Stock Units

 

 

Number of Special
Common Stock Units
(2)

 

Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Values of
Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

Granted

 

 

2,100

 

 

 

41.37

 

 

Vested

 

 

(700

)

 

 

41.37

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,400

 

 

 

$

41.37

 

 


(2)            Upon exercise, each Special Common deferred compensation stock unit is converted into one TDS Special Common Share.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—Under the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, eligible employees of TDS and its subsidiaries may purchase a limited number of shares of TDS common stock on a quarterly basis. Prior to 2006, such common stock consisted of TDS Common Shares. Beginning in 2006, such common stock consisted of TDS Special Common Shares. TDS had reserved 185,000 Common Shares and 313,000 Special Common Shares at December 31, 2006 for issuance under this plan. The plan became effective on April 1, 2003 and will terminate on December 31, 2008. The per share cost to each participant is 85% of the market value of the Common Shares or Special Common Shares as of the issuance date. Under SFAS 123(R), the employee stock purchase plan is considered a compensatory plan; therefore recognition of compensation costs for stock issued under this plan is required. Compensation cost is measured as the difference between the cost of the shares to the plan participants and the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recognized compensation expense of $87,000 related to this plan.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors—TDS issued 2,600 Common Shares and 5,900 Special Common Shares under its Non-Employee Directors’ plan in the year ended December 31, 2006.

Dividend Reinvestment Plans—TDS had reserved 174,000 Common Shares and 323,000 Special Common Shares at December 31, 2006, for issuance under Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plans and 49,000 Series A Common Shares for issuance under the Series A Common Share Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. These plans enable holders of TDS’s Common Shares, Special Common Shares and Preferred Shares to reinvest cash dividends in Common Shares and Special Common Shares and holders of Series A Common Shares to reinvest cash dividends in Series A Common Shares. The purchase price of the shares is 95% of the market value, based on the average of the daily high and low sales prices for TDS’s Common Shares and Special Common Shares on the American Stock Exchange for the ten trading days preceding the date on which the purchase is made. Under SFAS 123(R) and SFAS 123, these plans are considered non-compensatory plans, therefore no compensation expense is recognized for stock issued under these plans.

U.S. Cellular

The information in this section relates to stock-based compensation plans utilizing the equity instruments of U.S. Cellular. Participants in these plans are employees of U.S. Cellular. U.S. Cellular employees are also eligible to participate in the TDS Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Information related to plans utilizing the equity instruments of TDS are shown in the previous section.

Under the U.S. Cellular 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, U.S. Cellular may grant fixed and performance-based incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation stock unit awards to key employees. At December 31, 2006, the only types of awards outstanding are fixed non-qualified stock option awards, restricted stock unit awards, and deferred compensation stock unit awards.

At December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular had reserved 4,890,000 Common Shares for equity awards granted and to be granted under this plan and had also reserved 106,000 Common Shares for issuance to employees under an employee stock purchase plan. The maximum number of U.S. Cellular Common

114




Shares that may be issued to employees under all stock-based compensation plans in effect at December 31, 2006 was 4,996,000 shares. U.S. Cellular currently utilizes treasury stock to satisfy stock option exercises, issuances under its employee stock purchase plan, restricted stock unit awards and deferred compensation stock unit awards. U.S. Cellular employees are also eligible to participate in the TDS Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was described previously.

U.S. Cellular has also created a Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan under which it has reserved 3,800 Common Shares of U.S. Cellular at December 31, 2006 for issuance as compensation to members of the board of directors who are not employees of U.S. Cellular or TDS.

On March 7, 2006, the U.S. Cellular Compensation Committee approved amendments to stock option award agreements. The amendments modify current and future options to extend the exercise period until 30 days following (i) the lifting of a “suspension” if options otherwise would expire or be forfeited during the suspension period and (ii) the lifting of a blackout if options otherwise would expire or be forfeited during a blackout period. U.S. Cellular temporarily suspended issuances of shares under the 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan between March 17, 2006 and October 10, 2006 as a consequence of late SEC filings. As required under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), U.S. Cellular evaluated the impact of this plan modification and recognized $1.5 million in stock-based compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2006, as a result of this modification.

Stock Options—Stock options granted to key employees are exercisable over a specified period not in excess of ten years. Stock options generally vest over periods up to four years from the date of grant. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006 expire between 2007 and 2016. However, vested stock options typically expire 30 days after the effective date of an employee’s termination of employment for reasons other than retirement. Employees who leave at the age of retirement have 90 days (or one year if they satisfy certain requirements) within which to exercise their vested stock options. The exercise price of the option generally equals the market value of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on the date of grant.

U.S. Cellular granted 559,000, 760,000 and 796,000 stock options during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, for each separately vesting portion of the awards as if the awards were, in-substance, multiple awards, which is the same attribution method that was used by U.S. Cellular for purposes of its pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. U.S. Cellular used the assumptions shown in the table below in valuing the options granted in 2006, 2005 and 2004:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Expected Life

 

3.0 Years

 

3.0 Years

 

6.6 Years

 

Expected Annual Volatility Rate

 

23.5% – 25.2

%

36.5

%

36.0

%

Dividend Yield

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

Risk-free Interest Rate

 

4.5% – 4.7

%

3.9

%

3.6

%

Estimated Annual Forfeiture Rate

 

4.4

%

4.3

%

3.0

%

 

115




A summary of U.S. Cellular stock options outstanding (total and portion exercisable) at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table below:

U.S. Cellular Common Shares

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Prices

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Stock options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2003

 

2,528,000

 

 

$

33.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(496,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

796,000

 

 

$

37.46

 

 

 

$

16.27

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(220,000

)

 

27.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,144,000

 

Forfeited

 

(208,000

)

 

30.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(40,000

)

 

43.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

 

2,856,000

 

 

$

35.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(883,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

760,000

 

 

$

45.68

 

 

 

$

13.38

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(693,000

)

 

33.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11,511,000

 

Forfeited

 

(185,000

)

 

37.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(37,000

)

 

47.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

2,701,000

 

 

$

38.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(885,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

559,000

 

 

$

59.52

 

 

 

$

14.07

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(546,000

)

 

34.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,324,000

 

Forfeited

 

(140,000

)

 

41.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(3,000

)

 

40.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

2,571,000

 

 

$

44.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

65,657,000

 

(1,430,000 exercisable)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

39,244,000

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Number
Outstanding
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number
Exercisable
at December 31,
2006

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

$23.61-$36.99

 

 

623,000

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

$

25.96

 

 

 

433,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

25.33

 

 

$37.00-$49.99

 

 

1,209,000

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

$

42.87

 

 

 

658,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

42.30

 

 

$50.00-$75.00

 

 

739,000

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

$

61.25

 

 

 

339,000

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

63.31

 

 

 

 

 

2,571,000

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

$

44.07

 

 

 

1,430,000

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

$

42.15

 

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between U.S. Cellular’s closing stock price and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that was received by the option holders upon exercise or that would have been received by option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2006. U.S. Cellular received $19.0 million in cash from the exercise of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2006.

A summary of U.S. Cellular nonvested stock options at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table that follows:

 

 

Number of
Stock Options

 

Weighted
Average
Fair Values of
Stock Options

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

1,816,000

 

 

 

$

14.19

 

 

Granted

 

 

559,000

 

 

 

14.07

 

 

Vested

 

 

(1,094,000

)

 

 

14.28

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(140,000

)

 

 

14.53

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,141,000

 

 

 

$

14.06

 

 

 

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Restricted Stock Units—U.S. Cellular grants restricted stock unit awards to key employees, which generally vest after three years.

U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular shares on the date of grant, which is not adjusted for any dividends foregone during the vesting period because U.S. Cellular has never paid a dividend and has expressed its intention to retain all future earnings in the business. The fair value is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Awards granted under this plan prior to 2005 were classified as liability awards due to a plan provision which allowed participants to elect tax withholding in excess of minimum statutory tax rates. In 2005, this provision was removed from the plan and, thus, awards after 2005 have been classified as equity awards.

A summary of U.S. Cellular nonvested restricted stock units at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the tables that follow:

Liability Classified Awards

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

Number of

 

Fair Values of

 

 

 

Restricted

 

Restricted

 

 

 

Stock Units

 

Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

193,000

 

 

 

$

30.71

 

 

Granted

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

59.43

 

 

Vested

 

 

(131,000

)

 

 

27.53

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

37.47

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

57,000

 

 

 

$

38.65

 

 

 

Equity Classified Awards

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

Number of

 

Fair Values of

 

 

 

Restricted

 

Restricted

 

 

 

Stock Units

 

Stock Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

189,000

 

 

 

$

45.63

 

 

Granted

 

 

126,000

 

 

 

59.43

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(27,000

)

 

 

45.96

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

288,000

 

 

 

$

51.54

 

 

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan—Deferred Compensation Stock Units—Certain U.S. Cellular employees may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual bonuses and to receive a company matching contribution on the amount deferred. All bonus compensation that is deferred by employees electing to participate is immediately vested and is deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units. Upon distribution of such stock units, participants will receive U.S. Cellular Common Shares. The amount of U.S. Cellular’s matching contribution depends on the portion of the annual bonus that is deferred. Participants receive a 25% match for amounts deferred up to 50% of their total annual bonus and a 33% match for amounts that exceed 50% of their total annual bonus; such matching contributions also are deemed to be invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share stock units. The matching contribution stock units vest ratably at a rate of one-third per year over three years. Upon vesting and distribution of such matching contribution stock units, participants will receive U.S. Cellular Common Shares.

U.S. Cellular estimates the fair value of deferred compensation matching contribution stock units based on the closing market price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on the date of match. The fair value of such matching contribution stock units is then recognized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.

A summary of U.S. Cellular nonvested deferred compensation stock units at December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended is presented in the table below:

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Deferred Compensation Awards

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

 

 

Number of

 

of Stock

 

 

 

Stock Units

 

Units

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

 

7,700

 

 

 

$

41.08

 

 

Granted

 

 

1,700

 

 

 

56.71

 

 

Vested

 

 

(7,000

)

 

 

43.43

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

2,400

 

 

 

$

51.39

 

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—Under the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, eligible employees of U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries may purchase a limited number of U.S. Cellular Common Shares on a quarterly basis. U.S. Cellular had reserved 106,000 Common Shares at December 31, 2006 for issuance under this plan. The plan became effective on April 1, 2003 and will terminate on December 31, 2008. U.S. Cellular employees are also eligible to participate in the TDS Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was described previously. The per share cost to each participant in these plans is 85% of the market value of the Common Shares or Special Common Shares as of the issuance date. Under SFAS 123(R), the employee stock purchase plans are considered compensatory plans; therefore recognition of compensation cost for stock issued under these plans is required. Compensation cost is measured as the difference between the cost of the shares to plan participants and the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance. For the year ended December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular recognized compensation expense of $39,000 relating to this plan.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors—U.S. Cellular issued 1,150 shares under its Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan in the year ended December 31, 2006.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), U.S. Cellular presented all tax benefits resulting from tax deductions associated with the exercise of stock options by employees as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. SFAS 123(R) requires that “excess tax benefits” be classified as cash flows from financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. For this purpose, the excess tax benefits are tax benefits related to the difference between the total tax deduction associated with the exercise of stock options by employees and the amount of compensation cost recognized for those options. For the year ended December 31, 2006, excess tax benefits of $2.5 million were included in cash flows from financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows pursuant to this requirement of SFAS 123(R).

NOTE 21   BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless telephone operations through its 80.7%-owned subsidiary, U.S. Cellular. At December 31, 2006, U.S. Cellular provided cellular telephone service to customers in 26 states. TDS conducts its wireline telephone operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”). TDS Telecom provides service through incumbent local exchange carrier companies to customers in 28 states and through competitive local exchange carrier companies to customers in 5 states.

U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are billed for all services they receive from TDS, consisting primarily of information processing and general management services. Such billings are based on expenses specifically identified to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom and on allocations of common expenses.

Management believes the method used to allocate common expenses is reasonable and that all expenses and costs applicable to U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom are reflected in the accompanying business segment information on a basis that is representative of what they would have been if U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom operated on a stand-alone basis.

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Financial data for TDS’s business segments for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

 

U.S.

 

TDS Telecom

 

Non-Reportable

 

Other
Reconciling

 

 

 

Year Ended or at December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Cellular

 

ILEC

 

CLEC

 

Segment (1)

 

Items(2)

 

Total

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

3,473,155

 

$

645,525

 

$

235,804

 

 

$

32,448

 

 

$

(22,414

)

$

4,364,518

 

Cost of services and products

 

1,208,586

 

191,932

 

122,527

 

 

22,704

 

 

(4,208

)

1,541,541

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

1,399,561

 

188,229

 

90,173

 

 

6,366

 

 

(11,607

)

1,672,722

 

Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion, (gain) loss on sales of assets and impairments (3)

 

865,008

 

265,364

 

23,104

 

 

3,378

 

 

(6,599

)

1,150,255

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

575,112

 

135,370

 

24,242

 

 

2,754

 

 

 

737,478

 

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

289,896

 

129,994

 

(1,138

)

 

624

 

 

(6,599

)

412,777

 

Significant noncash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

93,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,051

 

95,170

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(63,022

)

 

 

 

 

 

(236,503

)

(299,525

)

Gain on investments

 

70,427

 

91,419

 

 

 

 

 

 

161,846

 

Marketable equity securities

 

253,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,536,718

 

2,790,630

 

Investment in unconsolidated entities

 

150,325

 

3,623

 

 

 

 

 

43,688

 

197,636

 

Total assets

 

5,680,616

 

1,699,817

 

148,186

 

 

26,716

 

 

3,044,179

 

10,599,514

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

579,785

 

$

113,179

 

$

17,255

 

 

$

3,287

 

 

$

8,952

 

$

722,458

 

 

Year Ended or at December 31, 2005

 

U.S.

 

TDS Telecom

 

Non-Reportable

 

Other
Reconciling

 

 

 

(As Restated)

 

 

 

Cellular

 

ILEC

 

CLEC

 

Segment (1)

 

Items(2)

 

Total

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

3,030,765

 

$

669,724

 

$

239,341

 

 

$

32,080

 

 

$

(18,932

)

$

3,952,978

 

Cost of services and products

 

1,116,032

 

177,252

 

120,924

 

 

22,131

 

 

(2,616

)

1,433,723

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

1,217,709

 

188,361

 

96,187

 

 

5,714

 

 

(5,847

)

1,502,124

 

Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion, (gain) loss on sales of assets and impairments (3)

 

697,024

 

304,111

 

22,230

 

 

4,235

 

 

(10,469

)

1,017,131

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

510,487

 

135,178

 

30,438

 

 

2,755

 

 

 

678,858

 

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

 

(44,660

)

 

 

 

 

 

2,235

 

(42,425

)

Operating income (loss)

 

231,197

 

168,933

 

(8,208

)

 

1,480

 

 

(12,704

)

380,698

 

Significant noncash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

66,719

 

408

 

 

 

 

 

912

 

68,039

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

44,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

688,751

 

733,728

 

Gain on investments

 

(6,203

)

 

 

 

 

 

(51

)

(6,254

)

Marketable equity securities

 

225,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,306,303

 

2,531,690

 

Investment in unconsolidated entities

 

172,093

 

3,623

 

 

 

 

 

41,464

 

217,180

 

Total assets

 

5,416,233

 

1,703,443

 

161,392

 

 

26,178

 

 

2,897,536

 

10,204,782

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

576,525

 

$

97,493

 

$

27,117

 

 

$

3,950

 

 

$

5,422

 

$

710,507

 

 

119




 

Year Ended or at December 31, 2004

 

U.S.

 

TDS Telecom

 

Non-Reportable

 

Other
Reconciling

 

 

 

(As Restated)

 

 

 

Cellular

 

ILEC

 

CLEC

 

Segment (1)

 

Items (2)

 

Total

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

2,806,418

 

$

658,330

 

$

226,259

 

 

$

27,269

 

 

$

(16,139

)

$

3,702,137

 

Cost of services and products

 

1,060,730

 

162,007

 

116,525

 

 

18,044

 

 

(1,718

)

1,355,588

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

1,091,347

 

181,480

 

100,143

 

 

5,110

 

 

(14,421

)

1,363,659

 

Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion, (gain) loss on sales of assets and impairments (3)

 

654,341

 

314,843

 

9,591

 

 

4,115

 

 

 

982,890

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

 

502,564

 

131,665

 

38,349

 

 

2,515

 

 

 

675,093

 

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

 

 

 

29,440

 

 

 

 

 

29,440

 

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

 

(10,806

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,806

)

Loss on impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

87,910

 

 

 

 

 

87,910

 

Operating income (loss)

 

162,583

 

183,178

 

(146,108

)

 

1,600

 

 

 

201,253

 

Significant noncash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

 

64,161

 

958

 

 

 

 

 

184

 

65,303

 

Gain (loss) on investments

 

25,791

 

12,909

 

 

 

 

 

(491

)

38,209

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(15,061

)

 

 

 

 

 

(503,898

)

(518,959

)

Marketable equity securities

 

282,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,115,975

 

3,398,804

 

Investment in unconsolidated entities

 

161,894

 

19,721

 

 

 

 

 

24,278

 

205,893

 

Total assets

 

5,171,213

 

1,807,044

 

154,287

 

 

26,992

 

 

3,662,363

 

10,821,899

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

636,097

 

$

103,069

 

$

35,178

 

 

$

7,394

 

 

$

4,885

 

$

786,623

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income from reportable and other segments

 

$

412,777

 

 

$

380,698

 

 

$

201,253

 

Investment and other income and expense

 

(89,439

)

 

726,437

 

 

(594,137

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

 

$

323,338

 

 

$

1,107,135

 

 

$

(392,884

)


(1)            Represents Suttle Straus.

(2)            Consists of the Corporate operations, intercompany eliminations, TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom marketable equity securities and all other businesses.

(3)            The amount of operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion and (gain) loss on sales of assets and impairments is a non-GAAP financial measure. The amount may also be commonly referred to by management as operating cash flow. TDS has presented operating cash flow because this financial measure, in combination with other financial measures, is an integral part of our internal reporting system utilized by management to assess and evaluate the performance of its business. Operating cash flow is also considered a significant performance measure. It is used by management as a measurement of its success in obtaining, retaining and servicing customers by reflecting its ability to generate subscriber revenue while providing a high level of customer service in a cost effective manner. The components of operating cash flow include the key revenue and expense items for which operating managers are responsible and upon which TDS evaluates its performance.

Other companies in the wireless industry may define operating cash flow in a different manner or present other varying financial measures, and, accordingly, TDS’s presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Operating cash flow should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (loss), as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity. TDS believes operating cash flow is useful to investors as a means to evaluate TDS’s operating performance prior to non-cash depreciation and amortization expense, and certain other non-

120




cash charges. Although operating cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in the wireless industry, TDS believes that operating cash flow provides some commonality of measurement in analyzing operating performance of companies in the wireless industry.

NOTE 22   DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

TDS is party to an indemnity agreement with T-Mobile (f/k/a VoiceStream Wireless) regarding certain contingent liabilities at Aerial Communications for the period prior to Aerial’s merger into VoiceStream Wireless Corporation in 2000.

In 2006 and 2005, TDS paid $1.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, which included expenses related to the settlement of items related to this indemnity agreement.

In 2005 , TDS recorded a gain of $1.0 million ($1.5 million, net of a $0.5 million income tax expense), or $0.01 per diluted share, for discontinued operations relating to a reduction in this indemnity accrual due to the favorable outcomes of a state tax audits which reduced the potential indemnity obligation. This amount was recorded as Discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In 2004, TDS recorded a gain of $6.4 million ($10.2 million, net of income tax benefit of $3.8 million), or $0.05 per diluted share for a reduction in the indemnity accrual. The accrual was reduced due to favorable outcomes of federal and state tax audits which reduced the potential indemnity obligation, recorded as Discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

NOTE 23   SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding interest paid and income taxes paid (refunds received) and certain noncash transactions.

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

215,947

 

$

194,632

 

$

176,912

 

Income taxes paid (refund received)

 

331,268

 

151,076

 

(10,512

)

Common shares issued for conversion of preferred shares

 

3,000

 

 

 

Net assets acquired in exchange of business assets

 

$

 

$

106,757

 

$

 

 

NOTE 24   NOTES RECEIVABLE

Included in notes receivable at December 31, 2006 is a loan of $55.1 million to Airadigm Communications, Inc. (“Airadigm”), a wireless communications provider, related to the funding of Airadigm’s operations. The value of the loan was directly related to the values of certain assets and contractual rights of Airadigm. The loan had been determined by management to be impaired in 2001 due to Airadigm’s business strategies and other events that caused management to doubt the probable collection of the amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the note. A full valuation allowance of $55.1 million was recorded against the loan.

NOTE 25   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On a Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 17, 2005, TDS disclosed that it may possibly take action at some time in the future to offer and issue TDS Special Common Shares in exchange for all of the Common Shares of U.S. Cellular which are not owned by TDS (a “Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction”).

On March 5, 2007, TDS announced that it has terminated activity relating to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction. Although TDS has terminated activity with respect to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction at this time, TDS reserves the right to recommence activity with respect to a Possible U.S. Cellular Transaction at any time in the future. TDS may also acquire at any time in the future the Common Shares of U.S. Cellular through open market, private purchases or otherwise, or take other action to acquire some or all of the shares of U.S. Cellular not owned by TDS, although it has no present plans to do so.

On April 4, 2007, U.S. Cellular entered into an agreement to purchase 670,000 of its Common Shares from an investment banking firm in a private transaction in connection with an accelerated share

121




repurchase (“ASR”). Including a per share discount and commission payable to the investment bank, the shares were repurchased for approximately $49.1 million or $73.22 per share. The repurchased shares are being held as treasury shares.

In connection with the ASR, the investment bank will purchase an equivalent number of shares in the open-market over time. The program must be completed within two years. At the end of the program, U.S. Cellular will receive or pay a price adjustment based on the average price of shares acquired by the investment bank pursuant to the ASR during the purchase period. The purchase price adjustment can be settled, at U.S. Cellular’s option, in cash or in U.S. Cellular Common Shares. The subsequent purchase price adjustment will change the cost basis of the U.S. Cellular treasury shares.

TDS’s ownership percentage of U.S. Cellular increases upon such U.S. Cellular share repurchases. Therefore, TDS accounts for U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. In addition, the subsequent ASR purchase price adjustment may result in additional amounts being allocated to licenses and goodwill at TDS.

The forward contracts related to the VeriSign common shares held by TDS and the Vodafone ADRs held by U.S. Cellular matured in May 2007. TDS elected to deliver the VeriSign common shares in settlement of the forward contracts, and to dispose of all remaining VeriSign common shares in connection therewith. U.S. Cellular elected to deliver the Vodafone ADRs in settlement of the forward contracts, and to dispose of all remaining Vodafone ADRs in connection therewith. After these forward contracts were settled in May 2007, TDS no longer holds any VeriSign common shares and U.S. Cellular no longer owns any Vodafone ADRs and TDS and U.S. Cellular no longer have any liability or other obligations under the related forward contracts. TDS expects to record a pre-tax gain of approximately $138 million related to the settlement of such forward contracts and the disposition of such remaining VeriSign common shares and such remaining U.S. Cellular owned Vodafone ADRs.

Deutsche Telekom paid a dividend of EUR 0.72 per share in May 2007. Using a weighted-average exchange rate of $1.36 per EUR, TDS will record dividend income of $128.5 million, before taxes, in the second quarter of 2007.

NOTE 26   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of TDS, U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries: Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of a voting trust that controls TDS and U.S. Cellular, the non-executive Chairman of the Board and member of the board of directors of TDS and a director of U.S. Cellular; William S. DeCarlo, the General Counsel of TDS and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel and/or an Assistant Secretary of U.S. Cellular and certain subsidiaries of TDS. Mr. Carlson does not provide legal services to TDS, U.S. Cellular or their subsidiaries. TDS, U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries incurred legal costs from Sidley Austin LLP of $12.0 million in 2006, $7.8 million in 2005 and $10.1 million in 2004. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the review and oversight of all related party transactions, as such term is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

122




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reports of Management

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

Management of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has the responsibility for preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements and for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, in management’s opinion, are fairly presented. The financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management also prepared the other information in the annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the financial statements.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and has expressed herein their unqualified opinion on these financial statements.

/s/ LEROY T. CARLSON, JR.

 

/s/ KENNETH R. MEYERS

 

/s/ D. MICHAEL JACK

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

Kenneth R. Meyers

D. Michael Jack

President and

Executive Vice President and

Senior Vice President and

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Controller

(Principal Executive Officer)

(Principal Financial Officer)

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. TDS’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). TDS’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the issuer; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the issuer; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the issuer’s assets that could have a material effect on the interim or annual consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of TDS’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, TDS conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

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Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the interim or annual consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected. Management identified the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006:

1.                TDS did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of generally accepted accounting principles commensurate with the financial reporting requirements and the complexity of TDS’s operations and transactions. Further, TDS did not have a sufficient number of qualified personnel to create, communicate and apply accounting policies and procedures in compliance with GAAP. This control deficiency contributed to the material weaknesses discussed in the items below and the restatement of TDS’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of substantially all accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to TDS’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

2.                TDS did not maintain effective controls over the completeness, accuracy, presentation and disclosure of its accounting for income taxes, including the determination of income tax expense, income taxes payable, liabilities accrued for tax contingencies and deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Specifically, TDS did not have effective controls designed and in place to accurately calculate income tax expense and income tax payable, monitor the difference between the income tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and reconcile the resulting basis difference to its deferred income tax asset and liability balances. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of TDS’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to TDS’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

3.                TDS did not maintain effective controls over accounting for prepaid forward contracts and related bifurcated embedded derivative instruments. Specifically, effective controls were not designed and in place to de-designate, re-designate and assess hedge effectiveness of the bifurcated embedded collars within the forward contracts as cash flow hedges of marketable equity securities when the embedded collars were contractually modified for differences between the actual and expected dividend rates on the underlying securities. This control deficiency affected other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet and fair value adjustments of derivative instruments and income tax expense on the consolidated statement of operations. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of TDS’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005 and 2004, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to TDS’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

4.                TDS did not maintain effective controls over its accounting for property, plant and equipment. Specifically, effective controls were not designed and in place to ensure accurate recording of transfers and disposals of equipment. This control deficiency affected depreciation expense, property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of TDS’s

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Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005 and 2004, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to TDS’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

As a result of the material weaknesses identified, management has determined that TDS did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of TDS’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in the firm’s report included herein.

/s/ LEROY T. CARLSON, JR.

 

/s/ KENNETH R. MEYERS

 

/s/ D. MICHAEL JACK

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

Kenneth R. Meyers

D. Michael Jack

President and

Executive Vice President and

Senior Vice President and

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Controller

(Principal Executive Officer)

(Principal Financial Officer)

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

125




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc

We have completed integrated audits of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, are presented below.

Consolidated financial statements

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, common shareholders’ equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, a 5.5% owned entity accounted for by the equity method of accounting. The consolidated financial statements of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. reflect an investment in this partnership of $112,000,000 and $110,200,000 as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and equity earnings of $62,300,000,  $52,200,000, and $41,800,000, respectively, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been furnished to us, and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As described in Notes 1 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for share-based compensation and pension and other post-retirement benefits in 2006.

As discussed under the heading “Restatement” in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting

Also, we have audited management’s assessment, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under item 9A, that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, because of the effect of not maintaining (1) a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of generally accepted accounting principles commensurate with its financial reporting requirements and the complexity of the Company’s operations and transactions, (2) effective controls over the completeness, accuracy, presentation and disclosure of its accounting for income taxes, including the determination of income tax expense, income taxes payable, liabilities accrued for tax contingencies and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, (3) effective controls over accounting for prepaid forward contracts and related bifurcated embedded derivatives, and (4) effective controls over its accounting for property, plant, and equipment based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the

126




Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment.

1.               The Company did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of generally accepted accounting principles commensurate with the financial reporting requirements and the complexity of the Company’s operations and transactions. Further, the Company did not have a sufficient number of qualified personnel to create, communicate and apply accounting policies and procedures in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). This control deficiency contributed to the material weaknesses discussed in the items below and the restatement of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of substantially all accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the Company’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

2.               The Company did not maintain effective controls over the completeness, accuracy, presentation and disclosure of its accounting for income taxes, including the determination of income tax expense, income taxes payable, liabilities accrued for tax contingencies and deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Specifically, the Company did not have effective controls designed and in place to accurately calculate income tax expense and income tax payable, monitor the difference between the income tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and

127




reconcile the resulting basis difference to its deferred income tax asset and liability balances. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2004, 2003 and 2002, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2005, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2005 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2005 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to the Company’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

3.               The Company did not maintain effective controls over accounting for prepaid forward contracts and related bifurcated embedded derivative instruments. Specifically, effective controls were not designed and in place to de-designate, re-designate and assess hedge effectiveness of the bifurcated embedded collars within the forward contracts as cash flow hedges of marketable equity securities when the embedded collars were contractually modified for differences between the actual and expected dividend rates on the underlying securities. This control deficiency affected other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet and fair value adjustments of derivative instruments and income tax expense on the consolidated statement of operations. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005 and 2004, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to the Company’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

4.               The Company did not maintain effective controls over its accounting for property, plant and equipment. Specifically, effective controls were not designed and in place to ensure accurate recording of transfers and disposals of equipment. This control deficiency affected depreciation expense, property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for 2005, 2004 and 2003, the interim consolidated financial statements for all quarters in 2005 and 2004, the interim consolidated financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2006, as well as adjustments, including audit adjustments, to the 2006 third quarter interim consolidated financial statements and the 2006 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to the Company’s interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. Also, in our opinion, based on our audit, because of the effects of the material weaknesses described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (signed)
Chicago, Illinois
June 19, 2007

128




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

1,059,077

 

$

1,068,687

 

 

$

1,112,070

 

 

$

1,124,684

 

Operating income

 

107,184

 

107,309

 

 

110,375

 

 

87,909

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

30

 

(11,768

)

 

34,619

 

 

(322,406

)

Gain (loss) on investments (1)

 

 

91,418

 

 

 

 

70,428

 

Income from continuing operations

 

35,997

 

166,759

 

 

75,239

 

 

(116,236

)

Net income

 

$

35,997

 

$

166,759

 

 

$

75,239

 

 

$

(116,236

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

115,741

 

115,768

 

 

115,768

 

 

116,335

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.44

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

$

(1.00

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share—net income

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.44

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

$

(1.00

)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

116,327

 

116,640

 

 

116,862

 

 

116,335

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

$

(1.00

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share—net income

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

$

(1.00

)

Stock price (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

39.90

 

$

41.40

 

 

$

44.25

 

 

$

55.22

 

Low

 

35.14

 

37.02

 

 

39.17

 

 

41.90

 

Quarter-end close

 

39.44

 

41.40

 

 

42.10

 

 

54.33

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

37.98

 

39.15

 

 

42.67

 

 

50.76

 

Low

 

33.95

 

36.45

 

 

38.97

 

 

40.10

 

Quarter-end close

 

37.75

 

38.90

 

 

40.85

 

 

49.60

 

Dividends paid (2)

 

$

0.0925

 

$

0.0925

 

 

$

0.0925

 

 

$

0.0925

 

 

129




 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

September 30

 

December 31(3)
(As Restated)

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

933,962

 

$

967,948

 

 

$

1,027,947

 

 

 

$

1,023,121

 

 

Operating income

 

74,932

 

105,337

 

 

104,485

 

 

 

95,944

 

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

335,400

 

164,323

 

 

(4,429

)

 

 

238,434

 

 

Gain (loss) on investments

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,754

)

 

Income from continuing operations

 

223,561

 

193,979

 

 

38,275

 

 

 

190,928

 

 

Net income

 

$

223,561

 

$

193,979

 

 

$

38,615

 

 

 

$

191,585

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

114,999

 

115,224

 

 

115,423

 

 

 

115,531

 

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

1.94

 

$

1.68

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

$

1.65

 

 

Discontinued operations (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

Basic earnings per share—net income

 

$

1.94

 

$

1.68

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

$

1.66

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

115,795

 

115,959

 

 

116,103

 

 

 

116,189

 

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

1.93

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

$

1.64

 

 

Discontinued operations (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

Diluted earnings per share—net income

 

$

1.93

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

$

1.65

 

 

Stock price (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TDS Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

87.95

 

$

82.90

 

 

$

42.40

 

 

 

$

39.45

 

 

Low

 

76.82

 

38.19

 

 

37.95

 

 

 

36.03

 

 

Quarter-end close

 

81.60

 

40.81

 

 

39.00

 

 

 

36.03

 

 

TDS Special Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

N/A

 

38.34

 

 

40.91

 

 

 

37.90

 

 

Low

 

N/A

 

35.87

 

 

36.45

 

 

 

34.52

 

 

Quarter-end close

 

N/A

 

38.34

 

 

37.55

 

 

 

34.61

 

 

Dividends paid (2)

 

$

0.0875

 

$

0.0875

 

 

$

0.0875

 

 

 

$

0.0875

 

 


(1)            The Gain on Investments for the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily represents the gain associated with TDS Telecom’s gain on remittance of RTB stock of $90.3 million. U.S. Cellular also recorded a gain of $70.4 million on its sale of Midwest Wireless Communications, L.L.C. on October 3, 2006. See Note 2—Gain (loss) on Investments.

(2)            TDS’s Special Common Shares were first issued in a stock dividend on May 13, 2005. Earnings per share, weighted average shares outstanding and dividends have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the stock dividend. TDS’s Series A Common Shares and Preferred Shares are not actively traded and therefore, quotations are not reported for such securities. Dividends on TDS’s Preferred Shares have been paid quarterly since the dates of issue. The high, low and closing sales prices of the Common Shares and the Special Common Shares on the AMEX are reported by the Dow Jones News Service. The stock price of the Common Shares in the quarter ended June 30, 2005 reflects a high of $82.90 and low of $38.19 due to the effect of the stock dividend on May 13, 2005.

(3)            Gain on sales of assets, operating income, income from continuing operations and net income were reduced from previously reported amounts by $2.2 million due to the step acquisition restatement and the allocation of goodwill to the markets sold. See the “Restatement” section of Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for details.

130




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Five-Year Statistical Summary

Year Ended or at December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

(Dollars in thousands,
except per unit amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers

 

5,815,000

 

 

5,482,000

 

 

 

4,945,000

 

 

 

4,409,000

 

 

 

4,103,000

 

 

Growth in customers from prior year-end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internal

 

310,000

 

 

477,000

 

 

 

627,000

 

 

 

447,000

 

 

 

310,000

 

 

Acquisitions (divestitures)

 

23,000

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

(91,000

)

 

 

(141,000

)

 

 

332,000

 

 

Total

 

333,000

 

 

537,000

 

 

 

536,000

 

 

 

306,000

 

 

 

642,000

 

 

Consolidated markets (a)

 

201

 

 

189

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

178

 

 

Average monthly service revenue per customer (b)

 

$

47.23

 

 

$

45.24

 

 

 

$

46.58

 

 

 

$

47.31

 

 

 

$

47.28

 

 

Marketing cost per gross customer addition

 

$

478

 

 

$

460

 

 

 

$

403

 

 

 

$

381

 

 

 

$

365

 

 

Post-pay churn rate per month

 

1.5

%

 

1.5

%

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

1.8

%

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

579,785

 

 

$

576,525

 

 

 

$

636,097

 

 

 

$

630,864

 

 

 

$

732,736

 

 

Total population (c)

 

55,543,000

 

 

45,244,000

 

 

 

44,391,000

 

 

 

46,267,000

 

 

 

41,048,000

 

 

Wireline Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent access lines served (d)

 

757,300

 

 

735,300

 

 

 

730,400

 

 

 

722,200

 

 

 

711,200

 

 

Growth in equivalent access lines from prior year-end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internal

 

22,000

 

 

4,900

 

 

 

8,200

 

 

 

11,000

 

 

 

5,900

 

 

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,000

 

 

Total

 

22,000

 

 

4,900

 

 

 

8,200

 

 

 

11,000

 

 

 

32,900

 

 

Telephone companies

 

111

 

 

111

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

111

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

113,179

 

 

$

97,493

 

 

 

$

103,069

 

 

 

$

111,924

 

 

 

$

116,486

 

 

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent access lines served (d)

 

456,200

 

 

448,600

 

 

 

426,800

 

 

 

364,800

 

 

 

291,400

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

17,255

 

 

$

27,117

 

 

 

$

35,178

 

 

 

$

27,294

 

 

 

$

51,919

 

 

 

Year Ended or at December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005
(As Restated)

 

2004
(As Restated)

 

2003
(As Restated)

 

2002
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands,
except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common, Special Common and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Common Shares outstanding (000s)

 

116,592

 

 

115,555

 

 

 

114,872

 

 

 

114,068

 

 

 

117,354

 

 

Return on average equity (e)

 

4.8

%

 

20.6

%

 

 

(8.6

)%

 

 

(13.3

)%

 

 

(27.8

)%

 

Price/earnings ratio (f)

 

75.86

 

 

12.71

 

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

n/m

 

 

Common stockholders’ equity

 

$

3,570,420

 

 

$

3,217,195

 

 

 

$

3,076,043

 

 

 

$

2,953,223

 

 

 

$

3,215,284

 

 

Common equity per share (g)

 

28.35

 

 

25.58

 

 

 

24.49

 

 

 

23.54

 

 

 

25.73

 

 

Total assets

 

10,599,514

 

 

10,204,782

 

 

 

10,821,899

 

 

 

10,036,503

 

 

 

9,849,121

 

 

Marketable equity securities

 

2,790,630

 

 

2,531,690

 

 

 

3,398,804

 

 

 

2,772,410

 

 

 

1,944,939

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

1,633,308

 

 

1,633,519

 

 

 

1,974,599

 

 

 

1,994,913

 

 

 

1,641,624

 

 

Forward contracts, excluding current portion

 

987,301

 

 

1,707,282

 

 

 

1,689,644

 

 

 

1,672,762

 

 

 

1,656,616

 

 

Year-end stock price (g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

$

54.33

 

 

$

36.03

 

 

 

$

76.95

 

 

 

$

62.55

 

 

 

$

47.02

 

 

Special Common Shares

 

49.60

 

 

34.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined

 

$

103.93

 

 

$

70.64

 

 

 

$

76.95

 

 

 

$

62.55

 

 

 

$

47.02

 

 

Dividends per share (g)

 

$

0.37

 

 

$

0.35

 

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

$

0.31

 

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

 

131





(a)             Markets whose results are included in U.S. Cellular’s consolidated operating results.

(b)            The numerator of this calculation consists of service revenues for the respective 12-month period divided by 12. The denominator consists of the average number of U.S. Cellular wireless customers.

(c)             Total population amounts  are based on previous year Claritas estimates.

(d)            An “access line” is a single or multi-party circuit between the customer’s establishment and the central switching office. Access line equivalents are derived by converting high capacity data lines to the estimated equivalent number, in terms of capacity, of switched access lines. The statistics for competitive local exchange carrier have in the past been and continue to be reported using equivalent access lines.

(e)             Return on average equity is calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations by the average of beginning and ending common shareholders’ equity. Those amounts are taken from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Balance Sheets. The result is shown as a percentage.

(f)                Based on the year-end stock price divided by diluted earnings per share from Continuing Operations.

(g)            The 2005 year-end stock price reflects the Special Common Share stock dividend issued May 13, 2005. Common stockholders’ equity per share and dividends per share have been retroactively adjusted for 2004-2002 to give effect to the stock dividend.

n/m = calculation not meaningful

132




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Selected Consolidated Financial Data

Year Ended or at December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005 (e)
(As Restated)

 

2004 (e)
(As Restated)

 

2003 (e)
(As Restated)

 

2002 (e)
(As Restated)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

4,364,518

 

$

3,952,978

 

$

3,702,137

 

$

3,455,230

 

$

3,009,814

 

Operating income

 

412,777

 

380,698

 

201,253

 

(93,444

)

380,243

 

Fair value adjustment of derivative instruments

 

(299,525

)

733,728

 

(518,959

)

(297,073

)

(11,936

)

Gain (loss) on investments

 

161,846

 

(6,254

)

38,209

 

(10,200

)

(1,888,391

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

161,759

 

646,743

 

(259,297

)

(409,860

)

(956,317

)

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

997

 

6,362

 

(1,609

)

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

 

(11,789

)

(7,035

)

Net income (loss) available to common

 

$

161,594

 

$

647,538

 

$

(253,138

)

$

(423,675

)

$

(963,779

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

115,904

 

115,296

 

114,592

 

115,442

 

117,288

 

Basic earnings per share from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations (d)

 

$

1.39

 

$

5.61

 

$

(2.26

)

$

(3.56

)

$

(8.16

)

Discontinued operations (d)

 

 

0.01

 

0.05

 

(0.01

)

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change (d)

 

 

 

 

(0.10

)

(0.06

)

Income (loss) available to common (d)

 

$

1.39

 

$

5.62

 

$

(2.21

)

$

(3.67

)

$

(8.22

)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000s)

 

116,844

 

116,081

 

114,592

 

115,442

 

117,288

 

Diluted earnings per share from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations (d)

 

$

1.37

 

$

5.56

 

$

(2.26

)

$

(3.56

)

$

(8.16

)

Discontinued operations (d)

 

 

0.01

 

0.05

 

(0.01

)

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change (d)

 

 

 

 

(0.10

)

(0.06

)

Income (loss) available to common (d)

 

$

1.37

 

$

5.57

 

$

(2.21

)

$

(3.67

)

$

(8.22

)

Dividends per Common, Special Common and Series A Common Share(d)

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.29

 

Pro forma (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

(411,469

)

$

(965,901

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

(3.56

)

(8.24

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

(3.56

)

$

(8.24

)

Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,015,900

 

$

1,095,791

 

$

1,171,105

 

$

940,578

 

$

1,301,599

 

Marketable equity securities

 

2,790,630

 

2,531,690

 

3,398,804

 

2,772,410

 

1,944,939

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,581,386

 

3,529,760

 

3,425,903

 

3,404,815

 

3,228,219

 

Total assets

 

10,599,514

 

10,204,782

 

10,821,899

 

10,036,503

 

9,489,121

 

Notes payable

 

35,000

 

135,000

 

30,000

 

 

461,792

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

1,633,308

 

1,633,519

 

1,974,599

 

1,994,913

 

1,641,624

 

Prepaid forward contracts, excluding current portion

 

987,301

 

1,707,282

 

1,689,644

 

1,672,762

 

1,656,616

 

Common stockholders’ equity

 

3,570,420

 

3,217,195

 

3,076,043

 

2,953,223

 

3,215,284

 

Capital expenditures

 

722,458

 

$

710,507

 

$

786,623

 

$

776,037

 

$

918,127

 

Current ratio (b)

 

1.4

 

1.7

 

2.5

 

2.1

 

1.7

 

Return on average equity (c)

 

4.8

%

20.6

%

(8.6

)%

(13.3

)%

(27.8

)%


(a)             Pro forma amounts reflect the effect of the retroactive application of the change in accounting principle for the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” in 2003. Therefore, no pro forma amounts are required in 2004 or 2005 or 2006.

(b)            Current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. These amounts are taken directly from the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(c)             Return on average equity is calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations by the average of beginning and ending common shareholders’ equity. Those amounts are taken from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Balance Sheets. The result is shown as a percentage.

(d)            As discussed in Footnote 18 “Common Shareholders Equity”, TDS distributed one Special Common Share in the form of a stock dividend with respect to each outstanding Common Share and Series A Common Share of TDS on May 13, 2005 to shareholders of record on April 29, 2005. Prior period earnings per share have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the new capital structure.

(e)             As discussed in Footnote 1, TDS restated certain prior year financial statements to record U.S. Cellular’s purchases of U.S. Cellular common shares as step acquisitions using purchase accounting. License and goodwill impairments and the reduction of previously recorded gains on sales of assets reduced operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share by $352.8 million, $285.7 million and $2.47 in 2003 and $1.5 million, $0.9 million and $0.01 in 2002, respectively.

133




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

TDS STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

TDS’s Common Shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) under the symbol “TDS”. TDS’s Special Common Shares are listed on the AMEX under the symbol “TDS.S”. As of February 28, 2007, TDS Common Shares were held by 1,810 record owners, the Special Common Shares were held by 1,820 record owners, and the Series A Common Shares were held by 87 record owners. TDS distributed one Special Common Share in the form of a stock dividend with respect to each outstanding Common Share and Series A Common Share of TDS on May 13, 2005 to shareholders of record on April 29, 2005.

TDS has paid cash dividends on its common stock since 1974, and paid dividends of $0.37 per Common, Special Common and Series A Common Share during 2006. During 2005, TDS paid dividends of $0.35 per Common, Special Common and Series A Common Share. The 2005 dividend amount reflects the Special Common Share dividend noted above as if the Special Common Shares were distributed on January 1, 2005.

The Common Shares of United States Cellular Corporation, an 80.7%-owned subsidiary of TDS, are listed on the AMEX under the symbol “USM”.

See “Consolidated Quarterly Information (Unaudited)” for information on the high and low trading prices of the TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares for 2006 and 2005.

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following chart graphs the performance of the cumulative total return to shareholders (stock price appreciation plus dividends) during the previous five years in comparison to returns of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index and a peer group index. The peer group index was constructed specifically for TDS and includes the following telecommunications companies: ALLTEL Corp., Centennial Communications Corp., CenturyTel, Inc., Citizens Communications Co. (Series B), Dobson Communications Corp., and TDS. In calculating the peer group index, the returns of each company in the group have been weighted according to such company’s market capitalization at the beginning of the period.

The peer group was changed from the prior year to add Dobson Communications Corp. and to delete Rural Cellular Corp. (Class A) to make it more fully representative of TDS’s peers.

134




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

GRAPHIC

*                    Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

 

$

100

 

$

52.92

 

$

71.25

 

$

88.42

 

$

81.74

 

$

120.70

 

S&P 500 Index

 

$

100

 

$

77.90

 

$

100.25

 

$

111.15

 

$

116.61

 

$

135.03

 

New Peer Group

 

$

100

 

$

80.10

 

$

84.30

 

$

104.05

 

$

112.03

 

$

136.64

 

Old Peer Group

 

$

100

 

$

80.07

 

$

84.05

 

$

106.04

 

$

112.33

 

$

137.02

 

 

Assumes $100.00 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding the first day of the fifth preceding fiscal year in TDS Common Shares, S&P 500 and Peer Group.

After the close of business on May 13, 2005, TDS distributed a stock dividend of one Special Common Share of TDS with respect to each outstanding TDS Common Share and Series A Common Share. For purposes of the stock performance chart, the performance of TDS for all periods presented prior to May 13, 2005 is represented by the TDS Common Shares, and for the period between May 13, 2005 and December 31, 2006 includes both the TDS Common Shares and TDS Special Common Shares. The last closing price of TDS Common Shares on May 13, 2005 prior to the impact of the stock dividend was $74.57. The closing price on May 16, 2005, the first trading day after the stock dividend, was $38.19 for the TDS Common Shares and $36.25 for the TDS Special Common Share, or a total of $74.44. The closing price on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of 2006, was $54.33 for the TDS Common Shares and $49.60 for the TDS Special Common Shares, or a total of $103.93.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Our dividend reinvestment plans provides our common and preferred shareholders with a convenient and economical way to participate in the future growth of TDS. Common, Special Common and preferred shareholders of record owning ten (10) or more shares may purchase Common Shares (in the case of Common and Preferred shareholders) and Special Common Shares (in the case of Special Common shareholders) with their reinvested dividends at a five percent discount from market price. Shares may also

135




Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

be purchased, at market price, on a monthly basis through optional cash payments of up to $5,000 in any calendar quarter. The initial ten (10) shares cannot be purchased directly from TDS. An authorization card and prospectus will be mailed automatically by the transfer agent to all registered record holders with ten (10) or more shares. Once enrolled in the plan, there are no brokerage commissions or service charges for purchases made under the plan. TDS’s dividend reinvestment plans are currently suspended.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Our annual report, Form 10-K, prospectuses and news releases are available free of charge upon request. These materials may be obtained either online through the “Info Request” feature of the Investor Relations section of TDS’s web site (www.teldta.com), or by directly contacting TDS’s Investor Relations Department at the address listed below.

Inquiries concerning lost, stolen or destroyed certificates, dividends, consolidation of accounts, transferring of shares, or name and address changes, should be directed to:

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Julie Mathews

Manager—Investor Relations

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000

Chicago, IL 60602

312.592.5341

312.630.1908 (fax)

julie.mathews@teldta.com

Our annual report, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, news releases and other investor information is also available in the Investor Relations section of TDS’s web site (www.teldta.com). General inquiries by investors, securities analysts and other members of the investment community should be directed to:

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Mark Steinkrauss

Vice President—Corporate Relations

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000

Chicago, IL 60602

312.592.5384

312.630.1908 (fax)

mark.steinkrauss@teldta.com

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

See “Election of Directors” and “Executive Officers” sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting.

PRINCIPAL COUNSEL

Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois

TRANSFER AGENT

ComputerShare Investor Services

2 North LaSalle Street, 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60602

877.337.1575

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Visit TDS’s web site at www.teldta.com

136




 

TDS [Logo]

 

 

MR A SAMPLE

DESIGNATION (IF ANY)

ADD 1

ADD 2

ADD 3

ADD 4

ADD 5

ADD 6

 

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

 

Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet!

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose the voting method
outlined below to vote your proxy.

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

 

Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by
1:00 a.m., Central Time, on July 26, 2007.

 

Vote by Internet

· Log on to the Internet and go to

   www.investorvote.com

· Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.

 

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card - Common

123456

C0123456789

12345

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A  Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

1. Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

01 - G. P. Josefowicz

o

o

02 - C. D. O’Leary

o

o

03 - M. H. Saranow

o

o

04 - H. S. Wander

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

2. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

o

o

o

 

3. Ratify Accountants for 2007.

o

o

o

 

4.    In accordance with their discretion, to vote upon all other matters that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, including
matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting.

B  Change of Address — Please print new address below.

  

 

  

 

 

C  Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C

NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

/      /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C 1234567890                                     J N T

4 2 A V                                        0 1 3 2 8 0 3

 

MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE

140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TDS [Logo]

 

 

 

 

Proxy - Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy for Common Shares Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the

Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

To Be Held July 26, 2007

The undersigned hereby appoints Walter C.D. Carlson and LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., or either of them acting in the absence of the other, with power of substitution, attorneys and proxies for and in the name and place of the undersigned, to vote the number of Common Shares that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., to be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side hereof. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3. If a nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the persons named in this proxy shall have discretionary authority to vote for a substitute nominee if one is designated by the Board of Directors (unless authority to vote for nominees has been withheld).

Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, please complete and sign the proxy card, and mail the card in the enclosed postage paid envelope addressed to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., c/o Computershare Investor Services.

Please note that if this voting instruction card is not properly completed and signed, or if it is not timely received by the designated tabulator, shares allocated to a participant’s account for the TDS Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (“401(k) Plan”) will be voted as directed by the Investment Management Committee for the TDS 401(k) Plan, which shall act in the best interest of the Plan participants.

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)




 

TDS [Logo]

 

 

MR A SAMPLE

DESIGNATION (IF ANY)

ADD 1

ADD 2

ADD 3

ADD 4

ADD 5

ADD 6

 

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

 

Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet!

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose the voting method
outlined below to vote your proxy.

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

 

Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by
1:00 a.m., Central Time, on July 26, 2007.

 

Vote by Internet

· Log on to the Internet and go to

   www.investorvote.com

· Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.

 

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card - Special Common

123456

C0123456789

12345

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A  Proposal — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees.

1. Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

01 - G. P. Josefowicz

o

o

02 - C. D. O’Leary

o

o

03 - M. H. Saranow

o

o

04 - H. S. Wander

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B  Change of Address — Please print new address below.

  

 

  

 

 

C  Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C

NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

/      /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C 1234567890                                     J N T

4 0 A V                                        0 1 3 2 8 0 4

 

MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE

140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TDS [Logo]

 

 

 

 

Proxy - Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy for Special Common Shares Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the

Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

To Be Held July 26, 2007

The undersigned hereby appoints Walter C.D. Carlson and LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., or either of them acting in the absence of the other, with power of substitution, attorneys and proxies for and in the name and place of the undersigned, to vote the number of Special Common Shares that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., to be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side hereof. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1. If a nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the persons named in this proxy shall have discretionary authority to vote for a substitute nominee if one is designated by the Board of Directors (unless authority to vote for nominees has been withheld).

Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, please complete and sign the proxy card, and mail the card in the enclosed postage paid envelope addressed to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., c/o Computershare Investor Services.

Please note that if this voting instruction card is not properly completed and signed, or if it is not timely received by the designated tabulator, shares allocated to a participant’s account for the TDS Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (“401(k) Plan”) will be voted as directed by the Investment Management Committee for the TDS 401(k) Plan, which shall act in the best interest of the Plan participants.

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)




 

TDS [Logo]

 

 

MR A SAMPLE

DESIGNATION (IF ANY)

ADD 1

ADD 2

ADD 3

ADD 4

ADD 5

ADD 6

 

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

 

Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet!

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose the voting method
outlined below to vote your proxy.

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

 

Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by
1:00 a.m., Central Time, on July 26, 2007.

 

Vote by Internet

· Log on to the Internet and go to

   www.investorvote.com

· Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.

 

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card - Series A Common

123456

C0123456789

12345

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A  Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

1. Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

01 - J. Barr III

o

o

02 - L. T. Carlson

o

o

03 - L. T. Carlson, Jr.

o

o

04 - L. G. Carlson

o

o

05 - W. C. D. Carlson

o

o

06 - K.R. Meyers

o

o

07 - D. C. Nebergall

o

o

08 - G. W. Off

o

o

 

 

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

2. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

o

o

o

 

3. Ratify Accountants for 2007.

o

o

o

 

4.    In accordance with their discretion, to vote upon all other matters that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, including
matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting.

B  Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

  

 

  

 

 

C  Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

/      /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C 1234567890                                     J N T

8 2 A V                                        0 1 3 2 8 0 1

 

MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE

140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TDS [Logo]

 

 

 

 

Proxy - Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy for Series A Common Shares Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

To Be Held July 26, 2007

The undersigned hereby appoints Walter C.D. Carlson and LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., or either of them acting in the absence of the other, with power of substitution, attorneys and proxies for and in the name and place of the undersigned, to vote the number of Series A Common Shares that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., to be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side hereof. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3. If a nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the persons named in this proxy shall have discretionary authority to vote for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors (unless authority to vote for nominees has been withheld).

Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, please complete and sign the proxy card, and mail the card in the enclosed postage paid envelope addressed to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., c/o Computershare Investor Services.

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)




 

TDS [Logo]

 

 

MR A SAMPLE

DESIGNATION (IF ANY)

ADD 1

ADD 2

ADD 3

ADD 4

ADD 5

ADD 6

 

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

000000000.000000 ext        000000000.000000 ext

 

Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet!

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose the voting method
outlined below to vote your proxy.

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

 

Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by
1:00 a.m., Central Time, on July 26, 2007.

 

Vote by Internet

· Log on to the Internet and go to

   www.investorvote.com

· Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.

 

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card - Preferred

123456

C0123456789

12345

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A  Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

1. Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

 

For

Withhold

01 - J. Barr III

o

o

02 - L. T. Carlson

o

o

03 - L. T. Carlson, Jr.

o

o

04 - L. G. Carlson

o

o

05 - W. C. D. Carlson

o

o

06 - K.R. Meyers

o

o

07 - D. C. Nebergall

o

o

08 - G. W. Off

o

o

 

 

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

2. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

o

o

o

 

3. Ratify Accountants for 2007.

o

o

o

 

4.    In accordance with their discretion, to vote upon all other matters that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, including
matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting.

B  Non-Voting Items

Change of Address Please print new address below.

  

 

  

 

 

C  Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

/      /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C 1234567890                                     J N T

8 2 A V                                        0 1 3 2 8 0 2

 

MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE

140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TDS [Logo]

 

 

 

 

Proxy - Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy for Preferred Shares Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

To Be Held July 26, 2007

The undersigned hereby appoints Walter C.D. Carlson and LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., or either of them acting in the absence of the other, with power of substitution, attorneys and proxies for and in the name and place of the undersigned, to vote the number of Preferred Shares that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., to be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the reverse side hereof. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3. If a nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the persons named in this proxy shall have discretionary authority to vote for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors (unless authority to vote for nominees has been withheld).

Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it is important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, please complete and sign the proxy card, and mail the card in the enclosed postage paid envelope addressed to Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., c/o Computershare Investor Services.

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)